1. Amrit Bharat Station Scheme (ABSS)
Tags: Government Schemes
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ABSS is a development program initiated by Southern Railway.
An Overview of the News
It aims to develop 90 identified stations.
Objective:
Prepare a master plan for railway stations.
Implement the master plan in a phased manner to increase facilities.
Go beyond the minimum essentials.
Incorporate and replace previous redevelopment projects.
Selection and Approval Process:
It is the responsibility of the Zonal Railways to select the stations.
Approval by a committee of senior railway officials.
Factors considered: footfall, stakeholder input.
Planned features and amenities:
Introduction of new features
Upgradation and replacement of existing facilities.
Provision for additional facilities in the future, such as a roof plaza.
Space for free Wi-Fi and 5G mobile towers.
Easy access through wide roads.
Remove unwanted structures
Well designed signage and dedicated footpaths.
Well planned parking area and better lighting.
Enhanced Passenger Experience:
Integrate the waiting room and provide quality cafeteria/retail facilities.
Better furniture in waiting rooms, platforms, toilets and offices.
High level platforms at all categories of stations.
Special facilities for physically handicapped as per Railway Board guidelines.
2. SAMARTH Scheme
Tags: Government Schemes
Why in the News
The panel of implementation partners of SAMARTH scheme has been expanded by inducting 43 new implementation partners.
The objective of this expansion is to enhance the reach and effectiveness of the scheme.
Additionally, the scheme has set a new target of training around 75,000 beneficiaries, which will be allocated to training partners.
With the increase in cost norms by 5%, the funding pattern of the scheme has also been revised. This amendment provides the much needed additional financial support to the industries involved in imparting skills under Samarth scheme.
About Samarth Scheme
Scheme Name: Scheme for Capacity Building in Textile Sector (SAMARTH)
Nature of the Scheme: Demand-driven and placement-oriented Umbrella Skill Program
Objective: To encourage and supplement the efforts of the industry in generating employment in the organised textile and allied sectors, covering the entire value chain of textiles (excluding spinning and weaving).
Focus Areas: Entry level skilling and upskilling/reskilling programs to improve the productivity of existing workforce in the apparel and garments sectors
Implementation Period: Till March 2024
Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Textiles
The skilling programs under the Samarth scheme are implemented through the following types of implementing agencies:
Textile Industry
Institutes/Organizations of Ministry of Textiles/State Governments having training infrastructure and placement tie-up with the textile industry.
Reputed Training Institutes/NGOs/Society/Trusts/Organizations/Companies/Start-ups/Entrepreneurs operating in the textile sector with placement tie-up with the textile industry.
3. 'Mission Vatsalya' scheme for rape victims minor girls
Tags: Government Schemes
The Central Government has started a new relief scheme under the 'Mission Vatsalya' scheme in relation to the abandonment of the families of minor girls who are victims of rape when they become pregnant.
An Overview of the news:
- Under this, arrangements have been made to provide shelter, food and legal aid to those minors.
- According to Women and Child Development Minister Smriti Irani, the new scheme launched under the aegis of 'Nirbhaya Yojana' aims to ensure institutional and financial support to pregnant minor victims who have no means to take care of themselves.
Main Initiatives of the Scheme:
- Under this, the administrative structure of 'Mission Vatsalya' has also been used in collaboration with state governments and child care institutions to provide help to minor victims at the grassroots level.
- This additional assistance under the scheme will be available at the level of Child Care Institutions (CCIs) for girls up to 18 years of age and care centers for young women up to 23 years of age.
- Along with legal aid, the victim will also be provided safe transportation to attend court hearings.
- To facilitate access to justice for minor victims, the Center has set up 415 POCSO (Protection of Children from Sexual Offences) fast track courts in the country.
Mission Vatsalya:
- There is an umbrella scheme for women and child protection services in the country.
- Scheme launched: in 2021 by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
- Implementation of the scheme: 1 April 2022
- Objective: To ensure a healthy and happy childhood for the children of the country.
- Through this, a National Human Milk Bank was established in the capital Delhi.
- Through Mission Vatsalya Yojana 2023, women are encouraged to breastfeed.
