Centre extends Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Ann Yojana (PMGKAY) (GS Paper 2, Governance)
Why in news?
- Recently, the Union Cabinet has approved the extension for the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY-Phase VII) for a further period of 3 months i.e. October to December 2022.
- Recognising that people have gone through a difficult period of pandemic, Govt has decided to extend PMGKAY for a period of three months so that poor and vulnerable sections of society are supported for the forthcoming major festivals.
Key Highlights:
- Under this welfare scheme, 5 kg of food grain per person per month is provided free of cost for all the beneficiaries covered under the National Food Security Act (NFSA) (Antodaya Anna Yojana & Priority Households) including those covered under Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).
- The total outgo in terms of food grains for PMGKAY Phase VII is likely to be about 122 LMT. The aggregate allocation of food grain for phases I- VII is about 1121 LMT.
So far, PMGKAY has been in operation for 25 months as under
- Phase I and II ( 8 months) : April’20 to Nov.’20
- Phase-III to V (11 months) : May’21 to March’22
- Phase-VI ( 6 months) : April’22 to Sept.’22
About PM-GKAY:
- PM Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PM-GKAY) was initially announced for a three-month period (April, May and June 2020), covering 80 crore ration cardholders. Later it was extended till November 2020.
- Its nodal Ministry is the Ministry of Finance.
- The scheme aimed at providing each person who is covered under the NFSA (National Food Security Act 2013) with an additional 5 kg grains (wheat or rice) for free, in addition to the 5 kg of subsidized food grain already provided through the Public Distribution System (PDS).
- The new version of the PMGKAY lacks one of its important components which was there in 2020 PMGKAY i:e free-of-cost 1 kg pulses per month to each household covered under the NFSA.
Way Forward:
- Going by the experience of earlier phases, the performance of PMGKAY-VII is expected to be on the same high level as achieved before.
MoU signed between ISA & international Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO)
(GS Paper 3, Environment)
Why in news?
- Recently, on the sidelines of the 42th Session of International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Assembly in Montreal, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between International Solar Alliance (ISA) and ICAO.
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About ISA:
- The International Solar Alliance (ISA) initiative was laid down by Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi and H.E. Francois Hollande, former President of France in 2015 at COP 21 in Paris.
- The ISA is an alliance of 121 signatory countries and 32 partner organizations including many UN organizations.
- ISA works for efficient consumption of solar energy to reduce dependence on fossil fuels.
- ISA strives to devise cost effective and transformational solutions for using renewable energy to member countries with a particular focus in delivering on impact in LDCs and SlDCs.
Net Zero Carbon goal of India:
- India has pledged for Net Zero Carbon goal in 2070 in COP 26. Its approach continues to be human-centric, based on respect and national ownership principles, with commitment to one and all.
- India has pledged a target of installing 175 GW of renewable energy of which 100 GW will be solar energyby 2022 and reduction in emission intensity by 33-35% by 2030, to let solar energy reach the most unconnected villages and communities.
- Cochin International Airport in India became the world’s first fully Solar powered airport in the world in 2015.
Contribution by France:
- India, with the support of France, has invited nations to facilitate infrastructure for implementation of solar projects.
- The alliance has committed one trillion dollars as investment, and it is committed to making the costs of solar power more affordable for remote and inaccessible communities.
Way Forward:
- ICAO is committed towards reducing carbon emissions in aviation sector through its numerous initiatives and goals.
- It will work towards providing information, providing advocacy, capacity building and demonstration projects.
- It will enable the solarization of aviation sector across all Member States.
ASI finds remains of Buddhist caves, temples in Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve
(GS Paper 1, Art and Culture)
Why in news?
- Recently, the Archaeological Survey of India has found ancient caves and temples, remains of Buddhist structures and mural inscriptions bearing names of cities like Mathura and Kaushambi in old scripts during its recent exploration at Bandhavgarh in Madhya Pradesh.
Details:
- An ASI team covered nearly 170 sq km falling in the area of the famous Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve that is not accessible to public during the over a month-long exploration of the region.
- The explorationat the place undertook for the first since 1938exploration by archaelogist N P Chakravarti.
Key Findings:
- During the exercise, ASI reported many ancient sculptures, including large monolithic sculptures of various avatars of Vishnu like 'Varaha' and 'Matsya', and "board games made in natural caves".
- A votive stupa and a Buddhist pillar fragment containing miniature stups carving, which roughly date back to 2nd-3rd century AD have been documented.
- The noteworthy feature is the names of old cities like Mathura and Kaushambi, located in Uttar Pradesh, found in ancient inscriptions.
- Coins belonging to Mughal-era and Sharqi dynasty of Jaunpur Sultanate have also been found.
Kalachuri period:
- A total of 35 temples have been documented, nine earlier and 26 temples or remains of temple of Kalachuri period in the latest exploration.
- Of the caves, 26 are newly documented, dating to 2nd century BC to 5th century AD period and mostly Buddhist in nature, while 50 were reported earlier.
- Two new Shaiva maths of Kalachuri period (9th-11th century AD) and two new stupas have also been documented.
- Also, remains of Mahayana sect of Buddhism like chaitya-shaped doors and cells containing stone beds have also come to light.
- Besides, 46 new sculptures also documented, 10 were already reported earlier prior to this exploration this year.
Brahmi inscriptions:
- Twenty-four Brahmi inscriptions dated from 2nd-5th century AD have been documented.
- Mathura's name was mentioned in Brahmi script, Bajpai said, adding, inscriptions are also in Nagari and Shankhalipi.
- Besides, names of Mathura and Kaushambi, Pavata (Parvata), Vejabharada and Sepatanaairikaa are also mentioned in various inscriptions.
- Names of important kings mentioned in the old inscriptions include, Maharaja Shri Bhimsena, Maharaja Pothasiri and Maharaja Bhattadeva.
About Bandhavgarh:
- It resides on the extreme north eastern border of Madhya Pradesh and the northern edges of the Satpura mountain ranges.
- In 1968, it was notified as a national park and in 1993 was declared a tiger reserve- under the Project Tiger Network at the neighbouring Panpatha Sanctuary.
- It was ruled by major dynasties including Sengars, the Kalchuris, and the Baghels (believed to rule the regions for the longer period).
Government discontinues science, health awards
(GS Paper 2, Governance)
Why in news?
- Recently, the Centre has decided to do away with over 250 awards given to scientists and medical researchers.
- This comes as delayed-release grants and student fellowships already haunt the research community.
Transformation:
- The transformation of India’s award ecosystem envisages restricting the number of awards and awardees and making the selection process transparent.
- The Department of Science and Technology gives out 207 awards. Some 38 awards are given by the atomic energy department, three by the space department, six by the biotechnology department, seven by the industrial research department, four by the Ministry of Earth Sciences and 17 by the Department of Health and Family Affairs.
Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar prize:
- The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, India’s largest research and development organisation, presents the prestigious Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar prize annually September 26.
- It recognises outstanding contributions to science and technology. But in 2022, any announcements on the same haven’t been made yet.
- Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar awards will be allowed to continue, but with some changes, according to the minutes of the meeting.
- The awardees received a monthly remuneration of Rs 15,000 for 20 years. This tenure may be reduced to 15 years.
Vigyan Ratna:
- Further, the Home Secretary recommended setting up Vigyan Ratna, a “Nobel Prize-like award.”
Budget on R&D:
- India’s research and development expenditures are among the lowest in the world.
- The Centre spends only 0.7 per cent of gross domestic product on research and development. This pales in comparison to China’s 2 per cent, Japan’s 3.4 per cent and the United States’ 2.7 per cent.
