Recent Indian & State Government Schemes

Govt clarifies Beti Bachao Beti Padhao has no provision for cash transfer component
Key Points:

 The Union Ministry of Women & Child Development has clarified that Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (B3P) Scheme has
no provision for individual cash transfer component.
 It has warned the unauthorised websites/organisations, NGOs, individuals that are distributing forms in the name of
cash incentives under B3P Scheme.
 The B3P scheme was launched in January, 2015 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Panipat in Haryana.
 The scheme is aimed at promoting gender equality and the significance of educating girls.
 It is a social campaign that aims to generate awareness and improve the efficiency of welfare services meant for
girls.

Income Tax Department launches Operation Clean Money

Key Points:

 The Income Tax Department (ITD) launched Operation Clean Money (Swachh Dhan Abhiyan), an e-platform to
analyse large cash deposits made during the demonetisation window (9 November to 30 December 2016).
 Under it, e-verification of large cash has been done using data analytics for comparing the demonetisation
data with information in ITD databases.
 In the first batch of the operation,around 18 lakh persons have been identified in whose case, cash transactions do
not appear to be in line with the tax payer’s profile.
 It comprises account-holders whose deposits did not match their incomes, as per data with the IT department, will
be alerted on their e-filing portals.

Sports Ministry reconstitutes committee to identify athletes under TOP Scheme

Key Points:

 The Union Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports has reconstituted TOP committee with objective of identifying and
supporting potential medal prospects for 2020 and 2024 Olympic Games under Target Olympic Podium (TOP)
scheme.
 The committee will be headed by Abhinav Bindra, Olympic Gold Medalist.
 Its members are Anil Khanna, Prakash Padukone, Karnam Malleshwari, P. T. Usha, Murlidhar Raja, Anjali
Bhagwat, Rekha Yadav, Dr. S.S. Roy and Inder Dhamija.
 The committee will select elite athletes to provided financial assistance for their customized training at Institutes
having world class facilities and other necessary support.

Cabinet approves New Scheme for promotion of Rural Housing

Key Points:

 The Union Cabinet has approved a new scheme for promotion of Rural Housing in the country.
 It will enable people in rural areas to construct new houses or add to their existing pucca houses to improve
dwelling units.
 Under it, Government will provide interest subsidy to every rural household who is not covered under the Pradhan
Mantri Aawas Yojana (Grameen)-PMAY(G).
 It will be implemented by National Housing Bank (NHB).
 Under the scheme, the beneficiary will be provided interest subsidy for loan amount upto Rs. 2 Lakhs for taking
loan.
 Government will provide net present value of interest subsidy of 3% to NHB upfront which will, in turn, pass it to the
Primary Lending Institutions (Scheduled Commercial Banks, NBFCs etc.).

Railway Ministry unveils Mission 41K to save energy worth Rs 41,000 crore
Key Points:

 Union Railway Ministry has unveiled ‘Mission 41K’ to save Rs. 41,000 crore on the Indian Railways’ expenditure on
energy consumption over the next 10 years.
 The launch of this programme was announced at a Roundtable Discussion on Energy Initiatives of Indian Railways
with external stakeholders headed by Union Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu.
 This target of ‘Mission 41K will be achieved by taking a slew of measures which include moving 90% of traffic to
electric traction over diesel from present 50% of the total rail traffic.
 The railways will also procure more and more electricity at cheaper rates through open market instead of sourcing
it through DISCOMs. Thereby it hopes to save as much as 25% on its energy expenses.

Ministry of Power unveils World’s Largest Street Light Programme

Key Points:

 The Union Ministry of Power unveiled world’s largest street light replacement programme in South Delhi Municipal
Corporation (SDMC) area.
 It is implemented under LED based Street Lighting National Programme (SLNP) by the Energy Efficiency Services
Limited (EESL), a joint venture under the Union Ministry of Power.
 Under SLNP, 2 lakh street light will be replaced with LED lights in SDMC area.
 It will result in cumulative annual energy savings of 2.65 crore kWh and daily reduction of 22,000 tonnes of
greenhouse gases.