- A breastfeeding counseling center has also been formed through this scheme.
- Mission Vatsalya is brought for the better health of babies and women.
- Mission Vatsalya was allocated Rs 900 crore in the budget for the financial year 2021-2022.
- Efforts are being made to reduce the infant mortality rate through this scheme.
Historical Perspective:
- Prior to the year 2009, the Ministry of Women and Child Development implemented three schemes for children in need of protection:-
- Juvenile Justice Programme,
- Integrated Program and
- Child Home Support Scheme.
- In the year 2010, these were merged into the 'Integrated Child Protection Scheme'.
- In the year 2017 it was renamed as "Child Protection Service Scheme" and again in the year 2021 it was renamed as Mission Vatsalya.
4. YS Jagan Mohan Reddy launches the 4th edition of 'Jagananna Amma Vodi' scheme
Tags: Government Schemes
YS Jagan Mohan Reddy launched the 'Jagananna Amma Vodi' scheme to promote education and empower mothers.
An Overview of the News
Jagananna Amma Vodi was inaugurated on 9 January 2020 by Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. was launched by Jagan Mohan Reddy.
The financial assistance provided under the 'Jagananna Amma Vodi' scheme is Rs 6,392 crore.
The primary objective of the scheme is to provide financial assistance to around 42 lakh mothers.
The financial assistance provided to mothers is in the form of an annual gift of ₹15,000.
Mothers receive this gift for sending their children to school and thus encouraging education.
About Andhra Pradesh
Historically, Andhra Pradesh is known as the "Rice Bowl of India".
Kuchipudi is the most famous classical dance of the state.
Formation - 1 November 1956.
Capital - Amaravati
Official Language - Telugu
Governor - S Abdul Nazeer
Chief Minister - Jagan Mohan Reddy
Legislative Assembly Seats - 175
Rajya Sabha seats - 11
Lok Sabha seats - 25
5. Telangana Govt begins distributing financial assistance to farmers under Rythu Bandhu Scheme in state
Tags: Government Schemes State News
The Telangana Government has initiated the distribution of financial assistance to farmers for the Kharif season under the Rythu Bandhu Scheme.
An overview of the news
On the first day of distribution, an amount exceeding 640 crore rupees was directly deposited into the bank accounts of more than 22 lakh 55 thousand farmers who own less than one acre of land.
According to official data, the 11th edition of the scheme will provide financial assistance totaling over 7720 crore rupees to around 70 lakh farmers for their Kharif crop.
The Rythu Bandhu Scheme has, so far, contributed a cumulative amount of 72,910 crore rupees to farmers' accounts.
Approximately five lakh new beneficiaries, including 1.5 lakh Podu farmers who own 4 lakh acres of Podu lands, will receive 10 thousand rupees per acre per year under the scheme.
This additional support for Podu farmers will amount to around 300 crore rupees, which will be borne by the government exchequer.
Podu cultivation is a form of shifting cultivation commonly practiced by tribes residing in the forests of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, involving techniques like slash and burn.
What is the Rythu Bandhu scheme?
The Rythu Bandhu scheme is a program implemented by the Telangana government.
The term "Rythu Bandhu" translates to "Friend of Farmer" in English.
The scheme provides financial assistance to land-owning farmers in Telangana.
The support is given at the beginning of the crop season through direct benefit transfer.
The announcement of the Rythu Bandhu scheme was made by the Chief Minister of Telangana in February 2018.
This scheme is the first of its kind in India, as it directly transfers cash to farmers as an investment support.
The objective of the scheme is to alleviate the financial burden on farmers and provide them with necessary funds for agricultural activities.
6. Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar launched PM Kisan mobile app with face authentication feature
Tags: Government Schemes
On 22 June 2023, Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar launched the PM Kisan mobile app with a face authentication feature for e-KYC.
An Overview of the News
The app allows remote farmers to complete the KYC process by scanning their face, without the need for OTP or fingerprint verification.
The scheme is comprehensive and ambitious and the central government in collaboration with the states can provide installments to around 8.5 crore farmers after completing their KYC.
