• The commercial launch of Agappe Chitra Magna

• It is a magnetic nanoparticle-based RNA extraction kit for use during testing for detection of COVID-19 developed by Sree Chitra Tirunal (SCTIMST) - Trivandrum, an Institute of National Importance of the Department of Science and Technology (DST) along with Agappe Diagnostics Ltd
• The Chitra Magna, an innovative RNA extraction kit has been independently validated at National Institute of Virology for Covid19 RNA isolation.
• Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) has given approval for the commercialization of this kit.
• The kit can be used for RNA extraction for RT-LAMP, RT-qPCR, RT-PCR and other isothermal and PCR based protocols for the detection of SARS-COV-2.
• It uses an innovative technology for isolating RNA using magnetic nanoparticles to capture the RNA from the patient sample.
• The magnetic nanoparticle beads bind to the viral RNA and, when exposed to a magnetic field, give a highly purified and concentrated RNA.
• As the sensitivity of the detection method is dependent on getting an adequate quantity of viral RNA, this innovation enhances the chances of identifying positive cases.

• Isolation of intact RNA is essential for many techniques used in gene expression analysis (eg. RT-PCR). The RNA extraction kit enables the total RNA extraction from tissues.

What's the NEWS

• The results of the Star Rating of Garbage Free Cities for the assessment year 2019-2020 has been announced
• A total of six cities have been certified as 5-Star (Ambikapur, Rajkot, Surat, Mysuru, Indore and Navi Mumbai), 65 cities as 3-Star and 70 cities as 1-Star.

• The Star Rating Protocol was launched by the Ministry in January 2018 to institutionalize a mechanism for cities to achieve Garbage Free status, and to motivate cities to achieve higher degrees of cleanliness.
• The Star Rating Protocol for Garbage Free Cities - a comprehensive framework where each ward in every city must achieve a certain standard across 24 different components of solid waste management (SWM) and is graded based on overall marks received
• The protocol has been devised in a holistic manner including components such as cleanliness of drains & water bodies, plastic waste management, managing construction & demolition waste, etc. which are critical drivers for achieving garbage free cities.
• This certification is not only an acknowledgement of the clean status of Urban Local Bodies and strengthened SWM systems but also a mark of trust and reliability akin to universally known standards.
• The performance of cities under the Star Rating Protocol is crucial as it carries significant weightage when it comes to their final assessment in Swachh Survekshan.
• The Swachh Survekshan (SS), the annual cleanliness survey for urban India was launched 5 years ago

• The new protocol will consider ward-wise geo-mapping, monitoring of SWM value chain through ICT interventions like Swachh Nagar App and zone-wise rating in cities with population of 50 lakh+"

• Since its launch in 2014, Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban (SBM-U) has made significant progress in the area of both sanitation and solid waste management.
• Today, 4324 Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) have been declared ODF (4204 certified ODF), 1306 cities certified ODF+ and 489 cities certified ODF++.

• Not a single person is found defecating in the open at any point of the day
• All households have constructed toilets Community toilets
• Commercial areas have public toilets within 1 km

• NO open defecation at any point in the day
• All community and public toilets are functional and well maintained
• Cities to be eligible must be ODF certified

• NO open defecation at any point in the day
• All community and public toilets are functional and well maintained
• Fecal sludge/septage and sewage is safely managed with no discharging/dumping in open areas

Relevance IN - Prelims ( all about the FME scheme) + Mains ( GS III Food processing and related industries in India- scope and significance, location, upstream and downstream requirements, supply chain management.)
What's the NEWS

• The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister has given its approval to a new Centrally Sponsored Scheme - "Scheme for Formalisation of Micro food processing Enterprises (FME)" for the Unorganized Sector on All India basis with an outlay of Rs.10,000 crore.
• The expenditure will be shared by GOI and the States in ratio of 60:40.

Know! the Highlights

• 2,00,000 micro-enterprises are to be assisted with credit linked subsidy.
• Scheme will be implemented over a 5 year period from 2020-21 to 2024-25.
• Micro enterprises will get credit linked subsidy @ 35% of the eligible project cost with ceiling of Rs.10 lakh
• Beneficiary contribution will be minimum 10% and balance from loan.
• On-site skill training & Handholding for DPR and technical upgradation.
• Grant for backward/ forward linkages, common infrastructure, packaging, marketing & branding.
• Cluster approach.
• Focus on perishables.

Know! the Objectives

• Increase in access to finance by micro food processing units.
• Increase in revenues of target enterprises.
• Enhanced compliance with food quality and safety standards.
• Strengthening capacities of support systems.
• Transition from the unorganized sector to the formal sector.
• Special focus on women entrepreneurs and Aspirational districts.
• Encourage Waste to Wealth activities.
• Focus on minor forest produce in Tribal Districts.

The role of National Portal & MIS

• A National level portal would be set-up wherein the applicants/ individual enterprise could apply to participate in the Scheme.
• All the scheme activities would be undertaken on the National portal.

