Daily Prelims Notes 9 September 2020

September 9, 2020
Posted by: OptimizeIAS Team
Category: DPN

Table Of Contents

Subject: Schemes

Context:

An estimated ₹110 crore was fraudulently credited to the bank accounts of 5.5 lakh ineligible people in 13 districts of Tamil Nadu under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan SammanNidhi (PM-Kisan) Scheme

Concept:

Pradhan MantriKisanSammanNidhi (PIV-KISAN) is a new Central Sector Scheme to provide income support to all landholding farmers’ families in the country to supplement their financial needs for procuring various inputs related to agriculture and allied activities as well as domestic needs.
Under the Scheme, the entire financial liability towards transfer of benefit to targeted beneficiaries will be borne by Government of India.
ln the beginning when the PM-Kisan Scheme was launched on February, 2019, its benefits were admissible only to Small & Marginal Farmers’families, with combined landholding upto 2 hectare.
The Scheme was later on revised on 1 .6.2019 and extended to all farmer families irrespective of the size of their landholdings
Under the PM-KISAN scheme, all landholding farmers’ families shall be provided the financial benefit of Rs.6000 per annum per family payable in three equal installments of Rs.2000 each, every four months.
State Government and UT administration will identify the farmer families which are eligible for support as per scheme guidelines
There are various Exclusion Categories for the scheme like institutional land holders.

2. Health in India report

Subject: Reports

Context:

In India, two out of five children do not complete their immunisation programme, according to the ‘Health in India’ report

Concept:

The report is recently published by the National Statistical Organisation (NSO).
Most of these children remain unprotected against measles, and partially protected against a range of other diseases.
The report is based on the 75th round of the National Sample Survey (July 2017-June 2018) on household social consumption related to health.

3. Svanidhi Scheme

Subject: Schemes

Context:

Prime Minister held ‘Svanidhi Samvaad’ with street vendors from Madhya Pradesh.

Concept:

It is a special micro-credit facility scheme for providing affordable loan to street vendors.
The scheme is aimed at enabling the street vendors to resume their livelihoods that have been adversely affected due to COVID-19 lockdown.
Under the scheme, each of these streets vendors will be given a credit loan of Rs 10,000, which they can return as monthly installments within a year.
Those who repay their loans on time will get 7 percent annual interest as subsidy which will be transferred in their bank accounts. There is no provision for penalty
The scheme targets to benefit over 50 lakh street vendors, who had been vending on or before 24th March this year, in urban areas. The duration of the scheme is till March 2022. The street vendors belonging to the surrounding peri-urban or rural areas are being included as beneficiaries under the urban livelihoods programme for the first time.
The lending institutions under the Scheme include Scheduled Commercial Banks, Regional Rural Banks, Small Finance Banks, Cooperative Banks, NBFCs, Micro Finance institutions and Self Help Group banks.

4. Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana

Subject: Schemes

Context:

Prime Minister will digitally launch the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana(PMMSY) on 10th September.
Prime Minister will also launch e-Gopala App, a comprehensive breed improvement marketplace and information portal for direct use of farmers.

Concept:

Status:

Fisheries and aquaculture are an important source of food, nutrition, employment and income in India.
The sector provides livelihood to more than 20 million fishers and fish farmers at the primary level and twice the number along the value chain.
The Gross Value Added (GVA) of fisheries sector in the national economy is 1.24% of the total National GVA and 7.28% share of Agricultural GVA.
Fisheries sector in India has shown impressive growth with an average annual growth rate of 10.88% during the year from 2014-15 to 2018-19. The fish production in India has registered an average annual growth of 7.53% during last 5 years and stood at an all-time high of 137.58 lakh metric tons during 2018-19.

Features:

