Académique Documents
Professionnel Documents
Culture Documents
Contents
Government Schemes - January 2019................................................................................................................ 2
Government Schemes - February 2019.............................................................................................................. 9
Government Schemes - March 2019................................................................................................................ 12
Government Schemes – April 2019 ................................................................................................................. 15
Government Schemes - May 2019................................................................................................................... 16
Government Schemes - June 2019................................................................................................................... 17
Government Schemes - July 2019 ................................................................................................................... 19
Government Schemes – August 2019 .............................................................................................................. 23
Government Schemes - September2019 .......................................................................................................... 26
Government Schemes - January 2019
Central Government Schemes
Government Extends CLSS for MIG scheme till 31st march, 2020
On 31st December 2018, the Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs headed by Minister of
State Hardeep S. Puri, extended the Credit-Linked Subsidy Scheme (CLSS) for Middle Income Group
(MIG) Scheme by another 12 months till March 31, 2020.
Key Points:
i. Around 93, 007 beneficiaries have been covered till date and have already received Rs 1,960.45
crore of subsidy in the scheme.
ii. The scheme covers two income segments in the MIG viz. Rs 6,00,001 to Rs 12,00,000 per annum for
MIG-I and Rs 12,00,001 to Rs 18,00,000 per annum for MIG-II.
iii. The dwelling unit carpet area to avail the benefit of the scheme include ‘upto 160 sq.m’ and ‘upto
200 sq.m’ for MIG I and MIG II respectively.
iv. In the MIG-I, an interest subsidy of 4 per cent has been provided for loan amounts up to Rs 9 lakh,
while in MIG-II, an interest subsidy of 3 per cent has been provided for loan amount of Rs 12 lakh.
v. To become eligible for the scheme, a beneficiary family should not own a pucca house (an all
weather dwelling unit) either in his/her name or in the name of any member of his/her family in any
part of India.
Background of the Scheme:
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi on 31.12.2016 announced the commencement of a new Credit
Linked Subsidy Scheme for the Middle Income Group (CLSS for MIG). The purpose of the scheme
was to meet the aspirations of young professionals and entrepreneurs of Middle Class Segment
seeking housing loans for acquisition/ construction of houses (including re-purchase) from Banks,
Housing Finance Companies and other such notified institutions.
Zero percent interest for loans upto Rs. 3 lakhs for Self Help Groups (SHGs) under the Mission
Shakti scheme: Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik
On January 5, 2019, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik announced interest-free loans of up
to Rs.3 lakh for six lakh women self-help groups (WSHGs) benefitting about 70 lakh women in
Odisha.
i. This was announced at the ‘Mission Shakti’ convention attended by about 50,000 women.
ii. In the convention, the chief minister did the following:
• He distributed financial assistance of Rs. 3,000 each to six lakh WSHGs to digitally empower
women.
• Launched a scheme to distribute Rs. 15,000 seed money per group to three lakh new self-help
groups.
• He also handed over revolving fund of Rs. 25 lakh to 338 block federations.
• Also announced incentives of Rs. 500 per month for anganwadi workers and Rs.200 for
helpers.
iii. Also the Odisha government decided to build ‘Mission Shakti Home’ in each gram panchayat across
the state, as a part of ‘Mission Shakti’ initiative.
Background:
The ‘Mission Shakti’ programme was launched in 2001.
Encouraging farmers to enrol farmers for the Atal Solar Krishi Pump Yojana: Maharashtra govt
On January 5, 2019, Maharashtra Government announced distribution of free sops to encourage
farmers to enrol in the Atal Solar Krishi Pump Yojana.
i. The things included: two LED bulbs, a DC fan and a mobile charging socket.
About Atal Solar Krishi Pump Yojana (ASKP):
• Launched in October 2018, it aims to reduce losses due to non-payment of electricity bills and
also promote solar energy.
• Farmers with less than five acres will have to pay 5 per cent of the cost of a 3 HP solar pump
while farmers with more than five acres will get a 5 HP solar pump and the sops.
• It would provide subsidy of upto 95% on solar agriculture pumpsets.
• Also around 1 lakh solar pumps were distributed to farmers to irrigate 14,000 Ha land.
• The Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Co Ltd (Msedcl) is the implementing agency.
Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik launched a new scheme ‘Ama Ghare LED’ to distribute
free led bulbs
On 11th January 2019, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik launched the ‘Ama Ghare LED’ scheme,
under which about 95 lakh families in the State will each get four LED bulbs free of cost.
