Current Affairs search results for tag: government-schemes
By admin: May 17, 2023

1. Jal Jeevan Mission Achieves Milestone Of 12 Crore Tap Water Connections

Tags: National Government Schemes National News

Jal Jeevan MissionThe Jal Jeevan Mission, a flagship program launched by the Government of India, has achieved a significant milestone by providing 12 crore tap water connections across the country. 

An overview of the news

  • This achievement marks a major step towards ensuring access to clean drinking water for every household.

  • At the time of announcement of launch of JJM only 3.23 Crore (16.64%) households in villages had access to piped water connection.

  • Himachal Pradesh at 98.35%, followed by Bihar at 96.05%, are also set to achieve saturation in the near future.

  • Goa, Haryana, Punjab, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Puducherry, D&NH and D&D are 'Har Ghar Jal' certified States/UTs.

100% tap water coverage

  • Till date, 5 states (Goa, Telangana, Haryana, Gujarat and Punjab) and 3 union territories (Puducherry, Daman and Diu and Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Andaman and Nicobar Islands) have reported 100% coverage.

  • Three aspirational districts from Telangana (Komaram Bheem Asifabad, Jaishankar Bhupalpally and Bhadrabari Kothagudem), two districts from Gujarat (Dahod and Narmada) and Punjab (Moga and Ferozepur) and one district each from Haryana (Mewat) and Himachal Pradesh (Chamba) 100% tap water coverage has been achieved.

About Jal Jeevan Mission 

  • It is a flagship programme of the Government of India which was announced from the ramparts of Red Fort by the Prime Minister on August 15, 2019. 

  • The objective of the mission is to supply potable tap water in adequate quantity, prescribed quality and on a regular and long-term basis to every rural household of the country by 2024.

  • It is implemented by the Government of India in partnership with the States/Union Territories.

  • This mission comes under the Ministry of Jal Shakti.

  • Funding Pattern :

  • The fund sharing pattern between the Center and the states under the mission is 90:10 for Himalayan and North-Eastern states and 50:50 for other states.

  • In the case of Union Territories, 100% contribution is made by the Centre.

By admin: May 10, 2023

2. Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana completes 8 years

Tags: Government Schemes National News

Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana completes 8 years

Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana and Atal Pension Yojana completed eight years on 9th May.

An overview of the news

  • These schemes are playing a vital role in providing social security and affordable insurance to the people.

  • These three schemes were started by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on this day on May 9, 2015 from Kolkata in West Bengal.

  • The government had launched two insurance schemes Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana and Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana to make the people belonging from unorganised sections financially secure.

  • The government also introduced Atal Pension Yojana to cover the exigencies in the old age.

Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana

  • This plan is a one-year life insurance plan that is renewable from year to year to offer coverage for death due to any reason.

  • The plan provides life cover of Rs 2 lakh in case of death due to any reason for a premium of Rs 436 per annum.

Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana 

  • This is a one-year accidental insurance scheme renewable from year to year offering coverage for death or disability due to an accident. 

  • The scheme provides accidental death cum disability cover of two lakh rupees against a premium of 20 rupees per annum.

Atal Pension Yojana

  • Under this scheme subscribers would receive the guaranteed minimum monthly pension ranging from one thousand to five thousand after the age of 60 years, based on the contributions made by the subscriber.

By admin: May 9, 2023

3. Dr Bharati Pravin Pawar launches Phase-III of Thalassemia Bal Sewa Yojana

Tags: Government Schemes National News

Dr Bharati Pravin Pawar launches Phase-III of Thalassemia Bal Sewa Yojana

Dr Bharati Pravin Pawar, Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare on 8th May launched the third phase of Thalassemia Bal Sewa Yojana (TBSY) of the Health Ministry.

An overview of the news

  • She also launched the Thalassemia Bal Sewa Yojana Portal.

  • Dr Pawar also released the Standard Treatment Workflow for Sickle Cell Disease on the occasion. This has been developed by ICMR. 

  • The Union Minister further highlighted the need to take advantage of various initiatives of the Union Government for treatment of diseases like sickle cell anemia such as the e-Raktkosh portal for blood transfusion requirements.

