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GOVERNMENT SCHEMES (128 IN NUMBERS)

1) National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP)
The National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme
of the Government of India that provides financial assistance to the elderly, widows and
persons with disabilities in the form of social pensions.
The National Assistance Program consists of five sub-schemes:
Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS)
 Eligibility: Individuals aged 60 years and above living below the poverty line
 Amount: Rs. 200 per month for beneficiaries aged 60–79 and Rs. 500 per month
for those 80 years and above.
Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme (IGNWPS)
 Eligibility: Widows aged 40 years and above living below the poverty line.
 Amount: Rs. 300 per month (Rs. 500 for those 80 years and above).
Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Scheme (IGNDPS)
 Eligibility: Individuals aged 18 years and above with more than 80% disability and
living below the poverty line.
 Amount: Rs. 300 per month (Rs. 500 for those 80 years and above).
National Family Benefit Scheme (NFBS)
 In the event of death of a bread-winner in a household, the bereaved family will
receive lumpsum assistance of Rs. 20,000. The bread-winner should have been
between 18–60 years of age. The assistance would be provided in every case of
death of a bread-winner in a household.
Annapurna Scheme
 This scheme aims to provide food security to meet the requirement of those
senior citizens who, though eligible, have remained uncovered under the
IGNOAPS. Under the Annapurna Scheme, 10 kg of free rice is provided every
month to each beneficiary.
---Source: Wiki
2) HARIYALI

Introduction

 To involve village communities in the implementation of watershed projects under

all the area development programmes namely, Integrated Wastelands
Development Programme (IWDP), Drought Prone Areas Programme (DPAP)
and Desert Development Programme (DDP), the Guidelines for Watershed
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Development were adopted w.e.f.1.4.1995, and subsequently revised in August

2001. To further simplify procedures and involve the Panchayat Raj Institutions
(PRIs) more meaningfully in planning, implementation and management of
economic development activities in rural areas, these new Guidelines called
Guidelines for Hariyali are being issued.

Applicability

 New projects under the area development programmes shall be implemented in

accordance with the Guidelines for Hariyali with effect from 1.4.2003. Projects
under DPAP and DDP will be taken up in the blocks identified under the
respective programme and projects under IWDP shall generally be taken up in
the remaining blocks. Projects sanctioned prior to this date shall continue to be
implemented as per the Guidelines of 2001.

Objectives

The objectives of projects under HARIYALI will be: -

 Harvesting every drop of rainwater for purposes of irrigation, plantations including

horticulture and floriculture, pasture development, fisheries etc. to create
sustainable sources of income for the village community as well as for drinking
water supplies.
 Ensuring overall development of rural areas through the Gram Panchayats and
creating regular sources of income for the Panchayats from rainwater harvesting
and management.
 Employment generation, poverty alleviation, community empowerment and
development of human and other economic resources of the rural areas.
 Mitigating the adverse effects of extreme climatic conditions such as drought and
desertification on crops, human and livestock population for the overall
improvement of rural areas.
 Restoring ecological balance by harnessing, conserving and developing natural
resources i.e. land, water, vegetative cover especially plantations.
 Encouraging village community towards sustained community action for the
operation and maintenance of assets created and further development of the
potential of the natural resources in the watershed.
 Promoting use of simple, easy and affordable technological solutions and
institutional arrangements that make use of, and build upon, local technical
knowledge and available materials.
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Sanction of Projects

The projects will be sanctioned by the Department of Land Resources in the Ministry of
Rural Development, Government of India as per procedure in vogue. The Department
may amend or relax this procedure from time to time. For interpretation of any of the
provisions of these Guidelines, the Department of Land Resources will be the final
authority. The Department may sanction special projects for treatment of wastelands in
Special Problem Areas such as high altitude regions, land slide areas, slopes having
more than 30 degree gradient or for any other specified technical reason. These
projects need not necessarily be implemented through participatory mode and may be
implemented on intensive treatment specific, departmental approach.

Criteria for Selection of Watersheds

The following criteria may broadly be used in selection of the watersheds:

 Watersheds where People’s participation is assured through contribution of

labour, cash, material etc. for its development as well as for the operation and
maintenance of the assets created.
 Watershed areas having acute shortage of drinking water.
 Watersheds having large population of scheduled castes/scheduled
tribes dependent on it.
 Watershed having a preponderance of non-forest wastelands/degraded lands.
 Watersheds having preponderance of common lands.
 Watersheds where actual wages are significantly lower than the minimum wages.
 Watershed which is contiguous to another watershed that has already been
developed/ treated.
 Watershed area may be of an average size of 500 hectares, preferably covering
an entire village. However, if on actual survey, a watershed is found to have less
or more area, the total area may be taken up for development as a project.

In case a watershed covers two or more villages, it should be divided into village-wise
sub-watersheds confined to the designated villages. Care should be taken to treat all
the sub-watersheds simultaneously.

Development of Forest Lands in Watershed Areas

Some watersheds may encompass, in addition to arable land under private ownership,
forest lands under the ownership of State Forest Department. Since nature does not
recognize artificial boundaries of forest and non-forest lands in any watershed, the
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entire watershed is to be treated in an integrated manner. Though the criterion for

selection of watersheds primarily remains predominance of non-forest lands, forest
lands forming part of such watersheds may also be treated simultaneously
as detailed below:

 The Divisional Forest Officer concerned should give technical sanction for the
treatment plans.
 The treatment plans should as far as possible be implemented by Village Forest
Committees in close coordination with the Village Panchayat.
 The Micro-watershed Development Plan for the forest areas should be in
conformity with the Forest Conservation Act and the approved working plan of
the area.
 Where a large portion of the watershed is covered by forestlands, Forest
Department at the districtlevel should be encouraged to take up the work of
development as Project Implementation Agency.
 A forest official should invariably be included as a member of the Watershed
Development Team wherever forestland falls within the watershed.
3) Swarnajayanti Gram Swarojgar Yojana (SGSY)

 Swarnajayanti Gram Swarojgar Yojana (SGSY) is an initiative launched by the

Government of India to provide sustainable income to poor people living in rural
areas of the country. The scheme was launched on April 1, 1999.

 The SGSY aims at providing self-employment to villagers through

the establishment of self-help groups. Activity clusters are established based on
the aptitude and skill of the people which are nurtured to their maximum
potential. Funds are provided by NGOs, banks and financial institutions.

 Since its inception, over 2.25 million Self-help groups have been established with
an investment of Rs. 14,403 crores, profiting over 6.697 million people.

The Swarnajayanti Gram Swarojgar Yojana (SGSY) was launched as an integrated

programme for self-employment of the rural poor with effect from April 1, 1999.

 The SGSY was somewhat intended to provide self-employment to millions

of villagers. Poor families living below the poverty line were organised into Self-
help groups (SHG)s established with a mixture of government subsidy and credit
from investment banks.
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 The main aim of these SHGs was to bring these poor families above the poverty
line and concentrate on income generation through combined effort.[1][2][3] The
scheme recommended theestablishment of activity clusters or clusters
of villagers grouped together based on their skills and abilities. Each of
these activity clusters worked on a specific activity chosen based on the aptitude
and skill of the people, availability of resources and market potentiality.
 The SHGs are aided, supported and trained by NGOs, CBOs, individuals, banks
and self-help promoting institutions. Government-run District Level Development
Agencies (DRDA) and the respective State governments also provided training
and financial aid. The programme focuses on establishing microenterprises in
rural areas.
 The SHGs created may have a varying number of members based on the terrain
and physical abilities of the members. It goes through three stages of creation:

Group formation

 Capital formation through the revolving fund and skill development and
 Taking up of economic activity for skill generation.
 The SHGs are usually created by selecting individuals from the Below poverty-
line (BPL) list provided by the Gram sabha. The SHGs are divided into various
blocks and each of these blocks concentrated on 4-5 key activities. The SGSY is
mainly run through government-run DRDAs with support from local
private institutions, banks and Panchayati raj institutions.

 The Government also assists villagers in marketing their products by organizing

melas or fairs, exhibitions, etc.

 The Swarna Jayanti Swarozgar Yojna (SGSY) has been renamed as National
Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM).With this the scheme will be made universal,
more focussed and time bound for poverty alleviation by 2014:

Funding

 Government subsidy allocated for SGSY per individual is 30% of the total capital
investment if the total investment is less than Rs. 7,500 and 50% of the
investment for SC/STs if the investment is less than Rs.10,000. For self-help
groups, the government offers a subsidy of 50% if the total investment is less
than Rs. 1.25 lakhs. There are no monetary ceilings on subsidy in the case of
irrigation projects.
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 The SGSY concentrates on the marginalized sections of society. Accordingly,

SC/STs comprise 50 percent, women 40% and the physically challenged make
up 3% of the total beneficiaries from the scheme.
 Government funding for the scheme is divided between the Center and State on
a 75-25 basis.
Source: Wiki

4) MULTI SECTORAL DEVELOPMENT PROJECT UNDER MINORITY

CONCENTRATION DISTRICT

1. Muslims, Sikhs, Christians, Buddhists and Zoroastrians (Parsis) have

been notified as minoritycommunities under Section 2 (c) of the
National Commission for Minorities Act, 1992. As per Census 2001.

2. 90 minority concentration districts have been identified by government

which are relatively backwardand falling behind the national average in
terms of socio-economic and basic amenities indicators.
Thesedistricts have a substantial minority population and are backward,
with unacceptably low levels of socio-economic or basic amenities
indicators, requiring focused attention and specific
programme intervention.

3. An exercise has been carried out based on population figures and the
following backwardness parameters of 2001 Census:
(a) religion-specific socio-economic indicators at the district level –
(i) literacy rate;
(ii) female literacy rate;
(iii) work participation rate; and
(iv) female work participation rate; and
(b) basic amenities indicators at the district level –
(i) percentage of households with pucca walls;
(ii) percentage of households with safe drinking water;
(iii) percentage of households with electricity; and
(iv) percentage of households with water closet latrines.

4. Out of the 90 minority concentration districts, 53 districts have been

classified in category ‘A’. The remaining 37 districts fall under category ‘B’
of which 20 districts fall behind in socio-economic parameters and
17 districts in basic amenities parameters. These have been further
classified in sub-category ‘B1’ and ‘B2’ respectively. Lawngtlai and
Mamit districts are among the identified districts in the country and
classified in category B-2.
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5) HAMARI DHAROHAR (A scheme to Preserve Rich Heritage of Minority

Communities of India)

A scheme to Preserve Rich Heritage of Minority Communities of India under the Overall
Concept of Indian Culture

1. Introduction :

 1.1 Government of India believes in Unity in Diversity which is the basic tenet of
Indian Culture. The Constitution of India grants equal rights and opportunities to
all communities including minority communities of India to profess their religion
and culture. Following the spirit of the Constitution, the Government of India is of
firm conviction that there is a strong need to curate the rich heritage and culture
of Minorities particularly miniscule minorities and supporting calligraphy and
related crafts.
 1.2 There are 6 (six) notified minorities in India which have been notified under
National Commission for Minorities Act, 1992. They are Muslims, Christians,
Sikhs, Buddhists, Parsis and Jains. Going by Census data of 2001, Buddhists
and Jains have small population i.e. less than a Crore. The Parsis are even less
than a lakh, hence may fall under miniscule minority category.
 1.3 There is a general lack of information among people about the rich cultural
heritage of minority communities of India, particularly of Parsis, Christians,
Buddhists etc. Good knowledge about culture and rich heritage of communities
develops better understanding among masses and strengthens toleranceand
social knitting.
 1.4 Ministry of Minority Affairs has been mandated to look after all issues related
with minoritiesexcept Law and Order as per Allocation of Business. Therefore
going with the priority of the Government, Ministry of Minority Affairs intends to
launch a new scheme “HamariDharohar” to preserve rich culture and heritage of
minority communities of India.

2 2. Objectives:

 2.1 To curate rich heritage of minorities under overall concept of Indian Culture.
 2.2 Curating iconic exhibitions.
 2.3 Preservation of literature/ documents etc.
 2.4 Support and promotion ofcalligraphy etc.
 2.5 Research and Development.

3. Activities to be covered under the scheme

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3.1 Selective intervention for preservation of heritage and may cover following kinds of
projects: 

 Curating exhibitions including iconic exhibitions.

 Support and promotion of calligraphy etc.
 Preservation of literature, documents, manuscripts etc.
 Documentation of oral traditions and art forms.
 Support to ethnic museums (not supported under schemes of Ministry of Culture
or its bodies) for showcasing and preserving heritage of minority communities.
 Support for organizing heritage related seminars/ workshops.
 Fellowship for research in preservation of heritage and development.
 Any other support to individual/ organization in furtherance of cause of protection
and promotion of rich heritage of minority communities.
6) JIYO PARSI

Jiyo Parsi, the Central Sector Scheme for containing population decline of Parsis in
India launched on 23 September 2013 by the Ministry of Minority Affairs, Government of
India.

Objective of the Jiyo Parsi scheme

The main objective of the Jiyo parsi scheme is to reverse the declining trend of Parsi
population byadopting scientific protocol and structured interventions, stabilize the Parsi
population and increase the population of Parsis in India.

Main features of the Jiyo Parsi scheme

• 100 percent funded by Ministry of Minority Affairs, Government of India.

• Medical interventions under Standard Medical protocols in empanelled
hospitals/clincs.
• Confidentiality of the patients to be given utmost importance.

Target groups

• The scheme is meant for only Parsis community.

• Parsi married couples of child bearing age who seek assistance.
• Adults/young men/women/adolescent boys/girls for detection of diseases resulting with
consent of parents/legal guardians.
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7 )Important Schemes to remember

5F - Farm to Fibre, Fibre to Fabric, Fabric to Fashion, Fabric to Foreign

#GiveItUp (Program to inspire consumers to give up the LPG subsidy)

GIAN - Global Initiative of Academic Networks (Aimed at American academicians and

scientists to teach in India at their convenience)

HRIDAY - Heritage Development and Augmentation Yojana

Hunar Hai to Kadar Hai - If you have skill, you have respect

Himmat (A mobile application to ensure women’s safety in Delhi)

HIT - Highways, Informationways, Transmissionways (A mantra for Nepal’s

development)

IT + IT= IT - Indian Talent + Information Technology = India Tomorrow (Part of Digital

India Initiative)

INCH towards MILES - Indo-China towards Millennium of Exceptional Synergy (Future

of Indo-Sino relations)

JAM trinity - Jan Dhan-Aadhar-Mobile trinity (For direct cash transfer and subsidy
rationalization)

Link West, Act East (Aimed at making India a part of the global value chain)

MISIDICI - Make in India, Skill India, Digital India and Clean India

Mera Kya, Mujhe Kya - What is in it for me, why should I bother

MUDRA Bank - Micro Units Development and Refinance Agency Bank

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Mann Ki Baat (A radio programme hosted on All India Radio where the PM addresses
the nation)

Mission Indradhanush (Achieving universal immunization with special focus on 184 high
priority districts)

Maximum Governance, Minimum Government (Simplification of official procedures and

governance by leveraging technology)

Make in India (To create the eco-system to transform India into a manufacturing hub)

Namami Gange Mission (National mission for clean Ganga)

NITI Aayog - National Institution for Transforming India

Operation Rahat (Evacuation effort in Yemen)

Operation Maitri (Relief operation in Nepal)

PRASAD - Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spirituality Augmentation Drive

PAHAL - Pratyaksha Hastaantarit Laabh (Direct benefit transfer of LPG subsidy)

Padhe Bharat Badhe Bharat- India that is educated is the India that will progress

PRAGATI - Pro-Active Governance And Timely Implementation (Aimed at addressing

common man’s grievances, monitoring and reviewing of government programmes)

PRAGATI - Providing Assistance for Girls’ Advancement in Technical Education

Initiative (Providing scholarship for technical education to girls from poor families)

Per Drop, More Crop (Promoting farming through optimum utilisation of water)

P2G2 - Pro People Good Governance (Focus of NDA government)

P4 - People Private Public Partnership for good governance

Project Mausam (To revive ancient maritime routes and cultural linkages with countries
in the Indian ocean)
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ROAD - Responsibility, Ownership, Accountability, Discipline (Improving work culture

among bureucrats)

Red Tape to Red Carpet (Facilitate the ease of doing business)

Swadesh Darshan (Integrated development of theme-based tourist circuits)

Shramev Jayate (Labour reforms plank by the government)

Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas - All Together, Development of All

Swachh Bharat Abhiyan - Clean India Mission

Sagar Mala Project (Promote Port-led development of the coastal regions and
communities)

SETU - Self Employment and Talent Utilisation (Provide support to all aspects of a start-
ups from credit to incubation)

Swasth Dhara, Khet Hara - Healthy earth, green farm (Aimed at

boosting farm productivity)

SMART policing - Strict but Sensitive; Modern and Mobile; Alert and Accountable;
Reliable and Responsive; Tech-savvy and Trained policing

3S - Skill, Scale, Speed (What India needs to do to compete with China)

SWAYAM - Study Webs of Active-Learning for Young Aspiring Minds (IITs, IIMs and
central universities to offer free online courses)

SAMAVAY - Skill Assessment Matrix for Vocational Advancement of Youth

(Allow multiple entry and exit options between vocational and formal education courses)

Tax terrorism (Aggressive tax policies including retrospective amendment of tax laws)

5Ts - Talent, Tradition, Tourism, Trade and Technology (Aimed at building Brand India)

U
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USTTAD - Upgrading Skills and Training in Traditional Arts/Crafts for Development

Unnat Bharat Abhiyan (IITs and NITs to provide technological resources to rural areas
for sustainable development)

Zero Effect, Zero Defect (Aimed at improving the standard of

7) Andhra Pradesh became first state to join discom revival scheme UDAY

 Andhra Pradesh on 5 December 2015 became the first state of India to join the
UnionGovernment’s Ujwal Discom Assurance Yojana (UDAY). The
scheme aims at reviving debt-stressed power distribution companies.
 Andhra Pradesh joined the scheme after the state gave in-principle nod to the
Power Ministry for joining UDAY.
 UDAY envisages reducing the interest burden, cost of power, and aggregate
technical and commercial losses. Consequently, distribution companies would
become sustainable to supply adequate and reliable power, enabling 24x7 power
supplies.
 The scheme is optional and operationalised through signing of MoU between
state governments, state discoms and Union Government.
 Other states to join UDAY scheme are Jharkhand (second state) and Rajasthan
(third state).

Salient Features of UDAY

• States will take over 75 percent of DISCOM debt as on 30 September 2015 over two
years.
• Union Government will not include the debt taken over by the states n
the calculation of fiscal deficitof respective states in the financial years 2015-16 and
2016-17.
• States will issue non-SLR including SDL bonds in the market or directly to the
respective financial institutions holding the DISCOM debt to the appropriate extent.
• States will take over the future losses of DISCOMs in a graded manner.
• States accepting UDAY and performing as per operational milestones will be given
additional/priority funding through schemes of Ministry of Power and Ministry of New
and Renewable Energy.
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• States not meeting operational milestones will be liable to forfeit their claim on IPDS
and DDUGJY grants.

9)SEEKHO AUR KAMAO

Union Ministry of Minority Affairs, Government of India on 23 September 2013 launched

a central sector scheme for Skill Development of Minorities.

Main Objectives of the scheme Learn and Earn

• To bring down unemployment rate of minorities during 12th Plan period (2012-17).
• To conserve and update traditional skills of minorities and establish their linkages with
the market.
• To improve employability of existing workers, school dropouts etc. and ensure their
placement.
• To generate means of better livelihood for marginalised minorities and bring them in
the mainstream.
• To enable minorities to avail opportunities in the growing market.
• To develop potential human resource for the country.

Key features of Learn and Earn scheme

• Placement linked training programme for modern trades.

• Skills Training Programme for Traditional Trades.
• The training programme also includes soft skills training, basic Information and
Technology (I.T) and English training.
• Project implementing agencies to ensure 75 percent employment and out of that 50
percent in organized sector.
• Mechanism for placement and post placement support.
• 100 percent assistance by Ministry of Minority affairs of Government of India.

The scheme will be implemented for the benefit of the 5 notified minority communities
under National Commission for Minorities Act 1992(Muslims, Christians, Sikhs,
Buddhists and Parsis). However, in the States/UTs where some other minority
communities notified by respective State/UT Governments exist, they may also be
considered for the programme but they will not occupy more than 5 percent of the total
seats.
10) Knowledge, Involvement, Research, Advancement through Nurturing-KIRAN

 Union Ministry of Science & Technology announces “KIRAN” scheme announced

for Women Scientists
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 Indian's Union Ministry of Science and Technology has announced a very

important scheme KIRAN (Knowledge, Involvement,
Research, Advancement through Nurturing) for helping lady scientists to have a
brighter future in the field.
 This scheme aims at bring gender equality to the field of science and technology.
 The objectives of the scheme are as follows. The first goal is to increase the
number of lady researchers in the country. Another objective is to provide
research grants, especially to those who are female researchers and
technologists taking a break in their career due to household or domestic
compulsions.
 The scheme also aims to bring about as far as possible, gender parity in the
field of science and technology.
 Under the scheme, the Union Ministry of Science & Technology will build
leadership positions for women.
11) MEGA FOOD PARK SCHEME

 The Mega Food ParksScheme aims to provide a mechanism to bring

together farmers, processors and retailers and link agriculture production to the
market so as to ensure maximization of value addition, minimization of wastages
and improving farmers’ income. The primary objective of the Scheme is to
provide modern infrastructure facilities for the food processing along the value
chain from the farm to the market with a cluster based approach based on a hub
and spokes model.
 It includes creation of infrastructure for primary processing and storage near the
farm in the form of Primary Processing Centres (PPCs) and Collection Centres
(CCs) and common facilities and enabling infrastructure like roads, electricity,
water, ETP facilities etc. at Central Processing Centre (CPC). These PPCs and
CCs act as aggregation and storage points to feed raw material to the food
processing units located in the CPC.
 Food Processing being capital incentive activity, common facilities are created at
CPC to be used by the processing units on hire basis. This helps in reducing the
cost of individual units significantly and makes them more viable. The minimum
land required for a Central Processing Centre in Mega Food Park is 50 acre and
implementation period is 30 months.
 The scheme is demand-driven and would facilitate food processing units to meet
environmental, safety and social standards. A cluster of 30-35 units is expected
to come up in one Mega Food Park with an investment of about Rs. 250 Crore. It
is likely to benefit about 6000 farmers/ producers directly and 25000-
30000 farmers indirectly.
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 The financial assistance under the scheme is provided in the form of grant-in-aid
@ 50% of eligible project cost in general areas and @ 75% of eligible project
cost in NE Region and difficult areas (Hilly States and ITDP areas) subject to
maximum of Rs. 50 crore per project.
 Functioning of Mega Food Parks is closely monitored by the Ministry through a
well-established mechanism as per the scheme guidelines. This
includes detailed scrutiny of the periodical progress reports of the project by the
Programme Management Agency (PMA) and the Ministry, verification of the bills
by the Project Management Consultant (PMC) before release of the funds
from the bank account maintained for the purpose, site visits of the projects by
the PMA and Ministry officers, periodic review meetings of the progress of the
projects at the level of the senior officers and Minister in the Ministry etc.Ministry
monitors each project very closely and regularly.
12) Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research (INSPIRE)

 An innovative programme sponsored and managed by the Department of

Science & Technology forattraction of talent to Science.
 The basic objective of INSPIRE is to communicate to the youth of the country the
excitements of creative pursuit of science, attract talent to the study of science at
an early age and thus build the required critical human resource pool for
strengthening and expanding the Science & Technology system and R & D base.
 A striking feature of the programme is that it does not believe in conducting
competitive exams for identification of talent at any level. It believes in and relies
on the efficacy of the existing educational structure for identification of talent.
13) Kishore Vaigyanik Protsahan Yojana (KVPY)

 The Kishore Vaigyanik Protsahan Yojana (KVPY) is an on-going National

Program of Fellowship in Basic Sciences, initiated and funded by the Department
of Science and Technology, Government of India, to attract exceptionally highly
motivated students for pursuing basic science courses and research career in
science.
 The objective of the program is to identify students with talent and aptitude for
research; help them realize their academic potential; encourage them to take up
research careers in Science, and ensure the growth of the best scientific minds
for research and development in the country.
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 The advertisement for the KVPY Fellowship appears in all the national dailies
normally on the Technology Day (May 11) and the Second Sunday of July every
year.
 Selection of the students is made from those studying in XI standard to 1st year
of any undergraduate Program in Basic
Sciences namely B.Sc./B.S./B.Stat./B.Math./Int. M.Sc./M.S. in Mathematics,
Physics, Chemistry and Biology having aptitude for scientific research. Special
groups / Committees are set up at IISc to screen the applications and conduct an
aptitude test at various centres in the country. Based on the performance in the
aptitude test, short-listed students are called for an interview which is the final
stage of the selection procedure. For receiving a fellowship, both aptitude test
and interview marks are considered.
 The "Kishore Vaigyanik Protsahan Yojana" (KVPY) is a program started in 1999
by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India to
encourage students who are studying Basic Sciences to take up research career
in Science. The aim of the program is to identify and encourage talented and
motivated students to pursue career in research.
 This program aims to assist the students to realize their potential and to ensure
that the best scientific talent is groomed for research and development in the
country. Generous fellowship and contingency grant are provided to the selected
KVPY Fellows up to the pre Ph.D. level or 5 years whichever is earlier. In
addition, summer camps for the KVPY Fellows are organized in prestigious
research and educational institutions in the country.
 The Department of Science and Technology, the nodal agency of the
Government has entrusted the overall responsibility for organizing and running
the KVPY Program to the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore and set up a
Management Committee and a National Advisory Committee (NAC) for
overseeing its implementation. A core committee looks after both the day-to-day
and academic aspects of the KVPY Program.
14) NATIONAL GOKUL MISSION

 Union Minister for Agriculture, Shri Radha Mohan Singh briefed about
the Rashtriya Gokul Mission here today. The Minister said that the potential to
enhance the productivity of the indigenous breedsof India through professional
farm management and superior nutrition is immense, for this it is essential to
promote conservation and development of indigenous breeds. The
“Rashtriya Gokul Mission” aims to conserve and develop indigenous breeds in a
focused and scientific manner, Minister added.
 Shri Singh informed that the Rashtriya Gokul Mission is a focussed project under
National Programme for Bovine Breeding and Dairy Development, with an outlay
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of Rs 500 crore during the 12th Five Year Plan. During 2014-15 Rs 150.00 crores
will be allocated for development,preservation and conservation of
indigenous breeds.
 The Minister said that, the Mission will be implemented with the objectives to: a)
development andconservation of indigenous breeds b) undertake breed
improvement programme for indigenous cattle breeds so as to improve
the genetic makeup and increase the stock; c) enhance milk
production and productivity; d) upgrade nondescript cattle using elite
indigenous breeds like Gir, Sahiwal, Rathi, Deoni, Tharparkar, Red Sindhi and e)
distribute disease free high genetic merit bulls for natural service.
 Shri Singh also said that the Rashtriya Gokul Mission will be implemented
through the “State Implementing Agency (SIA viz Livestock Development
Boards). State Gauseva Ayogs will be given the mandate to sponsor proposals to
the SIA’s (LDB’s) and monitor implementation of the sponsored proposal. All
Agencies having a role in indigenous cattle development will be the “Participating
Agencies” like CFSPTI, CCBFs, ICAR, Universities, Colleges, NGO’s,
Cooperative Societies and Gaushalas with best germplasm .
 Minister informed that the Funds under the scheme will be allocated for:
a) establishment of Integrated Indigenous Cattle Centres viz “Gokul Gram”; b)
strengthening of bull mother farms to conserve high genetic merit
Indigenous Breeds; c) establishment of Field Performance Recording (FPR) in
the breeding tract d) assistance to Institutions/Institutes which are repositories of
best germplasm; e) implementation of Pedigree Selection Programme for the
Indigenous Breeds with large population; f) Establishment of Breeder’s Societies:
Gopalan Sangh g) distribution of disease free high genetic merit bulls for natural
service h) incentive to farmers maintaining elite animals of indigenous breeds; i)
heifer rearing programme; award to Farmers (“Gopal Ratna” ) and Breeders’
Societies (“Kamadhenu” ); j) organization of Milk Yield Competitions for
indigenous breeds and k) organization of Training Programme for technical and
non technical personnel working at the Institute/Institutions engaged in
indigenous cattle development.
Gokul Gram:

 Under this component it is proposed to establish Integrated Indigenous Cattle

Centres or Gokul Grams in the breeding tracts of indigenous breeds. Gokul
Grams will be established in: i) the native breeding tracts and ii) near
metropolitan cities for housing the urban cattle. Gokul Gram will act as Centres
for development of Indigenous Breeds and a dependable source for supply of
high geneticbreeding stock to the farmers in the breeding tract. The Gokul Gram
will be self sustaining and will generate economic resources from sale of A2 milk,
organic manure, vermi-composting, urine distillates, and production of electricity
from bio gas for in house consumption and sale of animal products. The Gokul
Gram will also function as state of the art in situ training centre for Farmers,
Breeders and MAITRI’s.
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 Each Gokul Gram will be set up by the EIA and function under the auspices of
the SIA/ EIA or in a PPP mode. The Gokul Gram will maintain milch and
unproductive animals in the ratio of 60:40 and will have the capacity to maintain
about 1000 animals. Nutritional requirements of the animals will be provided in
the Gokul Gram through in house fodder production. Disease free status of Gokul
Gram will be maintained through regular screening of animals for important
diseases like brucellosis, TB and JD. An inbuilt dispensary and AI centre will be
an integral part of the Gokul Gram. Gokul Gram will also be set up near to
metropolitan cities for managing urban cattle. Metropolitan Gokul Gram will focus
on genetic upgradation of urban cattle.
 Cattle rearing has been a traditional livelihood in India and is closely linked to
agricultural economy. India with 199 million cattle has 14.5% of the world cattle
population. Of this, 83% i.e. 166 million are indigenous. Most of the indigenous
cattle (about 80%) are non- descript and only 20% belong tobreeds recognised
by National Bureau of Genetic Resources. The cattle genetic resource of India is
represented by 37 well recognized indigenous breeds and there are 13
recognised buffalo breeds. Indigenous cattle, in India, are robust
and resilient and are particularly suited to the climate and environment of their
respective breeding tracts. They are endowed with qualities of heat tolerance,
resistance to diseases and the ability to thrive under extreme climatic stress and
less than optimal nutrition.
15) JEEVAN PRAMAAN

 Jeevan Pramaan is Aadhar based Digital Life Certificate for Pensioners. It was
launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 10 November 2014.

 It is expected to benefit over a crore pensioners. Jeevan Pramaan will do away

with the requirement of a pensioner having to submit a physical Life Certificate in
November each year, in order to ensure continuity of pension being credited into
their account.

 Jeevan Praman has been developed by the Department of Electronics and IT,
Government of India.

 Jeevan Praman software can be downloaded

from http://jeevanpramaan.gov.in/ for both PC andAndroid Devices. Jeevan
praman certificate can be obtained from software by
putting beneficiaryfingerprint or iris authentication.

 Eastern Railway launched Jeevan Pramaan Centre to facilitate the pensioners at

Zonal Head Quarter at Fairlie Place, Kolkata on 6th August, 2015. The service
will be extended to different divisions, workshops and other major establishments
under the jurisdiction of Eastern Railway.
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 This website is down from around the beginning of 2015.Lot of people are
struggling to find out how can they complete the process.
16) PHARMA JAN SAMADHAN SCHEME

 The Union Minister of Chemicals & Fertilizers Shri Ananth Kumar launched
‘Pharma Jan Samadhan’ scheme here today. It is a web enabled system for
redressal of consumers’ grievances relating to pricing and availability of
medicines, created by National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA). Shri
Ananth Kumar also released Compendium of Ceiling Prices of Essential
Medicines 2015prepared by NPPA. Minister of State
for Chemicals & Fertilizers Sh. Hansraj Gangaram Ahir and the
Secretary, Department of Pharmaceuticals Dr. V.K. Subburaj were also present
during the launch ceremony.

 The ‘Pharma Jan Samadhan’ scheme has put in place a speedy and
effective complaint redressal system with respect to availability and pricing of
medicines. It would serve as a robust e-governance tool for protection of
consumers’ interests through effective implementation of the Drugs (Price
Control) Order 2013. ‘Pharma Jan Samadhan’ will provide consumers and others
with an on-line facility to redress their complaints relating to over-pricing of
medicines, non-availability or shortage of medicines, sale of new medicines
without prior price approval of NPPA, and refusal of supply for sale of any
medicine without good and sufficient reason. NPPA will initiate action on
any complaintwithin 48 hrs of its receipt.

 Speaking on the occasion, the Union Minister of Chemicals & Fertilizers Sh.
Ananth Kumar said that the new initiative shows that the government or NPPA is
not only regulator but more of a facilitator. He said that this phama-literacy
initiative would create awareness among the people and would act as a
deterrence against black-marketing, spurious medicines, and inflated cost of
drugs. Shri Ananth Kumar said that the pharma industry stands on three pillars-
quality, availability and affordability, and ‘Pharma Jan Samadhan’ is a step in this
direction. The Minister said that pharma is the sun-rise sector of the country and
considering the size, it seems to be a fit case to make a separate Ministry to
handle issues relating to pharmaceutical industry. Lauding the NPPA initiatives
the Minister said that this would help in making the Prime Minister’s vision of
‘Make in India’ a reality.

 Earlier speaking on the occasion, the Minister of State

for Chemicals & Fertilizers Shri Hansraj Gangaram Ahir said that this is a step in
empowering the common man. He said that the health is the prime issue for the
people and making them aware about availability and pricing of medicine would
help in improving the system. On the issue of Compendium he said that this
would be helpful for both consumers as well as pharma industry.
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The Secretary, Department of Pharmaceutical Dr. V.K. Subburaj said that the web-
based portal will de-mystify the pricing of essential medicines. He said the
Government is working to make drugs available at affordable rates. He said that
the drugs made in India are cost-effective and jan-aushidhi scheme is being re-
designed to provide quality medicines at cheaper rate to the poor people.

17) Bhavishya – Pension Sanction and Payment Tracking System

1. The Bhavishya system will introduce transparency and establish accountability in the
pension sanction and payment process.

2. It will help to eliminate delays and bring satisfaction to the retiring employees and
pensioners.

3. The practice of submitting digital life certificates for continuation of pensions will soon
be done away with.

4. The pensioners have assumed priority since there are more pensioners now than
serving employees, due to rising life expectancy.

5. Govt. is considering various options on how best to utilize the experience of retired
personnel, beyond 60 years of age.

18) MYGOV.IN

 MyGov is a citizen engagement platform founded by the Government of India to

promote the active participation of Indian citizens in their
country's governance and development. It is also aimed at creating a common
platform for Indian citizens to "crowdsource governance ideas from citizens".The
users shall be allowed to discuss and to contribute on various government
projects and plans. It also allows users to upload documents in various formats. It
was announced that a mobile phone application on 'MyGov' is also under
development.
 The website is hosted and managed by the National Informatics Centre (NIC).
Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated that the aim was to reduce the long gap
developed between the electorateand the Executive after being elected.

 In the first week of August 2014, MyGov received 100,000 registered users,
barely two weeks after its initiation. Google, the search giant became the first
multinational firm to collaborate with MyGov. Shortly before his first address to
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the nation through All India Radio, it was announced that the thoughts, ideas or
questions to the Prime Minister shall be submitted to MyGov and those worthy
will be responded to by the Prime Minister in subsequent radio addresses.
19)Twitter Samvad

 The Union government launched a new platform, in association with Twitter, on

Tuesday for direct communication among leaders, government agencies and
citizens through tweets and text messages, helping boost e-governance plans.
 To start with, the service has 16 partners, including Prime Minister Narendra
Modi; the Chief Ministers of Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh and West
Bengal, Chandrababu Naidu, Anandiben Patel, Akhilesh Yadav and Mamata
Banerjee, respectively; the Railway Ministry; and the Bengaluru City Police.
 “Based on Indian technological innovation, Twitter Samvad is dedicated [to], and
specially built, for the largest democracy of the world. As part of the Prime
Minister’s Digital India initiative, this tweet-powered service enables citizens to be
the first to know about the government’s actions by receiving political content in
real-time on their mobile devices anywhere in the country,” said Dick Costolo,
chief executive officer of Twitter, who met Mr. Modi on Tuesday.
 Through Twitter Samvad, a set of curated Tweets will be delivered every day
from the accounts of the government and the leaders to mobile-phone users
across the country as text messages. The service can come in handy during
emergencies as government agencies can share live updates, even time-
sensitive information on law and order or rescue.
 Twitter Samvad is based on a platform provided by ZipDial, an Indian company
recently acquired by Twitter, making this its first Indian service launched using
indigenous technology.
 An official statement said that during the meeting with Mr. Costolo, the Prime
Minister spoke aboutavenues through which Twitter could help in initiatives such
as the Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan and the Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao scheme, not
just by providing a platform but also by initiating a prolonged effort to support
these initiatives.
 “He urged Twitter to help promote India’s rich tourist potential across the world,”
the statement said.
Mr. Modi said Twitter should tap into India’s linguistic diversity and offer services
to draw peoplefrom various linguistic backgrounds to the platform.

20) GRAMEEN BHANDARAN YOJANA

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 Under this Gramin Bhandaran Yojana or Rural Godown Scheme, government

provides supports to an individual, a company, a farmer , local government,
NGOs and various associations, if they build or renovate rural godowns.
 Government will provide 25% of the capital investment made in such a venture. If
the Godown is built or renovated by a woman farmer, the government support is
33.33% of the total capital investment (not the total cost which may include some
other costs also) Who can get assistance onbuilding new godowns? Individuals,
farmers, Group of farmers/growers, Partnership/ Proprietary firms, Non-
Government Organizations (NGO’s), Self Help Groups (SHGs), Companies,
Corporations, Co-operatives, Local Bodies other than Municipal Corporations,
Federations, Agricultural Produce Marketing Committees, Marketing Boards and
Agro Processing Corporations in the entire country. Who can get assistance on
renovation? Assistance for renovation of rural godowns will, however, be
restricted to godowns constructed by cooperatives only. Such godowns should
have a capacity to store at least 100 tonnes of grains and maximum 10000
Tonnes to availthe facility. However, if the godown belongs to such an area
which badly needs it, government will come forward for same support (25%) for
even a 50 Tonne facility.
 Then, there is also no upper ceiling on subsidy in the case of projects of rural
godowns of Cooperatives assisted by NCDC.
 Please note that in 2011, the Ministry of Agriculture had recommended an
enhanced subsidy by proposing to increase the maximum size of godowns
eligible for subsidy from 10,000 tonnes to 50,000 tonnes. However, as of now,
the maximum limit remains 10000 tonnes. In the Union Budget 2013-14, the
government has budgeted an expenditure of ` 313.09 Crore for this scheme.
 We see that this is a novel scheme with the following objectives: Creation of
scientific storage capacity and thus prevention of distress sale Reduction of loss
in quantity and quality Creation of additional employment opportunities in rural
areas Assistance in the easy procurement of food grains by FCI and other
agencies Renovation and upgradation of existing storage capacity created by co-
operatives with the assistance of NCDC Encouraging private and co-operative
sector investment in the creation of storage infrastructure in the major producing
zones and the major consumption zones in the country and reduction in pressure
on existing storage facilities with public agencies and co-operatives and
reduction in pressure on the transport system in the post harvestperiod

21)National Agricultural Insurance Scheme (NAIS)

 The Government of India introduced the scheme from Rabi 1999-2000 season to
protect thefarmers against losses suffered by them due to crop failure on account
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of natural calamities. The scheme is currently implemented by Agriculture

Insurance Company of India (AICIL). The schemeis available to all the farmers,
loanee and non-loanee, irrespective of size of their holding. The scheme covers
all food crops (cereals, millets and pulses) and oil seeds and Annual commercial/
horticultural crops. At present, 10% subsidy on premium is available to small &
marginal farmers.
 NAIS is presently being implemented in 24 States and 2 Union Territories except
in States of Punjab & Arunachal Pradesh. Nagaland has given consent to
implement the scheme and Rajasthan has decided to implement WBCIS in place
of NAIS. Since the inception of the scheme and until up to 31.03.11 about 176
million farmers have been insured, covering an area of 269 million hectares for a
sum insured value of Rs. 2,21,213 crore, against a premium of Rs. 6589 crore.
Claims to the tune of about Rs. 22190 crore have been reported so far benefiting
nearly 47.6 million farmersrepresenting a claim ratio of 1:3.37.