Key Points:
i. The scheme in which the LED bulbs (9-watt each) will be distributed to the beneficiaries registered
under the National Food Security Act (NFSA) and the State Food Security Scheme (SFSS) was
launched during the ‘Ama Gaon, Ama Bikash’ programme.
ii. Distribution of the bulbs will be started through the PEETHA (Peoples Empowerment – Enabling
Transparency and Accountability of Odisha Initiatives) schemes on January 15.
iii. The scheme will be implemented by Odisha Power Transmission Corporation Limited
(OPTCL) and the bulbs will be distributed through camps to be held during 15th to 20th of every
month and through the PDS outlets across the State.
iv. The beneficiaries will have to produce their bio-metric authentication to avail benefits under the
scheme.
v. The ‘Ama Ghare LED’ project, which requires about 3.8 crore LED bulbs for distribution, will help
curb high-watt consumption.
Sikkim CM launched ‘One Family, One Job’ scheme in Rojgar Mela 2019 to give one state
government job to one family
On January 12, 2019, Sikkim Chief Minister Pawan Kumar Chamling launched the ‘One Family
One Job’ scheme, under which for every family one government job has been allotted, in Gangtok.
New recruits were taken for Group C and Group D posts in 12 departments.
i. As part of the scheme, a “Rojgar Mela” (employment fair) was organised at the Paljor stadium
in Gangtok, where over 12,000 unemployed youths, from 32 constituencies, were handed out
appointment letters.
ii. Letters were given to families, by the Department of Personnel, which do not have a government
job.
iii. He also announced that over 25,000 already employed but unregularised government employees
would also be subsequently regularised within 2019.
iv. Thus, Sikkim became the first state in the country to carry out such a programme for the people
entitling them to state government employee benefits.
Background:
CM Chamling is the longest serving CM of the Independent India.
MP CM launches Rs 50,000 cr farm loan waiver scheme ‘Jai Kisan Rin Mukti Yojana
On 15th January 2019, “Jai Kisan Rin Mukti Yojana” scheme was launched by Madhya Pradesh Chief
Minister Shri. Kamal Nath.It is Rs 50,000 crore farm loan waiver scheme for farmers. The loan
waiver forms could be submitted till February 5 and farmers would start getting the benefits from
February 22.
Key points
i. On 5th January 2019, the state cabinet decided to waive crop loans of 55 lakh small and marginal
farmers in the state.The eligibility cut-off date has been extended to December 12, 2018 from March
31, 2018.
ii. Only those farmers who have not registered themselves to pay GST and income tax can avail
benefits under this schemes.
iii. Earlier former Chief Minister Shri. Shivraj Singh Chouhan also launched similar scheme
named ‘Bhavantar Yojana’.
Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik announced extension of free health services under Biju
Swasthya Kalyan Yojana
On 17th January 2019, Odisha Chief Minister, Shri Naveen Patnaik announced the extension of free
health services under Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana(BSKY) to all medical colleges and hospitals of
Odisha from 1st February 2019.
Key Points
i. Earlier the free health services under Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana also known cashless care were
available to all at sub-centres in villages and district headquarters hospitals.
ii. Under the scheme, all the patients irrespective of APL or BPL category will be eligible to avail the
free health services at government medical colleges and hospitals.
iii. An Additional provision of over Rs 100 crore was made for this scheme by state government from
its budget.
About Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana(BSKY)
BSKY was launched on 15th August 2018 by Odisha Government. This scheme provide free medical
services to all at government colleges and hospital irrespective of the category of the patients without
any requirement of income, residence or any other document. The scheme received an overwhelming
response and till now over 2.25 crore people have availed free treatment under this scheme.
Odisha CM hiked Rs.200 per month under Madhu Babu Pension Yojana scheme
On January 19, 2019,Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik announced in a video conference on “Ama Gaon,
Ama Bikash”a hike of Rs 200 per month in the social security pension under Madhu Babu Pension
Yojana (MBPY)
Key points to be noted
i. The state government launched Madhu Babu Pension Yojana on January 1, 2008, by merging two
pension schemes – Old Age Pension and Odisha Disability Pension schemes
ii. The Madhu Babu Pension Yojana is a pension scheme introduced in the Indian State of Odisha with
the objective of providing financial assistance to the destitute elderly and destitute differently abled
persons in the state.
iii. According to the new change,the elderly persons aged over 60 years would get a revised old age
pension of Rs 500 per month as against Rs 300 and those who are more than 80 years old, the pension
would be Rs 700 per month instead of Rs 500 per month and the enhanced pension will come into
effect from February 15, 2019.
iv.Unmarried women above 30 years and belonging to a below poverty level family or with individual
income below Rs 24,000 per year are also going to benefit from the hike.
