Relevance IN - Prelims ( about ICOLD + DRIP and NHP) + Mains ( GS II government schemes and initiatives + GS III Environment conservation)
What's the NEWS

• The International Commission on Large Dams (ICOLD) Symposium on Sustainable Development of Dams & River Basins was inaugurated by the Minister for Jal Shakti

• International Commission on Large Dams(INCOLD) in collaboration with Central Water Commission (CWC), Dam Rehabilitation Improvement Project (DRIP) and National Hydrology Project (NHP) is organising Symposium on "Sustainable Development of Dams and River Basins" under the aegis of ICOLD at New Delhi as Hybrid event from 24th - 27th February 2021
• The symposium is being organised to provide an excellent opportunity to Indian Dam Engineering Professionals and Agencies to share their experiences, ideas and latest developments in new materials and construction technologies, advancement in investigation techniques, best engineering practices, dam safety issues etc.
• It offers opportunity to networking with the world renowned dam experts from different countries and global organizations involved in Dam Construction, management and operation and maintenance for mutual benefits.

• It is a flagship programmes of Ministry of Jal Shakti namely Dam Rehabilitation Improvement Project (DRIP) to improve the safety and operational performance of large dams and its appurtenances structures in addition to institutional strengthening and National Hydrology Project (NHP) with the World Bank assistance
• This achievement will be the presented to the Global Dam Community who are keen and looking forward to India's development and successful implementation of DRIP as well as NHP.
• The Dam Safety Bill which has been approved by Lok Sabha, in order to put regulatory mechanism in place, to provide for proper surveillance, inspection, operation and maintenance of all dams in India, which has been enacted will be publicised.
• The Participants will exchange the experiences and latest development related to the design, performance, rehabilitation and environmental aspects of dams which would certainly add new dimensions to the body of knowledge on the subject. More than 800 participants from 40 different countries are participating in the deliberations of the event.
• The central hub of ICOLD symposium will be multi-functional Exhibitions where products and services of interest to dam community will be on display. Delegates will visit the exhibition booth virtually and have networking with the agencies.

• DRIP has been taken up with loan assistance of the World Bank for rehabilitation and improvement of about 223 dam Projects initially in seven States (namely Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, and Uttarakhand) and institutional strengthening and project management in Central Water Commission (CWC) and other Implementing Agencies

• The Implementation Agencies for DRIP are Water Resources Departments and State Electricity Boards in the participating States and Central Water Commission at Central Level.
• State Implementing Agencies will have responsibility for implementation of works of dams under their charge and responsibility for coordination and management of such works within a State rests with the concerned State Project Management Unit (SPMU).

Relevance IN - Prelims ( about Nutmeg Pericarp Taffy)
What's the NEWS

• A Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) was signed between ICAR-Central Coastal Agricultural Research Institute (ICAR-CCARI), Goa and Goa State Biodiversity Board (GSBB), Goa, for commercialization of ICAR-CCARI's technology "Process for manufacturing of Nutmeg Pericarp Taffy" at ICAR-CCARI, Old Goa

• A new project has been initiated by GSBB, Goa, "Conservation of Biodiversity through livelihood intervention with the brand name GoVan" to enhance villagers' income, to create employment opportunities, thereby conserving local bio resources.
• Nutmeg fruit has about 80-85% of pericarp (outer cover of nutmeg fruit) and high yielding nutmeg varieties produce up to 100 kg of fresh pericarp per tree.
• The present practice is collecting the nutmeg seeds and mace and generally discarding the pericarp in the field for rotting.
• But, this technology helps in effective utilisation of pericarp, otherwise discarded, by preparing the Nutmeg Taffy, a value-added food product, in a commercially feasible manner.
• This product fetches an additional income to farmers and entrepreneurs apart from the yield of nutmeg spice products- nutmeg seeds and mace.
• The product stores well at room temperature for about 12 months with simple packing without any synthetic preservatives.
• ICAR-CCARI, Goa has already filed an application for patenting this technology.

Relevance IN - Prelims ( about the first Meeting of BRICS Finance and Central Bank Deputies) + Mains ( GS II international relations - regional and global grouping)
What's the NEWS

• India hosted a Meeting of BRICS Finance and Central Bank Deputies virtually
• It was co-Chaired by Secretary Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance, and Deputy Governor, Reserve Bank of India.
• Other participants included BRICS Finance and Central Bank Deputies of Brazil, Russia, China and South Africa.
• India assumed the BRICS Chairship in 2021, at a time when BRICS is celebrating its 15th anniversary.
• Under the theme BRICS@15: Intra-BRICS Cooperation, India's approach is focused on strengthening collaboration through Continuity, Consolidation and Consensus.

Know! about the meeting

• This was the first meeting on the BRICS Financial Cooperation under India Chairmanship in 2021.
• During the meeting, India shared priorities under financial cooperation agenda and issues for discussion during 2021 such as Global Economic Outlook and Response to COVID-19, Social Infrastructure Financing and Use of Digital Technologies, New Development Bank (NDB) Activities, Fintech for SME and Financial Inclusion, BRICS Contingent Reserve Arrangement (CRA), among others.

International Relations
12^th Technical Group Meeting of National Statistical Offices(NSOs) of BRICS Countries for Preparation of Joint Statistical Publication 2021

Relevance IN - Prelims ( about Joint Statistical Publication 2021) + Mains ( GS II international relations - regional and global grouping)
What's the NEWS

• The 12^th Technical Group Meeting of National Statistical Offices of BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) Countries has been held today in virtual mode under the aegis of Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI), Government of India.

