Top News Highlights- 4 September 2024

Digital Agriculture Mission (DAM) Approval

Objective: To enhance digital agriculture initiatives, including Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI).

Components:

• AgriStack: Digital identity for farmers linked to land records.
• Krishi Decision Support System: Utilizes geospatial data to aid farming decisions.
• Soil Profiling: Detailed maps for 142 million hectares of agricultural land.

Significance: Expected to streamline services and provide employment to 2.5 lakh youth.

India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) Expansion

Context: Cabinet approval for a new semiconductor unit in Sanand, Gujarat.

Importance

• Reducing dependency on semiconductor imports, which was US$ 4.65 billion in 2019.
• Diversifying global supply chains away from traditional hubs.

ISM Features: Includes schemes like Semicon India Future Design (DLI Scheme) to boost local manufacturing.

WHO Road Safety Report

Key Findings: South-East Asia accounts for 28% of global road traffic deaths.

India-specific data

• Road traffic deaths in 2021: Estimated at 216,618.
• Highest fatality rates among wheeler drivers/riders.

Policy Responses: The National Road Safety Policy (2010) and Motor Vehicle (Amendment) Act, of 2019 focus on improving road safety standards.

Manipur Drone Attack and Security Measures

Event: Grenade-bearing drones attacked parts of Manipur.

Security implications

• Potential for drone terrorism and privacy concerns.Cross-border smuggling and trafficking via drones.

Mitigation Strategies: Development of anti-drone technologies like Indrajaal and PLI Scheme for Drones.

E shram Portal Achievements

Achievement: Over 30 crore registrations since launch.

Purpose: To create a National Database of Unorganized Workers (NDUW) for better social security scheme access.

Key Services: Linked to schemes like Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana and Ayushman Bharat.

Initiatives for Semiconductor and Display Fab Ecosystem

Objective: Enhance India’s semiconductor and display manufacturing capabilities.

Programs

• Semicon India Programme with a budget of Rs 76,000 crore.
• Includes incentives for setting up semiconductor Fabs and display units.

Strategic Importance: Aims to establish a robust manufacturing ecosystem and reduce electronic import dependency.

Key Concepts and Policies

• Digital Agriculture Mission (DAM): Aims to create a digital infrastructure to support agriculture.
• India Semiconductor Mission (ISM): Nodal agency under Digital India Corporation to oversee semiconductor manufacturing.
• National Road Safety Policy: Implements safety measures and infrastructure improvements for reducing road fatalities.
• E shram Portal: A government initiative to assist unorganized workers by integrating them into a national database for social security benefits.