Madhya Pradesh launched employment scheme “Yuva Swabhiman Yojana” for urban youth
On January 26,2019, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath launched ‘Yuva Swabhiman
Yojana’ for youths of the weak section in urban areas of Madhya Pradesh
About the scheme:
i. The scheme was launched in Chhindwara,Madhya Pradesh
ii. It aims to provide employment to the youth belonging to the weaker section of the society mainly in
urban areas of the state.
iii. Under this scheme, 100 days of employment will be provided.
iv. Registration of interested urban poor youth under this scheme will start on February 10,2019.
v.Apart from this 100 days employment,they will also be given skill training by the government.
Schemes for Socio-economic development instigated by National Minorities Dev. and Finance Corp
The National Minority Development and Finance Corporation executed diverse schemes for the socio-economic
development of the ‘backward sections’ amidst the notified minorities.
Key Points
i. Schemes are being executed by State Channelizing Agencies represented by state government.
ii. Credit schemes like Term loan, Micro Finance, Educational loan, etc. and Promotional schemes like
Vocational training, Marketing assistance, etc. have been implemented.
iii. Beneficiaries are classified under 2 categories-
Credit link 1- Those who have annual family income of Rs.98,000 for rural areas and Rs.1.20 lakh for urban
areas.
Credit link 2- Those who have higher family income eligibility criteria of upto 6 lakhs.
Universal Old Age Pension scheme has been announced by Bihar Government
Bihar Chief Minister, Nitish Kumar announced an Universal Old Age Pension scheme, named Mukhya Mantri
Vriddha Pension Yojana (MMVPY), irrespective for all caste, community, religion, except for those who are
retired from government organizations.
Key points
i. The scheme facilitates the amount of Rs. 400 monthly pension for all in the state above the age of 60 years
who are not getting pension from the government.
ii. The scheme will come into its enforcement from 1st April, 2019.
iii. Other than this scheme, Bihar’s govt. has also proclaimed a pension of Rs. 6,000 for journalists above 60
years of age, which will get implemented from 1st April, 2019.
iv.Currently old age pension scheme is applicable to only the BPL category.
PM-Kisan scheme and Annadatha Sukhibhava scheme has been amalgamated by Andhra Pradesh
Andhra Pradesh has made a significant move by merging Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana with its
own Annadatha Sukhibhava scheme. This move will further allow a fixed amount of Rs. 10,000 per annum to all
farmers in the state, irrespective of the size of their land.
Key points
i. The benefits will be facilitated in 2 portions of Rs. 5000 before the Kharif and Rabi crop cycle.
ii. Around 70 lakhs farmers will get advantage from this merger.
iii. As PM-Kisan scheme covers only marginalized farmers but, Annadatha Sukhibhava scheme also covers
tenant farmers, who will be facilitated with ‘Cultivation Certificates’ and ‘Loan Eligibility Certificates’ to avail
the benefits of scheme.
iv. Other than Rs. 6000 per household which will given under PM Kisan Samman Nidhi, farmers will also
receive Rs. 4000 from Andhra Pradesh government, which will further benefit 54 lakhs farmers.
Govt. working on a new scheme for unorganised food processing sector: Gram Samridhi Yojana
Gram Samridhi Yojana, a Rs 3,000 crore scheme funded by the World Bank and the Government
of India, is being worked upon by the Ministry of Food Processing Industries in order to strengthen
the unorganised food processing sector concentrated in rural areas.
i. Roughly 66% of unorganised food processing units are in rural areas and of these, 80% are family
run.
ii. The scheme is aimed at helping the cottage industry, farmer producers’
organisation and individual food processors to increase capacity, upgrade technology besides skill
improvement, entrepreneurship development and strengthening the farm-to market supply chain.
iii. World Bank will be giving Rs 1,500 crore and Rs 1,000 crore will be borne by
the Centre while state governments will put in Rs 500 crore.
iv. The scheme will be run in Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra and Punjab for a five-
year period in the initial phase and thereafter in other states of the country.
iii. NITI Aayog has given its approval to the scheme and now the proposal is pending with
the Expenditure Finance Committee for clearance.
