Social Issues
Virtual Training of Trainers Programme on Forest Rights Act, 2006'

Relevance IN - Prelims ( about virtual training programme - highlights + about TRI + about forest rights act 2006) + Mains ( GS II welfare scheme for the vulnerable section of population)
What's he NEWS

• Minister of Tribal Affairs, Sh. Arjun Munda inaugurated a ‘Three day National level Virtual Training of Trainers Programme on Forest Rights Act, 2006,' as part of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav/Parv

Know! about the training

• The virtual training programme is being organized jointly by Ministry of Tribal Affairs, National Tribal Research Institute , New Delhi, Tribal Research and Training Institute Chhattisgarh and UNDP from 2nd-4th August, 2021.
• The Three day National level Virtual Training of Trainers Programme on Forest Rights Act will help in enhancing the knowledge base of Forest Rights Act and ensuring development of tribal community.
• This training programme will cover topics such as Overview on Forest Right Act, Interface of FRA with Laws Regulating Land and Forest Land in India, Institutional Mechanisms: Role and functions of mandated institutions, issues related to diversion of forest land identification of CWH and relocation and rejection of claims, grievances and appeal,post rights recognition issues, Records of Rights and Conversion of Forest villages into Revenue villages etc.

Tribal Research Institute (TRI)

• It is the research body of the Ministry of Tribal affairs at state level .
• It is envisaged that TRIs should focus on their core responsibilities as body of knowledge & research more or less as a think tank for tribal development, preservation of tribal cultural heritage, providing inputs to States for evidence based planning and appropriate legislations, capacity building of tribals and persons / institutions associated with tribal affairs, dissemination of information and creation of awareness .
• There are 26 Tribal Research Institute (TRIs) supported by ministry of Tribal Affairs,Government of India.

The Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006

• It recognizes the rights of the forest dwelling tribal communities and other traditional forest dwellers to forest resources, on which these communities were dependent for a variety of needs, including livelihood, habitation and other socio-cultural needs.
• The Act further enjoins upon the Gram Sabha and rights holders the responsibility of conservation and protection of bio-diversity, wildlife, forests, adjoining catchment areas, water sources and other ecologically sensitive areas as well as to stop any destructive practices affecting these resources or cultural and natural heritage of the tribals.
• The Gram Sabha is also a highly empowered body under the Act, enabling the tribal population to have a decisive say in the determination of local policies and schemes impacting them.
• The Act empowers the forest dwellers to access and use the forest resources in the manner that they were traditionally accustomed, to protect, conserve and manage forests, protect forest dwellers from unlawful evictions and also provides for basic development facilities for the community of forest dwellers to access facilities of education, health, nutrition, infrastructure etc.

Objective:

• To undo the historical injustice occurred to the forest dwelling communities
• To ensure land tenure, livelihood and food security of the forest dwelling Scheduled Tribes and other traditional forest dwellers
• To strengthen the conservation regime of the forests by including the responsibilities and authority on Forest Rights holders for sustainable use, conservation of biodiversity and maintenance of ecological balance.

Culture Ministry launches a unique programme to celebrate Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav on Independence Day this year

Relevance IN - Prelims ( about the imitative of cultural Ministry + Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav + Pingali Venkayya)

What's the NEWS

• Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav is being celebrated across the nation to commemorate India's 75 years of Independence.
• Ministry of Culture celebrating Independence Day this year by inviting people to sing the National anthem and upload the video on website www.RASHTRAGAAN.IN.
• The compilation of National Anthem will be shown live on 15th August, 2021.
• The initiative was announced by the Prime Minister, in Mann Ki Baat dated 25thJuly as a part of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav.

Pingali Venkayya

• On the occasion of the 125th birth anniversary of freedom fighter Pingali Venkayya, the Minister paid rich tributes to him.
• In 1916, Pingali venkayya had published a booklet titled "A National Flag for India" describing flags of different countries and also gave his ideas towards Indian National Flag.

Azadi Ka Amrit Mahostav

• Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav was started from Mahatma Gandhi's Sabarmati Ashram on 12th March this year with a 75-week countdown to 75th anniversary of country's Independence on 15th August, 2022.
• Since then programs related to Amrit Mahotsav are going on across the country from Jammu and Kashmir to Puducherry, Gujarat to Northeast.

Information given by Ministers during the Question hour (Parliament Monsoon session highlights)

Bharat Nirman Yojana (BNY)

Know! about BNY

• Government of India had implemented the Bharat Nirman Yojana (BNY) from 2005 to 2014 to build rural infrastructure for the development of rural areas of the country.
• Irrigation(Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme-AIBP) is one of the components for development of rural infrastructure under Bharat Nirman.
• Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) was launched during 2015-16 by the Central Government to complete long pending irrigation projects, ensuring Har Khet Ko Pani (HKKP)-Command Area Development & Water Management (CADWM), Surface Minor Irrigation (SMI) / Repair, Renovation & Restoration (RRR) of Water Bodies and Ground Water Irrigation with an overarching vision to ensure access to some means of protective irrigation for all agricultural farms in the country, and to produce ‘per drop more crop', thus bringing much desired rural prosperity.
• This scheme is under implementation at present.

