1. Tripura State Government launches "Saharsh" special education program
Tags: Government Schemes State News
The Tripura state government has launched "Saharsh" special education program to promote social and emotional learning.
An overview of the news
It was started as a pilot program in 40 schools in the state in August 2022, now it will be made available to all government and aided schools in the state.
Its objective is to enable children to study with joy and enthusiasm.
As per the Performance Grading Index, Tripura currently comes under Grade-I group.
The state government has already trained 204 schools for the Saharsh curriculum while 200 more schools will be trained soon.
Thirty assistant principals from different districts of Tripura were also happily selected to act as implementation ambassadors.
About Tripura
Capital - Agartala
Governor - Satyadev Narayan Arya
Chief Minister - Manik Shah
State Bird - Green Imperial Pigeon (Ducula aenia)
State Tree - Agar (Aquilaria malaccensis)
State Flower - Nageshwar (Mesua Feria)
Borders - Bangladesh, Mizoram and Assam.
2. Centre named new Integrated Food Security Scheme as Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Ann Yojana
Tags: Government Schemes National News
The new integrated food security scheme has been named as PM Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana ((PMGKAY) to provide free food grains to Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) and Primary Household (PHH) beneficiaries.
An overview of the news
Keeping in view the welfare of the beneficiaries and to maintain uniformity across states, all PHH and AAY beneficiaries will be provided free food grains under PMGKAY for 2023.
This integrated scheme will strengthen the provisions of NFSA, 2013 in terms of access, affordability and availability of food grains to the poor.
The implementation of this new scheme has started from January 1, 2023, which is benefiting more than 80 crore poor people.
The central government will spend over Rs 2 lakh crore in 2023 as food subsidy under NFSA and other welfare schemes to ease the financial burden of the poor.
PM Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana ((PMGKAY)
It is a part of Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Package (PMGKP) to help the poor fight the battle against Covid-19.
Its nodal Ministry is the Ministry of Finance.
Under this scheme, the government provides additional free of cost 5 kg per person per month food-grains (rice/wheat) to around 80 crore beneficiaries of National Food Security Act (NFSA) including the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) beneficiaries.
The PMGKAY has now been linked with One Nation One Ration Card (ONORC) plan where migrant workers can get the benefit of the scheme through any ration shops in India.
3. PM launches Aspirational Block Programme aimed at spurring development parameters
Tags: Government Schemes
A new initiative called the Aspirational Blocks Program was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 7 January with an aim to improve the performance of blocks within backward districts in various development parameters.
An overview of the news
The Aspirational Block Program (ABP) was announced in the Union Budget 2022-23.
Under this programme, 500 blocks across states have been identified for quarterly ranking based on their performance in areas such as health, education and nutrition.
It will initially cover 500 districts across 31 states and union territories, of which more than half of the blocks are located in six states – Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, Odisha and West Bengal.
The 500 blocks for ABP have been selected based on the recommendations of a four-member committee set up by the government last year.
ABP is based on the Aspirational District Program (ADP).
Aspirational District Program
The program was launched in January 2018 with an aim to rapidly and effectively transform some of the most underdeveloped districts in the country.
The scheme is implemented along with the Central and State schemes.
At the Government of India level, the program is administered by NITI Aayog.
Parameters for Best Aspirational District
It envisages rapid development of selected districts on the basis of a composite index based on five parameters
1. Health and Nutrition
2. Education
3. Financial Inclusion and Skill Development
4. agriculture and water resources
5. Basic Infrastructure
4. Odisha won the UN-Habitat's World Habitat Awards 2023 for Jaga Mission
Tags: Government Schemes State News
Odisha won the UN-Habitat World Habitat Awards 2023 for the state's 5T (Transparency, Technology, Teamwork, Time, Transformation) initiative Jaga Mission.
An overview of the news
Jaga Mission is a land ownership and slum upgradation program aimed at empowering the lives of slum dwellers.
Under the leadership of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, the Odisha government has set an ambitious target of becoming the first slum-free state in India.
The state of Odisha is spearheading the Jaga Mission program to upgrade all 2,919 slums.
The initiative has provided land patta security to 1,75,000 families in the last five years.
100 percent households in 2,724 slums have been provided with piped water connections, 707 slums have been converted into fully livable housing, 100 percent households in 666 slums have individual toilets and 8 cities have become slum-free.
Earlier in 2019, Odisha's Jaga Mission received the World Habitat Award for its success in providing land security for slum dwellers.
