1. PM Modi unveils development projects in Chhattisgarh
Tags: Government Schemes
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated a series of development projects in Jagdalpur, the administrative center of the tribal Bastar division of Chhattisgarh.
An Overview of the News
These projects with a total estimated cost of more than Rs 26 thousand crore include:
Inauguration of NMDC's Greenfield Steel Plant built at a cost of approximately Rs 24 thousand crore in Nagarnar, Bastar. This integrated steel plant is expected to produce high-quality steel, create employment opportunities for thousands of people and increase the prominence of the region in the global steel industry.
Laying of foundation stone for the upgrade work of Jagdalpur Railway Station.
Inauguration of the new rail line between Antagarh and Taroki, as well as the inauguration of the double rail line project between Jagdalpur and Dantewada.
Flagged off-train service between Taroki and Raipur, which aims to improve rail connectivity and boost economic development in the tribal region.
Inauguration of the new road constructed between Kunkuri and Chhattisgarh-Jharkhand border on National Highway-45.
These initiatives are expected to enhance connectivity, stimulate economic growth and provide significant opportunities for the local population in the Bastar region.
About Bastar:
Bastar is a district of Chhattisgarh, known for its lush green forests and rich tribal culture.
The region has a predominantly tribal population, including groups such as Gond, Maria, Muria, Bhatra, Halba and Dhruva.
The Indravati river flowing through this region holds cultural importance.
Jagdalpur serves as a cultural and handicrafts center, with notable attractions such as the Anthropology Museum and the Dancing Cactus Art Centre.
Bastar is a popular tourist destination with historical sites like Bastar Palace, and Bastar Dussehra, waterfalls like Chitrakote and Tirathgarh, and Danteshwari Temple.
Greenfield Project:
A greenfield project is a venture that lacks any restrictions imposed by previous work.
This can be compared to constructing a building on a piece of land that has not had prior development, where there is no need to demolish or renovate existing structures.
Greenfield investing involves investing in a physical company-related structure, such as an office or manufacturing facility, in an area where no previous facilities exist. The term is derived from the concept of building a facility on a piece of untouched land such as a forest or farmland.
Greenfield projects involve the construction of entirely new power plants, airports and factories that are built from the ground up on undeveloped land.
In contrast, projects that involve upgrading or modifying existing facilities are called brownfield projects. This difference arises from the fact that already existing sites or facilities may be contaminated or polluted.
2. Winter action plan unveiled by Delhi Chief Minister
Tags: Government Schemes
On 29 September 2023, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal introduced a 15-point 'Winter Action Plan' to tackle air pollution in the upcoming winter season.
An Overview of the News
The 15-point 'Winter Action Plan' includes measures to tackle pollution and improve air quality in Delhi.
Steps have been taken in Punjab to diversify crops, promote short-duration paddy varieties and encourage the conversion of stubble into energy or fertilizer.
Factors contributing to air pollution:
The article highlights the factors that contribute to air pollution in NCR during winter, including low wind speeds, cold temperatures, stubble burning, vehicle emissions and industrial pollutants.
Analysis last winter showed that Delhi had the highest levels of PM2.5 among 27 NCR towns and cities.
Pollution control measures and expert opinion:
Pollution control measures in Delhi include enforcing dust pollution norms at construction sites, anti-smog guns, mechanized cleaning, PUC certificate checking and monitoring air pollution hotspots.
Experts stress the need for long-term emission reduction efforts, not just temporary measures, to effectively deal with air pollution.
The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has permitted the use of diesel generator (DG) sets for emergency services in NCR even during the GRAP restrictions till December 31 this year.
3. Union Minister launches UDAN 5.2 and HeliSeva App at 5th Heli Summit in Khajuraho
Tags: Government Schemes
On July 25, 2023, Union Minister of Civil Aviation and Steel, Jyotiraditya Scindia inaugurated the 5th Heli Summit (Helicopter and Small Aircraft Summit) in Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh, in which he introduced UDAN 5.2 and HeliSeva App.
An Overview of the News
The 5th Helicopter and Small Aircraft Summit was jointly organized by the Union Ministry of Civil Aviation, the Government of Madhya Pradesh, Pawan Hans Limited and the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI).