Water (state subject)

• Water is a State subject and the development of irrigation and drinking water thus falls in the ambit of respective State Governments.
• As such the planning, execution, operation and maintenance of irrigation and drinking water projects are to be carried out by the States from their own resources as per their priorities.
• Ministry of Jal Shakti examines the projects from inter-State and other technical aspects before clearing it from techno-economic consideration for major/medium irrigation & multipurpose projects.

Irrigation Schemes for the Benefit of Small and Marginal Farmers

• Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) was initiated in 2015 with an aim to enhance physical access of water on farm and expand cultivable area under assured irrigation, improve on-farm water use efficiency, introduce sustainable water conservation practices, etc.
• It is an umbrella scheme, consisting of two major components being implemented by this Ministry, namely, Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme (AIBP), and Har Khet Ko Pani (HKKP).
• HKKP, in turn, consists of four sub-components, being Command Area Development (CAD), Surface Minor Irrigation (SMI), Repair, Renovation and Restoration (RRR) of Water Bodies, and Ground Water (GW) Development component.
• In addition, PMKSY also consists of two components being implemented by other Ministries.
• Per Drop More Crop (PDMC) component is being implemented by Department of Agriculture, Cooperation and Farmers Welfare, Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare.
• Watershed Development component (WDC) of PMKSY is being implemented by Department of Land Resources, Ministry of Rural Development.
• For AIBP as well as CAD component of HKKP, funding arrangements are being made through Long Term Irrigation Fund (LTIF) with borrowings from NABARD.
• Central assistance is released through LTIF as and when eligible proposals are received from States.
• PMKSY is under implementation since 2015. The scheme was initially valid till March, 2020, which was later extended till March, 2021. Proposal for its extension for the period 2021-26, has been proposed.

Implementation of National SC/ST hub

Know! about the National SC/ST Hub (NSSH)

• The National SC/ST Hub (NSSH) is being implemented through National Small Industries Corporation Limited (NSIC) a PSU under this Ministry to provide professional support to SC/ST entrepreneurs to fulfill the obligations under the Public Procurement Policy for Micro and Small Enterprises, adopt applicable business practices and leverage the Stand up India initiative with an objective to promote "enterprise culture" amongst the SC/ST Population.
• A number of initiatives have been taken under the Hub which include Special Credit Linked Capital Subsidy Scheme (SCLCSS), Special Marketing Assistance Scheme(SMAS), Single Point Registration Scheme(SPRS), capacity building programmes, reimbursement of Bank Guarantee charges, Bank Loan processing charges, Testing Charges/fee of various NABL accredited laboratories etc.
• Further, to provide mentoring and handholding support to SC/ST entrepreneurs 15 National SC-ST Hub Offices (NSSHOs) have been set up across the country.
• These NSSHOs are offering technical support to SC-ST MSEs on bid participation, finance facilitation, participation in special vendor development programmes, CPSE connects, e-tender trainings, GeM, Udyam registration, etc.

Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakaram

• The Ministry of Minority Affairs implements the Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakaram (PMJVK), in the identified Minority Concentration Areas (MCAs) of the country, with the objective to develop socio economic assets and basic amenities in the MCAs.
• The scheme was restructured in May 2018 and areas identified for implementation of the scheme was increased from a coverage of 196 districts to 308 districts which includes 870 Minority Concentration Blocks, 321 Minority Concentration Towns and 109 Minority Concentration District Headquarters.
• Priority sectors under the scheme are education, health, skill development and women centric projects.
• Projects under PMJVK are implemented by States/UTs/Central Government Organizations as per the need of the identified MCAs.
• In the last 7 years under the "Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram" (PMJVK) more than 43,000 basic infrastructure projects including education, health, skill development, women related projects, sports and sadbhav mandaps etc. have been sanctioned

Scheme for Promotion of Culture of Science (SPoCS)

Know! about National Council of Science Museums (NCSM)

• It an autonomous organization under the Ministry of Culture, Govt. of India, has developed a chain of science museums and science centers throughout the Country including Science Cities through Scheme for Promotion of Culture of Science (SPoCS) for portraying the growth of science and technology and their application in industry and human welfare, with a view to develop scientific attitude and temper in the country as also to conduct research in science and technology in the areas pertaining to the activities of the Council.
• NCSM has taken up projects for setting up of new science centres under SPoCS Scheme of Govt. of India
• Currently, 25 Science Museums/Science Centres in the country are functioning under the administrative control of National Council of Science Museums (NCSM).
• NCSM in collaboration with State Governments and UTs have set up 22 Science Centres and handed there over to respective State Government for subsequent operation and maintenance.