The PMMSY will be implemented as an umbrella scheme with two separate Components namely Central Sector Scheme (CS) and Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS).
Under the Central Sector Scheme Component an amount of Rs. 1720 crores has been earmarked. Under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) Component, an investment of Rs. 18330 crores has been envisaged, which in turn is segregated into Non-beneficiary oriented and Beneficiary orientated sub-components/activities under the following three broad heads:
- Enhancement of Production and Productivity
- Infrastructure and Post-harvest Management
- Fisheries Management and Regulatory Framework
Cluster or area-based approach would be followed with requisite forward and backward linkages and end to end solutions.
Thrust will be given for infusing new and emerging technologies like Re-circulatory Aquaculture Systems, Biofloc, Aquaponics, Cage Cultivation to enhance production and productivity, quality, productive utilization of waste lands and water for Aquaculture.
Special focus on Coldwater fisheries development and expansion of Aquaculture in Brackish Water and Saline Areas.
Activities like Mariculture, Seaweed cultivation and Ornamental Fisheries having potential to generate huge employment will be promoted.
Focused attention would be given for fisheries development in Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Islands, Northeast, and Aspirational Districts through area specific development plans.
PMMSY envisages promotion of high value species, establishing a national network of Brood Banks for all commercially important species, Genetic improvement and establishing Nucleus Breeding Center for self-reliance in Shrimp Brood stock, organic aquaculture promotion and certification, good aquaculture practices, end to end traceability from ‘catch to consumer’, use of Block Chain Technology, Global Standards and Certification, Accreditation of Brood banks, Hatcheries, Farms, residues issues and aquatic health management supported by a modern laboratory network.
Collectivization of fishers and fish farmers through Fish Farmer Producer Organizations (FFPOs) to increase bargaining power of fishers and fish farmers is a key feature of PMMSY.
Aquaparks as hub of fisheries and aquaculture activities with assured, affordable, quality inputs under one roof, post-harvest infrastructure facilities, business enterprise zones, logistic support, business incubation centers, marketing facilities etc.
Youth would be engaged in fisheries extension by creation of 3347 SagarMitras in coastal fisher villages.
Major investments in construction and modernization of Fishing Harbours and Landing centers for hygienic handling of fish, urban marketing infrastructure to deliver quality and affordable fish, development of state of the art whole sale fish markets, retail markets, E-marketing and E-trading of Fish etc.

5. Jigyasa programme

Subject:Schemes

Context:

A webinar has been hosted by CSIR-CMERI Durgapur in association with SamagraSiksha, Department of School Education, Jammu& Kashmir on Scientific & Technological Interventions by CSIR-CMERI combating COVID-19 as a part of the ‘Jigyasa’ programme.

Concept:

“JIGYASA” is one of the major initiatives taken up by CSIR at national level for further widening and deepening its Scientific Social Responsibility (SSR).
Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), has launched a student-scientist connect programme ‘JIGYASA’ in collaboration with KendriyaVidyalayaSangathans (KVS)
The objective is extending the classroom leaning and focusing on a well planned research laboratory based learning.
‘JIGYASA’ would inculcate the culture of inquisitiveness on one hand and scientific temper on the other, amongst the school students and their teachers.

6. Schemes of the department of Social Justice & Empowerment

Subject: Schemes

Context:

Union Minister of Social Justice & Empowerment released a book containing 33 Action Plans 2020-21 of all the schemes of the Department of Social Justice & Empowerment.

Concept:

The book is a collection of 33 Annual Action Plans for all the Schemes of Social Justice and Empowerment Department and has been prepared for economic, educational development and social empowerment of the people belonging to Scheduled Castes, Other Backward Classes (OBCs), and Senior Citizens, victim of Drug Abuse, Transgender, De-notified, Nomadic and Semi Nomadic Tribes (DNTs).
PRADHAN MANTRI ADARSH GRAM YOJNA
- Pradhan MantriAdarsh Gram Yojana (PMAGY) is an initiative for the empowerment of deprived sections, aims to achieve integrated development of selected villages through convergent implementation of all relevant Central and State schemes.
- The scheme was launched in March, 2010 on a pilot basis for the integrated development of 1000 villages each with more than 50% SC population.
NATIONAL ACTION PLAN ON DRUG DEMAND REDUCTION
- The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has prepared a National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction (NAPDDR) for 2018-2023 so as to focus on preventive education, awareness generation, identification, counselling, treatment and rehabilitation of drug dependent persons and training and capacity building of the service providers through collaborative efforts of the Central and State Governments and Non-Governmental Organizations.
NATIONAL SAFAI KARAMCHARIS FINANCE & DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (NSKFDC):
- National SafaiKaramcharis Finance and Development Corporation (NSKFDC) an apex corporation under the Ministry of Social justice & Empowerment
- NSKFDC is implementing various loan and non-loan based schemes.
- Under Loan based schemes, NSKFDC provides financial assistance to the SafaiKaramcharis, Scavengers and their dependants for any viable income generating schemes including sanitation related activities and for education in India and abroad.
- Under non-loan based schemes,NSKFDC provides 100% grant for skill development training programme and stipend of Rs.1500 p.m. per candidate and Rs.50,000 for holding Job Fairs, Rs.30000 for Awareness Camps and Rs.25,000 for Workshops etc.
- The schemes/programmes of NSKFDC are implemented through various State Channelizing Agencies (SCAs) nominated by the State Govts./UT Administrations, Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) and some Nationalised Banks.
- The financial assistance is provided at concessional rates of interest to the SCAs/RRBs/Nationalised Banks for onward disbursement to the target group of NSKFDC.

7. Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman

Subject: Polity

Context:

Opposition parties is going to field a joint candidate for the post of Deputy Chairman of the Rayja Sabha, the Congress decided after a virtual meeting of its parliamentary strategy group (PSG).