World Habitat is a charity organisation recognized by the United Nations Department of Public Information.
5. Parshottam Rupala inaugurates 29 Mobile Veterinary Units and Centralised call centre in Thiruvananthapuram
Tags: Government Schemes State News
Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying Purushottam Rupala inaugurated 29 Mobile Veterinary Units (MVUs) and Centralised Call Center in Thiruvananthapuram on 5 January.
An overview of the news
It is a major step for the benefit of the livestock farmers in Kerala. Kerala is deploying 50 MVUs in different districts.
It will help transform the dairy sector from subsistence-based agricultural livelihood to a commercially viable enterprise, resulting in gainful employment for the youth of Kerala.
These MVUs will be operated through a centralised call centre with a common helpline number - 1962.
It will receive calls from herders/cattle owners and the vet will prioritise all the cases based on emergency nature and forward them to the nearest MVU for attending at the doorstep of the farmer.
The MVUs will act as one-stop centres for resolution of veterinary issues and dissemination of information in remote areas of the country.
The MVUs will provide diagnosis treatment, vaccination, artificial insemination, minor surgical intervention, audio-visual support to animal owners in far flung areas.
In the current financial year, Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD), Govt of India has sanctioned 4332 MVUs across the country.
Background
MVUs are components under the Livestock Health and Disease Control (LH&DC) scheme.
Under the scheme, financial assistance is provided to States/UTs for delivery of veterinary health services at the doorstep of farmers by providing 1 MVU per 1 lakh livestock population.
The scheme provides 100% financial assistance towards non-recurring expenditure (@Rs.16.00 lakh/1MVU) on purchase and adaptation of Mobile Veterinary Units (MVU).
Central share (100% for UTs, 90% for NE & Hilly States and 60% for all other States) towards recurring expenditure ( @ Rs.18.72 lakh/1 MVU) on running of these MVUs.
6. Dharmendra Pradhan chairs the 3rd meeting of the steering committee of National Skill Development Mission
Tags: Government Schemes National News
Dharmendra Pradhan, Minister of Education and Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, chaired the third meeting of the Steering Committee of the National Skill Development Mission in New Delhi on 4 January.
An overview of the news
The progress made in the skill development efforts and the road map ahead were discussed in the meeting.
The minister also discussed various issues such as convergence of skill development schemes, skill gap analysis and skill mapping, connecting Indian youth to global opportunities, developing a curriculum to reflect emerging trends, etc.
He also called for greater convergence between skill development schemes of all ministries and spending on skill development by all stakeholders.
National Skill Development Mission
It was launched in 2015 to provide a strong institutional framework to implement skill development efforts across the country and provide training to one crore youth every year.
It has been developed to create convergence across regions and states in terms of skill training activities.
Objective - To provide a strong institutional framework at the Center and in all States for the implementation of skilling activities in the country.
Ministry : Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship
7. Union Government approves the National Green Hydrogen Mission
Tags: National Government Schemes
The Union Cabinet headed by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 4 January 2023 approved the National Green Hydrogen Policy which aims to make India a Global Hub for the production, utilisation and export of Green Hydrogen and its derivatives.
Green Hydrogen refers to the breaking down of the water molecule into hydrogen and oxygen using renewable sources of energy.
Outlay for the Scheme
The initial outlay for the Mission is Rs.19, 744 crore, including an outlay of Rs.17, 490 crore for the Strategic Interventions for Green Hydrogen Transition Programme (SIGHT), Rs.1, 466 crore for pilot projects, Rs.400 crore for Research and Development, and Rs. 388 crore towards other Mission components.
Main Objective of the National Green Hydrogen Mission
- The aim of the National Hydrogen Mission is to enable India to meet its climate change target of net zero carbon emission by 2070 and make India a production and export hub of hydrogen fuel.
- Achieve the capacity to produce 5 million tonnes of green hydrogen per year by 2030 ,
- Capacity addition of 125 GW of renewable energy by 2030.
- Reduction in carbon dioxide emission of nearly 50 Million Metric Tonne per annum by 2030.
- Reduction in fossil fuel imports worth Rs 1 lakh crore by 2030.
- To attract investment over Rs.8 lakh crore in the sector.
- Target of creation of over 6 lakh jobs in the sector by 2030.
8. Government approves Central Sector Broadcasting Infrastructure & Network Development Scheme
Tags: Government Schemes
The Central Government has approved Central Sector Broadcasting Infrastructure and Network Development (BIND) Scheme with an outlay of over two 2,539 crore rupees up to 2025-26 on 4 January.
