Punjab Government hands over request letter for setting up one of the Proposed Bulk Drug Park in Bhatinda

On behalf of the State Government of Punjab, Manpreet Singh Badal (Finance Minister of Punjab) met DV Sadananda Gowda (Union Minister of Chemicals and Fertilizers) on 13^th July 2020 at New Delhi.

• The Finance Minister of Punjab handed over the request letter to the Union Minister for setting up of one of the three proposed Bulk Drug Park of India in Bhatinda district of Punjab.

Background

• For encouraging the production of Medical Devices and Active Pharmaceutical Products (API) / Key Starting Material domestically in order to promote Make in India in the Healthcare sector, on 12^th March 2020 the Union Cabinet has approved a scheme under which a total of 4 medical devices parks and three Bulk Drug Parks (API) will be set up in the country.
• The scheme will be a production linked incentive scheme from the Central Government and a total expected Rs 13760 crore will be borne by the Central Government. 
• Once developed and operational, the Bulk Drug Parks and Medical Devices Parks will result in the production of Rs 46,400 crore and Rs 68,437 crore of incremental production respectively resulting in a significant number of employment opportunities

3 Million Houses will be Built under YSR Jagananna Colonies

The State Government of Andhra Pradesh will take up the construction of 3 Million (30 lakh) houses under the YSR Jagananna Colonies project after distributing the house sites to the beneficiaries on 8th July 2020. Jagananna Colonies is part of the State Government’s Navratnalu- Pedalandariki Illu (houses for all the poor) Program.

YSR Jagananna Colonies Project

• For the land acquisition of the colonies, the state government will bear around Rs 10,000 to Rs 11,000 crore. 
• The house sites will be provided at Rs 1 to the selected white Ration Card beneficiaries. 
• The total expenditure for the project including the share of the Central Government is estimated at RS 50,000 crore.
• The project will be implemented in two phases with 15 lakh houses being constructed in each phase. 
• Construction for the first phase will begin on 28th August this year while the second phase construction will begin from August 2021. 
• All necessary facilities will be provided in the colonies such as water, connecting roads, electricity, etc. 
• Each house will have a carpet area of 230 square feet. 
• The cost of each house is estimated to be around Rs 1.80 lakh.
• The State Government has set a target for completion of the project by 2024.

Behaviour Change Campaign launched by NITI Aayog

A behaviour change campaign named ‘Navigating the New Normal’ was launched on 25^th June 2020 by NITI Aayog. Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation is a partner for the behavior change campaign.

Aim of the Campaign

• As the country is now in an Unlock phase, the aim is to develop an appropriate COVID safe behavior in the country, such as by making people adapt to wearing masks as a part of their daily routine. 
• Until a vaccine is developed, it is essential for the citizens of the country to adopt certain behavioral changes in their day to day life by practicing hand hygiene, wearing masks, etc.

About the Campaign

The behaviour change campaign has been designed under the guidance of the Empowered Group 6 (this Group addresses issues related to COVID-19 response activities through effective solutions and formulation of plans).

The behaviour change campaign has two parts:

1. The Web Portal (http://www.covidthenewnormal.com/): It contains behavioral norms required for being COVID-safe.
2. Media Campaign: As the pandemic has restricted the movement of people across the country, people are spending more time watching television or on the internet. The aim of the behaviour change campaign will reach millions across the country through advertisements, animation for children, virtual awareness campaigns on social networking sites, etc.

MoU for providing Special Micro-Credit Facility for Street Vendors signed

The Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Lucknow based financial institution SIDBI- Small Industries Development Bank of India on 19^th June 2020. The MoU will provide a boost in building Atmanirbhar Bharat by providing credit or loans to the street vendors across the country for resuming their livelihood activities.

About the MoU

• The MoU authorizes SIDBI as the implementing agency for the Pradhan Mantri AtmaNirbhar Nidhi (PM SVANidhi) scheme. 
• The scheme will be under the guidelines set up by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.