Know! the Impact and employment generation

• Nearly eight lakh micro- enterprises will benefit through access to information, better exposure and formalization.
• Credit linked subsidy support and hand-holding will be extended to 2,00,000 micro enterprises for expansion and upgradation.
• It will enable them to formalize, grow and become competitive.
• The project is likely to generate nine lakh skilled and semi-skilled jobs.
• Scheme envisages increased access to credit by existing micro food processing entrepreneurs, women entrepreneurs and entrepreneurs in the Aspirational Districts.
• Better integration with organized markets.
• Increased access to common services like sorting, grading, processing, packaging, storage etc.

Know! the present status of food processing enterprise and the need of such schemes

• There are about 25 lakh unregistered food processing enterprises which constitute 98% of the sector and are unorganized and informal. Nearly 66 % of these units are located in rural areas and about 80% of them are family-based enterprises.
• This sector faces a number of challenges including the inability to access credit, high cost of institutional credit, lack of access to modern technology, inability to integrate with the food supply chain and compliance with the health &safety standards.
• Strengthening this segment will lead to reduction in wastage, creation of off-farm job opportunities and aid in achieving the overarching Government objective of doubling farmers' income.

Social Issues
Cabinet approves extension of ‘Pradhan MantriVayaVandanaYojana'

Relevance IN - Prelims ( about PMVVY)M + Mains ( GS II - Welfare scheme for the vulnerable section of population + government policies and interventions)
What's the NEWS

• Pradhan Mantri Vaya Vandana Yojana (PMVVY) is a Pension Scheme announced by the Government of India exclusively for the senior citizens aged 60 years and above which was available from 4th May, 2017 to 31st March, 2020.

• The scheme is now extended up to 31st March, 2023 for a further period of three years beyond 31st March, 2020.

The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister, has given its approval to the following for the welfare of and to enable old age income security for Senior Citizens:

• Extension of Pradhan MantriVayaVandanaYojana (PMVVY) up to 31st March, 2023 for further period of three years beyond 31st March, 2020.
• To allow initially an assured rate of return of 7.40 % per annum for the year 2020-21 per annum and thereafter to be reset every year.
• Annual reset of assured rate of interest with effect from April 1st of financial year in line with revised rate of returns of Senior Citizens Saving Scheme (SCSS) upto a ceiling of 7.75% with fresh appraisal of the scheme on breach of this threshold at any point.

Know! the features of PMVVY

• PMVVY scheme, implemented through the Life Insurance Corporation (LIC), is intended to give an assured minimum pension to senior citizens (60 years and above) based on an assured return on the purchase price/subscription amount.
• PMVVY is a social security scheme for senior citizens intended to give an assured minimum pension to them based on an assured return on the purchase price / subscription amount.
• The scheme was announced in Union Budget of 2017-18 and 2018-19. In 2018-19 Budget, the maximum investment limit under PMVVY was doubled to Rs 15 lakh per senior citizen.
• Pension is payable at the end of each period during the policy term of 10 years, as per monthly, quarterly, half-yearly, yearly frequency, as chosen by the pensioner at the time of purchase.

Prelims Factoids
Coir Geo textiles
Relevance IN - Prelims ( about Coir Geo textiles + about The Indian Roads Congress )
What's the NEWS

• Coir Geo textiles, a permeable fabric, natural, strong, highly durable, resistant to rots, moulds and moisture, free from any microbial attack, has finally been accepted as a good material for rural road construction.

Know! more about Coir Geo textiles

• Coir Geo textiles will be used for construction of rural roads under the PMGSY-III says a communication from the National Rural Infrastructure Development Agency under Union Ministry of Rural Development, Govt. of India.
• Deploying coir geo textile in road construction is a very significant development and it will give a big boost to the coir industry especially in these difficult times of COVID-19 pandemic.
• As per the PMGSY new technology guidelines for road construction, 15% length in each batch of proposals, is to be constructed using new technologies. Out of this 5% roads are to be constructed using IRC accredited technology. The IRC has now accredited coir Geo textiles for construction of rural roads.
• As per these instructions, 5% length of the rural roads under PMGSY-III will be constructed using Coir Geo textiles.
• The decision opens up a huge market potential for Coir Geo-textiles in the Country and will be a boon to the Covid-19 hit Coir Industry.

Know! about Coir and Coir geo textiles

• Coir, or coconut fibre, is a natural fibre extracted from the outer husk of coconut and used in products such as floor mats, doormats, brushes and mattresses. Coir is the fibrous material found between the hard, internal shell and the outer coat of a coconut.
• Hard and strong, it can be spun and woven into matting. They also have the right strength and durability to protect the slopes from erosion, while allowing vegetation to flourish.
• Coir Geotextiles protect land surface and promote quick vegetation.
• Geotextiles are a wonderful treasure of natural echo friendly, erosion control blankets in woven and non-woven preparations.
• Totally biodegradable, geotextiles help soil stabilisation and renew vegetation in varying slopes.

Know! about IRC

• The Indian Roads Congress (IRC) is the Apex Body of Highway Engineers in the country.
• The IRC was set up in December, 1934 on the recommendations of the Indian Road Development Committee best known as Jayakar Committee set up by the Govt. of India with the objective of Road Development in India.
  
  

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