PM Narendra Modi announces Pravasi Kaushal Vikas Yojana

Key Points:

 Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched Pravasi Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PKVY), a skill development program
targeted at Indian youth seeking overseas employment to make India the Skill Capital of the World.
 It was launched after inauguration of 14th Pravasi Bhartiya Divas convention at India’s IT hub Bengaluru,
Karnataka. Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Costa was the Chief Guest of the event.
 PKVY will provide training and certify Indians who are seeking overseas employment in selected sectors that have
high demand in the global labour market in line with international standards.
 It will be implemented by the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) through its training partners and in
consultation with the Union Ministry of External Affairs and the Union Skill Development Ministry.

Delhi Govt unveils Good Samaritan Policy

Key Points:

 Delhi Govt has approved ‘Good Samaritan Policy to encourage people to help road accident victims in emergency
situation.
 It was approved by the state cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in New Delhi.
 This policy will give bystanders incentive to help accident victims and more importantly provide them with legal
protection.
 Under this policy, monetary incentive of Rs 2,000 and appreciation certificate will be given to people who help road
accident victims in the national capital.

Govt approves new projects under Namami Gange for Haridwar and Varanasi
Key Points:

 The National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) has approved new projects under Namami Gange programme in
Haridwar (Uttarakhand) and Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh).
 In Haridwar, 68 MLD sewage treatment plants (STP) and 14 MLD STP in Sarai was with Central government
funding and also under Hybrid Annuity based PPP mode.
 Besides, 50 MLD sewage treatment plant at Ramana in Varana under Hybrid Annuity-based PPP mode was also
approved.

Andhra Pradesh Govt launches NTR Arogya Raksha Scheme

Key Points:

 Andhra Pradesh Govt has launched NTR Arogya Raksha Scheme to provide the medical treatment to the people
below Above Poverty Line (APL) at Rs. 1200 premium per annum.
 It was launched by Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu in Vijayawada.
 The new health scheme offering medical insurance to those who were not covered under any of the existing health
schemes of the state government.
 NTR Arogya Raksha Scheme covers 1044 diseases and offers up to `2 lakh and free treatment. One can register
for the scheme at any of the Mee Seva centres till February 2017.
 People below Above Poverty Line (APL) can avail its benefit by paying Rs. 1200 premium per annum i.e. monthly
instalment of Rs. 100 per month per head.

Key announcements of PM Narendra Modi’s new year eve’s speech

Key Points:

 Following the tough decision to demonetise Rs 500 and Rs 1000 currency notes, Prime Minister Narendra Modi
today thanked citizens for undertaking sacrifice to cleanse the economy of black money.
 In his address, he announced a number of welfare sops to help the poor, the rural sector, small businesses and
other citizens to lighten the burden of demonetization.
 Rural and Urban Housing for poor: PM announced two new housing schemes for the urban poor. Under
Pradhan Mantri Aawaz Yojana (PMAY), the poor and middle class in cities will get 4% exemption on interest for
home loans up to Rs 9 lakh and 3% exemption for home loans up to Rs 12 lakh. Under PMAY, 33% more houses
will be built in villages. Home loans up to Rs 2 lakh will get 3% exemptions for building a new house and also for
renovation in villages.
 Farmers: 3 crore Kisan credit cards will be converted into RuPay cards in coming 3 months. Government will bear
60 days interest on select farm loans. Government will add Rs 20,000 crore more to fund created by NABARD of
Rs 21000 crore for giving loans to cooperative banks and societies at low interest rate.
 Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME): To give boost to the small entrepreneurs credit guarantee for
small businesses doubled to Rs 2 crore. Banks have been asked to raise cash credit limit for small business to
25% from 20%. Banks also have been asked to increase working capital loans from 20% of turnover to 30% for
enterprises that transact digitally.
 Women and elderly: Pregnant women and lactating women in above 650 rural districts will get Rs 6,000 in bank
accounts to meet medical expenses and reduce child, woman mortality. Senior citizens will get guarantee of 8%
interest rate on deposits up to Rs 7.5 lakh for 10 years.

