National Institute for Smart Government (NISG)

The second regional programme of this series focused on ‘Digital Public Infrastructure’ was recently launched by the National e-Governance Division of MeitY, in partnership with the National Institute for Smart Governance (NISG).

• National Institute for Smart Government (NISG) was registered under the Company Act as a Section 25 not-for-profit company in May 2002 with its headquarters at Hyderabad. (Statement 3 is incorrect).

• It was set up by the Government of India on a Public-Private-Partnership (PPP) model.
• The Secretary to the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) acts as its Chairman. (Statement 2 is incorrect)
• Objectives – Aims to usher in smart governance and improve government processes.
• Focuses on establishing service delivery systems for faster and simpler services to citizens and businesses.
• Roles and functions – Acts as an advisory and consulting body, combining private sector efficiency with public sector accountability.
• It has played a key role in the design and implementation of several mission mode projects (MMP) in India.
• Few projects include MCA-21, Passport Seva Project, UID (Aadhaar), commercial taxes, immigration, health and agriculture.
• Shareholding – Structured on a public-private partnership (PPP) model with 49% of NISG’s equity is held by the central government and various state governments and 51% is held by institutional investors.
• NASSCOM, Government of India and Government of Andhra Pradesh are the main promoters of the Company.
• Government of Chhattisgarh, Government of Meghalaya, Vizag Municipal Corporation, and Infrastructure Leasing and Financial Services being the other stakeholders. 

Pharmaceuticals & Medical Devices Bureau of India (PMBI)

PMBI and Coal India Limited have recently signed a MoU to provide high-quality generic medicines through establishment of Jan Aushadhi Kendras across Coal India premises.

• Pharmaceuticals & Medical Devices Bureau of India (PMBI) is the implementing agency of Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP).
• PMBI was established in December, 2008 under the Department of Pharmaceuticals, Government of India.
• The Bureau has been registered as an independent society under the societies registration act 1860 as a separate independent legal entity in April, 2010.
• PMBI follows the provisions of General Financial Rules, 2017 as amended from time to time, the CVC guidelines and instructions from the Department of Pharmaceuticals.
• Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP):
• PMBJP was launched with an objective of making quality generic medicines available at affordable prices to all.
• It was launched by the Department of Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers and Government of India in November, 2008.
• Under the scheme, dedicated outlets known as Janaushadhi Kendras are opened to provide generic medicines at affordable prices.
• Product basket of PMBJP comprises 2047 drugs and 300 surgical items.
• Through this scheme, awareness is conducted about generic medicines through education and publicity to counter the perception that quality is synonymous with high price only.
• This aids to generate employment by engaging individual entrepreneurs in opening of PMBJP Kendra.

Dak Ghar Niryat Kendra

Dak Ghar Niryat Kendra portal has now been successfully integrated with the Indian Customs Electronic Gateway, Indian Customs EDI System, Public Financial Management System and Export Data Processing & Monitoring System of RBI.

• Dak Ghar Niryat Kendra is an initiative that aims to promote commercial exports across the country.
• It is an initiative of the Department of Posts and Central Board of Excise and Customs. (Statement 3 is incorrect)
• This initiative provides essential services including documentation assistance, market information, bar-coded label printing, and paperless customs clearance.
• It is set to bolster rural exports by supporting small-scale exporters.
• The Department aims to on-board 3000 new exporters onto the Dak Ghar Niryat Kendra Portal in 100 days.
• Through this initiative small exporters are able to electronically file a Portal Bill of Export and then present the parcel at Dak Ghar Niryat Kendra for export.
• Dak Ghar Niryat Kendra (DNK) portal has recently been successfully established with the following:
  • Indian Customs Electronic Gateway (ICEGATE),
  • Indian Customs EDI System (ICES),
  • Public Financial Management System (PFMS) and Export Data Processing & Monitoring System (EDPMS) of RBI.
• This integration will streamline data flow between DNK and systems of Customs and PFMS to automate IGST refund.
• The flow of data into EDPMS will facilitate the issuance of electronic Bank Realization Certificates (e-BRC) by authorized dealers (AD Banks).
• Exporters will gain improved visibility over their export transactions and payments, enhancing decision-making capabilities.
• Exporters utilising the DNK Portal must register their AD Code on the ICEGATE Portal and provide accurate bank account details to ensure timely IGST refunds and availing of e-BRC facility of banks.
• The registration process is vital for verifying bank details and facilitating direct credit of refunds.

