SCHEMES: Economic Survey – The Core IAS

SCHEMES: Economic Survey

ENVT

 

SCHEMES

1. SMART’ (Scope for Mainstreaming Ayurveda Research in Teaching Professionals) program 

·       Government of India for regulating medical education and conducting scientific research respectively, have launched ‘SMART’ (Scope for Mainstreaming Ayurveda Research in Teaching Professionals)

·       Program aimed to boost scientific research in priority healthcare research areas through Ayurveda colleges and hospitals.

·       Program was launched by National Commission for Indian System of Medicine (NCISM) and the Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS): the two prominent institutions under the Ministry of Ayush,

2. Broadcasting Infrastructure and Network Development (BIND)

Context: The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved the proposal of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting regarding Central Sector Scheme “Broadcasting Infrastructure and Network Development” (BIND) 

ü  BIND scheme will enable the public broadcaster to undertake a major upgradation of its facilities with better infrastructure which will widen its reach, including in the LWE, border and strategic areas and provide high quality content to the viewers.

ü  Another major priority area of the scheme is the development of high-quality content for both domestic and international audience and ensuring availability of diverse content to the viewers by upgradation of capacity of DTH platform to accommodate more channels. Purchase of OB vans and digital upgradation of DD and AIR Studios to make them HD ready will be also be done as part of the project.

3. National Green Hydrogen Mission

Context: Union Cabinet has approved National Green Hydrogen Mission.

The Mission will result in the following likely outcomes by 2030:

·       Development of green  hydrogen production capacity of at least 5 MMT (Million Metric Tonne) per annum with an associated renewable energy capacity addition of about 125 GW in the country

·       Over Rs. Eight lakh crore in total investments

·       Creation of over Six lakh jobs

·       Cumulative reduction in fossil fuel imports over Rs. One lakh crore

·       Abatement of nearly 50 MMT of annual greenhouse gas emissions

·     

The Mission will have wide ranging benefits- creation of export opportunities for Green Hydrogen and its derivatives; Decarbonisation of industrial, mobility and energy sectors; reduction in dependence on imported fossil fuels and feedstock; development of indigenous manufacturing capabilities; creation of employment opportunities; and development of cutting-edge technologies.  India’s Green Hydrogen production capacity is likely to reach at least 5 MMT per annum, with an associated renewable energy capacity addition of about 125 GW.  The targets by 2030 are likely to bring in over Rs. 8 lakh crore investments and create over 6 lakh jobs.  Nearly 50 MMT per annum of CO2 emissions are expected to be averted by 2030.

The Mission will facilitate demand creation, production, utilization and export of Green Hydrogen.  Under the Strategic Interventions for Green Hydrogen Transition Programme (SIGHT), two distinct financial incentive mechanisms – targeting domestic manufacturing of electrolysers and production of Green Hydrogen – will be provided under the Mission.  The Mission will also support pilot projects in emerging end-use sectors and production pathways.  Regions capable of supporting large scale production and/or utilization of Hydrogen will be identified and developed as Green Hydrogen Hubs.

An enabling policy framework will be developed to support establishment of Green Hydrogen ecosystem.   A robust Standards and Regulations framework will be also developed.  Further, a public-private partnership framework for R&D (Strategic Hydrogen Innovation Partnership – SHIP) will be facilitated under the Mission; R&D projects will be goal-oriented, time bound, and suitably scaled up to develop globally competitive technologies.  A coordinated skill development programme will also be undertaken under the Mission.

4.  Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Ann Yojana (PMGKAY)

Context: Cabinet had approved new integrated food security scheme for providing free foodgrains to Antodaya Ann Yojna (AAY) & Primary Household (PHH) beneficiaries, to be rolled out from 1st January 2023.

·       Keeping in view welfare of the beneficiaries and in order to maintain uniformity across the States, free foodgrains will be provided under PMGKAY for the year 2023 to all PHH and AAY beneficiaries, as per entitlement under NFSA. The integrated scheme will strengthen the provisions of NFSA, 2013 in terms of accessibility, affordability and availability of foodgrains for the poor.

·       For effective and uniform implementation of NFSA 2013, PMGKAY will subsume the two subsidy schemes of Department of Food & Public Distribution (a) Food Subsidy to FCI (b) Food Subsidy for decentralized procurement states dealing with procurement, allocation and delivery of free foodgrains to the states under NFSA.

5. National SC – ST Hub

National SC ST Hub is being implemented by the Union Ministry of MSME to provide professional support to SC-ST entrepreneurs and thus promote inclusive growth. The Hub supports entrepreneurs of the SC and ST communities in capacity building, market linkages, finance facilitation and tender bid participation.

