1. PM Modi launches 'Raising and Accelerating MSME Performance' scheme
Tags: Economy/Finance Government Schemes
Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the 'Raising and Accelerating MSME Performance' (RAMP) scheme under the Entrepreneur India Program at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi.
RAMP Scheme
The scheme was announced by the Finance Minister in the Union Budget 2022-23.
Recommendations for RAMP Scheme KV Kamath Committee, UK Sinha Committee and the Prime Minister's Economic Advisory Council (PMEAC).
It is a World Bank assisted central sector scheme under which the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MoMSME) is providing necessary support to address the challenges related to COVID-19.
The total financial outlay for the RAMP scheme is Rs 6,062.45 crore ($808 million).
The World Bank will provide a loan of Rs 3750 crore ($500 million) for this program and the remaining Rs 2312.45 crore ($308 million) is being funded by the central government.
Program Objective
The objective of the scheme is to improve access to credit and markets, as well as strengthen institutions and governance in the state and at the Centre.
It will also look at improving Centre and State partnerships as well as resolving issues related to delayed payments.
MSME capacity will also be increased through this program and MSME coverage will also be increased in the states and union territories.
The scheme will promote skill development, capacity building, technology up-gradation, quality enhancement, outreach, digitization, marketing promotion etc.
Plan implementation and monitoring
Strategic Investment Plans (SIPs) will be prepared for the implementation of RAMP and all the States and Union Territories of the country will be invited to provide inputs.
An outreach plan will be made to mobilise and identify MSMEs through SIPs.
The National MSME Council, which will be chaired by the Minister of MSME and comprising representatives from other ministries as well as a Secretariat, will monitor and evaluate the scheme.
2. "China-Horn of Africa Peace, Governance and Development Conference"
Tags: Summits
Recently the first "China-Horn of Africa Peace, Governance and Development Conference" was held in Ethiopia.
This is the first time that China aims to "play its role in the field of security".
The conference held in Ethiopia saw the participation of the foreign ministries of the following Horn countries- Kenya, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Sudan, Somalia, South Sudan and Uganda.
Horn of Africa:
The Horn of Africa is a peninsula in Northeast Africa.
Located in the eastern part of the African mainland, it is the fourth largest peninsula in the world.
It is located along the southern border of the Red Sea and extends for hundreds of kilometres into the Guardafui Channel, the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean.
The Horn of Africa is equidistant from the equator and the Tropic of Cancer.
The Horn includes the biodiversity of the highlands of the Ethiopian Plateau, the Ogaden Desert, Eritrea and the Somalian Coast.
The Horn of Africa refers to the region comprising the countries of Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia and Somalia.
The region has experienced imperialism, neo-colonialism, cold war, ethnic conflict, inter-African conflict, poverty, disease, famine, etc.
3. G7 announces $600 billion global infrastructure programs
Tags: International News
The G7 group has announced USD 600 billion global infrastructure programs for poor countries.
Under the program, the US government and its allies will try to touch the USD 600 billion mark during the years 2022 and 2027.
The move is intended to compete with China's Belt and Road Initiative.
The proposed G7 funding would rely largely on private companies, in contrast to the Chinese government-run Belt and Road Initiative.
The partnership has been unveiled by US President Joe Biden and G7 allies from Germany, Canada, Japan, Italy and the European Union.
Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)
The Belt and Road Initiative is formally known as the One Belt One Road initiative.
It is a global infrastructure development strategy, launched by China in 2013.
Under this, China had planned to invest in about 70 countries and international organisations.
The project is the centrepiece of Chinese leader Xi Jinping's foreign policy.
As of March 2022, 146 countries have signed the BRI.
The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank is dedicated to providing loans for infrastructure projects.
About the G7
The G7 or Group of Seven is a grouping of the seven most advanced economies.
The seven countries are Canada, USA, UK, France, Germany, Japan and Italy.
It was formed in 1975.
The G7 countries meet annually to discuss issues of common interest such as global economic governance, international security and energy policy.
All G7 countries and India are part of the G20.
The G7 has no fixed headquarters.
4. Three-day workshop on 'Gender Responsible Governance' organized in Dharamshala
Tags: State News
A three-day workshop on 'Gender Responsive Governance' ie 'Gender Responsible Governance' is being organised in Dharamsala, Himachal Pradesh.
The workshop is being organised in collaboration with the Women's Commission and Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA).
116 women MLAs from five states and one union territory of North India will participate in this workshop.
The chief guest of the workshop is Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel.
