{"id":184943,"date":"2022-05-18T15:05:41","date_gmt":"2022-05-18T09:35:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.forumias.com\/?p=184943"},"modified":"2022-05-18T15:05:41","modified_gmt":"2022-05-18T09:35:41","slug":"upsc-ias-prelims-2022-material-current-affairs-government-schemes-and-programs-part-1","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/upsc-ias-prelims-2022-material-current-affairs-government-schemes-and-programs-part-1\/","title":{"rendered":"UPSC IAS Prelims 2022 Material| Current Affairs| Government Schemes and Programs &#8211; Part 1"},"content":{"rendered":"<p aria-level=\"1\">Dear Friends,<\/p>\n<p aria-level=\"1\">This post is a part of our current affairs series for the UPSC IAS Prelims 2022. In this post, we have covered all of the current affairs linked to<strong> Government Schemes and Programs<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p aria-level=\"1\"><\/p>\n<p aria-level=\"1\"><strong>To Read Other Current Affairs Compilations<\/strong>\u00a0for UPSC Prelims 2022\u2013\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/current-affairs-compilations-for-upsc-ias-prelims-2022\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Click here<\/a><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">Government Schemes and Programs<\/span><\/h2>\n<hr \/>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">\u2018Eat Right Station\u2019 program<\/span><\/h3>\n<h5>News<\/h5>\n<p>Indian Railways\u2019 Chandigarh Railway Station has been awarded a 5- star\u00a0<strong>\u2018Eat Right Station\u2019<\/strong>\u00a0certification for providing high-quality, nutritious food to passengers. This certification is granted by FSSAI to railway stations adhering to standard food storage and hygiene practices.<\/p>\n<h5>About \u2018Eat Right Station\u2019 program<\/h5>\n<p>The \u2018Eat Right Station\u2019 certification is\u00a0<strong>awarded by FSSAI<\/strong>\u00a0to railway stations that set benchmarks in\u00a0<strong>providing safe and wholesome food to passengers<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>The station is awarded a certificate upon a conclusion of an FSSAI-empanelled<strong>\u00a0third-party audit agency<\/strong>\u00a0with ratings from 1 to 5.<\/p>\n<p>The 5-star rating indicates exemplary efforts by stations to ensure safe and hygienic food is available to passengers.<\/p>\n<p>The certification is part of the \u2018<strong>Eat Right India\u2019 movement<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>Chandigarh Railway Station becomes\u00a0<strong>the fifth station in India<\/strong>\u00a0to get this recognition. The other railway stations with this certification include\u00a0<strong>Anand Vihar<\/strong>\u00a0Terminal Railway Station; (Delhi),\u00a0<strong>Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus<\/strong>; (Mumbai),\u00a0<strong>Mumbai Central Railway Station<\/strong>; (Mumbai) and\u00a0<strong>Vadodara Railway Station<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<h5>About \u2018Eat Right India\u2019 movement<\/h5>\n<p>It is a\u00a0large-scale effort by\u00a0<strong>FSSAI<\/strong>\u00a0to transform the country\u2019s food system to ensure safe, healthy, and sustainable food for all Indians.<\/p>\n<p>Eat Right India adopts a judicious mix of regulatory, capacity building, collaborative, and empowerment approaches to ensure that our food is suitable both for the people and the planet.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Air gun Surrender Abhiyan<\/span><\/h3>\n<h5>News<\/h5>\n<p>Auranchal Pradesh has initiated the program \u2018<strong>Air gun Surrender Abhiyan<\/strong>\u2019 to check the killing of birds and animals in the region.<\/p>\n<h5>About \u2018Air gun Surrender Abhiyan\u2019<\/h5>\n<p>In Arunachal Pradesh, hunting was a seasonal activity and limited primarily to tribal rituals. Post the proliferation of air guns and rifles, found freely in the market, hunting has increased manifold in the state.<\/p>\n<p>To control hunting and conserve wildlife, \u2018Air gun Surrender Abhiyan\u2019 was launched to surrender the air guns. Overall, 2,000 weapons have been given up voluntarily since its launch. In return, the person got a certificate of appreciation.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Aim<\/strong>: To spread awareness about conservation and check the killing of birds and animals in their state.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for Textiles<\/span><\/h3>\n<h5>News<\/h5>\n<p>The government of India has approved the\u00a0Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for Textiles.<\/p>\n<p><strong>About the PLI Scheme for textiles<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Objective:\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>To \u200b\u200battract investments in the production of in-demand textile products like man-made fibre (MMF) fabric, garments and<a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/cabinet-approves-national-technical-textiles-mission\/\">\u00a0technical textiles.<\/a><\/li>\n<li>To make Indian textiles more competitive in international markets.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><strong>Duration of the Scheme:<\/strong>\u00a0Five Years<\/p>\n<p><strong>Features of the PLI Scheme for textiles<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Incentives:\u00a0<\/strong>Under the scheme, two\u00a0types of investment are possible with a different set of incentive structures:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><strong>First Type:<\/strong>\u00a0Any person, (which includes firm\/company) willing to invest a minimum of \u20b9300 Crore in Plant, Machinery, Equipment and Civil Works (<strong>excluding land and administrative building cost<\/strong>) to produce products of Notified lines (MMF Fabrics, Garment) and products of Technical Textiles, shall be eligible to apply for participation.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Second Type:\u00a0<\/strong>In this, any person, (which includes firm\/company) willing to invest a minimum of \u20b9100 Crore shall be eligible to apply for participation.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><strong>Priority Areas:<\/strong>\u00a0Under the scheme, priority will be given for investment in Aspirational Districts, Tier 3, Tier 4 towns and rural areas. Hence, industries will be incentivized to move to backward areas.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Significance of the PLI Scheme for textiles<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The scheme will lead to<strong>\u00a0a fresh investment\u00a0<\/strong>of more than Rs.19,000 crore and will create additional\u00a0<strong>employment opportunities\u00a0<\/strong>for more than 7.5 lakh jobs in this sector.<\/p>\n<p>The scheme\u00a0will promote<strong>\u00a0the production of high-value MMF fabrics, Garments and Technical Textiles\u00a0<\/strong>in the country.<\/p>\n<p>The scheme will positively impact\u00a0<strong>especially States like Gujarat, UP, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Punjab, AP, Telangana and Odisha<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Moreover, the textiles industry\u00a0<strong>predominantly employs women,\u00a0<\/strong>therefore, the scheme will\u00a0<strong>empower women and increase their participation\u00a0<\/strong>in the formal economy.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Atal Beemit Vyakti Kalyan Yojana<\/span><\/h3>\n<h5>News<\/h5>\n<p>The Government of India has decided to extend the\u00a0\u201cAtal Beemit Vyakti Kalyan Yojana\u201d till 30th June 2022.<\/p>\n<h5>About Atal Beemit Vyakti Kalyan Yojana<\/h5>\n<p>Launched in: 2018.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Implemented by<\/strong>:\u00a0<strong>Employees State Insurance(ESI) Corporation<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>The scheme is a welfare measure for<strong>\u00a0Insured Persons<\/strong>\u00a0covered under the\u00a0<strong>Employees State Insurance Act, 1948<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>Under the scheme,\u00a0unemployment allowance is paid at 50% of wages for 3 months to those insured persons who lose their jobs for any reason.<\/p>\n<p>The unemployment allowance shall become due for payment after 30 days from the date of unemployment and the claim can be submitted directly to the designated ESIC Branch Office by the worker.<\/p>\n<h5>Eligibility for the scheme<\/h5>\n<ul>\n<li>The Insured Person should have been rendered unemployed during the period the relief is claimed.<\/li>\n<li>The Insured Person should have been in insurable employment for a minimum period of two years.<\/li>\n<li>The Insured Person should have contributed not less than 78 days during each of the preceding four contribution periods.<\/li>\n<li>The contingency of unemployment should not have been as a result of any punishment for misconduct or superannuation or voluntary retirement.<\/li>\n<li>In case the IP is working for more than one employer and is covered under the ESI scheme he will be considered unemployed only in case he is rendered unemployed with all employers.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr \/>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Transport and Marketing Assistance(TMA) for Specified Agriculture Products Scheme<\/span><\/h3>\n<h5>News<\/h5>\n<p>The Centre has revised the \u201cTransport and Marketing Assistance\u201d (TMA) scheme for Specified Agriculture Products\u2019. The revised TMA scheme will be available for exports affected on or after 01.04.2021 up to 31.03.2022.<\/p>\n<h5>About Transport and Marketing Assistance(TMA) for Specified Agriculture Products Scheme<\/h5>\n<p><strong>Launched by:<\/strong>\u00a0Ministry of Commerce &amp; Industry in 2019.