Rangeen Machhli Application

The "Rangeen Machhli" app was launched recently that provides multilingual information on popular ornamental fish species in eight Indian languages.

• The Rangeen Machhli App is an initiative to meet the growing needs of the ornamental fisheries sector.
• It provides the crucial knowledge and important resources for hobbyists, aquarium shop owners and fish farmers.
• Developed by – ICAR-CIFA (Indian Council of Agricultural Research, Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture) with support from the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY).
• “Find Aquarium Shops” tool – Is a standout feature of the app that enables users to discover nearby aquarium stores.
• This dynamic directory is regularly updated by shop owners, promoting local businesses while providing users with reliable sources for ornamental fish and aquarium-related products.
• "Basics of Aquarium Care" – Is a module covers essential topics such as types of aquariums, fishes, water filtration, lighting, feeding, day to day maintenance.
• "Ornamental Aquaculture" – Is a module focuses on breeding, rearing of different ornamental fish.
• Ornamental Fishes – India boasts a rich diversity of ornamental fish, with over 195 indigenous varieties reported from the North-East Region and Western Ghats, and nearly 400 species from marine ecosystems.
• The majority of ornamental fish exported from India are wild varieties, primarily collected from the rivers of the North-East and Southern States, which contribute about 85% of the country’s total ornamental fish exports.
• Among the 195 reported species from the North-East, 155 are of ornamental value.
• The Western Ghats, one of the world’s 34 ‘Biodiversity Hotspot’ areas, is home to numerous freshwater fish species, 40 of which are of ornamental value, with 37 being endemic to the region.
• Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana – A scheme to bring about ecologically healthy, economically viable, and socially inclusive development of the Fisheries sector of India.
• It is implemented by the Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying.
• It aids to bring about Blue Revolution through sustainable and responsible development of fisheries sector in India.

Karam / Karma Festival

Tribal populations in Jharkhand, West Bengal, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Assam and Odisha celebrated the harvest festival of Karma or Karam festival recently.

• Karam / Karma Festival is a festival of agriculture and is very sacred to the tribal people of Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand and Assam.
• The festival is popular especially among the Munda, Ho, Oraon, Baiga, Kharia and Santhal peoples.
• Karam tree – Is the focus of the festival. The precise ways in which the tree is worshipped may differ slightly from region to region.
• Karam Devta – The festival involves the worship of Karam devta, the god of power, youth and youthfulness and the tribes believe that worshipping the deity brings prosperity in their lives.
• Ekadashi tithi – It is traditionally celebrated on the Ekadashi tithi (eleventh day) of the lunar fortnight in the month of Bhado/ Bhadra, which corresponds to August-September in the Gregorian calendar.
• Karma dance – It is also popularly known as Karma Naachis performed by the tribes of Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Orissa and other regions of the country.
• This tribal dance is performed during the autumnal festival of Karma Puja.
• Festival rituals – Young women sow 7 types of grains in river sand before the festival.
• The Karam tree branch is planted in the courtyard or 'akhra' and a priest (pahan) performs worship.
• People sing and dance traditional Karam songs and the festival concludes with the immersion of the Karam branch in water
• Cultural and agricultural significance – The festival is closely tied to agricultural practices.
• It aligns with seasonal cycles and the beginning of agriculture in tribal communities.
• Celebrates the autumn rains and prays for a good harvest.
• Incorporates practices that may have practical benefits, such as planting Chirchitti and Sindwar as natural insecticides.