The central theme of the 5th Helicopter and Small Aircraft Summit was "Reaching the Last Mile: Regional Connectivity throughHelicopters and Small Aircraft."
Udaan 5.2 and HeliSeva App:
During the 5th Heli Summit, Jyotiraditya Scindia unveiled the next phase of the "Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik" scheme.
UDAN 5.2 aims to establish air connectivity to remote areas of the country using aircraft with a seating capacity of less than 20 passengers.
Jyotiraditya Scindia also introduced the Heliseva mobile application, which is designed to simplify the approval process for helicopter operators by providing a single-window service platform for government officials.
Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik (UDAN) Scheme:
The Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS) known as UDAN (Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik) was launched by the Union Ministry of Civil Aviation on 21 October 2016.
The inaugural flight under the UDAN scheme took place in April 2017, connecting Shimla to Delhi.
The primary objective of UDAN is to increase access to air travel by capping airfares on regional routes, with the government also providing Viability Gap Funding (VGF) to compensate airline operators for losses incurred due to low fares.
As of now, the UDAN scheme covers 148 airports across India.
About Khajuraho:
Khajuraho, located in the Chhatarpur district of Madhya Pradesh, is famous for its Hindu and Jain temples.
Built by the Chandela rulers between 950-1050 AD, these temples are known for the grandeur of their architecture.
UNESCO granted the temples of Khajuraho World Heritage Site status in 1986 due to their remarkable architectural beauty.
About Madhya Pradesh
Governor - Mangubhai Patel
Chief Minister - Shivraj Singh Chauhan
Capital - Bhopal
4. PM Narendra Modi launches Sankalp Saptaah
Tags: Government Schemes
Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a week-long program called "Sankalp Saptah" for aspirational blocks in New Delhi on 30 September 2023.
An Overview of the News
The objective of the Sankalp Saptah is to effectively implement the Aspirational Block Programme, which aims to improve governance at the block level and enhance the quality of life of the citizens.
About three thousand panchayat and block level representatives and officials from across the country will participate in this program to be held at Bharat Mandapam in the national capital.
Additionally, around two lakh people including block and panchayat level officials and farmers will join the program virtually.
Sankalp Saptaah will be celebrated in all 500 aspirational blocks of 329 districts of the country from 3rd to 9th October.
During this week each day will focus on a specific development theme on which all the Aspirational Blocks will work.
The topics for the first six days are as follows:
Sampoorna Swasthya (Comprehensive Health)
Suposhit Pariwaar (Well-nourished Family)
Swachhta (Cleanliness)
Krishi (Agriculture)
Shiksha (Education)
Samridhi Diwas (Prosperity Day)
The final day of the week will be dedicated to celebrating the work done throughout the week, known as Sankalp Saptaah - Samavesh Samaroh".
5. Champawat and Pithoragarh districts included in the Swadesh Darshan 2.0 scheme to promote tourism
Tags: Government Schemes
The Ministry of Tourism, Government of India has included two frontier districts of Uttarakhand, Champawat, and Pithoragarh, in the Swadesh Darshan 2.0 scheme.
An Overview of the News
The objective of the Swadesh Darshan 2.0 scheme is to promote tourism activities and develop these areas from a tourism point of view, providing basic facilities to visitors.
As part of the Swadesh Darshan scheme, Gunji, a place in Pithoragarh district, is set to take up development work in the tourism sector, with an allocated budget of Rs 75 crore.
Swadesh Darshan Scheme:
Swadesh Darshan Scheme is a central sector scheme launched by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India.
It aims to develop theme-based tourism circuits while enhancing the potential of India's tourism sector.
The scheme is aligned with other national programs such as Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, Skill India, and Make in India to harness the potential of tourism for employment generation and economic growth.
15 theme-based circuits under Swadesh Darshan:
Buddha Circuit: Covers important Buddhist pilgrimage sites in states like Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh.
Coastal Circuit: It aims to promote India as a "Sun, Sea and Surf" destination covering the states along the coastline.
Desert Circuit: Focuses on showcasing the deserts of India including the Thar Desert, Kutch and areas like Ladakh and Himachal Pradesh.
