PIB – 26 August 2021

PRAGATI

Focus: GS II: Polity and Governance

Why in News?

PM chairs 37th PRAGATI interaction.

About PRAGATI

• PRAGATI (Pro-Active Governance And Timely Implementation), as the name suggests, is aimed at starting a culture of Pro-Active Governance and Timely Implementation.
• It is also a robust system for bringing e-transparency and e-accountability with real-time presence and exchange among the key stakeholders.
• The platform was launched in 2015 is a multi-purpose and multi-modal platform that is aimed at addressing common man’s grievances, and simultaneously monitoring and reviewing important programmes and projects of the Government of India as well as projects flagged by State Governments.
• It is a three-tier system (PMO, Union Government Secretaries, and Chief Secretaries of the States)
• The PRAGATI platform uniquely bundles three latest technologies, digital data management, video-conferencing and geo-spatial technology. It also offers a unique combination in the direction of cooperative federalism since it brings on one stage the Secretaries of Government of India and the Chief Secretaries of the States.
• The Prime Minister will hold a monthly programme where he will interact with the Government of India Secretaries, and Chief Secretaries through Video-conferencing enabled by data and geo-informatics visuals.

KAZIND-21

Focus: GS III- Defence

Why in News?

As part of military diplomacy and to strengthen the growing strategic relation with Kazakhstan, the 5th edition of Indo- Kazakhstan Joint Training Exercise, “KAZIND-21” will be conducted at Training Node, Aisha Bibi, Kazakhstan, from 30 August to 11 September 2021.

About KAZIND-21

• The exercise is a joint training between both the Armies, which will boost the bilateral relations between India and Kazakhstan.
• The Indian Army contingent represented by a battalion of The Bihar Regiment consists of a total of 90 personnel led by a Contingent Commander.
• The Kazakhstan Army will be represented by a company group.
• The Exercise will provide an opportunity to the Armed Forces of India & Kazakhstan to train for Counter Insurgency/ Counter Terrorism operation in mountainous, rural scenario under UN mandate.
• The scope of Joint Exercise includes professional exchange, planning & execution of operation in Counter terrorism environment at sub unit level and sharing expertise on skills at arms, combat shooting and experiences in Counter Insurgency/ Counter Terrorism operations.
• The exercise will culminate after a 48 hours long validation exercise which will involve a scenario of neutralization of terrorists in a semi-rural hideout.
• The exercise will strengthen mutual confidence, inter-operability and enable sharing of best practices between the Armed Forces of India and Kazakhstan.

SAMRIDH PROGRAMME

Focus: Government policies and Interventions

Why in News?

Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology has launched the “Start-up Accelerators of MeitY for pRoduct Innovation, Development and growth (SAMRIDH)” programme.

About SAMRIDH programme:

Nodal: Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology

• The programme is being implemented by MeitY Start-up Hub (MSH).
• It will focus on accelerating the 300 start-ups by providing customer connect, investor connect, and international immersion in the next three years.
• Investment of up to Rs. 40 lakh will be provided to the start-up through selected accelerators.

Objective : To create a conducive platform to Indian Software Product start-ups to enhance their products and securing investments for scaling their business.

SUJALAM CAMPAIGN

Focus: Government policies and Interventions

Why in News?

Ministry of Jal Shakti launched ‘SUJALAM’ Campaign

About SUJALAM Campaign

• Ministry of Jal Shakti has launched a ‘100 days campaign’ named SUJALAM to create more and more Open Defecation Free (ODF) Plus villages by undertaking wastewater management at the village level.
• It will create of 1 million Soak-pits and also other Grey water management activities.
• The campaign will be directed towards achieving the ODF plus status for villages across the country in an accelerated manner in a short time.
• The disposal of waste water and clogging of waterbodies is major problems at village level.
• The Campaign would help in management of the wastewater and in turn would help to revive the waterbodies.
• It would boost the momentum of SBMG phase II activities through community participation and it will increase awareness about ODF-plus activities thereby, ensuring long term maintenance and sustainability of built infrastructure.
• The campaign started on August 25, 2021, is part of the ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’ celebrations.

Three focus areas :

• Construction of 1 million soak pits;
• Retrofitting of toilets and
• Access to toilets for new households.