<\/p>\n<p><strong>The objective of the Scheme:\u00a0<\/strong>The scheme aims to provide assistance for the international component of freight and marketing of agricultural produce.<\/p>\n<p>The assistance will help mitigate the disadvantage of\u00a0higher freight costs faced by the Indian exporters of agriculture products.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Coverage:\u00a0<\/strong>All exporters, duly registered with relevant\u00a0<strong>Export Promotion Council<\/strong>\u00a0as per\u00a0<strong>Foreign Trade Policy<\/strong>, of eligible agriculture products, shall be covered under this scheme.<\/p>\n<p>The scheme covers freight and marketing assistance for\u00a0<strong>export by air as well as by sea<\/strong>\u00a0(both normal and reefer cargo).<\/p>\n<p><strong>Duration of the Scheme:\u00a0<\/strong>The scheme was initially applicable for exports affected during the period from 01.03.2019 to 31.03.2020 and was later extended for exports affected up to 31.03.2021.<\/p>\n<h5>Major changes in the revised scheme<\/h5>\n<p><strong>Dairy products<\/strong>, which were not covered under the earlier scheme,\u00a0<strong>will be eligible for assistance<\/strong>\u00a0under the revised scheme.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Rates of assistance have been increased<\/strong>, by 50% for exports by sea and by 100% for exports by air.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">PLI Scheme for Auto Industry<\/span><\/h3>\n<h5>News<\/h5>\n<p>The government of India has approved Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for Auto Industry and Drone Components.<\/p>\n<h5>About PLI Scheme for Auto Industry<\/h5>\n<p><strong>Aim:\u00a0<\/strong>To\u00a0overcome the cost disabilities to the industry for the manufacture of Advanced Automotive Technology products in India.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Eligibility:<\/strong>\u00a0The scheme is open to existing automotive companies as well as new investors who are currently not in the automobile or auto component manufacturing business.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Components<\/strong>: The scheme has two components viz<\/p>\n<p><strong>Champion OEM Incentive scheme:<\/strong>\u00a0It is a \u2018sales value linked\u2019 scheme, applicable on Battery Electric Vehicles and Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicles of all segments.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Component Champion Incentive scheme:<\/strong>\u00a0It is a \u2018sales value linked\u2019 scheme, applicable to Advanced Automotive Technology components of vehicles.<\/p>\n<h5>Significance of the Scheme<\/h5>\n<p>The scheme will encourage the industry to make fresh investments for indigenous global supply chains of Advanced Automotive Technology products.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">SPIN (Strengthening the Potential of India) Scheme<\/span><\/h3>\n<h5>About SPIN Scheme<\/h5>\n<p><strong>Launched by<\/strong>: Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC)<\/p>\n<p><strong>Aim<\/strong>: Bringing self-sustainability in the Indian pottery sector.<\/p>\n<p>Under the scheme, KVIC will\u00a0<strong>facilitate the registered potters to get easy loans<\/strong>\u00a0from banks under the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/cabinet-approves-2-interest-subvention-for-shishu-mudra-loans\/\"><strong>Pradhan Mantri Shishu Mudra Yojana\u00a0<\/strong><\/a>This will help them in diversifying their activities and enhance their income.<\/p>\n<h5>Key Features of SPIN Scheme<\/h5>\n<p>It is a no-subsidy program. So, there is no financial burden on the exchequer<\/p>\n<p>Beneficiaries can repay the loans in easy instalments.<\/p>\n<h5>About Kashi Pottery Cluster<\/h5>\n<p>It was the first pottery cluster in the Varanasi district set up by KVIC under the SFURTI Scheme.<\/p>\n<p>The cluster is equipped with modern equipment like furnaces, electric pottery wheels, blunger machines, pugmills and other modern equipment for higher production of clay pottery.<\/p>\n<h5>About Scheme of Fund for Regeneration of Traditional Industries (SFURTI)<\/h5>\n<p><strong>Launched by:<\/strong>\u00a0Ministry of Micro, Small &amp; Medium Enterprises(MSME)<\/p>\n<p><strong>Aim:\u00a0<\/strong>To organize traditional industries and artisans into clusters to make them competitive and increase their income.<\/p>\n<p><strong>KVIC is the nodal agency<\/strong>\u00a0for the promotion of Cluster development for Khadi\u00a0as well as for Village Industries products.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Rail Kaushal Vikas Yojana<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><strong>Rail Kaushal Vikas Yojana<\/strong>\u00a0is a skill development programme launched\u00a0under the aegis of\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/pmkvy-3-0\/\"><strong>Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana(PMKVY).<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Launched by: <\/strong>Ministry of Railways<\/p>\n<p><strong>Aim:<\/strong>\u00a0To provide\u00a0training skills to the youth in various trades, with a special focus on jobs that are relevant to the Railways.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Eligibility:<\/strong>\u00a0Candidates who are 10th\u00a0passed and between 18-35 years shall be eligible to apply.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Target:\u00a0<\/strong>The training will be provided to a total of 50,000 candidates over a three years period.<\/p>\n<h5>Key Features of the Programme<\/h5>\n<p><strong>Under the programme,<\/strong>\u00a0training will be provided\u00a0<strong>in four trades<\/strong>\u00a0viz.\u00a0<strong>Electrician, Welder, Machinist and Fitter<\/strong>. Other trades will be added by zonal railways and production units based on regional demands and needs assessment.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Training shall be provided\u00a0<\/strong>free of cost and participants will be selected from applications received online on the basis of marks in matriculation.<\/p>\n<p><strong>The curriculum\u00a0<\/strong>for this training\u00a0has been\u00a0<strong>developed by Banaras Locomotive Works<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Participants in the training<\/strong>\u00a0shall have no claim to seek employment in Railways on the basis of this training.<\/p>\n<p><strong>After the completion of training,\u00a0<\/strong>trainees shall be required to undergo a standardized assessment and will be awarded a certificate in the allotted trade by the National Rail &amp; Transportation Institute, upon conclusion of their programme.<\/p>\n<p><strong>They will also be provided Toolkits relevant to their trade,\u00a0<\/strong>which would help these trainees utilize their learnings and enhance their capacity for self-employment as well as employability in various industries.<\/p>\n<h5>Significance of the Programme<\/h5>\n<p>The programme will not only improve the employability of the youth, but also upgrade the skills of self-employed and those who are working with contractors through reskilling and upskilling.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Saubhagya Scheme<\/span><\/h3>\n<h5>News<\/h5>\n<p>SAUBHAGYA Scheme has completed four years of successful implementation.<\/p>\n<h5>About the Saubhagya Scheme<\/h5>\n<p>The SAUBHAGYA Scheme was announced by the Prime Minister in 2017.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Objective:\u00a0<\/strong>To achieve\u00a0<strong>Universal Household Electrification<\/strong>\u00a0in the country through last-mile connectivity and providing access to electricity to all un-electrified households in rural areas and poor households in urban areas.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Nodal Agency:<\/strong>\u00a0REC Limited (<strong>Rural Electrification Corporation<\/strong>) has been designated as the nodal agency for the Saubhagya scheme.<\/p>\n<h5>Key features of the Scheme<\/h5>\n<p><strong>All DISCOMs including\u00a0<\/strong>Private Sector DISCOMs, State Power Departments and RE Cooperative Societies shall be eligible for financial assistance under the scheme in line with\u00a0<strong>Deendayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana<\/strong>\u00a0(DDUGJY).<\/p>\n<p><strong>The prospective beneficiary households<\/strong>\u00a0for free electricity connections under the scheme would be identified using SECC 2011 data.<\/p>\n<p><strong>However, un-electrified households not covered under SECC data\u00a0<\/strong>would also be provided electricity connections under the scheme on payment of Rs. 500 which shall be recovered by DISCOMs in 10 instalments through electricity bill.<\/p>\n<p><strong>The electricity connection to households\u00a0<\/strong>includes the release of electricity connections by drawing a service cable from the nearest pole to the household premise, installation of an energy meter, wiring for a single light point with an LED bulb and a mobile charging point.<\/p>\n<h5>The present status of the Scheme<\/h5>\n<p>As of March 31st, 2021 India has provided electricity access to 2.82 crore households as part of the Saubhagya scheme. Saubhagya Scheme will continue its work of providing a 24\u00d77 quality power supply to all.<\/p>\n<p>All\u00a0<strong>states<\/strong>\u00a0have been requested to\u00a0<strong>launch special campaigns<\/strong>\u00a0in their respective states to identify any left out un-electrified households and subsequently provide electricity connections to them. A\u00a0<strong>dedicated toll-free helpline<\/strong>\u00a0has also been launched for that purpose.