Assam Govt launches Health Insurance Scheme Atal-Amrit Abhiyan

Key Points:

 Assam Govt rolled out ‘Atal-Amrit Abhiyan’, a health insurance scheme to provide coverage against several critical
illnesses.
 Atal-Amrit Abhiyan aims to make quality health care affordable to every individual member of a family in the state.
 This scheme is claimed to be the biggest health care initiative undertaken by any State Government in the country.
 It has financial outlay of the scheme is around Rs 200 crore.
 Under the scheme Both Below Poverty Line (BPL) and Above Poverty Line (APL) families with annual income
below Rs 5 lakh are eligible to avail benefit.
 Cashless cards will be provided to eligible individuals to avail treatment for as many as 437 diseases under six
categories at most major hospitals across the country.

Odisha Govt launches Biju Sishu Surakshya Yojana to nurture HIV positive orphan kids
Key Points:

 The Odisha Govt launched the Biju Sishu Surakshya Yojana, a scheme to nurture the orphan and HIV-infected
children residing in different child care institutions and orphanages.
 The main aim of the scheme is to facilitate care and protection towards orphans and HIV infected children of the
state.
 It will act and supplement for providing additional resources and complementary modalities to the existing centrally
sponsored schemes.
 Under this scheme Financial support will be given to promote the primary, higher education and for the securing of
the future and rehabilitation of HIV-infected children.
 The scholarship will be provider to top three meritorious students of the each district of the state and each student
who passes the HSC examination will get Rs. 20000.
 State government will deposit Rs. 1000 in the Sukayana Samridhi accounts of the girl children till they attain the
age of 18 years.

PM launches National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme in Kanpur

Key Points:

 Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently launched National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS) during his
recent visit to Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh.
 The scheme aims to provide apprenticeship training to over 50 lakh youngsters in order to create more jobs.
 It has budgetary outlay of Rs 10000 crore.
 NAPS is implemented by Director General of Training (DGT) under the aegis of Union Ministry of Skill
Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE).
 Under it, Central Government for the first time will provide financial incentives to the employers to engage actively
in apprenticeship training.
 Central Government will also directly share 25% of the total stipend (maximum of 1,500 rupees per month per
apprentice) payable to an apprentice with employers.
 In addition, it will support basic training which is considered an essential component of apprenticeship training.
 The Central Government will bear the 50% of the total expenditure incurred on providing basic training to an
apprentice.

AYUSH Ministry launches Swasthya Raksha Programme

Key Points:

 The Union AYUSH Ministry has launched ‘Swasthya Raksha Programme’ to promote health and health education
in villages.
 The programme was initiated through Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS), Central
Council for Research in Homoeopathy (CCRH), Central Council for Research in Unani Medicine (CCRUM) and
Central Council for Research in Siddha (CCRS).
 It was launched by AYUSH Ministry in October 2015.

Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana comes into effect

Key Points:

 The Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana (PMGKY) notified along with other provisions of Taxation Laws (Second
Amendment) Act, 2016 came into effect from 17 December 2016.
 It will remain open until March 31, 2017.
 PMGKY is Union Government’s second income disclosure scheme (IDS) to allow tax evaders to come clean with
unaccounted wealth.
 It provides for 50 per cent tax and surcharge on declarations of unaccounted cash deposited in banks.

Rajasthan Govt launches Annapurna Rasoi Scheme

Key Points:

 Rajasthan Govt has launched Annapurna Rasoi Scheme to provide quality meal at cheap price to poor and
needy on lines with Tamil Nadu Government’s Amma canteens.
 It was launched by Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje at Jaipur Municipal Corporation campus.
 The tagline for the scheme is: “Sabke liye bhojan, sabke liye sammaan (Food for all, respect for all)”.
 The food under this scheme will be provided at subsidized rates, breakfast at Rs 5 per plate and lunch/dinner at Rs
8 per plate.
 Local Self Government department of Rajasthan is the nodal agency for the scheme. The meals will be cooked
and served by staff trained in hospitality.

