1. Govt launches 'Sangathan se Samriddhi' scheme to bring marginalised rural women into SHGs network
Tags: Government Schemes National News
Rural Development Minister Giriraj Singh launched the 'Organization to Prosperity' campaign on 18 April.
An overview of the news
It will empower marginal rural households by bringing all eligible rural women into Self Help Groups (SHGs).
The government is targeting to bring the existing 9 crore to 10 crore women under the ambit of SHGs.
The number of members, which was only 2.35 crore in May 2014, has now crossed nine crore.
The government has set a target that every woman associated with self-help groups should be able to earn one lakh rupees annually.
What are SHGs?
Self-help groups (SHGs) are informal associations of people who choose to come together to find ways to improve their living conditions.
It can be defined as a self-governing, peer-controlled information group of people having a similar socio-economic background and desiring to collectively serve a common purpose.
SHGs rely on the concept of "self-help" to encourage self-employment and poverty alleviation.
Its objective is to build the functional capacity of the poor and the marginalized in the field of employment and income generating activities.
2. Minister Purushottam Rupala launches Animal Pandemic Preparedness Initiative (APPI)
Tags: Government Schemes National News
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On 14 April, the Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Purushottam Rupala launched the Animal pandemic Preparedness Initiative to holistically address animal pandemics.
An Overview of the News
The initiative aims to enhance the country's preparedness and response to animal pandemics with a focus on zoonotic diseases that pose a threat to both animal and human health.
The initiative will help in improving veterinary services and infrastructure, disease surveillance capabilities and awareness among farmers through community outreach.
World Bank funded Animal Health Systems Support for One Health has also been launched, which aims to create an ecosystem for an improved animal health management system, covering five states.
India is home to a diverse animal species and the livestock sector plays an important role in the country's economy and food security.
The Animal Pandemic Preparedness Initiative is a proactive step to protect animal resources and ensure the safety and health of people.
About Zoonotic Diseases
Definition: Zoonotic diseases are infections that can be transmitted from animals to humans through various means such as direct contact, consumption of contaminated food or water, inhalation of droplets, or bites from infected animals.
Examples: include rabies, anthrax, Ebola virus, salmonella, Lyme disease, and avian influenza.
Causes: Can be caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi or parasites that are found in the environment or spread by animals.
Symptoms: May include fever, fatigue, headache, muscle aches, diarrhoea, and respiratory symptoms.
3. Government organises National Apprenticeship Mela in Udhampur under Skill India Mission
Tags: Government Schemes
Prime Minister's National Apprenticeship Mela (PMNAM) was organised under the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 10th April at ITI College, Udhampur.
An Overviews of the News
- It was organised by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) under the Skill India Mission to promote career opportunities for the youth of India.
- The main objective of PMNAM was to provide relevant apprenticeship training to the local youth of Udhampur and surrounding areas, thus providing them better career opportunities.
- Several local business organisations participated in the Apprenticeship Mela to provide employment to youth in the region, thus boosting local employment and economic growth.
- The apprenticeship training provided by these organisations is aimed at equipping youth with the necessary skills and knowledge to excel in their chosen fields.
- PMNAM also served as a platform for the youth to interact with industry experts and gain a better understanding of the current trends and demands of the job market.
- Through this initiative, the government aims to bridge the gap between the demand and supply of skilled workforce in the country and provide better career prospects for the youth of India.
About Udhampur
- It is a city in the Indian Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir and was founded in the 8th century.
- It houses Krimchi Temple, Chenani-Nashri Tunnel, Ramnagar Wildlife Sanctuary and Patnitop Hill Station.
- Its economy is mainly based on agriculture, horticulture and small scale industries.
- The annual Latti Mela is a famous event that is celebrated on it.
Founder - Raja Udham Singh
4. Over Rs 23.2 lakh crore loans sanctioned in eight years under Mudra Yojana
Tags: Government Schemes National News
Since the launch of the Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY) eight years ago, more than 40.82 crore loans worth Rs 23.2 lakh crore have been sanctioned so far.
An overview of the news
According to Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, since the launch of the scheme on April 8, 2015, till March 24, 2023, about Rs 23.2 lakh crore has been sanctioned in 40.82 crore loan accounts.
About 68 per cent accounts under the scheme are for women entrepreneurs and 51 per cent accounts are for SC, ST and OBC categories of entrepreneurs.
This shows that easy availability of credit to budding entrepreneurs of the country has encouraged innovation and sustained growth in per capita income.
He said that Mudra Yojana has helped in generating massive employment opportunities at the grassroots level and proved to be a game changer along with boosting the Indian economy.
Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana
It was launched on 8 April 2015.
Under the scheme, the people of the country are given loans up to a maximum of 10 lakhs to start their own small business.
Any person who wants to further his business can take a loan under this scheme.
Mudra card is issued to the people for taking loans under this scheme.
Loans are provided through banks, non-banking financial companies (NBFCs), micro financial institutions (MFIs) and other financial intermediaries.
More than 64 per cent of the loan accounts opened under the scheme are of women.
Three types of loans under Mudra Yojana
Shishu- Loan up to Rs.50,000.
Kishor - Loan above Rs.50,000 and less than Rs.5 lakh.
Tarun – Rs. 5 lakhs and above Rs. Loan up to 10 lakhs.
5. Govt sanctions loans of more than 40,600 crore to over 1.8 lakh women entrepreneurs
Tags: National Government Schemes National News
The Government has sanctioned loans of more than 40,600 crore rupees to over 1.8 lakh women entrepreneurs under the Stand Up India Scheme.
An overview of the news
Speaking on the 7th anniversary of the Stand-up India scheme, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said that over 1.8 lakh women and SC/ST entrepreneurs received loans under the scheme.
The scheme has created an eco-system which provides a supportive environment for setting up green field enterprises by availing loans from bank branches of all scheduled commercial banks.
About Stand Up India Scheme
It was launched on April 5, 2016, to promote entrepreneurship among women, Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) categories.
It has been launched to help them start a greenfield venture in manufacturing, services or business sector and agriculture allied activities.
The objective is to encourage all bank branches to extend loans to SC, ST and women for setting up their own greenfield enterprises.
- The Stand-up India scheme is based on the third pillar of the National Mission for Financial Inclusion namely "Funding the Unfunded".
More than 80 per cent of the loans given under the scheme have been given to women.
Eligibility for the scheme
SC/ST women entrepreneurs above 18 years of age.
Loans under the scheme are available only for greenfield projects.
Borrower should not be in default to any bank or financial institution.
6. Launch of 'Captive Employment' initiative under Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Kaushalya Yojana
Tags: Government Schemes National News
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Union Minister for Rural Development Giriraj Singh initiates ‘Captive Employment’ initiative under Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY) on 28 March.
An overview of the news
19 captive employers have been included in the unique initiative.
19 captive employers signed MoU with the Ministry of Rural Development to train and place over 31,000 rural youth in subsidiary companies under the DDU-GKY scheme.
Captive employers will train rural poor youth and provide employment to the trained youth in their company or subsidiary.
10 candidates being trained under the DDU-GKY program and undergoing on-the-job training were handed over the appointment letters during the event.
Two candidates were awarded with appreciation letters for their performance during their current tenure of employment.
About Captive Employment
It aims to create a dynamic and demand-driven skilling ecosystem that caters to the needs of industry partners ensuring sustainable placements for rural poor youth.
The initiative is an initiative for the DDU-GKY scheme, which assures placement after training the candidates for at least six months with a minimum CTC of Rs 10,000.
Captive Employer
A captive employer is any employer or industry which offers employment to candidates in its own company or its subsidiaries and provides suitable in-house training facilities.
Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Kaushalya Yojana
DDU-GKY is a placement linked skilling program of the Ministry of Rural Development under the aegis of National Rural Livelihoods Mission (NRLM).
It was launched on 25 September 2014.
It is funded by the Ministry of Rural Development (MoRG), Government of India.
The scheme is currently being implemented in 27 States and 4 Union Territories with emphasis on placement for rural poor youth.
Under this, demand based skill training is provided to rural poor youth in the age group of 15 to 35 years.
The upper age limit for female candidates is 45 years.
It is mandatory that one-third of the total candidates to be trained under this scheme should be women.
The emphasis is on career progression rather than just training.
7. Government identified 1275 railway stations under Amrit Bharat Station Scheme
Tags: Government Schemes National News
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The government has identified 1275 railway stations under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme for the development of railway stations in India.
An overview of the news
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnav gave this information in a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha on March 29.
The scheme envisages development of stations on a sustained basis with a long term approach.
Amrit Bharat Station Scheme
Amrit Bharat Station Scheme was introduced by the Ministry of Railways in December 2022
The objective of the scheme is to prepare a master plan for railway stations and implement the master plan in a phased manner to enhance facilities.
Facilities Planned under this Scheme
Provision for creation of Roof Plaza in future
Free Wi-Fi, 5G Mobile Tower
Widening of roads, removal of unwanted structures, properly designed signage, dedicated walkways, well planned parking areas, access to better lighting etc.
High level platforms at all stations with a length of 600 meters
Special facilities for the disabled.