Eco Circuit: Develops eco-friendly and natural destinations in states like Kerala, Uttarakhand, Madhya Pradesh, Telangana, Mizoram and Jharkhand.
Heritage Circuit: Preserves and promotes cultural heritage at UNESCO World Heritage sites in many states.
North East Circuit: Promotes tourism development in the North Eastern states.
Himalayan Circuit: Extends to the northern border states including Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and the North-East region.
Sufi Circuit: Celebrates Sufi practices and cultural heritage.
Krishna Circuit: Focuses on religious tourist destinations.
Ramayana Circuit: Centers around places associated with the stories of Lord Rama, mainly in Uttar Pradesh.
Rural Circuit: It aims to revive rural economies and provide an authentic Indian experience to tourists.
Tirthankara Circuit: Jain Tirthankaras and their teachings are commemorated through various pilgrimage sites across the country.
Wildlife Circuit: Focuses on wildlife tourism, especially in states like Assam and Madhya Pradesh.
Tribal Circuit: Provides insight into the tribal traditions of India, covering states like Chhattisgarh, Nagaland and Telangana.
Spiritual Circuit: Attracts spiritual tourists, focusing on states like Kerala, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Manipur, Bihar, Rajasthan and Puducherry, which are known for their spiritual significance.
6. Mukhyamantri Atmanirbhar Asom Scheme launched by the Chief Minister of Assam
Tags: Government Schemes
Mukhyamantri Atmanirbhar Asom Scheme is a government initiative launched by the Chief Minister of Assam, Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma.
An Overview of the News
Mukhyamantri Atmanirbhar Asom Scheme aims to provide employment opportunities and financial assistance to the unemployed youth of the state.
Its primary goal is to connect 2 lakh eligible individuals in two years, with a focus on assisting 1 lakh people in the financial year 2023-2024 and another 1 lakh people in the financial year 2024-2025.
The eligibility standards and other restrictions will be made public on September 23, 2023, when the scheme officially launches.
The scheme will have an online registration portal launched on September 23, 2023.
Mukhyamantri Atmanirbhar Asom Scheme: Financial assistance for 2 lakh recipients with interest-free loan and training:-
Assam Atmanirbhar Yojana aims to provide assistance to 2 lakh individuals in the next two years.
In the financial year 2023-2024, 100,000 recipients will receive an amount of Rs 1 lakh, and an additional 100,000 will receive the same amount in the next financial year, depending on their performance.
Since the loan is funded by the government, no interest will be charged on the principal amount.
Beneficiaries are not required to repay the loan for a period of five years. The specific loan tenure and repayment schedule have not yet been determined.
Selected applicants will undergo a one-month training program to enhance their skills in management, accounting, and business.
7. ACKO unveils 'Platinum Health Plan'
Tags: Government Schemes
ACKO, a leading insurance company, has introduced a new health insurance product known as “ACKO Platinum Health Plan”.
An Overview of the News
“ACKO Platinum Health Plan” offers several notable features including:
100% Bill Payment: It guarantees payment of the entire medical bill, reducing the financial burden during a health crisis.
No limit on room rent: There is no restriction on room rent, giving greater flexibility to policyholders.
Zero waiting period: Policyholders get instant coverage without any waiting period.
Promotion Strategy:
To promote this new health insurance scheme, ACKO has brought back the popular characters Munna Bhai and Circuit played by Sanjay Dutt and Arshad Warsi from the iconic Bollywood film series.
The title of the ad campaign is "Health Insurance ki Subah Ho Gayi Mamu."
The campaign is directed by renowned filmmaker Rajkumar Hirani, who is known for his storytelling abilities.
Alignment with company goals:
Ashish Mishra, EVP-Marketing at ACKO, noted that the characters of Munna and Circuit align with the company's mission to challenge traditional health insurance norms and simplify the process for customers.
Educational Focus:
The campaign aims to educate the audience about the key aspects of ACKO Platinum Health Plan, including zero waiting period, 100% bill payments, importance of full disclosure for stress-free claims and ease of filing claims.
8. Union Minister launches 'Skills on Wheels' initiative
Tags: Government Schemes
Union Minister of Education and Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Dharmendra Pradhan and Lok Sabha Speaker, Om Birla launched the 'Skills on Wheels' initiative with National Skill Development Corporation and IndusInd Bank.