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Pradhan Mantri Formalisation of Micro food processing Enterprises(PMF ME) Scheme and its Seed Capital Module<\/span><\/h3>\n<h5>About PMFME Scheme<\/h5>\n<figure id=\"attachment_137732\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-137732\" style=\"width: 495px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-137732 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/pmfme.jpg?resize=495%2C519&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"495\" height=\"519\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/pmfme.jpg?w=495&amp;ssl=1 495w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/pmfme.jpg?resize=286%2C300&amp;ssl=1 286w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 495px) 100vw, 495px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-137732\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Source: PIB<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong>Nodal Ministry<\/strong>: <strong>Ministry of Food Processing Industries<\/strong><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Type<\/strong>: centrally sponsored scheme<\/p>\n<p><strong>Aim<\/strong>:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>To modernize and enhance the competitiveness of the existing individual micro enterprises and ensure their transition to formal sector<\/li>\n<li>To provide support to Farmer Producer Organizations, Self Help Groups, and Producers Cooperatives along their entire value chain.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Duration:\u00a0<\/strong>The PM-FME scheme will be implemented over a period of five years from 2020-21 to 2024-25 with an outlay of Rs 10,000 crore.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Funding:\u00a0<\/strong>The expenditure under the PM-FME scheme would be shared in 60:40 ratio between Central and State Governments, in 90:10 ratio with North Eastern and Himalayan States, 60:40 ratio with UTs with\u00a0legislature and 100% by Centre for other UTs.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Coverage:\u00a0<\/strong>Under the PM-FME scheme, 2,00,000 micro food processing units will be directly assisted with credit linked subsidy. Adequate supportive common infrastructure and institutional architecture will be supported\u00a0to accelerate growth of the sector.<\/p>\n<h5>About the PMFME Seed Capital module<\/h5>\n<p>Launched by: <strong>Ministry of Food Processing Industries<\/strong><strong>\u00a0<\/strong>in association with the<strong>\u00a0<\/strong><strong>Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>The PMFME Scheme Seed Capital Module<\/strong>\u00a0has been launched\u00a0on the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Urban Livelihoods Mission(DAY-NULM) MIS Portal.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Purpose<\/strong>: To provide seed capital assistance to members of urban Self Help Groups working in the food processing sector in India.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Seed Capital Limit:\u00a0<\/strong>The\u00a0Self Help Groups(SHGs) can avail the seed capital assistance of Rs.40,000 per SHG member under the PMFME Scheme.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Palk Bay Scheme<\/span><\/h3>\n<h5>News<\/h5>\n<p>The Union Government is considering increasing the unit cost of deep-sea fishing vessels to make them more attractive to fisherfolk. At present, the Palk Bay scheme covers fishing vessels up to Rs 80 Lakh. The government is considering to increase this amount to Rs 1.3 Cr.<\/p>\n<h5>About the Palk Bay Scheme<\/h5>\n<p>Palk Bay Scheme is also known as Scheme for Diversification Of Trawl Fishing Boats From Palk Straits Into Deep Sea Fishing Boats.<\/p>\n<p>The scheme was launched by the Government of India in 2017 as a Centrally sponsored scheme.<\/p>\n<h5>About the objectives of the scheme<\/h5>\n<p><strong>Firstly,\u00a0<\/strong>it is a Tamil Nadu-specific scheme aimed at providing 2,000 vessels in three years to fishermen of the State and motivating them to abandon bottom trawling.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Secondly<\/strong>, it aims to\u00a0<strong>reduce fishing pressure\u00a0<\/strong>around the proximity of the\u00a0<strong>International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL)<\/strong>\u00a0so that Tamil Nadu fishermen do not cross the IMBL and fish in Sri Lankan waters.<\/p>\n<h5>Funding Pattern of the Scheme<\/h5>\n<p>Under the scheme is the Centre is providing 50% cost of the fishing vessel, the State government is providing 20% cost and the 10% cost will be the Institutional funding. The beneficiary will put the remaining 20% for the vessel.<\/p>\n<p>The Scheme is<strong>\u00a0limited to vessels costing up to Rs. 80 Lakh.<\/strong><\/p>\n<h5>About Bottom Trawling<\/h5>\n<p><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-79313\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/bottom-trawling.png?resize=300%2C169&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"bottom trawling\" width=\"300\" height=\"169\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/bottom-trawling.png?resize=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/bottom-trawling.png?resize=150%2C84&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/bottom-trawling.png?resize=768%2C432&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/bottom-trawling.png?w=912&amp;ssl=1 912w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>It\u00a0is an ecologically destructive fishing practice. It involves trawlers dragging weighted nets along the seafloor.<\/p>\n<p>The\u00a0major problem in bottom trawling is\u00a0<strong>Bycatch<\/strong>\u00a0(captures juvenile fish and other non-targeted fish species). This will cause great depletion of aquatic resources and affect marine conservation efforts.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Going Online as Leaders(GOAL) Program<\/span><\/h3>\n<h5><strong>News<\/strong><\/h5>\n<p>Dr. Teejan Bai, a Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan and Padma Vibhushan awardee addressed the Mentees and Mentors of the GOAL program as part of the Inspiration Masterclass on GOAL Program.<\/p>\n<h5>About the GOAL Program<\/h5>\n<p><strong>Launched by<\/strong>: <strong>Ministry of Tribal Affairs<\/strong>\u00a0(MoTA) and\u00a0<strong>Facebook<\/strong>\u00a0in 2020.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Aim:<\/strong>\u00a0To\u00a0provide skilling for tribal youth with a focus on enabling digital presence in addition to strengthening core skills to drive their professional-economical upliftment.<\/p>\n<h5>Key features of the GOAL Program<\/h5>\n<p><strong>Firstly,<\/strong>\u00a0the program intends to upskill and empower\u00a0<strong>5,000 tribal youths<\/strong>\u00a0over the course of the\u00a0<strong>next five years.\u00a0<\/strong>They will be trained to harness the full potential of digital platforms and tools to learn new ways of doing business, explore and connect with domestic and international markets.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Secondly<\/strong>, it is designed to provide mentorship to tribal youth through digital mode and envisages to act as a catalyst to explore the hidden talents of the tribal youth. This will help in their personal development as well as contribute to the all-around upliftment of their society.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Thirdly,<\/strong>\u00a0as part of the program, in addition to the core classes, fortnightly expert sessions are also organized wherein distinguished leaders and experts from various fields are invited to interact with the mentees of the GOAL Program. They will guide the mentee\u2019s development through personal and professional experiences.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">PLI Scheme for Telecom and Networking Products<\/span><\/h3>\n<h5>News<\/h5>\n<p>The Minister of State for Communications has launched the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for Telecom and Networking Products.<\/p>\n<h5>Objective of the PLI Scheme for Telecom and Networking Products<\/h5>\n<p>To boost domestic manufacturing in the telecom and networking products by incentivising incremental investments and turnover.<\/p>\n<p>To reduce\u00a0India\u2019s dependence on other countries for the import of telecom and networking products.<\/p>\n<h5>Target segments<\/h5>\n<p>Core Transmission Equipment<\/p>\n<p>4G\/5G, Next-Generation Radio Access Network and Wireless Equipment<\/p>\n<p>Access and Customer Premises Equipment (CPE), Internet of Things (IoT) Access Devices, and Other Wireless Equipment<\/p>\n<p>Enterprise equipment: Switches, Routers<\/p>\n<h5>Eligibility criteria<\/h5>\n<p>MSMEs \u2013 Minimum Threshold of Investment \u20b9 10 Crores<\/p>\n<p>Other than MSMEs \u2013 Minimum Threshold of Investment \u20b9 100 Crores<\/p>\n<p>Further, for MSMEs, the scheme has a 1% higher incentive in the first three years.<\/p>\n<h5>Incentives under the scheme<\/h5>\n<p>An incentive of 7% to 4% on incremental sales (over base year) of goods manufactured in India<\/p>\n<p><strong>Tenure:\u00a0<\/strong>Support under the scheme shall be provided for a period of five (5) years from 1st April 2021.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Package Insurance Scheme for health workers Fighting Covid-19<\/span><\/h3>\n<h5>News<\/h5>\n<p>Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Package (PMGKP): Insurance Scheme for Health Care Workers Fighting COVID-19 has been\u00a0extended for 180 days\u00a0with effect from October 21,2021.So far, 1,351 claims have been paid under the scheme.<\/p>\n<h5>About Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Package Insurance Scheme for health workers Fighting Covid-19<\/h5>\n<p><strong>Launched by:\u00a0<\/strong>It is a Central Sector Scheme launched by the\u00a0<strong>Ministry of Health and Family Welfare<\/strong>\u00a0in 2020.