 Claims are automatically calculated based on shortfall in the current season yield
obtained from crop cutting experiments conducted by State Governments under
General Crops Estimation Survey (GCES) as compared to threshold yield and
settled through the rural banking network. The Company is making efforts to
bring the remaining States/ UTs into the fold of NAIS.

22) JAL GRAM YOJANA

1. Jal Gram Yojana

1.1 Jal Gram

 Two villages, in every district preferably being a part of dark block or facing acute
water scarcity, shall be selected as “Jal Grams” An Integrated water security
plan, water conservation, water management and allied activities shall be
undertaken for the villages to ensure optimum and sustainable utilisation of
water.
 This is a convergence programme, therefore, there will no separate funds.
Available funds from various other schemes should be used, e.g.. MNREGA,
IWRMP, Watershed Schemes, etc. (for details see section 6.0 “Funding
Arrangement”)

1.2 Selection of Jal Gram

 District level Committee shall identify two Jal Gram for every district. To select
the Jal Gram, decision support tool uploaded by CWC on its website would be
used. DistrictCommittee would keep State level Committee informed of the
selected “Jal Gram”.
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1.3 Structure for Implementation of Jal Gram Yojana

 A Committee shall be formed at Village level & Block Level for implementation
and monitoring of works under Jal Gram Yojana for every Jal Gram.

23)Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana

 Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (Hindi:रा ीय कृिष िवकास

योजना)(English:National Agriculture Development Scheme) is a State Plan
Scheme of Additional Central Assistance launched in August 2007 as a part of
the 11th Five Year Plan by the Government of India. Launched under the aegis
of the National Development Council, it seeks to achieve 4% annual growth in
agriculture through development of Agriculture and its allied sectors (as defined
by the Planning Commission (India)) during the period under the 11th Five Year
Plan (2007–11).

Aims

 The scheme is essentially a State Plan Scheme that seeks to provide the States
and Territories of India with the autonomy to draw up plans for increased public
investment in Agriculture by incorporating information on local
requirements,geographical/climatic conditions, available natural resources/
technology and cropping patterns in their districts so as to significantly increase
the productivity of Agriculture and its allied sectors and eventually maximize the
returns of farmers in agriculture and its allied sectors.

Eligibility

 A State is eligible for funding under the RKVY if it maintains or increases the
percentage of its expenditure on Agriculture and its Allied Sectors with respect to
the total State Plan Expenditure, where the Base Line (which will move every
year) for this expenditure is the average of the percentage of expenditure
incurred by a State Government for the previous three years on Agriculture and
its Allied Sectors minus any funds related to Agriculture and its allied sectors that
it may already have received in that time under its State Plan.

24)Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana

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 Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana (RSBY, literally "National Health Insurance

Programme", Hindi: रा ीय ा बीमा योजना) is a government-run
health insurance scheme for the Indian poor. It provides for cashless insurance
for hospitalisation in public as well as private hospitals. The schemestarted
enrolling on April 1, 2008 and has been implemented in 25 states of India. A total
of 36million families have been enrolled as of February 2014.[3] In the starting
RSBY is a project under the Ministry of Labour and Employment. Now it is
transferred to Ministry of Health and family welfare from April 1, 2015.
 Every "below poverty line" (BPL) family holding a yellow ration card pays ₹ 30
(less than US$0.7)registration fee to get a biometric-enabled smart
card containing their fingerprints and photographs. This enables them to receive
inpatient medical care of up to ₹ 30,000 (approx US$670 as of March 2011) per
family per year in any of the empanelled hospitals. Pre-existing illnesses are
covered from day one, for head of household, spouse and up to three dependent
children or parents.
 In the Union Budget for 2012-13, the government made a total allocation of ₹
1096.7 crore towards RSBY. Although meant to cover the entire BPL
population,(about 37.2 per cent of the total Indian population according to the
Tendulkar committee estimates) it had enrolled only around 10 per cent of the
Indian population by March 31, 2011. Also, it is expected to cost the exchequer
at least ₹3,350 crore a year to cover the entire BPL population.
 The scheme has won plaudits from the World Bank, the UN and the ILO as one
of the world's best health insurance schemes. Germany has shown interest in
adopting the smart card based model for revamping its own social security
system, the oldest in the world, by replacing its current, expensive, system of
voucher based benefits for 2.5 million children[citation needed]. The Indo-
German Social Security Programme, created as part of a co-operation pact
between the two countries is guiding this collaboration.
 One of the big changes that this scheme entails is bringing investments to
unserved areas. Most private investments in healthcare in India have been
focused on tertiary or specialized care in urban areas. However, with RSBY
coming in, the scenario is changing. New age companies like
GlocalHealthcare Systems, a company based out of Kolkata and funded by Tier I
Capital Funds like Sequoia Capital and Elevar Equity are setting up State of
Art Hospitals in Semi Urban - rural settings. This trend can create the
infrastructure that India's healthcare system desperately needs.
 As per report from Council for Social Development, it was found that this scheme
has not been very effective. Increase in outpatient expenditure, hospitalization
and medicines have compelled insurance companies to exclude several
diseases out of their policies and thus making it not affordable for BPL families.
Report also has found that most of the beneficiaries are from higher classes and
not targeted beneficiaries.
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25) JAN AUSHADHI SCHEME

 Over the years India, has developed a strong capability in producing quality
branded and generic medicines in most of the therapeutic categories, evolving
from an mere Rs 1,500 crores industry in 1980 to a more than Rs 1,19,000
crores industry in 2012. However, although these medicines are reasonably
priced, as compared to the prices of their equivalent medicines in most other
countries, yet a large population of poor people in the country, find it difficult to
afford the more expensive branded category of medicines. Accordingly,
'ensuring availability of quality medicines at affordableprices to all', has been a
key objective of the Government. some of the important steps taken to enable
this are:
 A. Price control of Scheduled Drugs through the National Pharmaceutical pricing
authority (NPPA): Under the Drug Price Control Order, 1995, NPPA): Under the
Drug Price Control Order, 1995, NPPA has been given the mandate to control
and fix the maximum retail prices of a number of scheduled/listed bulk drugs and
their formulations, in accordance with well defined criteria and methods of
accounting, relating to costs of production and marketing Notably therefore, the
prices of these medicines have remained quite stable and affordable.
 B. Price regulation of Non-Scheduled Drugs: Apart from the scheduled medicines
under DPCO, 1995, the NPPA monitors the prices of other medicines not listed in
the DPCO schedule, such that they do not have a price variation of more than
10% per annum. This has further helped in keeping the prices of most of the non-
scheduled medicines stable and affordable.
 C. Uniform VAT of 4% on medicines: Government has fixed a uniform and low
rate of 4% VAT on medicines in the country. This policy has been adopted, in
almost all the States in the country, and has reduced the incidence of sales tax
on medicines and thereby assisted in keeping their prices low.
 D. Reduction in Excise duty from 16% to 4% Further and in addition to above
low, VAT rates, the [present government had, as part of the Budget for the year
2008-09 reduced the excise duty on medicines from 16% to 8%. This has been
further reduced to 4 percent as from 8th December, 2008. This has again, played
a crucial role in keeping the prices of most of the medicines at reasonable levels.
Not satisfied with the above regulatory and financial steps for ensuring
greateravailability of medicines at affordable prices to all, specially the poorer
masses, the government has decided to launch a country wide Jan Aushadhi
Campaign.
26) BAL SWACCHATA ABHIYAN
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 part of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, the mega cleanliness drive in India, and also
as a part of the Children’s Day celebrations, the Government of India has
launched yet another campaign “Bal Swachhata Abhiyan”. This campaign will be
carried out together by the education and health departments from November 14,
Children’s Day, to November 19, the birth anniversary of Indira Gandhi, in all
schools across the country.
 The Central Government has issued directives so that the campaign is
implemented efficiently. The idea is to spread cleanliness awareness among the
children. Through this campaign, the school students will play the role as cleanup
ambassadors in the school’s nearby and surrounding areas and also display an
encouraging way for the locals to keep their surroundings clean.

Highlights of Bal Swachhata Mission

 Considering the importance of cleanliness and inculcating cleanliness from a

very young age, it’s necessary that every citizen of the country, including the
children, should come forward to be a part of the mega cleanliness drive.
 The Directorate of Education has addressed all Heads of Government and
Government-aided schools and private schools to carry out the cleanliness
mission and sensitise children and make them aware of the different aspects of
hygiene.
 Bal Swachhata Abhiyan includes clean schools, clean surroundings and play
area, pure drinking water facilities, proper toilets, safe and clean food and
personal hygiene.
 All students must be aware of the need of cleanliness and various aspects of
health and sanitation.
 Each student can spread cleanliness awareness among his family members
effectively and thereby pave the way for a clean society as a whole.
 All health centres associated with the schools should be well-prepared with
information on balanceddiet and health and senior officials should make sure that
the students are given information about nutrition, food grains and vegetables
through video clips, posters and Powerpoint presentations.
 Children will also be given training on washing hands properly and how to
maintain their personal hygiene and cleanliness.
 How to use toilets and keep them clean would be discussed during the
campaign.
 Officials would also spread awareness about water-borne diseases, the use of
clean water, proper cleaning of water tanks in schools and so on.
 Bal Swachhata Abhiyan five-day programme
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 The themes of this campaign has been planned out in the following way:
 14th November: Clean Schools/Surroundings/Play areas
 15th November: Clean Food
 17th November: Clean Self, Personal Hygiene, Child Safety
 18th November: Clean Drinking Water
 19th November: Clean Toilet
 As part of the first-day programme, during the morning assembly, the students
will take a vow that they will not use plastic bags, will not waste any paper and
use the dustbins for throwing garbage in the school. Also, all students and
teachers must clean the classrooms, library, labs, kitchen and other areas.
 Express Yourself Through: CBSE Expression Series
 The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has launched on its website
(http://cbseacademic.in/) CBSE Expression Series on ‘Bal Swachhata Mission’
14th to 19th November 2014. This is an interesting way for school children to
express themselves through essay, poem, poster, drawing and painting. Each
day a new topic will be assigned for the children in three categories (classes 1 to
5, classes 6 to 8, classes 9 to 12). Topics based on themes for each day will be
announced on CBSE’s official website one day in advance. Thirty best entries on
each day will be rewarded with a cash prize of Rs 2,500.
 Conclusion: Again another encouraging initiative by the Government. But mere
launching of a campaign is not enough. Proper implementation is more
necessary. Yes, it’s high time now that we teach our children to be clean and
maintain hygiene. Not only in schools, but also in home and outside, a child
should be well aware of cleanliness, safety and personal hygiene which will make
them stronger and healthy and responsible c

27) Mahatma Gandhi Pravasi Suraksha Yojana

 Mahatma Gandhi Pravasi Suraksha Yojana is a special social security scheme

which includes Pension and Life Insurance, introduced by Ministry
of Overseas Indian Affairs for the overseasIndian workers in possession of
Emigration Check Required (ECR) passports.
 It is a voluntary scheme designed to help workers to meet their three financial
needs: saving for retirement, saving for their return and resettlement, and
providing free life insurance offering coverage for death from natural causes
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28)PRASAD

 The Union Ministry of Tourism provides Central Financial Assistance (CFA) to

State Governments/Union Territory Administrations, including the places of
religious importance, for various tourism projects in consultation with them
subject to availability of funds, inter-se priority, liquidation of pending utilization
certificates and adherence to the scheme guidelines.
 For development of tourism infrastructure in the country, the Ministry of Tourism
has introduced two new schemes in 2014-15 i.e. PRASAD- Pilgrimage
Rejuvenation and Spiritual Augmentation Drive and Swadesh Darshan -
Integrated Development of Theme-Based Tourist Circuits. Under
PRASADtwelve cities have been identified for development initially, namely:
Amritsar, Ajmer, Dwaraka, Mathura, Varanasi, Gaya, Puri, Amaravati,
Kanchipuram, Vellankanni, Kedarnath and Guwahati. Under Swadesh Darshan
scheme, Spiritual Circuit has been identified as theme circuit for development.
 During the year 2015-16 under Budget Estimates Rs.100.00 crore and Rs.600.00
crore have been allocated for PRASAD and Swadesh Darshan schemes
respectively to develop tourist destinations of global standards. The details of
projects sanctioned during the year 2014-15 and 2015-16 under both the
schemes are annexed
29) Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Shrameva Jayate Karyakram

Key elements

 A dedicated Shram Suvidha Portal: That would allot Labour Identification

Number (LIN) to nearly 6 lakhs units and allow them to file online compliance for
16 out of 44 labour laws
 An all-new Random Inspection Scheme: Utilizing technology to eliminate human
discretion in selection of units for Inspection, and uploading of Inspection Reports
within 72 hours of inspection mandatory
 Universal Account Number: Enables 4.17 crore employees to have their
Provident Fund account portable, hassle-free and universally accessible
 Apprentice Protsahan Yojana: Will support manufacturing units mainly and other
establishments by reimbursing 50% of the stipend paid to apprentices during first
two years of their training
 Revamped Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana: Introducing a Smart Card for the
workers in the unorganized sector seeded with details of two more social security
schemes

Shram Suvidha Portal

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 The objective of the unified web portal is to consolidate information of Labour

Inspection and its enforcement, which will lead to transparency and
accountability in inspections. The compliances would be reportable in Single
Harmonized Form which will make it simple and easy for those filing such forms.
The performance will be monitored using key indicators thus making the
evaluation process objective. The portal also has an effective grievance
redressal System. It promotes the use of a common Labour Identification
Number (LIN) by all implementing agencies.

The 4 main features of the portal are:

 Unique labour identification number (LIN) will be allotted to Units to

facilitate online registration.
 Filing of self-certified and simplified Single Online Return by the industry. Now
Units will only file a single consolidated Return online instead of filing 16 separate
Returns.
 Mandatory uploading of inspection Reports within 72 hours by the Labour
inspectors.
 Timely redressal of grievances will be ensured with the help of the portal.
 The above will bring in the necessary ease in compliance of provisions related to
labour and will be a step forward in promoting the ease of doing business. The
complete database available centrally at unified portal will also add to the
informed policy process. The portal will be operative in 4 central organizations
namely Chief Labour Commissioner, Directorate General of Mines Safety,
Employee Provident Fund and Employees’ State insurance Corporation. In this
endeavour of the Ministry,complete information of all 11 lakh units for these
organizations has been collected, digitized and de-duplicated reducing the total
number to 6-7 lakh. It is proposed to allot LIN to all these 6-7 lakh units.
 For more information, visit http://efilelabourreturn.gov.in/uwp/home#

Labour Inspection Scheme

 So far the units for inspection were selected locally without any objective criteria.
To bring in transparency in labour inspection, a transparent Labour Inspection
scheme has been developed. The four features of the inspection scheme are:
 Serious matters are to be covered under the mandatory inspection list.
 A computerized list of inspections will be generated randomly based on pre-
determined objective criteria.
 Complaints based inspections will also be determined centrally after examination
based on data and evidence.
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 There will be provision of Emergency List for inspection of serious cases in

specific circumstances.
 A transparent Inspection Scheme will provide a check on the arbitrariness in
compliance mechanism.
 Portability through Universal Account Number (UAN) for Employees Provident
Fund
 Under the scheme, complete information for approximately 4 crore subscribers of
EPF has been centrally compiled and digitized and a UAN has been allotted to
all. The UAN is being seeded with Bank account and Aadhar Card and other
KYC details for financial inclusion of vulnerable section of society and their
unique identification. This will ensure portability of the Social Security Benefits to
the labour of organised sector across the jobs and geographic areas. The EPF
account of employee will be now be updated monthly and at the same time s/he
will be informed through SMS. Finally it will ensure that each of the 4 crore or
more EPF account holders have direct access to their EPF accounts and will also
enable them to consolidate all their previous accounts (approximately Rs 27000
Crore are currently lying with EPFO in inoperative accounts). Theminimum
pension for employees has been introduced first time so that employees’ pension
is not less than Rs. 1000 per month. The wage ceiling has been raised from Rs.
6500 to Rs. 15000 per month to ensure that vulnerable groups are covered under
EPF Scheme.
 Recognition of Brand Ambassadors of ITIs
 The Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) in the country are the backbone of the
vocational training system, the only source of supply of skilled manpower to
manufacturing industry. There are 11,500 ITIs having about 16 lakh seats. But
this is grossly inadequate for supplying skilled manpower to Indian industry. Only
10% of the workforce has got formal or informal technical training. Only one
fourth of this is formally trained. There is also another big imbalance. The intake
capacity of undergraduate engineering colleges was more than 16 lakh in India
which was almost same as seating capacity of ITIs.
 As a general trend, pass outs from education system do not take admission in
the ITIs as their first choice. Mostly students end up in ITI after exhausting all
other options for higher education. This is because, blue collar work is not
respected and regarded in the society. For meeting the skill needs of the industry
and for enhancing employability of the youth, it is needed to attract more youth to
it is by enhancing dignity of vocational training.
 Over 60 years of existence, ITIs have given excellent technicians, mechanics,
entrepreneurs and professional leaders. Manufacturing sector is reservoir of this
success. They have brought name and fame in the country and abroad. It is
proposed to compile these success stories and publish inprint and electronic
form. These success stories shall be used for motivating youngsters and their
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parents. The successful ITI graduates are also to be projected as National Brand
Ambassadors of Vocational Training. This will be taken as communicator and
catalyst, taking the message of ITI vocational training to every section of society.

All India Skill Competition

 The Ministry of labour conducts competitions to foster the healthy spirit of

competitiveness among the trainee Craftsmen/ Apprentices. Winning spirit brings
pride to world of skills, improves changing work habits to be more organized,
goal setting to achieve goals, and simply performing higher quality work. They
are:
 All India Skill Competition for Craftsmen among trainees admitted under
Craftsmen Training Scheme (CTS). It is conducted once in a year. On the basis
of marks obtained in skill competition by trainees, the award is given to BEST
CRAFTSMAN-cash prize and merit certificate, BEST INSTITUTE –
a merit certificate and the BEST STATE –a shield.
 All India Competition for Apprentices among trainees admitted under
Apprenticeship Training Scheme (ATS). It is conducted twice every year. The
award is given to the BEST Apprentice- cash prize of Rs 50,000 and
a merit certificate and Runner Up Apprentice- cash prize of Rs 25000
andmerit certificate in each Trade, and the BEST ESTABLISHMENT on all India
basis- a trophy and certificate by President of India.
 Trade covered in Competition: Both the competitions are conducted in 15 trades
i.e. Fitter, Turner, Machinist, Welder (G&E), Mechanic (Motor Vehicle), Mechanic
(Diesel), Instrument Mechanic, Draughtsman (Mechanical), Draughtsman (Civil),
Electrician, Electronic Mechanic, Cutting & Sewing, Foundry Man, Computer
Operator & Programming Assistant (COPA), and Refrigeration & Air Conditioning
Mechanic.
 Launch of Apprenticeship Protsahan Yojna
 The Apprentices Act 1961 was enacted for regulating the Apprenticeship Training
Scheme in the industry for imparting on-the-job training to apprentices. Presently,
there are only 2.82 lakh apprentices undergoing training against 4.9 lakh seats.
 Apprenticeship Scheme has huge potential for training the large number of young
person’s to make them employable. Similar schemes have been highly
successful in countries like Germany, China and Japan where the number of
apprentices are stated to be 3 million, 20 million and 10 million respectively.
 Present framework tightly regulates the number of apprentices trade-wise, and is
not attractive to youth because of low rate of stipend. Further the industry is
averse to participate because the scheme is not viable for the small industries.
There are a large number of establishments including MSMEs where training
facilities are available but could not be utilized so far.
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 A major initiative has been undertaken to revamp the apprenticeship Scheme in

India after extensive consultation with industry, states and other stakeholders
with the vision of increasing apprenticeship seats to more than 20 lakhs in next
few years. There are four components of this initiative, which are given below:
 Making the legal framework friendly to both, industry and youth. The necessary
Bill amending the Act was placed and passed in Lok Sabha on 14.8.2014.
 Enhancing the rate of stipend and indexing it to minimum wages of semi-skilled
workers.
 Apprentice Protsahan Yojana which will support manufacturing units mainly and
other establishments by reimbursing 50% of the stipend paid to apprentices
during first two years of their training.
 Basic training component (mainly class room training part) of the curricula is
being restructured on scientific principles to make it more effective, and MSMEs
will be supported financially by permitting this component in government funded
SDI scheme.
30) UDAAN

 Udaan, the Special Industry Initiative (SII) for J&K is funded by Ministry of Home
Affairs and implemented by National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC). The
programme is a part of the overall initiative for addressing economic issues in
J&K. While steps are being taken by the State and Central Government to
revive economic activity in J&K, Udaan programme is a special initiative to
address the needs of the educated unemployed in J&K. Udaan program is
focused on youth of Jammu & Kashmir (J&K) who are graduate, post graduate
and three year diploma engineers.
 The aim is to provide skills and job opportunities to the youth. Simultaneously,
the aim is also to provide exposure to corporate India towards the rich talent
pool available in J&K.
 The target was to reach out to 40,000 youth in J&K over a period of 5 years. It
was observed that youth from J&K were unable to find employment in many
companies as either they were unaware of the opportunity in the companies or
the companies were unaware of the talent pool that existed in J&K.
 The principal focus of the Udaan programme is to create an ecosystem that
would bridge this gap.
 The Udaan programme is designed to encourage corporates to travel to J&K
meet with the youth and hire aspiring youth in J&K who wish to explore
the opportunity to work with corporates. Udaan provides a framework of support
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to the youth to travel, undergo training in firms and transit to work.Udaan has two
objectives :

 To provide exposure to the graduates and post graduates of Jammu and

Kashmir to the best of corporate India and
 To provide corporate India with exposure to the rich talent pool available in the
state

31) Micro Units Development and Refinance Agency (MUDRA)

 Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY; Hindi: धानमं ी मु ा योजना) under the
Micro UnitsDevelopment and Refinance Agency (MUDRA) Bank is a new
institution being set up by Government of India for development and refinancing
activities relating to micro units. It was announced by the Hon’ble Finance
Minister while presenting the Union Budget for FY 2016. The purpose of MUDRA
is to provide funding to the non corporate small business sector

Objectives

 Under the scheme, Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana three categories of

interventions has been named which includes

 Shishu :- Loan upto ₹50000 (US$750)

 Kishore :- Loan ranging from ₹50000 (US$750) to ₹5 lakh (US$7,500)
 Tarun :- Loan above ₹5 lakh (US$7,500) and below ₹10 lakh (US$15,000)
 These three categories will signify the growth, development and funding needs of
the beneficiariesas well as it will assure the loan amount to be allotted by
Micro Units Development and RefinanceAgency Bank.

Performance

 Under this scheme, according to MoneyControl.com, nearly 1,65,000 people

avail the over-drafting facility where the government mobilised USD
$157,400,000[citation needed] for this scheme by 1 September 2015.[3] As of
26th of Sep 2015, Banks have already disbursed ₹24000 crore (US$3.6 billion) to
27 lakh small entrepreneurs under this scheme
32) UJJAWALA
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 'Ujjawala - External website that opens in a new window' is a comprehensive

scheme for the prevention of trafficking, rescue and rehabilitation of women and
child victims of trafficking for commercial sexual exploitation in India. It was
launched in 2007 by the Ministry of Women and Child Development - External
website that opens in a new window. It consists of certain mechanisms for the
reintegration and repatriation of victims including cross border victims.
 The Target Group or main beneficiaries of this scheme are women and child
victims who have been trafficked for commercial sexual exploitation as well as
those women and children who are vulnerable to becoming victims of this crime.
These vulnerable sections include slum dwellers, children of sex workers,
refugees, homeless victims of natural disasters and so on.
 This scheme is being implemented by various Non Governmental Organizations
to provide direct aid and benefit to victims of trafficking. Immediate relief to
victims includes the provision of food, shelter, trauma care and counselling to the
rescued victims. Later on, victims are provided skill training, capacity building, job
placement and guidance in income generating activities to empower them and
help them live independently.

The Ujjawala Scheme has five components -

Prevention - This part consists of the formation of community vigilance groups and
adolescent groups called Balika and Balala Sanghs. It also includes the carrying out of
sensitization workshops, seminars and awareness generation campaigns through street
plays, puppetry, posters and leaflets. The main aim is to make functionaries such as the
police and community sensitive towards the needs of victims of trafficking.
Rescue - This component includes creation of a network of contacts that include police,
NGO's, women's groups, youth groups, panchayats, hotels, tour operators and so on.
These contacts will be used to collect information on traffickers, suspicious people and
vulnerable families. It also includes the cost of transportation, food, shelter, toiletries,
clothing, trauma care/counselling and medical aid given to a rescued victim and the
payment of incentives to decoy customers and informants.
Rehabilitation - This step offers refuge to victims in safe shelter homes with the
provision of basic necessities such as food, clothing and medical care. It also includes
specialized counselling, legal aid, formal or open school education for children and
vocational training for an alternative livelihood.
Reintegration - This component involves restoring the victim to their family and
community, if they desire. It includes the setting up of Half Way Homes, where gainfully
employed groups of victims who wish to be reintegrated with the community, work and
live semi independently. It also includes the cost of travel for the victim and an escort to
her hometown.
Repatriation - This is applicable to cross border victims of commercial sexual
exploitation. It includes the setting up of transit points at border checkpoints to provide
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food and other incidentals to the victim. It also includes documentation and cost of travel
of the victim and an escort to her country of origin or border.
This scheme can be availed by contacting -

 Social Welfare/Women and Child Welfare Departments of State Governments

 Women's Development Corporations
 Women's Development Centres
 Urban Local Bodies
 Reputed Public/Private Trusts
 Voluntary Organizations.
33)SWADHAR GREH

 The Ministry of Women and Child Development implements two shelter based
schemes, namely, Swadhar and Short Stay Home for providing emergency
outreach services to women in difficult circumstances who do not have
societal/family support or independent means of income. Under these schemes
free shelter, food, medical care, counseling etc. are being provided to
thebeneficiaries. Vocational training is imparted to the beneficiaries with a view to
rehabilitate them.

 The schemes seek to improve the life of women who are in difficult
circumstances thereby making them self reliant by providing vocational
training. The scheme could benefit 35959 women in 2009-10 and 38241 and
40270 women during 2010-11 & 2011-12 respectively. Considering the positive
impact of the schemes on the target group, the Ministry has decided to merge
both the schemes into “Swadhar Greh” scheme with better financial norms and
extend the coverage to all the districts in the country during the 12th Five Year
Plan.
34)ONE STOP CENTRE SCHEME

 The scheme for One Stop Centre for Women has been recently approved i.e. on
4th March, 2015 with total project cost of Rs. 18.58 crore for implementation
through States/UTs from 1st April 2015 to facilitating/providing medical aid, police
assistance, legal counselling/court case management, psycho-social counselling
and temporary shelter to women affected by violence. The Scheme envisages
establishment of 1 One Stop Centre in each State/UT in the first phase. The
States have been requested for proposals in order to release funds.
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 Under the scheme of One Stop Centre, it has been envisaged to integrate these
Centres with Women Helpline (181) and other existing helplines.
 ONE STOP CRISIS CENTRE
 The first One-Stop Crisis Centre for women in distress out of the proposed 660 is
set to be inaugurated in Chhattisgarh later this month under the Nirbhaya Fund.

A Women and Child development ministry’s initiative, the Centre would act as a one-
stop facility to provide all kinds of aid to women in distress including medical help,
counselling, legal and police assistance, while ensuring anonymity of the victim.

 “We are ready to inaugurate our first Centre in Chhattisgarh this month,” a senior
Ministry official told PTI.
 The scheme is being implemented on the recommendations of a committee that
was set up in the aftermath of the public uproar against the December 16 gang-
rape.
 The Centre will be mandated to provide legal, medical and psychological
assistance to distressed women. Proposed to be established in a phased
manner, in the first phase, such facilities will be set up in every state, and will
gradually be expanded to every district.
 These centres would be set up in independent buildings or hospitals, depending
on the state government’s preference.
 “There are many scenarios when women, who are stalked, molested, raped or
experience violence are not willing to go to a police station. So the idea is to
provide them all assistance at one place while maintaining their privacy,” he said.
 The One-Stop Crisis Centre is one of the major programmes under Nirbhaya
Fund not much of which has been utilized so far. The fund was set up in 2013 to
be spent on women-oriented projects and activities. However, even as ₹3,000
crore has accumulated under the fund, with ₹1,000 crore allocated to it every
financial year, not many projects have been executed through it
35) NATIONAL NUTRITION MISSION

There are two components of the National Nutrition Mission as follows:

1. Information, Education and Communication (IEC) Campaign against malnutrition

2. Multi-sectoral Nutrition Programme

The key objectives of these programmes are as under:

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· To create awareness relating to malnutrition amongst pregnant women, lactating

mothers, promote healthy lactating practices and importance of balanced nutrition;
· To improve maternal and child under-nutrition in 200 high burdened districts and to
prevent and reduce the under-nutrition prevalent among children below 3 years;
· To reduce incidence of anaemia among young children, adolescent girls and women.

 The programme envisages coordinated action at the Central and State levels for
affirmative multi-sectoral action in fulfilling the objectives. An Inter-
Ministerial Coordination Committee (IMCC) headed by Cabinet Secretary at
National level has been created for coordination at National level.
 At the State level, the State Nutrition Council headed by the Chief Minister would
be the highest body for providing policy direction and oversight to the Multi-
sectoral Nutrition Programme. The State Nutrition Council would be assisted by
the Executive Committee headed by the Chief Secretary of the State and would
comprise of Principal Secretaries/Secretaries of all linedepartments concerning
the Multi-sectoral Nutrition Programme.
 Similar coordinating bodies would be set up at the District and village levels to
provide all support in effective implementation, monitoring and supervision of the
programme.
 Monitoring and evaluation of the programme has been entrusted to National
Institute of Public Cooperation and Child Development (NIPCCD) to track the
progress and achievements during and after implementation.
 At the National level, the Food & Nutrition Board (FNB) under Ministry of Women
& Child Development would act as the Technical Support Unit with additional
technical human resource to manage and roll out the programme.
36) Self- Employment and Talent Utilisation (SETU)

 Government has announced the setting up of a Self- Employment and Talent

Utilisation (SETU) mechanism. Presenting the General Budget 2015-16 in the
Lok Sabha here today, the Union Finance Minister Shri Arun Jaitley stated
that SETU will be a Techno-Financial, Incubation and Facilitation Programme to
support all aspects of start up businesses, and other self-employment activities,
particularly in technology-driven areas. An amount of Rs.1000 crore is being set
up initiallyin NITI Aayog for SETU.

 Shri Jaitley stated that “we are now seeing a growing interest in start-ups.
Experimenting in cutting edge technologies, creating value out of ideas
and initiatives and converting them into scalable enterprises and businesses is at
the core of our strategy for engaging our youth and for inclusive and sustainable
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growth of the country.” He said concerns such as a more liberal system of raising
global capital, incubation facilities in our Centres of Excellence, funding for seed
capital and growth, and ease of Doing Business etc need to be addressed to
create lakh of jobs and hundreds of billion dollars in value. The Minister said, with
this objective in mind, SETU is being set up.
37) KAYAKALP

 The First Meeting of ‘Kayakalp’, the Innovative Council of Indian Railways held
 The first meeting of ‘Kayakalp’, the innovative council of Indian Railways was
held today. This Council is headed by noted Industrialist Shri Ratan Tata. The
other members of ‘Kayakalp’ Council include Shri S.G.Mishra, General
Secretary, All India Railwaymen’s Federation (AIRF), Shri M.Raghaviah, General
Secretary, National Federation of Indian Railwaymen (NFIR). Ms. Ragini
Yechury, Executive Director (Industrial Relations), Railway Board and Dr.
Madhukar Sinha, Executive Director (Innovation), Railway Board. Dr. Sinha will
work as Secretary for the council. The Railway Board Members were also
present on this occasion.
 This Council has been setup by the Railway Minister in accordance with the
vision of Hon’ble Prime Minister for Innovation, Technology Development and
Manufacturing. The Railway Budget 2015-16 speech has mentioned that every
dynamic and thriving organization needs to innovate and re-invent its practices
and hence the council has been setup for the purpose of business re-engineering
and introducing a spirit of innovation in Railways.
 Speaking on the occasion, the Railway Minister Shri Suresh Prabhu said that
Indian Railways, on one hand, has to fulfill its social obligation of providing
affordable travel facilities to the public in different parts of the country while on
the other hand, has to work as a commercial organisation earning profit. There is
a need to balance these two requirements and function in a manner so that best
services could be provided to the people at affordable prices and the Railways
emerge as an effective engine of growth for the country’s economy. He said that
while it is necessary to formulate a future roadmap for expansion and growth of
Indian Railways, but at the same time it is necessary to understand and address
present challenges which could not be overlooked. The
Railway Ministerpointed out that Indian Railways has a huge dedicated
manpower which is its inherent strength. We all have to work collectively to make
Indian Railways as No. 1 Railway in the world, so that it can serve people and
nation in the best possible manner.
 The Minister of State Shri Manoj Kumar Sinha hoped that the Council would give
useful suggestions for improvement and innovation.
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 In his address, Chairman, Railway Board Shri A.K.Mital said that the
Railway Board will work in close cooperation with the Council. He said that Indian
Railways in its 160 years of existence has grown substantially in all aspects but it
further needs to undertake more technological upgradation to improve services.
 Shri Ratan Tata in his address said that the Council would work in close
cooperation with everybody concerned and be on the same page for the
betterment of Indian Railway and it would not be in conflict with anybody as there
is shared objective of making Railway better. He said it will be useful to
showcase improvements even in small increments in various aspects
like equipments, processes, procedures, consumer acceptance etc.
 In their addresses, Railway Employees’ Union Representatives Shri S.G. Mishra
and Shri M. Raghaviah thanked the Railway Minister for reposing faith in the
employees’ federations in undertaking the important job of the Council. They
affirmed that the entire workforce of the Indian Railways would extend its
cooperation in this endeavour.
 Thereafter, the Kayakalp discussed the approach towards its future work
38) STUDY WEBS OF ACTIVE-LEARNING FOR YOUNG ASPIRING MINDS-
MASSIVE OPEN ONLINE COURSES SWAYAM-MOOC

 MOOCS or massive open online courses have made access to top university-
level content for every learner possible. By providing free online courses on
demand, MOOCS enable learners to learn from anywhere irrespective of their
situation as long as they have internet access.
Statistics from major MOOC providers show that India is a home of second largest
audience for MOOCS after US, which brings great challenges and opportunities for the
use of such courses in India.

MOOC in India

Students from India being the second largest in terms of enrolment in MOOCS shows
that their hunger for affordable and quality education and MOOCS are the best way to
provide this to them.

As a part of providing quality and affordable education to its students, Indian

government has recently launched an Indian focused MOOC platform for all. This
MOOC platform is termed as ‘Swayam’- Study Webs of Active-learning for Young
Aspiring Minds.

Courses under ‘SWAYAM’

Currently, SWAYAM is expected to offer three different courses - one from UC

Berkeley’s Umesh Vazarani’s and two from IIT Bombay. And SWAYAM is going to use
openEdx as its MOOC platform. Indian Institute of Management Bangalore has also
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joined edX and will host online course soon.

The following are three courses at SWAYAM.

 Quantum Mechanics and Quantum Computation

 By via UC Berkeley

 The course will offer basic theoretical overview to quantum mechanics and
quantum computation.

 Introduction to Computer Programming

 By IIT Bombay

 The course is divided into two parts and offers learners with a basis in Computer
Programming.

 Thermodynamics

 By IIT Bombay

 This basic course in thermodynamics has been designed for the students of
mechanical engineering. Students will learn the concept and terms used in
thermodynamics with exact definitions.

 Along with SWAYAM, the Government of India has announced another project is
to create online digital library that will have resources from nation’s top
universities and institutes; it is termed as ‘National E-Library’. The library can be
accessible to every leaner with Internet access. The National E -Library will start
from the academic year 2015.

 The SWAYAM platform is specifically designed benefit students from remote

area, working professionals as well as college dropouts. Students will get
‘Verified Certificate’ after successfully completion of courses. However, it is not
clear if these certificates will be accepted for employment purposes.

 SWAYAM is a platform for new India where quality education is affordable and
self-learning is fruitful not only for enrolled but also for professionals
and dropouts. With quality content, best online lectures, great discussions,
knowledgeable assessment quizzes, SWAYAM will provide great opportunity to
Indian students to learn without fearing from failure.
39) NATIONAL AYUSH MISSION

The Government has launched the National AYUSH Mission with the objectives of
providing cost effective AYUSH Services, with a universal access through upgrading
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AYUSH Hospitals and Dispensaries, co-location of AYUSH facilities at Primary Health

Centres (PHCs), Community Health Centres (CHCs) and District Hospitals (DHs),
strengthening institutional capacity at the state level through upgrading AYUSH
educational institutions, State Govt. ASU&H Pharmacies, Drug Testing Laboratories
and ASU & H enforcement mechanism, supporting cultivation of medicinal plants by
adopting Good AgriculturalPractices (GAPs) so as to provide sustained supply of quality
raw-materials and support certification mechanism for quality standards, Good
Agricultural/Collection/Storage Practices and supporting setting up of clusters through
convergence of cultivation, warehousing, value addition and marketing and
development of infrastructure for entrepreneurs.

2. The National AYUSH Mission encompasses core /essential activities on

AYUSH Hospitals and Dispensaries services, development of AYUSH Educational
Institutions covering under Graduate and Post Graduate educational institutes, ASU&H
drugs quality control covering State Government ASU & HPharmacies, State Drugs
Testing Laboratories, drugs control framework and promotion of Medicinal Plants. The
mission also has provision for 20% of financial resources for flexible components to be
proposed by the State/UT Governments.

3. The resource allocation to the States/UTs is proposed on the basis of population,

backwardness and performance of the State/UT. This will ensure a predictable and
balanced allocation to the States taking into account equity, performance and
backwardness.

4. At the Centre, Department of AYUSH would be responsible as the nodal Department

for implementing National AYUSH Mission. The Mission will be steered by a National
AYUSH Mission (NAM) Directorate, Chaired by Secretary, Department of AYUSH.