Concept:

The Deputy Chairman is elected by the Rajya Sabha itself from amongst its members. Whenever the office of the Deputy Chairman falls vacant, the Rajya Sabha elects another member to fill the vacancy.
The Deputy Chairman vacates his office in any of the following three cases:
- if he ceases to be a member of the Rajya Sabha;
- if he resigns by writing to the Chairman; and
- if he is removed by a resolution passed by a majority of all the members of the Rajya Sabha. Such a resolution can be moved only after giving 14 days advance notice.
The Deputy Chairman performs the duties of the Chairman’s office when it is vacant or when the Vice-President acts as President or discharges the functions of the President. He also acts as the Chairman when the latter is absent from the sitting of the House. In both the cases, he has all the powers of the Chairman.
It should be emphasised here that the Deputy Chairman is not subordinate to the Chairman. He is directly responsible to the Rajya Sabha.
Like the Chairman, the Deputy Chairman, while presiding over the House, cannot vote in the first instance; he can only exercise a casting vote in the case of a tie.
Further, when a resolution for the removal of the Deputy Chairman is under consideration of the House, he cannot preside over a sitting of the House, though he may be present.
When the Chairman presides over the House, the Deputy Chairman is like any other ordinary member of the House. He can speak in the House, participate in its proceedings and vote on any question before the House.
Like the Chairman, the Deputy Chairman is also entitled to a regular salary and allowance. They are fixed by Parliament and are charged on the Consolidated Fund of India.

8. Green blue policy

Subject: Government policy

Context:

The Delhi Development Authority (DDA) is holding public consultations for the preparation of the Master Plan for Delhi 2041, which has the “Green-Blue policy”, promises to give the city a new shape.

Concept:

‘Blue’ infrastructure refers to water bodies like rivers, canals, ponds, wetlands, floodplains, and water treatment facilities; while ‘Green’ stands for trees, lawns, hedgerows, parks, fields, and forests.
The concept refers to urban planning where water bodies and land are interdependent, and grow with the help of each other while offering environmental and social benefits.

9. Pradhan Mantri GaribKalyan Package

Subject: Schemes

Context:

The Centre claimed that over 42 crore poor people have received financial assistance of over ₹68,000 crore under the Pradhan Mantri GaribKalyan Package (PMGKY).

Concept:

It is announced in March, the ₹1.70-lakh crore package intends to benefit the masses affected during the pandemic by providing free food grains and cash payment to women and poor senior citizens and farmers.

Following are the components of the Pradhan Mantri GaribKalyan Package

I. Insurance scheme for health workers fighting COVID-19 in Government Hospitals and Health Care Centres

Safaikaramcharis, ward-boys, nurses, ASHA workers, paramedics, technicians, doctors and specialists and other health workers would be covered by a Special insurance Scheme.
Any health professional, who while treating Covid-19 patients, meet with some accident, then he/she would be compensated with an amount of Rs 50 lakh under the scheme.
All government health centres, wellness centres and hospitals of Centre as well as States would be covered under this scheme approximately 22 lakh health workers would be provided insurance cover to fight this pandemic.

II. PMGaribKalyanAnnaYojana

Government of India would not allow anybody, especially any poor family, to suffer on account of non-availability of foodgrains due to disruption in the next three months.
80 crore individuals, i.e, roughly two-thirds of India’s population would be covered under this scheme.
Each one of them would be provided double of their current entitlement over next three months. This additionality would be free of cost.

III. Benefit to farmers:

The first instalment of Rs 2,000 due in 2020-21 will be front-loaded and paid in April 2020 itself under the PM KISAN Yojana.
It would cover 8.7 crore farmers

IV. Cash transfers to Help to Poor:

A total of 20.40 crores PMJDY women account-holders would be given an ex-gratia of Rs 500 per month for next three months.
Gas cylinders:Under PM GaribKalyanYojana, gas cylinders, free of cost, would be provided to 8 crore poor families for the next three months.

10. InvIT

Subject: Economy

Context:

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has allowed Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (POWERGRID) to undertake monetization of its Tariff Based Competitive Bidding (TBCB) assets through Infrastructure Investment Trust (InvIT).

Concept:

An Infrastructure Investment Trust (InvITs) is like a mutual fund, which enables direct investment of small amounts of money from possible individual/institutional investors in infrastructure to earn a small portion of the income as return.
InvITs work like mutual funds or real estate investment trusts (REITs) in features. InvITs can be treated as the modified version of REITs designed to suit the specific circumstances of the infrastructure sector.
SEBI notified the Sebi (Infrastructure Investment Trusts) Regulations, 2014 providing for registration and regulation of InvITs in India. The objective of InvITs is to facilitate investment in the infrastructure sector.
InvITS are like mutual funds in structure. InvITs can be established as a trust and registered with SEBI. An InvIT consists of four elements: 1) Trustee, 2) Sponsor(s), 3) Investment Manager and 4) Project Manager.