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Aim:\u00a0<\/strong>To provide comprehensive personal accident insurance cover of Rs. 50 lakh to all healthcare providers who<\/p>\n<p>-Lost their lives due to Covid-19<\/p>\n<p>-Accidental death on account of COVID-19 related duty.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Coverage of the Scheme<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>-All government health centres, wellness centres and hospitals of Centre as well as States,<\/p>\n<p>-Private hospital staff\u00a0and retired\/volunteer\/local urban bodies\/contracted\/daily wage workers,<\/p>\n<p>-Safai karamcharis, ward-boys, nurses, ASHA workers and other health workers.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Implementation:\u00a0<\/strong>The scheme is being implemented through an Insurance policy from the\u00a0<strong>New India Assurance Company<\/strong>(NIACL).<\/p>\n<p><strong>Certification Procedure<\/strong>:\u00a0The District Collector in each case will be certifying that the claim is in accordance with SoP of the Scheme. On the basis of this certificate of the Collector, the Insurance Company will approve and settle the claims within a period of 48 hours.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Mahatma Gandhi National Fellowship Programme<\/span><\/h3>\n<h5>News<\/h5>\n<p>The government of India has\u00a0launched phase II of the Mahatma Gandhi National Fellowship under SANKALP (Skill Acquisition and Knowledge Awareness for Livelihood Promotion) programme.<\/p>\n<h5>About the Mahatma Gandhi National Fellowship Programme<\/h5>\n<p>Mahatma Gandhi National Fellowship is a two-year-long fellowship programme conceived to create opportunities for young, dynamic individuals to contribute to enhancing skill development at the grassroots.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Objective:\u00a0<\/strong>The Programme \u200b\u200bseeks to combine classroom sessions by academic partner IIMs, with an intensive field immersion at the district level (District Immersion) to create credible plans and identify barriers in raising employment, economic output and promoting livelihoods in rural areas.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Eligibility:\u00a0<\/strong>Fellows have to be in the 21-30 years age group, have a graduation degree from a recognized university and be citizens of India.<\/p>\n<p>Three years of work experience after secondary schooling in the social\/non-profit sector with an interest in working in rural areas is preferred. However, individuals with no work experience and a strong motivation to work in this area may apply.<\/p>\n<p>Proficiency in the official language of the state of fieldwork will be mandatory.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Phases:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>MGNF Phase-I (Pilot):<\/strong>\u00a0Launched in 2019 with IIM Bangalore as Academic Partner. Under this, 69 Fellows are currently deployed in 69 districts across 6 States.<\/p>\n<p><strong>MGNF Phase-II (National Roll Out):<\/strong>\u00a0Being launched in October 2021 with 661 MGNFs who will be deployed across all districts of the country. 8 more IIMs have been boarded, taking the total to 9 IIMs.<\/p>\n<h5>About SANKALP Programme<\/h5>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/sankalp-scheme\/\"><strong>SANKALP<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0is a World Bank loan assisted program. It was launched by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship in January 2018.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Purpose:<\/strong>\u00a0SANKALP engages with District Skill Committees (DSCs) to effectively reduce the mismatch between the supply and demand of skilled manpower in the country, thereby creating decent opportunities for the youth to work and earn.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Krishi UDAN 2.0 Scheme<\/span><\/h3>\n<h5>News<\/h5>\n<p>The Union Civil Aviation Minister has launched the Krishi UDAN 2.0 scheme.<\/p>\n<h5>About the Krishi UDAN 2.0 Scheme<\/h5>\n<p>Krishi UDAN Scheme\u00a0was launched in 2020 on international and national routes to assist farmers in transporting agricultural products so that it improves their value realisation.<\/p>\n<p>Krishi UDAN 2.0 will focus on transporting perishable food products from the hilly areas, northeastern states and tribal areas.<\/p>\n<p>The scheme will be implemented at 53 airports across the country, mainly focusing on Northeast and tribal regions, and is likely to benefit farmers, freight forwarders and Airlines.<\/p>\n<h5>About the key features of the Krishi UDAN 2.0 scheme<\/h5>\n<p><strong>Facilitating and incentivizing movement of Agri-produce by air transportation<\/strong>: The scheme will provide a full waiver of landing, parking, Terminal Navigation and Landing Charges and Route Navigation Facilities Charges for domestic airlines.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Strengthening cargo-related infrastructure at airports and off airports:\u00a0<\/strong>The Ministry will facilitate the development of a hub and spoke model and freight to transport perishable products.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Concessions sought from other bodies:\u00a0<\/strong>The Ministry has asked states to reduce sales tax on Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) to 1 percent for airlines under Krishi UDAN 2.0.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Resources-Pooling through establishing convergence mechanism:\u00a0<\/strong>Collaboration with other government departments and regulatory bodies.<\/p>\n<figure style=\"width: 383px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.forumias.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/photo_2021-10-28-15.24.53.jpeg?resize=383%2C564&amp;ssl=1\" alt=\"UDAN 2.0\" width=\"383\" height=\"564\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Source: PIB<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong>Focus Routes<\/strong>:\u00a0Seven focus routes and the agro products to be flown from there have been identified under the scheme.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Technological convergence:\u00a0<\/strong>Development of\u00a0<strong>E-KUSHAL<\/strong>\u00a0(Krishi UDAN for Sustainable Holistic Agri-Logistics).<\/p>\n<h5>About E-KUSHAL<\/h5>\n<p>E-KUSHAL is a platform that will facilitate information dissemination to all the stakeholders.<\/p>\n<p>This will be a single platform that will provide relevant information at the same time will also assist in coordination, monitoring and evaluation of the scheme.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Integrated Teacher Education Programme(ITEP)<\/span><\/h3>\n<h5>News<\/h5>\n<p>The Ministry of Education has notified a Four Year\u00a0<strong>Integrated Teacher Education Programme<\/strong>\u00a0(ITEP). This fulfils one of the\u00a0major mandates of the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/7-pm-editorial-national-education-policy-2020-provisions-and-significance31st-july-2020\/\"><strong>National Education Policy 2020<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0related to Teacher Education.<\/p>\n<h5>\u00a0About the Integrated\u00a0Teacher Education Programme(ITEP)<\/h5>\n<figure style=\"width: 412px\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.forumias.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/FCtxeP7VQAkpP7Y.jpeg?resize=412%2C549&amp;ssl=1\" alt=\"ITEP\" width=\"412\" height=\"549\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Source: PIB<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong>ITEP\u00a0<\/strong>is a\u00a0four-year dual-major holistic bachelor\u2019s degree offering B.A B.Ed.\/ B.Sc B.Ed and\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/b.com\/\"><strong>B.Com<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0B.Ed.<\/p>\n<p>This integrated course will benefit students since they will save one year by finishing it in four years rather than the customary five years required by the present B.Ed. plan.<\/p>\n<p>Course availability<\/p>\n<p>This course will be\u00a0available for all students who want to choose teaching as a profession after clearing secondary school.<\/p>\n<p>Hence, the basic aim of the government is to make a four-year integrated B.Ed, the minimum degree required for teaching by 2030.<\/p>\n<h5>Curriculum for the course<\/h5>\n<p>The\u00a0<strong>National Council for Teacher Education<\/strong>\u00a0(NCTE) has created the curriculum of this course to enable\u00a0a student-teacher to get a degree in education as well as a specialised discipline such as history, mathematics, science, arts, economics, or commerce.<\/p>\n<p>The course will also impart cutting-edge pedagogy and establish a foundation in early childhood care and education (ECCE), foundational literacy and numeracy (FLN), inclusive education among others.<\/p>\n<h5>Nodal Agency for Admission<\/h5>\n<p>The commencement of the ITEP will be from the academic session 2022-23.<\/p>\n<p>Admission for the course will be carried out by the<a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/national-testing-agency\/\"><strong>\u00a0National Testing Agency<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0(NTA) through the\u00a0<strong>National Common Entrance Test<\/strong>\u00a0(NCET).<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">MSME Sustainable(ZED) Certification Scheme<\/span><\/h3>\n<h5>\u00a0News<\/h5>\n<p>The Union Minister for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises has launched the MSME Sustainable(ZED) Certification Scheme.<\/p>\n<h5>About the MSME Sustainable(ZED) Certification Scheme<\/h5>\n<p><strong>Nodal Ministry:\u00a0<\/strong>Ministry of MSME.