5. An Appraisal Committee Chaired by Joint Secretary in-charge of NAM will scrutinize

the State Annual Action Plan (SAAP) before placing it before the National Mission for
approval. Appraisal Committee shall consist of technical experts from various
disciplines, concerned Director/ Deputy Secretary of NAM as well as in-charges of
various components of the Mission.

6. At the State level, the Mission will be governed and executed by a State AYUSH
Society. The Governing Body shall be chaired by the Chief Secretary and Principal
Secretary/Secretary I/c of AYUSH/ Health & F.W. of the concerned State will be the
convenor. The Governing Body of the State AYUSH society will finalize the State
Annual Action Plan (SAAP) after recommendations by the Executive Body. The
Executive Body will be chaired by Principal Secretary/Secretary in charge of AYUSH/
Health & F.W. and Commissioner (AYUSH)/Director General (AYUSH)/Director
Ayurveda, Unani, Homoeopathy, Siddha will be the member secretary of the Executive
Body. The State AYUSH Mission will be supported by the State Mission Directorate,
NRHM, State Medicinal Plant Board, Horticulture Department, State AYUSH Drug
Licensing Authority, State AYUSH Medical Education Directorates, etc. so that all
aspects of programme implementation including technical assessment of requirements,
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manpower provisioning, capacity building, drug procurement, monitoring and evaluation,

etc. can be successfully met.

7. The Mission Directorate of National AYUSH Mission has been vested with adequate
administrative and financial powers to enable it to achieve the objectives of the Mission.

40)Support to Training and Employment Programme for Women (STEP)

 The Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD) has revised ‘Support to
Training and Employment Programme for Women (STEP) Scheme Guidelines in
December, 2014. The Ministry has been administering STEP Scheme since
1986-87 as a ‘Central Sector Scheme. The STEP Scheme aims to provide skills
that give employability to women and to provide competencies and skill that
enable women to become self-employed/ entrepreneurs. The Scheme is
intended to benefit women who are in the age group of 16 years and above
across the country. The grant-in-aid under the Scheme is given to institutions/
organizations including NGOs.
 The assistance under STEP Scheme will be available in any sector for imparting
skills related toemployability and entrepreneurship, including but not limited to the
Agriculture, Horticulture, Food Processing, Handlooms, Tailoring, Stitching,
Embroidery, Zari etc, Handicrafts, Computer & IT enable services along with soft
skills and skills for the work place such as spoken English, Gems & Jewellery,
Travel & Tourism, Hospitality
 The maximum duration of the project is 18 months and the maximum number of
beneficiaries in a project shall not exceed 200. The financial assistance to meet a
maximum of 90% of the project cost can be sanctioned by the Government of
India. The remaining 10% will have to be borne by the implementing agency from
its own resources.
 Applications were invited from the eligible organizations for financial assistance
under the revised STEP Scheme, 2014. Twenty three project proposals have
already been approved for financial assistance under this Scheme
41) SABLA Scheme

Objective
The objectives of the program are:

 Enable the Adolescent girls for self-development and empowerment

 Improve their nutrition and health status.
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 Promote awareness about health, hygiene, nutrition, adolescent reproductive and

sexual health (ARSH) and family and child care.
 Upgrade home-based skills, life skills and integrate with the National Skill
Development Program (NSDP) for vocational skills.
 Mainstream out of school adolescent girls into formal/non formal education.
 Provide information/guidance about existing public services such as PHC,
CHC, Post Office, Bank, Police Station, etc.
Content
An integrated package of services is to be provided to adolescent girls as follows:

 Nutrition provision
 Iron and Folic Acid (IFA) supplementation
 Health check-up and Referral services
 Nutrition & Health Education (NHE)
 Counseling/Guidance on family welfare, ARSH, child care practices and home
management
 Life Skill Education and accessing public services
 Vocational training for girls aged 16 and above under NSDP
 Eligibility criteria[edit]
 The program would cover adolescent girls 11–18 years old under all ICDS
projects in selected 200districts in all states/UTs in the country. The target group
would be subdivided into 11-15 and 15–18 years
42) Indira Gandhi Matritva Sahyog Yojana (IGMSY)

 The Indira Gandhi Matritva Sahyog Yojana (IGMSY) is a maternity benefit

program run by the government of India. It was introduced in 2010 and is
implemented by the Ministry of Women andChild Development. It is a
conditional cash transfer scheme for pregnant and lactating women of 19 years
of age or above for first two live births. It provides a partial wage compensation to
women for wage-loss during childbirth and childcare and to provide conditions for
safe delivery and good nutrition and feeding practices. In 2013, the scheme was
brought under National Food Security Act, 2013 to implement the provision of
cash maternity benefit of Rs. 6000 stated in the Act. Presently, the scheme is
implemented on a pilot basis in 53 selected districts and proposals are under
consideration to scale it up to 200 additional 'high burden districts' in 2015-16.
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About the Program

Objectives:

 Promoting appropriate practice, care and institutional service utilization during

pregnancy, delivery and lactation
 Encouraging the women to follow (optimal) nutrition and feeding practices,
including early and exclusive breast-feeding for the first six months; and
 Providing cash incentives for improved health and nutrition to pregnant and
lactating mothers.
 IGMSY provides financial assistance as grant-in-aid to state governments.

Eligibility Conditions and Conditionalities.

 Originally, all pregnant women of 19 years of age and above were eligible for
conditional cash transfer benefits of Rs. 4000 to paid in three installments, except
those who receive paid maternity leave.After the implementation of
National Food Security Act the amount has been revised to Rs. 6000 to be paid
in two installments of Rs. 3000 each. The cash transfers under the Scheme are
subject to the following conditions:

The first transfer (at the end of second birth / pregnancy trimester) of Rs.3000 requires
the mother to:
Register pregnancy at the Anganwadi centre (AWC) within four months of conception
Attend at least one prenatal care session and taking IFA tablets and TT (tetanus
injection), and
Attend at least one 3. counseling session at the AWC or healthcare centre.
The second transfer (three months after delivery) of Rs.3000 requires the mother to:

 Register the birth

 Immunize the child for OPV and BCG at birth, at six weeks and at 10 weeks
 Attend at least two growth monitoring sessions within three months of delivery
 Additionally the scheme requires the mother to:
 Exclusively breastfeed for six months and introduce complementary feeding as
certified by the mother,
 Immunize the child for OPV and DPT
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 Attend at least two counseling sessions on growth monitoring and infant

and child nutrition and feeding between the third and sixth months after delivery.
 However, studies suggest that these eligibility conditions and other
conditionalities exclude a large number of women from receiving their
entitlements.
43) PRADHAN MANTRI AWAS YOJANA

 Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojna (PMAY) renamed from Housing for all by 2022
scheme has been launched by the government. The PM Awas Yojna aims to
provide affordable homes to about 20 million families within next 7 years i.e. from
2015 to 2022. EWS and LIG categories of the urban society will be the
main beneficiaries of the scheme.
Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana or Housing for all by 2022 Scheme – Introduction

 Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojna is an ambitious housing scheme under which the
government will create affordable housing units for urban poor. However, entire
urban area consisting of 4041 statutory towns will be covered under the Pradhan
Mantri Awas Yojna but initial focus will be on developing housing units in 500
selected cities in the phased manner as below.

 Phase 1: Under the phase one of Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, housing units
will be created in the selected 100 cities in the period from April 2015 to March
2017
 Phase 2: The next phase of PM Awas Yojna will cover about 200 cities or more
and will take place from April 2017 to March 2019.
 Phase 3: The final phase of Pradhan Mantri Awas yojana Scheme, housing units
will be developed in the remaining cities between April 2019 to March 2022.
 The phase wise selection of cities will be done based upon the current
population, current capacity,housing units requirement, urbanization rate and
other factors which will be assessed thoroughly by the designate state
governments and assessing bodies.

Beneficiaries of PM Awas Yojna

The main beneficiaries of housing for all scheme will be:

 Women including widows.

 Transgender families.
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 People belonging to Scheduled Casts (SC).

 People belonging to Scheduled Tribes (ST).
 Urban homeless families belonging to the economically weaker section (EWS)
and lower income group (LIG) categories of the society.
 Under the PM Awas Yojna scheme, the allotment of homes will be done on the
name of the female head of the household or in the joint name of women and his
husband.

Subsidy/Loan and EMI under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojna

 Government will provide interest Subsidy of 6.5 percent on housing loan availed
for 15 years.
 A central assistance will be provided to the beneficiaries from Rs. 1 lakh to Rs.
2.30 lakh under the different components.
 A central assistance of Rs 1.50 lakh would be provided to each eligible urban
poor beneficiary to enable him build his own house or undertake improvements
to existing houses.
 Under the fourth category of subsidy, 35 percent of dwelling units of
the affordable projects underthe scheme will be earmarked for EWS category.
 Below are the four components of the subsidy/loan under the scheme

Component 1: Central Grant of Rs. 1 Lakh on an average would be provided to every

eligible beneficiary.
Component 2: Interest at the rate of 6.50% will be provided to EWS & LIG via credit
linked subsidy scheme for a home loan for 15 Years.
Component 3: Central Assistance of 1.50 lakh will be provided to each beneficiary for
promoting housingstock for urban poor, provided 35 percent of dwelling units of the
projects proposed are earmarked for EWS category.
Component 4: Central Assistance of Rs. 1.50 lakhs will be provided to eligible urban
poor, who want to build new house or undertake improvements of existing houses.
Under the PM Awas Yojna, differently-abled and older persons of the society will be
given preference in the allotment of ground floors under the PM Awas Yojana Scheme.
The housing units constructed underthe scheme will also witness the use of more eco
friendly, innovative and sustainable housing construction technologies.

Application forms and procedure of PMAY scheme

Since, this is just the beginning, several housing schemes will be launched under the
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PM Awas Yojna by the state governments and application forms will be available at that
time only. However, this page is dedicated to provide information about the application
procedure and application forms for PM Awas Yojna. All the details about
the application forms and procedure will be updated on Master Plans India as soon as
they are available.
44) GENDER CHAMPIONS

 The Ministry of Women and Child Development has

issued Guidelines for engagement of GenderChampions by schools and colleges
across the country.
 Gender Champions are envisaged as responsible leaders who will facilitate an
enabling environment within their schools/colleges/academic institutions where
girls are treated with dignity and respect. Gender Champions can be both boys
and girls above 16 years of age enrolled in educational institutions. They will
strengthen the potential of young girls and boys to advocate forgender equality
and monitor progress towards gender justice.
 The broad mandate of Gender Champions is to provide an integrated and
interdisciplinary approach to understanding the social and cultural constructs
of gender that shape the experiences of women and men in society. The aim is
to make young boys and girls gender sensitive and create positive social norms
that value the girls and their rights.
 Gender Champion Clubs are envisaged in educational institutions. These clubs
can organize focused group discussions, debates, poster competitions, thematic
plays, workshops etc., identifying gaps in school/college’s activities vis-à-
vis gender, and make recommendations on how to address these gaps.
The Gender Champions Club can organize school’s annual function or college
fest on the theme of gender equalityand women's empowerment and encourage
students to sign up and express their support for gender justice and equality.
They can organize exposure visits to various public service institutions at the
village, block, district and city level (public health centers, hospitals, post offices,
banks, police stations, block office, SDM/DM office to facilitate knowledge
about gender issues as they affect diverse populations.
 These Gender Champions shall be identified by a Screening Committee formed
by the Principal/Head of Institution. It is also envisaged that a formal training
programme shall be organized to equip and empower the Gender Champions. At
the end of each quarter, GenderChampions shall submit a report to the nodal
teachers, on the implementation of activities related togender equity.
 On the basis of the quarterly progress reports, Gender Champions will be
assessed according to his/her level of proficiency and accomplishment. These
quarterly reports will be assessed at the end of his/her tenure to measure his/her
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performance. The Gender Champions will be awarded with a certificate of

appreciation from the Head of the Institution for his/her committed efforts towards
promoting gender equality.
 A meeting of Committee of Secretaries was held under the Chairmanship of
Secretary (Coordination) on 21.05.2015 on the issue of how to tackle the menace
of sexual crimes against women. One of the action points that emerged in the
meeting is about Gender Champions, involving Ministry of Women & Child
Development and Ministry of Human Resource Development. Subsequently, the
Ministry has developed the guidelines for Gender Champions.
 A competition has been announced for the design of badges
for Gender Champions through Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao page on MyGov portal.
 The Guidelines for engaging Gender Champions are available on the website of
the Ministry of Women & Child Development www.wcd.nic.in
 The details of the competition for design of badges for Gender Champions are
also available on www.wcd.nic.in
45) REVISED NATIONAL TB CONTROL PROGRAM

In India today, two deaths occur every three minutes from tuberculosis (TB). But
these deaths can be prevented. With proper care and treatment, TB patients can
be cured and the battle against TB can be won
Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease caused by a Bacterium, Mycobacterium
tuberculosis. It is spread through the air by a person suffering from TB. A single patient
can infect 10 or more people in a year.
India has a long and distinguished tradition of research in TB. Studies from the
Tuberculosis Research Centre in Chennai and the National Tuberculosis Institute in
Bangalore provided key knowledge to improve treatment of TB patients all around the
world.
Modern anti-TB treatment can cure virtually all patients. It is, however, very important
that treatment be taken for the prescribed duration, which in every case is a minimum of
6 months. Because treatment is of such a long duration and patients feel better after
just 1-2 months, and because many TB patients face other problems such as poverty
and unemployment, treatment is often interrupted.
Therefore, just providing anti-TB medication is not sufficient to ensure that patients are
cured. The DOTS strategy ensures that infectious TB patients are diagnosed and
treated effectively till cure, by ensuring availability of the full course of drugs and a
system for monitoring patient compliance to the treatment.

Directly Observed Treatment, Short-course (DOTS) Top

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The DOTS strategy along with the other components of the Stop TB strategy,
implemented under the Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme (RNTCP) in
India, is a comprehensive package for TB control.
The DOTS strategy is cost-effective and is today the international standard for TB
control programmes. To date, more than 180 countries are implementing the DOTS
strategy. India has adapted and tested the DOTS strategy in various parts of the country
since 1993, with excellent results, and by March 2006 nationwide DOTS coverage has
been achieved.
DOTS is a systematic strategy which has five components Top
 Political and administrative commitment. TB is the leading infectious cause of
death among adults. TB kills more men than women, yet more women die of TB
than all causes associated with childbirth combined. Since TB can be cured and
the epidemic reversed, it warrants the topmost priority, which it has been
accorded by the Government of India. This priority must be continued and
expanded at the state, district and local levels.
 Good quality diagnosis. Good quality microscopy allows health workers to see
the tuberclebacilli and is essential to identify the infectious patients who need
treatment the most.
 Good quality drugs. An uninterrupted supply of good quality anti-TB
drugs must beavailable. In the RNTCP, a box of medications for the entire
treatment is earmarked for every patient registered, ensuring the availability of
the full course of treatment the moment the patient is initiated on treatment.
Hence in DOTS, the treatment can never interrupt for lack of medicine.
 Supervised treatment to ensure the right treatment, given in the right way.
The RNTCP uses the best anti-TB medications available. But unless treatment is
made convenient for patients, it will fail. This is why the heart of the DOTS
programme is "directly observed treatment" in which a health worker, or another
trained person who is not a family member, watches as the patient swallows the
anti-TB medicines in their presence.
 Systematic monitoring and accountability. The programme is accountable for
the outcome of every patient treated. This is done using standard recording and
reporting system, and the technique of ‘cohort analysis’. The cure rate and other
key indicators are monitored at every level of the health system, and if any area
is not meeting expectations, supervision is intensified. The RNTCP shifts the
responsibility for cure from the patient to the health system.
The new Stop TB Strategy published by WHO in 2006 has DOTS in the core with
additional components to address TB/HIV and MDR-TB, health system strengthening,
involvement of all care providers, engaging people with TB and affected communities,
and enabling/promoting research. RNTCP is already implementing/ plans to implement
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the activities recommended under the new Stop TB Strategy.

DOTS in India Top

Controlling TB in India is a tremendous challenge. The TB burden in India is still
staggering. Every year, 1.8 million persons develop the disease, of which about 800,000
are infectious; and, until recently, 370,000 died of it annually —1,000 every day. The
disease is a major barrier to social and economic development. An estimated 100
million workdays are lost due to illness. Society and the country also incur a huge cost
due to TB—nearly US$ 3 billion in indirect costs and US$ 300 million in direct costs.
The Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme (RNTCP), based on the DOTS
strategy, began as a pilot in 1993 and was launched as a national programme in 1997.
Rapid RNTCP expansion began in late 1998. By the end of 2000, 30%of the country’s
population was covered, and by the end of 2002, 50%of the country’s population was
covered under the RNTCP. By the end of 2003, 778 million population was covered,
and at the end of year 2004 the coverage reached to 997 million. By December 2005,
around 97% (about 1080 million) of the population had been covered, and the entire
country was covered under DOTS by 24th March 2006.
Every day in India, under the RNTCP, more than 15,000 suspects are being examined
for TB, free of charge. The diagnosis of these patients and the follow-up of patients on
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treatment is achieved through the examination of more than 50,000 laboratory

specimens. As a result of these examinations, each day, about 3,500 patients are
started on treatment, stopping the spread of TB in the community. In order to achieve
this, more than 600,000 health care workers have been trained and more than 11,500
designated laboratory Microscopy Centres have been upgraded and supplied
with binocular microscopes since the inception of the RNTCP.
As a result of rapid expansion in diagnostic facilities, the proportion of sputum-
positive cases confirmed in the laboratory are double that of the previous programme
and is on par with international standards. Despite the rapid expansion, overall
performance remains good and in many areas is excellent. Treatment success rates
have tripled from 25%in the earlier programme to 86%in RNTCP

46) SPICE ROUTE

 Kerala Tourism’s efforts to promote heritage and peace by reviving the two
millennia-old Spice Route from the State to the West has received a big boost
with the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) evincing interest
in taking it up as a mega project.
 UNWTO’s Regional Director (Asia and Pacific) Xu Jing lauded the ‘Kerala model’
of tourism development at the three-day international meeting on ‘Silk Road
Tourism,’ organised by the UNWTO in the north western Chinese city of
Dunhuang, that concluded recently.
 Kerala Tourism’s Spice Route initiative is a mega project that the UNWTO could
take up, Mr. Jing said at the meet co-hosted by the China National Tourism
Administration and the Chinese provincial government of Gansu.
 The UNWTO initiative came following a presentation made by Secretary,
Tourism, Suman Billa, on the importance of the route that linked 31 countries in
Asia and Europe with India, particularlyKerala, as the major hub, at the
conference.
 “With the recent archaeological evidence excavated from Muziris, the major port
of entry to India from the West for the ancient spice trade, we have been
presented with a historic opportunity to revive the Spice Route for the modern
world,” he said, referring to his speech before a select gathering of officials from
UNWTO, UNESCO, the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank and
international tourism organisations.
 “By reviving the Spice Route, we will be able to respect a significant heritage
shared among as many as 31 countries along the Spice Route by facilitating
people from around the world to once again travel the route used by traders for
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over 2,000 years,” he said referring to the presentation‘Protecting Heritage and

Promoting Peace through the Spice Route initiative.’
 UNWTO’s Executive Director (member relations and services) Zoltan Somogyi
praised the initiatives of Kerala Tourism to revive the Spice Route. “It is a great
start to reviving a 2,000 year-old-heritage.”
 Both Mr. Jing and Mr. Somogyi had visited Kerala in April this year and had
appreciated the authorities for the continuous efforts of Kerala Tourism in
providing authentic experience to the visitors. “Both the senior officials expressed
their interest in the Spice Tourism initiative and reiterated full support on behalf of
the UNWTO,” Mr. Billa said, adding that the revival of the route would increase
tourist arrivals from across the world.
 Besides re-establishing Kerala’s maritime trade relations with the 31 countries
associated with Spice Route, the project seeks to rekindle interest among the
modern travellers to undertake voyages and excursions.
 It will also result in the revival of cultural, historical and archaeological
exchanges.
 Keywords: Kerala Tourism, Spice Route project, Silk Road Tourism Expo
Dunhuang, United Nations World Tourism Organization, China National Tourism
Administration
47) MAUSAM

 Mausam: Maritime Routes and Cultural Landscapes

Project ‘Mausam’ is a Ministry of Culture project to be implemented by Indira
Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA), New Delhi as the nodal
coordinating agency with support of Archeological Survey of India and National
Museum as associate bodies.
Project Launch
The unique idea of this project to showcase a Transnational Mixed Route
(including Natural and Cultural Heritage) on the World Heritage List has been
well appreciated during the Project Launch by India at the 38th World Heritage
Session at Doha, Qatar on 20th June, 2014. The Director General UNESCO
appreciated India’s initiative in launching this unique project and ambassadors of
several countries including China, UAE, Qatar, Iran, Myanmar, and Vietnam
expressed great interest in this multifaceted cultural project. (ATTACH VIDEO)
About the Project
 Focusing on monsoon patterns, cultural routes and maritime landscapes, Project
‘Mausam’ is examining key processes and phenomena that link different parts of
the Indian Ocean littoral as well as those that connect the coastal centres to their
hinterlands. Broadly, Project ‘Mausam’ aims to understand how the knowledge
and manipulation of the monsoon winds has shaped interactions across the
Indian Ocean and led to the spread of shared knowledge systems, traditions,
technologies and ideas along maritime routes. These exchanges were facilitated
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by different coastal centres and their surrounding environs in their respective

chronological and spatial contexts, and simultaneously had an effect on them.
 The endeavour of Project ‘Mausam’is to position itself at two levels:
 At the macro level, it aims to re-connect and re-establish communications
between countries of the Indian Ocean world, which would lead to an enhanced
understanding of cultural values and concerns;
 At the micro level, the focus is on understanding national cultures in their regional
maritime milieu.
 The Project scope falls under several themes to be explored through various
UNESCO CultureConventions to which the Government of India is a signatory
with the Ministry of Culture and ASI as nodal agency.
Initiatives till date
 Preliminary works on this new project has already been initiated. A monthly
lecture series has been organized at India International Centre (IIC), New Delhi
in collaboration with IGNCA, National Monuments Authority (NMA), New Delhi
and IIC.
 The first international conference, scheduled in February 2015, is being
organized with national and international research partners and collaborators.
The Research Unit at IGNCA is in the process of collating data from all identified
organisations and institutions and a series of national workshops are planned
before the international conference in Feb. 2015

48) MID DAY MEAL SCHEME

The Midday Meal Scheme is a school meal programme of the government of India
designed to improve the nutritional status of school-age children nationwide.[1] The
programme supplies free lunches on working days for children in primary and upper
primary classes in government, government aided, local body, Education Guarantee
Scheme, and alternate innovative education centres, Madarsa and Maqtabs supported
under Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, and National Child Labour Project schools run by the
ministry of labour. Serving 120,000,000 children in over 1,265,000 schools and
Education Guarantee Schemecentres, it is the largest such programme in the world.

Under article 24, paragraph 2c[4] of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, to which
India is a party,[5] India has committed to providing "adequate nutritious foods" for
children. The programme entered the planning stages in 2001 and was implemented in
2004. The programme has undergone many changes and amendments since its
launch.

In the case of micronutrients (vitamin A, iron, and folate) tablets and de-worming
medicines, the student is entitled to receive the amount provided for in the school health
programme of the National Rural HealthMission.
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Finances
The central and state governments share the cost of the Midday Meal Scheme, with the
centre providing 75 percent and the states 25 percent.[20] The central government
provides grains and financing for other food. Costs for facilities, transportation, and
labour is shared by the federal and state governments. The participating states
contribute different amounts of money. While the eleventh five-year plan allocated
INR.38,490,0000,000 for the scheme, the twelfth five-year plan has allocated INR
.90,1550,000,000, a 134 percent rise.[22] The public expenditure for the Mid Day Meal
Programme has gone up from Rs. 73,240,000,000 in 2007–08 to Rs. 132,150,000,000
in 2013–14.[23] The per day cooking cost per child at the primary level has been fixed
to ₹3.59 while at the upper primary level is ₹5.38.[24]

Implementation models
Decentralized model
This is the most widespread practice. In the decentralized model, meals are cooked on-
site by local cooks and helpers or self-help groups. This system has the advantage of
being able to serve local cuisine, providing jobs in the area, and minimising waste. It
also allows for better monitoring (e.g., by parents andteachers).

In the absence of adequate infrastructure (such as kitchen sheds, utensils etc.), it can
lead to accidents and maintaining hygiene can be difficult.[25] In 2004, 87 children died
when the thatched roof of a classroom was ignited by sparks from a cooking fire,.[26] In
2011, a child died after succumbing to burn injuries she sustained after accidentally
falling into a cooking vessel.

Centralised model
In the centralized model, an external organization cooks and delivers the meal to
schools, mostly through public-private partnerships. Centralized kitchens are seen more
in urban areas, where density of schools is high so that transporting food is a financially
viable option. Advantages of centralized kitchens include ensuring better hygienic as
large scale cooking is done through largely automated processes. Various NGOs such
as the Akshaya Patra Foundation, Ekta Shakti Foundation, Naandi Foundation, and Jay
Gee Humanitarian Society provide mid-day meals.

A study of centralized kitchens in Delhi in 2007 found that even with centralized
kitchens, the quality of food needed to be improved. [28] The study also found that
when the food arrives and is of inadequate quality, even teachers feel helpless and do
not know whom to complain to.

The Ministry of Human Resource Development reported that 95% of tested meal
samples prepared by NGOs in Delhi did not meet nutritional standards in 2010–12. In
response, the ministry withheld 50% of the payment for the deficient meals.[29]

Evaluation of the scheme

The MDM scheme has many potential benefits: attracting children from disadvantaged
sections (especially girls, Dalits and Adivasis) to school, improving regularity, nutritional
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benefits, socialization benefits and benefits to women are some that have been
highlighted.

Studies by economists show that some of these benefits have indeed been realized.
The positive effect onenrollment of disadvantaged children (Dreze and Kingdon), on
attendance (by Chakraborty, Jayaraman, Pande on learning effort (by Booruah, Afridi
and Somanathan), on improving nutritional inputs (Afridi), on improving nutritional
outcomes (by Singh, Dercon and Parker), and so on.

Caste based discrimination continues to occur in the serving of food, though the
government seems unwilling to acknowledge this.[36] Sukhdeo Thorat and Joel Lee
found in their 2005 study that caste discrimination was occurring in conjunction with the
Mid Day Meals programme.

Media reports also document the positive effect of the programme for women,
especially working women[38] and its popularity among parents, children
and teachers alike. Media reports have also highlighted several implementation issues,
including irregularity, corruption, hygiene, caste discrimination, etc. A few such incidents
are listed below:

- In December 2005, Delhi police seized eight trucks laden with 2,760 sacks of rice
meant for primary school children. The rice was being transported from Food
Corporation of India godowns Bulandshahrdistrict to North Delhi. The police stopped the
trucks and investigators later discovered that the rice was being stolen by an NGO.[39]

- In November 2006, the residents of Pembong village (30 km from Darjeeling) accused
a group ofteachers of embezzling midday meals. In a written complaint, the residents
claimed that students at the primary school had not received their midday meal for the
past year and a half.

- In December 2006, The Times of India reported that school staff were inflating
attendance in order to obtain food grains.

- Twenty-three children died in Dharma Sati village in Saran District on 16 July 2013
after eating pesticide-contaminated mid day meals. On 31 July 2013, 55 students at a
government middle school fell ill at Kalyuga village in Jamui district after their midday
meal provided by an NGO. On the same day, 95 students at Chamandi primary school
in Arwal district were ill after their meal.

Criticism
Despite the success of the program, child hunger as a problem persists in India.
According to current statistics, 42.5% of the children under 5 are underweight. Some
simple health measures such as using iodized salt and getting vaccinations are
uncommon in India. "India is home to the world's largest food insecure population, with
more than 500 million people who are hungry", India State Hunger Index (ISHI) said.
Many children don't get enough to eat, which has far-reaching implications for the
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performance of the country as a whole. "Its rates of child malnutrition is higher than
most countries in Sub-Saharan Africa," it noted.[44] The 2009 Global Hunger Index
ranked India at 65 out of 84 countries. More than 200 million went hungry in India that
year, more than any other country in the world. The report states that "improving child
nutrition is of utmost urgency in most Indian states".

49) Integrated Child Protection Scheme (ICPS)

The Integrated Child Protection Scheme (ICPS) is a governmental program

implemented by the Government Of India to help secure the safety of children, with a
special emphasis on children in need of care and protection, juveniles in conflict or
contact with the law and other vulnerable children. Its primary purpose is to create a
central structure to provide oversight and standardization for pre-existing and evolving
child protection schemes in India. Proposed in 2006 and implemented in 2009, the ICPS
is administered at the state level by state child protection committees and societies and
at the district levelby district child protection societies, among other institutions.

50) Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS)

 an Indian government welfare programme which provides food, preschool

education, and primary healthcare to children under 6 years of age and their
mothers. These services are provided from Anganwadi centres established
mainly in rural areas and staffed with frontline workers.[1] In addition to fighting
malnutrition and ill health, the programme is also intended to combat gender
inequality by providing girls the same resources as boys.

A 2005 study found that the ICDS programme was not particularly effective in reducing
malnutrition, largely because of implementation problems and because the poorest
states had received the least coverage and funding. During the 2012–13 fiscal year, the
Indian central government spent INR 159 billion (roughly USD 2.9 billion) on the
programme. The widespread network of ICDS has an important role in combating
malnutrition especially for children of weaker groups.

Objectives
The predefined objectives of ICDS are:

 To raise the health and nutritional level of poor Indian children below 6 years of
age.
 To create a base for proper mental, physical and social development of
children in India.
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 To reduce instances of mortality, malnutrition and school dropouts among Indian

children.
 To coordinate activities of policy formulation and implementation among all
departments of various ministries involved in the different government
programmes and schemes aimed at child development across India.
 To provide health and nutritional information and education to mothers of young
children to enhance child rearing capabilities of mothers in the country of India.
 To provide nutritional food to the mothers of young children & also at the time of
pregnancy period.
 Scope of Services
The following services are sponsored under ICDS to help achieve its objectives:

 Immunization
 Supplementary nutrition
 Health checkup
 Referral services
 Pre-school non formal education
 Nutrition and Health information
 Implementation
 For nutritional purposes ICDS provides 300 kilocalories (with 8-10 grams of
protein) every day to every child below 6 years of age.[10] For adolescent girls it
is up to 500 kilo calories with up to 25 grams of protein everyday.

The services of Immunisation, Health Check-up and Referral Services delivered through
Public Health Infrastructure under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.[6] UNICEF
has provided essential supplies for the ICDS scheme since 1975.[9] World Bank has
also assisted with the financial and technical support for the programme.[8] The cost of
ICDS programme averages $10–$22 per child a year.[8] The scheme is Centrally
sponsored with the state governments contributing up to ₹1.00 (1.5¢ US) per day per
child.

Furthermore, in 2008, the GOI adopted the World Health Organization standards for
measuring and monitoring the child growth and development, both for the ICDS and the
National Rural Health Mission (NRHM).[6] These standards were developed by WHO
through an intensive study of six developing countries since 1997.[6] They are known as
New WHO Child Growth Standard and measure of physical growth, nutritional status
and motor development of children from birth to 5 years age.
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Impact
By end of 2010, the programme is claiming to reach 80.6 lakh expectant and lactating
mothers along with 3.93 crore children (under 6 years of age).[9] There are 6,719
operational projects with 1,241,749 operational Aanganwadi centres.[6] Several positive
benefits of the programme have been documented and reported

A study in states of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka demonstrated

significant improvement in the mental and social development of all children irrespective
of their gender.
A 1992 study of National Institute of Public Cooperation and Child
Development confirmed improvements in birth-weight and infant mortality of Indian
children along with improved immunization and nutrition.
However, World Bank has also highlighted certain key shortcomings of the programme
including inability to target the girl child improvements, participation of wealthier children
more than the poorer children and lowest level of funding for the poorest and the most
undernourished states of India.

51) KISAN VIKAS PATRA

 Kisan Vikas Patra is a saving certificate scheme which was first launched in 1988
by India Post. It was successful in the early months but afterwards the
Government of India set up a committee under supervision of Shayamla
Gopinath which gave its recommendation to the Government that KVP could be
misused. Hence the Government of India decided to close this scheme and KVP
was closed in 2011. However the new Government formed in 2014 decided to
relaunch this scheme following which the scheme was relaunched in 2014.
Kisan Vikas Patra can be purchased by:

 An adult in his own name, or on behalf of a minor

 A Trust
 Two adults jointly
 KVP certificates are available in the denominations of Rs 1000, Rs 5000, Rs
10000 and Rs 50000. The minimum amount that can be invested is Rs 1000.
However, there is no upper limit on the purchase of KVPs
Tax Benefits
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 Kisan Vikas Patra does not offer any income tax benefits to the investor.
However, withdrawals areexempted from Tax Deduction at Source (TDS) upon
maturity.

Interest Income

 The amount invested in Kisan Vikas Patra would get doubled in 100 months or
eight years and four months. This means KVPs would be giving a return of 8.7
per cent annually.

Withdrawal

 The amount of KVP can be withdrawn after 100 months (8 years and four
months).The maturity period of a KVP is 2 years 6 months(30 months).
Premature encashment of the KVP certificate is not permissible. The certificates
can only be encashed in event of the death of the holder or forfeiture by a pledge
or on the order of the courts.
52) KISAN TV

 The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, today called for increasing food-grain
productivity from 2 tons per hectare to 3 tons per hectare. Addressing a gathering
of farmers at New Delhi's Vigyan Bhawan on the occasion of the launch of DD
Kisan, Doordarshan's channel dedicated exclusively to farmers, the Prime
Minister also called for making the "Tehsil" the unit of agricultural planning and
development.
 The Prime Minister said that if the country has to move forward, villages must
progress, and if villages are to progress, then it is essential for agriculture to
progress. He said there was a time when agriculture was the most preferred of
professions, but over a period of time, its attractiveness had declined to rock
bottom. He added that with the right incentives and actions, this trend could be
completely reversed.
 The Prime Minister said the DD Kisan channel should keep an eye and inform
farmers about the changes in weather, global markets etc., so that farmers can
plan ahead and take the right decisions well in time.
 The Prime Minister called for re-engaging rural youth with agriculture in a big
way. He said DD Kisan channel can also highlight the efforts of progressive
farmers, so that their innovations can be replicated across the country.
 The Prime Minister called for farmers to adopt a three-pronged approach to
agriculture, which balanced farming, animal husbandry and tree plantation.
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 Speaking on the occasion of the launch of DD Kisan channel, the Minister for
Agriculture, Shri Radhamohan Singh said that it is a golden moment for the
farmers as the channel will help in taking new research technologies from “Lab to
the Land”. Kisan Channel would facilitate the farmers in providing information
regarding the policy initiatives undertaken in the Agriculture sector.
 Speaking on the occasion Minister of State for I&B, Col. Rajyavardhan Rathore
said that it was Prime Minister’s vision which had inspired the launch of the Kisan
channel. The platform would enable the benefits of technology accruing to the
farmers. He further mentioned that this channel would inform, educate and
update the farmers with the latest developments in the area of farming on a 24x7
basis. Shri Rathore said that it was the first such initiative of a Public Broadcaster
to start a 24 hour channel exclusively dedicated to the farmers.
 Prasar Bharti Chairman, Dr. Surya Prakash in his closing remarks stated that the
non-Hindi speaking farming community would also be benefitted by the launch of
Kisan channel as the various programmes would also be available in other
regional languages.
 The 24x7 Kisan Channel will telecast updated information on agriculture and
related subject for the benefit of its target audience including cattle rearers, bee
keepers, poultry owners, mechanics andcraftsmen. This would include
information broadcast on the changing weather condition well in advance, and
the low cost measures to protect crops / enhance produce during such
conditions. Advice of IMD Scientists and Agricultural Scientists would be
broadcast periodically for the farmers so that they may know about the crop
diseases, ways to protect crops from various diseases and on how to increase
the crop yield. The Channel will give information on newer ways of agricultural
practices being followed world over and the R&D in the agri sector across the
world. The Channel has tie up with IMD, IARI, Agricultural Universities, Krish
Vigyan Kendras etc.

53)Shyama Prasad Mukherji Rurban Mission (SPMRM)

 In an ambitious bid to transform rural areas to economically, socially and

physically sustainable spaces, the Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Shri
Narendra Modi today approved the Shyama Prasad Mukherji Rurban Mission
(SPMRM) with an outlay of Rs. 5142.08 crores.
 The Mission aims at development of rural growth clusters which have latent
potential for growth, in all States and UTs, which would trigger overall
development in the region. These clusters would be developed by provisioning of
economic activities, developing skills & local entrepreneurship and providing
infrastructure amenities. The Rurban Mission will thus develop a cluster of Smart
Villages.
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 These clusters would be well delineated areas with planned layouts prepared
following the planning norms (as laid down in the State Town and Country
Planning Acts/similar Central or State statutes as may be applicable), which
would be duly notified by the State/UTs. These plans would be finally integrated
with the District Plans/Master Plans as the case may be.
 The State Governments would identify the clusters in accordance with the
Framework for Implementation prepared by the Ministry of Rural Development.
The clusters will be geographically contiguous Gram Panchayats with a
population of about 25000 to 50000 in plain and coastal areas and a population
of 5000 to 15000 in desert, hilly or tribal areas. There would be a separate
approach for selection of clusters in Tribal and Non-Tribal Districts. As far as
practicable, clusters of village would follow administrative convergence units of
Gram Panchayats.
 For the selection of clusters, the Ministry of Rural Development is adopting a
scientific process of cluster selection which involves an objective analysis at the
District, Sub District and Village level, of the demography, economy, tourism and
pilgrimage significance and transportation corridor impact. While the Ministry,
following this analysis, would provide a suggestive list of sub districts to the
State, the State Governments would then select the clusters following a set of
indicated principles included in the Framework for Implementation.
 The mission aims to create 300 such Rurban growth clusters over the next 3
years, across the country. The funding for Rurban Clusters will be through
various schemes of the Government converged into the cluster. The SPMRM will
provide an additional funding support of upto 30 percent of the project cost per
cluster as Critical Gap Funding (CGF) as Central Share to enable development
of such Rurban clusters.
 To ensure an optimum level of development, fourteen components have been
suggested as desirable for the cluster, which would include; Skill development
training linked to economic activities, Agro Processing/Agri Services/Storage and
Warehousing, Digital Literacy, Sanitation, Provision of piped water supply, Solid
and liquid waste management, Village streets and drains, Street lights, Fully
equipped mobile health unit, Upgrading school /higher education facilities, Inter-
village road connectivity, Citizen Service Centres- for electronic delivery of
citizen centric services/e-gram connectivity, Public transport., LPG gas
connections.
 The States would prepare Integrated Cluster Action Plans for Rurban Clusters,
which would be comprehensive plan documents detailing out the strategy for the
cluster, desired outcomes for the cluster under the mission, along with the
resources to be converged under various Central Sector, Centrally Sponsored
and State Sector schemes, and the Critical Gap Funding (CGF) required for the
cluster.
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 In addition to the Critical Gap Funding, proactive steps have been taken to
ensure the success of the mission with adequate budget provisions for
supporting the State Government towards project development, capacity building
and other institutional arrangements at the state level.
 The Mission envisages institutional arrangements both at the State and Center to
ensure smooth implementation of the Mission. The Mission also has an
Innovation budget towards facilitating research, development and capacity
building.
 The scheme through development of rurban growth clusters aimed at catalyzing
overall regional growth, would thus simultaneously benefit the rural as well as
urban areas of the country, by achieving twin objectives of strengthening rural
areas and de burdening the urban areas hence leading to balanced regional
development and growth of the country

54)Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao

 Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao (Hindi: बेटी बचाओ, बेटी पढ़ाओ, Save girl child,
educate girl child) is a Government of India scheme that aims to generate
awareness and improving the efficiency of welfare services meant for women.
The scheme was initiated with an initial corpus of ₹100 crore (US$15 million).