PM Kisan Yojana is one of the largest DBT schemes in the world, which provides direct transfer of six thousand rupees per year to farmers in three installments.
So far, more than 11 crore farmers have received a total transfer of Rs 2.42 lakh crore through PM Kisan Yojana.
PM Kisan Scheme:
Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM KISAN) is an initiative of the Government of India.
The objective of this scheme is to provide minimum income support to the farmers.
Farmers can receive up to ₹6,000 (US$75) per year through this program.
The announcement about PM KISAN was made on 1 February 2019 by Piyush Goyal during the Interim Union Budget 2019 of India.
The primary objective of PM KISAN is to reduce the financial burden faced by the farmers and support their livelihood.
What is e-KYC?
It is the digital verification of the identity of individuals or entities.
It uses the internet or digital platform for identity verification.
Verification of ID and address proof documents is done using special systems.
The information provided is cross-checked with government databases such as the passport database.
E-KYC simplifies the verification process, thereby saving time and cost.
This improves accuracy and reliability, reducing the risk of fraud and money laundering.
7. Karnataka's Anna Bhagya Scheme
Tags: Government Schemes State News
The Karnataka government is currently facing challenges in implementing the Anna Bhagya scheme starting from July 1 due to the unavailability of the required amount of rice.
An overview of the news
The Food Corporation of India (FCI) has halted the sale of rice to state governments, including Karnataka, since June 12.
This discontinuation of rice supply has created difficulties for the implementation of the Anna Bhagya scheme.
However, Punjab has in principle agreed to supply rice to Karnataka in the required quantity.
FCI initially agreed to provide the required 2.28 lakh tonnes of rice, but later refused to do so.
Telangana and Andhra Pradesh expressed their inability to supply, while the Chhattisgarh government offered to supply 1.5 lakh tonnes.
About Anna Bhagya Scheme
The state government intends to increase the allocation of free rice from 5 kg to 10 kg per person on Below Poverty Line (BPL) cards under the Anna Bhagya scheme.
The aim of this increase in free rice allocation is to provide more support and food security to the persons belonging to BPL category.
The implementation of this revised allocation is scheduled to begin from July 1.
The increased allocation of free rice will cost the state government an estimated ₹840 crore per month.
Annually, the scheme is expected to cost Rs 10,092 crore to the state exchequer.
8. Centre discontinues sale of rice, wheat under OMSS Scheme
Tags: Economy/Finance Government Schemes National News
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The central government has discontinued the sale of rice and wheat from the central pool under the Open Market Sale Scheme (OMSS) to state governments.
An overview of the news
This decision will affect some states, including Karnataka, that provide free grains to the poor through their own schemes.
The Food Corporation of India (FCI) has issued an order stating that the sale of wheat and rice under the OMSS for state governments is discontinued.
However, the sale of rice under the OMSS will continue for northeastern states, hilly states, and states facing law and order situations or natural calamities at the existing rate of Rs 3,400 per quintal.
FCI may sell rice under the OMSS to private parties from the central pool stock to moderate market prices.
The central government had previously allowed states to buy rice and wheat from the FCI for their own schemes without participating in e-auctions as part of the OMSS policy for 2023.
Rice prices
Rice prices have been increasing due to the slow progress of the monsoon and have risen by up to 10% in the last year at the mandi level.
The monsoon rains are crucial for rice production as about 80% of the country's total rice production is grown during the kharif season.
Open Market Sale Scheme (OMSS)
Nodal Agency- Food Corporation of India (FCI)
Purpose- To sell foodgrains, especially wheat and rice, at predetermined prices in the open market.
Mode of Selling- Weekly auctions by FCI on the platform of the National Commodity and Derivatives Exchange Limited.
Quantity allowed in a bidding - A bidder can purchase in a single bid range from 10-100 tonne.
OMSS comprises 2 schemes
-Sale of wheat to bulk consumers/private traders through e-auction.
-Sale of Raw Rice Grade ‘A’ to bulk consumers/private traders through e-auction.
About Open Market Sale Scheme (OMSS)
It is a government initiative launched with the aim of reducing the excess stock of food grains.
