Government Policies

&
Schemes
Yearly Review 2020

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Cabinet clears a modified scheme
 The Cabinet Committee on Economic
Affairs, CCEA has approved a modified
scheme to enhance ethanol distillation
capacity in the country for producing 1st
Generation ethanol from feedstocks such as
cereals like rice, wheat, barley, etc.
 The cabinet approved an interest subvention
of 4,573 crore rupees for new distilleries
producing ethanol.
 India currently has a capacity of 684 crore
litres.
1.83 crore Sukanya Samriddhi accounts opened
 A total of 1 crore 83 lakh Sukanya Samriddhi
accounts have been opened across the
country with deposits amounting to over
58,222 crore rupees.
 PM Modi had launched the scheme, also
known as girl child prosperity scheme in
2015 in Panipat, Haryana.
 The scheme ensures a bright future for girl
children and has facilitated them in proper
education, marriage expenses, and securing
their future.
Gujarat announces new solar policy
 A new solar policy was announced by the
Gujarat government on 29 Dec 2020.
 It offers a slew of incentives such as
allowing consumers to lease their roofs and
premises for setting up plants.
 In addition, residential and Micro, Small and
Medium Enterprises (MSME) consumers
can sell the surplus power generated after
meeting their consumption needs at a tariff
of ₹2.25 per unit.
 Read detailed news here – Click Here.
Karnataka govt passes anti-cow slaughter bill
 Karnataka Cabinet cleared the ordinance on
the Karnataka Prevention of Slaughter and
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Preservation of Cattle Bill (2020) on
December 28, 2020.
 The bill will be now sent to the Governor for
approval.
 The anti-cow slaughter bill was passed in
the Karnataka Assembly on December 9.
 The bill proposes a maximum of seven
years' imprisonment and a fine of Rs 5 lakh
for the offenders.
Andhra CM launches low-cost housing scheme
 The Andhra Pradesh government has
launched the housing-sites distribution
exercise under the ‗Pedalandariki Illu‘
(houses for all the poor) scheme in East
Godavari district.
 The scheme is expected to provide low-cost
housing for an estimated 30.6 lakh people in
the state.
 The 17,000 houses being built in the first
phase of construction will be self-sufficient
villages.
 Know About major points about Andhra
Pradesh state from the linked article.
PM launches Ayushman Bharat scheme for J&K
 Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the
Ayushman Bharat scheme via video-
conferencing to extend health insurance
coverage to all residents of Jammu and
Kashmir on 26 Dec 2020.
 The scheme will provide free-of-cost
insurance cover to all residents of the UT of
Jammu and Kashmir.
 It will extend financial cover of up to ₹ 5 lakh
per family on a floater basis to all residents
of the UT.
Govt to launch coal import monitoring system
 The government plans to launch the coal
import monitoring system from February,
making it mandatory for importers to
disclose future shipments.
  The coal import monitoring system (CIMS)
shall require importers to submit advance
information in an online system for import of
items and obtain an automatic registration
number.
New campaign to promote rainwater harvesting
 The National Water Mission launched the
'Jal Shakti Abhiyan II: Catch the Rain'
awareness campaign to promote rainwater
harvesting.
 The National Water Mission initiated the
campaign in collaboration with Nehru Yuva
Kendra Sangathan (NYKS) under the
Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports.
 The awareness generation phase of
campaign will run from mid-December 2020
to March 2021.
Jan Arogya Yojana completes 1.5 cr treatments
 Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan
Arogya Yojana has completed 1.5 crore
treatments across the country on 24 Dec
2020.
 The government is going to strengthen the
scheme further.
 The government is also going to rationalize
the health packages in the upcoming Health
Benefit Package 3.0.
 The scheme aims to help economically
vulnerable Indians who are in need of
healthcare facilities.
Cabinet approves a scheme
 The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs
(CCEA) has approved changes in the
centrally sponsored Post-Matric Scholarship
Scheme to benefit more than four crore
Scheduled Caste students in the next five
years.
 It approved a total investment of over ₹
59,000 crore for the purpose.
 The scheme allows students to pursue any
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course from class 11, with the govt providing
for the cost of education.
Flight operations flagged off on a new route
 The first flight operations from Belgaum
(Karnataka) to Surat (Gujarat) to Kishangarh
(Ajmer) were flagged off on 22 December
2020 under the Regional Connectivity
Scheme-UDAN.
 More than 300 routes have been
operationalised under the UDAN scheme,
and the flag off marks the inauguration of
the 303rd route under the ambit of the
scheme.
PM Modi to launch 'SEHAT' for UT of J&K
 PM Modi will launch the 'SEHAT'- Health
Insurance Scheme for J&K on 26 Dec'20.
 It will cover the remaining 1cr population
which was not covered under Ayushman
Bharat Scheme.
 Under Ayushman Bharat PM Jan Arogya
Yojana, eligible beneficiaries were covered
under health cover of Rs 5 Lakh.
 With the launch of SEHAT, J&K will be
among the first in country to achieve
universal health coverage.
Interest-free loans for vendors in MP
 MP CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan distributed
an interest-free loan of Rs 10,000 each
under the CM Rural Street Vendor Scheme
to about 20,000 street vendors, on 21 Dec
2020.
 The scheme has been implemented on the
line of PM Swanidhi in the rural areas of the
state.
 Under this, small vendors including fruits-
vegetables sellers are given an interest-free
loan of Rs 10,000 each for their work.
Telangana Fiber Grid Project gets permission
  The Telangana government has accorded T-
Fiber, the Telangana Fiber Grid Project that
is establishing optical fiber network in the
State.
 It declared the T-Fiber project a ‗Vital Public
Purpose Project‘, which will save it from
getting permissions from a host of State
government departments to lay the
ambitious optical fiber project.
Scheme for Hygiene Rating Audit Agencies
 The Quality Council of India in collaboration
with the Food Safety and Standards
Authority of India has launched a scheme for
approval of Hygiene Rating Audit Agencies
aimed at scaling up the number of
recognised Hygiene Rating Audit Agencies
in the country.
 The recognised Hygiene Rating Audit
Agency will verify the compliance by the
FBOs with food hygiene and safety
procedures laid by FSSAI.
Andhra Pradesh rolls out a scheme
 Andhra Pradesh CM YS Jagan Mohan
Reddy has launched ‗YSR Free Crop
Insurance‘ scheme.
 He credited ₹1,252 crores into the bank
accounts of 9.48 lakh farmers in insurance
claims for the agricultural season 2019.
 The government will help farmers and
process the claims in a fast-track mode,
besides paying the entire premium on behalf
of farmers.
TN govt to train IIT-JEE aspirants
 The Tamil Nadu government signed a
memorandum of understanding with a
private player to provide online training to
IIT-JEE aspirants from government and
aided schools in the state.
 The government signed the MoU with
Nextgen Vidhya Pvt. Ltd.
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 The IIT-JEE aspirants from government and
aided schools would be groomed through
the online initiative for free.
Rajasthan CM sanctions Rs 108 cr for MGNREGA
 Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot has approved
an additional provision of Rs 427 cr for
various schemes of the state government,
including Rs 108 cr under the MGNREGA.
 An additional provision of Rs 33.10 cr has
been approved for Scooty distribution
scheme.
 CM has approved an additional provision of
Rs 16.13 cr for conducting various
recruitment examinations to the Rajasthan
Staff Selection Board.
Government notifies VGF scheme
 The Finance Ministry has notified the
Viability Gap Funding (VGF) scheme under
which infrastructure projects would be
selected for financial support to give a push
to the sector.
 As per the scheme, funding up to Rs 200
crore will be sanctioned by the Empowered
Committee (EC).
 Projects needing over Rs 200 crore would
be approved by the EC with the approval of
the Finance Minister.
„Jagananna Jeeva Kranthi‟ launched
 Andhra Pradesh CM YS Jagan Mohan
Reddy has launched ‗Jagananna Jeeva
Kranthi‘ scheme to distribute 2,49,151 sheep
and goat units to the beneficiaries of YSR
Cheyutha and YSR Aasara.
 A total of Rs 1,869 crore is being spent for
the purpose.
 Under the scheme, beneficiaries are free to
buy local sheep, goat breeds from the region
of their choice.
TSRTC launches home delivery services
  Telangana State Road Transport
Corporation launched parcel delivery
services for homes in Hyderabad and
Secunderabad.
 The parcel service was launched to meet
the demand for bulk goods transport in the
state and to facilitate parcel receipt services
before people‘s doorstep.
 The service was inaugurated at Transport
Bhavan by Transport Minister Puvvada Ajay
Kumar.
Govt approves USOF scheme
 The Cabinet has approved the provision of a
Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF)
scheme for providing mobile coverage in
Arunachal Pradesh and two districts of
Assam, namely Karbi Anglong and Dima
Hasao, under the Comprehensive Telecom
Development Plan.
 The project envisages providing mobile
coverage to 2374 uncovered villages -- 1683
in Arunachal Pradesh and 691 in 2 districts
of Assam.
UC approves Atmanirbhar Bharat Rojgar Yojana
 The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime
Minister Narendra Modi, has given its
approval for Atmanirbhar Bharat Rojgar
Yojana.
 With this scheme, the govt aims to
incentivise the creation of new employment
opportunities.
 Cabinet has approved an expenditure of Rs
1,584 crore for the current financial year and
Rs 22,810 crore for the entire Scheme
period i.e. 2020-2023.
BoB launches Atmanirbhar Women Gold
Scheme
 Bank of Baroda has launched the
Atmanirbhar Women Scheme as part of its
Baroda Gold Loan.
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 Under the scheme, the bank is offering
loans at 0.50% concession for women.
 The bank under the gold loan scheme is
also offering agri-gold loan at 0.25%
concession and for a retail loan at
0.50% concession.
 The scheme was launched at BOB's
Ramamurthy Nagar branch in Bengaluru.
UP govt's scheme for Tharu tribe
 UP govt has recently embarked upon a
homestay scheme to take the unique culture
of its ethnic Tharu tribe across the world.
 The UP Forest Corp will train the Tharu
people to communicate effectively with
visitors and encourage villagers to acquaint
them with aspects of safety and cleanliness.
 Tharu community belongs to the Terai
lowlands, amid the Shivaliks of lower
Himalayas.
Over 2 crore farmers to get ₹4333.40 crores
 Around 216.67 lakh farmers in UP will get
₹4,333.40 cr under the Pradhan Mantri
Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme.
 Over 2.35 lakh crore farmers have received
₹22,594.78 cr under the scheme since its
implementation in Dec 2019.
 Under the scheme, income support of
6,000/yr in 3 equal instalments is provided to
small and marginal farmer families having a
combined land holding of up to 2 hectares.
WB: Scheme for kharif paddy procurement
 The West Bengal government is planning to
roll out a scheme to procure Kharif paddy for
its public distribution system.
 It seeks to maintain an unhindered supply of
free rice to nearly 10 crore people till June
2021.
 Under the scheme, the government aims to
enrol over 30 lakh farmers.
  13 lakh of an estimated 72 lakh paddy
farmers in West Bengal have registered
themselves for the scheme.
QRMP scheme launched for GST payers
 The government has launched the Quarterly
Return filing & Monthly Payment of Taxes
(QRMP) scheme for small taxpayers under
GST system.
 Taxpayers with aggregate annual turnover
of up to ₹5 crore in the preceding financial
year and have filed their October GSTR-3B
(sales) return by November 30, 2020, are
eligible for this scheme.
 This will be in effect from January 1, 2021.
Rajasthan CM approves amnesty schemes
 Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot
has approved two amnesty schemes for
mandi traders and land allottees.
 ―Interest waiver scheme‖ has been
implemented in various Agricultural Produce
Market Committees of the state for 75 per
cent interest waiver on interest payable in
respect of Mandi fee, allocation fee and
other dues for disposal of cases.
 The scheme can be availed till Mar 31,
2021.
UP CM disburses loan to 3.54L MSME units
 UP CM Yogi Adityanath disbursed a loan of
Rs 10 thousand 390 crores to 3.54L MSME
units during the MSME loan fair in Lucknow.
 Chief Minister disbursed the loan to the
newly established units along with the new
MSMEs under the self-sufficient India
package.
 Chief Minister also distributed advanced tool
kit related to their business to the trainees of
the 'One District One Product Scheme'.
Five-star village postal scheme launched
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 The Union Minister of State for
Communication Sanjay Dhotre launched
five-star village postal scheme in Dehradun
on 1 Dec 2020 for rural areas of
Uttarakhand.
 It will ensure the universal coverage of
flagship postal schemes.
 He also distributed Sukanya Samridhi
Yojana passbooks, chequebooks, ATM
Cards and saving bank passbooks to the
beneficiaries of senior citizens welfare fund
schemes.
WB govt launches 'Duare Sarkar' campaign
 West Bengal launched its massive outreach
campaign ''Duare Sarkar'' (government at
doorsteps).
 This campaign was launched to ensure that
people avail the benefits of 11 state-run
welfare schemes and also to hear out their
grievances related to the programmes.
 The programme will be conducted with
slogan ''jar jekhane darkar, asche apnar
duare sarkar''.
One time power bill settlement scheme launched
 A one-time settlement scheme for power
consumers was launched in Goa on 30
November 2020 by CM Pramod Sawant.
 A similar scheme would be launched by the
public works department (PWD) for water
bills.
 Delayed payment fee would be dropped,
fully or partially, under this power settlement
scheme, for which applications can be made
all through December 2020.
ONORC scheme starts in A&N Islands
 The One Nation One Ration Card scheme
commenced in Andaman and Nicobar
Islands on 30 November 2020.
  Aadhar Enabled Biometric e-POS machines
have been installed at nearly 50 shops in the
islands.
 28 states and UTs have joined on the
network under One Nation One Ration Card.
 The rest are required to join by March 2021.
Agriculture Infrastructure Fund launched
 The Central Govt has launched the
Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF).
 The fund is a medium-long term debt
financing facility for investment in viable
projects for post-harvest management
infrastructure and community farming assets
through interest subvention and credit
guarantee.
 Under the initiative, a credit guarantee for
loans up to two crore rupees is provided by
the government.
Assam govt to launch „Orunodoi‟ scheme
 The Assam government will launch
‗Orunodoi‘ scheme on 1 Dec 2020.
 Over 18 lakh families in the state will receive
a minimum of 830 rupees per month in their
bank accounts under the scheme.
 This is the biggest ever scheme in Assam
post-Independence.
 It will strengthen the role of the women as
the money will be deposited in the bank
accounts of the women of the families.
National portal for Transgender persons
 Ministry SJ&E launched a national portal for
transgender persons to apply for certificates
and identity cards.
 The portal had been developed within two
months of the Ministry notifying the
Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights)
Rules, 2020, on September 29.
