DAILY NEWS ANALYSIS

The Indian government has successfully deactivated more than 4 crore duplicate or inactive LPG connections under the PAHAL direct benefit transfer (DBT) scheme, as reported by the Petroleum Minister in a recent Parliament session.

About PAHAL Scheme

The PAHAL (Pratyaksh Hanstantrit Labh) scheme, launched by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, is India's Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system for LPG subsidies. Under this scheme, subsidies for LPG are transferred directly into the bank accounts of consumers instead of the government providing subsidized cylinders directly.

• Key Features:

  • Consumers pay the market price for LPG cylinders and the government transfers the subsidy amount to their linked bank accounts.

  • The scheme covers over 17 crore LPG consumers, making it the largest cash transfer program globally.

PAHAL Scheme Objectives

The PAHAL Scheme was designed to achieve several important goals:

1. Ensures Transparency:

   • It eliminates intermediaries, ensuring that consumers directly receive the benefits.

2. Prevents Diversion:

   • The scheme removes incentives for the diversion of subsidized LPG cylinders.

3. Protects Consumer Entitlements:

   • The direct transfer of subsidies ensures that genuine consumers receive their entitled subsidies without any disruption.

4. Improves Availability and Delivery:

   • It enhances the availability and delivery of LPG cylinders to genuine consumers.

5. Eliminates Fake Connections:

   • By deactivating fake or duplicate connections, the scheme ensures that subsidies are only received by actual users.

6. Provides Self-Selection:

   • Consumers can select whether to avail themselves of the subsidy or not, promoting self-selection.

PAHAL Scheme Eligibility

To be eligible for the PAHAL scheme, the applicant must meet the following criteria:

1. LPG User:

   • The applicant must be an active LPG user.

2. Income Criterion:

   • The combined taxable income of the applicant and their spouse should not exceed ?10,00,000 in the previous financial year, as per the Income Tax Act, 1961.

How the PAHAL Scheme Works

1. Booking Process:

   • Consumers book an LPG cylinder at the market price.

2. Subsidy Transfer:

   • Once the cylinder is delivered, the subsidy amount is credited directly into the linked bank account of the consumer.

3. Two Types of Consumers:

   • Primary Aadhaar-Based DBT: Where the Aadhaar number is linked with both the LPG consumer number and the bank account.

   • Alternative (Non-Aadhaar-Based): Where the bank account is directly linked with the LPG consumer number if Aadhaar linking is not available.

Conclusion

The PAHAL scheme remains a critical tool in enhancing transparency and ensuring that subsidies reach the right people. With 17 crore consumers benefiting, the scheme stands as the world's largest cash transfer program for LPG subsidies, improving the efficiency and availability of LPG across India.

Recently, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), in collaboration with the Ministry of Ayush, has introduced a definitive list of Ayurvedic food preparations under the category “Ayurveda Aahara.”

About Ayurveda Aahara

Ayurveda Aahara refers to food products that are developed in alignment with the holistic dietary principles of Ayurveda, one of the oldest systems of health and wellness in the world. These food preparations emphasize:

• Balance: Maintaining harmony between the body, mind, and environment.

• Seasonal Suitability: Consuming foods that are suitable to the current season, based on Ayurvedic principles of dosha and prakriti.

• Natural Ingredients: Focus on whole, unprocessed ingredients such as herbs, spices, and natural food additives known for their therapeutic benefits.

Key Developments and Regulations

1. Food Safety and Standards (Ayurveda Aahara) Regulations, 2022:

   • These regulations were introduced to recognize foods that are based on recipes, ingredients, and processes from authoritative Ayurvedic texts.

   • The new list issued by FSSAI is part of Schedule B, which is directly derived from Schedule A, where classical Ayurvedic texts are referenced to ensure authenticity.

2. Goal of Ayurveda Aahara Regulations:

   • The list provides clarity for both consumers and businesses, offering a credible reference for manufacturing Ayurveda Aahara products.

   • The initiative is aimed at integrating traditional Ayurvedic wisdom into mainstream food systems, making it more accessible and regulated.

Implications of the New List

• For Food Business Operators (FBOs): The list serves as an essential tool for manufacturers, offering clear guidelines on how to produce Ayurvedic foods that meet the standards of authenticity and quality.

• For Consumers: The list helps build confidence among consumers about the authenticity and safety of Ayurveda-based food products, aligning with Ayurvedic dietary traditions.

• For the Industry: The initiative enhances regulatory clarity, promoting widespread adoption of Ayurveda-based nutrition, which can lead to better public health outcomes.