PMSVANidhi

• The scheme was launched on 1^st June 2020 by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs with a target to provide financial support to more than 50 lakh street vendors across the country. 
• A street vendor can avail a loan of up to Rs 10,000 under the scheme which has to be repaid within a period of 1 year, there will be no penalty for early repayment of the loan amount. 
• For repayment of loan or credit, monthly installments can be availed by the vendor.
• The interest on the loan amount will be 7%, which however will be credited back on a quarterly basis to the bank accounts on the beneficiary as interest subsidy –if the beneficiary is able to make timely repayment of the loan amount.
• The scheme will be provided in a phased manner, with a total of 108 cities being selected for the first phase which is expected to commence in the month of July 2020.
• To ensure collateral-free credit under the scheme, the credit guarantee for the lending institutions will be managed by SIDBI through the Credit Guarantee Fund Trust for Micro and Small Enterprises (CGTMSE).

Van Dhan Yojana: Expanded from 18,000 Van Dhan SHGs to 50,000

On June 15, 2020, a webinar was organized by the TRIFED (Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India). The webinar was titled “Van Dhan: Tribal Startups Bloom in India”

During the webinar, it was informed that current coverage Van Dhan scheme is to be increased from 18,000 SHGs to 50,000 SHGs. This is to be achieved through Van Dhan Start-up programme.

What is the plan?

• The plan is to expand the Van Dhan SHGs and cover 10 lakh tribal gatherers. 
• The aim is to transform tribal ecosystem as next Amul Revolution in terms of Minor Forest Produce.

Van Dhan Vikas Karyakram

• The Government of India has allocated Rs 15 lakhs to every Van Dhan Vikas Karyakram centre. 
• So far 25% to 30% of the grant has been spent on these centres.

Van Dhan

• Under the Van Dhan Scheme, so far 1205 Tribal enterprises have been established. 
• The start up scheme launched has covered 10 lakh tribal gatherers. 
• The start ups that were started based on tribal produce are now spread across 22 states. 
• These Startups are called Van Dhan Startups.

Jagananna Chedodu Scheme launched

The Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy recently launched “Jagananna Chedodu” scheme. The scheme is to provide financial assistance to barbers, tailors and washer men.

Highlights

• The Jagananna Chedodu scheme is to provide Rs 10,000 per person. 
• It is to benefit 2.47 lakhs of barbers, washer men and tailors. 
• The State Government has transferred Rs 247 crores to the bank accounts so far under the scheme.

Other Schemes of AP

• The Andhra Pradesh Government had recently launched several schemes that benefitted people of Andhra in a greater way. 
• This includes Rythu Bharosa, Pension Kanuka, Amma Vodi, Vidya Devena, Vahana Mitra, Vasathi Deevena, Nethanna Nestham, Matsyakara Bharosa.
• The State Government allocated Rs 4,000 crore under the Jagananna Vidya Deevena scheme. 
• The scheme provides full fees reimbursement to more than 14 lakhs college students.
• The ReStart Programme of AP was also a huge success that boosted and supported the MSME sector of the state.

Bharatmala Pariyojana delayed

The Bharatmala Pariyojana that was scheduled to be completed in 2021-22 is to be completed by 2025-26. The announcement of delay was announced by the rating agency ICRA (Investment Information and credit Rating Agency).

Highlights

• The prevailing COVID-19 crisis could delay the asset monetization plan of National Highway Authority of India (NHAI). 
• Until February 2020, Rs 2.38 lakh crores were awarded to Bharatmala Pariyojana scheme. 
• The average cost awarded to the scheme was Rs 23.8 crores per km. 
• This was 54% higher than the estimated cost of Rs 15.52 crore per crore.

Bharatmala Pariyojana

• The scheme was launched for road construction in India. It gives special importance to projects connecting far-flung areas and rural areas.
•  The scheme will build 4-lane highways, move 80% freight traffic, interconnect logistics parks. 
• It will also connect 7 north east Multi-Nodal Waterway ports.

Waterway Ports

• There are 111 Inland waterways in India. 
• They were identified under the National Waterways Act, 2016. 
• Out of the 111, 106 were created in 2016.