Ms. Rekha Sharma, Chairperson, National Commission for Women said that the workshop has been organised with the idea of 'Strong Women Leadership, Strong Democracy'.
The program was conceptualised and developed with the aim of promoting capacity building of women leaders.
About Himachal Pradesh
The literal meaning of Himachal Pradesh is "Province of Snowy Mountains", Himachal Pradesh is also known as "Dev Bhoomi".
Himachal Pradesh was made a union territory in 1956, but in 1971, it was made the eighteenth state of India on 25 January 1971 under the Himachal Pradesh State Act, 1971.
Himachal Pradesh is part of the Shivalik range of the Himalaya Mountains.
Four of the five rivers that flow in Himachal Pradesh are mentioned in the Rigveda.
At that time they were known by other names such as Arikari (Chenab), Purushni (Ravi), Vipasha (Beas) and Shatdui (Satluj) The fifth river (Kalindi) which originates from Yamunotri has a mythological connection with the Sun God.
Capital- Shimla (summer), Dharamsala (winter)
Governor- Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar
Chief Minister- Jai Ram Thakur
Legislative Assembly seats - 68
Rajya Sabha seats - 3
Lok Sabha seats - 4
5. PM Modi to attend G-7 summit in Germany
Tags: International News
PM Narendra Modi will visit Germany on 26 and 27 June to attend the annual summit of the G-7.
Modi is attending the G7 summit following an invitation by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.
Germany currently holds the presidency of the G7, a grouping of the seven richest countries in the world.
Top leaders attending the summit include US President Joe Biden, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, French President Emmanuel Macron and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
During the summit, Prime Minister Modi is expected to address two sessions covering environment, energy, climate, food security, health, gender equality and democracy.
From Germany, he will travel to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on June 28 to condole the passing of former Gulf President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
The Group of Seven (G-7)
It includes Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
The group meets annually to discuss issues of common interest, such as global economic governance, international security and energy policy.
It was formed in 1975 by the top economies of the time as an informal forum to discuss global issues.
Canada joined the group in 1976, and the European Union began participating in 1977.
It represents about 70% of the world economy.
It currently accounts for about 40% of the global GDP.
All the G7 countries and India are a part of G20.
The G-7 became the G8 in 1997 when Russia was invited to join.
It does not have a fixed headquarters.
6. One Nation, One Ration Card scheme implemented in Assam
Tags: Government Schemes State News
Assam has become the 36th state of the country to implement the One Nation One Ration Card scheme.
After being implemented in Assam, this scheme has been successfully implemented in 36 states and union territories across the country.
The scheme has made a significant contribution in ensuring subsidized food grains to the beneficiaries especially the migrant beneficiaries during the COVID pandemic.
In a very short span of time, it covered 80 crore beneficiaries.
Since the scheme's implementation in August 2019, around 71 crore portable transactions have taken place under it, food grains equivalent to Rs 40 thousand crore have been distributed as food subsidy.
Mera Ration mobile app
Mera Ration mobile application was launched to make this scheme more seamless and faster.
This mobile app is providing useful real time information to the beneficiaries and is available in 13 languages.
About ‘One Nation, One Ration Card' scheme
It was launched by the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution in 2019 on a pilot basis in 4 states.
It aims to ensure hassle free delivery of subsidized food grains to all migrant beneficiaries anywhere in the country under the National Food Security Act (NFSA).
Under this scheme, migrant beneficiaries are entitled to get food grains from any Fair Price Shop (FPS) of their choice anywhere in the country using their existing ration card with biometric authentication.
Benefits of the scheme
This will help in reducing the number of dual ration card holders.
This is in line with the motto of Minimum Government Maximum Governance.
Centralised authorised shop data can be used to formulate policies on inter- and inter-state migration.
It will help to improve India's ranking in the Global Hunger Index.
National Food Security Act, 2013
It was introduced by the Government of India in 2013.
The Act is in line with Goal Two of the Sustainable Development Goals set by the United Nations General Assembly.
Goal 2 aims to end hunger in all its forms by 2030 and create sustainable solutions to achieve food security.
The Mid-Day Meal Scheme (MDMS), Public Distribution System (PDS), and Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) are covered under this Act.
7. First National Conference of Chief Secretaries begins in Dharamsala, Himachal Pradesh
Tags: National News
A three-day first National Conference of Chief Secretaries is being organized in Dharamsala, Himachal Pradesh from 15th June.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will preside over the first National Conference of Chief Secretaries.
More than 200 participants representing the Central Government, all States/UTs and domain experts will participate in the conference.
Conference will focus on the fast and sustained economic growth in partnership with the States.
