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PIB Highlights – 31st
December 2018
Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare is committed
to the welfare of farmers
Many policy reforms have been carried out: -
Budgetary allocation to the agriculture sector has been raised by
74% and the SDRF allocation has been almost doubled.
Soil Health Card is being provided to farmers on the basis of a
national standard.
e-NAM has been started to help farmers receive fair value of their
produce.
Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojna to cover the maximum risk of
farmers' crops based on the Scale of Finance by removing capping
on minimum premium.
Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana for organic farming
Har Medh Par Ped for sustainable agriculture.
Per Drop More Crop with special emphasis on micro irrigation
Restructured National Bamboo Mission.
To increase the income of the farmers, 546 FPO (Farmer Producer
Organizations) has been constituted by the SFAC (Small Farmers’
Agribusiness Consortium) besides State Governments and FPOs of
NABARD.
MSPs of 24 crops have been raised by 1.5 times of the production
cost.
Amendments have been made in the APMC Act for the
implementation of electronic trading.
New APLM Act (Agricultural Produce and Livestock Marketing),
Land Leasing Act and the Contract Farming and Services Act have
been issued to states for implementation.
Mera Gaon Mera Gaurav and ARYA have been started for better
coordination and interaction between agricultural scientists and
farmers.
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For the promotion of indigenous breeds in the Indian climate,
special emphasis is being given to Rashtriya Gokul Mission, sex-
sorted semen, and the development of dairy infrastructure.
Through the Blue Revolution, importance is being given to
various dimensions of inland and maritime fisheries and also on
the development of fisheries infrastructure.
For agricultural processing, tomato, onion and potato clusters will
be set up under the TOP scheme.
Indo-US 2+2 Dialogue
First edition of their 2+2 dialogue involving Indian External
Affairs and Defense Ministers and their American counterparts in
New Delhi.
Signed long-pending Communications Compatibility and Security
Agreement (COMCASA).
Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement
U.S. signs this agreement with allies and close partners to
facilitate interoperability between militaries and sale of high-end
technology. This agreement is valid for a period 10 years.
Significance of COMCASA
Facilitate access to advanced defense systems and enable India to
optimally utilize its existing US-origin platforms
India will get access to Combined Enterprise Regional
Information Exchange System (CENTRIXS):
CENTRIX is the secure communication system network of the
US. Navy ships with CENTRIXS systems on board can
communicate securely with the U.S. Navy when needed
It would enable Indian military to get a better picture of the Indian
Ocean Region (IOR) which is seeing increasing Chinese
movements.
Promotes modernization and technological advancement of
defense equipment
COMCASA allows us to utilize US communications core that is
among the best in the world:
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During Doklam standoff, for instance, India benefitted from
US intelligence on the placement of Chinese troops on the
plateau in the high Himalayas. However, in absence of a
foundational agreement on sharing of sensitive intelligence
such as the COMCASA, US inputs were subject to a time-lag.
Concerns with the COMCASA Agreement
Allow U.S. Navy access to India’s own secure communication
network and also that the information shared with the U.S. will be
accessible to Pakistan: this agreement may harm India’s strategic
autonomy by making its own communication network vulnerable
to US spying.
US may manipulate critical decision making: Some critics are
concerned that the US will retain control over its equipment sold
to India under this pact and may manipulate decision-making.
Recent Developments
Defense Technology and Trade Initiative (DTII)
The aim of DTTI is to bring sustained leadership focus to the
bilateral defense trade relationship and create opportunities for
co-production and co-development of defense equipment.
In 2016, India became major defense partner of USA.
In 2016, LEMOA was singed. (Logistics Exchange Memorandum
of Agreement).
LEMOA gives access, to both countries, to designated military
facilities on either side for the purpose of refueling and
replenishment.
There will be no basing of the U.S. troops or assets on Indian
soil. This is purely a logistical agreement.
India can access the string of U.S. facilities across the globe for
logistical support and the U.S., which operates in a big way in
Asia-Pacific, will benefit from Indian facilities.
Middle this year => Strategic Trade Authorization-1 category.
The United States eased export controls for high technology
product sales to India, granting it the same access as NATO
allies — Australia, Japan and South Korea.
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STA allows for license exception with regards to exports from
the US. This type of US government authorization allows a
certain item to be exported under defined conditions without a
transaction-specific license.
Partners in the Indo-Pacific and Beyond:
The Ministers reviewed cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region,
noting that the common principles for the region articulated in the
India-U.S. Joint Statement of June 2017 have been further
amplified by President Trump at Danang, Vietnam on November
10, 2017, and PM Modi in Singapore at the Shangri-La Dialogue
on June 1, 2018.