An Overview of the News
The 'Skills on Wheels' initiative aims to empower 60,000 rural youth with a focus on women over five years.
Its primary objective is to provide digital skills to rural youth to make them job- and future-ready.
Skills on Wheels:
A customized bus equipped with retrofitted equipment will serve as the focal point of this initiative.
This mobile unit, known as 'Skills on Wheels', will serve as a vehicle to take the 'Skill India Mission' to areas that are otherwise difficult to reach.
Implementation and Impact:
It will travel extensively to raise awareness about free skill training programmes, which will ultimately improve the lives and employability of the youth.
The initiative also seeks to bridge the gap between the industry demand for skilled workers and unemployed youth by providing the right courses based on academic background and aptitude.
About IndusInd Bank
Established - April 1994
Founder - S. P. Hinduja
Headquarters - Mumbai
CEO - Sumant Kathpalia
9. Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant launches Grih Aadhaar Scheme and Chavath-e-Bazaar
Tags: Government Schemes
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant launched the Griha Aadhaar scheme and Chavath-e-Bazaar to empower housewives in Goa by providing them with financial assistance.
An Overview of the News
The objective of the Griha Aadhaar scheme is to promote the financial independence and well-being of housewives, recognize their contribution and improve their socio-economic status.
The Griha Aadhaar initiative led by the Directorate of Women and Child Development is an important step towards women's empowerment.
Support and Delivery:
Number of beneficiaries: 11,500 newly sanctioned orders were distributed across the state, of which 6,000 orders were allocated to North Goa, taking the total to 1.5 lakh women beneficiaries.
Training for self-reliance: Women are provided free training in their respective Panchayats, covering essential skills related to packaging, selling and other relevant aspects of food items.
Annual Increment: Griha Aadhaar beneficiaries have received financial assistance directly into their accounts on the same day, and the scheme also includes an annual increment for continued support.
Chavath-e-Bazaar Event:
Chief Minister Sawant also launched the Chavath-e-Bazaar programme, part of the Swayampura Goa programme, which aims to empower local entrepreneurs through e-commerce.
Chavath-e-Bazaar provides a platform to local artisans and entrepreneurs to showcase their products to a wide audience.
The government's commitment is in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Vocal for Local' vision to promote indigenous industries and grassroots businesses.
Chavath-e-Bazaar for Women Entrepreneurs:
Digital Platform: Chavath-e-Bazaar is an online portal integrated with the Swiggy app for seamless ordering, providing promising opportunities for women entrepreneurs.
Empowering Dreams: The digital platform facilitates women to realize their dreams of becoming successful entrepreneurs.
10. Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister announces 'Mukhyamantri Shramik Kalyan Yojana'
Tags: Government Schemes
Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu announced the 'Mukhyamantri Shramik Kalyan Yojana' during an event in Itanagar.
An Overview of the News
The objective of 'Mukhyamantri Shramik Kalyan Yojana' is to benefit the labor force within the state.
Under this scheme, benefits for workers registered with the Arunachal Pradesh Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board have been restructured.
Enhanced benefits under the scheme
Maternity benefit for families of workers has been increased from Rs 1,000 to Rs 6,000.
Compensation for natural death has been increased from Rs 50,000 to Rs 2 lakh.
Compensation for accidental death has been increased from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 4 lakh.
The scheme also promotes sports among children of workers, offering cash incentives for achievements in state-level and national-level tournaments and competitions.
Cash incentives are provided for achievements in state-level tournaments or competitions:
Gold - Rs 15,000
Silver - Rs 10,000
Bronze - Rs 8,000
The following incentives are given for exceptional performance at the national level:
Gold - Rs 30,000
Silver - Rs 20,000
Bronze - Rs 15,000
About Arunachal Pradesh
It is a state located in the northeastern region of India. It shares its borders with the countries of Bhutan, China, and Myanmar.
Losar, Solang, Dree Utsav, and Chalo-Loku Utsav are the major festivals of Arunachal Pradesh.
Established - 20 February 1987
Capital - Itanagar (Executive Branch)
Chief Minister - Pema Khandu
Official flower - Rhynchostylis retusa
Official Animal - Gayal
