PIB – 16 September 2021

PRODUCTION-LINKED INCENTIVE (PLI) SCHEME FOR DRONES AND DRONE COMPONENTS

Focus: GS II- Indian Economy

Why in News?

Taking another step towards realising our collective vision of an Aatmanirbhar Bharat, the Central Government has approved the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for drones and drone components.

Features of the PLI schemes for Drones:

• The total amount allocated for the PLI scheme for drones and drone components is INR 120 crore spread over three financial years.  This amount is nearly double the combined turnover of all domestic drone manufacturers in FY 2020-21. 
• The incentive for a manufacturer of drones and drone components shall be as high as 20% of the value addition made by her.
• The value addition shall be calculated as the annual sales revenue from drones and drone components (net of GST) minus the purchase cost (net of GST) of drone and drone components.
• The Government, has agreed to keep the PLI rate constant at 20% for all three years, an exceptional treatment given only to the drone industry.  In PLI schemes for other sectors, the PLI rate reduces every year.
• The proposed tenure of the PLI scheme is three years starting in FY 2021-22.  The PLI scheme will be extended or redrafted after studying its impact in consultation with the industry.
• The Government has agreed to fix the minimum value addition norm at 40% of net salesfor drones and drone components instead of 50%, another exceptional treatment given to the drone industry.  This will allow widening the number of beneficiaries.
• The PLI scheme covers a wide variety of drone components:
  • Airframe, propulsion systems(engine and electric), power systems, batteries and associated components, launch and recovery systems;
  • Inertial Measurement Unit, Inertial Navigation System, flight control module, ground control station and associated components;
  • Communications systems (radio frequency, transponders, satellite-based etc.)
  • Cameras, sensors, spraying systems and related payload etc.;
  • ‘Detect and Avoid’ system, emergency recovery system, trackers etc. and other components critical for safety and security.
• The list of eligible components may be expanded by the Government from time to time, as the drone technology evolves.
• The Government has agreed to widen the coverage of the incentive scheme to include developers of drone-related IT products also.
• The Government has kept the eligibility norm for MSME and startups in terms of annual sales turnover at a nominal level – INR 2 cr (for drones) and INR 50 lakhs (for drone components).  This will allow widening the number of beneficiaries.
• Eligibility norm for non-MSME companies in terms of annual sales turnover has been kept at INR 4 crore (for drones) and INR 1 crore (for drone components).
• PLI for a manufacturer shall be capped at 25% of total annual outlay. This will allow widening the number of beneficiaries.
• In case a manufacturer fails to meet the threshold for the eligible value addition for a particular financial year, she will be allowed to claim the lost incentive in the subsequent year if she makes up the shortfall in the subsequent year.

EXERCISE ZAPAD-2021

Focus: International Relations

Why in News?

Exercise ZAPAD-2021, a seven day long Multilateral ‘Joint Strategic Exercise’ which saw participation from seven countries culminated at Mulino in the Novgorod Region of Russia.

Details:

• As part of the Exercise, strategic planning, tactical actions and manoeuvres were rehearsed and executed jointly in conventional operational scenarios.
• The Joint Strategic Exercise included defensive & offensive manoeuvres by the Coalition Forces to restore territorial integrity under simulated combat conditions.
• New generation weapon systems and equipment were also demonstrated by Russian Armed Forces during the exercise.
• The closing ceremony conducted on 15 September 2021 highlighted the importance of joint military training and close defence cooperation amongst the Contingents.
• Besides military training and exercise, the participating contingents showcased their skills in a number of extra-curricular & sports activities including Football, Volleyball, Kettle Bell lifting, Arm Wrestling, Tug of War and the cultural program.
• The exercise has promoted synergy and inter-operability amongst the Armed Forces, and will help in forging closer military ties between the nations.
• All contingent commanders expressed immense satisfaction in the conduct of the joint exercise in terms of standards achieved and lessons learnt. 

EXERCISE PEACEFUL MISSION

Focus: GS II- International Relations

Why in News?

Indian Military Contingent Participates in the 6th Edition of Exercise SCO Peaceful Mission 2021 at Orenburg, Russia.

About Exercise PEACEFUL MISSION:

• Joint Counter Terrorism Exercise PEACEFUL MISSION  is a Multilateral Exercise, which is conducted biennially as part of military diplomacy between Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) member states.
• The 6th edition of Exercise PEACEFUL MISSION is being hosted by Russia in the Orenburg Region of South West Russia from 13 to 25 September 2021.
• The aim of the exercise is to foster close relations between SCO member states and to enhance abilities of the military leaders to command multi-national military contingents. 
• The Indian military contingent comprising of an all arms combined force of 200 personnel to include 38 personnel from the Indian Air Force is participating in the Exercise PEACEFUL MISSION -2021.
• The Indian contingent was inducted to the exercise area by two IL-76 aircrafts.
• Prior to their departure, the contingent underwent training and preparation under the aegis of South Western Command. 
• The exercise will enable sharing of best practices between the Armed Forces of SCO nations.
• The exercise will also provide an opportunity to the Armed Forces of SCO Nations to train in Counter-Terrorism Operations in an urban scenario in a multinational and joint environment. 
• The scope of the exercise includes professional interaction, mutual understanding of drills & procedures, establishment of joint command & control structures and elimination of terrorist threats. 
• Exercise PEACEFUL MISSION 2021 is a landmark event in military interactions and global cooperation to counter-terrorism. 

SWACHHATA HI SEVA(SHS) 2021

Focus: GS II- Government Policies and Interventions

Why in News?

The Inaugural ceremony of Swachhata Hi Seva(SHS), 2021 was held on 15th September, 2021 at NEDFi Convention Centre in Guwahati.

About Swachhata Hi Seva(SHS) 2021:

• Swachhata Hi Seva, an initiative of the Swachh Bharat Mission, aims to generate greater public participation reinforcing the concept of sanitation as everyone’s business.
• This year SHS aims to encourage people to understand the importance of a clean environment and inculcate the practice of a systematic   management of solid and liquid waste.
• This event was organized as a part of “Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav” celebration which is being celebrated country wide by the Government to commemorate the 75th Anniversary of India’s Independence.
• Department of Drinking Water &Sanitation, Ministry of Jal Shakti has decided to organise SHS 2021 from 15th September 2021 to 2nd October 2021 across India and as a part of this undertake various activities and event.
• This will require participation from each stakeholder of the mission at every level starting from state to district to Gram Panchayat, villages, community to individual level to involve and work together to make every village  ODF Plus.
• Likewise, in Assam also the SHS 2021 launch is being followed by a series of activities like ‘Satyagrah se SwachhagrahRath Yatra’, ‘Shramdaan’, ‘Swachhata Jagriti Yatra’ (Rallies), ‘Award and Recognition of Swachhata Champions’, Samvad with Gram Panchayats, etc.
• The events will culminate on 2nd October, 2021 with the celebration of Swachh Bharat Diwas.

SHOONYA CAMPAIGN

Focus: GS II- Governance

Why in News?

NITI Aayog, with RMI and RMI India’s support, launched Shoonya—an initiative to promote zero-pollution delivery vehicles by working with consumers and industry.

About Shoonya campaign :

• The campaign aims to accelerate adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) in the urban deliveries segment and create consumer awareness about the benefits of zero-pollution delivery.
• As part of the campaign, a corporate branding and certification programme is being launched to recognise and promote industry’s efforts towards transitioning to EVs for final-mile deliveries.
• An online tracking platform will share the campaign’s impact through data such as vehicle kilometers electrified, carbon savings, criteria pollutant savings and other benefits from clean delivery vehicles.