PIB -Joms Judgment 03 May 2025 | Legacy Ias Academy

Contents:

1. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi devotes Vizhinjam International Seaport in Kerala worth £ 8,800 crore to the nation
2. Niti Aayog Releases reports on “improving the competitiveness of MSMEs in India”

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi devotes Vizhinjam International Seaport in Kerala worth £ 8,800 crore to the nation

Vizhinjam port: strategic and economic significance

• First dedicated container transition gate in India; developed for an amount of £ 8,800 crore.
• Located near one of the world‘S busiest international zeroutesEnsure strategic maritime benefit.
• Has a natural version of ~ 20 metersEnabling docking of ultra-large cargo ships.
• Strive for reduced India‘S Reliance on foreign transition hubs such as Colombo, Singapore and Port Klang.
• Expected triple transition capacity In the coming years, help to reduce freight costs and foreign exchange savings.

Relevance: GS 2 (infrastructure)

Maritime sector and trade infrastructure

• 75% of India‘S -Transfer Currently occurs in foreign ports – this port is a step in the direction of reversing that trend.
• Will serve as a Gateway for international tradeImproving the global competitiveness of Indian goods.
• Facilitated Better logistics performance and contributes to improved commercial balance And export efficiency.

Integrated infrastructure under national missions

• Developed under the Sagarmala programWhich is aimed at:
  • Modernization of the port infrastructure.
  • Improvement of the port-connected industrialization.
  • Improve the development of the coastal community.
• Linked to PM-Gati Shakti Master Plan To guarantee multimodal connectivity (rail, road, waterways, air).
• Port infrastructure integrates with national logistics networks for Faster Ommekeer and Last-Mijl Connectivity.

Efficiency and global ranking

• Lead time at large Indian ports has improved by 30% in the past decade.
• India is now treating More load in less timeStimulating overall economic productivity.
• Two Indian ports are now among the Top 30 worldwideAnd India has improved in the Logistics Performance -Index.

Public-Private Partnership (PPP) and Investments

• Development via PPP model, which attract thousands of crores in private investments.
• Stimulates technological innovation and ensures that Haven’s future is ready and worldwide.

Employment and industrial growth

• Will contribute to creating a Shipping building and repair cluster in Kochi.
• Expected Generate thousands of direct and indirect jobsbenefit local communities.
• Strengthen Msme -ecosystemEspecially those involved in marine supplies, logistics and support services.

Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision and Global Corridors

• Haven is part of India’s Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision -A long -term strategy for maritime growth.
• Kerala is positioned as an important link in the India-middle East-European Economic Corridor (IMEEC).
• Improve India‘S strategic role In global maritime trade courses.

Seafaring reforms and capacity building

• Regulating reforms in the maritime workforce:
  • Number of registered Indian seafarers elevate 1.25 Lakh (2014) Unpleasant 3.25 Lakh (2024).
  • India belongs to the Top 3 countries For seafaring workforce worldwide.

Wider infrastructure push in Kerala

• Is witnessed Holistic infrastructure upgrades:
  • Completion of delayed projects such as Kollam bypass And Alappuzha bypass.
  • Improved rail and air connectivity including the induction of Vande Bharat Trains.

Coastal economy and blue revolution

• Focus on fishing welfare under:
  • Pradhan Mantri Matssya Sampada Yojana and Blue Revolution.
  • Modernization of fish such as Ponnani And PuthiyAppa.
  • Providing Kisan -credit cards To fishermen for improved financial inclusion.

Historical and civilization perspective

• Kerala has traditionally been one Maritime Handelshub Connect India with West Asia and Europe.
• Revitalization of port infrastructure reflects India’s Old maritime glory And cultural outreach.

Niti Aayog Releases reports on “improving the competitiveness of MSMEs in India”

Context and purpose of the report

• Released by Niti Aayog In collaboration with the Institute for competitive capacity (IFC).
• Offers an extensive blueprint around the Competition of micro, small and medium-sized companies (MSMEs) in India.
• Usage Data at company level And Periodic workforce survey (PLFS) To analyze challenges and opportunities for ground level.

Relevance: GS 2 (Governance), GS 3 (Indian economy)

Focus areas

• Focuses on four priority sectors:
• Tries to tackle both Common structural problems and sector -specific challenges.

Important challenges identified

1. Limited access to formal credit
   1. Formal credit access (2020–2024):
      1. Micro and small companies: ↑ from 14% to 20%
      1. Average companies: ↑ from 4% to 9%
   1. Still, Only 19% from MSME credit demand that is satisfied by FY21.
   1. Estimated gap: £ 80 lakes.

• CGTMSE (Credit Guarantantie Fund Trust for MSES)
  • Extensive in recent years Implementation restrictions.
  • Needs restructuring and Institutional cooperation For more reach.

• Skill shortages
  • The majority of the MSME staff file is missing Formal technical/vocational training.
  • Low productivity and Limited scalability.

• Low investments in R&D and Innovation
  • Hures up quality and global market access.

• Technology adoption barriers
  • Poor electricity supply and digital infrastructure.
  • High implementation costs and a low awareness of technical support schedules.

• Marketing and brand restrictions
  • Weak outreach and brand strategies, especially in MSMEs in the countryside and clusters.

Policy and Governance -Hiaten

• Low -consciousness of central/state schedules.
• Gaps in implementation and data integration.
• Weak interested party involvement at the basic level.

Recommendations by the report

1. Credit access
   1. Renewal CGTMSE With more focused and inclusive financial products.
   1. Improve the credit assessment mechanisms with the help of data -driven tools

• Skill development
  • Strengthen reinforcement between MSMEs and skills.
  • Promote Industrial -specific upskillingEspecially for informal employees.

• Technology Modernization
  • Upgrade outdated machines through Cluster -based schedules.
  • Stimulate R&D and technical adoption Through subsidies and subsidies at state level.

• Market access and digital integration
  • Training in Digital marketing and e-commerce platforms.
  • Collaborate with Logistics providers To streamline supply chains.
  • Develop direct market coupling platforms for external regions.

• Policy recording
  • Cluster-based policy frameworks at state level with adaptive design.
  • Emphasize the monitoring, data integration and the construction of capacities of the state.
  • Special attention to MSMEs in Northeast and East -India For inclusive development.

Meaning for the economic growth of India

• MSMEs are good ~ 30% of GDP and 45% of export.
• Reforms can transform MSMEs into growth engines for: