Relevance IN - Prelims ( about GPAI - objective + Mains GS III awareness in the field of science and technology)
What's the NEWS

• India joined the league of leading economies including USA, UK, EU, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Republic of Korea, Singapore to launch the Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence (GPAI or Gee-Pay).

1. GPAI will be supported by a Secretariat, to be hosted by Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) in Paris, as well as by two Centres of Expertise- one each in Montreal and Paris.
2. GPAI is an international and multi-stakeholder initiative to guide the responsible development and use of AI, grounded in human rights, inclusion, diversity, innovation, and economic growth.
3. This is also a first initiative of its type for evolving better understanding of the challenges and opportunities around AI using the experience and diversity of participating countries.
4. The initiative will look to bridge the gap between theory and practice on AI by supporting cutting-edge research and applied activities on AI-related priorities.
5. GPAI will bring together leading experts from industry, civil society, governments, and academia to collaborate to promote responsible evolution of AI

• India has recently launched National AI Strategy and National AI Portal and have also started leveraging AI across various sectors such as education, agriculture, healthcare, e-commerce, finance, telecommunications
• By joining GPAI as a founding member, India will actively participate in the global development of Artificial Intelligence, leveraging upon its experience around use of digital technologies for inclusive growth.

Relevance IN - Prelims ( about ALIMCO + ADIP Scheme + Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana-(RVY) + Mains ( GS II Development processes and the development industry- the role of NGOs, SHGs, various groups and associations, donors, charities, institutional and other stakeholders +Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population by the Centre)
What's the NEWS

• A Virtual ADIP Camp for free distribution of assistive aids and devices at Block level for Divyangjans under the ADIP scheme of Government of India was organized
• This is the first camp being organized by the ALIMCO under DEPwD, M/o Social Justice and Empowerment under the ADIP Scheme of the Government of India after opening of lockdown

Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation of India (ALIMCO)

• It is a Schedule ‘C' Miniratna Category II Central Public Sector Enterprises, registered under Section 8 (Not for Profit motive) of the Companies Act 2013, is functioning under the Administrative Control of Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities.
• It is 100% owned Govt. of India Central Public Sector Enterprises with an objective of benefiting the persons with disability to the maximum extent possible by manufacturing Rehabilitation Aids for persons with disabilities and by promoting, encouraging and developing the availability, use, supply and distribution of Artificial Limbs and other Rehabilitation Aids to the disabled persons of the country.
• The Corporation is the only manufacturing company producing various types of assistive devices under one roof to serve all types of disabilities across the country.

Assistance to Disabled persons for purchasing / fitting of aids / appliances (ADIP) scheme

• The main objective of ADIP scheme is to assist the needy disabled persons in procuring durable, sophisticated and scientifically manufactured, modern, standard aids and appliances that can promote their physical, social and psychological rehabilitation, by reducing the effects of disabilities and enhance their economic potential.
• The scheme is implemented through implementing agencies such as the NGOs, National Institutes under this Ministry and ALIMCO (a PSU).
• Grant-in-aid under the Scheme will not be given for commercial supply of aids/appliances.
• The agencies should preferably possess professional/technical expertise in the form of professionally qualified staff (from recognized courses) for the identification, prescription of the required artificial aids/appliance, fitment and post-fitment care of the beneficiaries as well as the aid/appliance.
• The agency should also preferably possess infrastructure in the form of machinery/equipment for the fabrication, fitment and maintenance of artificial aid/appliance to be given to a disabled person under ADIP Scheme.

A person with disabilities fulfilling following conditions would be eligible for assistance under ADIP Scheme through authorized agencies:

• He/she should be an Indian citizen of any age.
• Should be certified by a Registered Medical Practitioner that he/she is disabled and fit to use prescribed aid/appliance. Holds a 40% Disablement Certificate.
• Person who is employed/self-employed or getting pension and whose monthly income from all sources does not exceed Rs. 20,000/- per month.
• In case of dependents, the income of parents/guardians should not exceed Rs. 20,000/- per month.
• Persons who have not received assistance from the Government, local bodies and Non-Official Organisations during the last 3 years for the same purpose. However, for children below 12 years of age this limit would be 1 year.

Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana-(RVY)

• It is scheme for providing Physical Aids and Assisted-living Devices for Senior citizens belonging to BPL category.
• This is a Central Sector Scheme, fully funded by the Central Government.
• The expenditure for implementation of the scheme is being met from the "Senior Citizens' Welfare Fund".
• The Scheme is being implemented by the Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation (ALIMCO), a PSU under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
• The Government has devised this Central Sector Scheme to provide Physical aids and Assisted Living Devices for such senior citizens suffering from age related disabilities/ infirmities, who belong to BPL category.
• The Scheme duration is for period of the 3 years ie. upto 2019-20.
• The main criteria for the senior citizens to get full benefits of Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana (RVY) scheme is that they must belong to BPL family and should hold valid BPL card issued by the concerned authority.