Phase-III of Thalassemia Bal Sewa Yojana

  • The third phase of the program will continue to provide financial assistance towards the package cost of 10 lakh per HSCT, which will be directly transferred from CIL to the institutions performing HSCT.

  • The program will benefit underprivileged thalassemia patients and people with aplastic anaemia.

  • 10 reputed hospitals across India have been empaneled under the programme.

About Thalassemia

  • Thalassemia is an inherited blood disorder that causes the human body to have less haemoglobin than normal. 

  • World Thalassemia Day is observed every year on 8 May to spread awareness about this condition.

  • Iron deficiency is the most common and can cause extreme tiredness, shortness of breath, weakness and cold hands and feet.

  • Iron is a mineral that our body needs for growth, development and making haemoglobin.

  • Haemoglobin is a protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen from the lungs to all parts of the body.

  • Iron is a cofactor for neurotransmitters and is important for the synthesis and metabolism of hormones.

By admin: May 7, 2023

4. Border Roads Organisation Project Dantak 64th Raising Day

Tags: National Government Schemes National News

Border Roads Organisation Project Dantak 64th Raising Day

The Prime Minister has praised the initiative by Border Roads Organisation Project Dantak to commemorate 64th Raising Day. 

About Project Dantak

  • Project Dantak is one of the oldest projects of the Border Roads Organization (BRO).

  • It was established on 24th April1961.

  • It was a result of the visionary leadership of the King of Bhutan and Jawahar Lal Nehru, then Prime Minister of India.

  • It was established under the provision of the Indo-Bhutan Treaty of Peace and Friendship, 1949.

  • The project is playing a major role in identifying the most important aspects of connectivity and promoting the socio-economic growth and development of Bhutan.

  • It is tasked with the construction and maintenance of roads suitable for motorized transport in Bhutan.

About Border Roads Organisation (BRO)

  • BRO, a pioneer in the field of infrastructural development in the border areas of the country.

  • BRO is a major road construction agency under the Ministry of Defence with the primary objective of providing road connectivity to the border areas.

  • BRO was formed on 7th May 1960.

  • It develops and maintains the road network in India's border areas and friendly neighbouring countries.

  • This includes operating infrastructure in 19 states and three union territories (including the Andaman and Nicobar Islands) and neighbouring countries such as Afghanistan, Bhutan, Myanmar, Tajikistan and Sri Lanka.

  • One of the biggest infrastructural achievements of BRO - longest highway tunnel built in Himachal Pradesh, and its name is Atal Tunnel.

  • Atal tunnel under Rohtang Pass is an 8.8-kilometer-long tunnel.

  • This will reduce the distance between Manali and Leh by 46 kms and will save on transportation costs.

  • Director General of BRO - Lieutenant General Rajeev Chaudhry

By admin: May 5, 2023

5. Uttar Pradesh government plans to develop a theme park on the lines of Disneyland

Tags: Government Schemes State News

Uttar Pradesh government plans to develop a theme park on the lines of Disneyland

The Uttar Pradesh government plans to develop a theme park named 'Ramland' in Ayodhya on the lines of Disneyland to showcase the story of Lord Ram and attract tourists.

An Overview of the News

  • The park aims to provide visitors a unique learning experience with entertainment, catering to both children and adults.

  • The development of Ayodhya as a global tourism hotspot is part of the 'Ayodhya Vision 2047' initiative, which includes around 260 projects covering various sectors such as tourism, infrastructure, housing, medicine, energy, culture, urban development and transport.

  • Around Rs 30,000 crore is expected to be spent on the rejuvenation of Ayodhya, and this expenditure will be borne by the Center and the UP government.

  • Some of the projects under the initiative include Smart City Mission, modernization of bus terminals, widening of roads, cleaning of overhead power supply cables, beautification of ghats and setting up of cultural centres.

About Uttar Pradesh

Uttar Pradesh is a state located in the northern part of India.

It is the most populous state in India as well as the most populous subdivision in the world.

The state was officially established in 1950.