Union Govt launches Lucky Grahak Yojana, Digi Dhan Vyapar Yojana to promote digital payments
Key Points:

 The Union Govt has launched Lucky Grahak Yojana to encourage consumers and Digi Dhan Vyapar Yojana to
encourage merchants for transition to digital payments.
 These award based schemes were launched by the NITI (National Institution for Transforming India) Aayog,
government’s policy think-tank.
 These schemes aim to give cash awards to consumers and merchants who utilize digital payment instruments for
personal consumption expenditures.
 They will specially focuses on bringing the poor, lower middle class and small businesses into the digital payment
fold.
 National Payment Corporation of India (NPCI) will be the implementing agency for these schemes.
 Transactions using USSD, UPI, RuPay and AEPS will only be covered under these schemes. Digital payments
made through credit cards and e-wallets won’t be covered.
 To ensure focus on small transactions incentives will be restricted to transactions within the range of Rs 50 and Rs
3000.

Govt launches e-Pashuhaat portal

Key Points:

 The Union Agriculture & Farmers Welfare launched e-pashuhaat portal to connect farmers and breeders of bovine
animals.
 The portal will act as a single online e-trading market platform, including availability of bovine germplasm.
 It will enable the farmers to buy bovine animals, frozen semen and embryo.
 e-pashuhaat portal will connect farmers with breeders- State, Central, Co-operative, Milk Federations, and private
agencies.

Rajasthan Govt to launch Annapurna Rasoi Programme

Key Points:

 Rajasthan Govt has decided to start Annapurna Rasoi Programme to provide quality meal at cheap and affordable
price to people belonging to the weaker section and labourers.
 The main beneficiary of the scheme will be rickshaw pullers, labourers, auto drivers, students, working women,
elders and other weaker section.
 The food under this programme will be provided at subsidized rates, breakfast at Rs 5 per plate and lunch/dinner at
Rs 8 per plate.

PM Narendra Modi launches Pradhan Mantri Gramin Awas Yojana

Key Points:

 Prime Minister Narendra Modi has launched the Pradhan Mantri Gramin Awas Yojana (PMAY-G), flagship housing
for all scheme in Agra, Uttar Pradesh.
 Under PMAY-G Government aims to provide affordable, environmentally safe and secure pucca house to every
rural household living below the poverty line by 2022.
 PMAY-G is part Union Government’s flagship ‘Housing for All’ scheme and has replaced previous rural housing
scheme Indira Awas Yojana.
 The unit cost for houses has been increased with convergence of a minimum support of nearly Rs. 1.5 lakh to Rs.
1.6 lakh to a household is available.
 If the beneficiary desires, then there is also a provision of Bank loan upto Rs. 70,000.
 It will provide skilling for 5 lakh Rural Masons by 2019 and envisages large scale use of local materials.

Union Govt launches Pehchan identity cards for artisans

Key Points:

 Union textile Minister Smriti Irani launched a scheme of ‘Pehchan’ identity cards to artisans in Ahmedabad.
 The upgraded ‘pehchan’ cards were distributed to artisans from five clusters of Gujarat namely Jamnagar, Naroda,
Surendranagar, Amreli and Kalol.

Union Govt launches Pradhan Mantri Yuva Yojana for entrepreneurs

Key Points:

 The Union Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship has launched of Pradhan Mantri Yuva Yojana
(PMYY) to scale up an ecosystem of entrepreneurship for youngsters.
 The scheme was launched by Union Minister of State(I/C) for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Rajiv
Pratap Rudy to mark 2nd Foundation Day of Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE).
 PMYY is MSDE’s flagship scheme on entrepreneurship education and training.
 The scheme spans over five years (2016-17 to 2020-21) with a project cost of 499.94 crore rupees.
 It will provide entrepreneurship education and training to over 7 lakh students in 5 years through 3,050 institutes.
 It will provide easy access to information and mentor network, incubator, credit and accelerator and advocacy to
create a pathway for the youth.
 The institutes under the PMYY include 2,200 institutes of higher learning (colleges, universities, and premier
institutes), 500 ITIs, 300 schools and 50 entrepreneurship development centres through Massive Open Online
Courses (MOOCs).