 The portal would help transpersons in
applying for certificate and ID cards digitally
without having to visit any government
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office.
Karnataka govt launches Project Based Learning
 The Karnataka government launched the
Project-Based Learning and Customised
Learning Achievement Path modules.
 Minister for Primary and Secondary
Education S Suresh Kumar launched the
modules, designed by Samagra Sikshana
Foundation.
 In this project, more than 18 lakh
government school children from classes
four to seven will receive these learning
modules to continue learning at home.
Jagananna Thodu scheme launched
 Andhra Pradesh CM Y.S. Jagan Mohan
Reddy has launched the Jagananna Thodu
scheme.
 Under this, an amount of ₹905 crores was
deposited into the bank accounts of 9.05
lakh small traders towards the provision of
an interest-free loan.
 The government will be paying interest of
₹60 crore to ₹100 crores annually.
Govt issues draft of Merchant Shipping Bill
 Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways
has issued a draft of the Merchant Shipping
Bill, 2020 for public consultation.
 It aims to repeal and replace the Merchant
Shipping Act, 1958 and the Coasting
Vessels Act, 1838.
 All up-to-date International Maritime
Organisation (IMO) conventions/protocols,
to which India is a party, have been adopted
in it.
Ladakh ranks 3rd fulfilling PM SVANidhi Yojana
 Ladakh has ranked third among the Union
Territories in implementing PM SVANidhi
Yojana.
  Ladakh's performance was reviewed by the
Prime Minister on Pragati of Housing and
Urban Affairs schemes.
 The PM SVANidhi Scheme was launched on
1st June 2020, under Atma-Nirbhar Bharat
initiative to support the Street vendors due
to the adverse effect of COVID-19.
20 fishermen selected for financial assistance
 In J&K, Fisheries Department Kupwara has
selected 20 fishermen to be covered under
Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampadha Yojna
(PMMSY) scheme.
 It will provide financial assistance to
construct low-cost houses.
 Around 83 fishermen from Kupwara,
Handwara, Langate and Karnah participated
in the draw of lots and 20 were selected for
financial assistance under Pradhan Mantri
Matsya Sampadha Yojna.
India Post Payments Bank launches a scheme
 India Post Payments Bank (IPPB) has joined
hands with PNB MetLife India Insurance
Company Limited to launch Pradhan Mantri
Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana.
 The unique scheme offers life cover on
death of the insured member due to any
reason.
 The scheme will be optional for all the
savings account holders with India Post
Payments Bank.
Inauguration of 46 online ATAL Programmes
 Union Education Minister, Ramesh Pokhriyal
'Nishank' inaugurated 46 online AICTE
Training and Learning (ATAL) Academy
Faculty Development Programmes (FDP).
 The main objective of ATAL Academy is to
provide quality technical education in the
country and to promote research and
entrepreneurship through training in various
emerging fields.
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 The FDPs will be held in 22 Indian states.
PM Modi launches „Har Ghar Nal Yojna‟
 Prime minister Narendra Modi launched ‗Har
Ghar Nal Yojna‘ for Sonbhadra and Mirzapur
in Vindhya region of Uttar Pradesh via video
conference.
 The scheme worth Rs 5,555.38 crore is
aimed at providing water to over 41 lakh
villages in two districts.
 Yogi Adityanath government will ensure
water supply through pipelines to 2,995
villages in two districts in the region.
Indira Gandhi Matritva Poshan Yojana
 Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot
announced that Rs 6,000 will be given to
women becoming mothers for the second
time under a new government scheme.
 On the birth anniversary of former prime
minister Indira Gandhi, Gehlot launched
Indira Gandhi Matritva Poshan Yojana
through a video conference.
 The scheme has been started in four most
backward TSP districts of the state.
14,34,000 loans sanctioned under PM SVANidhi
 Over 27 lakh 33 thousand applications have
been received under Pradhan Mantri Street
Vendor‘s Atma-Nirbhar Nidhi- PM- SVANidhi
Scheme.
 Out of the total applications received, over
14 lakh and 34 thousand have been
sanctioned and about 7.88 lakh loans
disbursed.
 Vendors who had left for their native places
due to Covid-19 lockdown are eligible for the
loan.
II phase of „Red Light On, Gaadi Off‟ campaign
  The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) launched the
second phase of ‗Red Light On, Gaadi Off‘
campaign in the national capital.
 Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal had
launched the campaign on October 21.
 The campaign was to continue till November
15.
 However, the Delhi government has decided
to extend it till November 30 considering the
pollution situation.
Kalaignar Karunanidhi breakfast scheme
 The Puducherry government rolled out a
free breakfast scheme for school students
named after the late DMK President M
Karunanidhi.
 Around 80,000 students from 419 schools
would get benefit from the scheme, once
schools reopen in the Union territory.
 At present, 10,000 students from 106
schools would get benefit from the scheme.
MP CM launches roadmap to Aatma Nirbhar MP
 Madhya Pradesh, Chief Minister Shivraj
Singh Chouhan launched a roadmap to
Aatma Nirbhar Madhya Pradesh.
 The Chief Minister said special attention will
be given to education and health in self-
sufficient Madhya Pradesh.
 A network of hospitals will be established
across the state for this purpose.
 The Mukhya Mantri Rural Street Vendor
Scheme has been launched by the state
gov.
Uttar Pradesh to launch Mission Rozgar
 The Yogi Adityanath government in Uttar
Pradesh is going to launch a campaign to
provide employment to 50 lakh youths in the
state by the end of March.
 The campaign which has reportedly been
named ―Mission Rozgar‖ is scheduled to be
launched by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath
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post-Diwali.
 Mission Rozgar will be run under the
Infrastructure and Industrial Development
Commissioner.
Odisha govt launches SAANS
 The Odisha Government launched Social
Awareness & Action to Neutralize
Pneumonia Successfully (SAANS)
programme.
 To reduce child mortality owing to
pneumonia, which contributes to around 15
per cent of deaths of children under the age
of ve annually.
 SAANS was launched by the state Health
Department to mobilise people to protect
children from pneumonia.
Atmanirbhar Bharat Rozgar Yojana launched
 Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has
unveiled a new scheme to incentivise job
creation, as part of Atmanirbhar 3.0 stimulus
measures announced to boost economic
growth.
 The Atma Nirbhar Bharat Rozgar Yojana will
generate new employment and more job
creation.
 The scheme will be effective from October 1,
2020, and will be active till June 30, 2021.
Jharkhand Assembly: separate code for Adivasis
 The Jharkhand Assembly unanimously
passed a resolution seeking a separate
code for Adivasis.
 The resolution, which was passed on 11
Nov, demanded provisions for a separate
Adivasi/Sarna religious code for inclusion in
the census register.
 It will help document their population,
preserve tribal languages, culture and
history and help them avail their
constitutional rights
2nd Phase Of 'YSR Cheyuta' Welfare Scheme
 Andhra Pradesh Panchayat Raj Minister
Peddireddy Ramachandra Reddy and
Municipal Administration and Urban
Development (MA&UD) Minister Botsa
Satyanarayana have launched the second
phase of the 'YSR Cheyuta' welfare scheme.
 This scheme beneficial for Scheduled
Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST),
Backward Caste (BC) and minority women
in the age group of 45 to 60 years.
Production-Linked Incentive Scheme apprived
 The Cabinet Committee on Economic
Affairs, CCEA, has approved continuation
and revamping of the Scheme for Financial
Support to Public-Private Partnerships in
Infrastructure Viability Gap Funding
Scheme.
 It has been approved till 2024-25 with a total
outlay of 8,100 crore rupees.
 The aim of this Scheme is to promote
Public-Private Partnerships in social and
economic infrastructure.
Residents to get „e-health cards‟ by 2021
 Delhi residents will have a unique e-health
card by August next year (2021).
 A cloud-based Health Information
Management System (HIMS) will also be
implemented across Delhi government
hospitals.
 The e-health card has been designed as a
QR code-based card to collate clinical
details of all patients in one place, and ties
in with the HIMS, which will store a database
of clinical information.
Union Cabinet approves PLI scheme
 The Union Cabinet has approved
production-linked incentives for 10 sectors,
worth almost 2 lakh crore to boost
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manufacturing, make India self-reliant and
generate employment.
 The aim is to give the right impetus to the
Indian economy to enable the nation to plug
into global supply chains.
 There is no cap on the number of
companies that will be eligible for PLI under
each category for now.
Sugam Swasth Scheme launched
 With an aim to help villagers in Naxal-
affected areas of Dantewada, the district
administration has launched a unique
scheme 'Sugam Swasth' to help them reach
medical facilities.
 Under the scheme, the district administration
has entered into a collaboration with 95
private vehicle owners in the rural region
who ferry critically ill patients to doctors and
health facilities in emergencies.
Government approves 21 projects
 Government has approved 21 projects
under the Scheme for Integrated Cold Chain
and Value Addition.
 The projects are worth 443 crore rupees
supported with a grant of 189 crore rupees.
 These projects will benefit farmers and
consumers and urged the officers to
expedite the implementation of approved
projects.
Kerala launches scheme for fisherfolk
 A pioneering eco-sustainable programme
Parivarthanam, to help the fishing
community has been launched in Kerala.
 It is aimed at improving the livelihood skills
of youngsters along the coastline and also
enables socio-economic uplift of the
fishermen community.
 The scheme will promote the processing
and marketing of clean fish and its fresh
products.
Emergency Credit Line Scheme extended
 Union Government has extended the
Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme
(ECLGS).
 It has been extended by one month till 30th
of November 2020 or till an amount of Rs. 3
lakh crore is sanctioned under the scheme,
whichever is earlier.
 This has been done in view of the opening
up of various sectors in the economy and
the expected increase in demand during the
ongoing festive season.
Chhattisgarh CM launches a scheme
 Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel
has launched a scheme for the distribution
of fortified rice through Public Distribution
System (PDS).
 He also launched other welfare initiatives for
the people of Kondagaon district of the state
on a pilot basis.
 The fortified rice is a mixture of iron, vitamin
B-12 and folic acid-enriched fortified rice
kernel (FRK), which helps in
controlling anaemia.
Delhi govt approves over ₹40 crore
 The Delhi govt has approved more than ₹40
cr to provide medical insurance of ₹5 lakh
and term insurance of ₹10 lakh to lawyers,
who are residents of Delhi.
 The lawyers will be insured under the Chief
Minister Advocates Welfare Scheme, which
was announced by the AAP government
back in December 2019.
 The govt had set aside a corpus of ₹50 cr
for the welfare of lawyers under the scheme.
UP govt secures first rank under a scheme
 UP govt has secured the 1st rank in PM
Atmanirbhar Nidhi Scheme (SVANidhi
Scheme) by approving the highest number
11
of loans under the scheme in the country.
 The State ranked first in all the categories -
Applications, Sanctions, and Disbursements
of the loans under the scheme.
 As many as 6,22,167 applications were
received under the scheme in the state
which is highest in the country.
PM inaugurates three projects in Gujarat
 Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated
three development projects in Gujarat.
 Inaugurating Kisan Sarvoday Yojana, under
which farmers will be able to avail power
supply from 5am to 9pm for irrigation
purposes.
 Paediatric Heart Hospital attached with UN
Mehta Institute of Cardiology and Research
Centre in Ahmedabad.
 Mount Girnar got a ropeway, which is the
fourth ropeway in the state.
The Noida authority has sanctioned ₹6.5 crore
 The Noida authority has sanctioned ₹6.5
crore for a mission that goals to clean up
town‘s foremost drain, Kondli drain.
 The 17-kilometre-long irrigation drain begins
from Delhi‘s Ashok Nagar space and
merges with Yamuna in Sector 168, after
passing by means of a number of residential
sectors of town, reminiscent of sectors.
 The Kondli drain, owned by the Uttar
Pradesh irrigation division.
Centre extends ESI Scheme to Arunachal
Pradesh
 The Centre has extended the Employees'
State Insurance, ESI Scheme to Arunachal
Pradesh from 1 Nov 2020.
 A notification to this effect has been issued
by the Central Government for notifying the
district of Papum Pare, under the ESI
Scheme.
  All factories located in the district of Papum
Pare employing 10 or more persons will
become eligible for coverage under ESI Act
1948.
Integrated Model Agricultural Village Scheme
 Uttarakhand CM Trivendra Singh Rawat has
inaugurated Integrated Model Agricultural
Village scheme (Ekikrit Adarsh Krishi Gram
Yojana) in the state.
 It has been launched in partnership with
NABARD.
 The scheme is a concept which will prove to
be a milestone in strengthening the
economy of farmers and doubling their
income.
Odisha CM launches a service
 Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik has launched
Citizen-Centric online Service of Food
Supply and Consumer Welfare Department.
 Under this, the farmers' registration for the
sale of paddy, Ration Card Management,
payment of license fees for affordable shops
and payment of food grains by affordable
shops will be carried out online.
 The state government has covered 2.5
million people under the Scheme.
Smart Black Board scheme in Tamil Nadu
 Tamil Nadu govt is implementing the Smart
Black Board scheme in 80,000 government
schools to ensure a better teaching
environment.
 The scheme envisages usage of audiovisual
teaching material that can be fed into the
computer screens in classes using widely
available pen drives.
 The Central Education Ministry‘s Smart
Class Room scheme is also being
implemented in 7500 schools in the state.
Jagan Reddy launches 'YSR Bima' scheme
12
 Andhra Pradesh CM Jagan Mohan Reddy
has launched the 'YSR BIMA' scheme.
 In this scheme, the beneficiary will receive
an insurance amount in their family
member's untimely death or permanent
disability.
 It is aimed at providing security to the
families of poor and unorganised workers.
 Reddy has also announced financial
assistance of Rs 10,000 to the family of
those who died in an accident.
UP govt expands Ayushman Bharat scheme
 Uttar Pradesh govt is expanding the
Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana
Ayushman Bharat in the state.
 This step will include half of the state's
population under the health cover scheme of
Ayushman Bharat.
 Currently, under the Scheme, the
beneficiary is selected on the basis of social,
economic, ethnic census-2011.
 On this basis, 1.18 crore families of the state
are eligible for the scheme.
AYUSHMAN SAHAKAR scheme launched
 Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh
Tomar launched AYUSHMAN SAHAKAR
scheme on 19 October 2020.
 AYUSHMAN SAHAKAR scheme has been
formulated by the National Cooperative
Development Corporation (NCDC).
 The scheme aims at bringing transformation
in the health services primarily in the rural
areas.
 It provides interest subvention of one per
cent to women majority cooperatives.
Odisha CM Launches 'Sujal' Mission
 Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik has inaugurated
"Sujal"- 'Drink from Tap Mission' scheme.
  The scheme is for providing 24 hours supply
of quality drinking water in all urban areas of
the state.