Chief Minister - Yogi Adityanath

Capital - Lucknow (Executive Branch)

Governor - Anandiben Patel

Rajya Sabha - 31 seats

Lok Sabha - 80 seats

By admin: May 3, 2023

6. Government launches Vivad se Vishwas scheme

Tags: Economy/Finance Government Schemes National News

Government launches Vivad se Vishwas scheme

The Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance, has launched the scheme, “Vivad se Vishwas I – Relief to MSMEs” for providing relief to Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) for COVID-19 period.

An overview of the news

  • The scheme was announced in the Union Budget 2023-24 by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.

  • The relief provided under this scheme is in continuation to the efforts of the government in promoting and sustaining the MSME sector.

  • Under the scheme, ministries have been asked to refund performance security, bid security and liquidated damages forfeited/ deducted during the Covid pandemic.

Additional benefits to eligible MSMEs, affected during the COVID-19 period

  • 95% of the performance security forfeited shall be refunded.

  • 95% of the Bid security shall be refunded.

  • 95% of the Liquidated Damages (LD) deducted shall be refunded.

  • 95% of the Risk Purchase amount realized shall be refunded.

Eligibility Criterion

  • Registered as a Medium, Small or Micro Enterprise as per relevant scheme of Ministry of MSME on the date of claim by supplier/ contractor.

  • MSME could be registered for any category of Goods and Services.

By admin: April 28, 2023

7. Total enrolment under Atal Pension Yojana crossed 5.20 crore mark

Tags: Government Schemes National News

Atal Pension Yojana (APY)The Finance Ministry has said that the total enrollment under the Atal Pension Yojana (APY) has crossed the figure of five crore 20 lakh till March 31 this year.

An overview of the news

  • The scheme envisages enrollment of more than one crore 19 lakh new subscribers in the financial year 2022-23 as compared to 99 lakh in the previous financial year, showing a growth of over 20 per cent.

  • According to the ministry, the total assets under management in APY is more than Rs 27 thousand 200 crore and the scheme has earned an investment return of 8.69 per cent since the inception of the scheme.

  • In the public sector banks (PSBs) category, nine banks achieved the annual target, while Bank of India, State Bank of India and Indian Bank opened more than a hundred APY accounts per branch, according to ministry data.

  • Under the category of Regional Rural Banks (RRBs), 32 banks achieved the annual target, while Jharkhand State Gramin Bank, Vidarbha Konkan Gramin Bank, Tripura Gramin Bank and Baroda Uttar Pradesh Gramin Bank opened more than 160 APY accounts per branch.

About Atal Pension Yojana

  • Atal Pension Yojana is a guaranteed pension scheme of the Government of India administered by the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA).

  • The scheme allows any citizen of India between the age group of 18-40 years to join through bank or post office branches where the person has a savings bank account.

  • Under this scheme, a subscriber will receive a minimum guaranteed pension of Rs 1000 to Rs 5000 per month from the age of 60 years, depending on his contribution.

  • On the death of the subscriber, the pension is guaranteed to the spouse for life.

  • In the event of death of both the subscriber and his/her spouse, the full pension amount is paid to the nominee.

By admin: April 26, 2023

8. 20th anniversary of SWAGAT initiative

Tags: Government Schemes State News

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will attend the 20th anniversary of the State Wide Attention on Grievances by Application of Technology (SWAGAT) initiative in Gujarat on 27th of April via video conferencing. 

An overview of the news

  • The Gujarat government is celebrating SWAGAT week to mark the successful completion of 20 years of this initiative.

ABOUT SWAGAT Initiative

  • It was started by the Prime Minister in April 2003, when he was the Chief Minister of Gujarat.

  • The launch of the program was inspired by his belief that the biggest responsibility of a Chief Minister is to solve the problems of the people of his state.

  • With this resolve, along with harnessing the potential of technology to make life easier, the then CM Modi launched a first of its kind technology-based grievance redressal programme.

  • The uniqueness of SWAGAT is that it helps the common man to convey his grievances directly to the Chief Minister.

  • It is held on the fourth Thursday of every month in which the Chief Minister interacts with the citizens for grievance redressal.

