1. 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.
2. 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
3. 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.
4. 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
5. ICAR-CIBA launches Shrimp Crop Insurance Scheme with Chief Guest Parshottam Rupala
Tags: Government Schemes
ICAR-Central Institute of Brackishwater Aquaculture (ICAR-CIBA) organized the 2nd edition of Shrimp Farmers Conclave-2023 at Navsari Agricultural University campus in Navsari, Gujarat.
An Overview of the News
Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana: This initiative has a budget of Rs 20,050 crore and aims to promote sustainable development in the fisheries and aquaculture sector.
EHP-Cura-I: Parshottam Rupala, Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Government of India, appreciated CIBA scientists for developing EHP-Cura-I, a therapeutic solution to control EHP disease in shrimp. He urged to ensure its early availability to the farmers.
Shrimp Crop Insurance Scheme: Union Minister Rupala officially launched the Shrimp Crop Insurance Scheme, which has been developed through collaboration between the Agricultural Insurance Company of India (AIC) and ICAR-CIBA. This scheme provides insurance coverage for shrimp farming, thereby increasing the security of shrimp farmers.
Support for SC and ST communities:
The Minister had the honor of providing a total income of Rs 40.05 lakh to the beneficiaries of SC (Scheduled Caste) and ST (Scheduled Tribe) communities in Navsari area.
This income was earned through the adoption of CIBA technologies supported by NGRC-CIBA scientists for livelihood development.
This reflects the Institute's commitment to inclusive and sustainable growth in the aquaculture sector.
6. Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik launched 'Mukhyamantri Sampoorna Pushti Yojana' in the state
Tags: Government Schemes State News
Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik unveiled the 'Mukhyamantri Sampoorna Pushti Yojana' to promote nutrition.
An Overview of the News
The primary objective of the program is to meet the nutritional needs of mothers, adolescent girls, and children in Odisha.
Specific provisions of the scheme include supplementary nutrition for adolescent girls aged 15 to 19 years, additional dry food for pregnant women, and complete meals for severely malnourished children. Moderately malnourished children will get vitamin-rich Chhatua (roasted gram flour) and eggs.
Odisha is the first state in India to make a dedicated nutrition budget for the financial year 2020-21.
'Pada Pushti Yojana':-
Apart from the 'Chief Minister Sampoorna Pushti Yojana', Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik also launched the 'Pada Pushti Yojana' especially targeting children.
The initiative aims to provide high-quality cooked food to children, especially those living in remote and tribal areas of Odisha.
The Government of Odisha has launched various programs including 'Mamta Yojana' to ensure the health and well-being of pregnant women and newborn babies in the state.
About Odisha
Formation - 1 April 1936
Capital - Bhubaneswar
Governor - Ganeshi Lal
Chief Minister - Naveen Patnaik
Rajya Sabha - 10 seats
Lok Sabha - 21 seats
7. PM Modi to launch PM Vishwakarma Scheme on Vishwakarma Jayanti in New Delhi
Tags: Government Schemes
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will launch the "PM Vishwakarma" scheme at the India International Convention and Expo Center in Dwarka, New Delhi on September 17, 2023.
An Overview of the News
“PM Vishwakarma” scheme aims to support traditional artisans and craftsmen.
The Central Government will fully fund it with an allocation of Rs 13,000 crore.
Artisans (Vishwakarma) can register free of cost through Common Service Centres.
They will be given identity through PM Vishwakarma certificate and ID card.
The scheme also includes a toolkit incentive of ₹15,000 along with offering skill upgradation, and primary and advanced training.
Artisans will get access to collateral-free credit assistance with concessional interest rates.
Incentives will be provided for digital transactions and marketing assistance.
Eighteen traditional crafts like carpentry, blacksmithing, goldsmithing, pottery, and tailoring will be covered.
Vishwakarma Jayanti:
It is a Hindu festival dedicated to the divine architect, Vishwakarma.
The celebration includes not only engineers and architects but also artisans, craftsmen, mechanics, blacksmiths, welders,andindustrial workers.
Prayers are also offered for the smooth operation of machines and equipment.