Highest Allocation to MGNREGA

The Government of India has allocated Rs 1,01,500 crores under the MGNREGA programme in the year 2020-21 so far. This is the highest provision of funds allocated for the scheme since its launch.

Highlights

• The Government of India has already released Rs 31,493 crores. 
• So far 6.69 crore persons have been offered work under the scheme. 
• In May 2020, Rs 2.51 crores was spent for the scheme per day.
• Under the scheme, the focus is given to irrigation, water conservation, horticulture. 
• The scheme also focuses on beneficiary works that promote livelihood.

Migrant Workers

• The MGNREGA (Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act) was strengthened to make sure the migrant workers that returned to their villages could support their living.
• In order to achieve this, the GoI increased the wages under the scheme from Rs 182 to Rs 202 per day.

Jal Jeevan Mission

• The labour intensive Jal Jeevan Mission is being actively implemented all over the country to make sure the MGNREGA workers get more working hours. 
• The Jal Jeevan Mission aims to provide clean tap water to all households in the country.

Atal Innovation Mission: To promote Entrepreneurship

On June 5, 2020, the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and Atal Innovation Mission came together to promote culture of innovation and entrepreneurship in areas of mutual interest.

Highlights

• The CSIR incubators will work under Atal Innovative Mission to support world class start ups in this new project. 
• They will work together to bring up new models of innovation and set up CSIR innovation parks.

Benefits

• The CSIR will contribute its strong knowledge base and provide world class researchers to make the project success. 
• The Atal Innovative Mission in the other hand will foster innovation in different sectors to strengthen innovative ecosystem in the country.

What is the plan?

• The CSIR will stimulate research and innovation in collaboration with ARISE. 
• The ARISE initiative of Atal Innovative Mission is currently working to stimulate research and innovation in the MSME (Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises).
• Through close cooperation between Jigyasa and Atal Tinkering labs, problem solving mind sets are to be created in schools all over India. 
• JIGYASA is a student scientist connect programme where more than 3 lakh students all over the country are exposed to science and technology.

GoI: No New Schemes for a year

On June 5, 2020, the Government of India announced that no new schemes will be approved till March 31, 2021. Till then, the schemes under Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana and Atma Nirbhar Bharat Abhiyan are to be implemented.

Highlights

• The Government of India will implement the schemes that were announced under Atma Nirbhar Bharat Abhiyan and Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana alone. 
• All the other ministries have been asked to stop sending requests for new scheme.
• This is being done to manage available finances efficiently. 
• According to GoI, the announcement is being made as there is un-precendented demand on public financial resources and there is a huge need to use the available resources in a prudent way. 
• Government of India had earlier frozen Dearness Allowance of Employee salaries till 2021 as well.

Atma Nirbhar Bharat Abhiyan

• The scheme was launched to improve the growth of the country. 
• The scheme announced several measures and covered almost all sections of the society. 
• It allocated Rs 20,000 lakh crores. The scheme covered agriculture, fisheries, MSME, street vendors, mining, migrant workers, Jal Jeevan Mission, MGNREGA, Public Distribution System, etc. 
• The scheme also intends to provide houses and food for the migrant workers that have returned to their native places.

Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana

• The scheme was launched to ease lives of the people of India during the COVID-19 crisis. 
• It aimed to provide rice, wheat and pulses at affordable rates and also free for a short period.

GoI: 10 Sectors identified to cut imports

On June 3, 2020, the Department of Promotion for Industry and Internal Trade identified 10 sectors where in the imports are to be cut. This includes textiles, jewelry, mobile, gems, pharmaceuticals, garments, electronics, machinery, etc.

Highlights

• The GoI has recently changed the set targets in order to become self-reliant in footwear, furniture and air conditioner. 
• In parallel, the Government has also laid groundwork to become self-reliant in 10 other sectors.

Objectives

• The Government has selected these 10 sectors in particular as India has natural advantage in these sectors. 
• Hence, given a small push, these sectors have the potential of becoming the strength of the country.
• The Government has made the decision of cutting imports to target the quality of domestically made products. 
• Also, India will focus on increasing quality controls.

