Defence Testing Infrastructure Scheme (DTIS)

• Vaid's ICS, Lucknow
• 18, Aug 2021

Why in news?

• In order to boost domestic defence and aerospace manufacturing, Ministry of Defence (MoD) has launched Defence Testing Infrastructure Scheme (DTIS) with an outlay of Rs 400 crore for creating state-of-the-art testing infrastructure in partnership with the private industry.

Key Facts:

• The scheme would run for the duration of five years.
• It envisages to setup 6-8 Greenfield Defence Testing Infrastructure facilitiesthat are required for defence and aerospace related production.
• The projects under the Scheme will be provided with up to 75% government funding in the form of ‘Grant-in-Aid’.
• The remaining 25% of the project cost will have to be borne by the Special Purpose Vehicle(SPV) whose constituents will be Indian private entities and State Governments.
• TheSPVs under the Scheme will be registered under Companies Act 2013 and shall also operate and maintain all assets under the Scheme, in a self-sustainable manner by collecting user charges.

Significance of the Scheme:

• India’s private defence industries would be able to test their defence products.
• This will strengthen India’s defence product manufacturing.
• The special focus will be on participation of MSMEs.
• India will no longer be reliant on foreign nations for arms and ammunition.

GS II

Facts for Prelims

UP’s Two-Child Policy:

After reviewing over 8,000 suggestions from the public, the Uttar Pradesh State Law Commission has submitted a report and draft Bill of a new population control law (The Uttar Pradesh Population (Control, Stabilisation and Welfare) Bill, 2021) proposing two-child policy to the State government.

• Special facilities to all families (irrespective of the BPL category) who have only one child and undertake voluntary sterilisation.
• A person who has more than two children after the law comes into force would be debarred from several benefits such as welfare schemes.
• On World Population Day (11th July), the Uttar Pradesh government announced a new population policy for 2021-2030.
• The new policy has provisions to give incentives to those who help in population control.

The new policy aims at:

• Decreasing the total fertility rate from 2.7 to 2.1 by 2026 and 1.7 by 2030.
• Increase modern contraceptive prevalence rate from 31.7% to 45% by 2026 and 52% by 2030.
• Increase male methods of contraception use from 10.8% to 15.1% by 2026 and 16.4% by 2030.
• Decrease maternal mortality rate from 197 to 150 to 98, and infant mortality rate from 43 to 32 to 22, and under 5 infant mortality rate from 47 to 35 to 25.
• To increase the accessibility of contraceptive measures issued under the Family Planning Programme and provide a proper system for safe abortion.
• To reduce the newborns’ and maternal mortality rate.
• To provide for care of the elderly, and better management of education, health, and nutrition of adolescents between 11 to 19 years.
• The provision of this legislation shall apply to a married couple where the boy is not less than 21 years of age and the girl is not less than 18.
• The policy will be voluntary – it will not be enforced upon anyone.

Sonchiriya

1. ‘SonChiraiya’ brand and logo has been launched by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs for marketing of urban Self Help Group (SHG) products.
2. This initiative will prove to be a right step towards increased visibility and global reach for the products made by the women of urban Self Help Groups.