Vishwakarma Jayanti falls on 'Kanya Sankranti' of the Hindu calendar, usually between 16 and 18 September in the Gregorian calendar.
The festival is also celebrated in Nepal, and Haldia in West Bengal is known for its Vishwakarma Puja celebrations.
8. Social welfare scheme “Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Thogai Thittam” to be launched by Tamil Nadu Government
Tags: Government Schemes State News
Tamil Nadu government will provide monthly assistance of Rs 1,000 to more than 1 crore female family heads through Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Thogai Thittam.
An Overview of the News
Chief Minister MK Stalin officially announced the scheme, with the launch date set for September 15.
The scheme aims to provide Rs 1,000 per month to 1.06 crore eligible women who are heads of families.
Beneficiaries will receive financial assistance through direct bank transfers and will be provided with ATM cards for easy access.
The government emphasizes on effective implementation and will use SMS notifications to communicate with beneficiaries.
Out of 1.63 crore applications received, 1.06 crore have been accepted, highlighting the substantial impact of the scheme.
About Tamil Nadu
The state was formed on 26 January 1950 but its boundaries were redrawn on 14 January 1969.
It is located at the mouth of the Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal, and Indian Ocean.
Governor - Ravindra Narayan Ravi
Chief Minister - M.K.Stalin
Assembly seats - 235 seats
Rajya Sabha seats - 18
Lok Sabha seats - 39
9. Launch of Mukhya Mantri SABAL Yojana in Himachal Pradesh
Tags: Government Schemes
On September 4, 2023, Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu inaugurated the Mukhya Mantri Sporting Abilities, Rebuilding Aspirations and Livelihood Scheme (SABAL) at Nadaun in the Hamirpur district of Himachal Pradesh.
An Overview of the News
The goal of SABAL Yojana is to improve the lives of differently-abled children by connecting them to the mainstream of society.
Around 400 schools in Hamirpur, Solan, and Shimla districts will get government aid, which will include necessary facilities and opportunities for specially-abled children.
A 2% reservation quota has been allotted in government jobs for specially-abled persons.
The education stipend for disabled children will be increased to Rs.1000.
The Himachal Pradesh government aims to empower over 7,000 specially-abled children through the SABAL scheme.
Launch of 'Abhyas Himachal' and 'Teacher Sahayata' chatbots
In the same program, Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu also launched 'Abhyas Himachal' and 'Teacher Sahayata' chatbots on the Swift Chat App.
These chatbots use conversational Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support convenient text revision for students.
They offer quizzes and educational videos to enhance the learning and teaching experience in the classrooms.
About Himachal Pradesh
Formation - 1 November 1956
Capital - Shimla and Dharamshala (Winter)
District - 12
Governor- Shiv Pratap Shukla
Chief Minister - Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu
Rajya Sabha- 3 seats
Lok Sabha- 4 seats
10. Government of India launches Literacy Week to promote gaiety: New India Literacy Program
Tags: Government Schemes
The Ministry of Education in India is celebrating Literacy Week from September 1 to 8, 2023, to promote awareness about the ULAS-New India literacy program.
An Overview of the News
The Literacy Week aims to encourage mass participation and inculcate a sense of responsibility among all citizens in achieving complete literacy in India.
Various stakeholders including students, teachers, volunteers, government employees and citizens will participate in the campaign.
Ullas- New India Literacy Program is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme in line with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which will run from 2022 to 2027.
The scheme comprises five components: Foundational Literacy and Numeracy, Important Life Skills, Basic Education, Vocational Skills and Continuing Education.
The scheme's logo and slogan, "Understanding of Lifelong Learning for All in Society" (ULLAS) and "Jan Jan Sakshar," were launched by the Union Education Minister, Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, on July 29, 2023, during the celebration of the 3rd anniversary of NEP 2020 in New Delhi.
Important Points:-
International Literacy Day, observed annually on 8 September, advocates for the celebration of literacy as both a fundamental human right and a tool to address various social issues.
The ULLAS Mobile App serves as a platform where learners and volunteers can connect with literacy and educational programs.
The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 is a comprehensive framework in India designed to revamp the education system in line with the demands of the 21st century.
DIKSHA Portal is a digital platform that provides access to a wide range of educational resources for students.
