monthly government schemes capsule december 2018 · monthly government schemes capsule december...

Monthly Government Schemes Capsule

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GOVERNMENT SCHEMES MONTHLY CAPSULES

DECEMBER 2018 Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) extended to all poor households.

Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) is the government’s flagship programme to provide free cooking gas (LPG) connections.

The PMUY scheme targets to reach out to provide free LPG connections to 80 million families by 2020.

The central Government has decided to extend the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) to all poor households in the country.

With the expansion of the PMUY scheme, all the poor households can avail the benefit from PMUY and it will not be mandatory to be part of the Socio-Economic Caste Census (SECC) list or the seven identified categories under the programme to be eligible for the scheme.

The successful implementation of the scheme will ensure universal coverage of cooking gas in India, which will help in women empowerment and also will protect their health. The time spent on cooking and drudgery will reduce. Additionally, it will also generate employment for youth in the rural areas in the supply chain of LPG.

Government raises its contribution in National Pension System to 14% from 10%.

Union Cabinet has decided to raise contribution of Central Government to National Pension System (NPS) corpus of its employees from 10% to 14%.

This will increase in eventual accumulated corpus of all central government employees covered by NPS.

Government also has decided to make NPS fully tax free, making it on par with the provident fund scheme.

NPS is easily accessible, low cost, tax-efficient, flexible and portable retirement savings account. It was launched in 2004 and was initially introduced for new Government recruits (except armed forces). It aims to institute pension reforms in country and to inculcate habit of saving for retirement amongst the citizens. Its objective is to provide retirement income to all the citizens.

SC approves Centre’s Witness Protection Scheme.

Supreme Court has approved Witness Protection Scheme 2018 and directed Union and State Governments to enforce the same.

This scheme was framed by Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) in response to PIL seeking protection for witnesses.

It aims to ensure that investigation, prosecution and trial of criminal offences does not turn out to be biased as witnesses are intimidated or frightened to give evidence without protection from violent or other criminal recrimination.

Its features are Identifying categories of threat perceptions, Preparation of Threat Analysis Report by the head of police, Types of protection measures like ensuring that witness and accused do not come face to face during investigation etc. protection of identity, change of identity, relocation of witness and lastly Confidentiality and preservation of records, recovery of expenses, etc.

RBI to introduce Ombudsman Scheme for Digital Transactions.

Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has announced to introduce ‘Ombudsman Scheme for Digital Transactions’ to provide cost-free mechanism to redress grievances of customers related to digital transactions.

The scheme will be notified by end of January 2019 and will cover services provided by entities falling under RBI’s regulatory jurisdiction.

The scheme is being implemented taking into consideration rise in digital mode for financial transactions which is gaining traction in the country.

There is emerging need for dedicated, cost-free and expeditious grievance redressal mechanism for strengthening consumer confidence in this channel.

This framework will bring all customers up to same level with regard to electronic transactions made by them and extend benefit of limiting customer liability for unauthorised electronic transactions involving PPIs issued by other entities not covered by extant guidelines.

PRASAD Scheme: Centre includes Gangotri, Yamunotri in Uttarakhand, Amarkantak in MP and Parasnath in Jharkhand.

Union Government has included Gangotri and Yamunotri in Uttarakhand, Amarkantak in Madhya Pradesh and Parasnath in Jharkhand under Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASAD) to develop pilgrimage and heritage destinations in the country.


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PRASAD scheme was launched in 2014-15 by Union Ministry of Tourism. It aims at integrated development of pilgrimage destinations in planned, prioritised and sustainable manner to provide complete religious tourism experience. It focuses on the development and beautification of the identified pilgrimage destinations. Objective is to Harness pilgrimage tourism for its direct and multiplier effect upon employment generation and economic development, Enhance tourist attractiveness in sustainable manner by developing world class infrastructure in the religious destination and It also seeks to promote local art, culture, handicraft, cuisine, etc.

13th Edition Of CII Agro Tech India - 2018 Inaugurated in Chandigarh.

The President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind, inaugurated

the 13th edition of CII Agro Tech India-2018 in Chandigarh.