Parakram Diwas

• Government of India is celebrating 125^th Birth anniversary of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose.
• Inaugural function of 125^th birth anniversary of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose was organized at Victoria Memorial Hall, Kolkata on 23^rd January 2021 which was presided over by Hon'ble Prime Minister.
• High Level Committee under the chairmanship of Hon'ble Prime Minister has been constituted for the commemoration.
• The Committee includes distinguished persons, historians, authors, experts, family members of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose as well as eminent persons associated with Azad Hind Fauz (INA).
• Gazette notification issued on 19^th Jan, 2021 on declaration of 23^rd January as Parakram Diwas every year.

Bills/Acts
Inland Vessels Bill, 2021

Relevance IN - Prelims ( about Inland vessels bill - highlights) + Mains ( GS III Infrastructure development + GS II governance)

What's the NEWS

• Parliament passed the Inland Vessels Bill, 2021, which aims to replace over 100 years old Inland Vessels Act, 1917 and usher a new era in the inland water transport sector

Inland Vessels Bill, 2021,the inland waterways.

• The new Act will facilitate harmonised and effective regulation of the inland vessels and their seamless and safe navigation across the States.

The benefits include:

• Uniform applicability of rules and regulations to ensure seamless, safe and economical trade and transportation by using inland waterways.
• Prescribing of standards for classification and categorization of mechanically propelled vessels, standards and processes involved in registration of vessel; standards for identification and categorization of special category vessels etc. by the Central Government and implementation of the provisions in compliance with the prescribed standards by State Governments.
• Preserving the statuses of authorities established by the respective State Governments and thereby ensures the effective administration of the provisions of the proposed legislation.
• Provides for a Central Data Base /E-Portal for registration/crew database thereby imbibing the spirit of Digital India Campaign.
• Stipulating higher standards to ensure safety of navigation, protection of life and cargo, prevention of environmental pollution, providing for healthier trade practices, constitution of the welfare fund, transparency and accountability of administrative mechanism, training and development of efficient and skilled workforce.
• Covers the future developments and technological advancements in vessel construction and usage. Regulating the technologically advanced vessels of the present and future identified as ‘Special Category Vessels'.
• Provisions regarding Wreck and Salvage introduced. Receiver of Wreck to be appointed by the State Government.
• Provisions regarding principles of liability and limitation of liability introduced. To ensure secure trade and trade practices, concept of insurance improvised and expanded.
• Provisions relating to casualties and investigation improvised.
• Ease of compliance for service provider and service users.
• Provides a platform for the State Governments to regulate the unregulated sector of non-mechanically propelled vessels.

International Organisations
SCO Defence Ministers' meeting in Dushanbe, Tajikistan

Relevance IN - Prelims ( about the defence ministerial meet highlights + about SCO) + Mains ( GS II regional grouping)
What's the NEWS

• Defence Minister Rajnath Singh visited Dushanbe, the capital city of Tajikistan to attend the meeting of the defence ministers of the member states of the SCO, an eight-nation influential grouping.

Know! about SCO

• The SCO, seen as a counterweight to NATO
• It is an eight-member economic and security bloc
• It has emerged as one of the largest transregional international organisations.
• India and Pakistan became its permanent members in 2017.
• The SCO was founded at a summit in Shanghai in 2001 by the presidents of Russia, China, the Kyrgyz Republic, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan
• India was made an observer at the SCO in 2005 and has generally participated in the ministerial-level meetings of the grouping
• Regional Anti-Terrorism Structure (RATS), headquartered in Tashkent, is a permanent organ of the SCO which serves to promote cooperation of member states against terrorism, separatism and extremism.
• The Head of RATS is elected to a three-year term. Each member state also sends a permanent representative to RATS.
• The official working languages of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation are Chinese and Russian.
• This year Tajikistan is chair of the grouping which has 8 member states - four central Asian countries-Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan; and \also Russia, China, India, Pakistan.
• In the last two months Tajikistan as a chair of SCO has held two very important meetings.
• These include SCO Foreign Ministers as well as National security advisors' meetings.
• As a grouping SCO occupies 60 per cent of the Eurasian continent, with a collective population of 3 billion people.
• Besides Afghanistan, Mongolia, Belarus, and Iran are its observers and countries including Turkey, Cambodia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Nepal, and Sri Lanka have received dialogue partner status.
• Later this year from September 16-17 Tajikistan will be holding the SCO Heads of state summit.
• The Council of Heads of State is the top decision-making body in the SCO.
• This council meets at the SCO summits, which are held each year in one of the member states' capital cities

SCO can play a stabilising role in Afghanistan

• Afghanistan holds an observer status in SCO
• SCO is the most appropriate forum to discuss the security situation.
• SCO has all the regional powers that have security and financial stakes in that country.
• As a regional security organisation, it can play a stabilising role in Afghanistan by neutralising the Taliban and balancing the external players.
• The SCO had created an Afghan Contact Group in 2005, which lost momentum, but was revived again in 2017.
• The withdrawal of the US forces has re-activated the members of the SCO.
• Russia, China and Pakistan are actively negotiating with the Taliban

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