Scheme for Development of Knitting and Knitwear Sector launched by Smriti Irani
Union Minister of Textiles, Smriti Irani, launched a comprehensive scheme for Development of
Knitting and Knitwear Sector under PowerTex India in New Delhi where she also interacted with
industry associations related to knit wear sector in three clusters
of Kolkata, Tirupur and Ludhiana through video link.
i. The sector is predominantly Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME) in size and mainly
located in decentralized sector which is one of the major employment generator sectors.
ii. The main components of the scheme are:
• Creation of new service centers on Public Private Partnership (PPP) model by industry and
association in the knitting and knitwear clusters.
• Modernization and upgradation of existing Powerloom Service Centers (PSCs) and
institution run by Textile Research Associations (TRAs) and Export Promotion Councils
(EPCs) Association in knitting and knitwear clusters.
• Group workshed scheme.
• Yarn bank scheme.
• Common facility centre scheme.
• Pradhan Mantri Credit Scheme.
• Solar Energy Scheme.
• Facilitation, IT, awareness, studies, surveys, market development and publicity for knitting and
knitwear units.
iii. Some of the major clusters in the knitted garment sector are Tirupur in Tamil Nadu,
Ludhiana in Punjab, Kanpur in Uttar Pradesh and Kolkata in West Bengal.
iv. Tirupur is the most important export cluster, manufacturing more than 90% of the garment,
which is exported, and is followed by Ludhiana.
v. The Ministry has approved combined SFC (Standing Finance Component) of PowerTex India
Scheme and Knitwea r Scheme with an outlay of Rs. 487.07 crores out of which, Rs. 439.35
crore is for PowerTex for 3 years from 14th April 2017 to 31st March 2020 and Rs. 47.72
crores for Knitwear for the remaining period of 2018-19 and for 2019-20.
Rs 250 crore STARS scheme initiated by HRD Ministry to fund science projects
Union Human Resource Development (HRD) Minister, Prakash Javadekar, on the occasion
of National Science Day, that is 28th February 2019, launched the Scheme for Translational and
Advanced Research in Science (STARS) aimed at funding science projects.
i. Funds worth Rs 250 crore have been approved by the HRD ministry which will be utilised to
sponsor about 500 science projects, selected on the basis of competitions.
ii. The Indian Institute of Science (IISc) is the coordinator of the project, to whom the interested
candidates would submit their applications.
Additional Information:
HRD Ministry in collaboration with the National Skill Ministry and Labour and employment Ministry
collaboratively launched SHREYAS – Scheme for Higher Education Youth for Apprenticeship and Skills
to empower non-technical courses.
Mamata Banerjee launched Yuvashree Arpan scheme for financially assisting young
entrepreneurs
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee launched a new scheme called Yuvashree Plan
II or Yuvashree Arpan under which 50,000 youths will receive financial assistance of Rs 1 lakh for
setting up an their own business initiatives.
i. Youngsters passing out of Industrial training institute (ITI) or other polytechnic institute will be
eligible to get financial support from the micro, small and medium enterprises
(MSME) department.
ii. The Chief Minister on this occasion also laid foundation stone of various developmental projects
including the first Hindi university in West Bengal in Arupara, Howrah district and Rs 1,488
crore drinking water project at Purba Medinipur that will benefit more than 12 lakh people.
iii. Foundation stone of projects worth Rs 1,071 crore including drinking water project that would
benefit more than 8 lakh people inaugurated Bankura.
iv. She announced that the Health and Family Welfare department office would be set up on three
acre land beside Nabanna.
v. She also inaugurated nearly 217 projects worth more than Rs 1,300 crore at the programme.
FAME-II plan stands to reduce 64% energy needs and 37% carbon needs by 2030: CII
The Confederation of Indian Industry(CII) has notified certain observations regarding the second phase of
the Faster Adoption and Manufacture of (Hybrid and) Electric Vehicles in India (FAME India). It has
observed that India can save 64% of anticipated road-based mobility-related energy demand and 37% of
carbon emissions by 2030.
Key Points:
i. The reduction in energy demands would lead in the reduction of 156 million tonnes of oil equivalent in
diesel and petrol consumption and net savings of approximately $60 billion in 2030 at current oil rates. This
will boost India’s vision of reducing oil imports by 10% by 2022.
ii. The tentative aim is to have 30% electric vehicles by 2030 and the electric vehicle penetration in India is
currently at 1%. Therefore, CII added that FAME alone is not enough to reach the 2030 target.
iii. If transport has to be eco-friendly, it must increase its share of renewable along with environmentally
sustainable batteries. As per CII, transport continues to be the highest oil consuming sector and the use of
diesel and petrol grew at 5.9% and 9.9% respectively in the last decade. As per government’s estimates, the
country’s import dependency on oil has increased to 83.7% in the 10-month period of FY 2019 from 78.3% of
total consumption in 2014-15.
iv. The government has allocated Rs.10,000 cr for FAME-II which is Rs.895 cr higher than allocated for FAME-
I.