President stated that Indian agriculture needs a renewal of its marriage with contemporary technology; protection against climate change, price fluctuations and demand shocks; and sustained investment by and partnership with business.

Government Holds Workshop On Developing 'Ganga Museum'.

The National Mission for Clean Ganga organised a two-day international workshop on 'Developing a Ganga Museum Concept: Exchanging Experiences and Ideas between India and Europe' in Delhi.

Experts from India and the European Union met and discussed various aspects of the proposed museum. Director General of NMGC, RR Mishra stated that the museum will be part of Namami Gange Programme.

India’s 1st Engine-Less 'Train 18' Breaches 180 kmph Speed Limit.

India’s first locomotive-less train, known as Train 18, has breached the 180 kilometers per hour speed limit during a test run at Kota-Sawai Madhopur section in Rajasthan. When this indigenously designed train is made operational, it will become the country’s fastest train.

Developed by Chennai-based Integral Coach Factory in 18 months, the fully AC train is designed in such a way that passengers can see the driver's cabin.‘Train 18’ will commence its commercial run from January 2019.

Train 18 is capable of touching 200 kilometers per hour provided the rest of the Indian Railways’ system, such as tracks and signals, permit. With 16 coaches, the train will have the same passenger carrying capacity as that of the Shatabdi Express.

New Campaign launched by FSSAI To Eliminate Trans Fats By 2022.

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) launched a new mass media campaign calling for the elimination of industrially produced trans fat in the food supply.

Called “Heart Attack Rewind”, the 30 second public service announcement (PSA) - the first mass media campaign of its kind – will support FSSAI’s global target of eliminating trans fat in India by the year 2022, a year ahead of the global target by the World Health Organization (WHO) for complete elimination of trans fat.

Trans fat is made by adding hydrogen to liquid vegetable oils to make them more solid, and to increase the shelf life of foods.Trans fat is largely present in Vanaspati, margarine and bakery shortenings, and can be found in baked and fried foods.

Global Agriculture & Food Summit 2018 Held in Jharkhand. Union Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh

inaugurated Global Agriculture and Food Summit 2018 in Ranchi, Jharkhand. Seven countries, including China, Israel and Malaysia are participating in the two-day Summit.

Several dignitaries attended the inaugural ceremony including Jharkhand Chief Minister Raghubar Das and NITI Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant.

Government launched PAISA' Under Day-NULM.


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“PAiSA – Portal for Affordable Credit and Interest Subvention Access”, a centralized electronic platform for processing interest subvention on bank loans to beneficiaries under Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Urban Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NULM) was launched by Sh. Durga Shankar Mishra, Secretary, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.

The web platform has been designed and developed by Allahabad Bank which is the Nodal bank. All 35 states / UTs & all scheduled commercial banks, RRBs, and Cooperative Banks are expected to be on board the PAiSA portal soon.

'SHOUT' Feature Introduced In The '112 India' Mobile App.

Home Minister Rajnath Singh announced a pan-India

single-number emergency mobile app '112 India' and stated that it will have a special women safety feature 'SHOUT' to get immediate assistance from police and volunteers.

It is connected to the Emergency Response Support System (ERSS).

Under the ERSS project, people will be able to receive immediate assistance from police, health and fire departments as well as from other agencies using a pan-India single emergency number 112.

Jammu & Kashmir Government Launches AB-PMJAY Scheme.

Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik launched

the ambitious "Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY)" scheme which would benefit over 31 lakh residents in the state.

The AB-PMJAY is the world's largest healthcare scheme which aims at providing portable coverage of Rs 5 lakh per entitled family annually.

The governor distributed golden cards among 10 eligible beneficiaries for availing the annual health cover facility, marking the launch of the scheme in the state.

First North-Eastern State To Launch Single Emergency Number ‘112’ : NAGALAND.

Nagaland became the first state in the Northeast and

second in the country, after Himachal Pradesh, to launch a pan-India single-number (112) emergency mobile application which will have a special women safety feature for immediate assistance from police and volunteers.

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh stated that a 'SHOUT' feature has been made available exclusively for women in the '112 India' mobile app which is connected to the Emergency Response Support System (ERSS).