 According to census data, the child sex Ratio (0-6 years) in India was 927 girls
per 1,000 boys in 2001, which dropped drastically to 918 girls for every 1,000
boys in 2011. A 2012 UNICEF report has ranked India 41st among 195
countries. The Government also proposed ₹150 crore (US$23 million) to be
spent by Ministry of Home Affairs on a scheme to increase the safety of women
in large cities.[citation needed]

 Speaking on the occasion of International Day of the Girl Child, Prime Minister
Modi, called for the eradication of female foeticide and invited suggestions from
the citizens of India on "Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao" on the MyGov.in portal.

 Prime Minister Modi launched the programme on 22 January 2015 from Panipat,
Haryana.
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 The hashtag #SelfieWithDaughter was promoted on social media in June 2015,

which started when the sarpanch of the village Bibipur in Haryana took a selfie
with his daughter and posted on Facebook on 19 June 2015.[6]
The hashtag garnered worldwide fame.
55)e-Pramaan

 e-Pramaan is a National e-Authentication service offered by DeitY.

 e-Pramaan provides a simple, convenient and secure way for the users to
access government services via internet/mobile as well as for the government to
assess the authenticity of the users. e-Pramaan builds up confidence and trust
in online transactions and encourages the use of the e-services as a channel for
service delivery.
 Major Components of e-Pramaan includes:
 Identity Management (including Credential Registration)
 e-Authentication (including Step-up Authentication)
 Single Sign-on
 Aadhaar based credential verification
 e-Pramaan offers authentication as a service by verifying the credentials of a
person who is wishing to access any e-Governance service.

What is e-Authentication?

 Electronic Authentication (or e-Authentication) is the process of

electronic verification of the identity of a user. e-Authentication provides a simple,
convenient and secure way for the users to access government services via
internet/mobile as well as for the government to assess the authenticity of the
users. e- Authentication helps to build up confidence and trust in online
transactions and encourages the use of the electronic environment as a channel
for service delivery.

Why e-Pramaan?

 e-Pramaan provides guidelines that will help in the selection and implementation
of the appropriate e-authentication approaches. Having a standardised e-
Authentication framework has the following benefits:
 Transparency- E-authentication decisions will be made in an open and
transparent manner
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 Cost-effectiveness Government departments and agencies will not have to

implement cumbersome and expensive e- authentication processes for simple or
low-risk transactions
 Risk management: The selection of e-authentication mechanisms will be guided
by the likelihood and impact of identified risks
 Consistency: Government departments and agencies will apply a consistent
approach to selecting the appropriate e-authentication mechanism
 Trust: The mechanisms used will support online and mobile based services and
enhance security, safety, and trust in such transactions
 Improved privacy: Personally identifiable information will be collected only where
necessary as per the sensitivity level of the application or service
 Efficiency: The time to deploy an e-Authentication capability for any
government application will be greatly reduced

 The framework provides various levels of authentication based on the sensitivity

requirement of an e-Governance service.
 Level 0: No Authentication required for publicly available information.
 Level 1: User Id and Password based authentication. This is meant for basic
public services with low sensitivity service.
 Level 2: Two factor authentication (User Id and Password AND OTP). Meant for
personally identifiable information and services with moderate levels of security.
 Level 3: User Id and password PLUS Digital Certificate (soft/hard). Meant for
services which requires high security and any or all of PAIN properties.
 Level 4: User Id and password PLUS Biometric based authentication. Meant for
services requiring the highest levels of security.
 The level 4 of Authentication in e-Pramaan supports UIDAI biometric
authentication in whichAadhaar holders can get authenticated by giving their
fingerprint which will be verified in the background
through Aadhaar Authentication Server.The services of e-Pramaan will be
provided through NSDG, SSDG. Central government department or state
government department services registered with various service delivery
gateways will call e-Pramaan services for authentication before the actual service
is invoked.
56)SOIL HEALTH CARD SCHEME
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 Farming as an activity contributes nearly 1/6th of our Gross Domestic Product

and a majority of our population is dependent on it for their livelihood.
Deteriorating soil health has been a cause of concern and that has been leading
to sub optimal utilization of farming resources. Imbalanced use of fertilisers, low
addition of organic matter and non-replacement of depleted micro and secondary
nutrients over the years, has resulted in nutrient deficiencies and decrease in soil
fertility in some parts of the country
 Soil health needs to be assessed at regular intervals so as to ensure that farmers
apply the required nutrients while taking advantages of the nutrients already
present in the soil.
 Government has launched a scheme to provide every farmer a Soil
Health Card in a Mission mode. The card will carry crop
wise recommendations of nutrients/fertilizers required for farms, making it
possible for farmers to improve productivity by using appropriate inputs.
 Central Government provides assistance to State Governments for setting up
Soil Testing Laboratories for issuing Soil Health Cards to farmers. State
Governments have adopted innovative practices like involvement of agricultural
students, NGOs and private sector in soil testing, determining average soil health
of villages, etc., to issue Soil Health Cards.
 A Soil Health Card is used to assess the current status of soil health and, when
used over time, to determine changes in soil health that are affected by land
management. A Soil Health Card displays soil health indicators and associated
descriptive terms. The indicators are typically based on farmers' practical
experience and knowledge of local natural resources. The card lists soil health
indicators that can be assessed without the aid of technical or laboratory
equipment.
 Though quite a few states including Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, and
Haryana are successfully distributing such cards, Centre plans to make it a pan
India effort. According to the data, up to March 2012 over 48 crore soil health
cards have been issued to farmers to make them aware about nutrient
deficiencies in their fields. Tamil Nadu has started issuing soil health cards from
the year 2006 onwards. There are 30 Soil Testing Laboratories (STLs) and
18 Mobile Soil Testing Laboratories functioning in the State. The Laboratory at
Kudumianmalai, Pudukottai District has been declared as central laboratory and
it monitors quality of analysis in all laboratories.
 Tamil Nadu Agricultural University has developed software – DESSIFER which is
used by the STLs for online issue of soil heath cards and also in formulating
fertilizer use recommendations
57)SOVEREIGN GOLD BOND SCHEME
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The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, today gave its
approval for introduction of the Sovereign Gold Bonds Scheme, as announced in the
Union Budget 2015-16.

The scheme will help in reducing the demand for physical gold by shifting a part of the
estimated 300 tons of physical bars and coins purchased every year for Investment into
gold bonds. Since most of the demand for gold in India is met through imports, this
scheme will, ultimately help in maintaining the country's Current Account Deficit within
sustainable limits.

The issuance of the Sovereign Gold Bonds will be within the government's market
borrowing programme for 2015-16 and onwards. The actual amount of issuance will be
determined by RBI, in consultation with the Ministry of Finance. The risk of gold price
changes will be borne by the Gold Reserve Fund that is being created. The benefit to
the Government is in terms of reduction in the cost of borrowing, which will be
transferred to the Gold Reserve Fund.

The salient features of the scheme are:-

i. Sovereign Gold Bonds will be issued on payment of rupees and denominated in

grams of gold.

ii. Bonds will be issued on behalf of the Government of India by the RBI. Thus, the
Bonds will have a sovereign guarantee.

iii. The issuing agency will need to pay distribution costs and a sales commission to the
intermediate channels, to be reimbursed by Government.

iv. The bond would be restricted for sale to resident Indian entities. The cap on bonds
that may be bought by an entity would be at a suitable level, not more than 500 grams
per person per year.

v. The Government will issue bonds with a rate of interest to be decided by the
Government. The rate of interest will take into account the domestic and international
market conditions and may vary from one tranche to another. This rate of interest will
be calculated on the value of the gold at the time of investment. The rate could be a
floating or a fixed rate, as decided.

vi. The bonds will be available both in demat and paper form.

vii. The bonds will be issued in denominations of 5,10,50,100 grams of gold or other
denominations.

viii. The price of gold may be taken from the reference rate, as decided, and the Rupee
equivalent amount may be converted at the RBI Reference rate on issue and
redemption. This rate will be used for issuance, redemption and LTV purpose and
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disbursement of loans.

ix. Banks/NBFCs/Post Offices/ National Saving Certificate (NSC) agents and others, as
specified, may collect money / redeem bonds on behalf of the government (for a fee, the
amount would be as decided).

x. The tenor of the bond could be for a minimum of 5 to 7 years, so that it would protect
investors frommedium term volatility in gold prices. Since the bond, will be a part of the
sovereign borrowing, these would need to be within the fiscal deficit target for 2015-16
and onwards.

xi. Bonds can be used as collateral for loans. The Loan to Value ratio is to be set equal
to ordinary gold loan mandated by the RBI from time to time.

xii. Bonds to be easily sold and traded on exchanges to allow early exits for investors
who may so desire.

xiii. KYC norms will be the same as that for gold.

xiv. Capital gains tax treatment will be the same as for physical gold for an 'individual'
investor. The Department of Revenue has agreed that amendments to the existing
provisions of the Income Tax Act, for providing 'indexation benefits to long term capital
gains arising on transfer of bond'; and for 'exemption for capital gains arising on
redemption of SGB' will be considered in the next budget (Budget 2016-17).This will
ensure that an investor is indifferent in terms of investing in these bonds and in physical
gold- as far as tax treatment is concerned.

xv. The amount received from the bonds will be used by Gol in lieu of government
borrowing and the notional interest saved on this amount would be credited in an
account "Gold Reserve Fund" which will be created. Savings in the costs of borrowing
compared with the existing rate on government borrowings, will be deposited in the
Gold Reserve Fund to take care of the risk of increase in gold price that will be borne by
the government. Further, the Gold Reserve Fund will be continuously monitored for
sustainability.

xvi. On maturity, the redemption will be in rupee amount only. The rate of interest on the
bonds will becalculated on the value of the gold at the time of investment. The principal
amount of investment, which is denominated in grams of gold, will be redeemed at the
price of gold at that time. If the price of gold has fallen from the time that the investment
was made, or for any other reason, the depositor will be given an option to roll over the
bond for three or more years.

xvii. The deposit will not be hedged and all risks associated with gold price and currency
will be borne by Gol through the Gold Reserve Fund. The position may be reviewed in
case 'Gold Reserve Fund' becomes unsustainable.
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xviii. Upside gains and downside risks will be with the investor and the investors will
need to be aware of the volatility in gold prices.

58)GOLD MONETISATION SCHEME

The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, today gave its
approval for introduction of Gold Monetization Schemes (GMS), as announced in the
Union Budget 2015-16.

The objective of introducing the modifications in the schemes is to make the existing
schemes more effective and to broaden the ambit of the existing schemes from merely
mobilizing gold held by households and institutions in the country to putting this gold
into productive use. The long-term objective which is sought through this arrangement is
to reduce the country's reliance on the import of gold to meet domestic demand.

GMS would benefit the Indian gems and jewellery sector which is a major contributor to
India's exports. In fiscal year 2014-15, gems and jewellery constituted 12 per cent of
India's total exports and the value of gold items alone was more than $13 billion
(provisional figures).

The mobilized gold will also supplement RBI’s gold reserves and will help in reducing
the government's borrowing cost.

The revamped Gold Deposit Scheme (GDS) and the Gold Metal Loan (GML) Scheme
involves changes in the scheme guidelines only. The risk of gold price changes will be
borne by the Gold Reserve Fund that is being created. The benefit to the Government is
in terms of reduction in the cost of borrowing, which will be transferred to the Gold
Reserve Fund.

The scheme will help in mobilizing the large amount of gold lying as an idle asset with
households, trusts and various institutions in India and will provide a fillip to the gems
and jewellery sector. Over the course of time this is also expected to reduce the
country's dependence on the import of gold. The new scheme consists of the revamped
GDS and a revamped GML Scheme.

Revamped Gold Deposit Scheme

Collection, Purity Verification and Deposit of Gold under the revamped GDS:

Out of the 331 Assaying and Hallmarking Centres spread across various parts of the
country, those which will meet criteria as specified by Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS)
will be allowed to act as Collection and Purity Testing 1 Centres for purity of gold for the
purpose of this scheme. The minimum quantity of gold that a customer can bring is
proposed to be set at 30 grains. Gold can be in any form (bullion or jewellery). The
number of these centres is expected to increase with time.
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Gold Savings Account:

In the revamped scheme, a Gold Savings Account will be opened by customers at any
time, with KYC norms, as applicable. This account would be denominated in grams of
gold.

Transfer of Gold to Refiners:

Collection and purity testing centres will send the gold to the refiners. The refiners will
keep the gold in their ware-houses, unless banks prefer to hold it themselves. For the
services provided by the refiners, they will be paid a fee by the banks, as decided by
them, mutually. The customer will not be charged.

The banks will enter into a tripartite Legal Agreement with refiners and Collection and
Purity Testing Centres that are selected by them to be their partners in the scheme.

Tenure:
The deposits under the revamped scheme can be made for a short-term period of 1-3
years (with a rollout in multiples of one year); a medium-term period of 5-7 years and a
long-term period, of 12-15 years (as decided from time to time). Like a fixed deposit,
breaking of lock-in period will be allowed in either of the options and there would be
a penalty on premature redemption (including part withdrawal).

Interest rate:
The amount of interest rate payable for deposits made for the short-term period would
be decided by banks on basis of prevailing international lease rates, other costs, market
conditions etc. and will be denominated in grams of gold. For the medium and long-term
deposits, the rate of interest (and fees to be paid to the bank for their services) will be
decided by the government, in consultation with the RBI from time to time. The interest
rate for the medium and long-term deposits will be denominated and payable in rupees,
based on the value of gold deposited.

Redemption:
For short-term deposits, the customer will have the option of redemption, for the
principal deposit and interest earned, either in cash (in equivalent rupees of the weight
of deposited gold at the prices prevailing at the time of redemption) or in gold (of the
same weight of gold as deposited), which will have to be exercised at the time of
making the deposit. In case the customer will like to change the option, it will be allowed
at the bank's discretion. Redemption of fractional quantity (for which a standard gold
bar/coin is not available) would be paid in cash. For medium and long-term deposits,
redemption will be only in cash, in equivalent rupees of the weight of the deposited gold
at the prices prevailing at the time of redemption. The interest earned will however be
based on the value of gold at the deposit on the interest rate as decided.

Utilization:
The deposited gold will be utilized in the following ways:
· Under medium and long-term deposit
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• Auctioning
• Replenishment of RBIs Gold Reserves
• Coins
• Lending to jewelers
· Under short-term deposit
• Coins
• Lending to jewelers
· Tax Exemption: Tax exemptions, same as those available under GDS would be
made available to customers, in the revamped GDS, as applicable.
· Gold Reserve Fund: The difference between the current borrowing cost for the
Government and the interest rate paid by the Government under the medium/long term
deposit will be credited to the Gold Reserve Fund.

· Revamped Gold Metal Loan Scheme

· Gold Metal Loan Account: A Gold Metal Loan Account, denominated in grams of gold,
will be opened by the bank for jewelers. The gold mobilized through the revamped GDS,
under the short-term option, will be provided to jewelers on loan, on the basis of the
terms and conditions set-out by banks, under the guidance of RBI.

· Delivery of gold to jewelers: When a gold loan is sanctioned, the jewelers will receive
physical delivery of gold from refiners. The banks will, in turn, make the requisite entry
in the jewelers’ Gold Loan Account. Interest received by banks: The interest rate
charged on the GML will be decided by banks, with guidance from the RBI.

Tenor: The tenor of the GML at present is 180 days. Given that the minimum lock-in
period for gold deposits will be one year, based on experience gained, this tenor of GML
may be re-examined in future and appropriate modifications made, if required.

xix. In order to ensure wide availability, the bond will be marketed through post
offices/banks/NBFCs and by various brokers/agents (including NSC agents) who will be
paid a commission.

59)Means cum Merit Scholarship

 The Centrally Sponsored Scheme “National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship

Scheme (NMMSS)” was launched in May, 2008. The objective of the scheme is
to award scholarships to meritorious students of economically weaker sections to
arrest their drop out at class VIII and encourage them to continue the study at
secondary stage. Scholarship of Rs.6000/- per annum (Rs.500/- per month) per
student is awarded to selected students every year for study in classes from IX to
XII in Government, Government aided and local body schools. There is quota
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of scholarships for different states/UTs. Students whose parental income from all
sources is not more than Rs. 1,50,000/- areeligible to avail the scholarships.
 There is reservation as per State Government norms. The selection of students
for the scholarshipswas being made though an examination conducted by the
State Governments/UT administration alongwith the National Talent
Search Examination (NTSE) first Stage-I examination. For academic year 2013-
14 onward, separte examination for selection of students for
NMMS Scholarships is being conducted by the State
Governments. Scholarships are disbursed by the State Bank of Indiadirectly into
the accounts of students on quarterly basis.

http://mhrd.gov.in/sites/upload_files/mhrd/files/upload_document/Scheme_NMMS.pdf

60)REVISED RESTRUCTURED TECHNOLOGY UPGRADATION FUND SCHEME

(RR-TUFS)

Extension of TUFS Scheme

 The Indian Textiles Industry has an overwhelming presence in the Indian

economy with a contribution of nearly 14% of India’s Industrial production. Apart
from providing one of the basic necessities of life, the textile industry also plays a
pivotal role through its contribution to industrial output, employment generation
and export earnings of the country. It is said that Rs.1 lakh of investment in
machinery in the textile industry generates employment for seven persons in
India. Therefore, to strengthen the textile industry in India and create globally
competitive textile players, the TUFS Scheme was introduced by the
Government wherein subsidy was provided for capital investment in the textile
industry. In this article, we look at TUFS Scheme and the extension of TUFS
Scheme in the 12th plan period.

TUFS Scheme

 The Technology Upgradation Fund Scheme (TUFS) was introduced in 1999 to

attract investments for modernization of the Indian Textile Industry. The scheme
initially provided for 5% interest reimbursement. The scheme was initially
approved from April, 1999 to March 31st, 2004. Subsequently, the scheme was
extended in 2004 and again in 2007 with modifications and further restructured
upto 31/03/2013.

 Now the TUFS Scheme has been extended until 31.3.2017 under the 12th plan
period. The newly extended TUFS Scheme is officially named as
the Revised Restructured – TUFS Scheme.
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TUFS Scheme Eligibility Criteria

 TUFS Scheme benefit is available for benchmarked machinery in the following

activities:

 Cotton ginning and pressing;

 Silk reeling and twisting;
 Wool scouring, combing and carpet industry;
 Synthetic filament yarn texturising, crimping and twisting;
 Spinning;
 Viscose Staple Fibre (VSF) and Viscose Filament Yarn (VFY);
 Weaving, knitting and fabric embroidery;
 Technical textiles including non-wovens;
 Garment / design studio / made-up manufacturing;
 Processing of fibres, yarns, fabrics, garments and made-ups;
 Production activities of Jute Industry.
 Technology Upgradation means induction of state-of-the-art or near-state-of-
theart technology. Therefore, to be eligible for the TUFS scheme, at least a
significant step up from the present technology level to a substantially higher one
for such trailing segments would be essential.

 Existing textile businesses with or without expansion and new units by existing
textile players areeligible for the TUFS Scheme. Further, Entrepreneurs, setting
up new units with the appropriate latest technology (eligible technology)
are eligible to receive the TUFS subsidy.

TUFS Scheme 2015 – Pattern of Assistance

Under the TUFS Scheme revised in 2015 under the 12th plan period, the following
types of financial assistance is provided:

 Stand alone spinning units – 2% Interest Reimbursement (IR) for new stand
alone / replacement /modernization of spinning machinery;
 For units having spinning capacity with forward integration having matching
capacity in weaving/ knitting/processing/garmenting – 5% Interest
Reimbursement;
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 Weaving – (i) 6% Interest Reimbursement and 15% capital subsidy on brand new
shuttleless looms or 30% Margin Money Subsidy (MMS) on brand new
shuttleless looms for powerloom sector;
 2% Interest Reimbursement or 8% Margin Money Subsidy on second hand
imported shuttleless looms with 10 years vintage and with a residual life of
minimum 10 years;
 For 30% Margin Money Subsidy – capital ceiling caps of RS. 5 crore and subsidy
cap of Rs.1.5 crore would be adhered to for encouraging adequate investments
by the SSI or MSME sector;
 Processing – 5% Interest Reimbursement and 10% capital subsidy for specified
processing machinery. Common Effluent Treatment Plant or Effluent Treatment
Plant will not be considered for support under TUFS.
 Garmenting – 5% Interest Reimbursement and 10% capital subsidy on specified
machinery for garmenting units.
 Technical Textiles (including non-wovens) – 5% Interest Reimbursement and
10% capital subsidy on specified machinery required in manufacture on technical
textiles.
 Handloom and silk sector – 5% Interest Reimbursement or 30% capital subsidy
on benchmarked machinery.
 MSMEs including jute sector – 5% Interest Reimbursement or 15% Margin
Money Subsidy– subsidy ceiling to be Rs. 75 lakh.
 Other segments – 5% Interest Reimbursement
 Cotton ginning and pressing;
 Wool scouring; combing and carpet industry;
 Synthetic filament yarn texturising, crimping and twisting;
 Ciscose staple fibre and viscose filament yarn;
 Knitting and fabric embroidery;
 Weaving preparatory machines;
 Made-up manufacturing;
 CAD, CAM and design studio
 Jute industry
 The interest reimbursement will be for a period of 7 years with 2 years of
moratorium on implementation. Further, in addition to the interest reimbursement
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for investment in machinery, investments like factory buildings, pre-operative

expenses and margin money for working capital are also eligible for benefit of
reimbursement under the scheme (Apparel and Handloom Section Only).

61)INCH to MILES

 Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi in a conversation today with Chinese

journalists based in New Delhi said, “India and China are bound by history,
connected by culture, and inspired by rich traditions. Together they can create a
bright future for the entire mankind.”
 Prime Minister summarized the possibilities of our bilateral ties moving ahead as
“Inch (India and China) towards Miles (Millennium of Exceptional Synergy).” He
said that every inch we cover can rewrite history of humanity and every mile we
cross will go a long way in making this planet a better place. He hoped that
together India and China cover several miles. Several miles that take not only the
two nations forward but also all of Asia and humankind towards the path of
progress and harmony.
 Referring to the large population base of India and China, Prime Minister said
that when India and China gain, almost 35% of the world’s population benefits;
when India and China strengthen relations, almost 35% of the world’s people
come closer; when economic cooperation between India and China increases,
the lives of almost 35% of the world’s population undergoes qualitative changes.
In response to a question on how he foresees India and China relations
developing, Prime Minister explained that our relations go beyond plain
arithmetic. They have a unique chemistry that can make for a defining moment.
 Elaborating on the nature of the relationship he said, “the arithmetic and
chemistry of our relations convince me that together we can script history and
create a better tomorrow for all of mankind.

62)NAYI MANZIL

 Dr. Najma Heptulla, the Union Minister for Minority Affairs launched a new
Central Sector Scheme – Nai Manzil in Patna on August 8, 2015.Speaking on the
occasion, the Minister said that this new scheme has been shaped and launched
within a short span of 3-4 months only after announced by the Finance Minister
in his Budget Speech for 2015-16. Sharing her inclusive vision regarding
progress and empowerment of minority communities in the country, she said
inspired her to make innovative interventions in the field of education and skill
development for improving the welfare of minorities as envisioned by the Prime
Minister.
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 The scheme “Nai Manzil” scheme will address educational and livelihood needs
of minority communities in general and muslims in particular as it lags behind
other minority communities in terms of educational attainments.

 It is a new direction and a new goal for the all out of school/dropped out students
and those studying in Madrasas. It is so because they will not be getting formal
Class XII and Class X Certificates rendering them largely un employed in
organised sector. The Nai Manzil scheme is aimed at this target group as an
integrated intervention in terms of providing education as well as skill
development.

 The scheme aims at providing educational intervention by giving the bridge

courses to the trainees and getting them Certificates for Class XII and X from
distance medium educational system and at the same time also provide them
trade basis skill training in 4 courses :

1. Manufacturing

2. Engineering

3. Services

4. Soft skills

 The scheme is intended to cover people in between 17 to 35 age group from all
minority communities as well as Madrasa students. This scheme will
provide avenues for continuing higher education and also open up employment
opportunities in the organised sector.
63)PAHAL

 PaHaL or Pratyaksha Hastaantarit Laabh, formerly the Direct Benefit Transfer

Scheme for LPG subsidy, is a Direct Benefit Transfer scheme for liquefied
petroleum gas (LPG) subsidy in India. Under the scheme, LPG cylinders are sold
at market rates and consumers receive a subsidy from the Union Government
directly into their bank accounts. It replaced the previous system of selling
subsidised LPG cylinders directly to consumers. It is the largest cash transfer
programme in the world.[1] The Guinness Book of World Records acknowledged
the Pahal scheme as the world's largest cash transfer programme on 13 August
2015.
 The Direct Benefit Transfer Scheme for LPG subsidy was initially launched on 1
June 2013, and eventually covered 291 districts. However, consumers faced
several issues particularly due to the mandatory requirement that
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an Aadhaar linked bank account was needed to avail the subsidy. After reviewing
issues faced by consumers with the scheme, the Government relaunched a
modified scheme named PaHal on 15 November 2014 in 54 districts. The
scheme was extended nationwide on 1 January 2015.

 By 1 March 2015, 75% of the total LPG consumer base of 15.3 crore was
enrolled under the scheme. As of 13 August 2015, 13.9 crore LPG consumers
are enrolled under the scheme.
 Under PaHaL, consumers can receive LPG subsidies directly in their bank
accounts. All consumers under the scheme, must have a bank account.
An Aadhaar linked bank account is preferred, and any consumer who has
an Aadhaar number must link it to their bank account number and LPG consumer
number. Consumers who do not have an Aadhaar number, are permitted to
receive subsidies in their bank accounts without linking an Aadhaar number. This
option was introduced in the modified scheme to prevent consumers from being
denied subsidies due to the lack of anAadhaar number. Consumers receiving
subsidies without an Aadhaar number must either present their bank account
details to their LPG distributor, who will record it in the LPG database, or must
present their 17 digit LPG consumer ID to their bank.

Give It Up campaign

 The PaHaL scheme was accompanied by a "Give It Up" campaign requesting

people to voluntarily give up their LPG subsidy, if they could afford to do so.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi appealed to the rich to give up their subsidies in
order to benefit the poor. Modi stated, "Give up voluntarily. If one crore people
give up this gas cylinder subsidy ... one crore poor families who burn firewood,
which leads to deforestation, carbon emission (and) their children grow up in
smoke ... The cylinder (subsidy) you give up should reach to the house of that
poor."

 As of 28 July 2015, 13,86,885 customers of Bharat Gas, HP Gas and Indane

voluntarily gave up their LPG subsidies, resulting in an estimated savings of
₹2.22 billion (US$34 million) assuming each customer consumed 8 cylinders
annually at the average subsidy rate of ₹200 per cylinder.
64) Pragati - Pro Active Governance And Timely Implementation

What is it ?

 New governance Reform initiative Pragati – Proactive Governance and

Timely Implementation. It is touted to be a credible mechanism for redressal of
public grievances.
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Features of the program

– Three major objectives of the program

 grievance redressal
 project implementation
 project monitoring
For this an IT based redressal and monitoring system has been designed i.e the Pragati
IT platform .

 – It will be a monthly conference call with state

chief secretaries and secretaries of the Uniongovernment for the
speedy redressal of grievances and monitoring and implementation of projects.
The Pragati sessions will take place every fourth Wednesday.
 – It is to see that programmes and projects launched by the central and state
governments are monitored properly for timely implementation and desired
outcome. For holistic development of the country, it is necessary to facilitate from
central government level the projects of the states.

How will it work ?

 – Programme will be tied together by technology, with information on projects

being available at a click.

 – Every month, 7 days prior to the meeting, the issues to be tackled will be
uploaded into thesystem. Hence, secretaries and state chief secretaries will be
able to view them in advance. They will be able to add their comments and
updates on the issues flagged in the system before itself. The PMO’s team will
then review all the comments and updates a day before the meetings.

– The design is that when the PM reviews the issue he should have on his screen the
issue as well as the latest updates regarding the same. During the interaction, PM will
discuss and understand the problem areas and will give suitable directions. These
directions will remain in the system for further follow-up and review till finality of the
matter.

Analysis

 The initiative could give rise to concerns about the Centre- State framework.
The system may be seen as bypassing the chief ministers. The move has been
criticized for not respecting the federal structure of the country.
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 However, the Pragati programme will attempt to find solutions for issues picked
up from the available data base regarding public grievances, on-going
programmes and pending projects. This new system of governance will definitely
give a boost to government projects that have been publicized due to their
delays. The need of the hour is speedy implementation and completion
ofgovernment projects.
65) NAYI ROSHNI

Nai Roshni is a scheme for leadership development of minority women.

Objectives:
• Empower and install confidence in women of minority communities by equipping them
with knowledge, tools and techniques to interact with government systems, banks and
intermediaries

• Encouraging minority community women to move out of the home and assume
leadership roles within the community

Features

• Organisations eligible under the scheme for applying for financial assistance include:

(a) Society registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860.

(b) Public Trust registered under any law for the time being in force.

(c) Private limited non-profit company registered under Section 25 of the Indian
Companies Act

(d) Universities/ Institutions of higher learning recognised by UGC

(e) Training institutes of Central and State Government/UT Administration including

Panchayati
Raj Training institutes.

(f) Duly registered Cooperative Societies of Women/ Self Help Groups.

• The scheme will be implemented through the above organisations with the aid of
Ministry of Minority Affairs

• Leadership development training modules will be developed pertaining to rights of

women in education, employment, livelihood etc; these will be used to empower
women

• Specific training modules will also be based on local needs and issues faced by
women from the minority community
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• Training modules will include audio visual aids and case studies and qualities of
leadership will form an integral part of the training

• Outside agencies may also be engaged for preparation of training modules

• Committee will also be there for approving training modules

The organisations will undertake the following activities:

a. Selection of villages and urban localities where scheme is to be implemented

b. Identification of women for training and selection criteria

c. Administration of non residential and residential training for women from minority
communities

• The scheme Nai Roshni has been implemented from the year 2012-2013

• Scheme aims to empower minority women and it is chiefly implemented through

NGOs

• Under current guidelines, scheme is implemented through Gram Panchayat at

village level and local urban bodies at district level

• It is also telecast in electronic media in Hindi and regional languages

Facts and Stats

Other similar schemes implemented for welfare of minority community include

• Multi sectoral Development Programme (MsDP): Aimed at improving the

socioeconomic condition of minorities and providing utilities/amenities to them

• Pre-matric Scholarship Scheme: Scholarships are awarded to minority students up to

class X,

• Post-matric Scholarship Scheme: Scholarships are awarded to minority students from

class XI onwards

• Maulana Azad National Fellowship For Minority Students: Integrated five year
fellowships in the form of financial assistance to minority students for higher studies
such as M.Phil and Ph.D

• Merit-cum Means based Scholarship: Financial assistance to the poor and meritorious
minority students pursuing professional studies
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• Padho Pardesh scheme: Interest subsidy on education loans for global studies for the
students belonging to the Minority communities.

• Prime Minister’s New 15 Point Programme for Welfare of Minorities: Covers various
schemes of concerned Ministries/Departments by allocating 15% of physical
targets/financial outlays for the minorities or via specific monitoring of flow of benefits.

66)Skill India Mission

 Project aims to train over 40 crore people in India in different skills by 2022.
 The initiatives include National Skill Development Mission, National Policy for
Skill Development and Entrepreneurship 2015, Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas
Yojana (PMKVY) scheme and the Skill Loan scheme.
 They were launched to mark the first-ever World Youth Skills Day.
 At the event, Modi also unveiled the Skill India logo with the tagline -- 'Kaushal
Bharat, Kushal Bharat' (Skilled India, Successful India).
 The government's flagship scheme, PMKVY, will incentivise skill training by
providing financial rewards to candidates who successfully complete approved
skill training programmes. The scheme aims to recognise and provide skill to 24
lakh youth who lack formal certification, such as workers in vast unorganised
sector.
 Special camps are being organised at 100 locations with Nehru
Yuva Kendra Sangathan (NYKS) and a national SMS campaign is being rolled
out to build awareness of the program, reaching about 40 crore subscribers.
 Fresh PMKVY training was initiated in 1,000 centres across all States and Union
Territories in India today, covering 50,000 youth in 100 job roles across 25
sectors.
 Through an initiative known as 'Recognition of Prior Learning' (RPL), 10 lakh
youth will be assessed and certified for the skills that they already possess.
 Under the Skill Loan scheme, loans ranging from Rs. 5,000-1.5 lakh will be
made available to 34 lakh youth seeking to attend skill development programmes
over the next five years.
 Sanction letters for the first ever Skill Loans were handed out by the PM Modi to
aspiring trainees. He also awarded Skill Cards and Skill Certificates to trainees
who had recently completed training through the Pilot Phase of PMKVY, which
started in May. Such Skill Cards and Skill Certificates will allow trainees to share
their skill identity with employers.
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 Across the country, 2.33 lakh youth were awarded certificates from Industrial
Training Institutes (ITIs) and over 18,000 graduating students received job offer
letters on the occasion of World Youth Skills Day.
67)The Atal Innovation Mission (AIM)

 Is being set up under NITI.

 AIM will be an Innovation Promotion Platform involving academics,
entrepreneurs, and researchers drawing upon national and international
experiences to foster a culture of innovation, R&D in India.
 The platform will also promote a network of world-class innovation hubs and
grand challenges for India.

As the final policy is not yet documented, for objectives check this link
http://niti.gov.in/mgov_file/AIM Constitution of Expert Committee.pdf
Tarun Khanna committee recommendations
http://niti.gov.in/mgov_file/report of the expert committee.pdf

68)ONE RANK ONE PENSION (OROP)

Defining OROP

 OROP implies uniform pension for Armed Forces personnel retiring at the same
rank with the same length of service, irrespective of their date of retirement, with
future enhancement in the rates of pension to be automatically passed on to the
past pensioners.

 The 10-member parliamentary panel, known as the Koshyari Committee, set to

look into the issue in 2011, explained OROP as a scheme that seeks to bridge
the gap between the rates of pension payable to current pensioners and past
pensioners.

 The committee pointed out that in the Armed Forces, equality in service has two
components, namely, rank and length of service. The importance of rank is
inherent in the Armed Forces, as it has been granted by the President of India
and signifies command, control and responsibility in consonance with the ethos
of service. These ranks are even allowed to be retained by the individual
concerned after his/her retirement. Hence, two armed personnel at the same
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rank and with equal length of service should get the same pension, irrespective
of date of retirement.

In other words, this means is that Armed Forces personnel should get the benefit of
changes in salary even after their retirement. Thus, if an officer retires as a Major, his
salary level will be linked to that of a Major who retires 10 years after he does.

Why OROP is necessary

 This logic of OROP might sound absurd to someone who is in a civilian job,
specially in the private sector. However, armed forces are given special benefits
as 88% of military personnel retire between 35 and 37 years of age. The 90%
who remain, retire when they are 54-56 years old. These personnel have given
their best years to safeguard the nation and when they leave, they often find new
job opportunities hard to come by. Had they joined any other profession, they
could have risen in their respective jobs but since the country needs a young
armed force, it has to compensate for the years in which they are still employable
but not allowed to be a part of the forces. If there is no security of their future, few
would be willing to sacrifice their youth and life in the service of the nation.

What was stopping OROP?

 The shaky relationship between the armed forces and bureaucrats had made it
difficult for the issue to be settled amicably. Even the Koshyari
Committee blamed the delay in implementing OROP on bureaucratic delays and
apathy. In order to understand why bureaucrats were not willing to clear OROP,
we will have to go back in history.

The OROP existed till 1973. As per the Third Central Pay Commission (CPC) in
1973, the pensions for Armed forces were aligned to those of civilian employees.
Before the implementation of CPC recommendations, the pensions of armed
forces and civil servants were 70% and 30%, respectively, of last pay drawn.
This was to compensate for the compulsory early retirement of the armed forces
as compared to the civilians. However, in the Third Pay Commission, the pension
percentage was made equal for both.

 This resulted in salaries of armed forces being reduced by 30% and pension by
20% in 1973. The armed forces blamed the pay cut on bureaucrats who
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increased their own salaries and perks while holding on to their job for full
60 years of service.

 The bureaucrats complicated the matter by creating salary bands and giving
pension based on these bands. Sorting out these issues delayed the
implementation of OROP.

 Srinath Raghavan, senior fellow at Centre for Policy Research, New Delhi, points
out that the bureaucracy's institutional position between the military and the
political leadership has been problematic all along. And its stance on OROP has
been perceived as inimical to the armed forces' interests.

 General V P Malik, who led India to victory in the Kargil war, tried to mediate in
the matter at the request of the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), but walked out of
the negotiations within 48 hours. General Malik said "..the definition of OROP has
been accepted earlier. The point is whether whatever was defined will be
implemented."

What are the financial implications of implementing OROP?

 According to defence analyst Ajai Shukla, the full grant of OROP would raise
annual military pensions to Rs 75,000 crore, only slightly less than the salary bill
of Rs 93,216 crore. However, Parrikar in his statement pointed out that the cost
would be Rs 10,000 crore initially and would increase going forward.

 The main point of contention between the government and veterans was the
base year for calculation of OROP. The government wanted to take 2011 pay
scales as the base year, while the veterans wanted 2014. The change in cut-off
dates would not only mean salary differences but also the number of personnel
who would benefit. The economic difference between selecting the two dates
would be between Rs 4,000-Rs 6,000 crore. Finally the government contended to
the demand and agreed to the 2014 date.

 From a financial standpoint, the issue questions the very logic of pensions.
Normally an employee pays for future pension through his salary when he is
employed. The pensions that veterans are getting today are from the saving they
did during their employment. But if OROP is implemented and veterans get
salaries based on the present level, then the incremental pension will not be
coming from their saving but will be a direct cost on the government. It will be like
a subsidy which the government pays to its veterans.

 Furthermore, every time the pay commission announces a salary increase, the
governments outgo will increase. For government OROP becomes a cost for
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which it will have to provide for a huge sum. As Ajai Shukla points out this year’s
budget allocated Rs 54,500 crore for defence pensions and this would rise by
about 40%.

 The UPA government had allocated Rs 500 crore for OROP and FM Jaitley
provided Rs 1,000 crore for the same in his first Budget. However, no
government has been thinking in terms of Rs 18-20,000 crore incremental cost.

Pending contentious issue

 While making his announcement, Defence Minister said that on the issue of
prematureretirement a one-member committee would be formed. The veterans
have rejected this and said that they need a bigger committee and a bigger
representation in it.

 The ministry has clarified that those injured during their service and thus forced
to take premature retirement will be covered under OROP.

 However, there are other officers and jawans who take premature retirement.
These are servicemen who are not promoted and have to work on the same rank
till their compulsory retirement. Many servicemen (approximately 40%) opt to
take prematureretirement rather than work under their junior. Veterans want that
these servicemen should also be covered under OROP.