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Aim:\u00a0<\/strong>To\u00a0create awareness amongst MSMEs about Zero Defect Zero Effect (ZED) practices and motivate and incentivise them for ZED Certification while also encouraging them to become MSME Champions.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Phases under the scheme:<\/strong>\u00a0The first phase\u00a0will focus on manufacturing MSMEs and the second phase would be aimed at the MSMEs in the services sector.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Benefits and Subsidies:<\/strong>\u00a0MSMEs will get subsidies on the cost of ZED certification as per the following: Micro Enterprises: 80%, Small Enterprises: 60% and Medium Enterprises: 50%.<\/p>\n<p>\u2013 There will be an additional subsidy of 10% for the MSMEs owned by Women\/SC\/ST Entrepreneurs or MSMEs in NER\/Himalayan\/LWE\/Island territories\/aspirational districts.<\/p>\n<p>\u2013 In addition to the above, there will be an additional subsidy of 5% for MSMEs which are part of the SFURTI or Micro &amp; Small Enterprises \u2013 Cluster Development Programme (MSE-CDP) of the Ministry.<\/p>\n<p>\u2013 A limited purpose joining reward of Rs 10,000 will also be offered to each MSME once they take the ZED Pledge.<\/p>\n<p>\u2013 A provision of up to Rs. 5 lakh(per MSME) will also be made available for handholding and consultancy support for MSMEs for assisting them to move towards Zero Defect Zero Effect solutions.<\/p>\n<p>\u2013 ZED-certified MSME players will also be offered subsidies in stall charges, airfares, concession in banks\u2019 processing fees and rate of interest along with preference in lending.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Significance of the Scheme<\/strong>: Through the ZED Certification, MSMEs can reduce wastage substantially, increase productivity, enhance environmental consciousness, save energy, optimally use natural resources, and expand their markets amongst others.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Museum Grant Scheme<\/span><\/h3>\n<h5>News<\/h5>\n<p>The Ministry of Culture has granted Rs 3.75 crore under the \u2018Upgradation of Museums Scheme\u2019 as part of the\u00a0<strong>Museums Grant Scheme<\/strong>\u00a0for the Rs 5-crore project in Eluru town, Andhra Pradesh.<\/p>\n<h5>About the Museum Grant Scheme<\/h5>\n<p><strong>Launched by:\u00a0<\/strong>Ministry of Culture in 2013.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Aim:\u00a0<\/strong>To strengthen and modernize the existing museums at the Regional, State and District levels.<\/p>\n<p>\u2013 To develop at least 1 Central \/ State Government Museum located in the State Capital each year.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Under the scheme,\u00a0<\/strong>financial assistance is provided to State Governments and Societies, Autonomous bodies, Local Bodies and Trusts registered under the Societies Act 1860 for setting up new Museums.<\/p>\n<h5>Components under the scheme<\/h5>\n<p><strong>Establishment and Development of District and Regional Museums:\u00a0<\/strong>Under this component, museums have been classified into two categories:<\/p>\n<p><strong>Category-I:<\/strong>\u00a0Government-owned State level Museums and renowned Museums with exquisite collections and\u00a0<strong>Category-II:<\/strong>\u00a0all other Museums.<\/p>\n<p>The maximum amount of financial assistance provided under this Component is limited to Rs.10 crore.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Development of Museums in State Capitals:\u00a0<\/strong>Financial assistance under this component is provided to existing renowned museums of the Central or State Government located in the Capital cities.<\/p>\n<p>The maximum financial assistance under this component is limited to Rs. 15 Crore per museum.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Establishment and Development of Large-Scale Museums in Public-Private Partnership Mode:\u00a0<\/strong>Under this component, it is proposed to establish large scale museums as joint ventures with State Governments and civil society in the Public-Private partnerships Mode.<\/p>\n<p>The maximum financial assistance provided under this component is 40% of the project cost subject to a maximum of Rs. 20 Crore per museum.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Digital India RISC-V Microprocessor(DIR-V) Program<\/span><\/h3>\n<h5>News<\/h5>\n<p>The Minister of\u00a0Electronics and Information Technology has launched the Digital India RISC-V Microprocessor (DIR-V) Program.<\/p>\n<h5>About the Digital India RISC-V Microprocessor(DIR-V) Program<\/h5>\n<p><strong>Launched by:\u00a0<\/strong>Ministry of\u00a0Electronics and Information Technology<\/p>\n<p><strong>Aim:\u00a0<\/strong>To enable the creation of Microprocessors for the future in India, and for the world, and achieve industry-grade silicon and Design wins by December 2023.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Significance:<\/strong>\u00a0DIR-V will promote partnerships between Startups, Academia &amp; Multinationals to make India a RISC-V Talent Hub for the World and a supplier of RISC-V SoC (System on Chips) for Servers, Mobile devices, Automotive, IoT &amp; Microcontrollers across the globe.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Note:<\/strong>\u00a0IIT Madras and the Center for Development of Advanced Computing(CDAC) have developed two microprocessors named Shakti (32-bit) and Vega (64-bit) respectively under the Microprocessor Development Program.<\/p>\n<h5>About the Microprocessor Development Program(MDP)<\/h5>\n<p><strong>Nodal Ministry:\u00a0<\/strong>Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY).<\/p>\n<p><strong>Aim<\/strong>: To design and develop indigenously, a family of Microprocessors, related IPs, and the complete ecosystem to enable fully indigenous product development that meets various requirements in the strategic, industrial, and commercial sectors.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">BioNEST Scheme<\/span><\/h3>\n<h5>News<\/h5>\n<p>The Union Minister of\u00a0Science &amp; Technology has launched the\u00a0BioNEST Scheme in Jammu.<\/p>\n<h5>About the BioNEST Scheme<\/h5>\n<p><strong>Launched by:\u00a0<\/strong>BIRAC<\/p>\n<p><strong>Full-Form<\/strong>: BioNEST stands for Bio Incubators Nurturing Entrepreneurship for Scaling Technologies.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Aim:\u00a0<\/strong>To\u00a0foster the biotech innovation ecosystem in the country by creating globally competent bioincubation facilities across the country.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Mandate:<\/strong>\u00a0To provide incubation space to entrepreneurs and Startups along with shared access to high-end infrastructure, specialized and advanced equipment, business mentorship, IP, legal and regulatory guidance and networking opportunities.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Eligibility:<\/strong>\u00a0The scheme provides support to establish bio-incubators either as a standalone entity or as a part of academia.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Achievements:\u00a0<\/strong>Through the BioNEST scheme, BIRAC has supported 60 bioincubators.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Export Promotion Capital Goods(EPCG) Scheme<\/span><\/h3>\n<h5>News<\/h5>\n<p>The Ministry of Commerce and Industry has\u00a0relaxed various procedures under the Export Promotion Capital Goods(EPCG) scheme in order to reduce compliance requirements and facilitate ease of doing business.<\/p>\n<h5>About the Export Promotion Capital Goods(EPCG) Scheme<\/h5>\n<p><strong>Nodal Ministry:\u00a0<\/strong>Ministry of Commerce and Industry<\/p>\n<p><strong>Objective:<\/strong>\u00a0To\u00a0facilitate the import of capital goods for producing quality goods and services and enhance India\u2019s manufacturing competitiveness.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Under the scheme,<\/strong>\u00a0imports of capital goods are allowed duty-free, subject to an Export Obligation(EO).<\/p>\n<p><strong>The Export Obligation(EO)\u00a0<\/strong>is that the exporter under the scheme has to export finished goods worth six times of the actual duty saved in value terms in six years. At least, 50% of the EO must be fulfilled within the first block of four years.<\/p>\n<h5>About the changes made to the EPCG Scheme<\/h5>\n<p><strong>Extension in the time limit for submitting the Annual Report<\/strong>: The time limit for reporting the fulfilment of EO has been extended from April 30 to June 30. Further, late fees of Rs.5000 per authorization for each financial year would be levied for delay in submission of such report.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Export Obligation(EO)<\/strong>:\u00a0Requests for export obligation extension under the scheme should be made within six months of expiry instead of the earlier prescribed period of 90 days. However, applications made after six months and up to six years are subject to a late fee of Rs 10,000 per authorisation.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Payment of Customs Duty<\/strong>:\u00a0The facility to pay customs duty through scrips (MEIS \/RoDTEP \/RoSCTL) for default under EPCG has been withdrawn.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">SVANidhi se Samriddhi Program<\/span><\/h3>\n<h5>News<\/h5>\n<p>The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs(MoHUA) has launched \u2018SVANidhi se Samriddhi\u2019 program in additional 126 cities across 14 States\/ UTs.<\/p>\n<h5>About the SVANidhi se Samriddhi Program<\/h5>\n<p><strong>Launched by:\u00a0<\/strong>Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs(MoHUA) in 2021<\/p>\n<p>It is an\u00a0<strong>additional program of the\u00a0<\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/main-bhi-digital-3-0-special-campaign-for-digital-onboarding-training-for-street-vendors-launched\/\"><strong>PM SVANidhi Scheme.