12^th Technical Group Meeting(takeaway )

• The 12^th Technical Group Meeting has been chaired by Director General (Statistics), MoSPI and attended by National Statistical Offices of BRICS countries.
• The draft Joint Statistical Publication (JSP) and JSP (Snapshot) have been discussed in the meeting.
• The Joint Statistical Publication (JSP) and JSP (Snapshot) will be released in "Meeting of Heads of NSOs"to be held in the month of August, 2021.
• The discussions centered around the data to be included in the various domains of Joint Statistical Publication such as Economy, Employment, Industry, Energy, Environment, Agriculture, Finance, Tourism, etc.
• The meeting also discussed the draft proposals by ROSSTAT, Russia on cooperation between BRICS Countries, vision document on cooperation and statistical system development of BRICS NSOs and proposal regarding New Development Bank for project funding.

Know! about BRICS

• With a view to providing a common platform for focused interaction, the association of BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India, China) Countries was mooted in 64^th General Assembly of United Nations in 2009.
• The association came to be known as BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) in 2010 with the joining of South Africa.
• Since then, the association of BRICS Countries has been deliberating the issue of mutual interest under the Chairmanship of one of the BRICS Countries by rotation. India, Chair in 2021, is scheduled to host various deliberations in 2021.

Economy
Embargo lifted on grant of Government Business to Private Banks

Relevance IN - Prelims ( about Government-related banking transactions and the earlier embargo on it) + Mains ( GS III economic developments)
What's the NEWS

• The Government has lifted the embargo on private sector banks (only a few were permitted earlier) for the conduct of Government-related banking transactions such as taxes and other revenue payment facilities, pension payments, small savings schemes, etc.

Lifting of the embargo

• This step is expected to further enhance customer convenience, spur competition and higher efficiency in the standards of customer services.
• Private sector banks, which are at the forefront of imbibing and implementing latest technology and innovation in banking, will now be equal partners in development of the Indian economy and in furthering the social sector initiatives of the Government.
• With the lifting of the embargo, there is now no bar on RBI for authorization of private sector banks (in addition to public sector banks) for Government business, including Government agency business. The Government has conveyed its decision to RBI.

Infrastructure Development
World-Class Dredgers will be made in India soon

Relevance IN - Prelims ( about the MoU - highlights + about DCI )
What's the NEWS

• Memorandum of Understandings signed between Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) and Dredging Corporation of India (DCI) and largest dredger maker of the world, Royal IHC Holland BV

What's the need?

• As part of Government of India's thrust on Blue Economy, there is an ever-increasing demand to develop and maintain existing major ports, building new ports, offshore resource exploration, deployment of ultra-mega-size vessels, promotion of tourism, and beach nourishment. Considering India's vast coastline of over 7,500 km along the east and west coasts this would in turn lead to significant dredging in the country. This partnership will help the country grow.

Know! about the MoU (highlights)

• CSL and IHC Holland BV have arrived at an understanding to work together to provide locally built world-class dredgers.
• High-capacity dredgers in the range of 8000 Cu Meter to 12,000 Cu Meter are complex equipment being built in India for the first time.
• It is also significant that IHC Holland BV, the world leaders in design and construction of dredgers are also part of the Make in India initiative.
• For the first time three giants in the industry are joining hands for making world class dredgers within India.
• The MoU of CSL with Royal IHC would be a great opportunity for India to showcase the capability under ‘Make In India' and establish the capability to construct such large dredgers.
• M/s IHC, Holland, is the world leader with largest market share in the world for the design and construction of dredgers and is renowned worldwide for their quality and performance.
• M/s IHC is an integrated solution provider and is much ahead of any competitor in knowledge, expertise, technology, Research & Development, Innovation etc. in the field of Dredger design and construction.

Dredging Corporation of India (DCI)

• The Dredging Corporation of India Limited (DCI) was established in the year 1976 to provide dredging services to the Major Ports of the country in India.
• DCI is a pioneer organization in the field of dredging and maritime development.
• DCI is fully equipped to offer the complete range of dredging and allied services to the users in India and Abroad and to provide the vital inputs for the national development.
• DCI helps to ensure continuous availability of the desired depths in the shipping channels of the major and minor Ports, Indian Navy, Fishing Harbors and other maritime organizations.
• It further serves the Nation in a variety of ways, be it capital dredging for creation of new harbors, deepening of existing harbors or maintenance dredging for the upkeep of the required depths at various Ports along the 7,500 Kms coastline of India.
• DCI owns most modern and sophisticated fleet consisting of three Cutter Suction Dredgers and Twelve Trailer Suction Dredgers.
• DCI is one among the Public Sector Undertakings of India in which the Government has disinvested it's share holding.
• DCI controls the majority of the maintenance dredging market in India and dredging services for the major ports.
• With increased dredging requirements on the East & West Coast of India, being projected as part of Port developments, DCI envisages a requirement to increase their dredging capacity.
• With more infrastructure projects on the anvil across the major Ports in India, the requirement of such dredgers in the future can also be met in India once we acquire the expertise.
• This joint effort by CSL and DCI sets a precedent for Indian private and public players to build large complex vessels at global standards in India, and extend support to Government of India's vision of building an ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat'.

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