More You can read from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/One_Rank,_One_Pension

69)NATIONAL PENSION SCHEME (NPS)

 The National Pension System (NPS) is a defined-contribution pension system

operated by the Government of India. In 2004, the Government of India decided
to move from a defined-benefit pension system to a defined-contribution pension
system. Apart from offering a range of investment options to employees, the
scheme allows individuals to make decisions about where their pension fund is
invested, permits limited withdrawal prior to retirement and reduces the total
pension liabilities of the Government of India. The scheme is structured in two
tiers. A tier-1 account is a basic retirement pension account available to all
citizens from 1 May 2009. It does not permitwithdrawal of funds
before retirement. A tier-2 account is a Prospective payment system (PPS)
account that permits some withdrawal of pension prior to retirement under
exceptional circumstances, usually related to the provision of health care.
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 The pension scheme is administered on behalf of the government by the Pension

Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA).

Coverage and eligibility

 NPS is open to all citizens of India between the ages of 18 and 60 on a voluntary
basis.

 It is mandatory for central government employees appointed on or after 1

January 2004, except for members of the armed forces, to have a tier-1 NPS
pension. The employee contribution is fixed at 10% per month which is matched
by an employer contribution of the same amount.

In addition to the above pension account, each individual can have a voluntary tier-II
(PPS) account.

Contribution guidelines

 PFRDA has set the following guidelines with regard to subscriber contribution:

 Minimum amount per contribution: Rs. 500

 Minimum number of contributions: 1 per year
 Minimum annual contribution: Rs 6,000 in each subscriber account.
 Maximum annual contribution: Rs 12,000 in each subscriber account.

Investment options

 Under the investment guidelines finalized for the NPS, pension funds are
invested in three separate asset classes. The three asset classes are equity,
government securities and a range of fixed income instruments. Subscribers are
able to decide how their NPS pension fund is allocated across the three
asset classes....

 In case the subscriber does not exercise any choice with regard to asset
allocation, the contribution is invested in accordance with the ‘Auto choice’
option. In this option, the investment is determined by a predefined template that
allocates funds according to the average expectation of investors at different
stages of their life. The basic assumption, in line with industry guidelines, is that
young people can afford to make riskier investments but security of return
becomes more important asretirement approaches.
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Investment charges

 NPS levies a nominal investment management charge of 0.010% on net assets

under management (AUM).[2]

Withdrawal norms

 There is a requirement for subscribers who leave the scheme

before retirement (or age 60, whichever is the earlier) to invest 80% of their
accumulated savings in a life annuity from a life insurance company approved by
Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (IRDA). The remaining 20% is
eligible for withdrawal as a lump sum.

 On retirement, at age 60, subscribers are required to invest at least 40% of their
pension fund in an annuity and the remaining 60% can be redeemed as a lump
sum. In the case of government employees, the annuity provides for pension for
the lifetime of the employee and his dependent parents and spouse at the time
of retirement.

 Subscribers may remain in the scheme after their 60th birthday for the purpose of
receiving interest on their account, but may not make further contributions after
that date. If a subscriber does not exit the system on or before their 70th
birthday, the account is closed and the benefits are transferred to the subscriber
as a lump sum. If a subscriber dies, the nominee has the option to receive the
account total as a lump sum.
Tax treatment

 The scheme permits subscribers to benefit, as applicable, under the Income Tax
Act (1961). As of 2015, this means that up to a variable limit, contributions to the
scheme are tax-exempt, but that withdrawals are counted as taxable income
(EET). These tax benefits apply to all contributions, including those made by
employers. From tax year 2012-13, employers contributions and employee
contributions have been treated separately for tax purposes, an arrangement that
permits employer contributions to rise without affecting employee tax liability.

Past investment returns

 In 2014–15, the average weighted return on the fund was 12.5%. As of 15 May
2014, return on investment for private sector employees who opted for Equities
was 8.38%. During tax year 2013-14, the eight pension funds used for central
government employees showed returns of between 8% and 14%.
70)TARGET OLYMPIC PODIUM SCHEME (TOPS)
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 Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (Department of Sports) have formulated

‘NSDF Target Olympic Podium (TOP) Scheme’ in the National Sports
Development Fund (NSDF) with the objective of identifying and supporting
potential medal prospects for 2016 and 2020 Olympic Games.
Focuseddisciplines will be Athletics, Archery, Badminton, Boxing, Wrestling and
Shooting.

Outcomes and Progress: The selected athletes will be provided financial assistance
for their customized training at Institutes having world class facilities and other
necessary support. Benchmark for selection of athletes under the scheme will be in
relation to international standards. There will be annual/semi-annualreview of
performance of selected athletes.

 A Committee namely, ‘TOP Scheme Elite Athletes Identification Committee’ has

been constituted under the Chairmanship of Shri Anurag Thakur, M.P. for laying
down elaborate norms for selection of the right candidates, review of
performance and operation of the scheme. Shri Rahul Dravid, Shri Pullela
Gopichand, Shri Abhinav Bindra and Ms MC Mary Kom are among other
members in the Committee. As on 28th April 2015, the Committee,
after detailed deliberations, has decided on athletes in the
following disciplines for assistance under the scheme:

(i)Athletics (19 athletes) (Athletes for 4x400 Women’s Relay Team and Race Walking
Team are yet to be identified)
(ii) Archery (16 archers) (yet to be identified)
(iii) Badminton (6 Players)
(iv) Boxing (8 boxers)
(v)Shooting (17 shooters)
(vi) Wrestling (7 wrestlers)
(vii)Yachting (2 sailors)

 36 athletes have so far agreed to join the Scheme. 20 have submitted their
programmes. Some of these programmes have been approved and assistance
has started flowing to the athletes.
 India Infrastructure Finance Company Limited (IIFCL), a PSU under the Ministry
of Finance, has agreed to contribute Rs. 30 crore to National Sports
Development Fund (NSDF) by contribution of Rs. 10 crore per annum for next
three years. Contribution of Rs. 10 crore for 2015-16 has already been received.
 Benefits that have accrued or will accrue: Customized training at Institutes having
world class facilities and other necessary support is being provided to the elite
athletes, which would result in improved performance and a higher position in
 WWW.IASABHIYAN.COM

medals tally for the country in international sports events and mega-sports
events.
71)MAKE IN INDIA

 Make in India is an initiative of the Government of India to encourage

multinational, as well as domestic, companies to manufacture their products in
India. It was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 25 September
2014.[1] India would emerge, after initiation of the programme in 2015, as the top
destination globally for foreign direct investment, surpassing the People's
Republic of China as well as the United States.
 The major objective behind the initiative is to focus on job creation and skill
enhancement in twenty-five sectors of the economy. These sectors include:
automobiles, chemicals, IT, pharmaceuticals, textiles, ports, aviation, leather,
tourism and hospitality, wellness, railways, design manufacturing, renewable
energy, mining, bio-technology, and electronics. The initiative hopes to increase
GDP growth and tax revenue. The initiative also aims at high quality standards
and minimising the impact on the environment. The initiative hopes to attract
capital and technological investment in India.

 The campaign was designed by Wieden+Kennedy.

 Under the initiative, brochures on the 25 sectors and a web portal were released.
Before the initiative was launched, foreign equity caps in various sectors had
been relaxed. The application for licenses was made available online and the
validity of licenses was increased to three years. Various other norms and
procedures were also relaxed.
 In August 2014, the Cabinet of India allowed 49% foreign direct investment (FDI)
in the defence sector and 100% in railways infrastructure. The defence sector
previously allowed 26% FDI and FDI was not allowed in railways. This was in
hope of bringing down the military imports of India. Earlier, one Indian company
would have held the 51% stake, this was changed so that multiple companies
could hold the 51%.
 Out of 25 sectors, except Space (74%), Defence (49%) and News Media (26%),
100% FDI is allowed in rest of sectors.
 Between September 2014 and August 2015, the government received ₹1.10 lakh
crore (US$17 billion) worth of proposals from companies interested in
manufacturing in India. 24.8% of smartphones shipped in the country in the April-
June quarter of 2015 were made in India, up from 19.9% the previous quarter.
 WWW.IASABHIYAN.COM

 In January 2015, the Spice Group said it would start a mobile phone
manufacturing unit in Uttar Pradesh with an investment of ₹500 crore (US$75
million). A memorandum of understanding was signed between the Spice Group
and the Government of Uttar Pradesh.
 In January 2015, HyunChil Hong, the President & CEO of Samsung South Asia,
met with Kalraj Mishra, Union Minister for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises
(MSME), to discuss a joint initiative under which 10 "MSME-Samsung Technical
Schools" will be established in India. In February, Samsung said that will
manufacture the Samsung Z1 in its plant in Noida.
 In February 2015, Hitachi said it was committed to the initiative. It said that it
would increase its employees in India from 10,000 to 13,000 and it would try to
increase its revenues from India from ¥100 billion in 2013 to ¥210 billion. It said
that an auto-component plant will be set up in Chennai in 2016.
 In February 2015, Huawei opened a new research and development (R&D)
campus in Bengaluru. It had invested US$170 million to establish the research
and development centre.[20][21] It is also in the process of setting up a Telecom
hardware manufacturing plant in Chennai, the approvals of which have been
granted by the central government.
 Also in February, Marine Products Export Development Authority said that it was
interested in supplying shrimp eggs to shrimp farmers in India under the initiative.
 In June 2015, France-based LH Aviation signed an MoU with OIS Advanced
Technologies to set up a manufacturing plant in India to manufacture drones.
 In February 2015, Xiaomi began initial talks with the Andhra Pradesh
government to begin manufacturing smartphones at a Foxconn-run facility in Sri
City. On 11 August 2015, the company announced that the first manufacturing
unit was operational and introduced the Xiaomi Redmi 2 Prime, a smartphone
that was assembled at the facility.
 On 18 August 2015, Lenovo announced that it had begun manufacturing
Motorola smartphones at a plant in Sriperumbudur near Chennai, run by
Singapore-based contract manufacturer Flextronics International Ltd. The plant
has separate manufacturing lines for Lenovo and Motorola, as well as quality
assurance, and product testing. The first smartphone manufactured at the facility
was the 4G variant of the Motorola Moto E (2nd generation).
 On 16 October 2015, Boeing chairman James McNerney said that the company
could assemble fighter planes and either the Apache or Chinook defence
helicopter in India.
72)Sagar Mala Project
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 Sagar Mala project is a strategic and customer-oriented initiative of the

Government of India to modernize India's Ports so that port-led development can
be augmented and coastlines can be developed to contribute in India's growth. It
looks towards "transforming the existing Ports into modern world class Ports
and integrate the development of the Ports, the Industrial clusters and hinterland
and efficient evacuation systems through road, rail, inland and coastal waterways
resulting in Ports becoming the drivers of economic activity in coastal areas.On
25 March 2015 Cabinet gave approval for this project to develop 12 ports of India
and also 1208 Islands.

 The Union Ministry of Shipping is the nodal ministry for this initiative . A National
Sagarmala Apex Committee (NSAC), composed of the Minister incharge of
Shipping, with Cabinet Ministers from stakeholder Ministries and Chief
Ministers/Ministers incharge of ports of maritime states as members, will provide
policy direction and guidance for the initiative’s implementation, shall approve the
overall National Perspective Plan (NPP) and review the progress of
implementation of these plans.

73)Start-up India, Stand up India

The Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 15 August 2015 launched a new campaign Start-
up India, Stand up India to promote bank financing for start-ups and offer incentives to
boost entrepreneurshipand job creation.

 The campaign was launched during the celebrations of 69th Independence Day
at Red Fort, Delhi. The initiative is aimed at
encouraging entrepreneurship among the youth of India.
 As per the initiative, each of the 1.25 lakh bank branches should encourage at
least one Dalit or tribal entrepreneur and at least one woman entrepreneur.
 Under this initiative, in addition to existing systems to facilitate start-ups, loans
would also be given to help people. This initiative will give a new dimension
to entrepreneurship and will help set up a network of start-ups in the country.
http://www.nasscom.in/india-fastest-growing-and-3rd-largest-startup-ecosystem-
globally-nasscom-startup-report-2014

 India 3rd largest startup ecosystem

74)Interlinking of Rivers

 The National perspective plan envisions about 150 million acre feet (MAF) (185
billion cubic metres) of water storage along with building inter-links.These
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storages and the interlinks will add nearly 170 million acre feet of water for
beneficial uses in India, enabling irrigation over an additional area of 35 million
hectares, generation of 40,000 MW capacity hydro power, flood control and other
benefits.

 The total surface water available to India is nearly 1440 million acre feet (1776
billion cubic meters) of which only 220 million acre feet was being used in the
year 1979. The rest is neither utilized nor managed, and it causes disastrous
floods year after year. Up to 1979, India had built over 600 storage dams with an
aggregate capacity of 171 billion cubic meters. These small storages hardly
enable a seventh of the water available in the country to be utilized beneficially to
its fullest potential.From India-wide perspective, at least 946 billion cubic meters
of water flow annually could be utilized in India, power generation capacity added
and perennial inland navigation could be provided. Also some benefits of flood
control would be achieved. The project claims that the development of the rivers
of the sub-continent, each state of India, as well as its international neighbors
stand to gain by way of additional irrigation, hydro power generation, navigation
and flood control.The project may also contribute to food security to the
anticipated population peak of India.

 The Ganga-Brahmaputra-Meghna is a major international drainage basin which

carries more than 1,000 million acre feet out of total 1440 million acre feet in
India. Water is a scarce commodity and several basins such as Cauvery,
Yamuna, Sutlej, Ravi and other smaller inter-State/intra-State rivers are short of
water. 99 districts of the country are classified as drought prone, an area of about
40 million hectare is prone to recurring floods.The inter-link project is expected to
help reduce the scale of this suffering and associated losses.

The National Perspective Plan comprised, starting 1980s, of two main components:

 Himalayan Rivers Development, and

 Peninsular Rivers Development
 An intrastate component was added in 2005.

Himalayan component

 Map of the Ganges (orange), Brahmaputra (violet), and Meghna (green)

drainage basins.
 WWW.IASABHIYAN.COM

 Himalayan Rivers Development envisages construction of storage reservoirs on

the main Ganga and the Brahmaputra and their principal tributaries in India and
Nepal along with inter-linking canal system to transfer surplus flows of the
eastern tributaries of the Ganga to the West apart from linking of the
main Brahmaputra with the Ganga.[14] Apart from providing irrigation to an
additional area of about 22 million hectares the generation of about 30 million
kilowatt of hydro-power, it will provide substantial flood control in the Ganga-
Brahmaputra basin. The Scheme will benefit not only the States in the Ganga-
Brahmaputra Basin, but also Nepal and Bangladesh, assuming river flow
management treaties are successfully negotiated.[14]

 The Himalayan component would consist of a series of dams built along the
Ganga andBrahmaputra rivers in India, Nepal and Bhutan for the purposes of
storage. Canals would be built to transfer surplus water from the eastern
tributaries of the Ganga to the west. This is expected to contribute to flood control
measures in the Ganga and Brahmaputra river basins. It could also provide
excess water for the Farakka Barrage to flush out the silt at the port of Kolkata.

Fourteen inter-links under consideration for Himalayan component are as follows, with
feasibility study status identified

 Ghaghara–Yamuna link (Feasibility study complete)

 Sarda–Yamuna link (Feasibility study complete)
 Yamuna–Rajasthan link (Feasibility study complete)
 Rajasthan–Sabarmati link (Feasibility study complete)
 Kosi–Ghaghara link
 Kosi–Mechi link
 Manas–Sankosh–Tista–Ganga link
 Jogighopa–Tista–Farakka link
 Ganga–Damodar–Subernarekha link (Feasibility study complete)
 Subernarekha–Mahanadi link (Feasibility study complete)
 Farakka–Sunderbans link (Feasibility study complete)
 Gandak–Ganga link (Feasibility study complete)
 Chunar–Sone Barrage link (Feasibility study complete)
 Sone dam–Southern tributaries of Ganga link
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Peninsular Component

 Rivers Inter-Link, Himalayan and Peninsular Components

This Scheme is divided in four major parts.

 Interlinking of Mahanadi-Godavari-Krishna-Pennar-Cauvery,
 Interlinking of West Flowing Rivers, North of Bombay and South of Tapi,
 Inter-linking of Ken with Chambal and
 Diversion of some water from West Flowing Rivers
This component will irrigate an additional 25 million hectares by surface waters, 10
million hectares by increased use of ground waters and generate hydro power, apart
from benefits of improved flood control and regional navigation.

 The main part of the project would send water from the eastern part of India to
the south and west.The southern development project (Phase I) would consist of
four main parts. First, the Mahanadi, Godavari. Krishna and Kaveri rivers would
all be inter-linked by canals. Reservoirs and dams would be built along the
course of these rivers. These would be used to transfer surplus water from the
Mahanadi and Godavari rivers to the south of India. Under Phase II, some rivers
that flow west to the north of Mumbai and the south of Tapi would be inter-linked.
The water would supply additional drinking water needs of Mumbai and provide
irrigation in the coastal areas of Maharashtra. In Phase 3, the Ken and Chambal
rivers would be inter-linked to serve regional water needs of Madhya Pradesh
and Uttar Pradesh. Over Phase 4, a number of west-flowing rivers in the Western
Ghats, would be inter-linked for irrigation purposes to east flowing rivers such as
Cauvery and Krishna.

The inter-links under consideration for Peninsular component are as follows, with
respective status of feasibility studies:

 Almatti–Pennar Link (Feasibility study complete)(Part I)

 Bedti–Varada Link (Part IV)
 Damanganga–Pinjal Link (Feasibility study complete) (Part II)
 Inchampalli–Nagarjunasagar Link (Feasibility study complete) (Part I)
 Inchampalli–Pulichintala Link (Feasibility study complete) (Part I)
 Kattalai–Vaigai–Gundar Link (Feasibility study complete) (Part IV)
 Ken–Betwa Link (Feasibility study complete) (Part III)
 WWW.IASABHIYAN.COM

 Mahanadi–Godavari Link (Feasibility study complete) (Part I)

 Nagarjunasagar–Somasila Link (Feasibility study complete) (Part I)
 Netravati–Hemavati Link (Part IV)
 Pamba–Anchankovil–Vaippar Link (Feasibility study complete) (Part IV)
 Par–Tapi–Narmada Link (Feasibility study complete) (Part II)
 Parbati–Kalisindh–Chambal Link (Feasibility study complete) (Part III)
 Polavaram–Vijayawada Link (Feasibility study complete) (Part I)
 Somasila–Grand Anicut Link (Feasibility study complete) (Part I)
 Srisailam–Pennar Link (Feasibility study complete) (Part I)

India approved and commissioned NDWA in June 2005 to identify and complete
feasibility studies of intra-State projects that would inter-link rivers within that state.The
Governments of Nagaland, Meghalaya, Kerala, Punjab, Delhi, Sikkim, Haryana, Union
Territories of Puducherry, Andaman & Nicobar islands, Daman & Diu and Lakshadweep
responded that they have no intrastate river connecting proposals. Govt. of Puducherry
proposed Pennaiyar – Sankarabarani link (even though it is not an intrastate project).
The States Government of Bihar proposed 6 inter-linking projects, Maharashtra 20
projects, Gujarat 1 project, Orissa 3 projects, Rajasthan 2 projects, Jharkhand 3
projects and Tamil Nadu proposed 1 inter-linking proposal between rivers inside their
respective territories. Since 2005, NDWA completed feasibility studies on the projects,
found 1 project infeasible, 20 projects as feasible, 1 project was withdrawn by
Government of Maharashtra, and others are still under study.

75)Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDUGKY)

According to Census 2011, India has 55 million potential workers between the ages of
15 and 35 years in rural areas. At the same time, the world is expected to face a
shortage of 57 million workers by 2020. This presents a historic opportunity for India to
transform its demographic surplus into a demographic dividend. The Ministry of Rural
Development implements DDU-GKY to drive this national agenda for inclusive growth,
by developing skills and productive capacity of the rural youth from poor families.

There are several challenges preventing India’s rural poor from competing in the
modern market, such as the lack of formal education and marketable skills. DDU-GKY
bridges this gap by funding training projects benchmarked to global standards, with an
emphasis on placement, retention, career progression and foreign placement.

Features of Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana

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· Enable Poor and Marginalized to Access Benefits

Demand led skill training at no cost to the rural poor

· Inclusive Program Design

Mandatory coverage of socially disadvantaged groups (SC/ST 50%; Minority 15%;
Women 33%)

· Shifting Emphasis from Training to Career Progression

Pioneers in providing incentives for job retention, career progression and foreign
placements

· Greater Support for Placed Candidates

Post-placement support, migration support and alumni network

· Proactive Approach to Build Placement Partnerships

Guaranteed Placement for at least 75% trained candidates

· Enhancing the Capacity of Implementation Partners

Nurturing new training service providers and developing their skills
· Regional Focus
Greater emphasis on projects for poor rural youth in Jammu and Kashmir (HIMAYAT),
the North-East region and 27 Left-Wing Extremist (LWE) districts (ROSHINI)
· Standards-led Delivery
All program activities are subject to Standard Operating Procedures that are not open to
interpretation by local inspectors. All inspections are supported by geo-tagged, time
stamped videos/photographs

Implementation Model

 DDU-GKY follows a 3-tier implementation model. The DDU-GKY National Unit at

MoRD functions as the policy-making, technical support and facilitation agency.
The DDU-GKY State Missions provide implementation support; and the Project
Implementing Agencies (PIAs) implement the programme through skilling and
placement projects.

Project Funding Support

 DDU-GKY provides funding support for placement linked skilling projects that
address the market demand with funding support ranging from Rs. 25,696 to
over Rs. 1 lakh per person, depending on the duration of the project and whether
the project is residential or non-residential. DDU-GKY funds projects with training
duration from 576 hours (3 months) to 2304 hours (12 months).
 Funding components include support for training costs, boarding and lodging
(residential programmes), transportation costs, post-placement support
costs, career progression and retention support costs.
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In funding projects, priority is given to PIAs offering:

• Foreign Placement
• Captive Employment: Those PIAs or organizations that take up skill training to meet
internal ongoing HR needs
• Industry Internships: Support for internships with co-funding from industry
• Champion Employers: PIAs who can assure skill training and placement for a
minimum of 10,000 DDU-GKY trainees in a span of 2 years
• Educational Institution of High Repute: Institutes with a minimum
National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) grading of 3.5 or Community
Colleges with University Grants Commission (UGC)/ All India Council for Technical
Education (AICTE) funding willing to take up DDU-GKY projects

Training Requirements

 DDU-GKY funds a variety of skill training programs covering over 250 trades
across a range of sectors such as Retail, Hospitality , Health, Construction,
Automotive, Leather, Electrical, Plumbing, Gems and Jewelry, to name a few.
The only mandate is that skill training should be demand based and lead to
placement of at least 75% of the trainees.
 The trade specific skills are required to follow the curriculum and norms
prescribed by specified national agencies: the National Council for Vocational
Training and Sector Skills Councils.
 In addition to the trade specific skills, training must be provided in employability
and soft skills, functional English and functional Informational technology literacy
so that the training can build cross cutting essential skills.

Training Quality Assurance

 Through the National Policy on Skill Development, 2009, India recognized the
need for the development of a national qualification framework that would
transcend both general education and vocational education and training.
Accordingly, GOI has notified the National Skills QualificationFramework (NSQF)
in order to develop nationally standardized, and internationally
comparablequalification mechanism for skill training programs which can also
provide for interoperability with the mainstream education system.
 In line with NSQF, DDU-GKY mandates independent third party assessment and
certification byassessment bodies empanelled by the NCVT or SSCs.

Scale and ImpactDDU-GKY is applicable to the entire country. The scheme is being
implemented currently in 33 States/UTs across 610 districts partnering currently with
 WWW.IASABHIYAN.COM

over 202 PIAs covering more than 250 trades across 50+ sectors. So far, from the year
2004-05 till 30th November 2014, a total of 10.94 lakh candidates have been trained
and a total of 8.51 lakh candidates have been given placement.
http://pib.nic.in/newsite/efeatures.aspx?relid=115288

76)NAMAMI GANGE

NAMAMI GANGE
Programme features

 An integrated programme. Involves different ministries--water resources, river

development and Ganga rejuvenation, environment and forest, shipping, tourism,
urban development, drinking water and sanitation and rural development Talks
for the first time about involving people living on the banks of the river, urban
local bodies and panchayati raj institutions Plan includes establishing a Ganga
Eco-Task Force, a Territorial Army unit and roll out of legislation to check
pollution and protect the river Cleaning programme to be implemented jointly
by National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG), which is the implementation
wing of NGRBA, and State Program Management Groups (SPMGs) Talks about
strengthening monitoring system through committees at national, state
and district levels

Funding pattern

 Central government will fund 100 per cent expenses for various activities and
projects
Operation and maintenance

 Centre to take care of the assets for a minimum 10 year period, and adopt a
PPP/SPV approach for pollution hotspots. After this assets, will be handed over
to state Total outlay budget of Rs. 20,000 crore for five years Part allocations of
this had already been made in 2014-15 and 2015-16 budgets.
Previous allocations: Interim budget of 2014-15 : Rs 2,037 crores for cleaning Ganga
and Rs 100 crore for ghat development and beautification of the river front at
Kedarnath, Haridwar, Kanpur, Varanasi,Allahabad, Patna and Delhi. Over and above
this, Rs 4,200 crore sanctioned for for Jal Marg Vikas project for Ganga in Uttar
Pradesh (this is not under National Mission for Clean Ganga’s purview). Budget of
2015-16: Rs. 4,173 crore jointly for water resources and Namami Gange programme.
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77)RASHTRIYA RAJMARG ZILA SANJOYOKTA PARIYOJNA and SETU

BHARATAM

RASHTRIYA RAJMARG ZILA SANJOYOKTA PARIYOJNA and SETU BHARATAM

 After Bharat Mala and Sagar Mala — aimed at improving road

connectivity in border areas and coastal regions respectively — the government
has now cleared plans to connect 100 of the 676district headquarters in the
country with world-class highways.
 The Rashtriya Rajmarg Zila Sanjoyokta Pariyojna, approved by Prime
Minister Narendra Modi at a review meeting last week, entails development of
6,600 km of highways at an estimated cost of about Rs 60,000 crore.
 “Under the Rashtriya Rajmarg Zila Sanjoyokta Pariyojna, roads will be
developed to connect100 district headquarters across the country. The 6,600 km
of national highways do not have uniform configuration across the length…
These would be upgraded to ensure better connectivity,” said a senior official in
the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH).
 The government has backed up this mega push for roads development
projects with policy initiatives designed to facilitate resource mobilisation. The
Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) on Wednesday approved an
exit policy permitting developers to exit highway projects two years after
completion of construction to release locked-in equity as potential capital for
future projects.
 Additionally, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has been
authorised to loan resources from its corpus at a pre-determined rate of return to
kickstart stalled projects. Earlier, the government cleared the Bharat Mala project
aimed at developing 5,600 km of new roads in border areas at an estimated
cost of Rs 56,000 crore. Another 4,700 km of roads to connect religious and
tourism centres and to enhance connectivity in backward areas is expected to
cost Rs 44,000 crore.
 The third leg of the NDA government’s push to kickstart growth through
mega road building projects is the development of bridges and rail overbridges
under the Setu Bharatam scheme. “We will construct 202 ROBs and 150 bridges
on national highways under the Setu Bharatam initiative,” said an official of
MoRTH.
 “We are awarding road projects at the pace of over 8,000 km every year.
At this rate, we would achieve our targets by the end of next financial year. We
are lining up new projects to have our infra plan ready,” said the official. Last
year, the government awarded 7,900 km of highway projects, more than double
the 3,170 km awarded in 2013-14. However, only 700 km are being executed
under the public-private partnership mode on a build, operate, transfer (BOT)
basis. These projects are to be completed over the next three years.
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Highway projects: Exit policy cleared for developers

 New Delhi: The government on Wednesday cleared the decks for the
much-awaited exit policy which would allow developers to exit highway projects
two years after completion of construction. The move is expected to
immediately unlock investments to the tune of Rs 4,500 crore as potential capital
for future projects and provide a thrust to the roads development sector.
 The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) additionally
approved a special intervention and authorised the National Highways Authority
of India (NHAI) to inject funds on a loan basis in projects that are at advanced
stages of completion but are stuck due to lack of additional equity or lender’s
inability to disburse further resources
78)Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya National Mission on Teachers and Teaching
(PMMMNMTT)

Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya National Mission on Teachers and Teaching

PMMMNMTT

 The proposed Mission is envisaged to address comprehensively all issues

related to teachers, teaching, teacher preparation and professional development.
The Mission would address, on the one hand, current and urgent issues such as
supply of qualified teachers, attracting talent into teaching profession and raising
the quality of teaching in schools and colleges. On the other, it is also envisaged
that the Teacher Mission would pursue long term goal of building a
strongprofessional cadre of teachers by setting performance standards and
creating top class institutional facilities for innovative teaching
and professional development of teachers.
 The Mission would focus in a holistic manner dealing with the whole sector of
education without fragmenting the programmes based on levels and sectors as
school, higher, technical etc. It is considered that programmes dealing
with teachers in all sectors and levels of education should grow and function in a
mutually supportive manner. It will try to bridge the gap
between teachersand teacher educators and provide opportunities
for teachers to become teacher educators.
 The Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya National Mission on Teachers and Teaching
(PMMMNMTT) is a Central sector Scheme with All- India coverage. This scheme
will commence in 2014-15 for a period of three years i.e. from 2014-15 to 2016-
17 during XII Plan.
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The Government of India is mandated to launch a Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya

National Mission on Teachers and Teaching with the following goals:

 To ensure a coordinated approach so as to holistically address the various

shortcomings relating to teachers and teaching across the educational spectrum
ranging from school education to higher education including technical education;
using the best international practices for excellence.

 To create and strengthen the institutional mechanisms (Schools of Education,

Institutes of Academic leadership and Education Management, Subject based
networks, Teaching–learning Centres etc.) at the Centre & in the States, for
augmenting training and discipline–wise capacity building of faculty and their
periodic assessment for excellence.

 To empower teachers and faculty during through training, re-training, refresher

and orientation programmes in generic skills, pedagogic skills, discipline specific
content upgradation, ICT and technology enabled training and other appropriate
interventions.

1.2 Mission Strategies

The Mission goals are sought to be achieved through a combination of:

 Programmatic and scheme based interventions: pre-service & inservice training

through existing and new institutional structures, new academic programmes &
courses, strengthening post-graduate and doctoral programmes, prescheduling
year long training calendars, online training;
 Project based activities: ICT based training, training of Mathematics, Science,
Languageteachers for schools, Core science & engineering courses in technical
education, general courses in social sciences, humanities and vocational
courses.
1.3 Outcomes

 The proposed Mission will meet the challenges for the teacher education system
arising from the massive expansion of education at all levels ranging from
elementary, secondary, higher, technical and also vocational education and the
consequent corresponding increase in the demand forteachers. New Teacher
education courses will be designed to meet the professional development needs
of teachers and faculty so as to infuse innovation in pedagogy leading to better
learning outcomes.
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 A variety of initiatives will be taken for the professional development of teacher

educators, specifically creating conditions for them to participate in Refresher
Courses and Fellowship Programmes and for curricular reform in teacher
education. A critical component will be to integrate elementary teacher education
with the Higher Education by instituting Schools of Education and breaking the
insularity of elementary teacher development and practices.
1.4 Deliverables
Overall, in terms of numbers, the Mission is intended to achieve the following:

 Over one lakh qualified teachers for schools, general and technical education
colleges and universities across various disciplines;
 Within the one lakh ensure that adequate numbers of SC, ST, OBC, Minorities
and Women are inducted;
 Create a sufficient base of teacher educators and promote excellence in faculty
for academic leadership positions;
 Create around 87 new institutional structures (30 Schools of Education,
50 Centres of Excellence for Curriculum and Pedagogy, 5 institutes of
Academic 8 Leadership & Education Management, 2 Inter
University Centres for Teachers Education;
 Create subject based networks in different disciplines.

1.5 Components
1. Institutional Oriented
Creation of New Institutional Arrangements
(i) Schools of Education (30 Nos.)
(ii) Centres of Excellence for Curriculum and Pedagogy (50).
(iii) Inter-University Centres for Teacher Education (2)
2. Individual Oriented
(i) Innovations, Awards, Teaching Resource Grant including Workshops and Seminars
3. Networks and Alliances
(i) Subject Networks for Curricular Renewal and Reforms
(ii) National Resource Centre for Education /Higher Education Academy
4. Academic Leadership

 Institutes of Academic Leadership and Education Management (5 Nos.)

79)SEHAT (LAUNCHED BY NDA GOVT)

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 To provide healthcare facilities in rural areas, the government today launched a

telemedicine initiative in collaboration with Apollo Hospitals under which people
can consult doctors through video link.
 As part of the service named 'Sehat', people in rural areas can consult
doctors online and also order generic drugs.
 The Common Service Centres (CSCs) have been delivering tele-consultation
services with support from Apollo and Medanta in some areas and now with this
initiative the tele- consultation services are being extended to 60,000 CSCs
across the country.
 "Quality and affordable healthcare is one of the emerging need for citizens in
rural areas. I am happy that CSC SPV and Apollo have come together to address
this issue and design a workable solution," Communications and IT Minister Ravi
Shankar Prasad said while launching the service.
 The CSCs will also provide diagnostic services and promote sale of generic
drugs through collaboration with Ministry of Health, by setting up Jan Aasudhi
Stores.
 "With the availability of tele-consultation, diagnostic facilities and generic drugs
stores, we can redefine the extension of affordable and quality healthcare to the
citizen especially in rural India," Prasad said.
 Under the service, people can visit CSCs and fix an appointment for seeking
expert consultancy with a doctor.

The doctors at Apollo Hospitals will be able to provide consultancy to the patients using
the video linkfacilities.

SEHAT(LAUNCHED BY UPA GOVT)MARCH 2014

Main features of the Scheme
• Under the scheme, Sehat Card will be issued to every student of the Institution
financially aided by Maulana Azad Education Foundation (MAEF).
• Preventive Health Check-up Camps will be organized by the Institute twice in a year,
through Government or Private Hospitals or Nursing Homes.
• All findings of the Preventive Health Checkups will be entered in the Sehat Card of the
student by the Doctors.
• In exceptional and deserving cases for serious ailments the poor students belonging to
notified minorities will be provided financial assistance for the treatment in government
or recognized hospitals. Serious ailments of kidney, heart, liver cancer and brain or any
life threatening diseases including Knee surgery and Spinal surgery will be covered.
• A Dispensary or Health Care Centre is to be set up in the educational institutions
(School) to provide daily medical facilities to the students studying in the educational
institutions funded or aided by MAEF.
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80)MAHILA VIKAS NIDHI (MVN)

 MVN is specially designed fund for economic empowerment of women.

Training and employment opportunities are provided to them through creation of
necessary infrastructure.
 Besides supply of improved inputs, production and technological
improvements are also covered under the MVN scheme. The progress of this
scheme has been noteworthy.
 Implemented by SIDBI.

81)Mahila Udyam Nidhi Scheme (MUN)

Mahila Udyam Nidhi Scheme (MUN)

Objective:
The objective of the scheme is to provide equity type of assistance to women
entrepreneurs for setting up new industrial venture with the project cost upto Rs. 10 lac
in small scale sector.

Eligibility:

 New projects in tiny and small scale sectors for manufacture, preservation or
processing of goods (tiny entreprises would include all industrial units and
service industries except road transport operators) specifying the investment
ceiling prescribed for tiny enterprises.
 Existing tiny and small industrial units as mentioned at 'a' above including
those who have availed of MUN assistance earlier undertaking expansion,
modernisation technology upgradaton and diversification.
 All industrial activities and service activities in SSI sector excluding road
transport operators.
 d) Sick, tiny and SSI units which are considered potentially viable. Projects which
have availed any margin money or seed/special capital assistance under
the scheme of Central/State Government, SFCs and other Fls are not eligible for
assistance under the scheme.

Cost of Project:
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 Total cost of project including margin money for working capital should not
exceed Rs. 10.00 lac in case of new projects. In case of existing units and
service enterprises the outlay of expansion/modernisation/technology
upgradation or diversification or rehabilitation should not exceed Rs. 10.00 lac
per project.
Terms of Assistance:

 Soft loan under the scheme @ 25% of the project cost subjected to the
maximum of Rs. 2.5 lac per project. The minimum promoters contribution will be
10% of the cost of project.
Interest rate:

 No interest is charged on soft loan component except service charges of 5%

PA. Interest on term loan is linked with refinance rate of SIDBI.
Repayment period:

 Seven years (including moratorium period of three years for soft assistance
and 18 months for term loan)

82)Upgrading the Skills and Training in Traditional Arts/Crafts for Development

(USTAAD) Scheme

 The Scheme aims at upgrading Skills and Training of minority communities by

preservation of traditional ancestral Arts and Crafts.
 It also envisages boosting the skill of craftsmen, weavers and artisans who are
already engaged in the traditional ancestral work.
 Under the scheme, assistance will be provided to traditional artisans to sell their
products in order to make them more compatible with modern markets.
 It is fully funded by Union Government and Union Ministry of Minority Affairs is
nodal agency in implementing it

83)Deen Dayal Upadhyay Centres for Knowledge Acquisition and Upgradation of

Skilled Human Abilities and Livelihood ( DDU-KAUSHAL)

The main objectives of these centers are to:

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a) create skilled manpower for industry requirements at various levels. The

scheme provides for vertical mobility from short term certificate courses to full-fledged
post graduate degree programme, and further research in specialized areas. The
courses would be planned/ designed to have provision of multiple entry and exit at
various levels culminating up-to a research degree level. These shall also include
courses which are offered under the Community College Scheme and B.Voc. degree
programme of UGC.

b) Formulate courses at postgraduate level keeping in mind the need of i) Industry in

specialized areas; ii) Instructional design, curriculum design and contents in the areas of
Skills Development; iii) Pedagogy, assessment for skills development education and
training; iv) trained faculty in the areas of skill development; and v) Entrepreneurship;
etc.

c) work for coordination between the higher education system and industry to become a
Centre of Excellence for skill development in specialized areas.

d) network with other such centers and universities and colleges imparting vocational
education under the scheme of Community Colleges and B.Voc degree programme in
their region and coordinate with them for targeted development of skill oriented
education.

e) undertake R&D in the areas related to skill education & development,

entrepreneurship, employability, labour market trends etc. at the post-graduate and
research level.

f) act as finishing school by providing supplementary modular training programmes so

that a learner, irrespective of his/her training background, is made job ready with
necessary work skills (soft, communication, ICT skills etc) and fill the gaps in the
domain skills measured against QPs/NOSs.

g) provide for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) framework for job roles at
NSQF Level 4 onwards by conducting assessment and certification with respective
Sector Skill Councils (SSCs) / Directorate General of Employmentand Training (DGET).

h) Maintain ‘Labour Market Information’ for respective regions in coordination with other
government agencies and industry associations.
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i) develop and aggregate curriculum, content and learning materials for skills
development in different sectors

84)Jana Dhan Yojana

 Background - Only 59% of Indian have bank accounts

Components:

 Each household will have a banking outlet within 5km

 Each household will have at least one bank account along with INR 100,000
accident cover.
 Households will also be provided with Rupay debit card.
 Financial literacy programmes to make public aware of benefits of saving and
investing money properly.
 Credit guarantee fund- to cover losses in overdrafts.
 Account holders can buy micro insurance products
 Scheme will be leveraged for DBT

Positives –

 Aid financial inclusion + Boost household savings rates + DBT can reduce
corruption/leakage + Increase insurance penetration + protection from predatory
lenders. Financial literacy programmes will enable public to make more informed
decisions.