 The 'Drink from Tap' programme was
launched at Salia Sahi in Bhubaneswar and
Masani Chandi in Puri.
 The scheme will benefit more than 1.8 lakh
households in Bhubaneswar and Puri.
„Tree Transplantation Policy‟ in Delhi
 Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has
launched first-of-its-kind tree transplantation
policy to preserve trees for a clean and
green Delhi.
 Now rather cutting the old tree, the
government will transplant the tree to
another place by using the latest scientific
techniques.
 Under this policy, 80% of trees uprooted for
any construction/development project, must
be transplanted elsewhere.
Swa-nirbhar Naari: Atmanirbhar Asom scheme
 Assam CM Sarbananda Sonowal has
launched Swa-nirbhar Naari: Atmanirbhar
Asom scheme.
 It has been launched in a bid to empower
the economically disadvantaged women of
the State.
 The new scheme aims to create more than
3.72 lakh sustainable individual and
822 community assets.
 In case of individual asset creation, five
identified activities would be implemented
across all Development Blocks.
Uttarakhand CM launches a scheme
 Uttarakhand CM Trivendra Singh Rawat has
launched the Mukhya Mantri Saur Swarojgar
Yojana for self-employment by solar energy
farming.
 The aim of the scheme is to promote the
production of green energy and to provide
13
self-employment opportunities to the youth
of the State and returning migrants.
 Each beneficiary of this scheme will be
allocated solar plants of 25 kilowatts.
Andhra CM launches Jaganna Vidya Kanuka
Scheme
 Andhra Pradesh CM Jagan Mohan Reddy
has launched 'Jaganna Vidya Kanuka'
scheme for students studying in government
schools.
 Putting an end to the earlier practice of
delay in supply of textbooks, school
uniforms, etc., this scheme aims to improve
government schools' quality and enrolments.
 The school kits will bring relief to the parents
and save the new academic year
expenditure.
Online e-Sanjeevani OPDs scheme e-dedicated
 Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani e-dedicated online
e-Sanjeevani OPDs scheme across Gujarat
through video conferencing on 8 Oct'20.
 The main objective of is to provide medical
facilities online to the patients for common
diseases at their homes.
 This will reduce the additional burden on
hospitals and OPDs.
 It is an extension of free treatment and
medicines being provided to Covid-19
patients.
Govt clears 16 proposals under PLI scheme
 The Ministry of Electronics and Information
and Technology has cleared 16 proposals
from domestic and international companies
entailing an investment of 11000 crore
rupees.
 It is done under the production linked
incentive, PLI scheme to manufacture
mobile phones worth 10.5 lakh crore rupees
over the next 5 years.
 It will generate more than 2 lakh direct jobs.
Pathashree Abhiyan scheme launched in Bengal
 West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee on 1 Oct
2020 announced a road repair scheme titled
‗Pathashree Abhiyan‘.
 Under this, more than 7,000 stretches of
roads comprising 12,000 km across the
state will be repaired in a mission mode in a
time-bound manner.
 The state government has already allocated
Rs 500 crore for the scheme and the
repairing work would be finished by January
2021.
CM e-launches sports and youth projects
 Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani
launched various projects of the state
sports, youth and cultural affairs department
through a video conference from
Gandhinagar.
 These development works include the
‗mobile to sports initiative‘, employment
guidance centres for athletes and a project
to develop sports grounds in 500 villages.
Housing programme for tea workers announced
 West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee has
announced a slew of measures for the
people.
 The govt will build brick houses for at least
3,694 workers in seven sick tea gardens in
Jalpaiguri and Alipurduar districts under the
'Chai Sundari' scheme.
 Work for building houses will start within two
months and the govt will incur an
expenditure of Rs 500 cr.
 The project will be completed in three years.
Andhra Pradesh launches YSR Jala Kala scheme
 In a bid to a roll out a green carpet on the
uplands and arid terrain, Andhra Pradesh
Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy
launched the 'YSR Jala Kala' scheme.
14
 Under this, bore wells will be drilled to
benefit small and medium farmers who have
no open source of water for irrigation.
 As per the official release, under the newly
launched scheme bore wells will be drilled
free of cost.
Initiative to make Odisha slum free in 3 years
 Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik
launched a slum up-gradation programme to
make the state slum-free in 3 years.
 The chief minister told this while launching
the initiative through video conferencing
from Balasore town.
 The process will start immediately in 1,000
slums and then it will be scaled up to cover
each and every slum.
Vadodara sets up Rainwater Harvesting Projects
 In a bid to conserve water, Vadodara has
successfully set up rainwater harvesting
projects in 1,000 government schools in the
district.
 The project named 'Varsha Jal Nidhi' which
is completed at a total cost of Rs 6 crores
has received grants from the public as well
as private enterprises.
 This made Vadodara, the first district in the
country to have such facility in schools.
Odisha launched „Odisha By Road‟ campaign
 Odisha tourism minister Jyoti Prakash
Panigrahi launched the ‗Odisha By Road‘
campaign in a bid to woo tourists back to
Odisha amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
 Tourists can explore the state‘s tourist circuit
through its network of quality roads.
 The minister also announced a campaign for
promotion of Odia cuisine through a chain of
authentic Odia cuisine restaurants named
―Nimantran‖.
Assam govt to provide loan to entrepreneurs
  Assam CM Sarbananda Sonowal has
announced a new scheme under which loan
up to ₹20 lakh with interest subsidy would
be provided to entrepreneurs to revive the
tourism industry.
 Under the 'Paryatan Sanjeevani Scheme',
loan between ₹1 lakh and ₹20 lakh will be
extended to interested local youths to take
up new initiatives.
 As part of the scheme, the advances will be
provided for five years.
WB Cabinet clears scheme for Brahmin priests
 West Bengal Cabinet gave its nod to the
'Rajya Purohit Kalyan Prokolpo' scheme.
 In this scheme, a monthly allowance of Rs
1,000 and free housing would be allotted to
each of around 8,000 Sanatan Brahmin
priests.
 The Cabinet also approved a plan to form a
development authority for converting
Birsingha - the birthplace of polymath Ishwar
Chandra Vidyasagar - into an "educational
tourist hub".
'Saubhagya' scheme completes three years
 Pradhan Mantri Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana
-―Saubhagya‖ has completed three years
since its inception.
 PM Narendra Modi had launched this
scheme on the 25th of September, 2017 to
ensure electrification of all willing
households in the country in rural as well as
urban areas.
 The scheme was launched with an aim to
achieve universal household electrification.
Interest-free loan to rural street vendors
 MP CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan
has deposited an interest-free loan amount
of Rs 10,000 each in the accounts of around
10,000 rural street vendors.
 The Mukhyamantri Street Vendor Scheme
15
has been made for the street vendors
residing in the villages and towns of MP.
 Under this, working capital of up to
Rs10,000 will be provided by the bank for
small businessmen between 18 and 55
years of age.
Poor women to get Rs 16,000: MP CM
 MP Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan
announced that women from an
economically weak background would get
Rs 4,000 during pregnancy and Rs 12,000
after childbirth under Sambal Yojana.
 The state govt has so far transferred Rs 80
crore to bank accounts of poor beneficiaries
across 22 districts.
 The govt would pay the school fees of
children from economically weak sections
under the yojana.
Assam's scheme to boost rural connectivity
 Assam chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal
launched a rural transport scheme –
―Mukhyamantrir Grammya Paribahan
Achoni‖.
 He distributed vehicles under the scheme to
numerous beneficiaries during a programme
organised by the state transport department.
 The scheme aims to improve rural
connectivity and generate employment in
the villages.
„Mukhymantri Kisan Kalyan Yojana‟ in MP
 Mukhymantri Kisan Kalyan Yojana will be
started in Madhya Pradesh on the lines of
Pradhanmantri Kisan Samman Nidhi.
 Under this scheme, additional financial
assistance of Rs. 4,000 will be given to the
eligible beneficiaries of Prime Minister Kisan
Samman Nidhi.
 Apart from this, farmer-friendly schemes will
be integrated into the state and implemented
as a package.
Haryana govt approves a new policy
 The Haryana government has approved the
‗State Teacher Award Policy 2020'.
 This policy will be deemed applicable from
29 August 2020 in place of the policy
formulated in 2016.
 The teachers will be given awards under two
categories.
 First includes principal, headmaster, and
PGT teachers.
 While the second one includes primary
teachers, head teacher and TGT teacher.
Mukhyamantri Mahila Utkarsh Yojana
 Mukhyamantri Mahila Utkarsh Yojana has
been launched in Gujarat for all women in
the state who want to get a loan for up to Rs
1,00,000 on a zero per cent interest rate.
 This opportunity is available for all of the
women who are employed under self-help
groups.
 For this, joint liability and earning group
(JLEG) of women will be formed in the state.
 Each JLEG group will have 10 members.
'Arthika Spandana‟ loan disbursal scheme
 Karnataka CM B.S. Yediyurappa has
launched the ―Arthika Spandana‖
programme of disbursing loans to the tune
of ₹ 39,300 cr through various cooperative
institutions.
 Under this, ₹15,300 cr would be disbursed
to the agriculture sector while a sum of
₹24,000 cr would be earmarked for the non-
agricultural sector.
 The primary agricultural cooperatives would
be upgraded as multi-service centres.
Gujarat CM announces subsidy schemes
 Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani has announced an
assistance scheme to encourage the use of
battery-operated two-wheelers and three-
16
wheelers in the state.
 The announcement was made to check air
pollution in the state.
 Gujarat Government will provide a subsidy
of 12,000 rupees to school students
studying in Standard-9th to colleges for
battery-operated two-wheelers.
Road accident insurance scheme launched
 Maharastra government launched a new
road accident insurance scheme named
after late Shiv Sena chief Balasaheb
Thackeray.
 It will provide timely treatment to victims that
could help to reduce the fatality rate.
 Under the Balasaheb Thackeray Accidental
Insurance Scheme, an accident victim will
be provided treatment in nearby hospitals in
the first 72 hours of the incident.
37 lakh families to get ration in MP: Chouhan
 Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Singh
Chouhan inaugurated 'Anna Utsav' under
Annapurna Yojana which will benefit 37 lakh
families who were without ration cards.
 Under the scheme, the beneficiaries will get
rice, wheat and salt at Rs 1 per kg.
 Every beneficiary will get 5 kg of food grains
per month.
 The government is going to start the
Sambhal scheme for paying education fee of
poor students.
Odisha to implement E-Muster Roll
 The Odisha Government launched the e-
muster roll so that the payment of wages to
workers will be done without any delay.
 It will also restrict manipulation.
 The e-muster roll will help to control the
minimum wages and appropriate deposit of
ESI and EPF dues from 2nd October 2020.
 The wages will be directly transferred to the
bank accounts of the labourers.
NABARD to implement new loan scheme
 The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural
Development - NABARD - will be
implementing a new loan scheme.
 This will be for women's self-help groups to
start production of value-added food
products like chips, pickles, jams etc starting
from October 2, 2020.
 This was announced by NABARD Chairman
G R Chinthala in Virudhunagar, Tamil Nadu.
PMGKP Insurance Scheme extended for 6
months
 The Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Package
Insurance Scheme for Health Workers
Fighting COVID-19 has been extended for
another six months.
 It was announced on 30th March 2020 for a
period of 90 days and it was extended for a
further period of 90 days up to 25th
September 2020.
 This Central Sector Scheme provides an
insurance cover of Rs. 50 lakh to healthcare
providers.
E-learning project to start in Goa anganwadis
 Goa's development department said it would
introduce e-learning in anganwadis in the
state.
 Minister Vishwajit Rane said a pilot project
will be launched in anganwadis in Sattari
and Ponda with the support of private firms
Siemens and ConveGenius.
 The educational software is in Konkani and
English and the digital set up will have smart
TVs and tablets.
Odisha government launches “GARIMA” scheme
 Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik has launched
―GARIMA‖ a new Scheme to ensure Safety
and Dignity of Core Sanitation Workers of
the State.
17
 Under this scheme, about 20,000 core
sanitation workers and their families
covering one lakh population are likely to be
benefitted.
 The scheme will be implemented in all the
114 Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) of Odisha.
Punjab CM rolls out smart ration card scheme
 Punjab chief minister Captain Amarinder
Singh announced a separate state-funded
scheme to provide subsidised ration to nine
lakh beneficiaries not covered under the
National Food Security Act.
 With this, the total number of beneficiaries in
the state will go up to 1.5 crores.
 He said the scheme would help curb
corruption and give freedom to the
beneficiaries to buy ration from any depot.
My family-My responsibility campaign
 In a bid to fight against the novel
Coronavirus, the state government of
Maharashtra has come up with a new
campaign 'My family-My responsibility'.
 Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray has
announced the campaign stating that people
living in the state will have to take
responsibility on their own to combat
COVID-19 infection.
 The CM asked people to wear masks.
Andhra Pradesh CM launches „YSR Asara‟
 Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y. S. Jagan
Mohan Reddy has launched the ‗YSR Asara‘
scheme.
 It will benefit 87 lakh women belonging to
8.71 lakh self-help groups (SHGs).
 The scheme promises to deposit money in
the bank accounts of eligible women,
amounting to Rs 27,168 crore in total, in four
instalments.
 He released the first instalment of Rs 6,792
crore on 11 Sept 2020.
India Post launches Five Star Villages Scheme
 The Department of Posts has launched a
scheme called Five Star Villages, to ensure
universal coverage of flagship postal
schemes in rural areas of the country.
 The scheme seeks to bridge the gaps in
public awareness and reach of postal
products and services, especially in interior
villages.
 All postal products and services will be
made available and marketed and publicized
at village level.
Health insurance scheme for residents of J-K
 Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor
Manoj Sinha announced a universal health
insurance scheme, on the lines of the
Centre‘s Ayushman Bharat, to cover the
entire population of the Union territory.
 It will cost Rs 123 crore.
 The scheme will provide health insurance
cover free of cost to all residents and shall
include the serving and retired employees
and their families as well.
Rupani launches Welfare Scheme For Farmers
 Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani
launched a welfare scheme for farmers with
seven components designed for their overall
development.
 The scheme covers seven welfare
components such as cow-based organic
farming, economic upliftment of farmers,
adoption of new crop varieties and
distribution of Agri equipment to small and
marginalised farmers.
Aatmanirbhar Bharat ARISE-ANIC Initiative
 Atal Innovation Mission, NITI Aayog
launched the 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat ARISE-
Atal New India Challenges' programme.
 It will spur applied research and innovation
18
in Indian MSMEs and startups.
 The programme will be driven by ISRO, four
ministries—Ministry of Defence; Ministry of
Food Processing Industries; Ministry of
Health and Family Welfare; and Ministry of
Housing and Urban Affairs.