Imports in India

• India imported 467.2 billion USD worth goods in the year 2019-20. 
• Of this, leather and leather products amounted to 1.01 billion USD, machinery of 37.7 billion USD and machine tool imports of 4.2 billion USD.

The AC industry concern

• The AC industry of India is largely dependent on imports, mainly imported compressors. 
• These imports account to 60%-65% of AC production value.

What is the issue?

• The Japanese split AC companies that are market leaders are taking advantage of India-ASEAN Free Trade Pact and importing from Vietnam and Thailand claiming to be registered in India. 
• This is so common especially in new inverter category ACs.

Concerns of Atma Nirbhar Bharat Abhiyan

The steps of cutting imports and encouraging domestic manufacturing is being done under Atma Nirbhar Bharat Abhiyan. However, these steps may bring on certain issues. They are as follows

• India might go back to Import Substitution Industrialization.
• Trade Distortion. The prescribed limits of import duties of WTO may be crossed.

Import Substitution Industrialization

The ISI is criticized for the following

• Only the consumer goods are boosted
• The employment growth rate is slow
• The productivity growth is minimal and the agriculture sector declined greatly
• The internal migration increased.

SWADES Initiative: Skill Mapping programme for Indians returning from Abroad

The Government of India is to conduct SWADES initiative to map the skills of Indians returning from abroad. SWADES is Skilled Workers Arrival Database for Employment Support.

Highlights

• The SWADES initiative has been begun under Vande Bharat Mission. 
• The initiative aims to generate database of Indians returning from abroad based on their skill sets and experience. 
• The database will then be used to fulfil need of foreign companies and Indian companies.
• The maximum number of Indians returning are mainly from UAE, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Qatar. 
• These persons returning were primarily employed in automotive, oil and gas, tourism, aviation, IT, hospitality and IT.

SWADES initiative

• The initiative is to be conducted by Ministries of Civil Aviation, External Affairs, Skill Development and Entrepreneurship. 
• The returning citizens will need to fill up forms under the programme. 
• The form consists of details of job title, work sector, years of experience, etc. 
• A toll free facility has also been set up to support citizens for their queries in filling the forms.
• The main aim of the initiative is to provide employment for the Indians returning from abroad.

Background

• The COVID-19 pandemic led to the closing of companies all over the world. 
• This made 1000s unemployed. Thus, they are returning to India.

Vande Bharat Mission

• The Mission aims at bringing Indians from all over the world. 
• Under the mission, the non-scheduled commercial flights will carry people from Singapore, USA and London. 
• Currently, the mission is working in bringing around 80,000 Indians from Gulf countries.

Arunachal Pradesh to provide Tap connection to all by March 2023

On June 2, 2020, the National Jal Jeevan Mission approved the Annual Action Plan of Arunachal Pradesh. Under the plan, the state is to provide tap connection to all the rural households in the state by 2023.

Highlights

• In order to achieve the plan, the GoI has approved Rs 255 as additional funds. 
• The State Governments are provided with additional funds based on their achievements.
• The State Government under the annual plan is to provide 77,000 tap connections to over 2.18 lakh rural households. 
• The Sansad Adarsh Gramin Yojana villages are to be given priority under the scheme.

The Plan

• The availability of water in Arunachal Pradesh is not an issue. 
• However, the main challenge is laying pipes in the tough mountain terrains. 
• Village Action Plan has been framed with active participation of the rural community. 
• The unemployed youth are to be trained in plumbing, fitting, masonry and electricity skills. 
• This is to be done as a pool of trained human resources are to be available at village level.

Funds

• In order to execute the mission, strengthen existing drinking water sources for long term sustainability of drinking water, several programmes such as Swachh Bharat Mission, MGNREGA, CAMPA, Local Area Development Fund have been integrated. 
• Also, the state has been allocated Rs 231 crores on the recommendation of Finance Commission.