PM Narendra Modi launches Saur Sujala Yojana in Chhattisgarh

Key Points:

 Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the Saur Sujala Yojana that would provide solar powered irrigation pumps
to farmers at a subsidized price.
 It was launched in Chhattisgarh as part of the state’s 16th foundation day celebrations. With this Chhattisgarh
becomes the first state to implement the scheme.
 Under the scheme, solar powered irrigation pumps of 3HP and 5HP capacity will be distributed to the farmers.
 The beneficiaries would get the pumps at the subsidised price.
 It is mainly aimed to give priority to those areas where electricity has not reached, so that farmers can utilize them
in irrigation and agriculture.
 Around 51,000 farmers would be benefitted in the state with the launch of the scheme by 2018.
 Earlier, PM Narendra Modi had dedicated the Jungle Safari in Naya Raipur. It is claimed to be the biggest man-
made safari in Asia. The safari is spread across 320 hectares of area.
 Odisha Govt launches Madhubabu Aain Sahayata Sibir Scheme
Key Points:

 Odisha Govt has launched Madhubabu Aain Sahayata Sibir’ (MASS) scheme to provide legal assistance to
deprived sections of the society at the grassroots level.
 The scheme has been named after great Odia lawyer Madhu Babu, who is considered as the first lawyer of
Odisha.
 State govt will provide free legal consultations to deprived sections of the society by setting up legal assistance
cells in all 6,812 gram panchayats across the state. Legal assistance will be given in shape of free legal aid in
order to ensure that opportunities for securing justice are not denied to any citizen for economic and other reasons.
A practicing lawyer with minimum three years of experience would head the legal cells. The lawyer who will give
legal assistance will receive Rs 500 per sitting as remuneration. It will help people especially the women, senior
citizens, children, SC, ST and socially and educationally backward to resolve long pending litigations.

Union Govt launches Biotech-KISAN and Cattle Genomics to empower farmers

Key Points:

 The Union Ministry of Science and Technology has launched two new schemes Biotech-KISAN and Cattle
Genomics in order to apply science to boost rural economy.
 The intent of these programmes is to form a network to farmers directly with the scientists and experts.
 Biotech-KISAN (Krishi Innovation Science Application Network) Scheme: It’s purpose is to connect farmers,
scientist and science institution across country.
 Under it, fellowship will be given to women farmers for training and education in farm practice.
 The main aim of the scheme is to understand individual problems of the small holding farmers and provide ready
solutions.
 Cattle Genomics Scheme: The scheme aims at boosting selective breeding of the native livestock more
accurately to ensure high-yielding, disease-resistant, resilient livestock.
 Under it, government will undertake an ambitious project of genome sequencing of 40 registered indigenous
cattle breeds of India.

Union Govt launches UDAN Scheme for Regional Air Connectivity

Key Points:

 The Union Govt has launched the regional air connectivity scheme UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam naagrik) which seeks
to get more people to fly in the smaller towns.
 The scheme was launched by the Union Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju in New Delhi.
 It will be rolled out by January, 2017 and will be in operation for a period of 10 years.
 The UDAN scheme seeks to provide connectivity to un-served and under-served airports of the country through
revival of existing air-strips and airports.
 It aims to increase ticketing volume from 80 million to 300 million by 2022.

Maharashtra Govt launches Kaushalya Setu skill-development programme

Key Points:

 Maharashtra govt has launched ‘Kaushalya Setu’, a skill development programme for students.
 It was launched by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Union Minister of State Skill Development and
Entrepreneurship (Independent Charge) Rajiv Pratap Rudy.
 Under the Kaushalya Setu initiative Students of Maharashtra State Board of Secondary & Higher Secondary
Education who failed to clear Class X or SSC exam, will be accommodated in skill development courses.
 The main aim of the initiative to compensate loss of one year of students who have failed matriculation
examination by providing skill-oriented training.
 It will give a big boost to Central Government’s Skill India Mission-2020 by providing skill development courses to
students.