PM Modi digitally launches PMMSY
 PM Narendra Modi digitally launched the
Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana
(PMMSY) on 10 Sept 2020.
 He also inaugurated the e-Gopala App, a
comprehensive breed improvement
marketplace and information portal for direct
use of farmers.
 The PMMSY is a flagship scheme for
focused and sustainable development of
fisheries sector in the country with an
estimated investment of Rs. 20,050 crore.
MP govt to expand Deendayal Rasoi scheme
 The MP cabinet has approved setting up 44
more centres in different towns to provide
nutritious and quality food for the poor at Rs
10 per plate under the Deendayal Antyoday
Rasoi Scheme (DARS).
 Overall, 100 centres will be operated under
the scheme.
 Departments of Food and Civil Supplies and
Urban Development will implement this
scheme.
Assam CM inaugurates 329 schemes
 Assam CM Sarbananda Sonowal on 8 Sept
2020 took part in the fifth foundation day
programme of river island Majuli district at
Dariapar in Majuli.
 It was on this day in 2016, the present state
govt had declared Majuli as a district only
after 3 months of assuming power.
 The CM also inaugurated a total of 329
schemes under various departments worth
121 crore rupees.
Andhra Pradesh launches Nutrition Schemes
 Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan
Mohan Reddy launched two nutrition
schemes 'YSR Sampoorna Poshana' and
'YSR Sampoorna Poshana Plus'.
 Schemes aim at providing nutritious food to
pregnant women, lactating mothers and
children.
 About 30.16 lakh mothers and children will
benefit from the two schemes.
 Over 52.9% of pregnant women across the
state are suffering from acute anaemia.
Tamil Nadu government releases a policy
 Tamil Nadu govt has announced a new
electronics & hardware manufacturing
policy.
 It will increase the State's electronics
industry output to $100 billion by 2025.
 The state hopes to contribute 25% of India‘s
total electronic exports to the world by 2025.
 The policy also undertakes skill training for
more than 1,00,000 people by 2024 to meet
the incremental human resource
requirement.
Maharashtra government approves a policy
 The Maharashtra cabinet has approved an
agro-tourism policy aimed at empowering
farmers.
 The highlight of the policy would be rural
development through tourism, making
available market for agriculture produce,
encouraging agriculture allied business,
providing employment opportunities to
women and youth in rural areas.
 It would also provide a platform to showcase
folk art and culture.
Assam govt re-launches SVAYEM scheme
 The Assam govt re-launched a scheme to
provide self-employment to around 2 lakh
19
youths of the state.
 Known as Swami Vivekananda Assam
Youth Empowerment (SVAYEM), it would
provide Rs 50,000 each as seed money to
selected youths to start business ventures.
 Those seeking to avail benefits of the
scheme will be able to register themselves
at a new portal which will be launched on
Sept 16, 2020.
Ladakh, Lakshadweep join ONORC scheme
 Ladakh and Lakshadweep have joined the
Centre's ration card portability scheme 'One
Nation-One Ration Card'.
 This has taken the total number of states
and Union territories linked with the scheme
to 26.
 Under the scheme, eligible beneficiaries
under the National Food Security Act
(NFSA) will be able to avail their entitled
foodgrains from any Fair Price Shop (FPS).
Cabinet gives nod to 'Mission Karmayogi'
 Cabinet gave its nod to Mission Karmayogi -
National Programme for Civil Services
Capacity Building.
 The scheme will lay the foundation for
capacity building for Civil Servants so they
remain entrenched in Indian culture while
they learn from best practices across the
world.
 It aims to prepare the Indian Civil Servants
for the future by making them more creative
and innovative.
Major Dhyan Chand Vijaypath Yojana
 Deputy Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh
Keshav Prasad Maurya has launched the
Major Dhyan Chand Vijaypath Yojana.
 Under this, 19 international players from the
state will get road connectivity to their
houses.
  Indian pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar, former
pacer Praveen Kumar, Piyush Chawla and
Mohammad Kaif are among the 19 athletes
who will be benefited from the scheme.
YSR Vedadri Lift Irrigation Scheme
 Andhra Pradesh CM YS Jagan Mohan
Reddy has inaugurated work on the YSR
Vedadri Lift Irrigation Scheme at Vedadri
village in Jaggaiahpet Mandal, Krishna
district.
 The government plans to complete the
project within 18 months.
 The project will provide irrigation water to
38,627 acres spread over 28 villages of the
district.
Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana completes 6
yrs
 Central government's flagship financial
inclusion programme Pradhan Mantri Jan
Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) has completed six
years on 28 Aug 2020.
 The scheme was launched on 28th of
August in 2014 with an aim to provide
universal access to banking facilities to the
people in the country.
 Over 40 crore 35 lakh bank accounts have
been opened under the scheme since its
inception.
Tamil Nadu women top a list
 Over 15 crore loans amounting to ₹4.78-
lakh-crore have been disbursed to women
borrowers since the inception of the
Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY).
 Tamil Nadu has topped the list in availing
the loan followed by women in West Bengal
and Karnataka.
 As on March 31, 2020 women in Tamil Nadu
had availed ₹58,227 crore loan from the
scheme followed by West Bengal ₹55,232
20
crores.
Govt allows free export of PPE coveralls
 The Commerce Ministry has amended its
export policy for Personal Protection
Equipment, PPE and masks, on 25 August
2020.
 Under the new policy, PPE medical
coveralls of all categories are allowed to be
freely exported from the country.
 Face shields and masks except N-95 and
FFP2 have also been put under the list of
freely exportable commodities.
Odisha introduces a fish farming technology
 Odisha govt has launched a new scheme for
promoting intensive aquaculture through
Biofloc technology in fisheries.
 It will provide livelihood support to
entrepreneurs, unemployed youth, and
interested fish farmers and will also increase
fish production in the state.
 Biofloc based farming system is a new
technology for the promotion of intensive
fish/ shrimp production in a limited area.
Rajasthan govt launches Indira Rasoi Yojana
 Rajasthan government has launched its
Indira Rasoi scheme on the 76th birth
anniversary of late Prime Minister Rajiv
Gandhi.
 The government aims at providing food at a
nominal price of Rs 8 under this scheme, to
those in need.
 With 358 kitchens in 213 city wards, the
Rajasthan government will be providing food
from 8 am till 1 pm and from 5 pm till 8 pm
on a daily basis.
MP: Leading in implementation of a scheme
 Madhya Pradesh has emerged as the
leading state in the implementation of
 Pradhan Mantri Street Vendors Atma-
Nirbhar Scheme-PM Swa-Nidhi.
 PM Swa-Nidhi is a Central Sector Scheme
to facilitate street vendors to access
affordable working capital loans for
resuming their livelihood activities.
 Interest-free loan of Rs 10,000 has been
sanctioned so far to 58,476 street vendors in
Madhya Pradesh.
New Electronics Manufacturing Policy in UP
 Uttar Pradesh government has announced
it's Electronics Manufacturing Policy 2020.
 The policy aims at inviting investment of
40,000 crore rupees in the next five years
and generate 4 lakh direct employment.
 CM Yogi Adityanath had announced
Electronics Manufacturing Policy 2017 for
Noida, Greater Noida and Yamuna
Expressway regions.
 The new policy has been extended to the
entire state now.
Chhattisgarh CM announces a scheme
 Chhattisgarh CM has announced to launch
'Padhai Tuhar Para' scheme.
 Under the scheme, school students will be
able to learn in their respective localities in
view of the suspension of classes due to the
coronavirus outbreak.
 A Bluetooth-based programme ‗Bultu Ke
Bol‘ will be introduced for providing study
materials to students in remote areas who
do not have access to internet facility.
Itanagar selected for Urban forest scheme
 The Union Ministry of Environment, Forest
and Climate Change (EFCC) has selected
Arunachal Pradesh's capital Itanagar for
implementation of the 'Nagar Van' or Urban
Forest scheme.
 The scheme envisages creating forests in
200 urban cities across the country on a
21
public-private-partnership basis.
 The ministry would offer an initial grant of Rs
2 crore for the land to be developed.
Punjab govt distributes free smartphones
 Punjab govt has rolled out the smartphone
scheme in the state by distributing free
mobile handsets to Class 12 students of
government schools.
 The name of the scheme is ‗Punjab Smart
Connect Scheme‘.
 The scheme, for which ₹100 crores was
allocated in the state budget for 2017-18,
will benefit 1,74,015 Class 12 students of
government schools in the first phase, to be
completed by Nov'20.
Assam govt to roll out Arunodoi scheme
 With an aim to provide financial assistance
to around 17 lakh families, the Assam
government is all set to roll out Arunodoi
scheme in the state from 2 October 2020.
 Under this scheme, an amount of 830
rupees will be given to eligible families per
month to buy essential food items.
 This will be the largest Direct Benefit
Transfer scheme in Assam.
Andhra P. Govt launches YSR Cheyutha Scheme
 Andhra Pradesh CM YS Jagan Mohan
Reddy has launched YSR Cheyutha-- a
scheme for ensuring a sustainable
livelihood.
 It will hand-hold the beneficiaries for four
years with financial assistance of ₹75,000.
 Under this scheme, about 23 lakh women
belonging to SC, ST, BC Minorities in the
age group of 45-60 years will be getting
₹18,750 per annum for a period of 4 years,
aggregating to ₹75,000.
West Bengal Govt launches a scheme
  The West Bengal govt has launched 'Karma
Sathi Prakalpa' scheme under which 1 lakh
unemployed youth would be provided soft
loans and subsidies to make them self-
reliant.
 When then the unemployment rate in India
is at an all-time high of 24%, the
unemployment rate in Bengal reduced by
40%.
 The scheme was launched by CM Mamta
Banerjee.
Gujarat government launches new scheme
 The Gujarat government has launched a
new scheme Mukhya Mantri Kisan Sahay
Yojana.
 Under this, farmers facing crop losses due
to drought, excess rain or unseasonal rain
will get compensation without the collection
of any premium from them.
 It will replace the Pradhan Mantri Fasal
Bima Yojana (PMFBY) for 2020 only.
 This new scheme will benefit all the 56 lakh
farmers of the state.
Indira Van Mitan scheme
 Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel on 9
August 2020 announced the launch of
'Indira Van Mitan Yojana' to make forest-
dwellers self-reliant.
 Under the scheme, dedicated groups of
youth will be constituted in around 10,000
villages in tribal-dominated areas to manage
forest-based economic activities.
 Each group will consist of 10-15 members.
Delhi Electric Vehicle Policy launched
 CM Arvind Kejriwal has launched 'Delhi
Electric Vehicle Policy'.
 Under this, the government will waive the
registration fee and road tax, and provide
incentive of up to Rs 1.5 lakh for new cars in
the national capital.
22
 The policy aims to boost the economy,
create jobs and reduce pollution level.
 The government will give incentive of up to
Rs 30,000 for two-wheelers, autos and e-
rickshaws.
Khadi Agarbatti Atma Nirbhar Mission approved
 MSME Minister Nitin Gadkari has approved
a unique employment generation program to
make India Atma Nirbhar in Agarbatti
production.
 The program named as Khadi Agarbatti
Atma Nirbhar Mission aims at creating
employment for migrant workers in different
parts of the country.
 Under the scheme, KVIC will provide
Automatic Agarbatti making machines and
powder mixing machines to the artisans.
Government launched four schemes
 Chemicals and Fertilizers Minister
Sadananda Gowda has launched four
schemes of Department of Pharmaceuticals.
 They will promote domestic manufacturing
of bulk drugs and medical devices parks in
the country.
 This opens the door for critical API
production and manufacturing of high-end
medical devices.
 This in line with the vision of Prime Minister
Narendra Modi.
Tamil Nadu launches free mask plan
 Tamil Nadu CM K Palaniswami has
launched a free mask distribution scheme as
part of measures to help fight COVID-19.
 Palaniswami gave away the masks to five
people at the Secretariat marking the
inauguration of the first phase of the
scheme.
 The initial phase envisages distribution of
4.44 crore reusable masks bought at a cost
of ₹30.07 crore- to 69.09 lakh families.
Delhi Cabinet approved a scheme
 The Delhi government has approved
doorstep delivery of ration to eligible
beneficiaries, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal
announced.
 The scheme will be known as "Mukhya
Mantri Ghar Ghar Ration Yojna''.
 Under the scheme, wheat, flour, rice and
sugar, packed hygienically in bags, will be
delivered to the doorstep of people.
 Taking ration from a PDS shop will be
optional.
„Godhan Nyay Yojana‟ began in Chhattisgarh
 In Chhattisgarh, a first of its kind scheme of
the country- Godhan Nyay Yojana has been
commenced on 20 July 2020.
 Under the scheme, the Chhattisgarh
government will procure cow dung at Rs 2
per kilogram from livestock owners and use
it to prepare organic fertilizers.
 Women self-help groups will prepare Vermi-
compost using the cow dung procured under
the scheme.
Haryana CM announced programs
 Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar has
announced several programs for the 'welfare
for farmers' of the state.
 The govt will bring a system in which
a farmer will be able to test the soil of his
field near his village and sow the crop
accordingly.
 In the interest and welfare of farmers, it is
coming up with a scheme called 'Kisan
Mitra' scheme.
 A 'Kisan Mitra' will be appointed over 100
farmers.
Transgenders in Odisha to get benefit
 The Odisha Govt has included transgender
community under Madhu Babu Pension
23
Yojana.
 The scheme aims at providing financial
assistance to destitute elderly, differently-
abled persons and widows in the state.
 Under this scheme, around 5,000
transgenders will receive Rs 500, Rs 700
and Rs 900 per month as a pension under
various categories depending on their age.
UP CM launched employment scheme for SCs
 UP CM Yogi Adityanath has launched
''Navin Rojgar Chhatri Yojana'' for all-round
development of the Scheduled Castes.
 He transferred financial assistance of 17.42
crore online to 3,484 people under the
''Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Swarojgar
Yojana''
 The beneficiaries informed that they will use
the money for setting up merchant shops,
laundry and dry cleaning, cybercafe and tent
house.
Dr Jitendra Singh launched a scheme
 Union Minister of State Development of
North Eastern Region (DoNER) Dr Jitendra
Singh has launched the restructured Prime
Minister‘s Awards for Excellence in Public
Administration 2020 scheme and web portal.
 It seeks to recognize the efforts of District
level officials in the Namami Gange
Programme.
 The Scheme has been revamped in tune
with PM's governance model of citizen
participation.
MP emerged in top in implementing a scheme
 Madhya Pradesh has emerged on top in
implementing the Pradhan Mantri Street
Vendors Atma Nirbhar Nidhi-PM Swa Nidhi
scheme.
 The scheme is being implemented in the
state to help the street vendors to continue
their business.