# Negatives

 To get large insurance or overdraft facility, same person might open multiple
accounts in multiple banks- one with Aadhar card, one with PAN card, one with
voters card (Banks should establish a single information sharing system to weed
out such multiple accounts)
 It could be used for money laundering and hawala operations
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 Jan Dhan gives free accident insurance cover worth Rs.1 lakh but
RuPay debit card must be used atleast once every 45 days. This is not be
possible for poor families in remote tribal areas. So, they’ll lose the benefit due to
inactivity.
 Jana Dhan relies on BCs - RBI has recently highlighted several problems with
this model.
 3/4th of accounts have no 0 deposit

# Maintaining momentum of Jana Dhan

 First, it is crucial to structure incentives so that all those involved in

implementing the PMJDY, right down the chain of command, are motivated to
achieve universal financial inclusion.
 Second, it is essential to provide financial education — and the right kind — to
recipients of the new programme. Vast numbers of India’s unbanked live in rural
areas, are financially and functionally illiterate, and have little experience with
technology.
 Third, in rolling out its national plan, the government must anticipate technical
breakdowns.
 India should explore and evaluate the best ways to utilise mobile phone service
providers to grant users access to payments and account information.

85)Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana

The new scheme of Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana (DDUGJY), recently
approved by the Union Government draws its inspiration from the similar
pioneering scheme implemented by the Government of Gujarat. This scheme will
enable to initiate much awaited reforms in the rural areas. It focuses
on feeder separation (rural households & agricultural) and strengthening of sub-
transmission & distribution infrastructure including metering at all levels in rural
areas. This will help in providing round the clock power to rural households and
adequate power to agricultural consumers .The earlier scheme for rural electrification
viz. Rajiv Gandhi Grameen Vidyutikaran Yojana (RGGVY) has been subsumed in the
new scheme as its rural electrification component

Components:

The major components of the scheme are feeder separation; strengthening of sub-
transmission anddistribution network; Metering at all levels (input
points, feeders and distribution transformers); Micro grid and off grid distribution
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network & Rural electrification- already sanctioned projects under RGGVY to be

completed.

Budgetary Support:

The full scheme entails an investment of Rs 43,033 crore which includes the
requirement of budgetary support of Rs. 33,453 crore from GOI over the entire
implementation period. All Discoms including private Discoms and State Power
Departments are eligible for financial assistance under this Scheme. Discoms will
prioritize strengthening of rural infrastructure work considering specific network
requirement and will formulate Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) of the projects for
coverage under the Scheme. Rural Electrification Corporation (REC) is the Nodal
Agency for operationalization of this Scheme. It will furnish monthly progress reports on
the implementation of the scheme indicating both financial and physical progress to
Ministry of Power and Central Electricity Authority .

Monitoring Committee:

The Monitoring Committee under the Chairmanship of Secretary (Power) will approve
the projects and also monitor implementation of the scheme. Suitable Tripartite
Agreement will be executed between REC as the Nodal Agency on behalf of Ministry of
Power, the State Government and the Discom to ensure implementation of the scheme
in accordance with the guidelines prescribed under the scheme. Bipartite agreement will
be executed in case of State Power departments.

Execution Period:

Projects under this Scheme will be completed within a period of 24 months from the
date of issue of Letter of Awards by the utility.

Funding Mechanism:

Grant portion of the Scheme is 60% for other than special category States (up to 75%
on achievement of prescribed milestones) and 85% for special category States (up to
90% on achievement of prescribed milestones). The milestones for the additional grant
are: timely completion of the scheme, reduction in AT&C losses as per trajectory and
upfront release of subsidy by State govt. All North Eastern States including Sikkim,
Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttrakhand are included in special category
States.

86)Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana or PMGSY

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 The Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana or PMGSY is a nationwide plan in India
to provide good all-weather road connectivity to unconnected villages
 The goal was to provide roads to all villages

 with a population of 1000 persons and above by 2003

 with a population of 500 persons and above by 2007

 in hill states, tribal and desert area villages with a population of 500 persons and
above by 2003
 in hill states, tribal and desert area villages with a population of 250 persons and
above by 2007

 In order to implement this, an Online Management & Monitoring System or

OMMS GIS system was developed to identify targets and monitor progress.
 It is developed by e-governance department of C-DAC pune and is one of the
biggest databases in India.
 The system manages and monitors all the phases of road development right from
its proposal mode to road completion. The OMMS also has separate module to
track the expenses made on each road. Based on the data entered by state
and district officers, OMMS generates detailedreports which are viewable in
citizens section (omms.nic.in). OMMS incorporates advanced features like E-
payment, Password protected PDF files, Interactive Reports etc.

 It is under the authority of the Ministry of Rural Development and was begun on
25 December 2000. It is fully funded by the central government.

87)Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA)

 It is a centrally sponsored scheme of the Ministry of Human Resource

Development, Government of India, for the development of secondary education
in public schools throughout India. It was launched in March 2009. The
implementation of the scheme has started from 2009-2010 to provide conditions
for an efficient growth, development and equity for all.
 The scheme includes a multidimensional research, technical consulting, various
implementations and funding support.The principal objectives are
to enhance quality of secondary education and increase the total enrollment rate
from 52% (as of 2005–2006) to 75% in five years, i.e. from 2009–2014.It aims to
provide universal education for all children between 15–16 years of age.[3]
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Thefunding from the central ministry is provided through state governments,

which establish separate implementing agencies
The objectives of Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan can be summarised as
follows:

 To improve quality of education imparted at secondary level through making

all secondary schoolsconform to prescribed norms.
 To remove gender, socio-economic and disability barriers.
 Universal access to secondary level education by 2017, i.e., by the end of the XII
Five Year Plan.
 Universal retention by 2020.

RMSA is planned to promote secondary education by establishing in every target school

the following infrastructure:

 Additional class rooms

 Laboratories
 Libraries
 Art and crafts room
 Toilet blocks
 Drinking water provisions
 Residential hostels for teachers in remote areas
 In addition it aims to provide additional teachers to reduce student-teacher to
30:1, focus on science, mathematics and English education, in-service training of
teachers, science laboratories, ICT-enabled education, curriculum reforms, and
teaching-learning reforms

88)Rashtriya Uchchattar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA)

 It is a holistic scheme of development for higher education in India initiated in

2013 by the Ministry of Human Resource Development, Government of India.
 The centrally sponsored scheme aims at providing strategic funding to higher
educationalinstitutions throughout the country.
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 Funding is provided by the central ministry through the state governments and
union territories (UT), which in coordination with the central Project Appraisal
Board will monitor the academic, administrative and financial advancements
taken under the scheme. A total of 316 state public universities and
13,024 colleges will be covered under it.
 RUSA aims to provide equal development to all higher institutions and rectify
weaknesses in the higher education system. Its target achievement is to raise the
gross enrolment ratio to 32% by the end of XII Plan in 2017. The major objectives
are to:

 *improve the overall quality of existing state institutions by ensuring that all
institutions conform to prescribed norms and standards and adopt accreditation
as a mandatory quality assurance framework.
 *usher transformative reforms in the state higher education system by creating a
facilitating institutional structure for planning and monitoring at the state level,
promoting autonomy in state universities and improving governance in
institutions.
 *ensure academic and examination reforms in the higher educational institutions.
 *enable conversion of some of the universities into research universities at par
with the best in the world.
 *create opportunities for states to undertake reforms in the affiliation system in
order to ensure that the reforms and resource requirements of
affiliated colleges are adequately met.
 *ensure adequate availability of quality faculty in all higher
educational institutions and ensure capacity building at all levels of employment.
 *create an enabling atmosphere in the higher educational institutions to devote
themselves to research and innovations.
 *expand the institutional base by creating additional capacity in existing
institutions and establishing new institutions, in order to achieve enrolment
targets.
 *correct regional imbalances in access to higher education by facilitating access
to high quality institutions in urban and semi-urban areas, creating opportunities
for students from rural areas to get access to better quality institutions and
setting up institutions in un-served and underserved areas.
 *improve equity in higher education by providing adequate opportunities of higher
education to SC/STs and socially and educationally backward classes; promote
inclusion of women, minorities, and differently abled persons
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89)UNNAT BHARAT ABHIYAN

1. Vision:

 Unnat Bharat Abhiyan is inspired by the vision of transformational change in rural

development processes by leveraging knowledge institutions to help build the
architecture of an Inclusive India.
2. Mission:

 The Mission of Unnat Bharat Abhiyan is to enable higher educational institutions

to work with the people of rural India in identifying development challenges and
evolving appropriate solutions for accelerating sustainable growth. It also aims to
create a virtuous cycle between society and an inclusive academic system by
providing knowledge and practices for emerging professions and to upgrade the
capabilities of both the public and the private sectors in responding to the
development needs of rural India.
3. Rationale:

 India in the twenty first century is an interesting mosaic of new and old
challenges and opportunities. Huge development disconnects such as inequity in
health, education, incomes, co-exist with a society getting connected through
communication technologies prompting an increasingly vocal democracy to
demand greater public services and assets, opportunities for growth and access
to resources.
 70 % of the population in India lives in rural areas, engaged in agrarian economy
with agriculture and allied sectors employing 51% of the total workforce but
accounting for only 17% of the GDP. Without rural development, India cannot
optimally realise its growth potential and claim its place in the world.
 In today’s Knowledge Economy, it is not enough to mobilise financial
resources. Professional and technical know-how, evolved through innovative
experimentation and adapted to the social context is equally important. The
implication is that rural development needs to be informed by a
formalprofessional knowledge framework encompassing engineering, planning,
management and appliedsocial sciences as a holistic design approach. At the
same time such professional inputs need to be sensitive to the local context and
community. The critical design parameters for rural development can be seen as
a triadic unity of people’s participation, inter-disciplinary professionalism and
convergence of resources. Moreover, the outcomes need to be measured not
just in terms ofquantitative gains, but by social equity, technical soundness,
economic efficiency, and sustainability.
4. Current Policy Context
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 Honourable Prime Minister in his Independence Day

speech etched the contours of his development vision for the country highlighting
the need to channelise the talent of the youth and ensuring a better developed
rural India. Honourable PM also urged all MPs to develop a model village in their
constituencies by 2016. One village for a constituency should be developed as a
model. Two more can be developed by 2019. If each MP decides to develop
three villages over five years, many villages in the country would see progress
and serve as examples. Accordingly, the Sansad Adarsh Gram Yojna was
launched on 11 October 2014. Honourable PM also in the conference with
Directors and Chairpersons of IITs on August 22nd, 2014, exhorted them to
adopt a village and develop appropriate technologies. Each student should have
such a project, individually or collectively to be pursued over 4 years of the
educational course so as to contribute to society a substantial product/service,
upon his/her graduation.
5. Goals:

 Unnat Bharat Abhiyan (UBA) aims at transformational change with the following
Goals:
 To build an understanding of the development agenda within institutes of Higher
Education and an institutional capacity and training relevant to national needs,
specially those of rural India.
 To re-emphasize the need for field work, stake-holder interactions and design for
societal objectives as the basis of higher education. To stress on rigorous
reporting and useful outputs as central to developing new professions.
 Provide rural India and regional agencies with access to
the professional resources of the institutes of higher education, specially those
that have acquired academic excellence in the field of science, engineering and
technology, and management.
 To improve development outcomes as a consequence of this research. To
develop new professions and new processes to sustain and absorb the
outcomes of research.
 To foster a new dialogue within the larger community on science, society and the
environment and to develop a sense of dignity and collective destiny.
6. Objective:

 The Objectives of the Unnat Bharat Abhiyan are broadly two-fold.

 Build institutional capacity in institutes of Higher Education in research and
training relevant to national needs, specially those of rural India, which includes
inter alia the following objectives:
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 Encourage Indian higher education Institutions to engage with problems of rural

India and to provide solutions for them.
 Develop an academic framework for working on societal problems, their solution,
delivery, reporting and assessment.
 Re-visit where necessary the curriculum in technical education in educational
and research institutions to incorporate inclusive technologies for rural India.
 Promote inter-disciplinary approach in higher education guided by live contexts.
 Develop over time, research areas which have developmental significance, such
as drinking water, education, health, agricultural practices, electrification,
agricultural and rural industries cooking energy, watershed analysis.
 Develop collaborations of academic institutions with key government flagship
programs and develop formal course-ware for supporting the knowledge needs
for the same.
 Promote networking and coordination among various science and technology
based voluntary organizations and developmental agencies.
 Foster collaborations between governance, knowledge institutions and local
communities.
 Provide rural India with professional resource support from institutes of higher
education, specially those that have acquired academic excellence in the field of
science, engineering and technology, and management.
 To identify the basic developmental and productive needs of a village and find
ways and means to meet these needs.
 Strengthen the technical design of interventions in key sectoral areas of natural
resource management such as water and soil, economic activities such as
agriculture and related production, or related to crafts and artisans, infrastructure
such as housing, roads, energy.
 Identify efficient, cost effective and sustainable development practices in the
field.
 Help grassroots organizations in innovating new products, and support rural
entrepreneurs to develop neighborhood solutions.
 Empower communities to dialogue with knowledge institutions in order to evolve
technically sound and locally feasible development strategies that promote self-
reliance.
 Facilitate convergence of development schemes, resources, various planning
and implementation initiatives, and coordination of agencies for successful
interventions and measurable outcomes.
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90)NATIONAL OPTICAL FIBRE NETWORK

 At present OFC (Optical Fibre Cable) connectivity is available in all State

Capitals, Districts, HQs and upto the Block Level. There is a plan to connect all
the 2,50,000 Gram panchayats in the country. This will be done by utilizing
existing fibres of PSUs (BSNL, Railtel and Power Grid) and laying incremental
fibre to connect to Gram Panchayats wherever necessary.
 Dark fibre network thus created will be lit by appropriate technology thus creating
sufficientbandwidth at the Gram Panchayats. This will be called the National
Optical Fibre Network (NOFN). Thus connectivity gap between Gram Panchayats
and Blocks will be filled.
 Non-discriminatory access to the NOFN will be provided to all the Service
Providers. These service providers like Telecom Service Providers(TSPs), ISPs,
Cable TV operators and Content providers can launch various services in rural
areas.
 Various categories of applications like e-health, e-education and e-governance
etc. can be provided by these operators. The NOFN project is estimated to cost
about Rs. 20,000 Cr. It is proposed to be completed in 2 years’ time. The project
will be funded by the Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF).
 The company has been granted National Long Distance Operating (NLDO)
license by DOT to w.e.f. 01.04.2013
91)e-Nikshay

 NIKSHAY- A web based solution for monitoring of TB patients To

monitor Revised National Tuberculosis Programme (RNTCP) effectively, a web
enabled and case based monitoring application called NIKSHAY has been
developed by National Informatics Centre (NIC).
 This is used by health functionaries at various levels across the country in
association with Central TB Division (CTD), Ministry of Health & Family Welfare.
NIKSHAY covers various aspects of controlling TB using technological
innovations.
 Apart from web based technology, SMS services have been used effectively for
communication with patients and monitoring the programme on day to day basis.
92)e-Kranti- National e-Governance Plan 2.0
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The Union Cabinet gave its approval for the Approach and Key Components of e-Kranti
: National e-Governance Plan (NeGP) 2.0. This is a follow up to the key decisions taken
in the first meeting of the Apex Committee on the Digital India programme held in
November 2014. This programme has been envisaged by the Department of Electronics
and Information Technology (DeitY).

The objectives of 'e-Kranti' are as follows:

i. To redefine NeGP with transformational and outcome oriented e-Governance

initiatives.

ii. To enhance the portfolio of citizen centric services.

iii. To ensure optimum usage of core Information & Communication Technology (ICT).

iv. To promote rapid replication and integration of eGov applications.

v. To leverage emerging technologies.

vi. To make use of more agile implementation models.

The key principles of e-Kranti are as follows:

i. Transformation and not Translation.

ii. Integrated Services and not Individual Services.

iii. Government Process Reengineering (GPR) to be mandatory in every MMP.

iv. ICT Infrastructure on Demand.

v. Cloud by Default.

vi. Mobile First.

vii. Fast Tracking Approvals.

viii. Mandating Standards and Protocols.

ix. Language Localization.

x. National GIS (Geo-Spatial Information System).

xi. Security and Electronic Data Preservation.

e-Kranti is an important pillar of the Digital India programme. The Vision of e-Kranti is
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"Transforming e-Governance for Transforming Governance". The Mission of e-

Kranti is to ensure a Government wide transformation by delivering all Government
services electronically to citizens through integrated and interoperable systems via
multiple modes, while ensuring efficiency, transparency and reliability of such services
at affordable costs.

The approach and methodology of e-Kranti are fully aligned with the Digital India
programme. Theprogramme management structure approved for Digital India
programme would be used for monitoring the implementation of e-Kranti and also for
providing a forum to ascertain views of all stakeholders, overseeing implementation,
resolving inter-Ministerial issues and ensuring speedy sanction of projects. Key
components of the management structure would consist of the Cabinet Committee on
Economic Affairs (CCEA) for according approval to projects according to the financial
provisions, a Monitoring Committee on Digital India headed by the Prime Minister,
Digital India Advisory Group chaired by the Minister of Communications and IT, an Apex
Committee chaired by the Cabinet Secretary and the Expenditure Finance Committee
(EFC) / Committee on Non Plan Expenditure (CNE). The Apex Committee headed by
the Cabinet Secretary would undertake addition / deletion of Mission Mode Projects
(MMPs) which are considered to be appropriate and resolve inter-Ministerial issues.

Central Ministries/ Departments and State Governments concerned would have the
overall responsibility for implementation of the MMPs. Considering the need for overall
aggregation and integration at the national level, it is felt appropriate to implement e-
Kranti as a programme, with well defined roles and responsibilities of each agency
involved. The thrust areas of the e-Kranti - electronic delivery of services under the
Digital India programme are:-

Technology for Education (e-Education), Health (e-Healthcare), Farmers, Financial

Inclusion, Planning, Justice, Security, Planning and Cyber Security.
e-Governance - Reforming Government through Technology, a pivotal pillar of the
Digital India programme, would also be implemented under e-Kranti by undertaking and
strengthening Government Process Re-engineering, electronic databases, complete
workflow automation and IT based Public Grievance Redressal in all Government
Departments.

93)Digital india

Mission is to transform India into a digital empowered society and knowledge economy.
By the Dept of Electronics and IT; in phases until 2018. Budgetary provisions to Depts
and Ministeries.
Vision areas of Digital India are:
1. Government services available to citizens electronically. Will usher in public
accountability.
2. High speed internet as a core utility to be made available to every Gram Panchayat.
3. Digital identity- unique, authenticable.
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4. A safe and secure cyberspace.

5. Mobile phone and Bank Account which will enable participation in digital and financial
space atindividual level.
6. Governance and Services on demand
a. Single window access- seamless integration across ministeries and departments. Will
improve Ease of doing business and responsivity and approachability of the
government.
b. Government services accessible via the mobile too.
c. A Public Cloud- where a shareable private space; citizen entitlements also put here.
d. Financial transactions above a threshold- only electronic. Hence reduction in
corruption, transparency.
e. use of GIS. For better decision making and effective use of resources.
7. Digital Empowered Citizenry: All government services and documents/certificates
available on the cloud. Use of the vernacular. Participatory governance can be effected.
SCOPE OF THE PROGRAMME
A. IT (Indian Talent) + IT (information technology) = IT (India Tomorrow)
B. Technology can now become central aspect of ushering change.
C. Transformative mission as it weaves together many ideas, encompasses within its
ambit many programmes, schemes, services.
D. Many existing schemes will be restructured and re-focused to be implemented in a
synchronised manner
Digital India provides thrust to the NINE pillars of growth areas:
1. Braodband Highways: Rural, urban and National Information Infra
NOFN to connect all the villages.
NII will integrate the network and cloud infrastructure in the country to provide high
speed connectivity and cloud platform to various government departments up to the
panchayat level.
Integration of State Wide Area Network (SWAN), National Knowledge Network (NKN),
National Optical Fibre Network (NOFN), Government User Network (GUN) and the
MeghRaj Cloud.
2. Information for all: aim is to reach the maximum number to spread awareness of
services, rights and duties.
engagement through social media
using online messaging and emails
3. Electronic manufacturing
Targetting netzero imports by 2020.
Focus Areas are: FABS, Fab-less design, Set top boxes, VSATs, Mobiles, Consumer &
Medical Electronics, Smart Energy meters, Smart cards, micro-ATMs
Impetus to R&D, Skill development; Effecting economies of scale by taxation and
incentives. Eliminating the cost disadvantage.

4. Universal access to mobile connectivity

5. E-governance: reformation of governance through technology
Form simplification, online tracking, Integration of services and platforms
e.g. Aadhaar platform of Unique Identity Authority of India (UIDAI), payment gateway,
Mobile Seva platform, sharing of data through openApplication Programming Interfaces
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(API) and middleware such as National and State Service Delivery Gateways
(NSDG/SSDG) should be mandated to facilitate integrated and interoperable service
delivery to citizens and businesses.
6. E-Kranti: Electronic delivery of services.
Transforming e-Governance for Transforming Governance.
Considering the critical need of e-Governance, mobile Governance and Good
Governance in the country, the approach and key components of e-Kranti have been
envisioned. All e-governance programs under e-kranti.
e-healthcare, e-prosecution, e-education etc.
7. Public Internet access programme.
- one Common Service Centre in each Gram Panchayat. CSCs would be made viable
and multi-functional end-points for delivery of government and business services.
- Post offices as multi service centres.
8. IT for jobs.
Rural, small towns, North East to have special focus. Skilling. Promotion of BPOs esp
NE because of the hold on English language
9. Early Harvest programme. To be implemented within short timeline. eg Public Wi-Fi
hotspots, Biometric attendance, Secure email within the government etc
IMPLEMENTATION
- PPP wherever feasible
- Successes will be identified and replicated as soon as possible.
- citizen centricity is at the heart of the initiative.
- Felixibility to states to identify state-specific projects, in consonance with special needs
of the social and economic structure of the area.

94)NREGA (National Rural Employment Guarantee Act)

 Indian occupation assurance system The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural

Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) was passed in the legislation on
25th August 2005. The proposal provides a lawful assurance for 100 days of
service in each fiscal year to mature members of every rural family eager to do
community work- linked inexpert physical work at the constitutional least salary of
INR120 (US$2.17) for each day in 2009 cost. In the FY 2010–11, Central
government spend for plan is INR40, 000 crore (US$7.24 billion).
 This act was initiated with an intend of betterment of the buying muscle of the
rural inhabitants, chiefly partially or un-skilled employment to citizens existing in
rural India. They may or may not be under the poverty line. Approximately 1/3rd of
the fixed work power is women. The act was at first named as National Rural
Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA) and it was renamed on October second
2009.
 The plan was extensively assessed during 2011, as no extra efficient as new
deficiency lessening schemes in India. In spite of its finest purpose, MGNREGA
is inundated with disagreement about dishonest officials, shortfall backing as the
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supply of finances, poor class of infrastructure constructed in this program, &

unintentional negative effect on dearth.

The Plan

 The law directs governments in state to realize MGNREGA "schemes". In the

MGNREGA the Central Government convenes the charge towards the expense
of pay, three fourth of objects cost & few percentage of managerial charge. State
Governments congregate the charge of joblessness grant, one fourth of objects
cost & administrative charge of State committee. As the State Governments
disburse the joblessness stipend, they are greatly incentivized to recommend
service to personnel.
 Though, it depends on the State Government to make a decision as the amount
of joblessness stipend, depending on the provision that it should not be less than
one fourth of the least pay for the 1st thirty days, &not less than half the minimum
salary after that. Hundred days of service (or joblessness stipend) per family
must be given to talented & eager workers each fiscal year.

Provisions Under NREGA:

 Adult constituent of a rural family, eager to do inexpert manual labor, are

necessary to create listing in writing or verbally to the home Gram Panchayat.
 The Gram Panchayat following appropriate confirmation will provide a Job Card.
Photograph of every adult person of the family eager to work in NREGA will be
there on the Job Card & it will be at no charge.
 Within fifteen days of application the Job Card must be provided.
 A Job Card owner may present a printed request for service to the Gram
Panchayat, citing the time & period for which labor is hunted. At least 14 days of
service is the least.
 A dated receiving of the printed request for service will be issued by the Gram
Panchayat, against it the assurance of offering employment in fifteen days holds.
 Employment will be provided within fifteen days of request for job, if not so then
every day joblessness grant as per the Rule, States has to be compensated
accountability of imbursement of joblessness stipend.
 Work must generally be given inside five km of village radius. If the work is given
outside the five km, extra pay of ten percent is allocated to convene extra moving
& living expenditure.
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 As per the Minimum Wages Act 1948, Wages are to be salaried for farming
manual worker in the State, except if the Centre sees a wage price that should
not be fewer than INR60 (US$1.09) every day. Both men & women to be given
same wages.
 Note: The initial adaptation of the Rule was approved with Rs 155 per day as the
least income that requires to be given in NREGA. Though, several of Indian
states previously have pay policy with minimum salary set at over INR100
(US$1.81) each day. NREGA's least pay has since been altered to INR130
(US$2.35) every day.
 Salary is to be rewarded as per the portion rate or every day rate. Payment of
wages is required to be carried out weekly & in any case not further than a
fortnight.
 At least 1/3rd recipients must be women those have listed & demanded labor in
this plan.
 Work place amenities like crèche, consumption water, and shadow have to be
supplied.
 For a village the project shelf will be suggested through gram sabha & zilla
panchayats must permit it.
 At least fifty percent facility will be prearranged to Gram Panchayats for
implementation.
 Permissible works mainly include water & soil protection, afforestation & land
growth related jobs.
 A Sixty is to forty wage & objects ratio has to be retained. Contractors &
machinery is not permissible.
 The Central Government stands the hundred percent wage charge of unskilled
manual workers & seventy five percent of the objects cost counting the salary of
expert &semi expert employees.
 Gram Sabha will carry out the Social Audit.
 Grievance redressal machinery has to be placed to ensure a receptive execution
of the procedure.
 For public scrutiny every accounts & lists concerning to the Scheme must be
available.
Another Nice Compilation:

Q. What is the objective of MGNREGA?

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The objective of the Act is to enhance the livelihood security of people in rural areas by
guaranteeing 100 days of wage-employment in a financial year to a rural household
whose adult members volunteer to do unskilled manual work.
These works include water conservation, drought proofing, irrigation, land development,
rejuvenation of traditional water bodies, flood control and drainage work, rural
connectivity and work on the land of SC/ST/BPL/IAY beneficiaries/land
reform beneficiaries/ individual small and marginal farmers.
Q. What are the new initiatives taken in respect of MGNREGA?

The new wage rates which come in to effect from January 1, 2011 are higher than the
prevailing wage rates under MGNREGA at present in many states.

Wage disbursement to Mahatma Gandhi NREGA workers through Banks/Post Office

accounts has been made mandatory. Around 9.38 bank/post office accounts have been
opened so far.
On line Monitoring: Job cards, muster rolls, wage payments, number of days of
employment provided and works under execution have been put up on the website
www.nrega.nic.in for monitoring and easy public access for information.

District Level Ombudsman: Set up to receive complaints from Mahatma Gandhi NREGA
workers and others on any matters, consider such complaints and facilitate their
disposal in accordance with law.

Social Audits made mandatory: Gram Panchayats have been asked to organize Social
Audits once in every six months. Reports on Social Audits uploaded on the MGNREGA
website. 73 % Gram Panchayats have reported to have undertaken Social Audits in
2010-11 so far.

National Level Monitors (NLMs) Visit: 37 National level Monitor were deputed in 37
districts in 15 state s for special monitoring of the program.

Eminent Citizen Monitor s: 61Eminent Citizens have been identified so far as per the
Guidelines of the Scheme for independent monitoring. It is proposed to set up a group
of 100 Eminent Citizen Monitors to Report on the progress of the scheme.
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Vigilance and Monitoring committees (V&MCs) at State and District level have been re-
constituted for effective monitoring of the implementation of the program.

National Helpline for receipt of complaints: Toll free National Helpline 1800110707 has
been set up for the protection of workers entitlements and rights under the Act.
Partnership with Unique Identification Development Authority of India (UIDA): Mahatma
Gandhi NREGA is collaborating with UIDA. By creating a unique identity of the
individual the process would eliminate duplicate job cards, ghost beneficiaries while
facilitating easy bank account opening, tracking the mobility of beneficiaries and
ensuring a better m o n it or in g o f t h e system .

Construction o f B h a rat Nirman Rajiv Gandhi Sewa Kendra: Use of administrative

head of 6% under the Scheme has been permitted for provision of latest ICT facilities in
Gram Panchayats (BNRGSK) within the permissible norms of the State Government
subject to due procedures.
Enlarging the scope of works permitted: Works related to provision of irrigation facility,
horticulture plantation and land development facilities on the private land owned by SCs
and STs or below poverty line families (BPL) has been permitted under the Act. Gram
Panchayats while approving work plans have been asked to ensure that works on lands
of SC / ST and BPL receive first priority.

95)NATIONAL HEALTH MISSION

Some of the major initiatives under National Health Mission (NHM) are as follows:

Accredited Social Health Activists

 Community Health volunteers called Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs)

have been engaged under the mission for establishing a link between the
community and the health system. ASHA is the first port of call for any health
related demands of deprived sections of the population, especially women and
children, who find it difficult to access health services in rural areas. ASHA
Programme is expanding across States and has particularly been successful in
bringing people back to Public Health System and has increased the utilization of
outpatient services, diagnostic facilities, institutional deliveries and inpatient care.

Rogi Kalyan Samiti (Patient Welfare Committee) / Hospital Management Society

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 The Rogi Kalyan Samiti (Patient Welfare Committee) / Hospital

Management Society is a management structure that acts as a group of trustees
for the hospitals to manage the affairs of the hospital. Financial assistance is
provided to these Committees through untied fund to undertake activities for
patient welfare.

Untied Grants to Sub-Centres

 Untied Grants to Sub-Centers have been used to fund grass-root improvements

in health care. Some examples include:

Improved efficacy of Auxiliary Nurse Midwifes (ANMs) in the field that can now
undertake better antenatal care and other health care services.
Village Health Sanitation and Nutrition Committees (VHSNC) have used untied
grants to increase their involvement in their local communities to address the needs of
poor households and children.
Health care contractors
NRHM has provided health care contractors to underserved areas, and has been
involved in training to expand the skill set of doctors at strategically located facilities
identified by the states. Similarly, due importance is given to capacity building of nursing
staff and auxiliary workers such as ANMs. NHM also supports co-location of AYUSH
services in Health facilities such as PHCs, CHCs and District Hospitals.

Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY)

 JSY aims to reduce maternal mortality among pregnant women by encouraging

them to deliver in government health facilities. Under the scheme cash
assistance is provided to eligible pregnant women for giving birth in a
government health facility. Large scale demand side financing under the Janani
Suraksha Yojana (JSY) has brought poor households to public sector health
facilities on a scale never witnessed before.

National Mobile Medical Units (NMMUs)

 Many un-served areas have been covered through National Mobile Medical Units
(NMMUs).

National Ambulance Services

 Free ambulance services are provided in every nook and corner of the country
connected with a toll free number and reaches within 30 minutes of the call.

Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram (JSSK)

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 As part of recent initiatives and further moving in the direction of universal

healthcare, Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakarm (JSSK) was introduced to
provide free to and fro transport, free drugs, free diagnostic, free blood, free diet
to pregnant women who come for delivery in public health institutions and sick
infants up to one year.

Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK)

 A Child Health Screening and Early Intervention Services has been launched in
February 2013 to screen diseases specific to childhood, developmental delays,
disabilities, birth defects and deficiencies. The initiative will cover about 27 crore
children between 0–18 years of age and also provide free treatment including
surgery for health problems diagnosed under this initiative.

Mother and Child Health Wings (MCH Wings)

 With a focus to reduce maternal and child mortality, dedicated Mother and Child
Health Wings with 100/50/30 bed capacity have been sanctioned in high case
load district hospitals and CHCs which would create additional beds for mothers
and children.

Free Drugs and Free Diagnostic Service

 A new initiative is launched under the National Health Mission to provide Free
Drugs Service and Free Diagnostic Service with a motive to lower the out of
pocket expenditure on health.

District Hospital and Knowledge Center (DHKC)

 As a new initiative District Hospitals are being strengthened to provide Multi-

specialty health care including dialysis care, intensive cardiac care, cancer
treatment, mental illness, emergency medical and trauma care etc. These
hospitals would act as the knowledge support for clinical care in facilities below it
through a tele-medicine center located in the district headquarters and also
developed as centers for training of paramedics and nurses.

National Iron+ Initiative

 The National Iron+ Initiative is an attempt to look at Iron Deficiency Anaemia in

which beneficiaries will receive iron and folic acid supplementation irrespective of
their Iron/Hb status. This initiative will bring together existing programmes (IFA
supplementation for: pregnant and lactating women and; children in the age
group of 6–60 months) and introduce new age groups.
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96)SANSAD ADARSH GRAM YOJANA SAGY -SAANJHI

 Sansad Adarsh Gram Yojana was initiated to bring the member of parliament of
all the political parties under the same umbrella while taking the responsibility of
developing physical and institutional infrastructure in villages and turn them into
model villages.Under this scheme, each member of parliament needs to choose
one village each from the constituency that they represent, fix parameters and
make it a model village by 2016. Thereafter, they can take on two or three more
villages and do the same by the time the next general elections come along in
2019, and thereafter, set themselves ten-year-long village or
rural improvement projects.Villages will be offered smart schools, universal
access to basic health facilities and Pucca housing to homeless villagers.

 Sansad Adarsh Gram Yojana (SAGY) is a village development project launched

by Government of India in October 2014, under which each Member of
Parliament will take the responsibility of developing physical and institutional
infrastructure in three villages by 2019. The goal is to develop three Adarsh
Grams or model villages by March 2019, of which one would be achieved by
2016. Thereafter, five such Adarsh Grams (one per year) will be selected and
developed by 2024. (Sansad refers to Parliament, Adarsh refers to model, Gram
refers to village and Yojna meansScheme)

 The Project was launched on the occasion of birth anniversary of Lok Nayak Jai
Prakash Narayan and is inspired by the principles and values of Mahatma
Gandhi. It aims to provide rural India with quality access to basic amenities
and opportunities.

 The Scheme has a holistic approach towards development. It envisages

integrated development of the selected village across multiple areas such as
agriculture, health, education, sanitation, environment, livelihoods etc. Far
beyond mere infrastructure development, SAGY aims at instilling and nurturing
values of national pride, patriotism, community spirit, self-confidence people’s
participation, dignity of women, etc. in the people.

 The scheme is implemented through Members of Parliament (MPs)

with District Collector being the nodal officer. The MP would be free to identify a
suitable gram panchayat for being developed as Adarsh Gram, other than his/her
own village or that of his/her spouse. Gram Panchayat, which has a population of
3000-5000 in plain areas and 1000-3000 in hilly, tribal and difficult areas, would
be the basic unit for development.

 A village development plan would be prepared for every identified gram

panchayat with special focus on enabling every poor household to come out of
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poverty. The constituency fund, MPLADS, would be available to fill critical

financing gaps. The outcomes include 100% immunization, 100% institutional
delivery, reduced infant mortality rate, maternal mortality rate, reduction in
malnutrition among children etc.

 If each MP adopts three villages, the scheme will be able to develop 2,379 gram
panchayats over the next five years. (The Lok Sabha has 543 MPs and the Rajya
Sabha 250, of which 12 are nominated. There are 2,65,000 gram panchayats in
India. )

97)SWACCH BHARAT ABHIYAN

This campaign aims to accomplish the vision of a 'Clean India' by 2 October 2019, the
150th birthday of Mahatma Gandhi. Specific objectives are:

 Elimination of open defecation

 Conversion of unsanitary toilets to pour flush toilets (a type of pit latrine, usually
connected to two pits)
 Eradication of manual scavenging
 100% collection and processing/disposal/reuse/recycling of municipal solid waste
 A behavioural change in people regarding healthy sanitation practices
 Generation of awareness among citizens about sanitation and its linkages with
public health
 Supporting urban local bodies in designing, executing and operating waste
disposal systems
 Facilitating private-sector participation in capital expenditure and operation and
maintenance costs for sanitary facilities.

98)SHRAMEV JAYATE KARYAKRAM

 A Shram Suvidha portal, Labour Inspection scheme and Portability through

Universal Account Number (UAN) for Employees Provident Fund (EPF)

 A dedicated Shram Suvidha Portal: That would allot Labour Identification

Number (LIN) to nearly 6 lakhs units and allow them to file online compliance
for 16 out of 44 labour laws
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 ·An all-new Random Inspection Scheme: Utilizing technology to eliminate

human discretion in selection of units for Inspection, and uploading of
Inspection Reports within 72 hours of inspection mandatory

 · Universal Account Number: Enables 4.17 crore employees to have their

Provident Fund account portable, hassle-free and universally accessible

 ·Apprentice Protsahan Yojana: Will support manufacturing units mainly and other
establishments by reimbursing 50% of the stipend paid to apprentices
during first two years of their training

 · Revamped Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana: Introducing a Smart Card for the
workers in the unorganized sector seeded with details of two more social
security schemes

99)Pradhan Mantri Khanij Kshetra Kalyan Yojana (PMKKKY)

The Central Government today announced the launch of the Pradhan Mantri Khanij
Kshetra Kalyan Yojana (PMKKKY). This is a new programme meant to provide for
the welfare of areas and people affected by mining related operations, using the
funds generated by District Mineral Foundations (DMFs).

Minister of Mines and Steel Shri Narendra Singh Tomar said, “PMKKKY is a
revolutionary and unprecedented scheme of its kind, which will transform the lives
of people living in areas which are affected directly or indirectly by mining.”

The objective of PMKKKY scheme will be (a) to implement various developmental and
welfare projects/programs in mining affected areas that complement the existing
ongoing schemes/projects of State and Central Government; (b) to minimize/mitigate
the adverse impacts, during and after mining, on the environment, health and socio-
economics of people in mining districts; and (c) to ensure long-term sustainable
livelihoods for the affected people in mining areas. Care has been taken to include all
aspects of living, to ensure substantial improvement in the quality of life. High priority
areas like drinking water supply, health care, sanitation, education, skill
development, women and child care, welfare of aged and disabled people, skill
development and environment conservation will get at least 60 % share of the
funds. For creating a supportive and conducive living environment, balance funds will be
spent on making roads, bridges, railways, waterways projects, irrigation and alternative
energy sources. This way, government is facilitating mainstreaming of the people
from lower strata of society, tribals and forest-dwellers who have no wherewithal and
are affected the most from mining activities.

The Mines and Minerals (Development & Regulation) Amendment Act,

2015, mandated the setting up of District Mineral Foundations (DMFs) in all districts in
the country affected by mining related operations. The Central Government today
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notified the rates of contribution payable by miners to the DMFs. In case of all mining
leases executed before 12th January, 2015 (the date of coming into force of
the Amendment Act) miners will have to contribute an amount equal to 30% of the
royalty payable by them to the DMFs. Where mining leases are granted after
12.01.2015, the rate of contribution would be 10% of the royalty payable. Using the
funds generated by this contribution, the DMFs are expected to implement the
PMKKKY.