<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Aim<\/strong>: To provide social security benefits to street vendors for their holistic development and socio-economic upliftment.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Implementing Partner:\u00a0<\/strong>Quality Council of India (QCI)<\/p>\n<h5>Key Features of the Scheme<\/h5>\n<p>Under the program, socio-economic profiling of PM SVANidhi beneficiaries and their families is conducted to assess their eligibility for Eight Government of India\u2019s welfare schemes and facilitate sanctions of eligible schemes.<\/p>\n<p><strong>These Eight schemes include: 1)<\/strong>\u00a0Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana,\u00a0<strong>2)<\/strong>\u00a0PM Suraksha Bima Yojana,<strong>\u00a03)\u00a0<\/strong>Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana,\u00a0<strong>4)\u00a0<\/strong>Building and other Constructions Workers (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Act (BOCW),\u00a0<strong>5)<\/strong>\u00a0Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maandhan Yojana,\u00a0<strong>6)<\/strong>\u00a0National Food Security Act (NFSA)-portability benefit \u2013 One Nation One Ration Card (ONORC),\u00a0<strong>7)<\/strong>\u00a0Janani Suraksha Yojana and\u00a0<strong>8)\u00a0<\/strong>Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana.<\/p>\n<p>The socio-economic profiling will also help States if they deem fit to extend their State-specific welfare schemes &amp; benefits to the eligible PM SVANidhi beneficiaries and their families.<\/p>\n<h5>About the achievements of the Program<\/h5>\n<p>The program has two-fold achievements:<\/p>\n<p><strong>One,<\/strong>\u00a0a central database of Street vendors and their families has been created on various socio-economic indicators.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Second,\u00a0<\/strong>a first of its kind inter-ministerial convergence platform is established between various Central Ministries to extend the safety net of welfare schemes to street vendor households.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">5G Vertical Engagement and Partnership Programme(VEPP)<\/span><\/h3>\n<h5>News<\/h5>\n<p>The Department of Telecommunications(DoT) has invited the Expression of Interest (EoI) for the \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/answered-5g-could-be-one-of-the-most-important-development-in-human-history-comment-explain-various-challenges-involved-in-adopting-the-5g-technology\/\">5G<\/a>\u00a0Vertical Engagement and Partnership Programme (VEPP)\u201d.<\/p>\n<h5>About the\u00a05G\u00a0Vertical Engagement and Partnership Programme(VEPP)<\/h5>\n<p><strong>Launched by:\u00a0<\/strong>Department of Telecommunications(DoT)<\/p>\n<p><strong>Objective:<\/strong>\u00a0To\u00a0build strong collaborative partnerships across 5G Use-case ecosystem stakeholders with velocity and with an exclusive emphasis to address User\/Vertical Industry needs.<\/p>\n<h5>Key Features of the Programme<\/h5>\n<p>The programme is being offered to Industry verticals that have potential as testing cum breeding grounds for innovative 5G use cases.<\/p>\n<p>Under the programme,\u00a0DoT will partner with other ministries, state governments and start-up hubs to facilitate necessary approvals, and regulatory clearances to enable use case prototyping, pilots, demos, and trials at the user or vertical industry premises.<\/p>\n<p>On the other hand, technology stakeholders will have to work to develop and deploy prototypes and pilots for 5G use cases as per the needs of the respective ministries or industry verticals to help accelerate commercial usage and adoption by enterprises.<\/p>\n<h5>Significance of the Program<\/h5>\n<p>The program will\u00a0enable close collaboration between User verticals and 5G Tech stakeholders (Service providers, Solution providers &amp; partner Original Equipment Manufacturers). This can trigger a multiplier effect to try &amp; finetune 5G digital solutions in respective economic verticals.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Tour of Duty(ToD) Scheme<\/span><\/h3>\n<h5>News<\/h5>\n<p>The Department of Military Affairs is moving towards finalizing the \u201cTour of Duty(ToD)\u201d scheme.<\/p>\n<h5>About the Tour of Duty(ToD) Scheme<\/h5>\n<p>The tour of Duty(ToD) Scheme involves hiring\u00a0youth in the armed forces for a short span of 3-5 years.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Suggested by:\u00a0<\/strong>This scheme was\u00a0being pushed by the late Chief Of Defence Staff\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/general-bipin-rawat-indias-first-cds-was-on-a-mission-to-modernise-the-military-the-nation-will-miss-him\/\">General Bipin Rawat<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h5>Key Features of the Scheme<\/h5>\n<p>The scheme will be known as the Agnipath entry scheme.<\/p>\n<p>It will be launched on an experimental basis first. The plan is to eventually recruit all soldiers in the Indian Army under the Tour of Duty model.<\/p>\n<p>As per the proposal,\u00a0around 25% of them would serve in the Army for three years and 25% of troops would serve for five years. The remaining 50% would continue to serve in the Army for the full term till they reach their retirement age.<\/p>\n<h5>About the benefits to soldiers from this scheme<\/h5>\n<p><strong>Included in National Pension Scheme<\/strong>: Proposal states that 50% of soldiers released at the end of three and five years will be included in the National Pension Scheme. Such soldiers will be given certain medical benefits, applicable to Armed Forces veterans for a fixed period.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Priority in certain Government Jobs:<\/strong>\u00a0The soldiers would also be given\u00a0priority in recruitment to certain government jobs, including the central armed police forces.<\/p>\n<p>An effort is also on to\u00a0<strong>nudge corporate India into hiring such ex-ToD recruits<\/strong>\u00a0for specific lines of work in the private sector on a priority basis.<\/p>\n<h5>About the benefits to the Government from this scheme<\/h5>\n<p><strong>Reduction in defence pensions:\u00a0<\/strong>It will reduce the burden of pay rises and pensions. As per estimates, the \u201cprospective life-term saving\u201d in the cost of engagement of a single jawan who leaves after 17 years of service with pension and other benefits, as compared to a ToD jawan will be Rs 11.5 crore.<\/p>\n<p>The cumulative money saved in pay and gratuity payouts can consequently be used for the much-needed military modernization.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Overcoming shortages:\u00a0<\/strong>The defence establishment is hoping that the ToD scheme will help in resolving the issue of lack of manpower in the Indian Army.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Dairy Sahakar Scheme<\/span><\/h3>\n<h5>News<\/h5>\n<p>The Union Minister of\u00a0Cooperation has\u00a0launched the Dairy Sahakar Scheme.<\/p>\n<h5>About the Dairy Sahakar Scheme<\/h5>\n<p><strong>Aim:<\/strong>\u00a0To\u00a0encourage the cooperative dairy businesses in the country which will help realize the vision of\u00a0 \u201cfrom cooperation to prosperity\u201d.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Implementing Agency:<\/strong>\u00a0National Cooperative Development Corporation( NCDC) under the Ministry of Cooperation.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Financial Assistance<\/strong>: Financial support will be extended by NCDC to eligible cooperatives for activities such as bovine development, milk procurement, processing, quality assurance, value addition, branding, packaging, marketing, transportation and storage of milk and milk products.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Convergence with other schemes:<\/strong>\u00a0Various schemes of Government of India or State Government or Development agencies or bilateral\/multilateral assistance or CSR mechanism will be converged.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Ayushman CAPF Scheme<\/span><\/h3>\n<h5>News<\/h5>\n<p>The Union Home Minister has launched the \u2018Ayushmaan CAPF\u2019 Scheme health cards at the national level.<\/p>\n<h5>About Ayushman CAPF Scheme<\/h5>\n<p><strong>Launched by<\/strong>: It is a \u00a0joint initiative of the Ministry of Home Affairs(MHA), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare(MoHFW) and National Health Authority(NHA).<\/p>\n<p><strong>Eligibility:<\/strong>\u00a0The scheme covers serving personnel and their dependents from Assam Rifles, Border Security Force (BSF), Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), Central Reserve Police Force(CRPF), Central Industrial Security Force(CISF), National Security Guard(NSG) and Indo-Tibetan Border Police(ITBP).<\/p>\n<p><strong>Benefits under the scheme<\/strong>: CAPF personnel and their families will be able to avail cashless in-patient and out-patient healthcare facilities at all Hospitals empanelled under Ayushmaan Bharat PM-JAY or\u00a0Central Government Health Scheme(CGHS).<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">DBT-Star College Mentorship Programme<\/span><\/h3>\n<h5>News<\/h5>\n<p>\u200b\u200bThe Union minister has launched the first-ever\u00a0DBT-Star College Mentorship Programme.<\/p>\n<h5>About the DBT-Star College Mentorship Programme<\/h5>\n<p>Aim: To have a \u2018Star College\u2019 in every district of the country supported by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT).<\/p>\n<p>Under the programme, the\u00a0Star Status Colleges will mentor the newer colleges through hand-holding and peer learning and bringing them under the aegis of Star College Scheme.