About the Scheme
The scheme will financially assist Prasar Bharati in expansion and upgradation of its broadcasting infrastructure, content development and civic works.
The scheme will broaden the reach in Left Wing Extremism, border and strategic areas.
The scheme is a means of providing financial assistance to Prasar Bharati for expenses related to expansion and upgradation of its broadcasting infrastructure, content development and civic work related to the organisation.
The scheme will enable the public broadcaster to upgrade facilities with better infrastructure.
This will enhance the reach of the scheme including Left Wing Extremism, Border and Strategic Sectors and provide high quality content to the viewers.
About Prasar Bharati
It is the largest statutory autonomous public broadcasting agency in India which was established in 1997.
It was established under an Act of Parliament and consists of Doordarshan Television Network and All India Radio.
In September 1990, the Parliament passed the Prasar Bharati (Broadcasting Corporation of India) Act.
This Act made provision for the establishment of a Broadcasting Corporation of India named Prasar Bharati.
Head quarters - New Delhi
CEO - Gaurav Dwivedi
9. Odisha government to provide free rice for one year under the State Food Security Scheme
Tags: Government Schemes State News
The Naveen Patnaik government in Odisha will provide free 5 Kg rice per month to the beneficiaries under the State Food Security Scheme for one year. This was announced by the chief minister Naveen Patnaik on 3 January 2023.
According to the Chief Minister’s Office the total expenditure for the scheme will be Rs 185 crore which will be borne by the state government
Earlier the Government of India made the foodgrains provided under the National Food Security Act 2013 to the beneficiaries free for one year from 1 January 2023.
The Odisha government launched its own State Food Security Scheme on 2 October 2018 for those poor people who were not covered under the National Food Security Act 2013. These beneficiaries were provided 5Kg of rice at Re1 per kg.
Under the National Food Security Act the Antodaya Anna Yojana beneficiaries get 35 kg of food grains (rice or wheat or coarse cereals) per month and the Priority Household gets 5kg per person per month.
Odisha
The State of Orissa was founded on 1 April 1936 after it was separated from the Bengal presidency.
1 April is celebrated as Utkal Dibas or Odisha divas in Odisha.
Odisha was earlier called as Orissa. Its name was changed to Odisha in 2011.
Governor of Odisha: Ganeshi Lal
Capital: Its capital was at Cuttack but it was shifted to Bhubaneswar on 19 August 1949.
10. 50 Electric Buses launched in Delhi with support under FAME India Phase II scheme
Tags: Government Schemes National News
On 3 January 2022, 50 electric buses were launched in Delhi with support from the government under the FAME India Phase II scheme of the Ministry of Heavy Industry.
Important facts
In 2019, the government approved Rs 10,000 crore for a period of three years.
Out of the total budgetary support, about 86 per cent of the funds have been allocated for incentives to generate demand for electric vehicles.
Union Heavy Industries Minister Mahendra Nath Pandey said that the government has placed an order for 3,538 electric buses. Of these, a total of 1,716 buses have been deployed so far.
The Union Territory of Delhi had sanctioned 400 electric buses – 300 to the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) for intra-city operations and 100 to the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) for last-mile connectivity – in August 2019.
A total of 250 buses have already been deployed by DTC and now the remaining 50 buses have been launched fulfilling MHI's commitment of providing 300 electric buses to DTC.
FAME India Scheme
To improve the infrastructure required for the large-scale use of electric vehicles, the Government formulated a Scheme namely FAME India (Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid and Electric Vehicles) in 2015.
Under this scheme, by the year 2022, 60-70 lakh hybrid and electric vehicles are targeted to be put on the roads across the country.
This will reduce the consumption of about 950 crore litres of petrol and diesel, which will also save Rs 62 thousand crores spent on this.
The main objective of this scheme is to reduce pollution and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Phase-II of FAME India Scheme is being implemented for a period of 3 years from April 1, 2019.
The Phase-I of this Scheme was launched for a period of 2 years from 1st April 2015, which was extended from time to time and the last extension was allowed up to 31st March 2019.
What are Electric Vehicles?
Electric Vehicles are vehicles that are partially or fully powered on electric power.
They have low running costs and are also very environmentally friendly as they use little or no fossil fuels (petrol or diesel).
These vehicles can solve the problems of increasing pollution, global warming, depleting natural resources etc.