GoI launches PM SVANidhi scheme

On June 1, 2020, Government of India launched the Pradhan Mantri SVANidhi Scheme for street vendors. The Union cabinet has cleared the credit amount for the scheme as well

Highlights

• The PM SVANidhi or PM Street Vendors Atmanirbhar Nidhi is a credit facility scheme that will help more than 50 lakh urban and rural street vendors. 
• The scheme will help the street vendors restart their livelihoods.
• Under the scheme, Rs 10,000 of credit is to be provided to street vendors. 
• The street vendors shall return the amount as monthly installments within a year.
• The scheme was announced by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitaraman during her announcement of package of Atma Nirbhar Bharat Abhiyan.

Atma Nirbhar Bharat Abhiyan

• The scheme announced Rs 20 lakh crore package to revive Indian Economy. 
• The amount allocated is 10% of India’s GDP.

How was 10% of GDP fixed?

• The member countries at the United Nations fixed that 10% of GDP is to be spent on reviving economies. 
• This was fixed by the Global Plan framed at the United Nations.

Enrolments in ESIC Social Security Scheme increases to 821,000

On May 23, 2020, the payroll data of the Employees State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) was released. The data says that around 821,000 new members have joined ESIC social security scheme.

Highlights

• The data was released by National Statistical Office (NSO). 
• According to the data the subscribers to the scheme in 2018-19 were 14.9 million and it increased to 38.3 million in March 2020.
• The NSO report issues data of several social security schemes such as PFRDA, EPFO. 
• This is being done since 2018 covering the period 2017-18.

ESIC

• The Employment State Insurance Scheme was launched in 1952 under the Employees State Insurance Act, 1948. 
• The act was the first legislative social security step for workers in India.
• The scheme was designed to help employees fight against their sickness, disablement, maternity and death due to employment.

Recent Developments in the Scheme

• In June 2020, the Government of India reduced the rate of contribution under the scheme. 
• The employer contribution was reduced from 4.75% to 3.25% and Employee contribution was reduced from 1.75% to 0.75%. 
• Also, the employees that are earning Rs 137 or less per day are exempted from payment of their contribution.
• Recently, to meet the salary bills of the workers during COVID-19 lock down period, the Government of India ruled to appropriate funds of ESIC

Rs 170 crores disbursed to MNREGA

On May 21, 2020, the Government of India disbursed RS 170 crores to MNREGA workers. The amounts were disbursed to the beneficiaries through the Deaprtment of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj.

Highlights

• The Department has taken up more than 14,000 development projects under MNREGA (Mahatma Gandhi Rural Employment Guarantee Act) since April 20, 2020. 
• This includes 8,300 Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana housing projects and 1,670 water conservation projects. 
• Around 5.28 lakh person days were created in Jammu and Kashmir alone

Significance

• With the migrants returning to their home town due to COVID-19 crisis, the rural population increased in the country and so did rural unemployment. 
• In order to address this issue, the GoI under MNREGA increased the workmanship. 
• Also, the labour charges under the scheme was increased from Rs 182 to Rs 202.
• It is to be noted that in order to implement Swachh Bharat Mission 2.0, sanitary workers were included under MNREGA. 
• They were employed under MNREGA to implement solid waste management.

Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana: Coir Geo Textiles approved for rural road construction

Under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana, the Coir Geo Textiles are to be used in rural road development. This is to be done by the National Rural Infrastructure Development Agency.

Coir Geotextiles

• They are made of coir and last up to 3 to 5 years. 
• The coir geotextiles degrades into humus. This enriches the soil.

Geotextiles

• Geo Textiles are permeable fabrics that have the ability to filter, separate, reinforce, drain and protect. 
• They are made from polypropylene.
• Geotextiles are used to protect fossil foot prints. 
• In combination with steel wire fencing the geotextiles can contain explosive debris in building demolition. 
• They help to strengthen soil at lower cost. Geo textiles are used to secure slopes.
• Their main applications are in the civil engineering industry. 
• They are used in airfields, embankments, reservoirs, canals, dams, silt fences, etc. 
• They have widened uses in erosion control, especially in hill slopes.
• Geo textile sand bags are also used in forming artificial reefs.

Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana III

• The Phase III of Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana was launched in December 2019. 
• It focuses on consolidation of 1,25,000 km of routes. 
• It mainly includes major rural links. 
• The aim is to connect the Gramin Agricultural markets, hospitals and higher secondary schools.