The Central Government has issued a directive to the State Governments, under
Section 20A of the MMDR Act, 1957, laying down the guidelines for implementation of
PMKKKY and directing the States to incorporate the same in the rules framed by them
for the DMFs.

The DMFs have also been directed to maintain the utmost transparency in their
functioning and provide periodic reports on the various projects and schemes taken up
by them.

100) Wiping Every Tear from Every Eye: The Jan Dhan Yojana, Aadhaar and
Mobile Numbers Provide the Solution JAM

Both the Central and State Government subsidize the price of wide range of products
with the expressed intention of making them affordable for the poor. Rice, wheat,
pulses, sugar kerosene, LPG, naptha, water, electricity, diesel, fertilizer, iron ore,
railways- these are just a few of the commodities and services that the Government
subsidises.

There is always a question over how much of these benefits actually reach the poor.

Ø Price subsidies are often regressive: It means that a rich household benefits more
from the subsidy than a poor household.

·Price subsidies in electricity can only benefit the (relatively wealthy) 67.2 percent of
household that are electrified.
·The poorest 50 percent of household consume only 25 percent of LPG.
·Majority (51 percent) of subsidized kerosene is consumed by the non-poor and
almost 15 percent of subsidized kerosene is actually consumed by relatively well-off
(the richest 40 percent).
·A large fraction of price subsidies allocated to water utilities- upto 85 percent- are spent
on subsidizing private taps when 60 percent of poor household get their water from
public taps.
·Controlled rail prices actually provide more benefits for wealthy household than poor
households.
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Ø Price subsidies can distort markets in ways that ultimately hurt the poor.

·This contributes to food price inflation that disproportionately hurts poor household who
tend to have uncertain income streams and lack the assets to weather economic
shocks.
·High MSPs and price subsidies for water together lead to water-intensive cultivation
that causes water tables to drop, which hurts farmers, especially those without irrigation.
·In order to cross subsidise low passenger fares, freight tariffs in railways are among
the highest in the world. This reduces the competitiveness of Indian manufacturing
and raises the cost of manufactured goods that all households, including the poor,
consume.
·Benefits from fertilizer price subsidies probably accrue to the fertilizer manufacturer and
richer farmer, not the intended beneficiary, the farmer.

Ø Leakages seriously undermine the effectiveness of product subsidies.

·Recent academic research on the subject of PDS leakages (kerosene, rice, wheat
etc.) has found that leakages are falling through still unacceptably high.

THE POSSIBILITIES OFFERED BY CASH TRANSFERS

Recent experimental evidence documents that unconditional cash transfers- if

targeted well- can boost household consumption and asset ownership, reduce food
security problems for the ultra-poor and opportunities for leakage.

THE JAM NUMBER TRINITY SOLUTION

The JAM Number Trinity- Jan Dhan Yojana, Aadhaar and Mobile numbers- allows the
state to offer this support to poor households in a targeted and less distortive way.

·As of December 2013 over 720 million citizens had been allocated an Aadhaar card.
By December 2015 the total number of Aadhaar enrolments in the country is expected
to exceed 1 billion. Linking the AadhaarNumber to an active bank account is key to
implementing income transfers.
·With the introduction of Jan Dhan Yojana, the number of bank accounts is expected to
increase further and offering greater opportunities to target and transfer financial
resources to the poor.

Two alternative financial delivery mechanisms below:

Ø Mobile Money

·With over 900 million cell phone users and close to 600 million unique users, mobile
money offers a complementary mechanism of delivering direct benefits to a large
proportion of the population. And this number is increasing at a rate of 2.82 million per
month.
·Aadhaar registrations include the mobile numbers of a customer, the operational
 WWW.IASABHIYAN.COM

bottlenecks required to connect mobile numbers with unique identification codes is also
small.

Ø Post Offices

·India has the largest Postal Network in the world with over 1,55,015 Post Offices of
which (89.76 percent) are in the rural areas.
·Similar to the mobile money framework, the Post Office can seamlessly fit into
the Aadhaar linked benefits-transfer architecture by applying for an IFSC code which
will allow post offices to start seedingAadhaar linked accounts.

Converting all subsidies into direct benefit transfers is therefore a laudable goal
of government policy. Even as it focuses on second generation and third generation
reforms in factor markets, India will then be able to complete the basic first generation of
economic reforms.

101)INDRADHANUSH -PLAN FOR REVAMP OF PUBLIC SECTOR BANKS

Appointments:
The Government decided to separate the post of Chairman and Managing
Director by prescribing that in the subsequent vacancies to be filled up the
CEO will get the designation
of MD & CEO and there would be another person who would be appointed as
non-Executive Chairman of PSBs. This approach is based on global best
practices and as per the guidelines in the Companies Act to ensure
appropriate checks and balances. The selection process for
both these positions has been transparent and meritocratic. The entire
process of selection for MD & CEO was revamped. Private sector candidates
were also allowed to apply for the
position of MD & CEO of the five top banks i.e. Punjab National Bank, Bank of
Baroda, Bank of India, IDBI Bank and Canara Bank. Three stage screening
was done for the MD’s position culminating into final interview by three
different panels
B) Bank Board Bureau:
The announcement of the Bank Board Bureau (BBB) was made by Hon’ble
Finance Minister in his Budget Speech for the year 2015-16. The BBB will be
a body of eminent
professionals and officials, which will replace the Appointments Board
for appointment of Whole-time Directors as well as non-Executive Chairman
of PSBs. They will also constantly engage with the Board of Directors of all
the PSBs to formulate appropriate strategies for their growth and
development. The structure of the BBB is going to be as follows; the BBB
will comprise of a Chairman and six more members of which three will be
officials and three experts (of which two would necessarily be from the
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banking sector). The Search Committee for members of the BBB would
comprise of the Governor, RBI and Secretary (FS) and Secretary (DoPT) as
members. The BBB would broadly follow the selection methodology as
approved in relevant ACC guidelines.
C) Capitalization:
As of now, the PSBs are adequately capitalized and meeting all the Basel III
and RBI norms. However, the Government of India wants to adequately
capitalize all the banks to keep a safe buffer over and above the minimum
norms of Basel III. We have, therefore, estimated how much capital will be
required this year and in the next three years till FY 2019.
If we exclude the internal profit generation which is going to be available to
PSBs (based onthe estimate of average profit of the last three years), the
capital requirement of extra capital for the next four years up to FY 2019 is
likely to be about Rs.1,80,000 crore. This estimate is based on credit growth
rate of 12% for the current year and 12 to 15% for the next three
years depending on the size of the bank and their growth ability. We are also
presuming that the emphasis on PSBs financing will reduce over the years by
development of vibrant
corporate debt market and by greater participation of Private Sector Banks.
D) a) De-stressing PSBs
The infrastructure sector and core sector have been the major recipient of
PSBs’ funding during the past decades. But due to several factors, projects
are increasingly stalled/stressed thus leading to NPA burden on banks. In a
recent review, problems causing stress in the power, steel and road sectors
were examined. It was observed that the major reasons affecting these
projects were delay in obtaining permits / approvals from various
governmental and regulatory agencies, and land acquisition, delaying
Commercial Operation Date (COD); lack of availability of fuel, both coal and
gas; cancellation of coal blocks;
closure of Iron Ore mines affecting project viability; lack of transmission
capacity; limited off-take of power by Discoms given their reducing purchasing
capacity; funding gap faced by limited capacity of promoters to raise
additional equity and reluctance on part of banks to increase their exposure
given the high leverage ratio; inability of banks to restructure projects
even when found viable due to regulatory constraints. In case of steel sector
the prevailing market conditions, viz. global over-capacity coupled with
reduction in demand led to substantial reduction in global prices, and
softening in domestic prices added to the woes
E) Empowerment:
The Government has issued a circular that there will be no interference from
Government and Banks are encouraged to take their decision independently
keeping the commercial interest of the organisation in mind. A cleaner
distinction between interference and intervention has been made. With
autonomy comes accountability, accordingly Banks have been asked to build
robust Grievances Redressal Mechanism for customers as well as staff so
that concerns of the affected are addressed effectively in time bound manner.
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The Government intends to provide greater flexibility in hiring manpower to

Banks. The Government is committed to provide required professionals as
NoDs to the Board so that
well-informed and well-discussed decisions are taken
F) Framework of Accountability:
(a) The present system for the measurement of bank’s performance was a
system called SoI – Statement of Intent. Based on certain criteria decided
by Ministry of Finance, the banks used to come up with their annual target
figures which was discussed between the Ministry and banks and finalized.
The entire exercise took very long and sometimes the targets for banks
used to be finalized only towards the end of the year which is not a desirable
thing to do.
G) Governance Reforms:
The process of governance reforms started with “Gyan Sangam” - a conclave
of PSBs and FIs organized at the beginning of 2015 in Pune which was
attended by all stake-holders including Prime Minister, Finance Minister, MoS
(Finance), Governor, RBI and CMDs of all PSBs and FIs. There was focus
group discussion on six different topics which resulted in specific decisions on
optimizing capital, digitizing processes, strengthening risk management,
improving managerial performance and financial inclusion. The decision to set
up a Bank Board Bureau which was subsequently announced in the Budget
Speech of Hon’ble Finance
Minister, came out of the recommendations of Gyan Sangam. Also, at this
conclave, Hon’ble
Prime Minister made a significant promise to the bankers that there would be
no interference from any Government functionary in the matter of their
commercial decisions. for exact
details..http://financialservices.gov.in/PressnoteIndardhanush.pdf

102)MISSION INDRADHANUSH

It aims to immunize all children against seven vaccine preventable diseases

namely diphtheria, whooping cough (Pertussis), tetanus, polio, tuberculosis,
measles and hepatitis B by 2020
Ministry will be technically supported by WHO, UNICEF, Rotary International and other
donor partners. Mass media, interpersonal communication, and sturdy mechanisms of
monitoring and evaluating thescheme are crucial components of Mission Indradhanush
The ultimate goal of Mission Indradhanush is to ensure full immunization with all
available vaccines for childrenup to two years and pregnant women.
The Mission is strategically designed to achieving high quality routine immunization
coverage while contributing to strengthening health systems that can be sustained over
years to come. In the last few years, India’s full immunization coverage has increased
only by 1% per year. The Mission has been launched to accelerate the process of
immunization and achieve full immunization coverage for all children in the country.
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The Government has identified 201 high focus districts across 28 states in the
country that have the highest number of partially immunized and unimmunized
children.
103)INDIA NEWBORN ACTION PLAN (INAP)

•Builds on existing commitments under the National Health Mission and 'Call to Action'
for Child Survival and Development

• Aligns with the Global Every Newborn Action Plan (ENAP); defines commitments
based on specific contextual needs of the country

•Aims at attaining Single Digit Neonatal Mortality Rate by 2030, five years ahead of
the global plan

•Emphasizes strengthened surveillance mechanism for tracking stillbirths

•Focuses on ending preventable newborn deaths, improving quality of care and care
beyond survival

• Prioritizes those babies that are born too soon, too small, or sick—as they account
for majority of all newborn deaths

•Aspires towards ensuring equitable progress for girls and boys, rural and urban, rich
and poor, and between districts and states

•Identifies major guiding principles under the overarching principle of Integration: Equity,
Gender, Quality of Care, Convergence, Accountability, and Partnerships

•Defines six pillars of interventions: Pre-conception and antenatal care; Care during
labour and child birth; Immediate newborn care; Care of healthy newborn; Care of small
and sick newborn; and Care beyond newborn survival

•Serves as a framework for states/districts to develop their own action plan with
measurable
indicators.

Goal 1: Ending Preventable Newborn Deaths to achieve “Single Digit NMR” by 2030,
with all the states to individually achieve this target by 2035
Goal 2: Ending Preventable Stillbirths to achieve “Single Digit SBR” by 2030, with
all the states to individually achieve this target by 2035

http://nrhm.gov.in/images/pdf/programmes/inap-final.pdf

104)HERITAGE CITY DEVELOPMENT AND AUGMENTATION YOJANA (HRIDAY)

 WWW.IASABHIYAN.COM

Rejuvenating the soul of urban India

* aim of bringing together urban planning, economic growth and heritage
conservation in an inclusive manner to preserve the heritage character of each
Heritage City.
*The Scheme shall support development of core heritage infrastructure projects
including revitalization of linked urban infrastructure for heritage assets such as
monuments, Ghats, temples etc. along with reviving certainintangible assets. These
initiatives shall include development of sanitation facilities, roads, public transportation &
parking, citizen services, information kiosks etc.
*With a duration of 27 months (completing in March 2017) and a total outlay of INR
500 Crores, the Scheme is set to be implemented in 12 identified Cities namely,
Ajmer, Amaravati,(Andhra Pradesh), Amritsar, Badami, Dwarka, Gaya, Kanchipuram,
Mathura, Puri, Varanasi, Velankanni and Warangal

The objectives of the scheme are:

*Planning, development and implementation of heritage-sensitive infrastructure

*Service Delivery and infrastructure provisioning in the core areas of the historic city

*Preserve and revitalise heritage wherein tourists can connect directly with city’s unique
character

*Develop and document a heritage asset inventory of cities – natural, cultural, living and
built heritage as a basis for urban planning, growth, service provision and delivery

*Implementation and enhancement of basic services delivery with focus on sanitation

services like public conveniences, toilets, water taps, street lights, with use of latest
technologies in improving tourist facilities/amenities.

*Local capacity enhancement for inclusive heritage-based industry

*HRIDAY is a central sector scheme*

sourcehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heritage_City_Development_and_Augmentation_Yo
jana

105)ATAL MISSION FOR REJUVENATION AND URBAN TRANSFORMATION

(AMRUT)

The purpose of Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation

(AMRUT) is to:

(i) ensure that every household has access to a tap with assured supply of water
and a sewerage connection;
(ii) increase the amenity value of cities by developing greenery and
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well maintained open spaces (e.g. parks); and

(iii) reduce pollution by switching to public transport or constructing facilities for non-
motorized transport (e.g. walking and cycling).
All these outcomes are valued by citizens, particularly women, and indicators and
standards have been prescribed by the Ministry of Urban Development (MoUD) in the
form of Service Level
Benchmarks (SLBs).

The Mission will focus on the following Thrust Areas:

i. Water Supply,
ii. Sewerage facilities and septage management,
iii. Storm Water drains to reduce flooding,
iv. Pedestrian, non-motorized and public transport facilities, parking spaces, and
v. Enhancing amenity value of cities by creating and upgrading green spaces, parks
and recreation centers, especially for children.

Water Supply
i. Water supply systems including augmentation of existing water supply, water
treatment plants and universal metering.
ii. Rehabilitation of old water supply systems, including treatment plants.
iii. Rejuvenation of water bodies specifically for drinking water supply and recharging
of ground water.
iv. Special water supply arrangement for difficult areas, hill and coastal cities,
including those having water quality problems (e.g. arsenic, fluoride)

Sewerage

i. Decentralised, networked underground sewerage systems, including augmentation

of existing sewerage systems and sewage treatment plants.
ii. Rehabilitation of old sewerage system and treatment plants.
iii. Recycling of water for beneficial purposes and reuse of wastewater.

Septage
i. Faecal Sludge Management- cleaning, transportation and treatment in a costeffective
manner.
ii. Mechanical and Biological cleaning of sewers and septic tanks and recovery of
operational cost in full.

Storm Water Drainage

i. Construction and improvement of drains and storm water drains in order to reduce
and eliminate flooding.

Urban Transport
i. Ferry vessels for inland waterways (excluding port/bay infrastructure) and buses.
ii. Footpaths/ walkways, sidewalks, foot over-bridges and facilities for non-motorised
 WWW.IASABHIYAN.COM

transport (e.g. bicycles).

iii. Multi-level parking.
iv. Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS).

Green space and parks

i. Development of green space and parks with special provision for child-friendly
components.

Reforms management & support

i. Support structures, activities and funding support for reform implementation.
ii. Independent Reform monitoring agencies.

Capacity Building
i. This has two components- individual and institutional capacity building.
ii. The capacity building will not be limited to the Mission Cities, but will be extended
to other ULBs as well.
iii. Continuation of the Comprehensive Capacity Building Programme (CCBP) after its
realignment towards the new Missions.
Indicative (not exhaustive) list of inadmissible components
i. Purchase of land for projects or project related works,
ii. Staff salaries of both the States/ULBs,
iii. Power,
iv. Telecom,
v. Health,
vi. Education, and
vii. Wage employment programme and staff component.
FURTHER DETAILS
http://amrut.gov.in/

106)HOUSING FOR ALL BY 2022 MISSION-NATIONAL MISSION FOR URBAN

HOUSING

a) Slum rehabilitation of Slum Dwellers with participation of private

developers using land as a resource; Central grant of Rs. one lakh per
house, on an average, will be available under the
slumrehabilitation programme. A State Government would have flexibility
in deploying this slum rehabilitationgrant to any slum rehabilitation project
taken for development using land as a resource for providing houses to
slum dwellers

b) Promotion of affordable housing for weaker section through credit

linked subsidy; Under the Credit Linked Interest Subsidy component,
interest subsidy of 6.5 percent on housing loans availed upto a tenure of
15 years will be provided to EWS/LIG categories, wherein the subsidy
pay-out on NPV basis would be about Rs.2.3 lakh per house for both the
 WWW.IASABHIYAN.COM

categories.

c) Affordable housing in partnership with Public & Private sectors and &
d) Subsidy for beneficiary-led individual house construction or
enhancement. Central assistance at the rate of Rs.1.5 lakh per house for
EWS category will be provided under the Affordable Housing in
Partnership and Beneficiary-led individual house construction or
enhancement
*The scheme will be implemented as a Centrally Sponsored
Scheme except the credit linked subsidy component, which will be
implemented as a Central Sector Scheme
*Houses constructed under the mission would be allotted in the name of
the female head of the households or in the joint name of the male head
of the household and his wife
*three phases as follows, viz. Phase-I (April 2015 - March 2017) to cover
100 Cities to be selected from States/UTs as per their willingness; Phase -
II (April 2017 - March 2019) to cover additional 200 Cities and Phase-III
(April 2019 - March 2022) to cover all other remaining Cities.
*In the spirit of cooperative federalism, the Mission will provide flexibility
to States for choosing best options amongst four verticals of the
Mission to meet the demand of housing in their states.
SOURCE http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=122576
107)SMART CITIES MISSION

*cities that provide core infrastructure and give a decent quality of life to its
citizens, a clean and sustainable environment and application of ‘Smart’ Solutions.
*The focus is onsustainable and inclusive development and the idea is to look at
compact areas, create a replicable model which will act like a light house to other
aspiring cities
The core infrastructure elements in a smart city would include:
i. adequate water supply,
ii. assured electricity supply,
iii. sanitation, including solid waste management,
iv. efficient urban mobility and public transport,
v. affordable housing, especially for the poor,
vi. robust IT connectivity and digitalization,
vii. good governance, especially e-Governance and citizen participation,
viii. sustainable environment,
ix. safety and security of citizens, particularly women, children and the elderly,
and
x. health and education
*the purpose of the Smart Cities Mission is to drive economic growth
and improve the quality of life of people by enabling local area development and
harnessing technology, especially technology that leads to Smart outcomes
http://smartcities.gov.in/writereaddata/What is Smart City.pdf
typical features of comprehensive development in Smart Cities
 WWW.IASABHIYAN.COM

*Promoting mixed land use in area based developments

*Housing and inclusiveness
*Creating walkable localities
*Preserving and developing open spaces
*Promoting a variety of transport options
*Making governance citizen-friendly and cost effective
*Giving an identity to the city
http://smartcities.gov.in/writereaddata/Smart City Features.pdf
The strategic components of area-based development in the Smart Cities
Mission are city improvement (retrofitting), city renewal (redevelopment) and city
extension (greenfield development) plus a Pan-city initiative in which Smart Solutions
are applied covering larger parts of the city
http://smartcities.gov.in/writereaddata/Strategy.pdf
a MoUD programme is using the ‘Challenge’ or competition
method to select cities for funding and using a strategy of area-based development.
This captures the spirit of ‘competitive and cooperative federalism

108)ATAL PENSION YOJANA

Benefit of APY: Fixed pension for the subscribers ranging between Rs. 1000 to Rs.
5000, if he joins and contributes between the age of 18 years and 40 years. The
contribution levels would vary and would be low if subscriber joins early and increase if
he joins late.

Eligibility for APY: Atal Pension Yojana (APY) is open to all bank account holders who
are not members of any statutory social security scheme.
Age of joining and contribution period: The minimum age of joining APY is 18 years
and maximum age is 40 years. Therefore, minimum period of contribution by
the subscriber under APY would be 20 years or more.

Focus of APY: Mainly targeted at unorganised sector workers.

Enrolment and Subscriber Payment: All bank account holders under

the eligible category may join APY with auto-debit facility to accounts, leading to
reduction in contribution collection charges.

Enrolment agencies: All Points of Presence (Service

Providers) and Aggregators under Swavalamban Schemewould enrol subscribers
through architecture of National Pension System.

Operational Framework of APY: It is Government of India Scheme, which is

administered by the PensionFund Regulatory and Development Authority. The
Institutional Architecture of NPS would be utilised to enrol subscribers under APY.

Funding of APY: Government would provide (i) fixed pension guarantee for the
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subscribers; (ii) would co-contribute 50% of the subscriber contribution or Rs. 1000
per annum, whichever is lower, to eligiblesubscribers; and (iii) would also reimburse the
promotional and development activities including incentive to the contribution collection
agencies to encourage people to join the APY.
SOURCEhttp://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=116208

109)PRADHAN MANTRI SURAKSHA BIMA YOJANA

Eligibility: Available to people in age group 18 to 70 years with bank account.

Premium: Rs.12 per annum.
Payment Mode: The premium will be directly auto-debited by the bank from the
subscribers account. This is the only mode available.
Risk Coverage: For accidental death and full disability - Rs.2 Lakh and for partial
disability – Rs.1 Lakh.
Eligibility: Any person having a bank account and Aadhaar number linked to the bank
account can give a simple form to the bank every year before 1st of June in order to join
the scheme. Name of nominee to be given in the form.
Terms of Risk Coverage: A person has to opt for the scheme every year. He can also
prefer to give a long-term option of continuing in which case his account will be auto-
debited every year by the bank.
Who will implement this Scheme?: The scheme will be offered by all Public
Sector General Insurance Companies and all other insurers who are willing to join
the scheme and tie-up with banks for this purpose.
Government Contribution:
(i) Various Ministries can co-contribute premium for various categories of their
beneficiaries from their budget or from Public Welfare Fund created in this budget from
unclaimed money. This will be decided separately during the year.
(ii) Common Publicity Expenditure will be borne by the Government.

110)PRADHAN MANTRI JEEVAN JYOTI BIMA YOJANA

Eligibility: Available to people in the age group of 18 to 50 and having a bank account.
People who join the scheme before completing 50 years can, however, continue to have
the risk of life cover up to the age of 55 years subject to payment of premium.
Premium: Rs.330 per annum. It will be auto-debited in one instalment.
Payment Mode: The payment of premium will be directly auto-debited by the bank from
the subscribers account.
Risk Coverage: Rs.2 Lakh in case of death for any reason.
Terms of Risk Coverage: A person has to opt for the scheme every year. He can also
prefer to give a long-term option of continuing, in which case his account will be auto-
debited every year by the bank.
Who will implement this Scheme?: The scheme will be offered by Life Insurance
Corporation and all other life insurers who are willing to join the scheme and tie-up with
 WWW.IASABHIYAN.COM

banks for this purpose.

Government Contribution:
(i) Various other Ministries can co-contribute premium for various categories of their
beneficiaries out of their budget or out of Public Welfare Fund created in this budget out
of unclaimed money. This will be decided separately during the year.
(ii) Common Publicity Expenditure will be borne by Government.
* linked to the bank accounts opened under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana
scheme.
*CriticismThe banks have complained that revenue received will be very low.
Some bankers have claimed that amount they are receiving is not sufficient to cover the
service costs. Since, this a group insurance scheme, banks have not received
instruction regarding cases where excessive claims are in a year. Insurers have also
pointed out that no health certificate or information of pre-existing disease is required for
joining
sourcehttp://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=116207
111) PRADHAN MANTRI KRISHI SINCHAYEE YOJANA (PMKSY)

* It will have an outlay of Rs. 50,000 crore over a period of five years (2015-16 to 2019-
20).
The allocation for the current financial year is Rs. 5300 crore.

*achieve convergence of investments in irrigation at the field level

*expand cultivable area under assured irrigation (Har Khet ko pani)

* improve on-farm water use efficiency to reduce wastage of water, enhance the
adoption of precision-irrigationand other water saving technologies (More crop per
drop)

* enhance recharge of aquifers and introduce sustainable water conservation

practices by exploring the feasibility of reusing treated municipal based water for
peri-urban agriculture

*attract greater private investment in precision irrigation system

*comprehensive and holistic view of the entire "water cycle" is taken into account
and proper water budgeting is done for all sectors namely, household, agriculture and
industries.

*'decentralized State level planning and execution' structure States to draw up

a District Irrigation Plan (DIP) and a State Irrigation Plan (SIP)

*All structures created under the schemes will be geotagged.

*monitored National Steering Committee (NSC)

 WWW.IASABHIYAN.COM

*Implementation,assessment National Executive Committee (NEC)

*State Level Sanctioning Committee (SLSC) at state level

*convergence to existing schemes of water management, thus bringing efficiency to

the use of water*

112)National Leprosy Eradication Programme

 National Leprosy Eradication Programme is a centrally sponsored Health

Scheme of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Govt. of India. The
Programme is headed by the Deputy Director of Health Services (Leprosy )
under the administrative control of the Directorate General Health Services Govt.
of India. While the NLEP strategies and plans are formulated centrally, the
programme is implemented by the States/UTs. The Programme is also supported
as Partners by the World Health Organization, The International Federation of
Anti-leprosy Associations (ILEP) and few othe Non-Govt. Organizations.

Organogram

History of NLEP

 Leprosy is a chronic infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae. It

usually affects the skin and peripheral nerves, but has a wide range of clinical
manifestations. The disease is characterized by long incubation period generally
5-7 years and is classified as paucibacillary or mulitbacillary, depending on the
bacillary load. Leprosy is a leading cause of permanent physical disability. Timely
diagnosis and treatment of cases, before nerve damage has occurred, is the
most effective way of preventing disability due to leprosy.
 The earliest records of a ‘leprosy like’ disease come from Egypt, dating as far
back as 1400 BC. In China and India the first records appeared in the sixth
century BC. In China, a disciple of Confucius named Pai-Nie suffered from a
disease resembling lepromatous leprosy, which was known at that time as ’li’ or
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‘lai’. In India, leprosy was first described in the Susruth Samhita and treatment
with ‘chaulmoogra’ oil was known at that time. It is said that leprosy was referred
to as Kusht in the Vedic writing, which is how the disease is known as even to
this day in India, Nepal, Indonesia, Malaysia and many other countries in South
East Asia. Clay statues of leprosy patients were also found in Mesopotamia
dating as far as back as 400 BC.

 Initially, leprosy patients were isolated and segregated. Communities were

hostile to them and the patients were also self conscious and afraid to mix with
the community. Leprosoria to segregate the patients from the community were
built in Europe in the middle ages. Several statutory acts and laws were also
enacted during that time against them.
 A drug “Chaulmoogra” oil was used for leprosy treatment until “Dapsone” was
discovered with antileprosy effects during 1940s. It was in 1970s when multi drug
therapy (MDT) consisting of Rifampicin, Clofazimine and Dapsone were identified
as cure for leprosy which came into wide use from 1982 following
the recommendations of WHO. Since then the services for leprosy patients
gradually changed from institutional to outpatient care through health centres and
field clinics. Gradually the infected and cured leprosy patients began to be
accepted by the Community as a result of intensive health education and visibly
successful results of MDT.

Milestones in NLEP

1955 - National Leprosy Control Programme (NLCP) launched

1983 - National Leprosy Eradication Programme launched
1983 - Introduction of Multidrug therapy (MDT) in Phases
2005 - Elimination of Leprosy at National Level
2012 - Special action plan for 209 high endemic districts in 16 States/UTs
top^
Background
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 Govt. of India started National Leprosy Control Programme in 1955 based on

Dapsone domiciliary treatment through vertical units implementing survey
education and treatment activities. It was only in 1970s that a definite cure was
identified in the form of Multi Drug Therapy. The MDT came into wide use from
1982, following the recommendation by the WHO Study Group, Geneva in
October 1981. Govt. of India established a high power committee under
chairmanship of Dr. M.S. Swaminathan in 1981 for dealing with the problem
of leprosy. Based on its recommendations the NLEP was launched in 1983 with
the objective to arrest the disease activity in all the known cases ofleprosy.
However coverage remained limited due to a range of organizational issues and
fear of the disease and the associated stigma. At this stage in view of substantial
progress achieved with MDT, in 1991 the World Health Assembly resolved to
eliminate leprosy at a global level by the year 2000. In order to strengthen the
process of elimination in the country, the first World Bank supported project was
introduced in 1993.
 The 1st Phase of the World Bank supported National Leprosy Elimination Project
started from 1993-94 and completed on 31.3.2000. This Project involved a cost
of Rs. 550 crores of which World Bank loan was Rs. 292 crores. During this
phase, the prevalence rate reduced from 24/10,000 population in 1992 before
starting 1st Phase project to 3.7/10,000 by March 2001.
 The 2nd Phase of World Bank Project on NLEP started for a period of 3 years
from 2001-02. The project involve a cost of Rs. 249.8 crore including World Bank
loan of Rs. 166.35 Crore and WHO to provide MDT drugs free of cost worth Rs.
48.00 crore. The project successfully ended on 31st Dec. 2004.
 The National Leprosy Eradication Programme is being continued with Govt. of
India funds from January 2005 onwards. Additional support for the programme is
continued to be received from the WHO and ILEP organizations. MDT is to be
supplied free of cost as of now by NOVARTIS through WHO.
 In the year 2001, after the global elimination was achieved, a target was reset for
the remaining 14 countries to achieve elimination on national basis by December,
2005. India was one of these countries.
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 The National Health Policy, Govt. of India sets the goal of elimination
of leprosy i.e. to reduce the no. of cases to < 1/10,000 population by the year
2005.
 The National Leprosy Eradication Programme took up the challenge with the
active support of the State/ UT Governments and dedicated partners in the World
Health Organisation, the International Federation of Anti Leprosy Associations
(ILEP), the Sasakawa Memorial Health Foundation & the Nippon Foundation,
NOVARTIES, DANLEP (1986-2003) and the World Bank (1993-2004).
 As a result of the hard work and meticulously planned and executed activities,
the country achieved the goal of elimination of leprosy as a public health
problem, defined as less than 1 case per 10,000 population, at the National Level
in the month of December, 2005. As on 31st December 2005,Prevalence Rate
recorded in the country was 0.95/10,000 population.

113)National Mental Health Programme

 Severe mental disorders that include schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, organic

psychosis and major depression affect nearly 20 per 1000 population. This is a
population that needs continuous treatment and regular follow-up attention.
Close to ten million severely mentally ill are in our country without adequate
treatment by this estimate. More than half remain without treatment. Lack of
knowledge on the treatment availability & potential benefits of seeking treatment
are important causes for the above. With a large population in our country on one
hand and very few psychiatrists being available on the other hand, less than one
psychiatrist is available for every 3 lacs population. The psychiatrist/population
ratio in rural areas that account for 70% of country's population, could well be
under one for every million.
 To address this huge burden National Mental Health Programme was started in
1982 with the following three objectives:
 To ensure availability and accessibility of minimum mental health care for all in
the near foreseeable future, particularly to the most vulnerable sections of the
population.
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 To encourage mental health knowledge and skills in general health care and
social development.
 To promote community participation in mental health service development and to
stimulate self-help in the community.
 A model delivery of community based mental health care at the level
of district was evolved and field tested in Bellary district of Karnataka by
NIMHANS between 1986-1995. This model was adapted as the District Mental
Health Programme (DMHP) and it was implemented in 27 Districtsacross 22
states/UTs in the IXth plan beginning in the year 1996.
 During the 10th Five Year Plan, NMHP was restrategized and it became from
single pronged to multi-pronged programme for effective reach and impact on
mental illnesses, main strategies were as follows:
 Expansion of DMHP to 100 districts all over the country.
 Modernization of Mental Hospitals.
 Upgradation of Psychiatry wings of Govt. Medical Colleges/General Hospitals.
 IEC Activities.
 Research & Training in Mental Health for improving service delivery.
 Currently, the District Mental Health Programme is under implementation in
123 Districts throughout the country. Grants have also been released for
upgradation of Psychiatric wings of 75 Government Medical Colleges/General
Hospitals and modernization of 26 Mental Hospitals.
 During the 11th Five Year Plan an allocation of Rs.1000 crore has been made for
the National Mental Health Programme. A sum of 70 crore has been provided in
2008-09 for implementation of NMHP. During the 11th Five Year Plan, it has
been proposed to decentralize the Programme and synchronize with
National Rural Health Mission for optimising the results. The main components of
NMHP that have been proposed are as under:
 To establish Centres of Excellence in Mental Health by upgrading and
strengthening of identified existing mental hospitals for addressing acute
manpower shortage.
 To provide impetus for development of Manpower in Mental Health, other
training centres (Govt. Medical Colleges/General Hospitals etc.) would also be
supported for starting PG courses in Mental Health or increasing intake capacity.
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 Spill over of 10th Plan schemes for modernization of state run mental hospitals
and upgradation of psychiatric wings of medical colleges/general hospitals.
 District Mental Health Programme with added components of Life Skills training
and counselling in schools, counselling service in colleges, work place stress
management and suicide prevention services.
 Research-there is huge gap in research in mental health which needs to be
addressed.
 IEC-a lot of stigma is attached to mental illnesses. It needs to be stressed that
the mental illness is treatable. An intensive media campaign is planned for 11th
Plan duration.
 NGOs and Public Private Partnership for implementation of the Programme. This
would increase the outreach of community mental health initiatives under DMHP.
 Monitoring Implementation & Evaluation-Effective monitoring at
Central/State/District level will facilitate implementation of various components of
NMHP.

114)National Programme for Control of Blindness

National Programme for Control of Blindness (NPCB) was launched in the year 1976 as
a 100% Centrally Sponsored scheme with the goal to reduce the prevalence of
blindness to 0.3% by 2020. Rapid Survey on Avoidable Blindness conducted under
NPCB during 2006-07 showed reduction in the prevalence rate of blindness from 1.1%
(2001-02) to 1% (2006-07).

The objectives of the programme are:

 To reduce the backlog of blindness through identification and treatment of the

blind;
 To develop Comprehensive Eye Care facilities in every district;
 To develop human resources for providing Eye Care Services;
 To improve quality of service delivery;
 To secure participation of Voluntary Organizations/Private Practitioners in eye
Care.
 To enhance community awareness on eye care.
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Pattern of Assistance during 11th Five Year Plan

The following are main features of the pattern of assistance during 11th Five Year Plan:

 Keeping in view austerity measures and to avoid duplicity of work, State

Ophthalmic Cell has been merged with State Blindness Control Society. Due to
formation of National Rural Health Mission (NRHM), State Blindness Control
Society (SBCS) under NPCB has been further merged with State Health society
under NRHM. District Blindness control society (DBCs) under NPCB has also
been merged with District Health Society under NRHM.
 Increase in assistance for commodity to various facilities to increase their
capacity for treatment of all types of eye ailments;
 Facility for India-ocular Lens (IOL) implantation expanded up to Taluka level;
 Marginal increase in grant-in-aid to Eye Banks, Eye Donation Centres and NGOs
due to escalation of costs and to improve quality of services;
 In addition to cataract, assistance would also be provided for other eye diseases
like glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, management of laser
techniques, corneal transplantation, Vitreo-retinal surgery, treatment of childhood
blindness etc.
 Assistance for construction of dedicated Eye Wards and Eye Operation Theatres
in North East States and few other states as per need;
 Assistance for appointment of Ophthalmic manpower Ophthalmic Surgeons,
Ophthalmic Assistantsand Eye Donation Counsellors on contractual basis;
 Assistance for involvement of Private Practitioners in sub-district, block and
village levels;
 Assistance for involvement of Ophthalmic equipments supplied under the
programme; Development of Mobile Ophthalmic Units with Teleophthalmology
Network and some fixed tele-models to cover difficult hilly terrains and difficult
areas;
 Critical posts of 228 Eye Surgeons and 510 Ophthalmic Assistants sanctioned
during the 9th Plan and continued during 10th Plan, would be integrated within
the State Plan in a phased manner;
 Strengthening of Management Information System and
 Intensification of IEC activities.
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New Initiatives during 11th Five Year Plan

 Construction of dedicated Eye Wards & Eye OTs in District Hospitals in North-
Eastern States, Bihar, Jharkhand, J&K, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and few
other States where dedicated Operation Theaters are not available as per
demand.
 Appointment of Ophthalmic manpower (Ophthalmic Surgeons,
Ophthalmic Assistants and Eye Donation Counsellors on contractual basis).
 Grant-in-and to NGOs for management of other Eye diseases other than
Cataract like Diabetic Retinopathy, Glaucoma Management, Laser
Techniques, Corneal Transplantation, Vitreo-retinal Surgery, Treatment of
childhood blindness etc of Rs.750 per case for Cataract/IOL Implantation Surgery
and Rs.1000 per case of other major Eye Diseases as described above.
 Development of Mobile Ophthalmic Units in NE States, Hilly States & difficult
Terrains for diagnosis and medical management of eye diseases.
 Involvement of Private Practitioners in Sub District, Blocks and village Level.

115)Indira Awaas Yojana

 Indira Awaas Yojana is a social welfare flagship programme, created by the

Indian Government, to provide housing for the rural poor in India. The
differentiation is made between rural poor and urban poor for a separate set of
schemes operate for the urban poor(like the Basic Services for Urban Poor).
 This scheme was launched by Rajiv Gandhi,the Prime Minister of India at that
time. It was one of the major flagship programs of the Rural Development
Ministry to construct houses for BPL population in the villages. Under the
scheme, financial assistance worth ₹70000 (US$1,000) in plain areas
and ₹75000 (US$1,100) in difficult areas (high land area) is provided for
construction of houses. The houses are allotted in the name of the woman or
jointly between husband and wife.
 The construction of the houses is the sole responsibility of the beneficiary and
engagement of contractors is strictly prohibited. Sanitary latrine and smokeless
chullah are required to be constructed along with each IAY house for which
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additional financial assistance is provided from Total Sanitation Campaign and

Rajiv Gandhi Grameen Vidyutikaran Yojana respectively. This scheme, operating
since 1985, provides subsidies and cash-assistance to people in villages
toconstruct their houses, themselves.

History

 Started in 1985 as part of the Rural Landless Employment Guarantee

Programme (RLEGP), Indira Awaas Yojana (IAY) was subsumed in Jawahar
rojgar Yojana (JRY) in 1989 and has been operating as an independent scheme
since 1996. From 1995–96 the scheme has been further extended to widows or
next-of-kin of defence personnel killed in action, ex-servicemen and retired
members of the paramilitary forces who wish to live in rural areas as long as they
meet basic eligibility criteria.
 Given that India has been historically a populous and poor country, the need of
proper housing for the refugees and villagers has been a focus of Government's
welfare schemes since the time of India's independence. As a result various
welfare schemes like House Sites cumg Construction Assistance Scheme have
been ongoing since the 1950s.However, it was only in the 1983 that a focussed
fund for creation of housing for scheduled castes (SCs), scheduled tribes (STs)
and freed bonded labour was set up under Rural Landless Employment
Guarantee Programme (RLEGP). This gave birth to IAY in the fiscal year 1985–
86.

