- PM to dedicate Five DRDO Young Scientists Laboratories to the nation
In a boost to indigenous research capabilities in the defence sector, Prime Minister will dedicate Five DRDO Young Scientists Laboratories to the nation.
It may be recalled that in 2014, addressing a distinguished gathering of senior and eminent defence scientists, and senior officers of the armed forces, after giving away the Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) awards, the Prime Minister had suggested that at least five DRDO labs should be identified exclusively for innovation from young scientists upto the age of 35 years.
On that occasion, the Prime Minister had also called for involving youth in defence research related activities in a big way, to ensure that India remained abreast of global technological advancements in the field.
- Finance Minister Smt Nirmala Sitharaman releases Report of the Task Force on National Infrastructure Pipeline for 2019-2025
To achieve the GDP of $5 trillion by 2024-25, India needs to spend about $1.4 trillion (Rs. 100 lakh crore) over these years on infrastructure. In the past decade (FY 2008-17), India invested about $1.1 trillion on infrastructure.
The challenge is to step-up annual infrastructure investment so that lack of infrastructure does not become a binding constraint on the growth of the Indian economy.
The Union Finance Minister made a brief statement on the contents of the National Infrastructure Pipeline at a Press Conference.
She indicated that Government will examine the recommendations of the Task Force and take action early.
Hon’ble Prime Minister in his Independence Day-2019 speech highlighted that Rs.100 lakh crore would be invested on infrastructure over the next five years including social and economic infrastructure projects.
To achieve this objective, a Task Force was constituted to draw up the National Infrastructure Pipeline (NIP) for each of the years from FY 2019-20 to FY 2024-25 with the approval of the Finance Minister. The Task Force is chaired by Secretary, DEA with CEO (NITI Aayog), Secretary (Expenditure), Secretary of the Administrative Ministries, and Additional Secretary (Investments), DEA as members and Joint Secretary (IPF), DEA as Member Secretary.
The first meeting of the Task Force was held in September 2019. Subsequently, several meetings were held with various Departments/Ministries engaged in infrastructure development, Corporates engaged in infrastructure development & construction, Banks/Financial Institutions, Private Equity funds, and Industry Associations, including CII, FICCI & ASSOCHAM, to seek information as well as suggestions on reforms required in infrastructure sectors.
This exercise, the first of its kind, is expected to be followed up by a periodical review process. NIP will enable a forward outlook on infrastructure projects which will create jobs, improve ease of living, and provide equitable access to infrastructure for all, thereby making growth more inclusive. NIP includes economic and social infrastructure projects.
On the basis of the information compiled as on date, total project capital expenditure in infrastructure sectors in India during the fiscals 2020 to 2025 is projected at over Rs 102 lakh crore.
During the fiscals 2020 to 2025, sectors such as Energy (24%), Roads (19%), Urban (16%), and Railways (13%) amount to around 70% of the projected capital expenditure in infrastructure in India.
- India commences world’s largest ever vaccination programme to control FMD & Brucellosis in 2019; Aims to provide unique Pashu Aadhar to 535 million animals
More than 11 Lakh Artificial Inseminations done under Nationwide Artificial Insemination Programme for breed improvement in 2019
- National Animal Disease Control Programme for FMD and Brucellosis
The Government has launched a new scheme National Animal Disease Control Programme for FMD and Brucellosiswith a financial outlay of Rs. 13,343.00 crore for five years (2019-20 to 2023-24) by vaccinating 100% cattle, buffalo, sheep, goat and pig population for FMD and 100% bovine female calves of 4-8 months of age for brucellosis to prevent loss of Rs. 50,000 crore to the Government exchequer and also to increase the economic output of farmers. The mission mode approach for eradication of these diseases is the biggest step any country of the world has ever taken either for human or animal vaccination programme to control any disease. This programme combined with providing unique PashuAadhar to 535 million animals (Cattle, buffalo, sheep, goat, and pig).
- NATIONWIDE ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION PROGRAMME (NAIP)
Nationwide Artificial Insemination Programme for 20,000 bovine per district for 600 districts in the country was recently launched by the Government in September, 2019 which is one of the largest such programmes with 100% central assistance for undertaking breed improvement. In future, this will be expanded across all the breedable bovine population of 600 districts so that India achieves 70% AI coverage.Under NAIP, more than 11 lakhs AI has been done as on 31.12.2019.
- QUALITY MILK PROGRAMME
DAHD launched Quality Milk Programme on 24.07.2019 with the objectives to achieve Global(Codex)standards for domestic consumption of milk and ensuring traceability & increasing share of milk and milk products in world exports.
In the first phase of the programme during 2019-20, approval has been granted for strengthening of 231 dairy plants under “National Programme for Dairy Development” scheme to equip them to detect adulterants in milk (Urea, maltodextrin, ammonium sulphate, detergent, sugar, neutralisers etc.). FTIR technology based Milk Analyser (for accurate detection and estimation of milk composition and adulterants) to 139 dairy plants of 30,000 litre capacities and above and 92 Dairy Plants below 30,000 litres capacity with Electronic Milk Analyser with adulteration testing equipment. In addition one each of State Central laboratory for 18 States has been approved.
Once implemented in June 2020, all the cooperative dairy plants of the country will be able to supply Quality Milk tested on all microbiological, chemical and physical parameters to their consumers.