The official recognition and listing of Ayurveda Aahara food products represent a significant step in preserving and mainstreaming Ayurvedic dietary practices while ensuring they meet modern regulatory standards. This initiative not only strengthens the credibility of Ayurvedic foods but also encourages a more holistic approach to health and nutrition, deeply rooted in India's ancient wisdom

Recently, NITI Aayog launched the India Electric Mobility Index (IEMI), a pioneering tool designed to track, evaluate, and benchmark the progress of Indian states and Union Territories (UTs) in achieving their electric mobility goals.

About India Electric Mobility Index (IEMI)

The IEMI is a first-of-its-kind tool that comprehensively measures the progress of states and UTs in adopting electric mobility. It assesses various aspects of electric mobility development across 16 key indicators, categorized under three core themes:

1. Transport Electrification Progress:

   • This theme evaluates the demand-side adoption of electric vehicles (EVs), reflecting how well states are incorporating electric vehicles into their transportation systems.

2. Charging Infrastructure Readiness:

   • It tracks the development of charging infrastructure, which is essential to support the growth of electric vehicles. This includes the availability of charging stations and related infrastructure.

3. EV Research and Innovation Status:

   • This evaluates the supply-side ecosystem, focusing on research and development (R&D) efforts related to electric mobility, innovation in EV technologies, and industry collaborations.

Purpose and Impact of the IEMI

• Benchmarking and Tracking: IEMI provides a quantitative evaluation by scoring each state and UT out of 100. This allows states to compare their performance on key electric mobility indicators and track their progress over time.

• Identifying Drivers and Gaps: By measuring progress in key areas, the index helps identify success factors that drive electric mobility and areas where targeted interventions are needed.

• Promoting Healthy Competition: The index encourages healthy competition among states and UTs to accelerate their electric mobility efforts. It also fosters knowledge-sharing and the dissemination of best practices.

• Supporting Decision-Making: It provides policy-makers with valuable insights, helping them align state-level initiatives with national goals for electric mobility. The index can guide fund allocation and policy formulation for supporting EV adoption.

• Collaboration and Planning: The IEMI underscores the importance of state-level coordination and cross-sectoral collaboration to achieve India’s electric mobility vision, ensuring that local needs are considered while pursuing national goals.

Key Features of the Index

1. Transparency: It offers a transparent, comparative framework that allows states to see how their efforts stack up against others, fostering a spirit of collaborative improvement.

2. Comprehensive Coverage: The IEMI covers a wide range of electric mobility-related themes and provides a holistic view of the electric vehicle ecosystem, including infrastructure, policy support, adoption rates, and innovation.

3. State-Specific Recommendations: By highlighting strengths and gaps, the index helps states align their strategies with both national goals and local realities.

The India Electric Mobility Index (IEMI) represents a significant step forward in promoting electric vehicle adoption across India. By providing an objective, data-driven tool to assess progress, it aids in informed decision-making and policy development. Additionally, it fosters competition, innovation, and collaboration among states to meet the nation's electric mobility targets.

India has launched a new collaborative initiative with the UN World Food Programme (WFP) to strengthen rice fortification and supply chain management in Nepal. This initiative aims to enhance nutritional quality and food security for communities in Nepal through the fortified rice program, addressing malnutrition challenges.

About UN World Food Programme (WFP)

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) is the world's largest humanitarian agency dedicated to the eradication of hunger and food insecurity. Established in 1961, WFP is guided by Sustainable Development Goal 2, which seeks to end hunger, ensure food security, improve nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture by 2030.

• Headquarters: Rome, Italy

• Funding: The WFP is funded through voluntary donations from governments, corporates, and private donors.

WFP's extensive operations span over 120 countries, and the organization provides food assistance during emergencies while working with local communities to enhance nutrition, promote resilience, and support sustainable agriculture practices.

WFP’s Role in Global Hunger Eradication

1. Food Assistance in Emergencies:

   • WFP provides immediate food aid during natural disasters, conflicts, and emergencies, ensuring that the most vulnerable populations get essential food supplies when they need it most.

2. Building Resilience:

   • Beyond emergency response, WFP works with communities to develop long-term solutions for food security, such as improving farming techniques and access to nutritious food.

3. Nutrition Programs:

   • WFP promotes nutrition-enhancing programs, like fortified food products, to combat malnutrition, especially among children and pregnant women.

4. Promoting Sustainable Agriculture:

   • The organization focuses on promoting sustainable agricultural practices and empowering local communities with the tools and knowledge to grow their own food.