<\/p>\n<h5>About the Star College Scheme<\/h5>\n<p><strong>Initiated by<\/strong>: Department of Biotechnology(DBT) in 2008<\/p>\n<p><strong>Aim:<\/strong>\u00a0To improve critical thinking and encourage \u2018hands on\u2019 experimental science at undergraduate level in basic science subjects.It also aims to encourage more students to take up higher education in science.<\/p>\n<p>To support colleges and universities offering undergraduate education to improve science teaching across the country.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Support under the scheme:<\/strong>\u00a0Through this scheme the DBT identifies colleges with potential for excellence and provides support for developing infrastructure for academics and laboratory activities.This support is in turn expected to invigorate teaching and provide unique exposure of students to experimental science.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">MPLADS Scheme<\/span><\/h3>\n<h5>News<\/h5>\n<p>The Union Cabinet has approved the restoration and continuation of the Member of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS) during the remaining part of Financial Year 2021-22 and up to Financial Year, 2025-26,\u00a0co-terminus with the period of 15th\u00a0Finance Commission.<\/p>\n<h5>About the MPLADS Scheme<\/h5>\n<p>\u200b\u200b<strong>MPLADS<\/strong>\u00a0is a Central Sector Scheme fully funded by the Government of India.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Nodal Ministry:\u00a0<\/strong>\u00a0Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation<\/p>\n<p><strong>Objective:\u00a0<\/strong>To enable MPs to recommend works of developmental nature with emphasis on the creation of durable community assets in the areas of drinking water, primary education, public health, sanitation and roads, etc. primarily in their Constituencies.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Under the scheme,<\/strong>\u00a0each MP has the choice to suggest to the District Collector for works to the tune of Rs.5 Crores per annum to be taken up in his\/her constituency.<\/p>\n<p>MPs can recommend every year at least\u00a0<strong>15 per cent<\/strong>\u00a0of the MPLADS entitlement for the year for<strong>\u00a0SC inhabited areas<\/strong>\u00a0and at least\u00a0<strong>7.5 per cent\u00a0<\/strong>of the entitlement for the year for\u00a0<strong>ST inhabited areas<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>MPLADS guidelines state that the funds released to the\u00a0<strong>District Authority<\/strong>\u00a0by the Government of India are\u00a0<strong>non-lapsable<\/strong>. Funds left in the district can be carried forward for utilization in the subsequent years.<\/p>\n<p>As per the guidelines, the District Authority would be responsible for overall coordination and supervision of the works under the scheme at the district level and <strong>inspect\u00a0<\/strong>at least\u00a0<strong>10% of the works\u00a0<\/strong>under implementation every year.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Nutrition Smart Village Programme<\/span><\/h3>\n<h5>News<\/h5>\n<p>As part of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, Government of India has said that a\u00a0programme on \u201c<strong>Nutrition Smart Village<\/strong>\u201d will be initiated\u00a0to strengthen the<a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/tackling-malnutrition-challenge-via-poshan\/\"><strong>\u00a0Poshan Abhiyan.<\/strong><\/a><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<h5>About Nutrition Smart Village Programme<\/h5>\n<p>As part of the programme, a total of 75 villages will be adopted by All India Coordinated Research Project (AICRP) centres and Indian Council of Agricultural Research \u2013 Central Institute for Women in Agriculture (ICAR-CIWA).<\/p>\n<p>The Programme is in line with the Prime Minister\u2019s call to adopt and transform 75 villages.<\/p>\n<h5>Objectives of the Programme<\/h5>\n<p>\u2013 To promote nutritional awareness.<\/p>\n<p>\u2013 To promote Education and behavioral change in rural areas involving farm women and school children<\/p>\n<p>\u2013 To harness traditional knowledge through the local recipe to overcome malnutrition and<\/p>\n<p>\u2013 To implement nutrition-sensitive agriculture through homestead agriculture and\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/women-and-child-development-minister-inaugurates-nutri-garden-at-all-india-institute-of-ayurveda\/\"><strong>Nutri-garden.<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Special Credit Linked Capital Subsidy Scheme (SCLCSS) for the services sector<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><strong>Nodal Ministry<\/strong>: Ministry of Micro,Small &amp; Medium Enterprises<\/p>\n<p><strong>Aim<\/strong>: To\u00a0help in meeting the\u00a0<strong>technology related requirements<\/strong>\u00a0of enterprises in the<strong>\u00a0services sector.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Under the scheme,<\/strong>\u00a0there is a provision of 25% capital subsidy for procurement of plant and machinery and service equipment. Subsidy is to be given via institutional credit to the SC\/ST micro and small enterprises (MSEs) without any sector specific restrictions on technology degradation.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Significance<\/strong>: The scheme will help in meeting the technology related requirements of enterprises in the services sector.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">ACROSS Scheme<\/span><\/h3>\n<h5>News<\/h5>\n<p>Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has approved the continuation of the umbrella scheme \u201cAtmosphere &amp; Climate Research-Modelling Observing Systems &amp; Services (ACROSS)\u201d.<\/p>\n<h5>About the ACROSS Scheme<\/h5>\n<p><strong>launched by<\/strong>: Ministry of Earth Sciences(MoES)<\/p>\n<p>The ACROSS scheme pertains to the atmospheric science programs of the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES).<\/p>\n<p><strong>Aim<\/strong>: To address the different aspects of weather and climate services which include warnings for cyclones, storm surges, heatwaves, thunderstorms among others.<\/p>\n<h5>Sub Schemes under ACROSS<\/h5>\n<p>There are eight sub-schemes under ACROSS: 1)\u00a0Commissioning of Polarimetric Doppler Weather Radars (DWRs) 2)\u00a0Upgradation of Forecast System 3)\u00a0Weather &amp; Climate Services 4)\u00a0Atmospheric Observations Network-IMD 5)\u00a0Numerical Modelling of Weather and Climate \u00a06)\u00a0Monsoon Mission III 7)\u00a0Monsoon Convection, Clouds and Climate Change(MC4) and 8)\u00a0High-Performance Computing System (HPCS).<\/p>\n<h5>Implementation of Scheme<\/h5>\n<p>The scheme is being implemented by the Ministry of Earth Sciences(MoES) through its units namely the India Meteorological Department (IMD), National Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasting (NCMRWF); Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) and Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS).<\/p>\n<p>Each institute has a designated role for accomplishing the tasks through the aid of eight sub-schemes.<\/p>\n<h5>Impact of this Scheme<\/h5>\n<p>The scheme will provide improved weather, climate, ocean forecast and services, and other hazard-related services thereby ensuring transfer of commensurate benefits to the end-user.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Ocean Services, Modelling, Application, Resources and Technology (O-SMART)<\/span><\/h3>\n<h5>News<\/h5>\n<p>The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has approved the continuation of the umbrella scheme \u201cOcean Services, Modelling, Application, Resources and Technology (O-SMART)\u201d for the period from 2021-26.<\/p>\n<h5>About O-SMART Scheme<\/h5>\n<p><strong>Launched by<\/strong>: <strong>Ministry of Earth Sciences.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Objectives of the scheme<\/strong>: a) To provide forecasts and services based on the continuous observation of oceans b) To develop technologies and exploratory surveys for the sustainable harnessing of oceanic resources (both living and nonliving) and c) To promote front-ranking research in ocean sciences.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Sub-schemes<\/strong>: The scheme includes seven sub-schemes \u2013 1) Ocean Technology 2) Ocean Modelling and Advisory Services (OMAS) 3) Ocean Observation Network (OON) 4) Ocean Non-Living Resources 5) Marine Living Resources and Ecology (MLRE) 6) Coastal Research and Operation and 7) Maintenance of Research Vessels.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Implementation<\/strong>: The sub-schemes are being implemented by autonomous\/attached institutes of the Ministry of Earth Sciences namely: National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT), Chennai; Indian National Center for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS), Hyderabad; National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR), Goa, Center for Marine Living Resources and Ecology (CMLRE), Kochi; and National Centre for Coastal Research (NCCR), Chennai.<\/p>\n<h5>Significance of the Scheme<\/h5>\n<p><strong>Firstly,\u00a0<\/strong>the extensive research and technology development activities under the scheme would augment the capacity building of the nation in the oceanographic field at the international level<strong>.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Secondly<\/strong>, the present decade has been declared as the Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development by the United Nations (UN). Hence, the continuation of the scheme would strengthen India\u2019s stand in the global oceanographic research and technology development.