UAE Signs Currency Swap Agreement with INDIA.

India and UAE have signed an agreement on Currency Swap. The two countries also signed a Memorandum of Understanding for Development Cooperation in Africa.

The documents were signed after the 12th session of India-UAE Joint Commission Meeting for Economic and Technical Cooperation.

The meeting was jointly co-chaired by External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and her UAE counterpart Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Abu Dhabi.

Yamunotri Gangotri Included Under PRASAD Scheme.

The Centre included Gangotri and Yamunotri in

Uttarakhand, Amarkantak in Madhya Pradesh and Parasnath in Jharkhand under a central scheme to develop pilgrimage and heritage destinations in the country, a tourism ministry statement stated.

With the new additions, the number of sites under the Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASAD) launched by the ministry in 2014-15 has now become 41 in 25 states.

Odihisa launched PEETHA scheme to Reinforce Brand Naveen.

In a move to reinforce brand Naveen and give it a national

perspective after the success of the Hockey Men’s World Cup, Odisha Government launched yet another initiative,

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Peoples Empowerment - Enabling Transparency and Accountability of Odisha Initiatives (PEETHA).

This is part of the 3T initiative of Technology, Transparency and Team Work model. The PEETHA is a sub-scheme of the Odisha government's flagship Ama Gaon Ama Bikas Yojana.

Delhi Government Launches Free Pilgrimage Scheme For Senior Citizens.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal launched the

'Mukhyamantri Tirth Yatra Yojana' which offers free travel packages for senior citizens from Delhi to five religious circuits. 1,100 senior citizens from every constituency of Delhi will be able to avail this facility at one go.

Under this free pilgrimage scheme, a Delhi resident above 60 years will be eligible to take free pilgrimage along with his or her spouse.

NITI Aayog Launches ‘AI 4 All Global Hackathon’.

NITI Aayog organised ‘AI 4 All Global Hackathon’ to source

sustainable, innovative and technologically-enabled solutions to address various challenges in the development space, with the vision of 'Artificial Intelligence, AI for All'.

Taking the initiative forward, NITI Aayog is now partnering with Perlin – a Singapore-based AI start up - to launch the ‘AI 4 All Global Hackathon’, and is inviting developers, students, start-ups and companies to develop AI applications to make significant positive social and economic impact for India.

Cabinet Approves Agriculture Export Policy.

The Union cabinet approved an export policy for

agriculture, lifting all restrictions on organic and processed food, to help the government’s efforts to double farmers’ income by 2022..

The ‘Agriculture Export Policy, 2018’ seeks to double farm exports to $60 billion by 2022 from $30 billion currently and will invest 1,400 crore to set up specialised clusters in different states for different produce to push exports.

Indian Coast Guard Conducts Exercise ‘Clean Sea-2018’ At Sea Off Port Blair.

The Indian Coast Guard has conducted the Regional Level

Marine Oil Pollution Response Exercise titled ‘Clean Sea - 2018’ at sea off Port Blair.

Coast Guard ships Viswasth, Vijith, Rajveer, Rajshri, 4 interceptor boats, and its air assets Dornier and Chetak helicopters participated in the exercise.

The preparedness of all agencies during the exercise was conducted under observation of Inspector General Maneesh V Pathak, Commander Coast Guard Region, Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

Maharashtra Government launches SMART Project.

The state government launched an ambitious project State

of Maharashtra Agribusiness and Rural Transformation (SMART) in 10,000 villages with an objective to achieve sustainable farming within the next three years. The project SMART will be assisted by the World Bank.

Chief Minister of Maharashtra Devendra Fadnavis launched the project, which was followed by the signing of 50 memorandum of understandings (MoUs) between big corporates and farmers producer groups.

The project will cover almost one-fourth of Maharashtra.

1st International Conference on ‘Sustainable Water Management’ Held in Mohali.

The first International Conference on ‘Sustainable Water

Management’ was held at Indian School of Business (ISB) in Mohali, Punjab.

The conference was organized by Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) under the aegis of the National Hydrology Project of the Union Ministry of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation.

The theme of the international conference is ‘Sustainable Water Management’.