Key WFP Initiatives

• Rice Fortification: WFP is playing a crucial role in fortifying rice to address micronutrient deficiencies that affect millions of people globally. Fortified rice can significantly improve public health by delivering essential nutrients like iron, vitamins, and folic acid.

• Global Report on Food Crisis:

  • WFP annually releases a Global Report on Food Crisis that highlights the extent of acute hunger worldwide, providing key insights into regions and populations most in need of assistance.

WFP’s Recognition

In 2020, WFP was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for its efforts in combating hunger and its contribution to food security worldwide, especially its ability to respond to emergencies and mitigate the impacts of conflict, climate change, and economic shocks on vulnerable communities.

Conclusion

The UN World Food Programme remains a pivotal organization in the global fight against hunger and food insecurity. With ongoing initiatives like rice fortification in Nepal, WFP continues to make strides in improving global nutrition and resilience while working toward its vision of zero hunger by 2030.

The seeds of seabuckthorn and buckwheat grown in the cold desert region of Ladakh are being part of experimental studies aboard the International Space Station (ISS), launched on NASA's Crew-11 mission.

About Seabuckthorn

Seabuckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides), often referred to as the ‘Wonder Plant’, ‘Ladakh Gold’, or ‘Golden Bush’, is a hardy shrub known for its remarkable adaptability and nutrient-rich berries. This plant thrives in cold desert regions, particularly in the Himalayan region, such as Ladakh and Spiti, which are dry and harsh environments.

• Distribution: Found across Europe and Asia, particularly in the Himalayas above the tree line, including regions like Ladakh and Spiti in India.

• Temperature Tolerance: The plant can withstand extreme temperature ranges, from minus 43°C to 40°C, making it drought-resistant and ideal for cold desert areas.

• Berry Characteristics: The small orange or yellow berries are sour but are rich in vitamin C and other nutrients.

• Unique Feature: Seabuckthorn berries remain on the plant during the harsh winter months, even under subzero temperatures.

Uses of Seabuckthorn

Seabuckthorn has a variety of traditional uses, making it a valuable resource in cold desert ecosystems. Every part of the plant—fruit, leaves, twigs, roots, and even thorns—has been historically utilized for different purposes:

1. Medicinal Uses:

   • Seabuckthorn has been used for its nutritional and therapeutic properties, particularly in improving immunity and skin health.

2. Nutritional Supplement:

   • The berries are rich in vitamins (especially vitamin C) and antioxidants, making them valuable for nutritional supplements and health products.

3. Animal Fodder:

   • The leaves serve as protein-rich fodder for animals like sheep, goats, cattle, and double-humped camels in the desert regions.

4. Fuel and Fencing:

   • The plant's twigs and roots are used as fuel and for building fences in rural and remote areas.

5. Food Source for Wildlife:

   • The berries are an important food source for many bird species in the cold desert when other food sources are scarce.

Conclusion

Seabuckthorn is not only an incredibly resilient plant but also a valuable resource in the cold desert ecosystems of Ladakh and the Himalayas. Its recent inclusion in space experiments aboard the International Space Station highlights the growing interest in its potential, especially in extreme environments.

For the first time, joint research has successfully determined the composition of the intestinal microbiome of the Indri Lemur, a species critically endangered and found only in northeastern Madagascar.

About the Indri Lemur

The Indri Lemur (scientific name: Indri indri) is one of the most iconic lemur species, known for its distinctive characteristics and critically endangered status.

Key Features:

• Size: The Indri is one of the largest lemurs, measuring 60–70 cm (24–28 inches) in length. Despite its size, it has a rudimentary tail.

• Coloration: Its fur is primarily black with white patches on the head, throat, forearms, and buttocks. The ratio of black to white fur varies depending on geographical location.

• Distinctive Appearance: The Indri has a round head with a pointed face, round furry ears, and large hands and feet, all adapted for its tree-dwelling lifestyle.

Habitat and Distribution:

• Geography: Found only in northeastern Madagascar, the Indri occupies coastal and montane rainforests. It can be found from sea level to an altitude of 1,800 meters.

• Diet and Behavior: The Indri is primarily herbivorous, feeding on leaves, fruit, flowers, and other vegetation. It is diurnal (active during the day) and is fully arboreal, spending its life in the trees. It moves in an upright position and is known for its impressive climbing abilities.

Lifespan:

• In the wild, the Indri can live between 15 to 18 years.