Both sides committed to work together and in concert with other
partners toward advancing a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific
region, based on recognition of ASEAN centrality and on respect
for sovereignty, territorial integrity, rule of law, good governance,
free and fair trade.
The Ministers reaffirmed their shared commitment to a united,
sovereign, democratic, inclusive, stable, prosperous, and peaceful
Afghanistan.
The two sides expressed support for an Afghan-led, Afghan-owned
peace and reconciliation process.
India welcomed the recent U.S.-North Korea summit. The two
sides pledged to work together to counter North Korea’s weapons
of mass destruction programs and to hold accountable those
countries that have supported them.
The United States welcomed India’s accession to the Australia
Group, the Wassenaar Arrangement, and the Missile Technology
Control Regime and reiterated its full support for India’s
immediate accession to the Nuclear Suppliers Group.
Implementation of EODB
The Department of Industrial Policy & Promotion has been
monitoring two segments of the business reforms. The first
segment relates to India’s efforts in improving its rank in World
Bank’s Doing Business Report.
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As a result of reforms undertaken by the Government, India now
ranks at 77 among 190 countries in the Doing Business Report
2019.
The second segment in which business reforms are implemented
relate to activities covered by State Governments. [Business
Reform Action Plan]
DIPP has developed a Reforms Action Plan for districts identifying
important government services that are delivered through district
administration. These reforms are identified in consultation with
State Governments. Some of the important areas covered under the
Reforms Action Plan are:
1. Starting Business
Registration of Cooperative Societies
Registration of Contractors for Works and Services
Trade Licences and Renewal thereof
2. Urban Local Body Services
Obtaining Water Connection
Obtaining Sewer Connection
Certificate of non-availability of water from water supply
agency required for NoC for water abstraction from Central
Ground Water Authority/ Relevant Authority
NoC for water abstraction from Central Ground Water
Authority/ Relevant Authority
Road Cutting Permission
Inspection carried out for (a) granting road cutting permission
and (b) verification to ensure proper restoration
3. Land Reform Enabler
Encumbrance Certificate
Measurement/ Demarcation of Land
Change of Land Use
Certificate of Land Use
4. Land Administration and Property Registration Enablers
Property Registration – Online system
5. Obtaining approval for construction
Construction Permit - Online System
NOC from Fire Department (prior to commencement of
construction activities)
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6. Paying Taxes
Property Tax/Vacant Land Tax
7. Miscellaneous
Certificate for Verification of Weights & Measures and Its
Renewal
Certificate of Non-Forest land
Letter for Distance from Forest
NoC from Municipality or other Local Body for State License
for Food Business
Health NoC by Municipality/ Panchayat for Food Registration
Certificate
Registration for provisional/ permanent certificate for clinical
establishment under Clinical Establishments (Registration and
Regulation) Act & its Renewal
Registration under PC&PNDT Act, 1994 (Amended, 2003) (For
5 years) & its Renewal
NOC required for setting up of explosives manufacturing,
storage, sale, transport
NOC required for setting up of petroleum, diesel & Naphtha
manufacturing, storage, sale, transport
License for Sale of Crackers
Transfer of vehicle registration
Goods Carriage Permit
Issuing Vehicles Fitness Certificate
Approvals for setting up Hostel
Approval for setting up and operating a Play School
Registration of schools under Right to Education
NoC for setting up CBSE School
Mining lease/ Composite License/ Non-exclusive
Reconnaissance Permit
Issue of letter of intent in case of fresh lease (for environmental
clearance - category B2- Less than 5 acres)
NoC for soil excavation /filling
Licensing for Auditorium/ Places of Public Amusement /
Performance for Public Amusement (as applicable)
Cinematograph License & License for Screening a Films (as
applicable)
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Licenses/ permits issued by the State Excise Departments like
wholesale Vendor Licenses, import permits, license for Retail
Sale, License for Setting up Distilleries and License for Setting
up Bottling Plant
Licenses/authorizations required for sale/ storage of fertilizers
under Essential Commodities Act, 1955 (in accordance with
Fertilizer Control Order)
Licenses/authorizations required for sale/ storage of
commodities (other than fertilizer) under Essential Commodities
Act, 1955 (as applicable)
Application for grant of license under Insecticide Act, 1968 for
manufacture, storage and sale of insecticides and pesticides and
its renewal
Grant of license for 'Fair Price Shops' under the relevant act and
its renewal.
8. Grievance Redressal/ Paperless Courts and Law & Order
Filing of disputes under Revenue Courts
Resolution of Grievances.
