National Centre for Good Governance (NCGG)

• The National Centre for Good Governance (NCGG) is an autonomous institute under the aegis of the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances, Government of India.
• Its head office is at New Delhi and its registered office at Mussoorie.
• The NCGG has been set up to assist in bringing about governance reforms through studies, training, knowledge sharing and promotion of good ideas.
• It seeks to carry out policy-relevant research and prepare case studies; curate training courses for civil servants from India and other developing countries; provide a platform for sharing of existing knowledge and pro-actively seek out and develop ideas for their implementation in the government, both at the States and the Central level.
• The National Centre for Good Governance traces its origin to the National Institute of Administrative Research (NIAR).
• NIAR was set up in 1995 by the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA).
• During its 19 years of existence, it provided research and training support to the Academy in areas of public administration.
• NIAR was subsequently rechristened with an expanded mandate, as National Centre for Good Governance, which was inaugurated on February 24th, 2014.

OBJECTIVES

• To be a think tank for governance & policy reforms, working across administrative, social, financial and political arenas.
• To initiate and participate in research and training on various aspects of regulatory and developmental administration, public policy, governance and public management.
• To provide a platform for policy development debates and discussions.
• To promote the exchange of innovative ideas and best practices in Governance by organising, sponsoring and aiding seminars, workshops, study circles, working groups and conferences.
• To interact with national and international organisations, in and outside government, engaged in research and training in subject areas of mutual interest.

Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC)

• ITEC Programme was launched in 1964 by the Ministry of External Affairs.
• The ITEC Programme is fully funded by the Government of India.
• The Programme is essentially bilateral in nature. However, in recent years, ITEC resources have also been used for cooperation programmes conceived in a regional and inter-regional context such as the Economic Commission for Africa, Commonwealth Secretariat, UNIDO and Group of 77.
• Under ITEC and its sister programme SCAAP (Special Commonwealth African Assistance Programme), 161 countries in Asia, Africa, East Europe, Latin America, the Caribbean as well as Pacific and Small Island countries are invited to share in the Indian developmental experience acquired over six decades of India's existence as a free nation.

Components:

• Training (civilian and defence) in India of nominees from ITEC partner countries;
• Projects and project-related activities such as feasibility studies and consultancy services;
• Deputation of Indian experts abroad;
• Study Tours;
• Gifts/Donations of equipment at the request of ITEC partner countries; and
• Aid for Disaster Relief.

The division of Development Partnership Administration (DPA) in the Ministry of External Affairs is the nodal division for handling all capacity-building programmes.

Finance Commission Holds Meeting with The Ministry of Jal Shakti on Grant for Provision of Drinking Water & Sanitation Services

Context

• The Chairman, Shri N. K. Singh and  Members of the 15th Finance Commission today had a meeting with Shri Gajendra Singh, Minister of Jal Shakti and his team of officers on the issue of FC grants to Rural Local Bodies for provisions of drinking water & sanitation services .

Recommendations of Finance Commission

• The Terms of Reference of the Commission mandates it to recommend “the measures needed to augment the Consolidated FUND OF a State to supplement the resources of the Panchayats and Municipalities in the State on the basis of recommendations made by the Finance Commission of the State”.  
• In this context the Finance Commission needed to understand whether the current experience of the submission of its report 2020-21 and its recommendations on grants for local bodies, was adequate enough to continue this type of grants for 2021-22 to 2025-26 – or there was requirement for improvement/ modification.  
• The specific concerns of the Commission were that approximately 2.5 lakh Panchayati Raj Institutions which have common issues on Drinking Water Supply and Sanitation and where coordination was required between the Ministry of Panchayati Raj and the Ministry of Jal Shakti alongwith the States for effective implementation.
• The 15th Finance Commission in its interim report for the year 2020-21, has identified water supply and sanitation as national priority areas for rural local bodies, and accordingly 50% of Rs. 60,750 crore i.e. Rs. 30,375 crore has been allocated as tied-grants to RLBs for:

(a) sanitation and maintenance of open-defecation free (ODF) status; and

(b) supply of drinking water, rain water harvesting and water recycling.

• PRIs have to earmark one half of these tied grants for each of these two components.
• However, if any (Gram Panchayat has fully saturated the needs of one category, the particular GP can utilize the funds from the other category). 
• The Finance Commission also  requested the States to bring it to the notice of all the PRIs that while utilizing the 15th  Finance Commission grants for water and sanitation, priority may be given to cover all the activities identified under JJM and SBM (G) so as to saturate the needs of drinking water and sanitation facilities in the rural areas of the country.

National e-Governance Division (NeGD)

Context

With a view to achieve atmanirbharata in the Coal sector, the Ministry of Coal in association with FICCI is launching the process for auction of 41 coal mines under the provisions of CM (SP) Act and MMDR Act. This auction process marks the beginning of opening of Indian coal sector for commercial mining. It will enable the country achieve self-sufficiency in meeting its energy needs and boost industrial development. The commencement of this auction process of coal mines for sale of coal is part of the series of announcements made by the Government of India under the Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan. The event will take place virtually at 11 AM on 18th June, 2020. The event will be open to all to join virtually through various networks hosted by NIC, NeGD of MEiTY and FICCI.

About NeGD

In 2009, National e-Governance Division (NeGD) was created by the Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MeitY) as an Independent Business Division under the Digital India Corporation.