About FAME India Scheme:
The Department of Heavy Industry implemented the FAME India scheme to promote manufacturing of electric
and hybrid vehicle technology and to ensure sustainable growth.
Under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana scheme, 81,03,196 houses were approved
On June 27, 2019, Minister of State for Housing and Urban Affairs, Hardeep Singh Puri announced
that 81,03,196 houses were approved under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) scheme. 47,57,987
houses are at stages of construction and 26,07,913 houses were completed or occupied.
Key Points:
i. Central Assistance of Rs. 51,113 crores was released under the PMAY(Urban) and the assistance was met
through Budgetary Resources as well as Extra Budgetary Resources (EBR).
ii. State Level Sanctioning and Monitoring Committee (SLSMC) under the chairmanship of Chief Secretary of the
concerned State/Union Territories reviews the progress of implementation of the Mission ‘Housing for All by
2022’ at the State level.
About PMAY:
PMAY is an initiative by the Government of India in which affordable housing will be provided to the urban
poor with a target of building 20 million affordable houses by 31 March 2022. It has two components: Pradhan
Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban) (PMAY-U) for the urban poor and Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Gramin) (PMAY-
G/ PMAY-R) for the rural poor.
Central Government approved pilot scheme on fortification of rice and its distribution through PDS
Union Minister Smriti Irani of Women and Child Development (WCD) Ministry stated that based on the
information received from the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, the Department of
Food and Public Distribution, central Government approved the centrally sponsored pilot scheme on
fortification of rice and its distribution through Public Distribution System (PDS).
Key Points:
i. Distribution of Financial assistance: It is up to 90% in the case of North-Eastern, Hilly and Island States and
up to 75% for the rest of the States.
ii. Fortification: It is a complementary strategy to fight malnutrition under which the addition of key vitamins
and minerals such as iron, iodine, zinc, vitamins A & D to staple foods such as rice, wheat, oil, milk and salt are
done to improve their nutritional content. Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) formulated a
comprehensive regulation on fortification of food namely ‘Food Safety and Standards (Fortification of Foods)
Regulations, 2016’.
iii. Finalization: The Recommended Dietary Allowance for Indian population was finalized by the National
Institute of Nutrition (NIN) based on the recommendations of the Expert Group. It is based on individual
variability and nutrient bio-availability from the habitual diet.
WCD implements a Scheme for Women in Difficult Circumstances called “Swadhar Greh”
The Ministry of Women and Child Development(WCD), Government of India is implementing
the Swadhar Greh Scheme for the rehabilitation of women in difficult circumstances so that they
could lead their life with dignity.
Key points:
i. Support: It envisages providing shelter, food, clothing, and health as well as economic and social
security for the women who are deserted and without any social and economic support, victims of
domestic violence, family tension, and natural disaster.
ii. Helpline: The ministry is also implementing Universalisation of Women Helpline Scheme to
provide 24 hours emergency and non-emergency response to women affected by violence.
iii. OSC: As a part of Nirbhaya Framework, One Stop Centres(OSC) has been established for violence
affected women across the country with the help of States/UTs (Union territory).
iv. Facilities: OSC formed under One Stop Centre Scheme provides legal and psycho-social
counseling &other facilities include temporary shelter, police facilitation and medical support to the
women affected by violence.
Around 30 lakh workers enrolled under PM Shram Yogi Maandhan Scheme
Shri Santosh Kumar Gangwar, Union Minister of State for Labour and Employment stated that under
the mega pension scheme, “Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maan-Dhan”, 30,85,205 Persons have
enrolled till July 10, 2019. This scheme assures the minimum monthly pension of 3000 rupees to the
beneficiaries after attaining the age of 60 years.
Key points:
About the scheme: In February 2019, Government of India (GoI) launched a voluntary and
contributory pension scheme, the Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maandhan (PM-SYM) for the benefit of
unorganized workers, as per the eligibility.
• Under the Scheme, the subscriber is required to pay the prescribed monthly contribution
amount and the Central Government provides the equal matching contribution.
• People who are at 40 years or already covered under a pension with a part contribution by the
government are not eligible for the scheme. Only one spouse will be eligible for family pension
in case of demise of the pensioner.