PM Narendra Modi Inaugurates 4th Partners’ Forum in New Delhi.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the fourth

Partners’ Forum in New Delhi. The objective of the conference is to improve knowledge, alignment and accountability to accelerate action on women’s, children’s and adolescents health.

The Partners’ Forum is a global health partnership launched in September 2005 to accelerate efforts to reduce child and maternal mortality, improve adolescent, child, newborn and maternal health. Ministry of Health in association with the Partnership for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health, PMNCH is hosting the two-day international conference.

Agriculture Ministry launched portal ENSURE.

Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Radha

Mohan Singh launched a portal 'ENSURE'- National Livestock Mission-EDEG developed by NABARD and operated under the Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying & Fisheries.


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The NABARD has developed an online portal “ENSURE” (ensure.nabard.org) so that the information related to beneficiary and processing of the application can be made readily available.

Twitter Account '@CyberDost' launched by Home Ministry.

Home Ministry has launched a Twitter account named '@CyberDost' to spread awareness about cybercrimes and normal precautions to be taken.

The Twitter handles is aimed at enhancing people’s basic knowledge about cybercrimes and precautions to be taken for prevention.

India's 1st CoE at MAHE established by European Union.

India's first Jean Monnet Centre of Excellence established

by the European Union was inaugurated at the Department of European Studies (DES) at Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal by Ambassador of the European Union (EU) to India and Bhutan, Tomasz Kozlowski.

The award comes with a grant of €1,00,000 to pursue India-EU interdisciplinary studies in culture, literature, education and society.

ECO Niwas Samhita 2018 Launched By Power Ministry.

Ministry of Power has launched the ECO Niwas Samhita 2018, an Energy Conservation Building Code for Residential Buildings (ECBC-R).

It aims to benefit the occupants and the environment by promoting energy efficiency in design and construction of homes, apartments and townships.

The Code was launched on the occasion of National Energy ConservationDay 2018 (14th December) in the presence of Chief Guest Smt. Sumitra Mahajan, Hon’ble Speaker, Lok Sabha.

National Energy Conservation Day is celebrated every year on 14th December by Ministry of Power in association with Bureau of Energy Efficiency.

India's 1st Private UAV Factory Comes Up in Hyderabad.

India' first private sector unit for manufacturing unmanned

aerial vehicles (UAVs) opened at Adani Aerospace Park in Hyderabad.

Built by the Adani Group and Israel-based Elbit Systems, the 50,000 square feet facility will develop Hermes 900 medium altitude long-endurance UAVs for the Indian and global markets.

PM Modi Launched Various Development Projects In Maharashtra.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched infrastructure and housing projects worth about Rs 41,000 crore in Maharashtra. During his day-long visit to the state, Prime Minister Modi laid the foundation stone for two important metro corridors at a public meeting in Kalyan (Thane-Bhiwandi-Kalyan Metro and the Dahisar-Mira-Bhayander Metro).

Prime Minister also launched mass housing scheme worth 18,000 crore rupees which offers around 90,000 affordable homes for economically weaker sections under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY). Prime Minister Modi also visited Raj Bhavan in Mumbai to release a book titled “Timeless Laxman”, based on the famous cartoonist, RK Laxman.

Jammu and Kashmir Becomes 1st State To Bring Law Against 'Sextortion'.

Jammu and Kashmir has become the first state in the country to enact a law banning sexual exploitation of women “by those in positions of authority, having a fiduciary relationship or a public servant”, Under Section 354E of the Ranbir Penal Code (RPC).

Any person committing the offence of sextortion shall be punished with rigorous imprisonment for a term not be less than three years, but may extend to five years and with fine. The offence is “non-bailable” and “not compoundable”.

Assam Government Announces 3 Schemes For Farmer's Welfare.


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Assam government has announced three schemes for the welfare of farmers. The schemes are the Assam Farmers’ Credit Subsidy Scheme (AFCSS), Assam Farmers’ Interest Relief Scheme (AFIRS) and Assam Farmers’ Incentive Scheme (AFIS).

Under AFCSS, whatever amount of loan the farmers took from banks and whatever amount they repaid, 25% of the money will be reimbursed by the state government.