Purpose

 The broad purpose of the scheme is to provide financial assistance to some of

the weakest sections of society for them to upgrade or construct a house of
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respectable quality for their personal living.[3] The vision of the government is to
replace all temporary (kutchcha) houses from Indian villages by 2017[4]

Eligibility Criteria

 Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes, freed bonded labourers, minorities and

non-SC/ST rural households in the BPL category, widows and next-of-kin to
defence personnel/paramilitary forces killed in action (irrespective of their income
criteria), ex-servicemen and retire Scheme.

Implementation

 IAY is an allocation based, centrally sponsored scheme funded on a cost sharing

basis between the Central Government and the State Government in the
75%:25% ratio, except in case of North-eastern states and Union Territories
(UTs). For NE states the central government funds 90% and 100% for the UTs.
 The funds are allocated to the states based on 75% weightage of rural housing
shortage and 25% weightage of poverty ratio. The housing shortage is as per the
official published figures of Registrar General of India based on the 2001
Census.[5] individual capacity

Current provisions

 As per the Budget 2011, the total funds allocated for IAY have been set at ₹100
billion (US$1.5 billion) for construction of houses for BPL families with special
focus on the Left Wing Extremist (LWE) districts.
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Impact

 Since 1985, 25.2 million houses have been constructed under the scheme.
Under the Bharat Nirman Phase 1 project, 6 million houses were targeted and
7.1 million actually constructed from 2005–06 to 2008–09. Additional, 12 million
houses are planned to be constructed or renovated under the Bharat Nirman
Phase 2.
 According to the official 2001 figures, the total rural housing shortage was 14.825
million houses.

Management Information System (MIS)

 A software called AWAAS Soft was launched in July 2010 to assist in improved
administration of this scheme.

116)e-hospital

 e-Hospital@NIC, a Hospital Management System is a patient centric & a generic

application software, specifically meant for the hospitals in Government Sectors
with its main objectives being to provide a mechanism to access the patient
records and to have an efficient system to manage the Patient Information.

HMS has the following features:

 User-designated security level,

 Single sign on and advanced security features,
 Ability to develop and use standard operating procedures,
 Facility management reports,
 Ward management,
 Investigations,
 Laboratory services,
 Blood Bank,
 Operation Theatres,
 ICUs,
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 Financial Management,
 Medical Records Management, Nursing Management.

117)National Electoral Roll Purification and Authentication Programme (NERPAP)

National Electoral Roll Purification and Authentication Programme (NERPAP) is voter
registration project of the Election Commission of India. It will link the Elector's
Photo Identity Card (EPIC) with the Aadhar number of the registered voter. It is aims to
create an error-free voter identification system in India, especially by removing
duplications. The project was launched on 3 March 2015 and is expected to be
completed by 15 August 2015.

 On 11 August 2015, the Supreme Court of India passed an interim order

regarding the Aadhar project, which caused the NERPAP to be put on hold.
 Under the project, the voters can submit their Aadhar and EPIC number by SMS,
email, mobileapplication and website. 1950 call centers have been set up to
accept submissions via phone calls. The voters can also submit their documents
at designated registration camps and offices. Voters with multiple entries in the
databases can voluntarily disclose it. Voters will be able to apply forcorrections in
their EPIC entries by submitting supporting documents. The project also aims to
improve photograph quality on EPIC entries by borrowing the photographs of
voters from the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) database.
 The project expects to weed out duplicate, fake and ineligible voters, and voters
who have shifted to other regions from the databases. The projects will also
acquire mobile numbers and emails of voters to send them poll related
notifications. According to the data provided by UIDAI to theElection
Commission, 50,00,00,000 of the country's 85,00,00,000 voters are currently
registered with the UIDAI. The UIDAI is expected to complete the registration of
all voters in a few months.

Criticism

 On 20 May 2015, CPI (M) leader, Sitaram Yechury, wrote to the Chief Election
Commissioner of India, Syed Nasim Ahmad Zaidi, expressing concerns about the
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project. He said the data collected by linking the EPICs with Aadhaars may result
in misuse such as discriminating against a section of citizens. He also asked
Zaidi to clarify that possession of an Aadhaars was not mandatory for voting and
that linking with Aadhaar was voluntary. He said that the SMS sent to voters
made it seem like it was mandatory. With the order of the Supreme Court of India
collection of Adhaar number and linking it with the electoral role has been
suspended with Delhi first to suspend collection of the data.

118) Vanbandhu Kalyan Yojana (VKY)

 Centre has launched Vanbandhu Kalyan Yojana (VKY) for welfare of Tribals.
Launching the scheme on the occasion of the meeting of the Tribal Welfare
Ministers of States/UTs here today the Union Tribal Welfare Minister Shri Jual
Oram said that the scheme been launched on pilot basis in one block each of the
States of AP, MP, HP, Telangana, Orissa, Jharkhand, Chattisgarh, Rajasthan,
Maharashtra and Gujarat. Under the scheme centre will provide Rs. 10 crore for
each block for the development of various facilities for the Tribals.
 These blocks have been selected on the recommendations of the concerned
States and have very low literacy rate. Speaking on the occasion Shri Oram said
this scheme mainly focuses on bridginginfrastructural gaps and gap in human
development indices between Schedule tribes and other social groups. He said
VKY also envisages to focus on convergence of different schemes of
development of Central Ministries/Departments and State Governments with
outcome oriented approach. Initially the blocks having at least 33% of tribal
population in comparison to total population of the block will be targeted.
 Shri Oram informed the meeting that his Ministry has taken up initiatives for
strengthening of existing institutions meant for delivery of goods and services to
tribal people i.e Integrated Tribal Development Agencies /Integrated
Development Project and creation of new ones wherever necessary. He said that
specific funds allocated to the State Governments for this purpose should be
utilized judiciously with a view to build the institutional mechanism more robust by
way of strengthening these institutions.
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 Referring to the situation where Minor Forest Produce (MFP) is more often than
not determined by the traders instead of self sustained process of demand and
supply. The Minister said his Ministry has taken note of the situation and has
implemented a scheme to ensure that such forest dwellers are not deprived of
their due. Under the scheme maximum selling price for MFP is being
implemented in schedule V States initially. He said a web based portal has also
been developed which indicate current price of MFPs on real time basis across
different mandis of the States.
 12 MFP products have been included in the programme namely (i) Tendu Leave
(ii) Bamboo (iii) Mahuwa Seeds (iv) Sal Leaf (v) Sal Seed (vi) Lac (vii) Chironjee
(viii) Wild Honey (ix) Myrobalan (x) Tamarind (xi) Gums (Gum Karaya) and (xii)
Karanji. The Minister also referred to the Forests Rights Act as a landmark
legislation to recognize the pre-existing rights of tribals and other traditional forest
dwellers and informed that out of 37.69 Lakh claims filed by the intended
beneficiaries about 14.57 Lakh individual rights title and more than 22,200
community forest rights titles have been distributed as on June 2014.
 The Union Tribal Affairs Minister Shri Oram informed the meeting that in-principle
approval for recognizing the Vishva Bharati, Shanti Niketan as the other centre of
excellence in the filed of Tribal language and literature has been given. He said
another proposal to establish a National Research Centre in the Tribal Research
Institute, Bhubansehwar to promote research activities on subjects/issues for
socio-economic development and culture of States has also been approved by
his Ministry.
 Earlier addressing the meeting Union Minister of State for Tribal Affairs Shri
Mansukhbai Dhanjibha Vasava said one of the priorities of his Ministry is to focus
on skill development and employment generation initiatives for sustainable
livelihood for tribal people. He said that in order to facilitate infrastructure for
provision of quality education to the tribals, the Ministry has sanctioned about
184 Eklavya Modal Residential Schools. The Minister said these schools are
intended to be equipped with requisite infrastructure and conducive environment
for ensuring delivery of quality education among the tribals. Holding of this
consultation is part of the process of sensitizing the State Government towards
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the bigger goal of tribal development at par with mainstream fellow population of
the country, the Minister added.

119)Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY)

 The Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY) aims at correcting the
imbalances in theavailability of affordable healthcare facilities in the different
parts of the country in general, and augmenting facilities for quality medical
education in the under-served States in particular. The scheme was approved in
March 2006.
 The first phase in the PMSSY has two components - setting up of six institutions
in the line of AIIMS; and upgradation of 13 existing Government medical college
institutions.
 It has been decided to set up 6 AIIMS-like institutions, one each in the States of
Bihar (Patna), Chattisgarh (Raipur), Madhya Pradesh (Bhopal), Orissa
(Bhubaneswar), Rajasthan (Jodhpur) and Uttaranchal (Rishikesh) at
an estimated cost of Rs 840 crores per institution.
 These States have been identified on the basis of various socio-economic
indicators like human development index, literacy rate, population below poverty
line and per capital income and health indicators like population to bed ratio,
prevalence rate of serious communicable diseases, infant mortality rate etc.
 Each institution will have a 960 bedded hospital (500 beds for the medical
college hospital; 300 beds for Speciality/Super Speciality; 100 beds for
ICU/Accident trauma; 30 beds for Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation and 30
beds for Ayush) intended to provide healthcare facilities in 42 Speciality/Super-
Speciality disciplines. Medical College will have 100 UG intake besides facilities
for imparting PG/doctoral courses in various disciplines, largely based on Medical
Council of India (MCI) norms and also nursing college conforming to Nursing
Council norms.
 In addition to this, 13 existing medical institutions spread over 10 States will also
be upgraded, with an outlay of Rs. 120 crores (Rs. 100 crores from Central
Government and Rs. 20 crores from State Government) for each institution.
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 These institutions are Government Medical College, Jammu, Jammu & Kashmir,
Government Medical College, Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir, Kolkatta Medical
College, Kolkatta, West Bengal, Sanjay Gandhi Post Graduate Institute of
Medical Sciences, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, Institute of Medical Sciences, BHU,
Varanasi, Uttar Pardesh, Nizam Institute of Medical Sciences, Hyderabad,
Andhra Pradesh, Sri Venkateshwara Institute of Medical Sciences, Tirupati,
Andhra Pradesh, Government. Medical College, Salem, Tamil Nadu, B.J.
Medical College, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, Bangalore Medical College, Bangalore,
Karnataka, Government Medical College, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, Rajendra
Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS), Ranchi and Grants Medical College & Sir
J.J. Group of Hospitals, Mumbai, Maharashtra.
 In the second phase of PMSSY, the Government has approved the setting up of
two more AIIMS-like institutions, one each in the States of West Bengal and Uttar
Pradesh and upgradation of six medical college institutions namely Government
Medical College, Amritsar, Punjab; Government Medical College, Tanda,
Himachal Pradesh; Government Medical College, Madurai, Tamil Nadu;
Government Medical College, Nagpur, Maharashtra, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical
College of Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh and Pt. B.D. Sharma Postgraduate
Institute of Medical Sciences, Rohtak. The estimated cost for each AIIMS-like
institution is Rs. 823 crore. For upgradation of medical college institutions,
Central Government will contribute Rs. 125 crore each.
 In the third phase of PMSSY, it is proposed to upgrade the following existing
medical college institutions namely Government Medical College, Jhansi, Uttar
Pradesh; Government Medical College, Rewa, Madhya Pradesh; Government
Medical College, Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh; Government Medical College,
Dharbanga, Bihar; Government Medical College, Kozhikode, Kerala; Vijaynagar
Institute of Medical Sciences, Bellary, Karnataka and Government Medical
College, Muzaffarpur, Bihar.
 The project cost for upgradation of each medical college institution has been
estimated at Rs. 150 crores per institution, out of which Central Government will
contribute Rs. 125 crores and the remaining Rs. 25 crore will be borne by the
respective State Governments.
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 It is hoped that consequent to the successful implementation of PMSSY, better

and affordable healthcare facilities will be easily accessible to one and all in the
country.

120)COMPUTERISATION OF LAND RECORDS

 The history of land records is as old as the Indian civilisation. Maintenance of

these records has gone through a process of evolution as it passed through
various administrative systems and socio-economic compulsions. Without going
into the details it can safely be stated that the present system of preparing and
maintaining land records originated from the Moghul period and it reached its
scientific form during the British rule.
 All the subsequent efforts are largely revisional with de novo preparations
combined by newly accredited areas on the basis of existing laws and
rules. Land records are of great importance to contemporary socio-economic
imperatives and their revision and updating is necessitated for capturing the
essentials of change in social dynamics.

 The system of correction and updating of land records is very elaborate. Maps
depicting land parcels (cadastral maps) are required to be updated every 30
years through the process of survey and settlement operations.
 A majority of States have not done any survey and settlement operations after
Independence. As a consequence, updating of records has suffered and they no
longer represent the ground realities relating to ownership and possession. This
situation has been well recognised at various levels at different points of time.
 In December 1988, the Conference of Reveue Secretaries of States took
cognizance of the poor state of land records and recommended immediate
action.
 Even the First Five Year Plan (1952-57) took note of this fact and its possible
consequences. In a primarily agrarian economy with a distorted social structure,
it has serious implications in terms of its impact on the execution of all welfare
and economic development activities.
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Initiatives

 Since the First Five Year Plan, planners have been advocating proper
maintenance of land recordsas the basis of good administration, aimed at social
justice through better implementation of rural development programmes. This
was reiterated in the Second and Third Plans.
 The Sixth Five Year Plan had envisaged completion and updating of land
records during 1980 to 1985. To quote the Sixth Plan document, "systematic
programme would be taken up for compilation/updating of land records for
completion within a period of 5 years, i.e. 1980-85. In the States, where the
backlog is heavy, aerial survey techniques may be employed for expeditious
survey operations. Each cultivator would be given a passbook indicating his
status/title to description of the land, viz., area and cess along with a copy of
khasra or map and other details that are considered necessary.
 Appropriate provision will be made in revenue laws to confer legal status on
these documents, as proof of title and rights in land. Similarly, the Seventh Plan
document also emphasised the need forupdated and accurate land records.
 According to the Seventh Plan Document, "Land records form the base for all
land reforms measures and, therefore, regular periodical updating of land
records is essential in all States. This will necessarily have to include scientific
survey of unmeasured land and recording of rights of tenants and share-croppers
which have remained unrecorded uptil now."

 The Eighth Five Year Plan (1992-97) and the Ninth Five Year Plan (1997-2002)
have also envisaged the fulfilment of all five principles of National Land Reforms
Policy, that is, abolition of intermediaries, tenancy reforms with security to actual
cultivators, redistribution of ceiling surplus land, consolidation of holdings and
updating of land records.
 The general theme including the content of all Plan documents has emphasised
that land is an asset which provides the primary and secondary needs of the
people. Most of the problems of the people in the villages are due to land-related
issues. Planning and maintenance of land records is a pre-requisite before
any land reform policies can be successfully implemented. To achieve this,
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latest information technology is a must for quicker storing, processing and

retrieving of information data base in land records.
 Therefore, computerisation of land records is an essential step to achieve all
these goals especially if we have to realise the goal of decentralised planning
and administration as envisaged in the 73rd Amendment to the Indian
constitution.

Government Initiatives

 The Government of India and the State Governments have been seized with the
recurring problem of inadequately-maintained land record system as it had made
administration of land reforms difficult and had served to neutralise their benefits.
A weak land record system had also been viewed as a systemic weakness that
has caused atrocities to be perpetrated upon the Scheduled Castes and
Scheduled Tribes. Some major initiatives taken by the Centre for computerisation
ofland records are detailed here.
 The Conference of Revenue Ministers of States and Union Territory (UTs) (1985)
advocated the computerisation of land and crop-based data on a pilot project
basis as a technology proving exercise in one tehsil/revenue circle of each
State/UT as a Central sector scheme.
 A Study Group (1985) comprising representatives from the Ministry of
Agriculture, Central Statistical Organisation and from the State Governments of
Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh also
recommened computerisation of core data in land records to assist
developmental planning and to make their records more accessible to the
people. However, the Planning Commission considered that it would be
premature to take up the scheme at that point of time.

 A workshop on Computerisation of Land Records (1987) reviewed the

experience of different States in computerisation of land records and
recommended that the Government of India should fund this programme on a
pilot project basis. The Department of Rural Development selected 8 districts in
eight States. Morena was one of the districts selected for computerisation of land
records, others being Ranga Reddy in Andhra Pradesh, Mayurbhanj in Orissa,
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Sonitpur in Assam, Singbhun in Bihar, Wardha in Maharashtra, Dungarpur in

Rajasthan and Gandhinagar in Gujarat. While approving pilot projects in 1988,
the centre decided that the time frame for pilot project should not be more than 6
to 8 months. The States should clearly bring out benefits that would accrue as a
result of these pilot projects and these should be highlighted in project reports.
The State Governments should show a clear commitment to computerisation
of land records. An officer with knowledge, training and experience in handling
computers should be made incharge of the project and should be posted in
districts chosen for the purpose.

Progress

 The Centrally-sponsored scheme on Computerisation of Land Records (CLR)

was started in 1988-89 with 100 per cent financial assistance as a pilot project in
eight districts as mentioned earlier with a view to removing the problems inherent
in the manual system of maintenance and updating ofland records and to meet
the requirements of various groups of users. It was decided that efforts should be
made to computerise core data contained in land records so as to
assist development planning and to make records accessible to people planners
and administrators. By 1991-92 the scheme had been extended to 24 districts in
different States, namely Haryana, Himachal Pradesh Jammu & Kashmir, Kerala,
Karnataka, Manipur, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Tripura, Sikkim, Uttar Pradesh, West
Bengal and Delhi.
 During the 8th Five Year Plan (1992-97) CLR was approved as a separate
Centrally-sponsored scheme. The total expenditure under the scheme during the
8th plan period was Rs.59.42 crore which was utilized for covering 299 new
districts and also for providing additional funds for the on-going pilot projects.
Thus, by the end of the 8th Plan, 323 districts in the country were brought under
the scheme at a cost of Rs.64.44 crore.
 The scheme is being implemented since 1994-95 in joint collaboration with the
National Informatics Centre (NIC) which is responsible for supply, installation and
maintenance of hardware, software and other peripherals. NIC also trains the
revenue officials and provides technical support for implementation of the
scheme. The Ministry of Rural Development is providing funds to the State
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Governments for site preparation, data entry work and for purchase of necessary
furniture and other miscellaneous expenditure. Since the scheme’s inception ,
the Ministry released Rs. 109.37 crore upto 31.3.1999. The utilisation of funds
reported by the States/UTs as on November 30, 1999 was Rs.62.15 crore which
is approximately 57 per cent of the total fund released.
 In the 1999-2000 budget provision under the scheme is Rs.33 crore. Out of this
allocation funds to the tune of Rs.25.69 crore have already been released to the
State Governments of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Gujarat,
Maharashtra, Manipur, Mizoram, Madhya Pradesh, Orissa,, Punjab, Haryana,
Jammu & Kashmir, Goa, Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry upto November 1999 for
undertaking pilot project on digitisation of cadastral survey maps,
operationalisation of the scheme in 407 new tehsils and additional funds for on-
going projects. The entire allocated funds under the CLR scheme will be utilised
during the current financial year. So far only five projects namely, Sonitpur
(Assam), Gulbarga (Karnataka) Morena (Madhya Pradesh) Rewari (Haryana)
and Burdwan (West Bengal) have been completed where the computerised
Records of Rights (ROR) are being issued to the land owners. In about 90
districts, data entry and data validation work is nearing completion. The progress
of implementation of the scheme is periodically reviewed at the level of Joint
Secretary as well as through annual conferences of Revenue Secretaries and
Revenue Ministers of the States and UTs. The officers of the Ministry also visit
various States in order to assess the progress of the scheme and to have a first-
hand information regarding snags and bottlenecks in the implementation of the
scheme.

121)Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana

 Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (Traditional

Farming Improvement Programme) has been launched by Government of India
to support and promote organic farming and thereby improving soil health. This
will encourage farmers to adopt eco-friendly concept of cultivation and reduce
their dependence on fertilizers and agricultural chemicals to improve yields.
 Budget Allocation Government has made budgetary allocation of Rs. 300 Crores
for the same in the Union Budget 2015-16. Organic farming practices in India
have been used in traditional agricultural practices due to diverse presence of
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natural organic form of nutrients in different parts of the country. Indian climatic
diversity and low input costs also help the growth of large number of crops
throughout the year.
 The Organic Farming Policy 2005 was a sound regulation to promote technically-
endowed, economical, environment-friendly, and socially acceptable use of
natural resources in favour of organic agriculture. It also laid emphasis on soil
health and fertility maintenance. Latter was to be carried on by identification of
areas and crops which are most suitable for organic agriculture and setting up
model organic farms. This also meant making use of traditional wisdom to
promote such practices and making farmers aware of its benefits.
 Preservation of soil health by employing natural resources like farm manure,
poultry manure, urban compost, biogas slurry etc. was the main thrust area.
Thus, the new scheme is set on similar practices and principles with emphasis on
soil health. Repackaged Version of Old schemes? The Paramparagat Krishi
Vikas Yojana of the NDA government is basically a scheme of supportingorganic
farming via cluster approach. This scheme is also a repackaged version of
various old UPA government schemes but none of the schemes of UPA were
totally focussed on organic farmingexcept NPOP.
 he PKVY and Cluster Approach The new scheme launched by the NDA
Government, follows cluster approach. Fifty or more farmers form a cluster
having 50 acre land to take organic farming.
 Each farmer will be provided Rs. 20000 per acre in three years for seed to
harvesting crops and to transport them to market. The government plans
to form around 10 thousand clusters in three years and cover an area of 5 Lakh
hectares under organic farming. Government also plans to bring certification of
organic produce. We note here that the certification of organic products was so
far limited to export products only. It might change now.

122)MAHILA COIR YOJANA

 Mahila Coir Yojana or MCY is the first women-oriented self employment scheme
in the coir industry which aims to provide self employment opportunities to the
rural women artisans in regions producing coir fibre. The Scheme was launched
in November 1994 by the Government under the scheme “Training,
Extension, Quality Improvement, Mahila Coir Yojana and Welfare Measures.”
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The scheme offers large scale employment opportunities to women artisians of

India and provides them with better working conditions and higher income.
 One artisan per household is eligible to receive assistance under the scheme.
Women spinners are provided with rigorous training for two months in spinning
coir yarn on motorized ratt at the Coir Board’s Training Centres. A stipend of Rs.
500 was earlier paid to the trainees which has been raised to Rs. 750 per month
from 2009-10.
 The Coir Board provides motorized ratts/motorized traditional ratts at 75% cost
subsidy, maximum of Rs. 7,500 for motorized ratts and Rs. 3200
for motorized traditional ratts. The remaining 25% has to be raised by the
beneficiary.
 The beneficiary availing the financial assistance under this scheme has to
execute a bond with the Coir Board, Cochin to
 Keep the motorized ratt/motorized traditional ratt under safe custody and
maintain it properly.
 Make available motorized ratt/ motorized traditional ratt for inspection by the
officers of the Coir Board/State Government/financing agency.
 Operate the motorized ratt/motorized traditional ratt for a minimum period of 5
years.
 Abide by the instructions issued by the Coir Board/ State Govt. in regard to the
working of themotorized ratt/motorized traditional ratt.

123)Niryat Bandhu Scheme

The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) on 9 September 2015 launched
Niryat Bandhu @ Your Desktop, an online certificate programme in export-import
business under the Niryat Bandhu Scheme of Department of Commerce.
This programme will serve the twin objective of Digital India and Skill India. The DGFT
collaborated with Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT) to launch this
innovative online programme for exporters and entrepreneurs.

The Online registration for the programme can be done from 10 September 2015
onwards athttp://niryatbandhu.iift.ac.in/home.asp.

Highlights of the Niryat Bandhu @ Your Desktop

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• This online programme will enable them to learn the essentials of export
import business from the comfort of their homes, through direct live transmission of the
lessons on their desktops.
• The sessions will be followed up by online question answer sessions where they can
address their concerns with reputed experts from IIFT.
• A digital resource library shall also be available to them online.
• The first course with a capacity of 60 participants will begin from the first week of
October 2015. The course comprises 20 sessions of 2 hours each between 6 pm to 8
pm.
• It is planned to have a similar programme every month for a batch of 60 participants.
On successful completion of the programme, the participants will be awarded a
certificate jointly by the DGFT and IIFT.

Niryat Bandhu Scheme

The Niryat Bandhu Scheme was announced as part of Foreign Trade Policy 2009-14 on
13 October, 2011 to focus on mentoring the first generation entrepreneurs in the field of
international trade. While an overall allocation of 23.23 crore rupees was made for Plan
period (2012-17), an amount of 2 crore rupees was allocated for the financial year 2014-
15.

The objective of the Niryat Bandhu Scheme is to reach out to the potential exporters
and mentor them through orientation programmes, counselling sessions and
individual facilitation for being able to get into international trade and boost exports from
India.

More than 18000 people were given orientation on export-import business under the
Scheme during the financial year 2014-15.

124)Deen Dayal Antyodaya Yojana

The Government today announced an overarching scheme for uplift of urban and
rural poor through enhancement of livelihood opportunities through skill development
and other means. The scheme has been named as ‘Deen Dayal Antyodaya Yojana –
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DAY’. The announcement was made today by Shri M.Venkaiah Naidu, Minister of
Housing & Urban Poverty Alleviation and Shri Nitin Gadkari, Minister of Rural
Development at a National Convention on Skills for Rural and Urban Poor.

The Minister further informed that under the current urban poverty alleviation
programmes, only 790 cities and towns are covered and the government has decided
to extend these measures to all the 4,041 statutory cities and towns, there by covering
almost the entire urban population.

Announcing the details of urban component of DAY, Shri Venkaiah Naidu said,
Rs.1,000 cr has been provisioned for urban poverty alleviation during 2014-15. Out of
this, Rs.500 cr will be spent on skill development of over 5,00,000 urban poor. He said,
for realizing the ‘Make in India’ objective, skill development is essential. He observed
that “If India is to emerge as the manufacturing base to meet global needs, the only
certain way is to empower every youth of the country with the necessary skills. Skill
development has multiple outcomes including enhancing employment opportunities,
stimulating economic growth and promoting self-worth of beneficiaries.’’

Shri Venkaiah Naidu informed that under the urban component of DAY, focus will be on:

1.Imparting skills with an expenditure of Rs.15,000 – Rs.18,000 on each urban poor;

2.Promotion of self-employment through setting up individual micro-enterprises and

group enterprises with interest subsidy for individual projects costing Rs.2.00 lakhs and
Rs.10.00 lakhs for group enterprises. Subsidized interest rate will be 7%;

3.Training urban poor to meet the huge demand from urban citizens by imparting
market oriented skills through City Livelihood Centres. Each Centre would be given a
capital grant of Rs.10.00 lakhs.

4.Enabling urban poor form Self-Help Groups for meeting financial and social needs
with a support of Rs.10,000/- per each group who would in turn would be helped with
bank linkages;
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5. Development of vendor markets besides promotion of skills of vendors; and

6. Construction of permanent shelters for urban homeless and provision of other

essential services.

125)Apprentice Protsahan Yojana

 A new Scheme ‘Apprentice Protsahan Yojana’ has been started on 16.10.2014 to

share 50% of prescribed stipend to the apprentices by Government of India for
the first two years of training engaged by eligible establishments particularly in
manufacturing sector and other establishments covered under
the Apprentices Act, 1961.
 Regional Directorates of Apprenticeship Training under the control of Directorate
General of Employment & Training will act as implementing agencies in their
region.
 After launching of this Scheme, the MSMEs establishments are able to
engage apprentices and it also enables them to get skilled manpower for their
needs.
 This Scheme covers all categories of apprentices except the
Graduate, Technician and Technician(Vocational) apprentices which are covered
by scheme administered by Ministry of Human Resource Development.

126)Panchdeep

 The Union Government has decided to give a fresh fillip to the Panch Deep
project started five years ago by spending Rs. 1,900 crore to deploy technology,
connecting all the ESIC (EmployeesState Insurance Corporation), organisations
and employees.
 The ERP (Enterprise wide Resource Planning) solution will give a unique card to
the employees and facilitate clearance of third party bills. "It helps in doing away
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with all the middle layers and make the process easier," Union Minister of State
for Labour and Employment Bandaru Dattatreya has said.
 Addressing a press conference here on Sunday, he said the unique bio
metric cards given to the members would make authentication easier. Besides,
the ERP solution would help build a massive database of health records of all the
members. "It is going to be one of the biggest online databases in e-
governance," the Minister said.

State level panels

 The Minister said the Ministry has asked the States to set up Executive
Committees with a PrincipalSecretary as its head to deal with funds for
the employees health schemes. "We have decided to decentralise the
procedures. They are empowered to enlist hospitals for the health insurance
schemes," the Minister said.
 Besides, the Union Government has decided to revamp the public hospitals. "We
will give Rs. 5 crore each to repair or renovate hospitals with 200 or more beds.
Hospitals with less than 200 beds would get Rs. 3 crore, while smaller
dispensaries Rs. 50 lakh," he said. He said the Government has increased the
spending on insured persons to Rs. 2,000 from Rs. 1,500.
 Regarding Employees Provident Fund Organisation, he said the
Universal Account Number system would change the way the members operate
their PF accounts.
 "We have allotted numbers to 29 lakh members. PF details of 7.41 lakh members
are ready. This will help remove the Inspection Raj. We do inspect the
organisations for erratic behaviour based on the inputs from computers.

127)Strategic Debt Restructuring Scheme

Indian Banks are witnessing rising NPA’s (Non-Performing Assets) due to the slowdown
in the Indian economy and high interest costs. The Reserve Bank of India has
introduced various measures for controlling NPAs in the Bank including Asset
Reconstruction Companies, SARFESI Act, Joint Lenders Forum (JLF), etc., However,
the NPA figure in banks continue to remain high and hence the RBI has recently
introduced the Strategic Debt Restructuring Scheme. In this article, we look at the
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Strategic Debt Restructuring Scheme in detail.

Strategic Debt Restructuring Scheme

 The RBI in its “Framework for Revitalising Distressed Assets in the Economy –
Guidelines on Joint Lenders’ Forum (JLF) and Corrective Action Plan (CAP)”,
has suggested change of management as a part of restructuring of stressed
assets. With this principle in view and to ensure that the shareholders bear the
first loss rather than the debt holders, the RBI suggests transfer of equity shares
of the Company by promoters to lenders to compensate for their sacrifices.
 Traditionally in many cases of restructuring, borrower companies are not able to
come out of financial stress due to operational or managerial inefficiencies
despite substantial sacrifices made by the lending banks. In such cases, change
of ownership will be the most preferred option for the Lenders. Hence, the RBI
suggests that Joint Lenders’ Forum (JLF) should actively consider such change
in ownership and take necessary action.

Implementation of the Strategic Debt Restructuring Scheme

The following are actions that borrowers may witness based on the implementation of
the strategic debt restructuring scheme by the Bank:

 No loans will be restructured without conforming to the terms specified in the

Strategic Debt Restructuring Scheme.
 At the time of initial restructuring, Joint Lender Forums will incorporate, in
the terms and conditionsattached to the restructured loan/s agreed with the
borrower, an option to convert the entire loan (including unpaid interest), or part
thereof, into shares in the company in the event the borrower is not able to
achieve the viability milestones.
 The bank during initial restructuring will require the borrower to provide the
necessary approvals/authorisations (including special resolution by the
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shareholders) to enable the lenders to exercise the trasfer of equity option

effectively, if required.
 If the borrower is not able to achieve the viability milestones and/or adhere to
restructuring conditions, the JLF may review the account and effect a change in
ownership, if required.
 The decision to convert the whole or part of the loan into equity shares should be
well documented and approved by the majority of the JLF members (minimum of
75% of creditors by value and 60% of creditors by number).
 On effecting change in ownership under the Strategic Debt
Restructuring Scheme, the lenders would collectively become the majority
shareholder by conversion of their dues from the borrower into equity.
 Hence, post the conversion, all lenders under the JLF will collectively hold 51%
or more of the equity shares issued by the company.
 All banks will include the covenants to exercise the Strategic Debt
Restructuring Scheme in all loan agreements, including restructuring, supported
by necessary approvals/authorisations.

Valuation for Conversion of Debt into Equity

The adjustment of equity against outstanding debt (principal as well as unpaid interest)
would be at a ‘Fair Value’ which will not exceed the lowest of the following:

 Market value (for listed companies only): Average of the closing prices of the
instrument on a recognized stock exchange during the ten trading days
preceding the ‘reference date’.
 Break-up value (for unlisted companies): Book value per share to be calculated
from the company’s latest audited balance sheet (without considering
‘revaluation reserves’, if any) adjusted for cash flows and financials post the
earlier restructuring; the balance sheet should not be more than a year old. In
case the latest balance sheet is not available this break-up value shall be Rs.1.
 Advantages for Bankers under the SDR Scheme
 RBI has provided the following advantages to the Bankers to ensure the
Strategic Debt Restructuring Scheme is adopted by the Bankers aggressively:
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 On conversion of debt to equity as approved under SDR Scheme, the existing

asset classification of the account, as on the reference date will continue for a
period of 18 months from the reference date.
 Acquisition of shares due to the execution of strategic debt restructuring scheme
will be exempted from regulatory ceilings or restrictions on capital
market exposures, investment in para-banking activities and intra-group
exposure.
 Equity shares acquired and held by banks under the SDR scheme will be exempt
from the requirement of periodic mark-to-market.
 Conversion of debt into equity in an enterprise by a bank may result in the bank
holding more than 20% of voting power, which will normally result in an investor-
associate relationship under applicable accounting standards. However, as the
lender acquires such voting power in the borrower entity in satisfaction of its
advances under the SDR, and the rights exercised by the lenders are more
protective in nature and not participative, such investment may not be treated as
investment in associate.
 On divestment of banks’ holding in favour of a ‘new promoter’, the asset
classification of the account may be upgraded to ‘Standard’. Further, at the time
of divestment of their holdings to a ‘new promoter’, banks may refinance the
existing debt of the company considering the changed risk profile of the company
without treating the exercise as ‘restructuring’ subject to banks making provision
for any diminution in fair value of the existing debt on account of the refinance.

128)Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan

 Getting around the physical built-up environment is something most of which take
for granted. Stairs, sidewalk, gratings, obstructions, curves, narrow passages etc.
are barriers, we walk over, around, or through any routine course. But, for those
with disability, a curb or few stairs can be a big barrier. We seldom pay attention
to traffic signals, audio announcements, signs which give us information or
direction to use various facilities. Signs, no matter how well placed and how
much information rich are users for persons with visual impairment or hearing
impairment unless designed properly
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 We are all physically disabled at some time in our lives. A person with a broken
leg, a child, a mother with a pram, an elderly gentleman etc. are all disabled in
some way or another. Thus, Needs of the disabled coincide with the needs of
majority, and all people are at ease with them. As such, designing the facilities
for the majority implies designing and planning for people with varying abilities
and disabilities.
 An important aim of the society is to integrate persons with disabilities in the
society so that they can actively participate in society and lead a normal life.
Ideally, a disabled person should be able to commute between home, work place
and other destinations with independence, convenience and safety. The more
persons with disabilities are able to access physical facilities, the more they will
be part of the social mainstream.
 With firm commitment of the government towards socio-economic transformation
of the persons with disabilities there is an urgent need to create mass awareness
for universal accessibility. India is a signatory to the UN Convention on the Rights
of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD). Article 9 of UNCRPD casts an obligation
on all the signatory governments to take appropriate measures to ensure to
persons with disabilities access, on an equal basis with others, to the physical
environment, to transportation, to information and communications, including
information andcommunications technologies and systems, and to other facilities
and services open or provided to the public, both in urban and in rural areas.
 Subsequently, governments of ESCAP region gathered in Incheon, Republic of
Korea from 29.10.2012 to 02.11.2012 and adopted the Incheon Strategy to
“Make the Rights Real” for persons with disabilities in Asia and the Pacific. The
Incheon Strategy builds on the UNCRPD and provides the first regionally agreed
disability inclusive “Development Goals”. Goal No. 3 of the Incheon Strategy
mentions that access to the physical environment, public transportation,
knowledge, information and communication is a pre-condition for persons with
disabilities to fulfill their rights in an inclusive society. The accessibility of urban,
rural and remote areas based on universal design increases safety and ease of
use not only for persons with disabilities, but also for all other members of the
society.
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Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities. Protection of Rights and Full

Participation) Act 1995 under Section 44, 45 and 46 also categorically provides for non-
discrimination in participation, non-discrimination of the roads and built up environment.
As per Section 46 of the PwD Act, the States are required to provide for :

i) Ramps in public buildings

ii) Provision of toilets for wheelchair users

iii) Braille symbols and auditory signals in elevators or lifts

iv) Ramps in hospitals, primary health centres and other rehabilitation centres.

 Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), Ministry of

Social Justice and Empowerment, has formulated the Accessible India Campaign
(Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan), as a nation-wide campaign for achieving universal
accessibility for PwDs. The campaign targets three separate verticals for
achieving universal accessibility namely the built up environment, transportation
eco-system and information & communication eco-system. The campaign has
ambitious targets with defined timelines and will use IT and social media for
spreading awareness about the campaign and seeking commitment /
engagement of various stakeholders. The Department has asked various State
Govts. to identify about 50 to 100 public buildings in big cities and also identify
citizen centric public websites, which if made fully accessible would have the
highest impact on the lives of PwDs. Once identified, “Access Audit” of these
buildings and websites will be conducted by professional agencies. As per the
audit findings, retrofitting and conversion of buildings, transport and websites
would be undertaken by various government departments. This will be supported
by the Scheme of Implementation of Persons with Disabilities Act (SIPDA), an
umbrella scheme run by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with
Disabilities (DEPwD) for implementing various initiatives for social and economic
empowerment of PwDs.
 Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities is collaborating with
Ministry of Home, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and Ministry of Tourism
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for creating ‘Accessible police stations’, “Accessible hospitals’ and ‘Accessible

tourism’ respectively across the country. The Department is also coordinating
with the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting for enhancing accessibility of
Television programmes by incorporating features like captioning, text to speech
and audio description.
 DEPwD is also in the process of creating a mobile app, along with a web
portal for crowd sourcing the requests regarding inaccessible places. With the
app, downloaded on his/her mobile phone, any person would be able to click a
photograph or video of an inaccessible public place (like a school, hospital,
government office etc.) and upload the same to the Accessible India portal. The
portal will process the request for access audit, financial sanction and final
retrofitting of the building to make it completely accessible. The mobile app and
portal will also seek engagement of big corporates and PSUs to partner in the
campaign by offering their help to conduct access audit and for accessibility-
conversion of the buildings/transport and websites.
 As an offshoot to the campaign, Department has also sought Expression of
Interest from IT firms to prepare a mobile app in all Indian languages to locate
nearest accessible places. With this mobile app, any disabled person would be
able to locate an accessible bank counter, restaurant, ATM or theatre (and
similar facilities) nearby. The mobile app will also have provision of evaluating /
rating the accessible place by the users.
 DEPwD is intensively engaging with public even before launching the campaign.
For example, the department sought inputs for the logo and tagline of the
Accessible India Campaign on MyGov platform and received more than 500
entries for each of these.
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