This conference will lay the foundation for collaborative action for sustainable agriculture, employment generation, education, ease of living and higher development with self-reliance.
The conference will lay emphasis on the development agenda and implementation and will lay down a roadmap for cohesive action to achieve the aspirations of the people.
The concept and agenda of the conference has been prepared after more than 100 rounds of talks in six months.
The result of the conference will be discussed later in the Governing Council meeting of NITI Aayog, in which Chief Ministers and Administrators of all the States and Union Territories will be present.
Thereafter an action plan will be finalized with broad consensus at the highest levels.
Three themes identified for detailed deliberations-
Implementation of the National Education Policy
Urban governance
Crop diversification and achieving self-sufficiency in oilseeds, pulses and other agri-commodities.
8. J&K at the Top of all Union Territories in the delivery of e-Governance services
Tags: National State News
Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh releases the e-governance service delivery assessment (NeSDA) 2021 Report.
Jammu and Kashmir has topped among all the Union territories in e-Governance services delivery.
J&K has managed to save around Rs 200 crore annually which was earlier spent on transportation of files.
According to the report, Kerala had the highest overall compliance score amongst all the States and UTs.
Meghalaya and Nagaland are the major state portals among the northeastern and hill states with an overall compliance of more than 90 per cent in all assessment parameters.
Kerala, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Punjab, Karnataka and Uttar Pradesh had nearly 90 per cent compliance.
Among the central ministries, the Ministry of Home Affairs, Rural Development, Education, Environment, Forest and Climate Change are the major ministry portals with an overall compliance of over 80% in all assessment parameters.
The Home Ministry portal had the highest overall compliance score.
About National e-Governance Service Delivery Assessment (NeSDA)
It was constituted in 2019 by the Department of Administrative Reforms & Public Grievances (DARPG).
It is a biennial study.
It assesses effectiveness of e-Governance service delivery of states, union Territories (UTs) and Central Ministries.
Criteria of NeSDA
Finance, Labour & Employment, Education, Local Governance & Utility Services, Social Welfare, Environment and Tourism sectors.
The evaluation covered 56 essential services for each of the states and union territories and 27 services for the central ministries.
9. Uttarakhand sets up expert panel for Uniform Civil Code implementation
Tags: State News
The Uttarakhand government on May 27 constituted a panel of experts, headed by a retired Supreme Court judge, to implement the Uniform Civil Code in the state.
The Uniform Civil Code includes a review of laws governing marriage, divorce, maintenance, succession, adoption and other personal laws.
The committee will examine all laws and matters relating to personal law in communities and draft a Uniform Civil Code.
Uttarakhand will be the second state in the country after Goa to do so if the Uniform Civil Code comes into force.
Name of panel head and its members
Retired judge Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai (current head of the Delimitation Commission will chair the committee)
Retired judge Justice Pramod Kohli
Social worker Manu Gaur (Head Taxpayers Association of Bharat)
Retired IAS officer Shatrughan Singh
Surekha Dangwal, Vice Chancellor of Doon University
What is Uniform Civil Code?
Uniform Civil Code means one law for the whole country, which is applicable to all religious communities in their personal matters like marriage, divorce, inheritance, adoption etc.
Article 44 of the Constitution talks about securing a Uniform Civil Code for every citizen of the country.
Article 44 is one of the Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP).
Article 37 of the Constitution makes it clear that the DPSP "shall not be enforced by any court".
Article 37 of the Constitution makes it clear that the DPSP "shall not be enforced by any court"but the principles laid down therein are fundamental in governance.
The Supreme Court for the first time directed the Parliament to frame a uniform civil code in the year 1985 in Shah Bano case.
10. BHASHINI to remove language barriers in using internet
Tags: Science and Technology
A brainstorming session with researchers and start-ups was organised by the Ministry of Electronics and IT with an aim to shape the strategy for Digital India BHASHINI (Language Interface for India).
About Digital India BHASHINI
It is India’s Artificial Intelligence (AI) led language translation platform.
It will make available Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Natural Language Processing (NLP) resources to startups and innovators in the public sector.
It is a part of the National Language Translation Mission.
Its objective is to substantially increase the content in Indian languages on the Internet in the areas of governance and policy, science and technology etc.
Significance of the initiative
It will empower Indian citizens by connecting them to the country's digital initiatives in their own language.
It will lead to digital inclusion.
It will encourage participation of startups.
It will create an ecosystem involving Central/State government agencies and start-ups, working together to develop innovative products and services in Indian languages.
It will play an important role in realising the goal of digital government.
It will Increase the Content in Indian Languages.