  • It has been helpful in bridging the gap between the people and the government through speedy resolution of grievances.

  • Proceedings of all applications are available online. More than 99% complaints registered so far have been resolved.

Purpose of the SWAGAT Initiative 

  • The main purpose of this programme was to act as a bridge between the citizens and the government using technology by solving their day-to-day grievances in a quick, efficient and time-bound manner.

  • Over time, SWAGAT brought about atransformative impact in the lives of people and became an effective tool to solve woes in a paperless, transparent and hassle-free manner.

Components of SWAGAT Initiative

  • The State SWAGAT 

  • District SWAGAT

  • Taluka SWAGAT  

  • Gram SWAGAT 

By admin: April 25, 2023

9. Vibrant Villages Programme to be Integrated with PM Gati Shakti

Tags: Government Schemes National News

Vibrant Villages Programme to be Integrated with PM Gati Shakti

The Centre’s ambitious Vibrant Villages Programme (VVP), which aims to develop infrastructure and open up villages along the China border to tourists, will be integrated with the Prime Minister’s Gati Shakti mega project.

An overview of the news

  • The Vibrant Villages Program (VVP) aims to develop infrastructure and promote tourism in villages bordering China.

  • The program will be integrated with the Pradhan Mantri Gati Shakti mega project, which brings together 16 ministries for coordinated infrastructure planning.

  • The Bhaskaracharya National Institute for Space Applications and Geoinformatics (BISAG-N) will provide satellite images and GIS mapping of the projects for real-time monitoring.

  • The objective of VVP is to prevent migration of border population and to gather intelligence from the people of border villages.

  • The program will cover 2,967 villages in 46 border blocks of 19 districts in four states and one union territory.

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.

About PM Gati Shakti initiative

  • It is a transformative approach to economic growth and sustainable development.

  • It was launched on 13 October 2021 to provide multimodal connectivity infrastructure to various economic zones.

  • Its targets are to cut logistic costs, increase cargo handling capacity and reduce the turnaround time.

  • Economic zones like Textile Clusters, Pharmaceutical Clusters, Defence Corridor, Electronic Park, Industrial Corridor, Fishing Clusters, Agri Zone will be covered under this program to improve connectivity.

  • PM GatiShakti National Master Plan was implemented on 21st October 2021.

The approach of PM Gati Shakti is driven by 7 engines-

  • Railways

  • Roads

  • Ports

  • Waterways

  • Airports

  • Mass Transport

  • Logistics Infrastructure

Significance

  • It will give a boost to the overall infrastructure of the country.

  • It will strive to build next generation infrastructure that improves ease of living as well as ease of doing business.

  • It will provide integrated and seamless connectivity for movement of people, goods and services as a mode of transport.

  • It will create many employment opportunities and boost the economy.

  • It will improve the global competitiveness of local products by cutting logistics costs and improving the supply chain.

By admin: April 22, 2023

10. Ministry of Civil Aviation Launches UDAN 5.0

Tags: Government Schemes

Ministry of Civil Aviation Launches UDAN 5.0

The Ministry of Civil Aviation has launched the 5th phase of Regional Air Connectivity Scheme (RCS) Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik (UDAN) to further enhance connectivity in remote and regional areas of the country and achieve last mile air connectivity.

Key Features of Udaan 5.0

  • This phase of UDAN focuses on Tier-II (20-80 seats) and Tier-III (80 seats).

  • The 600 km limit of the first phase has been done away with and there is no restriction for the distance between the origin and destination of the flight.

  • The Viability Gap Funding (VGF) to be provided will be capped at a distance of 600 km for priority and non-priority areas, which was 500 km.

  • No predetermined route will be offered. Only the network proposed by the airlines and the individual route proposal will be considered.

  • A route shall not be assigned to an airline more than once, whether on different networks or within the same network.

  • Airlines will have to start operations within 4 months of being granted the route. Earlier this time limit was 6 months.

About UDAN scheme

  • Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik (UDAN) was launched in 2016 as a Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS) under the Ministry of Civil Aviation.

  • Its objective is to provide affordable, economically viable and profitable air travel on regional routes to the common man even in small towns.