PM launches National SC/ST hub and Zero Defect – Zero Effect scheme
Key Points:

 Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the National SC/ST hub and the Zero Defect, Zero Effect (ZED) scheme
for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) at Ludhiana in Punjab.
 Besides, he also presented National Awards to MSMEs. He also distributed 500 traditional wooden charkhas
(spinning wheels) among women.
 The objective of the SC/ST (Schedule Castes/Schedule Tribes) Hub is to provide professional support to
entrepreneurs from the SC/ST.
 It also seeks to promote enterprise culture and entrepreneurship among the SC/ST population and to enable them
to participate more effectively in public procurement.
 It will work towards strengthening market access/linkage, capacity building, monitoring, sharing industry-best
practices and leveraging financial support schemes.

Union Govt approves Rs.114 crore worth projects under HRIDAY Scheme
Key Points:

 The Union Ministry of Urban Development has approved projects worth Rs.114 crore under HRIDAY scheme for
improving infrastructure facilities around core heritage sites in five cities.
 These five cities are: Varnasi (Uttar Pradesh), Amritsar (Punjab), Dwaraka (Gujarat), Puri (Odisha) and Warangal
(Telangana).
 Projects in these districts were selected based on recommendation of inter-Ministerial HRIDAY National
Empowered Committee.
 Heritage Infrastructure Development and Augmentation Yojana (HRIDAY) is a Central Scheme that aims to
preserve and rejuvenate the rich cultural heritage of the country.
 The scheme will be completely funded by the Central Government to create infrastructure and provide facilities
around the heritage sites to attract more tourists.
 It aims to bring urban planning, economic growth and heritage conservation together for heritage cities.

Union Govt approves Rs 450 crore for five states under Swadesh Darshan scheme
Key Points:

 The Union Govt has approved 450 crore rupees for Madhya Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh and
Sikkim under the Swadesh Darshan scheme.
 It was approved by the Union Tourism Ministry for the development of Heritage circuit in Madhya Pradesh and
Uttarakhand, Ramayana Circuit in Uttar Pradesh, North East Circuit in Sikkim and Coastal Circuit of Tamil Nadu.
 The Heritage Circuit in Uttarakhand: It covers Jageshwar-Devidhura-Katarmal-Baijnath sites with total project cost
of approximately 83 crores rupees.
 Coastal circuit in Tamil Nadu: It envisages development of Chennai-Mamamallapuram-Rameshwaram-Manpadu-
Kanyakumari. The total project cost is of approximately 100 crores.
 Ramayana Circuit in Uttar Pradesh: It envisages development of two destinations, Chitrakoot and Shringverpur.
 North East circuit in Sikkim: It includes development of cultural centre, paragliding centre and craft bazaar for
mountaineering and meditation hall at approximate project cost of 95 crores.
 The Heritage Circuit in Madhya Pradesh: It covers developing Tourism Infrastructure Gwalior-Orchha-Khajuraho-
Chanderi-Bhimbetka-Mandu. The total project cost is of approximately 100 crore rupees.

Odisha Govt launches Biju Kanya Ratna Yojana

Key Points:

 The Odisha Govt has launched the Biju Kanya Ratna Yojana (BKRY) for the development of girls in three districts
of the state.
 The scheme was launched by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and will be implemented in Ganjam, Dhenkanal and
Angul districts on a pilot basis for three years.
 The objective the scheme is to improve Sex Ratio at Birth (SRB) and Child Sex Ratio (CSR) in the three districts.
 The scheme will ensure enrolment of girls in elementary education and also track dropout girls from schools
besides creating a better environment for them.
 It will also create awareness on gender discrimination against girls, their nutrition, health and education.
 It also includes provision of toilets for girls in every school, self-defence training and along with promotion of
access to education.