  Apart from urban street vendors, a scheme
to provide interest free assistance of Rs.
10,000 is being implemented also for the
street vendors of rural areas in the state.
Bihar to provide food grains to children
 Bihar govt has taken the decision to provide
food grains under the mid-day meal scheme
and cash to over 2 crore children of primary
and middle schools across the state during
lockdown and summer vacation period.
 8 kg foodgrains and Rs 358 will be given to
each student of upto class 5 for the month of
May, June and July 2020.
 Students up to class 8 will get 12kg food
grains and Rs 536.
Karnataka launches Weavers' Sammaan Yojana
 Karnataka Chief Minister B. S. Yediyurappa
has launched Weavers Sammaan Yojana.
 Under this scheme, 19,744 handloom
weavers in the state will get annual financial
assistance of Rs 2000 through Direct Benefit
Transfer.
 The State Government has allocated Rs
10.96 crore under the programme.
 There are 40,634 handloom weavers
registered with Seva Sindhu software.
Odisha Govt launched „Balaram Yojana‟
 Odisha government has launched ‗Balaram
Yojana‘ to provide crop loans to landless
farmers.
 Under the new scheme, the landless
cultivators will get loans through joint liability
groups (JLGs).
 Under ‗Balaram‘ scheme, the government
has set a target to provide farm loans to 7
lakh landless farmers in next two years.
 It has set aside Rs 1,040 crore for the
purpose.
24
SERB launched „Accelerate Vigyan‟ scheme
 The Science and Engineering Research
Board has launched a new scheme called
‗Accelerate Vigyan‘.
 It will provide a single platform for research
internships, capacity building programs and
workshops across the country.
 The objective of this scheme is to encourage
high-end scientific research and prepare
scientific manpower, which can lead towards
research careers and knowledge-based
economy.
Govt launched Special Liquidity Scheme
 The Union Govt has launched the Special
Liquidity Scheme of Rs 30,000 cr to improve
the liquidity position for Non-Banking
Finance Companies- NBFCs and Housing
Finance Companies- HFCs.
 The scheme was launched on 1 July
2020 through a Special Purpose Vehicle in
the form of SLS Trust set up by SBI Capital
Markets Limited (SBICAP).
 Reserve Bank of India will provide funds for
the Scheme.
UP CM launched scheme for Bundelkhand
 UP CM Yogi Adityanath has launched the
‗Har Ghar Jal‘ (piped water to every house)
campaign at Bundelkhand.
 The project, linked to the ‗Jal Jeevan
Mission‘ is estimated to cost Rs 10,131
crore.
 Bundelkhand and Vindhya regions will be
covered by this project in the first phase at a
cost of Rs 2,185 crore.
 A population of 14 lakh in Mahoba, Lalitpur
and Jhansi will benefit from the project.
PM Gareeb Kalyan Anna Yojana extended
  PM Narendra Modi has announced free food
grains to 80 crore people across the country
for five more months.
 The Prime Minister Gareeb Kalyan Anna
Yojana has been extended till the end of
November 2020.
 Under the scheme, 5 kg free wheat or rice
along with 1 kg whole chana will be provided
to each member of a family per month.
 Its extension will cost over 90 thousand
crore rupees.
Madhya Pradesh launched a campaign
 In order to maintain the academic regularity
of students during the Corona crisis, MP has
launched ‗Hamara Ghar-Hamara Vidyalaya‘
campaign.
 The campaign which means My Home-My
school has been prepared by the state
Education Center in which children will be
taught at home in a school-like environment.
 The scheme will start from 6th July 2020.
Harsimrat Kaur launched a scheme
 Minister for Food Processing Industries
Harsimrat Kaur Badal launched the PM
Formalization of Micro Food Processing
Enterprises (PM FME) scheme on 29th June
2020.
 It is a part of "Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan".
 The Scheme would generate a total
investment of Rs 35,000 crore and generate
9 lakh skilled and semi-skilled employment
and benefit 8 lakh units.
Maharashtra govt announced Maha Parwana
plan
 Maharashtra government has announced a
new plan called ‗Maha Parwana‘.
 It will offer several incentives and offer a
single-window clearance system for project
execution.
 Companies investing in a project costing Rs
25
50 crore or more would not be burdened
with getting clearances from several
departments.
 Such companies would be given an
assurance letter (Maha Parwana).
Chhattisgarh government to launch a scheme
 The Chhattisgarh government will launch
Adarsh police station scheme from July 1,
2020.
 Certain parameters have been fixed and
those police stations meet the set criteria will
be rewarded.
 These parameters include the conduct of the
police station in-charge and other staff with
the general public, the environment of the
police station etc.
Surakshit Dada-Dadi, Nana-Nani Abhiyan
 Surakshit Dada-Dadi, Nana-Nani Abhiyan is
a collaborative effort between NITI Aayog,
Piramal Foundation, and 25 Aspirational
Districts.
 It will ensure the well-being of 2.9 million
Senior Citizens during the COVID-19
pandemic.
 NITI Aayog has launched this campaign
following the appeal by Prime Minister
Narendra Modi to take care of senior
citizens.
Godhan Nyay Yojana in Chhattisgarh
 Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel has
announced the launch of 'Godhan Nyay
Yojana' in the state.
 The scheme aims at making animal
husbandry commercially profitable, prevent
open grazing by cattle and solve the
problem of stray animals on roads and for
environment conservation.
 Under the scheme, the government will
procure cow dung from livestock owners at a
fixed procurement rate.
Cabinet approved a scheme
 Union Cabinet has approved a scheme for
interest subvention of 2% for a period of 12
months, to all Shishu loan accounts under
Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY) to
eligible borrowers.
 The scheme will be extended to loans which
meet the following criteria - outstanding as
on 31 March 2020; and not in Non-
Performing Asset (NPA) category, as
per RBI guidelines.
Atma Nirbhar Uttar Pradesh Rojgar Abhiyan
 PM Narendra Modi launched Atma Nirbhar
Uttar Pradesh Rojgar Abhiyan on 26 June
2020.
 It is focused on generating employment for
those migrant workers of Uttar Pradesh who
recently returned from other states.
 'ROZGAR KA NAYA ABHIYAN, HAR
SHRAMIK-KAMGAR KO KAM' - With this
motto, the state government will provide
employment to 1.25 crore workers of the
state in different schemes.
J&K Bank launched two products
 J&K Bank has launched two products titled
‗J&K Bank Business Support Loan Scheme
2019-20‘ and ‗J&K Bank Business Support
Loan Scheme 2019-20 for Hotels and Guest
Houses‘.
 These will provide adequate financial
support to different business communities to
overcome business challenges due to the
prevailing conditions,
 Lt Governor G C Murmu launched the
schemes.
MSME Minister Nitin Gadkari launched CGSSD
 MSME Minister Nitin Gadkari launched the
Credit Guarantee Scheme for Sub-ordinate
Debt, CGSSD on 24 June 2020.
26
 As per the Scheme, guarantee cover worth
Rs 20,000 crore will be provided to the
promoters who can take debt from the banks
to further invest in their stressed MSMEs as
equity.
 Promoters of the MSMEs will be given credit
equal to 15% of their stake or Rs 75 lakh
whichever is lower.
Kerala Government Laptop Scheme 2020
 Kerala government is going to start Laptop
Scheme 2020 for students from financially
weaker sections to bridge digital divide in
the state.
 A joint venture between Kerala State
Financial Enterprises (KSFE) and
Kudumbasree has been announced in this
regard.
 Under this scheme, govt will provide laptops
worth Rs. 15,000 to poor students at an
easy installment of Rs. 500 p.m for 30
months.
Rajasthan Govt to launch Indira Rasoi Yojana
 Rajasthan government will soon launch the
Indira Rasoi Yojna for the poor to ensure
that "no one sleeps hungry" in the state.
 Under this scheme, pure and nutritious food
on concessional rates will be provided to the
needy twice a day.
 The state government will spend Rs 100
crore every year on the scheme.
 Local NGOs will also be roped in for the
successful implementation of the scheme.
Nishtha Vidyut Mitra Scheme started
 In Madhya Pradesh, the Madhya Kshetra
Vidyut Vitaran Company has started the
Nishtha Vidyut Mitra Scheme for women
empowerment in one of its kind of initiatives.
 In this scheme, women Self-Help Groups at
Gram Panchayat level will work as Nishtha
Vidyut Mitra.
  This scheme will increase the revenue
collection of the company as well as women
will also earn extra.
Jharkhand plans a scheme for urban poor
 Jharkhand is set to become the 1st state to
launch an employment guarantee scheme
for urban poor on the lines of the Mahatma
Gandhi Employment Guarantee Act.
 The scheme, Mukhyamantri Shramik Yojna
will guarantee 100 days of work in a
financial year for urban unskilled labourers.
 It would have a provision to pay an
unemployment allowance if the state fails to
provide 100 days of work.
Garib Kalyan Rojgar Abhiyaan launched
 PM Narendra Modi has launched a massive
rural public works scheme, Garib Kalyan
Rojgar Abhiyaan, in six states.
 This Abhiyan will provide livelihood
opportunities to the migrant workers and will
help in the development of rural areas by
creating local infrastructure.
 The campaign will be operationalized
through the Common Service Centres and
Krishi Vigyan Kendras in the districts.
GoI to launch “Garib Kalyan Rojgar Abhiyaan”
 PM Narendra Modi will launch ‗Garib Kalyan
Rojgar Abhiyaan‘ on June 20, 2020 to boost
livelihood opportunities in rural India.
 It will empower and provide livelihood
opportunities to the returnee migrant
workers and rural citizens.
 The campaign is of 125 days across 116
districts in 6 states.
 It will involve intensified implementation of
25 different types of works to provide jobs.
UP provided employment under MGNREGA
 Uttar Pradesh has become the top state in
27
the country to provide employment to the
workers under the Mahatma Gandhi
National Rural Employment Guarantee
Scheme MGNREGA.
 According to the data released by officials,
57 lakh 12975 workers got employment in
around 57 thousand village panchayats of
the state which is 18% of the total work
generated under the MGNREGA in the
country.
SAUNI scheme to be completed by 2021
 The phase 2 and phase 3 of the Saurashtra
Narmada Avtaran Irrigation (SAUNI) scheme
to fill Saurashtra''s 115 dams with Narmada
water will be completed by August 15 and
March 2021 respectively.
 The first phase of the scheme is completed
and now filling of 16 dam reservoirs is
possible.
 42 dam reservoirs need to be filled through
457 kilometres of the pipeline through 3 links
in phase 3.
Uttar Pradesh govt decides to adopt a scheme
 The UP Govt has decided to adopt the
scheme of Flatted Factory Model.
 It will ensure easy availability of land for
industries, and in turn, generate employment
also.
 The new policy will allow the owner of an
industrial land of at least five acres to
develop one-fourth of it as flatted factory.
UP CM launched Bal Shramik Vidya Yojana
 UP CM Yogi Adityanath has launched the
Bal Shramik Vidya Yojana.
 Under this, financial assistance will be given
to the children of workers so that there is no
hindrance in their education process.
 Children between the ages of 8-18 will be
given monthly and yearly financial
 assistance so that they do not have to give
up their education to earn a livelihood.
Andhra CM launched a scheme
 A scheme has been launched by Andhra
Pradesh CM Jagan Mohan Reddy to provide
financial assistance to barbers, dhobis
(washermen) and tailors in the state.
 The scheme is named as ‗Jagananna
Chedodu (Handholding by Jagan)'.
 It involves direct cash transfer of Rs 10,000
into the bank accounts of each of 2,47,040
beneficiaries every year.
Himachal CM launched 'Panchvati Yojana'
 Himachal Pradesh CM Jai Ram Thakur has
launched the "Panchavati Yojana" for senior
citizens of rural areas in the state.
 Under this scheme, parks and gardens will
be developed in all the development blocks
with necessary facilities under the MNREGA
scheme.
 The main objective of the scheme is to
provide parks and gardens along with
entertainment to the senior citizens of the
state.
Madhya Pradesh launched a welfare programme
 Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj
Singh Chouhan has launched Street Vendor
Registration Portal and ―Mukhyamantri
Shahri Path Vyavsayi Utthan Yojana‖.
 He transferred Rs 300 crore to urban local
bodies.
 A few days ago Rs 1,555 crore were
provided to 22,800 Gram Panchayats for
development purposes.
PSBs sanctioned loans worth over Rs 17,705 cr
 Until 5 June 2020, public sector banks
(PSBs) have sanctioned loans worth Rs
17,705.64 cr to MSMEs under the
28
government's newly-launched Emergency
Credit Line Guarantee Scheme (ECLGS).
 Out of the amount, loans worth Rs 8320.24
crore have already been disbursed.
 The loans are 100 per cent credit-free and
include a moratorium for the first 12 months.
The „#iCommit‟ initiative launched
 Power Minister R K Singh initiated the
‗#iCommit‘ campaign on the occasion of
World Environment Day.
 It is driven by Energy Efficiency Services
Limited.
 It can bring together a diverse spectrum of
government and private players to build a
new energy future for India.
 The initiative is centred around the idea of
building an energy resilient future.
Kerala implements 'Food forest' project
 On World environment day, Kerala's first
'food forest' is being prepared at tribal belts
of Attapady in Palakkad district.
 It is a part of the Tribal Comprehensive
Development Programme in Kerala and is
being implemented in cooperation with the
Mahila Kissan Saktheekaran Pariyojana of
the Central Government.
 The project aims to provide food security to
192 tribal villages in Attapadi.
Govt launched SWADES initiative
 Union Government has launched a new
initiative SWADES- Skilled Workers Arrival
Database for Employment Support.
 It will conduct a skill mapping exercise of the
returning citizens under the Vande Bharat
Mission.
 This is a joint initiative of the Ministry of Skill
Development and Entrepreneurship, Civil
Aviation Ministry and External Affairs
Ministry.
Odisha, Sikkim included in ONORC scheme
 Three more states have been included in
One Nation, One Ration Card scheme.
 They are Odisha, Sikkim and Mizoram.
 Consumer Affairs Minister Ram Vilas
Paswan on 1 June 2020 announced the
inclusion of these states in the scheme on
Integrated Management of Public
Distribution System.
 By August 2020, Uttarakhand, Nagaland
and Manipur will also be added to the
national cluster.
Govt unveiled PM SVANIDHI scheme
 Union Government on 1 June 2020
launched PM SVANIDHI - Pradhan Mantri
Street Vendor‘s Atmanirbhar Nidhi.
 It is a special micro-credit facility scheme for
providing affordable loan to street vendors.
 The scheme is aimed at enabling the street
vendors to resume their livelihoods that
have been adversely affected due to
COVID-19 lockdown.