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Anaemia Mukt Bharat Programme<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.forumias.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/6%C3%976%C3%976-Strategy-v2.jpg?resize=659%2C933&amp;ssl=1\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Anaemia Mukt Bharat (AMB) Programme was launched in 2018 by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Objective:<\/strong>\u00a0To reduce the prevalence of anaemia among children, adolescents and women in the reproductive age group(15\u201349 years).<\/p>\n<p><strong>Target:\u00a0<\/strong>The programme aims to reduce the proportion of anaemia among children to 40%, pregnant women to 32% and lactating women to 40% by 2022.<\/p>\n<p><strong>6x6x6 Strategy:\u00a0<\/strong>The 6x6x6 strategy under AMB implies six age groups, six interventions and six institutional mechanisms. This strategy focuses on ensuring supply chain, demand generation and strong monitoring using the dashboard for addressing anemia both due to nutritional and non-nutritional causes.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">WISER Program<\/span><\/h3>\n<h5>News<\/h5>\n<p>The Union Minister for Science and Technology has launched the\u00a0Women\u2019s Involvement in Science and Engineering Research (WISER) program.<\/p>\n<h5>About the WISER Program<\/h5>\n<p><strong>Launched by:\u00a0<\/strong>Indo-German Science &amp; Technology Centre (IGSTC)<\/p>\n<p><strong>Purpose:<\/strong>\u00a0It is a first-of-its-kind programme that aims to promote women in the field of research and development through lateral entry.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Features:<\/strong>\u00a0The involvement in the program will be possible through lateral entry. There is neither requirement of break-in-career nor any age limit, and it will enable easy participation.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Significance:\u00a0<\/strong>The program will enable gender equality and women\u2019s participation in Science and Technology.<\/p>\n<h5>Indo-German\u00a0Science &amp; Technology Centre (IGSTC)<\/h5>\n<p>IGSTC was established by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India and the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF), Germany<\/p>\n<p><strong>Objective<\/strong>: to foster innovation through Indo-German R&amp;D networking including industrial research partnership in PPP mode.<\/p>\n<h5>About the 2+2 Project<\/h5>\n<p><strong>The 2+2 project\u00a0<\/strong>is the flagship programme of the Indo-German Science &amp; Technology Centre (IGSTC).<\/p>\n<p><strong>Aim<\/strong>: To catalyse innovation-centric R&amp;D projects by synergizing the strength of research\/academic institutions and public\/industry from India and Germany.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Under the scheme,<\/strong>\u00a0R&amp;D projects will be supported through \u201c2+2 Mode of Partnership\u201d i.e. involvement of at least one research\/academic institute and one public\/private industry from both India and Germany.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana(PMBJP)<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><strong>Launched by:<\/strong> Department of Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers in 2008.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Aim: <\/strong>To provide quality generic medicines at affordable prices to the masses through Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Jan Aushadhi Kendra.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Under this<\/strong>, medicine is priced on the principle of a maximum of 50% of the average price of the top three brands of said medicine. Thus, the prices of Jan Aushadhi Medicines are cheaper at least by 50% and in some cases, by 80% to 90% of the market price of the branded medicines.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Implementing Agency: <\/strong>Pharmaceutical &amp; Medical Devices Bureau of India (PMBI).<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana(PMGSY)<\/span><\/h3>\n<h5>News<\/h5>\n<p>Union Minister of State for Rural Development has informed Lok Sabha about the implementation of Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana.<\/p>\n<h5>About Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana(PMGSY)<\/h5>\n<p><strong>Aim: <\/strong>To provide rural connectivity, by way of a single all-weather road, to the eligible unconnected habitations of designated population size (500+ in plain areas and 250+ in North-Eastern States, Himalayan States and Himalayan Union Territories as per 2001 census).<\/p>\n<p><strong>Implementation<\/strong>: The Ministry of Rural Development along with state governments is responsible for the implementation.<\/p>\n<p>PMGSY was launched as a one-time special intervention to provide rural connectivity by way of a single all-weather road to the eligible unconnected habitations of designated population size as per Census 2001.<\/p>\n<p>PMGSY-II was launched in 2013 for up-gradation of selected Through Routes and Major Rural Links (MRLs) with a target to upgrade 50,000 Km in various States and Union Territories.<\/p>\n<p>In 2016, Road Connectivity Project for Left Wing Extremism Affected Areas(RCPLWEA) was launched as a separate vertical under PMGSY\u00a0 for construction\/up-gradation of strategically important roads.<\/p>\n<p>In 2019, the Government launched PMGSY-III for consolidation of 1,25,000 Km through Routes and Major Rural Links connecting habitations, inter-alia, to Gramin Agricultural Markets (GrAMs), Higher Secondary Schools and Hospitals.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Monitoring Mechanism under PMGSY: <\/strong>There is a three-tiered Quality Control mechanism for ensuring the construction of quality road works and durability of road assets under PMGSY.<\/p>\n<p><strong>-Under the first tier, <\/strong>the Programme Implementation Units (PIUs) are required to ensure process control through mandatory tests on material and workmanship at field laboratories.<\/p>\n<p><strong>-The second tier <\/strong>is a structured independent quality monitoring at the State level through State Quality Monitors (SQMs) to ensure that every work is inspected at the initial stage, middle stage and final stage of construction.<\/p>\n<p><strong>-Under the third tier,<\/strong> independent National Quality Monitors (NQMs) are deployed by National Rural Infrastructure Development Agency (NRIDA) for random inspection of road and bridge works to monitor quality and also to provide guidance to the field functionaries.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">INSPIRE Faculty fellowship<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><strong>Nodal Ministry: <\/strong>Department of Science and Technology.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Purpose:<\/strong> The scheme offers postdoctoral fellowships to young achievers with an opportunity for independent research.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Eligibility: <\/strong>The candidate should be an Indian citizen or a person of Indian origin with PIO status having a PhD degree (in science, mathematics, engineering, pharmacy, medicine and agriculture-related subjects) from any recognised university.<\/p>\n<p>\u2013 Candidates should possess a minimum of 60% (or equivalent CGPA) marks throughout their academic profile starting from the higher secondary examination (class 12 onwards).<\/p>\n<p>\u2013 Those who have submitted their PhD theses and are awaiting the award of the degree shall also be eligible. However, selection for the fellowship will be confirmed only after the PhD degree is awarded.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Age Limit: <\/strong>The upper age limit at the time of awarding the offer should be 32 years for considering support.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Prize: <\/strong>Each selected INSPIRE faculty fellow will be eligible to receive a consolidated amount of Rs 1,25,000 per month as a fellowship.<\/p>\n<p>In addition, a research grant of Rs 7 lakh every year for 5 years will also be provided to each successful candidate including the carryforward amount, if any, from the previous year.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Dear Friends, This post is a part of our current affairs series for the UPSC IAS Prelims 2022. In this post, we have covered all of the current affairs linked to Government Schemes and Programs. To Read Other Current Affairs Compilations\u00a0for UPSC Prelims 2022\u2013\u00a0Click here Government Schemes and Programs \u2018Eat Right Station\u2019 program News Indian&hellip; <a class=\"more-link\" href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/upsc-ias-prelims-2022-material-current-affairs-government-schemes-and-programs-part-1\/\">Continue reading <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">UPSC IAS Prelims 2022 Material| Current Affairs| Government Schemes and Programs &#8211; Part 1<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":61,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[10695],"class_list":["post-184943","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-public","tag-current-affairs-compilations-for-prelims-2022","entry"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","views":{"total":9,"cached_at":"","cached_date":1698454376},"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/184943","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/61"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=184943"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/184943\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=184943"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=184943"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=184943"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}