PIB 26th June

Contents

1. Nominations for Sardar Patel National Unity Award-2020
2. International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking
3. Introduction of Floating Rate Savings Bonds, 2020
4. Navy Inducts Indigenously Developed Torpedo Decoy System

NOMINATIONS FOR SARDAR PATEL NATIONAL UNITY AWARD-2020

Focus: GS-II Governance, Prelims

Why in news?

The online nomination process for Sardar Patel National Unity Award, the highest civilian award in the field of contribution to the unity and integrity of India, has now been extended.

Sardar Patel National Unity Award

• The Sardar Patel National Unity Award is one of the highest civilian awards of the country, similar to Bharat Ratna, and it was instituted in 2019.
• The Award seeks to recognize notable and inspiring contributions to promote the cause of national unity and integrity and to reinforce the value of a strong and united India.
• The award will be announced on the occasion of the National Unity Day, i.e. the birth anniversary of Sardar Patel on 31st October.
• Not more than three Awards shall be given in a year. It is not mandatory that this award should be given every year.
• Any citizen of India without distinction of religion, race, caste, gender, place of birth, age or occupation and any institution/organization shall be eligible for the Award.
• Only individuals/institutions/organizations would be eligible to apply for this Award.
• The candidate for the Award should have made outstanding efforts and notable contribution to promote and further the cause of national unity and integrity in a manner that may serve as an inspiration to others, and reinforce the value of a strong and united India.
• It shall not be conferred posthumously except in very rare and highly deserving cases.

INTERNATIONAL DAY AGAINST DRUG ABUSE AND ILLICIT TRAFFICKING

Focus: GS-II Social Justice, Prelims

Why in news?

Nasha Mukt Bharat: Annual Action Plan (2020-21) for 272 Most Affected Districts was e-launched by Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment on the occasion of “International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking”.

Nasha Mukt Bharat Annual Action Plan

Nasha Mukt Bharat Annual Action Plan for 2020-21 would focus on 272 most affected districts (list in Annexure) and launch a three-pronged attack combining efforts of

1. Narcotics Bureau,
2. Outreach/Awareness by Social Justice
3. Treatment through the Health Dept.

The Action Plan has the following components:

1. Awareness generation programmes;
2. Focus on Higher Educational institutions,
3. University Campuses and Schools;
4. Community outreach and identification of dependent population;
5. Focus on Treatment facilities in Hospital settings;
6. Capacity Building Programmes for Service Provider.

Aims of Nasha Mukt Bharat:

1. Reach out to about 4 Lakh Children and Youth for awareness about ill
2. effect of drug use.
3. Increase community participation and public cooperation
4. Supporting Government Hospitals for opening up De- addiction Center in
5. addition to existing Ministry Supported De-addiction Centers (IRCAs)
6. Conducting Training programme for about 10000 participants

Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment is the nodal Ministry for drug demand reduction which coordinates and monitors all aspects of drug abuse prevention which include assessment of the extent of the problem, preventive action, treatment and rehabilitation of addicts, dissemination of information and public awareness.

International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking 2020

• The United Nations General Assembly decided to observe 26 June as the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking as an expression of its determination to strengthen action and cooperation to achieve the goal of an international society free of drug abuse.
• This global observance aims to raise awareness of the major problem that illicit drugs represent to society.
• The theme for the 2020 International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking “Better Knowledge for Better Care”.
• The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) is the UN body for making the world safer from drugs, organized crime, corruption and terrorism.

INTRODUCTION OF FLOATING RATE SAVINGS BONDS, 2020

Focus: GS-III Indian Economy

Why in news?

The Government has notified the new Floating Rate Savings Bonds, 2020 (Taxable)Scheme in place of 7.75 percent Savings (Taxable) Bonds.

Details Floating Rate Savings Bonds

The broad features of the new Floating Rate Savings Bonds, 2020 (Taxable) scheme are:

• To be issued by Reserve Bank India on behalf of the Government of India.
• There will be no maximum limit for investment in the Bonds.
• The Bonds shall be repayable on the expiration of 7 (Seven) years from the date of issue.
• Interest on the Bonds will be taxable under the Income-tax Act, 1961.

Click Here to read more about Options for a fixed-income, National Savings Certificates (NSCs) etc., and the reason for stopping the 7.75% Bonds

NAVY INDUCTS INDIGENOUSLY DEVELOPED TORPEDO DECOY SYSTEM

Focus: GS-III Internal Security, Prelims

Why in news?

Advanced Torpedo Decoy System Maareech capable of being fired from all frontline warships is inducted by the Indian Navy.

Details

• Design & Development of this anti-torpedo decoy system has been undertaken indigenously DRDO labs (NSTL and NPOL).
• Bharat Electronics Limited, a Defence PSU, would undertake the production of this decoy system.
• This induction stands testimony to the joint resolve of the Indian Navy and DRDO towards indigenous development of Defence technology.
• It has also given a major fillip to the Government’s ‘Make in India’ initiative and the country’s resolve to become ‘Atmanirbhar’ in niche technology.