6. Nidhi Aapke Nikat

Context: Employees’ Provident Fund Organization (EPFO) has launched a massive District Outreach Progarmme in all the Districts of the country through a revamped Nidhi Aapke Nikat programme

About the Programme:

Nidhi Aapke Nikat is a programme where EPFO stakeholders come to the EPFO field offices for grievance redressal, under the Nidhi Aapke Nikat 2.0, EPFO will reach out to the stakeholders, thereby increasing accessibility and visibility of the organisation, in all the districts of the country. The aim of the programme is to reach out to all the districts in the country on the same day every month

7. Skill Acquisition and Knowledge Awareness for Livelihood Promotion (SANKALP)

It is a World Bank loan-assisted programme launched in 2018 to decentralise skilling initiatives and align skill development programmes with local demand and aspirations of the youth

8. Jan Shikshan Sansthan Scheme

This provides for a lump sum annual grant is released to Jan Shikshan Sansthans (NGOs) for skill training to non-literate, neo-literates, persons with a rudimentary level of education and school dropouts up to class XII in the age group of 15-45 years. The priority groups are women, SC, ST, and other backward sections of society.

9. Major initiatives from 2014 to 2022 for better overall health

The pre-budget Survey notes that ensuring the provision of quality health facilities to citizens is an important priority for the Government. Towards this objective, multidimensional initiatives have been launched and carried forward for better overall health of the citizens, as encapsulated below. Under the National Health Mission, the Government has made concerted efforts to engage with all relevant sectors and stakeholders to move in the direction of achieving universal health coverage and delivering quality healthcare services to all at affordable cost.

 

 

10. GOI Initiatives to improve ecosystem of quality of Life

The Survey notes a multi-pronged approach to raise the rural incomes and quality of life through different schemes.  

11. SAUBHAGYA

 Pradhan Mantri Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana, was launched to achieve universal household electrification by providing electricity connections to all willing un-electrified households in rural areas and all willing poor households in urban areas in the country. The connections were given for free to economically poor households and for others, Rs 500 was charged after the release of the connection in 10 instalments. The Saubhagya scheme has been successfully completed and closed on 31st March 2022. Deendayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana (DDUGJY), envisaged the creation of basic electricity infrastructure in villages/habitations, strengthening & augmentation of existing infrastructure, and metering of existing feeders/distribution transformers/consumers to improve the quality and reliability of power supply in rural areas.

National / International

1. International Year of Millets (IYM)

·       Spearheaded by the Prime Minister, the Government of India sponsored the proposal for International Year of Millets (IYM) 2023 which was accepted by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).

·       The declaration has been instrumental for the Government of India to be at the forefront in celebrating the IYM. 

2. Asian Pacific Postal Union (APPU)

Context: India will take over the leadership of the Asian Pacific Postal Union (APPU) having its Headquarters in Bangkok, Thailand 

·       Asian Pacific Postal Union (APPU) is an intergovernmental organization of 32-member countries of the Asian-Pacific region. APPU is the only Restricted Union of the Universal Postal Union (UPU) in the region, which is a specialized agency of the United Nations.

·       The goal of APPU is to extend, facilitate and improve postal relations between member countries and to promote cooperation in the field of postal services. As the regional center for various UPU projects, APPU also takes the lead in ensuring that all technical and operational projects of the UPU are fulfilled in the region so that the region is integrated into the global postal network in the best possible way.

·       Secretary General leads the activities of the Union and is also the Director of the Asian Pacific Postal College (APPC) which is the largest intergovernmental postal training institute in the region.

3. Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas

Context: 17th Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas Convention 2023 Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) Convention is the flagship event of the Government of India. It provides an important platform to engage and connect with the overseas Indians and to enable the diaspora to interact with each other.

The 17th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention was organized in partnership with the Madhya Pradesh Government

2022 Theme: “Diaspora: Reliable partners for India’s progress in Amrit Kaal”

BACKGROUND

ü  A High-Level Committee on Indian Diaspora, headed by jurist and Parliamentarian LM Singhvi, had recommended in January 2002 that the government must renew and strengthen linkages of overseas Indians to their place of origin, and with each other.

ü  The committee recommended that a Pravasi Bharatiya Bhavan should be set up to emerge as the focal point for networking between India and its overseas Indian community; and as a suitable place which to commemorate the stories of the Indian Diaspora. The idea of a day to have the government recognise the community flowed from this, and was held in 2003.