8. New India Literacy Program
Tags: Government Schemes National News
The government has recently launched a new centrally sponsored scheme named 'New India Literacy Programme' with a financial outlay of over Rs 1000 crore for implementation during the financial years 2022-23 to 2026-27.
An overview of the news
The scheme aims to cover five crore illiterates in the age group of 15 years and above.
Beneficiaries under this scheme are identified through door to door survey on mobile app by the surveyors in the States and Union Territories.
Illiterate can also avail the benefits of the scheme through direct registration from any place through mobile app.
About New India Literacy Program
The program has been launched for the period FY 2022-2027 to align with the National Education Policy 2020 and cover all aspects of adult education.
The scheme has been approved with a financial outlay of Rs 1037.90 crore, which includes central share of Rs 700.00 crore and state share of Rs 337.90 crore.
The center and state share for all states is in the ratio of 60:40 while for North Eastern Region (NER) and Himalayan states the share between center and state is in the ratio of 90:10.
The scheme will cover non-literates in the age group of 15 years and above in all the States/UTs of the country.
It aims to cover 1 crore learners per year (total target of 5 crore) using "Online Teaching, Learning and Assessment System (OTLAS)" in collaboration with National Informatics Centre, NCERT and NIOS.
Five components of the scheme
Foundational Literacy and Numeracy
Critical Life Skills
Vocational Skills Development
Basic Education
Continuing Education
Objectives of the Scheme
To impart basic literacy and numeracy.
Promoting important life skills such as financial literacy, digital literacy, commercial skills, health care and awareness, child care and education and family welfare.
9. Conservation Plan for Great Indian Bustards
Tags: Government Schemes National News
The ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change is taking various measures for conservation and protection of Great Indian Bustard in the country, including in Rajasthan.
Important steps taken by the Ministry
The Great Indian Bustard is listed in Schedule-I of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972. Highest degree of legal protection from hunting.
Important habitats of Great Indian Bustards have been designated as National Parks/Sanctuaries for their better protection.
This species has been identified for conservation efforts under the centrally sponsored scheme 'Species Recovery Programme'.
Breeding conservation of the Great Indian Bustard has been done in collaboration with the Rajasthan, Gujarat and Maharashtra Forest Departments.
Sites have been identified for setting up conservation breeding centers for Great Indian Bustard and Lesser Florican birds in consultation with the Wildlife Institute of India and international experts.
A satellite conservation breeding facility has been established at SAM, Jaisalmer, Rajasthan.
About Great Indian Bustard
It is considered India's most critically endangered bird species and is especially found in Rajasthan and Gujarat.
It is one of the heaviest flying birds endemic to the Indian subcontinent.
It is the state bird of Rajasthan.
These birds are on the verge of extinction, with barely 50 to 249 surviving, according to a 2021 report by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
It is a large bird with brown-and-white feathers with black crown and wing markings. It is one of the heaviest birds in the world.
Its habitat is Arid grasslands.
IUCN Status - Critically Endangered.
Listed in Wildlife Protection Act’s Schedule 1.
The cause of the decline in numbers is Hunting, Intensification of agriculture, Power lines.
10. Government of India launched National Rabies Control Program (NRCP) for prevention and control of Rabies
Tags: Government Schemes National News
The Central Government has launched the National Rabies Control Programme (NRCP) for prevention and control of Rabies recently.
National Rabies Control Program Strategy
Provision of Rabies Vaccine and Rabies Immune Globulin through National Free Drug Initiative.
Training on proper management of animal bites, prevention and control of rabies, surveillance and inter-sectoral coordination.
Strengthening monitoring of reporting of animal bites and rabies deaths.
Awareness about prevention of rabies.
What is Rabies?
Rabies is a viral disease. This virus is present in the saliva of animals suffering from rabies such as dogs, cats, monkeys etc.
It is caused by the rabies virus of the Lyssavirus genus of the Rhabdoviridae family. It is an RNA virus.
According to statistics, about 99 percent of cases in humans are caused by dog bites.
Rabies is 100% fatal and 100% preventable through vaccines.
India accounts for33% of global rabies deaths.
The time period between bites of an animal infected with rabies and the appearance of symptoms of rabies can range from four days to two years, or sometimes more.
World Rabies Day
The day is observed every year on 28 September to raise awareness about the effects of rabies virus disease and ways to prevent it.
The day is celebrated to mark the anniversary of Louis Pasteur's death.
Louis Pasteur developed the first rabies vaccine and laid the foundation for the prevention of rabies.
The theme of this day for the year 2022 is 'Rabies: One Health, Zero Deaths'.