Indian Railways launches insurance scheme for passengers travelling on e- ticket

Key Points:

 Indian Railways has launched an insurance scheme for passengers travelling on e- ticket. The insurance cover will
be upto 10 lakh rupees.
 The insurance scheme was launched by Union Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu in New Delhi.
 For this scheme, Indian Railways has roped in Shriram General Insurance Company, ICICI Lombard and Royal
Sundaram General Insurance for providing the insurance cover.
 Person booking a train ticket through the IRCTC website will be eligible for the travel insurance and it is optional.
 To avail the facility, train passengers have to pay 92 paisa premium.
 The insurance cover will not be applicable for children upto 5 years of age and foreign citizens.
 The facility will be available only for confirmed and RAC ticket passengers.
 The scheme offers travellers or nominees a compensation of 10 lakh Rupees in the event of death or total
disabilty, 7.5 lakh Rupees for partial disability.
 Besides it will pay upto 2 lakh Rupees for hospitalisation expenses and 10,000 rupees for transportation of mortal
remains from the place of a train accident.

PM Narendra Modi launches Mission Bhagiratha in Telangana

Key Points:

 Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched Mission Bhagiratha with an objective to provide safe drinking water to all.
The scheme is the brain child of Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao.
 It was launched by state Government at Komatibanda Village, Gajwel in Medak District of Telangana.
 Mission Bhagiratha is a water grid project that aims to provide safe drinking water to all even to remotest places in
Telangana.
 Its objective is to provide 100 litres of clean drinking water per person in rural households and 150 litres per person
in urban households.
 Under it safe drinking water will be provided to about 25000 rural habitations and 67 urban habitations. Apart from
providing a sustainable and permanent solution to the drinking water woes, it also aims to rejuvenate more than
45000 water tanks.

Odisha Govt launches Baristha Bunakar Sahayata Yojana

Key Points:

 The Odisha Govt had launched Baristha Bunakar Sahayata Yojana, a special assistance scheme for elderly
weavers.
 The scheme was launched by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on the occasion of the second National Handlooms
Day (observed on 7th August).
 The scheme aims at improving the financial condition of over 8,000 weavers in the state. The beneficiary must
have been worked in this field at least preceding 20 years.
 Under it senior weavers above the age of 60 years would get a monthly pension of 500 rupees and those above 80
years would get 700 rupees.
 The pension amounts would be directly sent to the beneficiaries bank accounts.

Union Govt launches MAA, nation-wide breast feeding programme

Key Points:

 The Union Govt has launched MAA (Mothers’ Absolute Affection), a nation-wide breast feeding programme.
 It was launched by Union Health Minister & Family Welfare J P Nadda along with Bollywood actress Madhuri Dixit
who is brand ambassador of this campaign.
 MAA is an intensified programme of the Union Health Ministry that aims to enhance optimal breastfeeding
practices in the country.
 It seeks to create an enabling environment to ensure that mothers, husbands and families receive adequate
information and support for promotion of breastfeeding.
 The programme has been named ‘MAA’ to signify the support a lactating mother requires from family members
and at health facilities to breastfeed successfully.
 The chief components of the Programme are (i) Community awareness generation, (ii) Strengthening inter
personal communication through ASHA, (iii) Skilled support for breastfeeding at Delivery points in Public health
facilities, and (iv) Monitoring and Award/recognition.
 The Union Health Ministry has allocated 30 crore rupees for the Programme and 4.3 lakh rupees for each district
for implementing the various activities under MAA programme.

Union Govt constitutes DISHA for timely implementation of Central Schemes

Key Points:

 The Union Govt has constituted the District Development Coordination and Monitoring Committee (DDCMC) for
effective development and coordination of Central Government’s programme.
 It will be known as DISHA and first meeting will be held on August 13, 2016.
 It will monitor the implementation of 28 schemes and programmes of Union Ministry of Rural Development and
other Ministries to promote synergy and convergence for greater impact.
 The main purpose of the DISHA is to coordinate with Central and State and local Panchayat Governments.
 It has been created for effective coordination and development of Central Government’s programme for
infrastructure development or Social and human resource development.
 The Chairperson of the committee will be the senior most Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha) elected from the
district, nominated by the Union Ministry of Rural Development.
 It will ensure the participation of people’s representative at all levels and successful implementation of flagship
programme of central government.