ü  January 9 was selected as it was the date when Mahatma Gandhi returned to India from South Africa in 1915. Since 2015, the centenary year of Gandhi’s return, the format was revised for the meeting to be held once every two years. Since the pandemic, this will be the first in-person meeting.

 

4. MV Ganga Vilas

MV Ganga Vilas cruise is curated to bring out the best of the country to be showcased to the world. The 51 days cruise is planned with visits to 50 tourist spots including World Heritage Sites, National Parks, river Ghats, and major cities like Patna in Bihar, Sahibganj in Jharkhand, Kolkata in West Bengal, Dhaka in Bangladesh and Guwahati in Assam. The MV Ganga Vilas vessel is 62 meters in length, 12 meters in width and comfortably sails with a draft of 1.4 meters. It has three decks, 18 suites on board with a capacity of 36 tourists, with all the amenities to provide a memorable and luxurious experience for the tourists. The ship follows sustainable principles at its core as it is equipped with pollution-free mechanisms and noise control technologies. The maiden voyage of MV Ganga Vilas will witness 32 tourists from Switzerland relishing the Varanasi to Dibrugarh journey.

 

5. Warehousing Development and Regulatory Authority

Context: A conference on “Digital financing against e-Negotiable Warehouse Receipts and way forward” was held at NABARD Head Office in Mumbai.

The purpose of the conference was to interact with bankers to increase post-harvest pledge finance against e-NWRs issued by warehouses registered by WDRA and evolve mechanisms that would improve ease of doing business.

About WDRA:

·       The mission of Warehousing Development and Regulatory Authority (WDRA) is to regulate and ensure implementation of the provisions of the Warehousing (Development and Regulation) Act, 2007 for the development and regulation of warehouses, Regulations of Negotiability of Warehouse Receipts and promote orderly growth of the warehousing business.

·       The Warehousing Development and Regulatory Authority (WDRA) was setup by the Government of India in 2010 to ensure implementation of the provisions of the Warehousing (Development & Regulation) Act, 2007

·       WDRA, being the regulator of the warehousing sector, always endeavors to improve the system to promote scientific warehousing in the country. WDRA is also the implementing agency to establish a negotiable warehouse receipt system for all commodities. To that end, WDRA is taking steps to improve the fiduciary trust among stakeholders including depositors, warehousemen and financial institutions.

 

6. All India Survey on Higher Education

·       Enrolment in higher education increases to 4.14 crore, crossing the 4 crore mark for first time; increase of 7.5% from 2019-20 and 21% from 2014-15

·       Female enrolment reaches 2 crore mark, increase of 13 Lakh from 2019-20.
significant increase of 28% in enrolment of SC students and 38% in enrolment of Female SC Students in 2020-21, compared to 2014-15.

·       Substantial increase of 47% in enrolment of ST students and 63.4% increase in the enrolment of Female ST Students in 2020-21, compared to 2014-15.

·       Significant increase of 32% in OBC Student enrolment and 39% in Female OBC Students, since 2014-15.

·       Notable increase of 29% in Student Enrolment and 34% in Female Student Enrolment in the North Eastern Region in 2020-21 since 2014-15.

·       Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) has improved from previous year for all social groups

·       Enrollment in Distance Education has increased by 7% in 2020-21 from 2019-20

·       Number of Universities has increased by 70, number of Colleges has increased by 1,453, in 2020-21 over 2019-20

·       Gender Parity Index (GPI) has increased from 1 in 2017-18 to 1.05 in 2020-21

·       Total number of faculty/teachers increases by 47,914 from 2019-20

 

Polity

1. National Level multistate cooperative export society

Context: Union Cabinet has approved setting up and promoting a National Level multistate cooperative export society under the Multi State Cooperative Societies (MSCS) Act, 2002 

The proposed society will provide thrust to exports from cooperative sector by acting as an umbrella organisation for carrying out and promoting exports. This will help unlocking export potential of Indian cooperatives in global markets. This proposed society will also help cooperatives in getting benefits of various export related schemes and policies of different ministries of Government of India in a focussed manner through ‘Whole of Government Approach’. This will also help in achieving the goal of “Sahakar-se-Samriddhi” though the inclusive growth model of cooperatives where the members would benefit both by realization of better prices through export of their goods and services and also by dividend distributed out of the surplus generated by the society.