Nodal Agency- Food Corporation of India (FCI)
Its objective is to sell food grains, especially wheat and rice, in the open market at pre-determined prices.
The sales are carried out through weekly auctions by FCI on the platform of National Commodity and Derivatives Exchange Limited.
Under this a bidder can buy in a single bid range of 10-100 tonnes.
Schemes for sale of wheat to bulk consumers/private traders through e-auction and sale of grade 'A' raw rice to bulk consumers/private traders through e-auction are included under OMSS.
About Food Corporation of India (FCI)
It is a prominent Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution in India.
It was established in 1965 to ensure food security and support the nation's public distribution system.
FCI's primary mandate is to procure, store, and distribute food grains across the country.
It aims to maintain an adequate buffer stock of essential commodities and provide timely and affordable food grains to the vulnerable sections of society.
FCI undertakes the procurement of food grains from farmers at Minimum Support Prices (MSPs) declared by the government.
It procures crops such as wheat, rice, and coarse grains directly from farmers through designated procurement centers.
9. Janaushadhi scheme has helped citizens to save around Rs 20,000 cr
Tags: Government Schemes
According to Ravi Dadhich, CEO of the Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Bureau of India, the Jan Aushadhi scheme has helped citizens save around Rs 20,000 crore on their medicine bills in the last 9 years.
An overview of the news
Over the past nine years, the number of Janaushadhi Kendras has increased significantly, growing by 100 times.
The sales of Janaushadhi Kendras have also experienced a remarkable increase, surpassing 150 times.
The government has set a target to further expand the number of Janaushadhi Kendras to 10,000 by the end of the current year.
Currently, there are over9,400 functional Janaushadhi Kendras across the country, where medications are sold at discounted rates ranging from 50 to 90 percent compared to branded medicines.
The product range of the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana includes 1,800 drugs and 285 surgical equipment options.
About Jan Aushadhi Yojana
The Jan Aushadhi scheme was started by the UPA government in 2008.
The scheme was relaunched in the year 2015 by the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi.
This campaign was started across the country by selling generic medicines through "Jan Aushadhi Medical Stores".
In 2015, the name of 'Jan Aushadhi Yojana' was changed to 'Pradhan Mantri Jan Aushadhi Yojana' (PMJAY), but in November 2016 it was changed to "Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Jan Aushadhi Yojana".
The Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Jan Aushadhi Yojana (PMBJP) scheme was launched by the Department of Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, Government of India, with the objective of making quality generic medicines available to all at affordable prices.
10. Government of Madhya Pradesh launched Mukhyamantri Ladli Bahna Yojana
Tags: Government Schemes State News
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan launched the 'Mukhya Mantri Ladli Bahna Yojana'.
An Overview of the News
The Ladli Bahna Yojana 2023 was officially inaugurated by CM Chouhan, who took the initiative to deposit the first instalment of Rs 1,000 in the accounts of eligible women beneficiaries.
This scheme was launched in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh with the primary objective of empowering women and providing financial assistance to them.
The chief minister outlined plans to increase the monthly support to Rs 1,200, Rs 1,500, Rs 1,700 and eventually Rs 2,000, thereby increasing the financial assistance provided to beneficiaries.
About Ladli Behna Scheme
It was started on March 15 by Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan.
This scheme provides financial assistance to women in Madhya Pradesh.
Under the scheme, an amount of Rs 12,000 per year ie Rs 1,000 per month is sent directly to the bank accounts of eligible women.
The state government has allocated a budget of Rs 60,000 crore for the implementation of the scheme.
The scheme is open to women belonging to various categories including general, OBC, SC, ST, abandoned, or widowed women.
Eligible women will have to fulfill certain criteria including being economically weak and owning less than five acres of land.
The scheme targets women with an annual income of less than Rs 2.5 lakh.
The age of the woman should be between 23 to 60 years to be eligible for the scheme.
About Madhya Pradesh
It is the second largest state of India by area after Rajasthan.
Forests occupy 25.14 percent of its area.
Governor - Mangubhai Patel
Chief Minister - Shivraj Singh Chouhan
Capital - Bhopal