On AFIRS, the Minister Stated that currently 3% of the 7% interest against farm loan is paid by the Central government and the remaining 4% is required to be paid by farmers. The state government has decided to pay the remaining 4% loan.

About AFIS, Mr. Sarma stated that the government is focusing on bringing back the defaulting farmers into the banking system.

Surrogacy Bill Passed In Lok Sabha.

Lok Sabha has passed the Surrogacy (Regulation) Bill, 2016 which is aimed at prohibiting commercial surrogacy and unethical practices relating to it. The Bill has provisions to constitute National Surrogacy Board, State Surrogacy Boards, and appointment of appropriate authorities for regulation of surrogacy.

It permits surrogacy only for couples who cannot conceive a child. The intending couple must be Indian citizens and married for at least five years with at least one of them being infertile. The surrogate mother has to be a close relative who has been married and has a child of her own.

Mord Signs MoU With Maruti Suzuki India Ltd for Training

Rural Youth for Skill Development.

Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) signed MoU with

Maruti Suzuki India Ltd for training rural youth for skill development in presence of Minister of Rural Development Narendra Singh Tomar.

Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY) is the flagship placement linked skill-training programme under the MoRD.

India’s Largest Cancer Institute Launched At AIIMS’ Jhajjar Campus.

India’s largest cancer institute, the National Cancer

Institute (NCI) has been soft launched at Haryana’s Jhajjar area. The institute was finalised at a cost of Rs 2,035 crore and the project was approved by the cabinet committee in 2013.

The aim isto strengthen research and also bring down the patient load at All India Institute of Medical Sciences’ (AIIMS) cancer centre. The hospital will be fully functional by December 2020.

IGOT And RTI Portal On Judgments Launched.

The Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Dr. Jitendra Singh launched the iGOT (Integrated Government Online Training Programme) developed by Department of Personnel and Training, Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions.

The Right to Information (RTI) Portal on Judgments/Orders of Supreme Court, High Courts and CIC has been developed by the Institute of Secretariat Training and Management (ISTM), New Delhi.

Government Launches Asiatic Lion Conservation Project.

The Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change launched the “Asiatic Lion Conservation Project” to protect and conserve the population of Asiatic Lion and its associated ecosystem.

The project will be funded under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme- Development of Wildlife Habitat (CSS-DWH) with the Central and State share of 60:40 ratio.

The Asiatic Lion Conservation Project is aimed at the conservation and recovery of Asiatic Lion with the help of up to date techniques, instruments, regular scientific research studies, disease management, modern surveillance and patrolling techniques. The total budget of the project for 3 years amounts to around Rs 9784 lakh.

Odisha CM Announces Rs10,000 cr KALIA Scheme For Farmers.

Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik announced a Rs10,000 crore

scheme for the overall development of farmers.

Named Krushak Assistance for Livelihood and Income Augmentation (KALIA), the scheme will provide farmers with Rs10,000 a year at the rate of Rs5,000 each for Kharif and Rabi season. Additionally, crop loans of up to Rs50,000 will be interest-free under the scheme.

PM Modi Unveiled Projects Worth Rs 14,500 Crore In Odisha.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated several projects worth over Rs 14,500 cr during a day-long visit to Odisha. The Prime Minister dedicated the new campus of IIT-Bhubaneswar at Aragul and launched a slew of projects

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related to higher education, health, road and highways , and culture.

He laid the foundation of Paradip-Hyderabad Pipeline Product Project by Indian Oil Corporation Ltd. and Bokaro-Angul section of Jagdishpur-Haldia & Bokaro-Dhamra Gas Pipeline Project by Gas Authority of India Limited.

Atal Ayushman Uttarakhand Yojana Launched In Uttarakhand.

'Atal Ayushman Uttarakhand Yojana' has been launched in

Uttarakhand. Under the scheme, each household in the state will be able to avail medical treatment of up to 5 lakh rupees annually. The scheme will benefit 23 lakh households and cover 1,350 critical diseases.

Launching the Yojna in Dehradun, Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat distributed scheme-related golden cards to beneficiaries.

monthly government schemes capsule december 2018 · monthly government schemes capsule december...

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