1. Government Revised Guidelines for MPLADS
Tags: Government Schemes
Minister of State for Statistics and Program Implementation Rao Inderjit Singh (Independent Charge) released the Revised Guidelines on Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS)-2023.
An overview of the news:
The Minister also launched the new Web-Portal, for implementation of the Revised Fund Flow Procedure under MPLADS.
The new MPLADs guidelines and the web portal will come into effect from 1-4-2023.
The objective of MPLAD Scheme is to enable the Hon’ble Members of Parliament (MPs) to recommend works of developmental nature with emphasis on the creation of durable community assets based on the locally felt needs.
MPLADS Scheme:
The MPLADS is a Central Sector Scheme fully funded by the Government of India.
It was introduced in December 1993.
The objective of the scheme is to enable MPs to recommend works of developmental nature with emphasis on the creation of durable community assets in the areas of drinking water, primary education, public health, sanitation and roads, etc. primarily in their Constituencies.
The annual MPLADS fund entitlement per Member of Parliament (MP) constituency is Rs.5 crore, released in two instalments of Rs.2.5 crore each, subject to the fulfilment of conditions as per the MPLADS Guidelines.
Lok Sabha Members can recommend works within their Constituencies and Elected Members of Rajya Sabha can recommend works within the State of Election (with select exceptions).
Nominated Members of both the Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha can recommend works anywhere in the country.
The Ministry of Rural Development initially administered the scheme.
Since October 1994 it has been transferred to the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (henceforth, the Ministry).
Fund Utilisation: At least 15% of the annual outlay of funds must be utilised for Scheduled Caste Population areas and 7.5% for Scheduled Tribes Population areas.
2. Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana completes 4 years
Tags: Government Schemes National News
On February 24, 2023, the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana (PM-KISAN) completed 4 years.
About Prime Minister Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-Kisan)
It was launched by Prime Minister Modi on February 24, 2019 to meet the financial needs of land holding farmers.
Under this scheme a financial benefit of Rs 6000 per year in three equal instalments is transferred every four months to the bank accounts of farmer families across the country through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mode.
It is a Central Sector Scheme with 100 per cent funding by the Government of India.
It is being implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.
So far eligible farmer families have received benefits of more than Rs 2 lakh crore in 12 instalments under PM-Kisan.
3. Namami Gange Executive Committee approves 9 projects worth over 1,200 crore rupees
Tags: National Government Schemes National News
The National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) held the 47th meeting of the Executive Committee of NMCG on 22nd February under the chairmanship of G. Ashok Kumar, Director General, NMCG.
An overview of the news
Nine projects worth about Rs 1278 crore were approved in the meeting.
7 of them pertain to abatement of pollution in the Ganges basin and 2 pertain to development of ghats.
Project in West Bengal worth Rs 123 crore approved.
In Uttar Pradesh, three projects worth Rs 422 crore were approved.
In UP for rejuvenation of River Kali East by development of in-situ Constructed Wetland System at 8 locations in Muzaffarnagar, Meerut, Hapur and Bulandshahar was approved costing Rs 95.47 crore.
In Bihar, one project for the development of Atal Ghat Manjhi, Saran was approved at an estimated cost of Rs 10 crore.
In Madhya Pradesh a major project costing Rs 511 crore was approved.
For the monitoring of industrial pollution, a project titled ‘Pollution Inventorization, Assessment and Surveillance on River Ganga Basin was approved at an estimated cost of Rs 114.42 crore.
National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG)
It was registered on 12 August, 2011 as a society under the Societies Registration Act 1860.
It serves as the implementing arm of the National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA), which was constituted under the provisions of the Environment Protection Act (EPA), 1986.
It was established to address pollution challenges in the Ganga river.
The operational area of the project covers the Ganga basin and all the states through which the river flows, including Delhi.
The objective is to reduce pollution and ensure rejuvenation of the Ganga river.
4. Cabinet approves Centrally Sponsored Scheme- “Vibrant Villages Programme” for the Financial Years 2022-23 to 2025-26
Tags: Government Schemes National News
The Union Cabinet on 15 February approved the Centrally Sponsored Scheme- “Vibrant Villages Programme” (VVP) for the Financial Years 2022-23 to 2025-26 with financial allocation of Rs 4800 Crore.
An overview of the news
This will help encourage people to stay in their native places in border areas.
This will stop migration from villages and improve border security.
Funds will be provided under the scheme for development of essential infrastructure and creation of livelihood opportunities in 19 districts and 46 border blocks, 4 states and 1 union territory along the northern land border of the country.
In the first phase, 663 villages will be included in the programme.
The District Administration will prepare a Vibrant Village Action Plan with the help of Gram Panchayats.
100 percent saturation of Central and State schemes will be ensured.
About Vibrant Villages Programme
This program was announced in the budget speech 2022.
It aims to improve infrastructure in villages along India’s border with China.
Under the programme, states such as Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh and Arunachal Pradesh will improve infrastructure and build residential and tourism hubs.
The focus areas of the programme are livelihood, road connectivity, housing, rural infrastructure, renewable energy, television and broadband connections.
5. Around 39 crore loans extended under Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana till Jan 27
Tags: Government Schemes National News
Minister of State for Finance, Dr Bhagawat Karad said in a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha on February 13 that till January 27, 2023, about 39 crore loans have been given under the Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana.
An overview of the news
Out of this, more than 26 crore loans have been given to women entrepreneurs and about 20 crore loans to SC, ST and OBC borrowers.
This scheme has helped in creating one crore 12 lakh net additional employment in the country from 2015 to 2018.
Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana
It was launched on 8 April 2015.
Under the scheme, the people of the country are given loans up to a maximum of 10 lakhs to start their own small business.
Any person who wants to further his business can take a loan under this scheme.