• To join the mega pension scheme, the monthly income should not exceed Rs 15,000 by
unorganized workers, working or engaged as home-based workers, street vendors, mid-day
meal workers, head loaders, brick kiln workers, rag pickers, domestic workers, washermen,
rickshaw pullers, landless laborers, own-account workers, agricultural workers, construction
workers, etc.
• This scheme is implemented through Life Insurance Corporation of India(LIC)
• The eligible person should have a savings bank account and Aadhaar number & age of workers
should not be less than 18 years.
HRD Ministry launches new UGC Scheme “Paramarsh” For Higher Education
On July 19, 2019, Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’, Union Minister for Human Resource Development
(HRD) launched a Scheme called “Paramarsh” of University Grants Commission (UGC) in New Delhi.
i. About Paramarsh
Aim: This scheme aims at mentoring National Accreditation and Assessment Council (NAAC)
accreditation aspirant institutions to develop quality assurance in Higher Education.
Mentorship: Under the scheme, the prime Mentoring institutions will provide regular mentoring to
colleges to help achieve high-quality standards. For mentoring they will get the financial assistance &
also the option of appointing an expert, who can be paid a fellowship amount of Rs 31,000 per month.
Hub & Spoke model: The Scheme will be implemented through a “Hub & Spoke” model where
mentor institution -called ‘Hub’ has the responsibility of guiding mentee institution (through
secondary branches ‘Spoke’) for self-improvement.
Target: For mentoring, the scheme targets 1000 Higher Education Institutions.
Benefits:
i. The scheme enhances the overall quality of the mentee institutions and enhances its profile as a
result of improved quality of research, teaching and learning methodologies.
ii. It will help in providing quality education to the 3.6 crore students who enrolled in Indian Higher
Education system.
iii. The mentor institution will also get NAAC accreditation.
Feature: It will also facilitate the sharing of knowledge, information, and opportunities for research
collaboration and faculty development in Mentee Institutions.
Under PMKSNY, more than 7 crore 32 lakh farmer families received first two instalments of Rs
2000 each
Under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana (PMKSNY), more than 7 crores 32
lakh farmer families across India received the first and second installments of Rs 2000 each
amounting to 14 thousand 646 crore rupees.
i. The list was topped by Uttar Pradesh with over two crores twenty lakh farmer families followed by
Andhra Pradesh with 72 lakh and Maharastra 50 lakh farmers.
About PMKSNY:
It is an initiative by the Government of India in which small and marginal farmers with landholding up
to 2 hectares will get up to Rs 6,000 per year as minimum income support. Rs 6,000 per year will be
paid to each eligible farmer in three instalments and will be deposited directly to their bank accounts.
It became effective from December 1, 2018. Budget allocation 2019-20- Rs. 75,000 crore.
Approval given to national permit scheme for inter-state travel for bus operators
During the International Bus and Car show, Prawaas 2019 which was held in Mumbai, Maharashtra,
Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari informed that approval was given to the national permit
scheme for inter-state travel for bus operators. It will increase the state revenue by 3-4% as the
money will be directly credited to the states in a proportionate manner.
i. Government is also working on alternative fuels such as deriving ethanol from sugarcane which will
be cost-effective and pollution-free.
About Ministry of Road Transport and Highways:
♦ Headquarters: New Delhi
♦ Formed: July 1942
Govt sanctioned project for the development of Tirthankar Circuit covering sites associated
with Jainism under Swadesh Darshan scheme
Government has sanctioned Rs.52.39 crores for the project development of Vaishali, Arrah, Masad,
Patna, Rajgir, Pawapuri, Champapuri in Bihar under the Tirthankar Circuit theme of Swadesh
Darshan Scheme in the year 2016-17. It was informed by Union Tourism Minister of State for Culture
and Tourism Prahlad Singh Patel in reply to question in Lok Sabha. The project is under
implementation and the Ministry has released Rs.26.19 crores for the project.
i. The ministry has identified Tirthankar Circuit as one of 15 thematic circuits for development under
Swadesh Darshan Scheme. All sites in the country related to Jainism are covered under this Circuit.
ii. The projects to be taken up under the scheme are identified in consultation with State
Governments/UT(Union Territory) administrations and are sanctioned subject to the submission of
project proposals, their adherence to relevant scheme guidelines, submission of suitable detailed
project reports, availability of funds and utilization of funds released earlier.
iii.About Swadesh Darshan:
Thematic circuits: In 2014 The Ministry of Tourism launched this flagship scheme for development
of thematic circuits i.e. theme-based tourist circuits across the country in a planned and prioritized
manner.