Odisha approved a Rs 17,000 cr plan
 Odisha Council of Ministers has approved a
'Special Livelihood Intervention Plan' of Rs
17,000 crore to increase the rural income.
 It will increase the income opportunities in
rural areas, wherein the State Government
will spend Rs 17,000 cr from June 2020 to
March 2021.
 A provision of Rs 200 cr has been made for
the Agriculture sector where 24.56 lakh
farmers will be directly benefitted.
Uttarakhand launched a scheme
 Uttarakhand CM Trivendra Singh Rawat has
inaugurated the Mukhyamantri Swarozgar
Yojana.
 The migrants who apply under this will get
quick approval from the authorities
29
concerned and their applications will be
forwarded to banks with immediate subsidy
which will be 25% in the hill districts and
15% in the plain districts.
 The project aims at giving self-employment
opportunities to youth.
Fund for implementation of Jal Jeevan Mission
 Centre has approved 445 crore rupees for
implementation of Jal Jeevan Mission in
Chhattisgarh during 2020-21.
 The aim of the mission is to provide
adequate potable drinking water of
prescribed quality on a regular and long-
term basis to every rural household of the
country by 2024.
 Chhattisgarh has planned to have 100 Per
cent Functional Tap Water Connection by
2023-24.
Tamil Nadu govt announced Rs 300 cr package
 In Tamil Nadu, the State Government has
announced a 300-crore rupees special
financial package to accelerate new job
generation in villages.
 It will be rolled out in the nearly 4,000
Panchayats.
 The scheme involves giving credit for rural
entrepreneurs, capital grant for various rural
producers‘ organizations and rural industrial
clusters.
Madhya Pradesh launched „Rozgar Setu‟ scheme
 MP CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan has
announced the launch of the ‗Rozgar Setu‘
scheme.
 It would help secure employment for skilled
workers who have returned.
 The State is the first to devise such a work
plan.
 The government will contact factory and
workshop owners and contractors
overseeing infrastructure projects such as
 road and bridge construction, after
identifying workers.
Tamil Nadu began work on a Programme
 The Tamil Nadu govt has started preliminary
works for implementing the unique Solar
Fence Farmland Protection Programme.
 It is a part of the Central Agriculture
Improvement Scheme.
 Under the Central Agriculture Improvement
Scheme, 50% of the cost of constructing the
electric fence, including setting up of the
power generating solar panels, will be
provided as subsidy to farmers.
LIC launched modified PM Vaya Vandana Yojana
 Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) on
25 May 2020 announced the launch of the
Pradhan Mantri Vaya Vandana Yojana
(Modified- 2020) Scheme.
 This plan was made available for sale
commencing from May 26, 2020 for three
financial years i.e. up to 31st March 2023.
 The scheme can be purchased offline as
well as online from LIC of India at
www.licindia.in
Prakash Javadekar launched a programme
 Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate
Change, Prakash Javadekar has launched
NBA-UNDP India's Biodiversity Samrakshan
Internship Programme.
 India has 2.5 per cent of the world's land
mass, 16 per cent of human as well as cattle
population, but the country has still
preserved around eight per cent of the
world's bio-diversity.
 He also launched the UNEP Endangered
Species Campaign.
MP CM launched Shram Siddhi campaign
 Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj
30
Singh Chouhan has launched the Shram
Siddhi campaign in every village panchayat
of the state.
 Under the Shram Siddhi Abhiyan, labourers
of rural areas who do not have job cards will
be provided work
 Labourers, who are unskilled, will be
provided work under MNREGA and skilled
labourers will be provided with work
according to their ability.
Madhya Pradesh CM inaugurated a scheme
 In Madhya Pradesh, Chief Minister Shivraj
Singh Chouhan inaugurated the 'Everybody
will get employment' scheme on 22 May
2020 through video conferencing.
 Under this scheme, MNREGA job cards will
be distributed to the labourers.
 The Chief Minister also held a discussion
with the heads of village administrative
committees through video conferencing.
Ayushman Bharat beneficiaries crossed 1 crore
 The number of people who have benefitted
under the Centre‘s Ayushman Bharat
Scheme has crossed the one crore-mark.
 PM Modi had launched the Centre‘s flagship
health insurance programme Ayushman
Bharat Scheme on September 23, 2018, in
Ranchi.
 It aims to provide Rs 5 lakh hospitalisation
cover to up to 107.4 million poor and
vulnerable families.
Nyay scheme for farmers in Chhattisgarh
 Sonia Gandhi launched the Rajiv Gandhi
Kisan Nyay Yojana in Chhattisgarh through
video conferencing to mark the 29th death
anniversary of former PM Rajiv Gandhi, on
21 May 2020.
 The assured monetary assistance scheme
will benefit 19 lakh farmers and help bring
more area under cultivation.
  Landless labour and agriculturists would be
covered in the next phase.
Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme
(ECLGS)
 The Union Cabinet has approved additional
funding of up to Rs 3 lakh crore through the
Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme
(ECLGS).
 This will help Micro, Small and Medium
Enterprises (MSMEs) sector reeling under
the impact of coronavirus pandemic.
 Under this scheme, MSMEs will get
guaranteed emergency credit at interest
rates of up to 9.25 per cent from banks.
PMVVY scheme got extension
 The Pradhan Mantri Vaya Vandana Yojana
(PMVVY) pension scheme, meant for senior
citizens, has now been extended till March
31, 2023.
 It was open till March 31, 2020.
 This scheme offered by Life insurance
Corporation (LIC) of India gives a
guaranteed payout of pension at a specified
rate for 10 years.
 It also offers a death benefit in the form of
return of purchase price to the nominee.
Cabinet approved a Scheme
 Union Cabinet has given approval to a new
Centrally Sponsored Scheme named
Scheme for Formalization of Micro Food
Processing Enterprises for the Unorganized
Sector on All India basis with an outlay of Rs
10,000 cr.
 The expenditure will be shared by Centre
and the States in ratio of 60:40.
 It will be implemented over a five-year
period from 2020-21 to 2024-25.
Centre launched a scheme
31
 Union Government has launched scheme
for 100 per cent solarization of Konark Sun
Temple and Konark town in Odisha.
 The scheme envisages setting up of 10
Mega Watt grid connected solar project and
various solar off-grid applications like solar
trees and solar drinking water kiosks.
 25 crore rupees have been earmarked for
this project.
Mee Annapurna programme launched
 Mee Annapurna, an inclusive programme
has been launched for the welfare of
farmers and Bhoomiputras in Maharashtra.
 The initiative was announced by Integrated
Risk Insurance, an IRDA licensed insurance
intermediary.
 Mee Annapurna will integrate three critical
aspects of livelihood and comprehensive
engagement.
 It involves three commandments - Expertise,
Engagement and Entitlement.
Cabinet approved a scheme
 Union Cabinet has approved Pradhan Mantri
Matsya Sampada Yojana.
 The scheme aims to bring about Blue
Revolution through sustainable and
responsible development of the fisheries
section in the country.
 It will be implemented at a total investment
of over Rs 20,000 crore.
 The scheme will be implemented during a
period of five years from 2020-21 to 2024-
25.
Chhattisgarh to launch a scheme
 Chhattisgarh government will launch its
ambitious Rajiv Gandhi Kisan Nyay Yojana
on May 21, 2020 (death anniversary of
former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi).
  The scheme is aimed at stimulating the rural
economy in the state, amid the slowdown
caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.
 Under the scheme, the state government will
inject Rs 5100 crore into the state's rural
economy.
RBI extended interest subsidy scheme
 A scheme of RBI providing interest subsidy
for post and pre-shipment export credit has
been extended by a year till March 31, 2021,
a move which would provide relief to
exporters.
 Exporters get the subsidy under the 'Interest
Equalisation Scheme for pre and post
shipment Rupee Export Credit'.
 The scheme ended on March 31, 2020.
Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana
 The government will launch a Rs 20,000
cr Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana
for the development of marine and inland
fisheries.
 Of this, Rs11,000 cr will be earmarked for
activities in marine, inland fisheries and
aquaculture.
 This will provide employment to over 55 lakh
persons and double exports to one lakh
crore rupees.
Rajnath Singh approved launch of a scheme
 Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has
approved the launch of Defence Testing
Infrastructure Scheme (DTIS).
 It has an outlay of 400 crore rupees and will
create state of the art testing infrastructure
for this sector.
 The Scheme would run for the duration of
five years and envisages to set up six to
eight new Test Facilities in partnership with
private industry.
32
West Bengal govt launched Matir Smristi scheme
 West Bengal govt has launched a scheme to
utilise 50,000 acres of barren land in six
districts for income-generating activities like
horticulture and pisciculture.
 The scheme Matir Smristi will benefit around
2.5 lakh people in rural Bengal.
 Work has been initiated in 6,500 acre of land
at the micro level.
 The grant of ad hoc bonus and festival
advance for 2020-21 has also been
announced.
Aatmanirbhar Gujarat Sahay Yojana announced
 In Gujarat, CM Vijay Rupani announced
Aatmanirbhar Gujarat Sahay Yojana on 14
May 2020.
 It is a scheme for small shop keepers and
self-employed hit by the lockdown.
 Under the scheme, one lakh rupees
collateral-free loan will be given at two per
cent for the beneficiaries for three years.
 Over 10 lakh self-employed people, small
traders shop keepers will be benefited from
the scheme.
Government introduced a new scheme
 Union Govt has introduced a new scheme of
Interest Subvention on Working Capital
Loans for Dairy sector.
 It will support Dairy Cooperatives and
Farmer Producer Organizations engaged in
dairy activities for implementation during
2020-21.
 The scheme has made provisions for
providing interest subvention of two per cent
per annum.
Atal Pension Yojana completed 5 years
 Atal Pension Yojana (APY), the flagship
social security scheme of the government
 has completed five years of successful
implementation.
 Launched on 9 May 2015 by PM Narendra
Modi, the APY aims at delivering old age
income security particularly to the workers in
the unorganised sector.
 As per official data, over these five years,
the total enrolment under the APY scheme
stood at 2,23,54,028.
'FIR Aapke Dwar' Yojana launched
 Madhya Pradesh Home Minister Dr
Narottam Mishra launched country's first
ever 'FIR Aapke Dwar Yojana' in Bhopal on
11 May 2020.
 Madhya Pradesh is the first state in the
country to implement such an innovative
scheme.
 'FIR Aapke Dwar' scheme has been started
as a pilot project in 23 Police Stations
including one urban and one rural Police
Station at 11 Divisional Headquarters.
SBI launched a special FD scheme
 State Bank of India (SBI) has launched a
special fixed deposit (FD) scheme for senior
citizens to help them get higher interest rate
on their money.
 Known as SBI Wecare Deposit, the scheme
provides an additional 30 basis points (bps)
interest to senior citizens on their FDs.
 Senior citizens opting for SBI Wecare
Deposit FD will get an interest rate of 6.50%
on the scheme.
Research Fellows scheme 2020
 NIT, Trichy and six Central Universities have
been selected for Prime Minister's Research
Fellows (PMRF) scheme 2020.
 Under the scheme, each Institute will get
around 20 PMRF scholars who are eligible
to get a fellowship of 70,000 rupees per
month for the first two years, 75,000 rupees
33
per month for the 3rd year and 80,000
rupees per month in the 4th and 5th year.
MP: Umaria police launched 'Sankalp Scheme'
 In Madhya Pradesh, the Umaria police have
launched a Sankalp Scheme to provide 24-
hour help to the elderly.
 Under the Sankalp Scheme, Superintendent
of Police has instructed all police officers to
identify and help one or two elderly families
who are living alone and are worried about
their everyday needs during the lockdown.
Jharkhand govt launched three schemes
 The Jharkhand government has launched
three schemes under the National Rural
Employment Guarantee Act.
 This has been done in a bid to revive the
rural economy affected by the lockdown.
 The three initiatives launched are the Birsa
Harit Gram Yojana for rural plantations,
Neelambar Pitambar JAL Sammridhi Yojana
for water conservation and the Poto Ho Khel
Vikas Scheme for making playgrounds.
Himachal P. govt to launch employment scheme
 The Himachal Pradesh has decided to
launch a programme guaranteeing at least
120 days' employment to the those living in
urban areas.
 The cabinet decided to launch the Mukhya
Mantri Shahari Rojgar Guarantee Yojna,
under which 120 days' assured employment
will be provided to people living in urban
areas.
 If required, adequate training will be given to
them for their skill upgrade.
One Nation One Ration scheme update
 5 more states and UT - Bihar, UP, Punjab,
Himachal Pradesh and Daman and Diu --
 have been integrated with One Nation-One
Ration Card System.
 Under the 'one nation, one ration card'
initiative, eligible beneficiaries would be able
to avail their entitled food grains under the
National Food Security Act (NFSA) from any
fair-price shop in the country.
 The scheme was announced in June 2019.
 The maximum loan amount is Rs 5,000 per
member of a self help group (SHG) with a
cap of Rs 1 lakh for the group.
 SHGs with a good track record and a history
of minimum two loans from IOB will be
eligible for this loan facility.
Jagananna Vidya Deevena Scheme in Andhra P.

KVG bank launched “Vikas Abhaya” loan  Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister, Y.
scheme S.Jaganmohan Reddy has launched the
‗Jagananna Vidya Deevena‘ Scheme.
 Karnataka Vikas Grameen Bank  Under this scheme, full fee reimbursement
(KVGB) has launched a loan scheme 'Vikas will be provided to the students.
Abhaya'.  The government is also planning to
 It will provide some relief to borrowers introduce this scheme to make poor
whose business activities are disrupted on students pursue higher studies.
account of the Covid-19 pandemic.  About 12 lakh students would be benefitted
 This loan scheme will be an additional credit from this scheme.
facility to the eligible existing
MSME borrowers. Andhra CM launched zero-interest loan scheme
 It will help them tide over the current crisis
and ensure continuity of viable business
 Andhra Pradesh CM YS Jagan Mohan
activity.
Reddy has launched the YSR Zero Interest
Loan scheme.
Mid-day meal scheme update  Under this, Rs 1,400 crore has been
credited to the bank accounts of 8.78 lakh
 Govt has announced around 11% increase Self Help Groups (SHGs).
in annual central allocation of cooking cost  Under the scheme, women SHG members
under Mid-day meal scheme to Rs 8,100 can avail loans of Rs 20,000-40,000 a year.
crore in view of the situation arising out of  It will benefit over 91 lakh women SHG
COVID-19. members across the state.
 The mid-day meal Scheme is a Centrally-  Of the 8.78 lakh SHGs, 6.95 are in rural
Sponsored Scheme, aimed at increasing areas.
enrolment, retention and attendance of
students in schools. MP CM launched Jeevan Shakti Yojana
 The scheme covers more than 12 crore
children studying in over 11 lakh schools.
 Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Singh
Chauhan launched the Jeevan Shakti
Indian Overseas Bank launched a special Yojana on 25 April 2020.
scheme
 Under this scheme, women in urban areas
can earn by making masks at home.
 Indian Overseas Bank (IOB) has introduced  The government will pay them Rs 11 per
a special borrowing programme for self help mask.
groups to help them tide over the challenges  Women wishing to make masks will have to
inflicted by COVID-19. register themselves by calling on the Call

34
 Centre number through their telephone or
mobile.
Assam govt launched new scheme 'Dhanwantari'
 Assam govt has launched a new scheme
Dhanwantari under which locally unavailable
medicines are provided to patients at home.
 Medicines below 200 rupees will be
provided free of cost to patients.
 Health workers are delivering medicines for
patients who cannot get it within 10 km of
their radius.
 260 calls had already been received within 4
hours of launching the scheme.
SIDBI launched liquidity support scheme
 SIDBI has launched a liquidity support
scheme for micro, small and medium
enterprises (MSMEs) impacted by the
COVID-19 outbreak.
 Small Industries Development Bank of India
(SIDBI) had received Rs 15,000 crore from
the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to provide
financial aid to MSMEs.
 The central bank provided the capital
through a Special Liquidity Facility (SLF).
e-Gram Swaraj, Swamitva Yojana launched
 PM Narendra Modi on 24 April 2020
launched e-Gram Swaraj & Swamitva
Yojana, two web portals for accelerating the
pace of development in India's villages.
 The eGram app will help in accelerating
projects in villages from planning to
completion.
 Swamitva yojana will use drones in mapping
of properties in villages.
 This will help in reducing disputes over
property.
Gujarat govt's water conservation scheme began
 Gujarat CM has given the green signal for
35
the third edition of 'Sujalam Sufalam Jal
Sanchay Abhiyan'.
 It is a conservation plan to deepen water
bodies in the state before the monsoon.
 The scheme, which will continue till June 10,
2020, will see the deepening of lakes, check
dams and rivers by removing silt, and it will
be done with people's participation as well
as under MNREGA.
CM COVID-19 Yoddha Kalyan Yojana: MP
 In Madhya Pradesh, around one lakh
Anganwadi workers and Assistants of the
state will get the benefit of Chief Minister
COVID-19 Yoddha Kalyan Yojana.
 Under this initiative, they will also get a
special health insurance cover of Rs 50
lakhs.
 Meanwhile, the state government has given
one year exemption to the private schools
for renewal of accreditation due to COVID-
19 infection.
Tamil Nadu govt introduced a scheme
 The Tamil Nadu state govt has introduced a
scheme of distributing essential food kits to
frontline workers in the toil against COVID-
19.
 Under the scheme, kits that include rice,
cereals, condiments, spices etc are being
distributed among sanitary workers,
electricity board workers etc.
 As a first phase, 290 kits were distributed to
sanitary workers.
32 crore people receive benefits under PMGKP
 Government has provided over Rs 28,000
crore support through Direct Benefit
Transfer to around 32 crore beneficiaries
under Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan relief
package announced in view of the COVID-
19 outbreak.
  Around Rs 14,000 crore have been directly
transferred to approximately 7 cr farmers
under PM - KISAN scheme and Rs 10,000
crore to over 19 crore PMJDY women
account holders till now.
Special scheme for manufacturing face masks
 The Central and Special Women's prisons in
Madurai, Tamil Nadu have embarked upon a
special scheme for manufacturing face
masks.
 Under the scheme, a target of one lakh face
masks has been fixed.
 Till date 34000 masks have been made.
 Of these 17000 have been distributed
among government departments like health
and police.
50 cr poor eligible for free COVID- 19 testing
 More than 50 crore poor will be eligible for
free COVID-19 testing and treatment under
Ayushman Bharat- Pradhan Mantri Jan
Arogya Yojana- PMJAY.
 Testing at private labs and treatment in
designated hospitals is now free for
Ayushman beneficiaries.
 The scheme aims to provide free health
coverage at the secondary and tertiary level
to its bottom 40% poor and vulnerable
population.
Government notified three schemes
 The Ministry of Electronics and IT has
notified 3 schemes to boost electronics
manufacturing with incentives worth more
than Rs 48,000 cr.
 The largest scheme, with an outlay of Rs
40,000 cr, will give incentives of 4-6% on
incremental sales on mobile phones and
specified electronic components.
 The Production Linked Incentive (PLI)
scheme will be applicable from August 1,
36
2020.
Companies Fresh Start Scheme 2020
 The Corporate Affairs Ministry (MCA) has
come up with the ‗Companies Fresh Start
Scheme 2020‘.
 It will enable companies to make good of
any filing-related defaults, irrespective of the
duration of default, and make a fresh start
as a fully compliant entity.
 To provide a similar facility to Limited
Liability Partnerships (LLPs), the MCA has
also revised the ‗LLP Settlement Scheme,
2020‘.
EPF Scheme 1952 amended
 Ministry of Labour and Employment has
amended the EPF Scheme 1952 and issued
a notification in this regard.
 It allows withdrawal of non-refundable
advance by EPF members in the wake of
COVID-19 pandemic in the country.
 The notification permits withdrawal not
exceeding the basic wages and dearness
allowance for three months or upto 75 per
cent.
Odisha govt launched “Mo Jeeban” programme
 Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik has launched
Mo Jeeban programme and urged people to
take a pledge to stay indoors.
 The ―Mo Jeeban‖ programme was launched
for the containment of COVID-19 pandemic.
 He also urged the people of Odisha to wash
their hands for at least 20 seconds before
entering their house.
Ayushman Bharat to be implemented in Delhi
 The Delhi government would implement the
Ayushman Bharat - Pradhan Mantri Jan
Arogya Yojana in Delhi from fiscal 2020-21.
  The scheme will provide health insurance
cover up to Rs 5 lakh per family every year.
 It is the largest health assurance scheme in
the world which aims at providing a health
cover of Rs. 5 lakhs per family per year for
secondary and tertiary care hospitalization.
Union government approved 4 schemes
 The Union government has approved a
package comprising four schemes with a
total outlay of Rs 13,760 crore.
 It will boost the domestic production of bulk
drugs and medical devices and exports.
 The Union Cabinet approved outlay of Rs
9,940 cr and Rs 3,820 cr for bulk drugs and
medical devices, respectively.
 A sum of Rs 6,940 cr has been approved for
the Production Linked Incentive scheme.
Cabinet approved Production Incentive Scheme
 The government has approved Production
Incentive Scheme for Large Scale
Electronics Manufacturing.
 The scheme proposes production linked
incentive to boost domestic manufacturing
and attract large investments in mobile
phone manufacturing and specified
electronic components.
 The government will emphasize on mobile
and component manufacturing in India.
Dairy Cooperative scheme to be implemented
 J&K Administrative Council has accorded
sanction to the implementation of Dairy
Cooperative scheme for Dairy Cooperative
Societies in J&K.
 Under the scheme, the govt shall provide
50% of the loan and 20% of the share
capital to the beneficiary cooperative
societies.
 While a subsidy to the tune of 25% will also
be provided to the beneficiaries.
37
IGMPY extended to 4 districts of Rajasthan
 Rajasthan has decided to extend the
benefits of the Indira Gandhi Matritva
Poshan Yojana (IGMPY) in four tribal
districts to pregnant women expecting their
second child In the pilot phase.
 The scheme would be rolled out in four
districts - Banswara, Dungarpur, Pratapgarh
and Udaipur.
 The state would be providing Rs. 6000 to
the pregnant women expecting their second
child.
J&K: Free of cost health cover for residents
 J&K Administration has sanctioned the J&K
Health Scheme to provide free of cost
Universal Health Coverage to all residents of
the UT in convergence with Ayushman
Bharat-PMJAY.
 At present, 5.95 lakh families are eligible for
benefits under the scheme.
 Under this Universal Health Coverage, the
beneficiaries shall be entitled to free health
insurance cover of 5 lakh rupees per family
per year.
Govt proposed to restructure a scheme
 The Ministry of Social Justice and
Empowerment has proposed to restructure
and formulate a scheme for Comprehensive
Rehabilitation of Beggars.
 It will be a comprehensive scheme for
persons engaged in the act of begging.
 The scheme will cover identification,
rehabilitation, provision of medical facilities,
counselling, education, skill development
with the support of State Governments.
Manipur CM announced a scheme
 Manipur CM N. Biren Singh announced the
biggest ever scheme for the welfare of
sportspersons and artists of the State.
  ‗Chief Minister‘s Akhannaba Sanaroising gi
Tengbang (CMAST)‘ and Chief Minister
Artist Sing gi Tengbang (CMAT)‘ are the
schemes.
 Under the CMAST, employment in govt
services will be provided to sportspersons,
who have won medals in selected
International Sports events.
Reconstruction scheme for Yes Bank
 The Union Cabinet has approved a
reconstruction scheme for Yes Bank as
proposed by the Reserve Bank of India.
 Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said
that SBI will invest 49 percent equity in Yes
Bank with other investors also being invited.
 The scheme has been approved with the
objective of protecting the interest of
depositors and providing stability to Yes
Bank.
UP govt launched three schemes
 Uttar Pradesh govt has launched three
ambitious schemes for skill development
and employment generation for youths in the
state.
 The govt also announced to depute ''Arogya
Mitras'' at all primary health centres to
inform people about govt health schemes.
 The three schemes Kaushal Satrang, Yuva
Hub and apprenticeship scheme were
launched in Lucknow on 12 March 2020 by
CM Yogi Adityanath.
TIFAC launched Vigyan Jyoti scheme
 On March 8, 2020, TIFAC operating under
Ministry of Science and Technology
launched Vigyan Jyoti.
 The Technology Information Forecasting
and Assessment Council (TIFAC) launched
Vigyan Jyoti in order to encourage women to
take science as their career.
 Under the scheme, selected qualified
38
women from more than 500 women are to
be provided opportunities to attend science
camps at NITs and IITs.
Student Health Card scheme launched in J&K
 In Jammu and Kashmir, Lt. Governor G.C.
Murmu on 5 March 2020 launched Student
Health Card scheme in Jammu.
 Student Health card scheme will prove to be
very beneficial because it will ensure regular
checkup of school-going children.
 The aim of this scheme is to ensure good
health of school-going children.
Adivasi Mahila Sashaktikaran Yojana
 National Scheduled Tribes Finance and
Development Corporation is implementing
Adivasi Mahila Sashaktikaran Yojana for
tribal women.
 Under the scheme, Scheduled Tribes
women can undertake any income
generation activity.
 Loans upto 90 per cent for scheme costing
upto 1 lakh rupees are provided at a
concessional rate of interest of 4 per cent
per annum.
Awareness Programme on Skill Development
 A 2-day Workshop-cum-Awareness
Programme on the Skill Development for
unorganized workers concluded at Kulgam
on 5 March 2020.
 It was organized under Pradhan Mantri
Shram Yogi Maandhan (PMSYM) Scheme.
 The unorganized workers whose monthly
income is 15,000 rupees or less and who
belong to the age group of 18-40 years can
register under the PM-SYM Pension
Scheme.
Rs. 4,807 cr deposited in farmers accounts
  Rs. 4,807 crore have been deposited into
the bank accounts of 7.65 lakh farmers
under the Mahatma Phule farm loan waiver
scheme.
 Over 35 lakh farmers have uploaded their
information on a special portal created for
the scheme.
 Loans of farmers whose accounts are linked
with Aadhar will be waived off, and farmers
don‘t have to stand in a queue to get the
waiver.
'Suposhit Maa Abhiyaan' launched in Kota
 Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla launched the
'Suposhit Maa Abhiyaan' in his constituency
Kota on 29 Feb 2020.
 Keeping newborn and pregnant women
healthy is the main objective of the 'Suposhit
Maa Abhiyaan '.
 For the first time, more than 9 thousand
crores have been allocated for the nutrition
campaign in the country.
Govt approved Rs 162 cr under a scheme
 The government has approved Rs 162 crore
under Operation Green scheme which has
an outlay of Rs 500 crore.
 The scheme was announced in 2018-19
budget.
 It aims to enhance value realisation for
farmers by targeted interventions to
strengthen production clusters and the
Farmer Producer Organisations (FPO) and
linking them with the market.
Govt announces amnesty scheme
 The Government has announced amnesty
scheme for power consumers across UT of
J&K.
 The Administrative Council headed by the
Lieutenant Governor G.C. Murmu approved
it which will come into effect from March 1,
2020.
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 Failure to fully pay all three installments by
May 31st 2020 will lead to immediate
disconnection.
Govt approved 32 projects under PMKSY
 Government has sanctioned 32 projects in
the food processing sector under Pradhan
Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana (PMKSY).
 The projects are spread across around 17
states leveraging an investment worth 406
Crore rupees.
 They were cleared by the Inter-Ministerial
Approval Committee chaired by Food
Processing Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal in
New New Delhi on 27 Feb 2020.
Union FPI Minister launches MIEWS Portal
 Minister of Food Processing Industries
Harsimrat Kaur Badal launched the Market
Intelligence and Early Warning System Web
Portal.
 This portal is a novel initiative of MoFPI
leveraging IT tools and furthering the goals
of Digital India.
 It helps in Monitoring prices of Tomato,
Onion and Potato (TOP crops).
 MIEWS portal would help in planning and
timely intervention for price stabilisation.
Govt plans new IT Act to factor in cyber crime
 The government plans a new Information
Technology Act (IT Act)
 The new Act will more robustly cover
aspects like cybersecurity, hacking, spying,
online bullying, phishing,and data privacy,
keeping in mind the security of users and
the advent of new technologies.
 The proposed act for protecting data privacy
is at the stage of a Bill called ‗The Personal
Data Protection Bill‘
Cabinet approves surrogacy bill
  The Union Cabinet approved the Surrogacy
(Regulation) Bill, 2020, which allows any
"willing" woman to be a surrogate mother.
 It proposes that widows and divorced
women can also benefit from its provisions,
besides infertile Indian couples.
 The bill also proposes to regulate surrogacy
by establishing National Surrogacy Board at
the central level and State Surrogacy Board.
Govt soon to launch 3rd phase of PMKVY
 The government to launch the third phase of
the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana
(PMKVY).
 The scheme was launched in 2015 to
mobilize youth to take up skill training with
the aim of increasing productivity and
aligning the training and certification to the
needs of the country.
 The scheme was revamped as PMKVY -
2 in 2016 with an aim to train one crore
youth by the year 2020.
Minister Tomar launched GeoRurban mobile app
 Minister for Rural Dev. Tomar after
evaluating the success rate of Rurban
Clusters scheme aiming to move ahead to
construct 1000 more urbanized clusters in
rural areas.