Since 2009, NeGD has been playing a pivotal role in supporting the Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology in Programme Management and implementation of e-Governance Projects and initiatives undertaken by Ministries/ Departments, both at Central and State levels.

The envisioned roles and responsibilities of NeGD are as follows:

• Providing strategic direction in gterms of framing policies and implementation strategy for the Digital India Programme in different domains of e-Governance
• Proactive support to Central and State Governments for Mission Mode Projects (MMPs) and other e-Governance projects
• Acting as a facilitator and catalyst for implementation of Digital India Program by various Ministries and State Governments
• Providing technical assistance to Central Ministries/ State Line Departments in their e-Governance projects either directly or in collaboration with professional consultants
• Undertaking technical appraisal of e-Governance projects for examining issues like overall technology, architecture, framework standards, security policy, service delivery mechanism, sharing of common infrastructure, etc
• Developing generic / model Expression of Interest (EoI), Request for Proposal (RFP), Standard Contracts, PPP Models and other related documents for various stages and requirements of projects for use by the States
• Ensuring effective citizen engagement and communication with all stakeholders using offline and Social Media channels
• Impact assessment and e-Readiness measurement of e-Governance projects of all States / UTs
• Recruitment, deployment and HR management of specialised resources in the State e-Governance Mission Teams (SeMTs) in all States and UTs
• Training and development initiatives, including-

1. Development of competency frameworks, training guidelines, case studies, etc
2. Developing Online and Web based Training and set up Learning Management System
3. Knowledge management and sharing through workshops, development of case studies, sharing best practises and creation of knowledge repositories, etc

Major Ongoing Projects-

1. Digital Locker (DigiLocker)
2. Unified Mobile App for New-Age Governance (UMANG)
3. National Centre of Geo-Informatics (NCoG)
4. Rapid Assessment System (RAS)
5. OpenForge
6. Programme Management Information System (PMIS)
7. Learning Management System (LMS)
8. Knowledge Management System (KMS)

Sanitary Napkins available for Rs. 1/- per pad at Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendras

• It may be stated that menstruation and menstrual practices still face some social, cultural, and religious restrictions which are a big barrier in the path of menstrual hygiene management.
• In many parts of the country especially in rural areas girls and women do not have access to sanitary products or they do not opt for them as most of these items available in the market are bit costly.
• This step ensured ‘Swachhta, Swasthya and Suvidha’ for the underprivileged Women of India.
• This step has been taken by the Union Department of Pharmaceuticals to ensure the achievement of  Prime Minister Shri Narendera Modi’s vision of Affordable and Quality Healthcare for All.
• Sanitary Napkins are environmental friendly, as these pads are made with Oxo-biodegradable material complying with ASTM D-6954 (biodegradability test) standards.
• Under the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana, these pads are being sold at Rs 1/- per pad .
• Jan Aushadhi Suvidha sanitary napkins are available across all Kendra's.
• On the eve of World Environment Day 4th June 2018, Government of India proudly announced the launch of “Jan Aushadhi Suvidha Oxo-Biodegradable Sanitary Napkin” for women of India.

Benefits of commercial Mining

• Upon attainment of Peak Rated Capacity of production of 225 MT, these mines shall contribute about 15% of the country’s projected total coal production in 2025-26.
• Employment generation for more than 2.8 lakhs people: Direct employment to approximately 70,000 people and indirect employment to approximately 210,000 people.
• Expected to generate approximately Rs 33,000 crore of capital investment in the country over next 5-7 years.
• These mines will contribute Rs 20,000 crores revenues annually to the state governments
• 100 per cent FDI is likely to bring in international practices, latest technologies and mechanisation in mining operations.
• Self-reliance with substitution of imports by independent thermal power plants and captive power plants resulting in saving of foreign currency.
• Boost to the regulated and non-regulated sector by ensuring sustained coal stocks for industries with greater reliability.
• Moving towards a free market structure with implementation of the National Coal Index.
• Promoting the practice of efficient use of clean energy and reduce the scourge of environmental pollution with incentive to Coal Gasification & Liquefaction.

Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI)

Context

With a view to achieving atmanirbharata in the Coal sector, the Ministry of Coal in association with FICCI is launching the process for auction of 41 coal mines under the provisions of the CM (SP) Act and MMDR Act. This auction process marks the beginning of the opening of the Indian coal sector for commercial mining. It will enable the country to achieve self-sufficiency in meeting its energy needs and boost industrial development. The commencement of this auction process of coal mines for the sale of coal is part of the series of announcements made by the Government of India under the Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan. The event will take place virtually at 11 AM on 18th June 2020. The event will be open to all to join virtually through various networks hosted by NIC, NeGD of MEiTY and FICCI.

About FICCI

• The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) is an association of business organisations in India.
• Established in 1927, on the advice of Mahatma Gandhi by GD Birla and Purshottamdas Thakurdas.
• It is the largest, oldest and apex business organization in India.
• It is a non-government, not-for-profit organisation.
• FICCI draws its membership from the corporate sector, both private and public, including SMEs and MNCs.
• The chamber has an indirect membership of over 250,000 companies from various regional chambers of commerce.
• It is involved in sector-specific business building, business promotion and networking.
• It is headquartered in the national capital New Delhi and has a presence in 12 states in India and 8 countries across the world.