People are issued a Mudra card to avail loans under this scheme.
The loans are provided through Banks, Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs), Micro Financial Institutions (MFIs), and other financial intermediaries.
More than 64 per cent of the loan accounts opened under the scheme are of women.
Three types of loans under Mudra Yojana
Under this scheme, three types of loans are given in Shishu, Kishore and Tarun.
Shishu- Loans up to Rs.50,000.
Kishor - Loans above Rs.50,000 and less than Rs.5 lakh.
Tarun - Loans above Rs.5 lakh and up to Rs.10 lakh.
6. Govt to borrow ₹13,879 crore to strengthen health infra from international agencies
Tags: Government Schemes National News
Minister of State for Health, Dr Bharti Pawar in a written reply in the Lok Sabha said that the Government of India has signed loan agreements worth Rs 13,879 crore from international agencies to strengthen health infrastructure.
An overview of the news
With whom the loan agreement has been signed are-
1. Asian Development Bank (ADB) ($300 million or Rs 2,474 crore).
2. Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) (50 billion Japanese yen or Rs 3,162 crore)
3. World Bank ($1 billion or Rs 8,243 crore)
This loan has been taken to strengthen the Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Infrastructure Mission (PMABHIM) which is the largest health mission in India.
PMABHIM was launched to fill the gaps in the field of health infrastructure, especially critical and primary care facilities.
Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Infrastructure Mission
It is one of the biggest health schemes to strengthen the health care infrastructure in India.
The mission was announced in the Budget 2021-22 with an outlay of Rs 64,180 crore.
It was launched in October 2021 with an aim to provide comprehensive health services across the country.
It aims to fill gaps in public healthcare infrastructure, especially in critical care facilities and primary care in urban and rural areas.
7. Maritime India Vision 2030
Tags: Government Schemes National News
To boost the waterways network, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways has planned several initiatives to develop ports in India at par with global standards.
An overview of the news
This project has been made under the Maritime India Vision (MIV) 2030.
The ministry has planned an investment of Rs 1,00,000 to Rs 1,25,000 crore for capacity enhancement and development of world-class infrastructure at ports.
Under the Maritime India Vision (MIV) 2030 the government aims to make world-class mega ports, transshipment hubs.
The container throughput of Indian ports was 17 million TEUs (Twenty Equipment Unit) in the period 2020, while that of China was 245 million TEUs in the same period.
The combined container throughput of the top 20 major global ports stood at 357 million TEUs during the 2020 period.
Maritime India Vision 2030
It is the master plan to ensure coordinated and accelerated development of India's maritime sector over the next decade.
It identifies over 150 initiatives across 10 themes covering all aspects of the Indian Maritime Sector.
It is a comprehensive effort to define and meet the National Maritime Objectives.
It envisages an overall investment of Rs 3,00,000 - 3,50,000 crore in the ports, shipping and inland waterways categories.
8. PMAY-U scheme extended up to next year
Tags: Government Schemes National News
Union Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs Hardeep Singh Puri said the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Urban (PMAY-U) scheme has been extended up to next year, to complete all the houses sanctioned during the last financial year.
An overview of the news
Around 123 lakh houses were sanctioned under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Urban (PMAY-U) during the last financial year, of which 68 lakh houses were completed till last month.
The central government has sanctioned Rs 2 lakh crore under the scheme, out of which Rs 1.36 lakh crore has been released so far.
The survey conducted by the States and Union Territories shows that there is a demand of 112 lakh houses under PMAY-U in the country.
Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Urban (PMAY-U)
It was launched on 25 June 2015 by the Government of India and it is being implemented by the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.
The scheme aims to provide pucca houses to all the eligible beneficiaries by 2022.
Around 1.12 crore houses are to be constructed under the scheme.
9. Madhya Pradesh government announces 'Laadli Bahna' scheme
Tags: Government Schemes State News
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan announced the implementation of Ladli Bahna Yojana on the occasion of Narmada Jayanti.
An overview of the news
Through this scheme, ₹ 1000 per month will be given to the sisters of poor and middle class families of Madhya Pradesh.
Scheme Benefits / Eligibility
To get the benefit of the scheme, the woman must be a resident of Madhya Pradesh.
Women of all castes of the state – General, Backward, Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes will be able to get the benefit of this scheme.
The benefits of the scheme will be given to such sisters who are not income tax payers.
65% sisters of Madhya Pradesh will be able to get the benefit of this scheme.
Through the scheme, an amount of ₹ 60000 will be added to each sister's account by the government in 5 years.
Madhya Pradesh
Capital - Bhopal
Chief Minister - Shivraj Singh Chouhan
Governor - Mangubhai Chhaganbhai Patel
Lok Sabha seats - 29
Rajya Sabha seats - 11
National Parks - Kanha Tiger Reserve, Bandhavgarh National Park, Panna National Park
Festivals - Khajuraho Festival, Bhagoria Haat Festival, Madai Festival
10. Monument Mitra Scheme
Tags: Government Schemes Latest
The Culture Ministry will launch a new version of the Monument Mitra scheme by partnering with private industries for the maintenance of one thousand ASI monuments.
An overview of the news
The revised scheme will be based on the Corporate Social Responsibility model and a new website with the names of all the heritage sites will also be launched.
Monument friend scheme
The Monument Mitra scheme was launched under the Ministry of Tourism.
Recently the Monument Mitra scheme was shifted from Ministry of Tourism to Ministry of Culture.
The objective of the project is to develop monuments, heritage and tourist places across India by inviting corporate entities, public sector companies or individuals to 'adopt' them.
Other initiatives of the government related to heritage conservation:
National Mission for Monuments and Antiquities, 2007
Adopt Heritage: Your Heritage, Your Identity Project
Project Mausam