 The objective is to stimulate local economic
dev, enhance basic services and create well
planned Rurban clusters.
 The Minister launched GeoRurban, a mobile
app to be used for Geo-tagging for the
assets in the rurban clusters.
PM Kisan Samman Nidhi completes one year
 The Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi
(PM-KISAN) scheme completes one year.
 PM had launched the scheme on 24th
Feb'19 at Gorakhpur in UP
 Under the Scheme, an amount of 6000
rupees per year is transferred in three equal
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instalments of 2000 rupees in every four
months directly into the bank accounts of the
farmers.
 As per reports that over 8.46 cr farmers
have been benefited by this scheme.
Maharashtra government to setup Disha Act
 Maharashtra govt has constituted a five-
member committee to study Andhra
Pradesh Disha Act, which enables death
penalty for rape & reduces the judgement
period.
 The government is also planning to enact
the Disha Act which was implemented in
Andhra Pradesh.
 The Disha Act seeks to fast-track cases of
offences against women and children and
award the death penalty in certain cases.
Schools in Bihar would soon have POCSO cells
 Schools in Bihar would soon have special
''POCSO cells'' to hear complaints of sexual
misconduct and exploitation.
 There will be a committee headed by the
headmaster in each school.
 The Protection of Children from Sexual
Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012 aims to punish
those engaging in sexual crimes against
children while safeguarding their interests at
every stage of the judicial process.
Increase in legal age of tobacco consumption
 The Union Health Ministry proposed to
increase the legal age for tobacco
consumption from 18 to 21 yrs.
 Ministry to strengthen the provisions of the
Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products
Act(COTPA).
 The committee also recommended
increasing the fine amount for violation of
rules and introducing a provision of tracking
mechanism to check illicit trade of cigarette
and tobacco products.
Pension scheme for Central Govt employees
 All Central Government employees can now
opt to be covered under the old Pension
scheme instead of National Pension
System, NPS.
 This is for those whose selection for the
appointment was finalized before 1st of
January 2004 but who joined service on or
after this date.
 Central Government employees will be
given one time option to get coverage of
Pension Rules, in place of the NPS.
Soil health card Scheme completing 5 years
 The Soil Health Card Scheme is completing
five years on 19 Feb 2020.
 The scheme was launched in 2015 to
assess the nutrient status of every farm
holding in the country.
 The objectives of the scheme are to issue
Soil Health Cards to farmers every two
years so as to provide a basis to address
nutritional deficiencies in fertilization
practices.
'Anganphou Hunba' programme launched
 Manipur CM N Biren Singh launched
'Anganphou Hunba' (Early Paddy Crop)
programme in Imphal East on 13 Feb 2020.
 The govt has planned to provide irrigation
water by the Minor Irrigation Department to
places having adequate arable land and
large number of farmers.
 Steps to produce sufficient quantity of fishes
by providing loans to 800 selected fish
farmers have also been taken.
2 teachers in a school to be Health ambassador
 Two teachers in every school will be made
Health and wellness ambassador to spread
awareness about health issues.
 These ambassadors will be supported by
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class monitors as Health and Wellness
Messengers.
 The School Health and Wellness
Ambassador initiative under Ayushman
Bharat was launched on 13 Feb 2020 in
New Delhi.
 Initially, the programme will be started in 200
districts.
UP govt to launch internship scheme
 Uttar Pradesh government will introduce an
internship scheme for students of class 10
and 12 as well as those pursuing graduation
to brighten their employment prospects.
 Under the scheme, students will be linked to
various technical institutes and industries.
 Each youth who will do the internship for 6
months and one year will be given Rs 2,500
as honorarium every month.
Ek Bharat Shreshth Bharat Campaign
 An 18 day long focused Ek Bharat Shreshth
Bharat Campaign began from 10 Feb 2020
across the country.
 The campaign, being organised by the
Information and Broadcasting Ministry, will
continue till 28 Feb 2020.
 The broad objectives of Ek Bharat Shrestha
Bharat include celebrating the Unity in
Diversity of our nation and promoting the
spirit of national integration.
Government approved Atal Bhujal Yojana
 Govt of India has approved Atal Bhujal
Yojana for sustainable management of
ground water resources with community
participation in water stressed blocks of
Gujarat, Haryana, Karnataka, MP,
Maharashtra, Rajasthan and UP.
 It is being implemented with the financial
assistance of World Bank.
  It has two components- Institutional
Strengthening & Capacity Building
component and Incentive component.
J&K govt to announce horticulture policy
 Jammu and Kashmir government will soon
announce a horticulture policy to tackle
upcoming marketing challenges and
increase the production manifold.
 The Policy will focus to increase production
and tackle climate change, given the unique
temperature of this place.
 It will help increase horticulture revenue in
Jammu and Kashmir from current 8,000
crore rupees to 50,000 crore rupees per
annum.
Govt to sanction all 1.12 cr houses under PMAY
 The govt will sanction the entire 1.12 crore
houses under the Pradhan Mantri Awas
Yojana (PMAY) by March 2020.
 This was announced by Union Housing and
Urban Affairs Minister Hardeep Singh Puri.
 So far, 32 lakh houses have been handed
over to beneficiaries.
 Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban)
Mission launched on 25th June
2015, intends to provide housing for all in
urban areas by year 2022.
22 crore Soil Health Cards distributed so far
 More than 22 crore Soil Health Cards have
been distributed to farmers till date.
 The Soil Health Card scheme was launched
by the government in 2015 with a view to
address the decline of soil nutrients.
 The scheme also provides for the analysis of
soil composition by the State Governments
once in every two years so that remedial
steps can be taken to improve soil nutrients.
Karnataka launched Janasevaka program
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 The Karnataka government launched the
Janasevaka scheme in a few municipal
corporation wards.
 It will ensure home delivery of various
services like ration cards, senior citizen
identity and health cards.
 A toll-free helpline has been set up for this
scheme which will work from 8 am to 8 pm.
 A sum of Rs 115 will be charged to provide
the home delivery services.
Andhra govt launched a scheme
 Andhra Pradesh Govt has initiated a
doorstep pension delivery scheme across.
 Under this, various welfare pensions
are being delivered at the doorstep of the
pensioners.
 The "YSR Pension Kanuka" initiative has
been taken up to end the struggles of old
people who find it difficult to go to the
pension office.
 Also, the age for old age pensioners has
been reduced from 65 to 60 years.
Tamil Nadu CM unveiled Direct CTO scheme
 Tamil Nadu CM K Palaniswami announced
a new initiative, 'Direct CTO' on 30 Jan
2020.
 It will enable companies operating under
'green category industries' receive faster
clearances from the govt to commence
operations.
 Companies are classified in red, orange,
green and white categories based on the
pollution index generated from them.
Housing for All by 2022 under PMAY-G
 Union Government aims to achieve the
objective of Housing for All by 2022 under
Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Grameen.
 A total of over one crore 50 lakh rural
houses have been completed in the last five
years.
  The eligible beneficiaries will get one crore
95 lakh houses in the second phase of the
scheme.
 Government has set a target of 60 lakh
houses for the current financial year.
175 Giga Watt renewable energy by 2022
 The Govt has targeted to install 175 Giga
Watt renewable energy by 2022 to build a
healthy planet with less carbon-intensive
economy.
 Through Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja
Suraksha Evam Utthan Mahabhiyan, PM-
KUSUM scheme, government empowers the
farmers to be the producer of energy.
 The scheme covers grid-connected
renewable energy power plants, stand-alone
solar powered agricultural pumps, etc.
'Shiv Bhojan' scheme launched
 The Maharashtra
government launched 'Shiv Bhojan' scheme
on 26 Jan 2020.
 It is aimed at providing a meal to the poor for
just 10 rupees.
 Under the scheme, thalis or lunch plates
would be available to people at designated
centres/ canteens during a stipulated time in
all the districts.
 Under the pilot scheme, at least one 'Shiv
Bhojan' canteen has been started at district
headquarters.
Cabinet to consider Nirvik scheme
 The Union Cabinet is expected to consider
approval of the Nirvik (Niryat Rin Vikas
Yojana) scheme.
 It aims to ease lending process and
enhance loan availability to exporters.
 Under the scheme, also called the Export
Credit Insurance Scheme (ECIS), the
insurance cover guaranteed could cover up
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to 90 per cent of the principal and interest.
44 children got their 1st flight experience
 In a first, 44 Divyang children from Odisha
experienced the joy of flying aboard in a
special Alliance Air flight from Biju Patnaik
International Airport in Bhubaneswar on 22
Jan 2020.
 The initiative is a result of joint collaboration
of Ministry of Civil Aviation, Airport Authority
of India and Alliance Air with Government of
Odisha.
 The children included 21 girls and 23 boys.
Mukhyamantri Krishak Durghatna Kalyan Yojana
 UP Govt has launched Mukhyamantri
Krishak Durghatna Kalyan Yojana.
 It will provide financial assistance of Rs 5
lakh to the family of farmers who die or
become handicapped while working in fields.
 It will cover farmers and their family
members in the age group of 18-70 years.
 It will also include the Bataidars, who work in
the field of other people and share the crop
after it is harvested.
Uttar Pradesh government came up with a
scheme
 Uttar Pradesh government has come up with
a unique scheme for the welfare of divyang
citizens of the state.
 The Government will provide stalls to the
divyangs for opening of shops at the prime
locations.
 The government will allot stalls to divyangs
at 100 bus stops with the help of an NGO
run by IIT alumni so that they can become
independent and live with dignity.
Fasal Bima Yojana being implemented
 The Centre is implementing Pradhan Mantri
Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY).
  The scheme was launched in February
2016.
 The scheme provides comprehensive
insurance coverage against crop loss on
account of non-preventable natural risks,
thus helping stabilise farmers income.
 Under it, there is a uniform premium of only
2% to be paid by farmers for all Kharif crops
and 1.5% for all Rabi crops.
Andhra government launched Amma Vodi
scheme
 Andhra Pradesh CM Jagan Mohan Reddy
on 9 Jan 2020 launched the Amma Vodi
scheme in Chittoor.
 Under the scheme, mothers and guardians
of school-going children from low-income
families will receive annual financial
assistance of Rs 15,000.
 More than 42 lakh beneficiaries were
identified this year, and Rs 6,318 crores in
total will be deposited to their accounts.
Smriti Irani launched Yashaswini Scheme
 Union Minister for Women and Child
Development and Textiles, Smriti
Irani launched Yashaswini Scheme for
Women entrepreneurship in Goa on 11 Jan
2020.
 Swasthya Sakhi Project and breast cancer
screening initiative were also inaugurated on
the occasion.
 Under Yashaswini scheme, women self-help
groups will be given interest-free loans of
upto Rs 5 lakh for business.
J&K Special Sugar Scheme sanctioned
 Jammu and Kashmir Administrative
Council accorded sanction to J&K Special
Sugar Scheme for Antyodaya Anna Yojana
(AAY) families.
 The families classified as AAY comprise
poorest of the poor sections of the society.
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 Under the scheme, 1 kg of sugar will be
provided per AAY family per month through
Point of Sale (PoS) devices, at a subsidized
rate of Rs 13.50 per kilogram.
SBI announced a scheme
 SBI has announced a 'residential builder
finance with buyer guarantee' scheme.
 It aims at giving a push to residential sales
and improve homebuyers' confidence.
 Under this, SBI will issue a guarantee for
completion of select residential projects to
customers who have availed home loans
from it.
 It will focus on affordable housing projects
priced up to Rs 2.50 cr in 10 cities initially.
2nd round of Mission Indradhanush- 2
 The second phase of Intensified Mission
Indradhanush 2.0 rolled out on 6 January
2020 at block level in 35 districts of Uttar
Pradesh.
 The aim of the program launched by central
government in 2017 is to achieve
90% vaccination coverage in children of less
than 2 years in state.
 Under the program around 66 thousand
sessions will be organized for vaccination of
more than 5.5 lakh children.
Third edition of 'Sukanya' project began
 Kolkata Police started the 3rd edition of its
'Sukanya' project on 6 Jan 2020 to provide
girls studying in schools and colleges in the
city with self-defence training.
 Girl students of VIII, IX, XI and girls studying
in the first year at educational institutions will
be part of it.
 The initiative is funded by Women and Child
Development and Social Welfare
Department of the state government.
Govt's UJALA, SLNP completed five years
  UJALA and Street Lighting National
Programme (SLNP) of the central
government completed five successful years
of illuminating the country on 5 Jan 2020.
 Over 36.13 crore LED bulbs have been
distributed across the country through the
UJALA (Unnat Jyoti by Affordable LEDs for
All) initiative.
 More than 1.03 crore smart LED streetlights
have been installed till date under the SLNP.
YSR Aarogyasri scheme launched
 Andhra Pradesh CM YS Jagan Mohan
Reddy inaugurated YSR Aarogyasri scheme
at Eluru on 3 Jan 2020.
 The scheme is aimed at providing free
medical treatment to the poor.
 Over one crore individuals will be benefited
under this new health scheme.
 A total of 2,059 medical ailments have been
covered under the scheme.
 In all, 16,37,230 Aarogyasri cards will be
distributed across the State.
Maharashtra launches „Cyber Safe Women‟
 Maharashtra Government has launched a
‗Cyber Safe Women‘ initiative under which
awareness camps will be held across all the
districts of the state regarding cyber safety.
 The initiative will help in educating women
about how the web is used by anti-social
elements and child predators to commit
various types of crimes.
 Maharastra Chief Minister: Uddhav
Thackeray.
Gold cards to be issued under Ayushman Bharat
 According to Minister of State for Health and
Family Welfare Ashwini Kumar
Choubey, two to three crore premium Gold
cards will be issued under the Central
Government‘s flagship Ayushman Bharat
scheme.
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 Gold cardholders will be able to avail free
medical services in hospitals anywhere in
the country.
 Nine new medical colleges are being started
in Tamilnadu.
Modi disburses 12,000 crore rupees to farmers
 In Karnataka, Prime Minister Narendra Modi
electronically released 12,000 crore rupees
under Pradhan Mantri Samaan Yojana to six
crore farmers in Tumakuru.
 Under the Scheme income support of
Rs.6000 per year is provided to all farmer
families.
 The fishermen of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka
were also given deep sea fishing boats and
transponders that will help them to navigate
in the deep sea.
National Green Corps scheme revived in J&K
 The National Green Corps scheme, which
was closed for over a decade, has been
revived for Jammu and Kashmir.
 Under this scheme, the Pollution Control
Board (PCB) would provide financial
assistance to 3,742 Eco Clubs of registered
schools in both the regions of the UT.
 The Environment and Forests Ministry has
approved the release of Grant-in-Aid of 2.60
crore rupees to J&K PCB.