Infrastructure Development
Indian Gas Exchange

Relevance IN - Prelims ( about IGX - role and objective) + Mains ( GS III Infrastructure development - Energy Sector + GS II Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation
What's the NEWS

• The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas launched the Indian Gas Exchange (IGX), first nationwide online delivery-based gas trading platform

Know! All about IGX

• IGX will be a delivery-based trading platform for delivery of natural Gas.
• The trade on the platform commenced in his auspicious presence. Incorporated as a wholly owned subsidiary of the IEX - India's energy market platform, IGX will enable market participants to trade in standardised gas contracts.
• The platform is fully automated with web-based interface to provide seamless trading experience to the customers.
• The new electronic trading platform for natural gas will help the nation move towards free market pricing of natural gas.
• India Gas Exchange (IGX) will play a bigger role towards realizing a free market for gas
• Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) is working on rationalization of tariff to make natural gas affordable in every part of the country.

Initiatives taken to make India a gas-based economy

• India has long-term gas contracts with many countries like Qatar, Australia, Russia and the US, and has made investments abroad in strategic assets in Mozamibque, Russia and other countries.
• Several ongoing projects to strengthen the gas infrastructure in the country like Urja Ganga, Eastern India grid, Indradhanush project in the North-east, Dhamra-Dahej pipeline, coal gasification
• India will have more than 30,000km of pipeline in next few years

Prelims Factoids
Malathion 95% ULV Insecticides
Relevance IN - Prelims ( about Malathion insecticides + about Horn of Africa)
What's the NEWS

• HIL (India) Limited, a PSU under Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers and one of the leading manufacturer of insecticides in the country has supplied 25MT Malathion 95% ULV to Iran under Government-to-Government initiative for Locust Control Programme
• Ministry of External Affairs placed an order with HIL (India) Limited, to manufacture and supply 25 MT of Malathion 95% ULV to Iran. The consignment is expected to reach Iran by 16th June 2020.

Know! the reason behind this move

• As per the reports of the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), the hopper stage population of locust is building up in Sistan-Baluchistan Region of Iran, which shall migrate to India in coming months leading to further crop devastation.
• Government of India has taken an initiative to counter the locust menace at its breeding ground itself and approached Iran for coordinated efforts.
• Desert Locust after severe crop devastation in Horn of Africa, East Africa and Arabian Peninsula has entered into India in March/April 2020 and it has affected the field crop, horticulture crops and other plantation in the State of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Punjab and Uttar Pradesh.

Know! about Horn of Africa

• The Horn of Africa is a large extension of land that protrudes from the eastern edge of the continent of Africa, lying between the Indian Ocean to the east and The Gulf of Aden to the north, jutting for hundreds of kilometers into the Arabian Sea.
• The term "Horn of Africa" is also used to define a political region that consists of Djibouti, Ethiopia, Eritrea, and Somalia.
• Some definitions also include the states of Kenya, Sudan, and Tanzania.
• The Horn of Africa is considered a subregion of the larger region known as East Africa, and is sometimes referred to as the Somali Peninsula.

Health
AarogyaPath portal for healthcare supply chain launched

Relevance IN - Prelims (facts about Aarogya Path)
What's the NEWS

• The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) has launched Aarogya Path, a web-based solution for the healthcare supply chain, which provides real-time availability of critical supplies.
• Aarogya Path would serve manufacturers, suppliers, and customers through the web portal

Know! more about Aarogya Path

• This national healthcare supply chain portal will remove supply chain bottlenecks during the Covid-19 pandemic.
• The vision of this initiative is to set up an information management and forecasting database platform at national level.
• It will capture demand and supply scenarios for key healthcare needs items.
• This public platform will help healthcare users like hospitals, pathology laboratories, research institutes, medical colleges and patients.
• It will also provide seamless access to suppliers, manufacturers and importers for prevailing needs and demand related to medical equipment, diagnostic instruments, drugs, Personal Protective Equipment, respiratory assistance devices.

Prelims Factoids
Odisha's unique festival Raja Parba begins

Relevance IN - Prelims (about raja prabha festival)
What's the NEWS

• On Raja Praba, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has greeted the people Of Odisha

Know! about the fest

• Raja Parba, Odisha's three-day unique festival celebrating the onset of monsoon and the earth's womanhood has begun.
• As a mark of respect towards the earth during her menstruation days, all agricultural works, like ploughing, sowing are suspended for the three days.
• Raja Sankranti is the first day of the Ashara month. It is celebrated on the day prior to the Sankranti, (Pahili Raja), the day of Sankranti, and the day after, known as Bhu Daha or ‘Basi Raja.
• The festival is essentially the celebration of the earth's womanhood. It is believed that during this time the Mother Earth or Bhudevi undergoes menstruation. The fourth day is the day of the ‘purification bath'.
• As it is a celebration of womanhood, a lot of the focus is on young women

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