Concept: These tourist circuits are being developed on the principles of high tourist value,
competitiveness and sustainability in an integrated manner.
Funding: It is a 100% centrally funded scheme. It also has provision for leveraging voluntary funding
under Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives of Central PSUs(Public Sector Units) and
corporate sector.
Present status: 15 thematic circuits that have been identified so far for development under it are
Buddhist, North-East India, Coastal, Himalayan, Krishna, Desert, Eco, Wildlife, Tribal, Rural, Sufi,
Tirtankar, Spiritual, Ramayana, and Heritage.
Nepali and Santhali languages to be included in the Scheme for grant of Senior/Junior
Fellowships of Culture Ministry
On July 30, 2019, The Union Minister of State for Culture and Tourism Shri Prahlad Singh
Patel informed that 2 languages- Nepali and Santhali from the 8th Schedule of the Indian
Constitution will be included in the Sub-Field of Field “Literature” in the scheme component ‘Award
of Senior/Junior Fellowships to Outstanding Artistes in the Fields of Culture’.
Key Points:
i. The Ministry of Culture regulates a scheme component namely Award of Senior/Junior Fellowships
to Outstanding Artistes in the Fields of Culture.
ii. The Nodal institute for handling the Scheme of Sr. /Jr. Fellowship till selection process is the Centre
for Cultural Resources and Training (CCRT), Dwarka, Gujarat.
iii. “Literary Arts” is one of the Fields under the Scheme. The candidates can apply for research in 22
languages from the 8th Schedule of Articles 344(1) and 251 of the Indian Constitution as their Sub-
Field.
iv. The 22 languages are Assamese, Bengali, Bodo, Dogri, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Kashmiri, Konkani,
Maithili, Malayalam, Manipuri, Marathi, Oriya, Punjabi, Sanskrit, Sindhi Tamil, Telugu, Urdu, English
and Khasi.
About Ministry of Tourism:
♦ Headquarters: New Delhi
♦ Formed: 1967
Pilot basis of one Nation one ration card scheme launched in 4 States
In order to boost the National Food Security, the pilot basis of One Nation One Ration Card scheme
was launched by the government in four states namely Telangana , Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra,
and Gujarat.
Families holding this card can buy subsidized rice and wheat from any ration shop in these four states.
Key points
i. This program is expected to be implemented by August next year.
ii. A trial run of the project was conducted by the Telangana Civil Supplies Corporation last week
where consumers from Andhra Pradesh bought their commodities from the fair price shop in
Hyderabad.
iii. White ration cardholders can buy the subsidized rice and wheat from any fair price shops in these
state and this same facility is available in Andhra Pradesh also through POS (Point Of Sale) machines.
• 28 Crore customers have been benefited with this ration portability introduced in Telangana
last year.
• 56 lakh beneficiaries are covered under the National Food Security Act.
Availing the scheme
To avail, this One Nation One Ration Card scheme, the family’s ration card should be linked with their
Aadhaar number.
150 million workers aimed by the govt. to be enrolled under PM pension scheme
Over the next 3 years under the pension scheme Pradhan Mantri shram Yogi Maan-dhan (PM-SYM),
the Union government aims to enroll 150 million workers to bring them under the social security net.
i. Labour secretary, Hiralal Samariya stated that about 50-60 million workers will be from
the construction sector and Agriculture workers and self-employed retailers will also be part of this
pension scheme.
Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maan-dhan yojana (PM-SYM)
The scheme was announced in the month of February 2019. It provides monthly pension
of Rs.3000 by contributing to this scheme till the age of 60 years.
Eligibility: People should work in the unorganised sector with monthly income less than or equal
to Rs.15000 and the entry age to enroll in this scheme is 18-40years
Mukhyamantri Krishi Ashirwad Yojana – vice president honorable M. venkaiah Naidu launches
Jharkhand government’s financial assistance program for its farmers
Under the Jharkhand state’s scheme, Mukhyamantri Krishi Ashirwad Yojana launched by Shri
Venkaiah Naidu, farmers/ beneficiaries having farmlands of less than 1 acre to 5 acres will be
provided financial assistance of Rs5,000-25,000. The launching ceremony was held in 23 districts
apart from Ranchi.
