24th, January, 2023

Topic: Punjab Launched Country’s first-of-its-kind State level Science, Technology Innovation (STI) Data Portal

 

Importance: Punjab PCS Prelims and Mains

 

Punjab PCS Prelims: Punjab Current Events(Education)

Punjab PCS Mains:

Paper VII – General Studies IV (Science & Technology, Environment, Problem-Solving & Decision-Making): Topic:Developments and applications of science and technology and their effects in everyday life.

 

What is the news?

• Punjab Science and Technology Minister Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer on Tuesday lauded the efforts of Punjab State Council for Science and Technology (PSCST).

Why important?

• It is the Country’s first-of-its-kind State level Science, Technology Innovation (STI) Data Portal.

 

Who developed this?

• The Data Portal was developed by PSCST with the support of the Department of Science & Technology, Government of India.

 

What Minister shared?

• The Punjab State government is fully committed to encouraging the use of novel technological initiatives in the core sector of Science and Technology to boost research.
• He further said that the Portal provides end-to-end holistic information regarding STI Ecosystem of the State on a single platform.
• The Portal also provides access to information on the vast resources existing in the State in terms of infrastructure, facilities, equipment, research expertise, incubation & acceleration spaces, technologies available with various institutions/organizations etc. which could be used by students, innovators and industry within and outside the State.

What are its features?

• Dr. Jatinder Kaur Arora, Executive Director, PSCST made a brief presentation about key features of Data Portal.
• She informed that the initiative was taken up with the foresight to map and strengthen Science, Technology Innovation Ecosystem of Punjab.
• The Model STI Data Architecture Framework has been developed to provide information on about 50 STI indicators, for which, all relevant stakeholders from the state viz. Research Institutions, Scientific Organizations, Universities, Development Departments etc. have been taken on board.

(Source: Punjab Government)

 

Topic: Industry heads give an affirmative response to CM’s Mumbai Visit

Importance: Punjab PCS Prelims and Mains

 

Punjab PCS Prelims: Punjab Current Events(Education)

Punjab PCS Mains:

• Paper VI – General Studies III (Economy, Statistics and Security Issues): Topic: Punjab Economy: Planning – various aspects of developmental planning; Industry; Infrastructure.

 

What is the news?

• The Chief Minister had detailed parleys with Godrej, Hindustan Unilever, Mafatlal group, Mahindra & Mahindra, Jindal Steels and others during his itinerary here.
• He showcased the state as the most preferred destination to these industrial units and asked them to invest in the state.
• Bhagwant Mann also oppressed them that the state government is making strenuous efforts to further strengthen the single window system for facilitating the investors.

The assurance given by Punjab CM:

• The Chief Minister said that the pragmatic policies of the state government coupled with industrial peace and state of the art infrastructure provides a conducive atmosphere for the industrial development in the state.
• Bhagwant Mann pointed out that earlier single window service was merely a sham, devoid of any meaningful purpose, which not only demoralized the potential investors but also hampered the industrial development of the state.
• He said that now his government has ensured that the single window system works as a real facilitator to the entrepreneurs interested in investing in the state.

 

Upcoming Initiatives by Punjab Government:

• The CM extended an invitation to industry and business houses to the ‘Progressive Punjab Investor Summit’ slated to be held in Mohali on February 20 to 23
• The Chief Minister said that the Invest Punjab Summit being organized in Mohali on February 23-24 will prove to be a milestone towards giving a major fillip to the industrial growth of the state.
• He said that the state government has already finalized the arrangements for this mega event. Bhagwant Mann said that the day is not far when Punjab will script a new success story in the arena of industrial growth.

(Source: Punjab Government)

 

 

Topic: Comprehensive Plan in place to Modernize Punjab Government Press

 

Importance: Punjab PCS Prelims and Mains

 

Punjab PCS Prelims: Punjab Current Events(Education)

Punjab PCS Mains:

• Paper VII – General Studies IV (Science & Technology, Environment, Problem-Solving & Decision-Making) : Topic: Designing Projects

 

What is the news?

• Chief Minister S Bhagwant Mann led Punjab Government is making a comprehensive plan to modernize the Punjab Government Press at SAS Nagar, stated Mr. Aman Arora, Minister for Printing and Stationery, Punjab, while adding that the Press will be equipped with state-of-the-art facilities.

Where it is located?

• SAS Nagar,Mohali.

 

Minister shared about its need:

• Underscoring the need to upgrade printing facility to keep pace with changing times, Mr Aman Arora said that this prestigious state government institute is suffering due to apathetic attitude of previous governments, but Mann Government will not leave any stone unturned to revamp the printing facility by adopting the latest technologies equipped with digital infrastructure, besides improving building structure.
• He reiterated that all printing, stationery works of the state government should be executed by the department itself.

(Source: Punjab Government)