Conservation Status:

The Indri Lemur is classified as Critically Endangered under the IUCN Red List. Several factors contribute to its endangered status:

• Habitat Loss: The Indri's rainforest habitat is under threat from deforestation and human encroachment.

• Fragmentation: The destruction of its natural habitat leads to fragmented populations, making it difficult for the species to thrive.

• Illegal Hunting: Though the species is protected, the Indri faces threats from illegal hunting.

Efforts are ongoing to protect this unique species through conservation initiatives aimed at preserving its habitat and ensuring the survival of its populations.

The central government has recently encouraged Indian states to actively use the India Cine Hub Portal to promote and facilitate global film production locally.

About India Cine Hub Portal

• Launch Date: The India Cine Hub Portal was launched on June 28, 2024.

• Purpose: It serves as a single-window system to streamline various processes involved in filmmaking, such as:

  • Permissions

  • Incentives

  • Resource mapping

• Establishment: The portal was developed by the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, Government of India, under the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC).

The core objective is to promote foreign film productions in India, positioning the country as a film-friendly ecosystem while ensuring smooth clearance and facilitation for global filmmakers.

Features of India Cine Hub Portal

• Single-Window System: The portal offers a seamless process for obtaining film permits, state incentives, and logistical support, making it easier for filmmakers to shoot in India.

• GIS-Based Location Mapping: The portal includes Geographic Information System (GIS)-based mapping to provide filmmakers with detailed location data across India, helping them choose ideal shooting sites.

• Common Application Form: Filmmakers can now access a common application form, streamlining the entire process of filming permits, allowing quicker approvals.

Impact on Indian and Global Film Industry

• Global Filmmakers: The portal makes India more attractive to foreign filmmakers by offering easier access to filming permits and incentives, along with detailed location information and resources.

• Indian Filmmakers: The platform’s services have been extended to Indian filmmakers, making the process of filming more efficient and promoting the country's cinematic talent on the global stage.

Current Integration Status:

• Fully Integrated States and Union Territories: As of now, 7 states and 2 Union Territories have fully integrated with the India Cine Hub Portal.

• Onboarded States and UTs: 21 states and 6 Union Territories have also joined the platform, expanding its reach and making it more accessible across India.

The India Cine Hub Portal is expected to:

• Boost India's Film Tourism: By attracting international film productions to diverse locations across the country, contributing to tourism and local economies.

• Enhance Ease of Doing Business: The platform aims to make India a global filming hub, creating opportunities for local industries to collaborate with international production houses.

Recently, the first-ever BIMSTEC Traditional Music Festival was held at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, showcasing the rich cultural heritage of the BIMSTEC member countries.

About BIMSTEC

Formation and Purpose:

• Full Name: Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC)

• Inception: BIMSTEC came into existence on June 6, 1997, following the Bangkok Declaration.

BIMSTEC serves as a platform for regional cooperation, connecting countries from both South Asia and Southeast Asia with shared interests in enhancing economic and technical cooperation in multiple sectors.

Membership:

• BIMSTEC is a unique organization that connects South Asia and Southeast Asia.

  • South Asia Members: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka.

  • Southeast Asia Members: Myanmar and Thailand.

This partnership brings together 1.7 billion people, or 22% of the world’s population, and a combined GDP of US$ 5 trillion.

BIMSTEC’s Operational Mechanism:

BIMSTEC organizes intergovernmental interactions through a variety of meetings to promote cooperation and coordination:

• Summits

• Ministerial Meetings

• Senior Officials Meetings

• Permanent Working Committee

• Joint Working Groups

• Experts Level Meetings

These interactions address key regional and global issues such as economic development, security cooperation, and cultural exchange.

Permanent Secretariat:

• Located in Dhaka, Bangladesh, it coordinates the activities and initiatives of BIMSTEC.

Priority Areas of Cooperation

BIMSTEC focuses on 14 priority areas, with each member country taking the lead in specific areas. India is a key player, leading efforts in the following domains:

• Transport & Communication

• Tourism

• Environment & Disaster Management

• Counter-Terrorism & Transnational Crime

The collaboration in these areas is designed to promote regional connectivity, sustainable development, and security cooperation across the Bay of Bengal region.

Significance of the BIMSTEC Traditional Music Festival

The BIMSTEC Traditional Music Festival held in New Delhi exemplifies the organization's growing focus on cultural diplomacy and strengthening ties between its member states. By promoting cultural exchanges, BIMSTEC enhances mutual understanding and trust, which are essential for cooperation in other sectors.