Higher exports through the proposed society will increase production of goods and services by the cooperatives at various levels thus leading to more employment in the cooperative sector. Processing of goods and enhancing the services to match international standards will also generate additional employment. Increased export of cooperative products would, in turn, also promote “Make in India” thus leading to Atmanirbhar Bharat

2. Administrative Tribunal

Context: Two-day Orientation Workshop for the Members of Central Administrative Tribunal at Indian Institute of Public Administration (IIPA)

About CAT

ü  Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) was set up on 01.11.1985 with Benches at five places. As on date, it has 19 regular Benches, 17 of which operate at the principal seats of High Courts and the remaining two at Jaipur and Lucknow. 

ü  Administrative Tribunals are distinguishable from the ordinary courts with regard to their jurisdiction and procedure, as they exercise jurisdiction only in relation to the service matters of the litigants covered by the Act.

ü  Tribunals are also free from many of the procedural technicalities of the ordinary courts

Some facts regarding CAT

ü  Since its inception in 1985 and up to 30.11.2022, 8,93,705 cases have been received in CAT for adjudication (including those transferred from High Courts), out of which 8,12,806 cases have been disposed of, leaving a pendency of 80,899 cases

ü  Disposal rate by CAT, on an average, has been above 90%. 

3. Grievance Appellate Committees (GACs) Notified on the recently amended “IT Rules 2021

GOI established three Grievance Appellate Committees based on the recently amended Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021 (“IT Rules 2021”)

The IT rules 2021 provide for creating avenues for grievance redressal apart from Courts and ensure that the Constitutional rights of Indian citizens are not contravened by any Big-tech Platform by ensuring new accountability standards for SSMIs.

The Grievance Appellate Committee (GAC) is a critical piece of overall policy and legal framework to ensure that Internet in India is Open, Safe & Trusted and Accountable. The need for GAC was created due to large numbers of grievances being left unaddressed or unsatisfactorily addressed by Internet Intermediaries. GAC is expected to create a culture of responsiveness amongst all Internet Platforms and Intermediaries towards their consumers. The GAC will be a virtual Digital platform that will operate only online and digitally – wherein the entire appeal process, from filing of appeal to the decision thereof, shall be conducted digitally.

Users will have the option to appeal against decision of the grievance officer of the social media intermediaries and other online intermediaries before this new appellate body. The Committee will endeavour to address the user’s appeal within a period of 30 days.

History/ Culture

1. Parshuram Kund Festival

ü  Parshuram Kund, located in Wakro in Lohit, sees an annual gathering of pilgrims who come for a holy dip at the kund on Makar Sankranti.

ü  Also known as The Kumbh of Northeast

ü  It is situated within the Kamlang Reserve Forest area.

ü  This place on the Lohit River carries a strong mythological link with the legend of Parshurama, a Hindu sage.

ü  According to the legend, sage Parsurama washed away his sin of matricide in the waters of the Lohit river at Bramhakund.

 

Quote / keyword

1.      Our thinking is not just that we should empower women via science but also empowering science by the contribution of women

2.      Efforts of science can turn into great achievements only when they come out of the lab and reach the land, and their impact reaches from global to grassroots, when its ambit is from journal to jameen and when change is visible from research to real life

3.      There is a saying in our country – ‘Swadesho Bhuvantrayam’. That is, ‘for us, the whole world is our country and only human beings are our brothers and sisters’.

4.      In North East:

ü  There has been a 74% reduction in insurgency incidents, 60% reduction in incidents of attacks on security forces and 89% reduction in civilian deaths. About 8,000 youth have surrendered and have joined the mainstream, welcoming at a better future for themselves and their families.

ü  Agreement with the National Liberation Front of Tripura in 2019, The Bru and Bodo Agreement in 2020, and Karbi Agreement in 2021 were agreed upon. THE Assam-Meghalaya and Assam-Arunachal border disputes have also almost ended, and with the restoration of peace, the north-east region has moved on the path of development.

ü  Air connectivity has also improved massively. In 68 years north east had only 9 airports, it jumped to 17 in a short span of eight years.

ü  Before 2014 there was only 1 national waterway in NER. Now 20 waterways are declared as national waterways in NER. Recently around Rs. 600 crores have been sanctioned for the development of national waterway 2 and national waterway 16.

5.      India delivered around 16.29 crore doses of vaccines to 96 countries. Of these, 1.43 crore were gifted.

6.      Essence of Democracy is prevalence of the mandate of the people and securing their welfare.

7.      India ranks 1st in terms of smartphone data consumption. India ranks first in Global FinTech as well as IT-BPM outsourcing distribution. India is the world’s third largest aviation market and third largest auto market.

 

Keywords

ü  3 D: dialogue, discussion and debates

ü  ‘SENSE’- Share, Explore, Nurture, Serve & Empower for growth of startups

ü  need to shift from spreading information to spreading awareness

 

 

 

 

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