UPSC Essentials: June Edition

Government and Politics

Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS)

The Union Minister of Home Affairs and Cooperation, Amit Shah, has emphasized the importance of establishing Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) in all villages and blocks across the country. Currently, 2 lakh gram panchayats lack such societies, which are essential for providing credit to farmers. PACS are village-level cooperative credit societies that serve as the last link in a three-tier cooperative credit structure. They are responsible for providing credit to farmers, and individual farmers are members of the PACS, with office-bearers elected from within them.

Key Takeaways

• The cooperation ministry has launched a drive to establish 2 lakh dairies and PACS for the 2 lakh gram panchayats that lack such facilities.
• Shah has appealed to NABARD and other state-level district cooperative banks, along with milk producers’ unions, to ensure that all dairies, PACS, and cooperatives open their bank accounts with district or state cooperative banks.
• PACS are essential for providing credit to farmers, and their establishment will help in promoting agricultural development.

Prerequisites

• Understanding of cooperative societies and their role in agricultural development
• Familiarity with the evolution of the cooperative sector in India
• Knowledge of the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) and the Union Ministry of Cooperation

Post Read Question

Consider the following statements:

1. In terms of short-term credit delivery to the agriculture sector, District Central Cooperative Banks (DCCBs) deliver more credit in comparison to Scheduled Commercial Banks and Regional Rural Banks.
2. One of the most important functions of DCCBs is to provide funds to the Primary Agricultural Credit Societies.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only (b) 2 only (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2

Mains Question

“In the villages itself no form of credit organization will be suitable except the cooperative society.” - All India Rural Credit Survey. Discuss this statement in the background of agricultural finance in India. What constraints and challenges do financial institutions supplying agricultural finance face? How can technology be used to better reach and serve rural clients?

Right to Repair Portal

The Centre has launched the Right to Repair Portal India, which aims to provide consumers with easy access to information for repairing their products and enabling them to reuse them. The portal will facilitate communication between consumers and companies, enabling consumers to repair their products instead of discarding them and contributing to e-waste.

Key Takeaways

• The portal will provide consumers with information on repairing their products, enabling them to reuse them and reducing e-waste.
• Companies were urged to join the portal, which will work as a catalyst to provide relevant repair-associated information between consumers and companies.
• The portal will help in reducing e-waste and promoting sustainable consumption.

Prerequisites

• Understanding of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019
• Familiarity with e-waste management in India
• Knowledge of the factors contributing to high e-waste in India

Post Read Question

What are the impediments in disposing of the huge quantities of discarded solid waste which are continuously being generated? How do we safely remove the toxic wastes that have been accumulating in our habitable environment?

Crowd Management

The Centre has launched a crowd management system to ensure safety and security during public gatherings and events. The system uses artificial intelligence (AI) to analyze crowd behavior and predict potential risks, enabling authorities to take proactive measures to prevent accidents.

Key Takeaways

• The system uses AI to analyze crowd behavior and predict potential risks.
• The system will help in ensuring safety and security during public gatherings and events.
• The system will enable authorities to take proactive measures to prevent accidents.

Prerequisites

• Understanding of AI and its applications in different sectors
• Familiarity with crowd management and its importance
• Knowledge of the challenges in ensuring the protection of consumer rights in India

Post Read Question

What are the advantages and disadvantages of AI? What ethical considerations should be taken into account when developing and using AI? Is there any legal framework for AI regulation globally and nationally?

Iran Elections

The elections in Iran have taken place, with the newly elected President expressing hope for improved ties with India. India and Iran have had a complex relationship in the past, with ties impacted by the India-US nuclear deal and sanctions on the Iranian nuclear program.

Key Takeaways

• The relations between India and Iran have gone through several ups and downs in the past two decades.
• The relations improved in 2015, when reformist Hassan Rouhani came to power and the JCPOA nuclear deal was signed.
• The relations were impacted by the US withdrawal from the JCPOA in 2018, leading to sanctions being reimposed.

Prerequisites

• Understanding of India-Iran bilateral relations
• Familiarity with the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) nuclear deal
• Knowledge of the Chabahar Port and International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC)

Post Read Question

What is the importance of developing Chabahar Port by India?

Historical Context:

The article discusses various news and updates related to government initiatives, agricultural development, and technology. The Union Minister of Home Affairs and Cooperation, Amit Shah, emphasizes the importance of establishing Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) in all villages and blocks across the country. This initiative aims to provide credit to farmers and promote agricultural development. The article also mentions the launch of the Right to Repair Portal India, which aims to reduce e-waste and promote sustainable consumption. Additionally, the Centre has launched a crowd management system using artificial intelligence (AI) to ensure safety and security during public gatherings and events. The article also touches upon the Iran elections and the complex relationship between India and Iran.

Summary in Bullet Points:

• Government and Politics:
  • Union Minister Amit Shah emphasizes the importance of establishing Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) in all villages and blocks across the country.
  • The cooperation ministry has launched a drive to establish 2 lakh dairies and PACS for the 2 lakh gram panchayats that lack such facilities.
  • PACS are essential for providing credit to farmers and promoting agricultural development.
• Right to Repair Portal:
  • The Centre has launched the Right to Repair Portal India to provide consumers with easy access to information for repairing their products and enabling them to reuse them.
  • The portal aims to reduce e-waste and promote sustainable consumption.
• Crowd Management:
  • The Centre has launched a crowd management system using AI to analyze crowd behavior and predict potential risks.
  • The system aims to ensure safety and security during public gatherings and events.
• Iran Elections:
  • The elections in Iran have taken place, with the newly elected President expressing hope for improved ties with India.
  • India and Iran have had a complex relationship in the past, with ties impacted by the India-US nuclear deal and sanctions on the Iranian nuclear program.

Post Read Questions:

• UPSC Essentials:
  • Consider the following statements: In terms of short-term credit delivery to the agriculture sector, District Central Cooperative Banks (DCCBs) deliver more credit in comparison to Scheduled Commercial Banks and Regional Rural Banks. One of the most important functions of DCCBs is to provide funds to the Primary Agricultural Credit Societies.
  • Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
• Right to Repair Portal:
  • What are the impediments in disposing of the huge quantities of discarded solid waste which are continuously being generated? How do we safely remove the toxic wastes that have been accumulating in our habitable environment?
• Crowd Management:
  • What are the advantages and disadvantages of AI? What ethical considerations should be taken into account when developing and using AI? Is there any legal framework for AI regulation globally and nationally?
• Iran Elections:
  • What is the importance of developing Chabahar Port by India?