Key points
i. This scheme would benefit approximately 35 lakh farmers and by september/october this year. The
outlay is Rs 3000 crore.
ii. This scheme is apart from the benefits that the farmers are getting under Pratan Mantri Kisan
yojana.
iii. As soon as this scheme was launched, money was transferred to the beneficiaries’ account.
iv. The centre has pledged to double the income of farmers by 2022.
v. The government is increasing Minimum Support Price of 23 farm produce in achieve the goal of
boosting the income by 2022.
vi. Mr. Naidu praised the governments effort in protecting the interest of “annadata” (food providers).
Money distribution:
• 5000- farmers having less than 1 acres of land.
• 10,000- farmers having two acres of land.
• 15000- farmers having three acres of land.
• 20,000- farmers having four acres of land.
• 25,000- farmers having five acres of land.
Raghubar Das
He became the sixth and the first non-tribalx chief minister of Jharkhand in December 2014.He
also served as the deputy chief minister and the urban development minister during the BJP
led government in the state from 30 December 2009 to 29 May 2010.
HRD ministry announces National Educational Alliance for Technology (NEAT) Scheme for Higher
Education learning outcomes
On September 19, 2019 the Union Ministry of Human Resource & Development (MHRD) has announced a new
scheme named National Educational Alliance for Technology (NEAT) for better learning outcomes in higher
education and is expected to be operational in early november 2019. The main objective of this scheme is to use
Artificial Intelligence(AI) in making personalized learning and will be developed through Public-private
partnership (PPP) model. AICTE (All India Council for Technical Education) will be the implementing agency of
this scheme.
Key points
i. EdTech(Education Technology) companies will be responsible for managing the learners’ registration though
the NEAT portal.
47th CSMC approves construction of 1.23 lakh houses with an overall investment of Rs. 4,988 cr under
PMAY-U
The 47th Central Sanctioning and Monitoring Committee (CSMC) headed by Union Housing and Urban
Affairs Secretary Durga Shanker Mishra approved 630 proposals from participating states for the
construction of 1.23 lakh houses with an overall investment of Rs. 4,988 cr under the Pradhan Mantri Awas
Yojana– Urban (PMAY-U). With this, cumulative sanctions of houses under PMAY(U) crossed 90 lakh houses
against the validated demand of 1.12 crore.
Key Points:
i. Participating states: 10 states namely West Bengal for 27,746 houses, Tamil Nadu for 26,709, Gujarat for
20,903, Punjab for 10,332, Chhattisgarh for 10,079, Jharkhand for 8,674, Madhya Pradesh for 8,314, Karnataka
for 5,021, Rajasthan for 2,822 and Uttarakhand for 2,501 houses had participated in the meeting.
ii. The union government will provide the assistance worth Rs. 1,805 cr.
iii. The overall investment approved till date is Rs. 5.54 lakh crore (Rs. 3.01 lakh crore from Central and State
Governments & Rs. 2.53 lakh crore from private investment)
iv. Out of the Rs. 1.43 lakh crore committed by the union government, Rs. 57,758 crore has already been
released.
v. The government aspires to achieve the target of ‘Housing for All’ in 2020, two years before the deadline of
2022.
About PMAY:
Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) is an initiative by the Government of India in which affordable housing
will be provided to the urban poor with a target of building 20 million affordable houses by 31 March 2022. It
has two components: Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban) (PMAY-U) for the urban poor and Pradhan Mantri
Awas Yojana (Gramin) (PMAY-G or PMAY-R) for the rural poor.
Gujarat launches India’s first ‘Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS)’ to combat particulate air pollution
The State Government of Gujarat has launched India’s 1st trading program called “Emissions Trading Scheme
(ETS)” in Surat, Gujarat to combat particulate air pollution.
Key points:
i. About ETS: ETS, an initiative of Gujarat Pollution Control Board (GPCB), is a market-based system where the
government sets a cap on emissions and allows industries to buy and sell permits (in kilograms) to stay below
the cap. For this reason, ETS is also called a cap-and-trade market.
It is designed with the help of a team of researchers from different institutions.
ii. Cap-and-trade market: Under this, the GPCB initially determine the total mass of pollution that can be put
into the air over a fixed period by all factories/Industries as a whole.
A permit is then created in which each is allowed some degree of pollution emissions and the total permit is
equal to the maximum fixed pollution emissions. This permit is usually a number/unit that can be bought or
sold.
iii. Why Surat: Surat is a densely populated industrial center where textile and dye mills emit large amounts of
air pollution & it is equipped with Continuous Emission Monitoring Systems already which makes it possible to
predict the mass of Particulate Matter (PM ) being released.