Pradhan Mantri Ujjawala Yojana: 6.8 crore free Cylinders distributed

On May 21, 2020, the Government of India announced that around 6.8 crore free cylinders have been distributed under Prdhan Mantri Ujjawala Yojana.

Highlights

• Under the scheme, free LPG cylinders are being provided by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas. 
• This covers more than 8 core beneficiaries of Pradhan Mantri Ujjawala Yojana. 
• The beneficiaries are provided with the funds through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).
• The GoI has allocated separate funds to distribute the cylinders under Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana. 
• It was launched to ease the lives of the people during lock down.

Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana

• The scheme was launched in December 16, 2016 under Ministry of Finance. 
• The scheme was valid till March 31, 2017. 
• It was launched to declare unaccounted black money and wealth. 
• The scheme was recently updated to mitigate the losses faced by the poor due to COVID-19.
• Under the scheme, Rs 1.7 lakh crore was allocated. The updated scheme was launched on March 26, 2020.
• Apart from this, the GoI has recently launched the Atma Nirbhar Bharat Abhiyan to revive the economy of the country. 
• Around Rs 20 lakh crores have been allocated under the scheme. 
• Through the scheme, the Government intends to boost MSMEs, agriculture, mining, fisheries. 
• defence and science and technology. 
• It mainly focuses on indigenisation of manufacturing. 
• It will also focus on providing important to local produce through vocal for local initiative.

North East Model: Minimized COVID-19 threats and a huge success

The North East Model of COVID-19 has been a huge success. The model in effect has helped declare five stated in the region COVID-19 free. This included Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Sikkim and Nagaland.

Highlights

• Tripura had increased number of COVID-19 cases especially among CAPF (Central Armed Police Force). 
• Assam, being the biggest state in the region has contained the disease in local clusters.

The Model

The North East Model was successful due to prompt responses from both Central and State Governments. They are as follows

• The medicine and equipment were delivered through Air Cargo and also by the Indian Air Force as well
• Number of testing facilities were increased
• Essential supplies were made available through Public Distribution System under Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana.

Though, these were the major reasons of success. There are other factors as well. They are as follows

• There were no testing facilities in Sikkim and Nagaland while Assam had only 2 testing facilities. 
• TrueNAT testing facility was begun in Sikkim. Trunat is a machine used to test tuberculosis. It was approved by ICMR to test COVID-19 cases in April 2020.

Red Army

• Red Army was formed in the North East. 
• The army consisted of wise old men and women that help villages and have great respect among the villagers. 
• They were called gaon buras (male village elders) and gaon buris (female village elders). 
• This helped reach the tribals easily that was the major contribution for the north eastern states to become COVID-19 free.

Lifeline Udan

• The Lifeline Udan scheme was launched to provide essential commodities and medical cargo. 
• The scheme supplied Personal Protective Equipment, gloves and masks.

New Scheme for Diary Sector: GoI subsidizes interest rates on working capital

On May 14, 2020, the Government of India launched a new scheme for the diary sector. The scheme has introduced Interest Subvention on Working Capital to support Diary Cooperatives and FPO (Farmer Producer Organization).

Key Features

• The scheme intends to modernize existing milk processing units. 
• It will also enhance the milk processing capacity of the country to 126 lakh litres per day.
• The scheme will provide interest subsidies to the loans that were availed by the banks to the cooperatives and farmer owned milk organizations and companies. 
• The scheme will include those loans that were sanctioned between April 1, 2020 and March 31, 2021.
• The scheme has also provided interest subvention of 2% per annum. 
• An additional incentive of 2% of interest subvention will be provided if the farmers repay the loans on time.
• The modified scheme is expected to make 100 crores of rupees available in farmers’ hands. 
• The scheme is to be implemented by National Dairy Development Board (NDDB).

NDDB

• The National Dairy Development Board was established through an act of Parliament of India. 
• It was founded in 1965. The main aim of the board was to spread similar successes as that of the AMUL Cooperative. 
• The World Bank assisted the mission. 
• It was named “Operation Flood” and lasted for 26 years.