Government Schemes 2017 by AffairsCloud

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Government Schemes - January 2017
Central Government Schemes
Govt gets 45 initial bids for more than 200 regional routes
i. The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has received 45 initial proposals coming in from 11
bidders covering more than 200 regional routes under Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS) said
by Civil Aviation Minister P. Ashok GajapathiRaju on January 18, 2017.
ii. These proposals will cover 65 airports out of of which 52 are unserved and 13 are underserved
airports.
Union Cabinet Approves to Launch Varishtha Pension Bima Yojana 2017

As a part of government’s commitment for financial inclusion and social security the Union Cabinet
has given its post-facto approval to launch Varishtha Pension Bima Yojana 2017 (VPBY
2017) on January 24, 2017.
• The Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) would be the implementing body of
the scheme during the current financial year.
• The scheme aims to provide social security to elderly persons aged 60 years during their
old age.
• Under the scheme, an assured pension with guaranteed rate of return of 8% per
annum would be provided for a period of ten years. Besides, the nominee would have
an option for pension on a monthly / quarterly / halfyearly and annual basis.
Telangana and Assam Joins UDAY Scheme

i. Assam and Telangana signed a pact with the Power Minister, PiyushGoyal to join
the UDAY scheme on January 4, 2017 in New Delhi in a bid to improve the performance of state
run power distribution companies (DISCOM).
ii. Since the launch of the UDAY Scheme, the Power Ministry has signed Agreements with 18
states to join the Scheme.
Tamil Nadu Becomes 21st State to Join UDAY

The Tamil Nadu Government signed anMoU with the Ministry of Power on January 9, 2017 to join
the Ujwal DISCOM Assurance Yojana (UDAY) scheme which aims at reviving the financial
turnaround of debt stressed electricity distribution companies of India (DISCOMs). With the
agreement Tamil Nadu has become the 21st state to join UDAY scheme.
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Entrepreneurship Development Scheme inaugurated in Mizoram

The Entrepreneurship Development Scheme (EDS) was launched under the New Economic
Development Policy (NEDP) by Lalmalsawma in Mizoram, Mizoram Chief Secretary on January
19, 2017.
♦ The State government has allocated Rs.2 Crore for New Economic Development Policy (NEDP)
Civil Aviation Ministry Announces First Flight under UDAN Scheme to Take off in
February 2017
i. The Minister of State for Civil Aviation JayantSinha, on January 19, 2017 announced that
the under UDAN (UdeDeshKeAamNaagrik) Scheme is likely to take off in February 2017.
ii. Presently there are 75 operational airport in the country and after the implementation of UDAN
scheme 43 new airports will be added.
Cabinet approves Amendment in Modified Special Incentive Package Scheme (M-SIPS)

Prime Minister ShriNarendraModi approved amendment in the Modified Special Incentive
Package Scheme (M-SIPS) to attract investment in electronics manufacturing.
• The amendment aims to further incentivize investments in Electronic Sector and further
move towards the goal of ‘Net Zero imports’ in electronics by 2020.
State Government Schemes
Kerala CM Inaugurates e-Health Kerala scheme at Peroorkada Hospital

i. The Chief Minister of Kerala, PinarayiVijayan launched the IT Project, e-Health Kerala which
is named JeevanRekha on January 25, 2017 at Peroorkada Model Government Hospital.
ii. The project has been developed by the Health Department in association with the state
IT Mission. It aims to create a centralized database that will have the complete healthcare records
of all the citizens in the state through the digitization of government hospitals.
Arunachal launches ‘DulariKanya’ scheme to check infant mortality

i. Arunachal Pradesh launched ‘DulariKanya’, a special scheme to check infant mortality in the
state.
ii. Governor V Shanmuganathan launched the scheme, under which the government will
deposit Rs 20,000 in the bank account of a girl child, born in any government hospital.
iii. It would be paid along with the accrued interest after she attains 18 years of her age.
Madhya Pradesh Launches Digital Dakiya Scheme For Digital Literacy

i. Madhya Pradesh government inaugurated a first of its kind scheme of the country, “Digital
Dakiya” in Indore on January 14, 2017 to encourage cashless transaction in the state.
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ii .Under the scheme, a Digital Postman referred as Digital Dakiya would visit door to door in
both urban and rural areas to train households specially women and elderly people about
digitized transactions
Anandam Scheme Launched in Madhya Pradesh to Help Poor

i. Madhya Pradesh government lead by Shivraj Singh Chouhan has launched Aanandam
programme of the newly-formed Aanand Department.
ii. Aim : To help the poor and the needed person.
iii. Aanandam scheme will help the poor people to get the daily needs like like jackets,
sarees, blankets, utensils, school bags from the wealthy people. For this particular place is
alloacted in each district to collect this items.
Chandrababu Naidu Launches ArogyaRaksha Scheme to cover APL Families

Chandrbabu Naidu, Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh launched a new health
scheme, ArogyaRaksha Scheme on January 1, 2017 at TummalapalliKalakshetram
in Vijayawada to provide the medical treatment to the people of the Above Poverty Line at Rs.
1200 premium per annum.
Aim:To achieve the ambitious target of making the state among top three best developed
state in the country by 2020 and first best developed state by 2050.
Features of ArogyaRaksha Scheme
The ArogyaRaksha Scheme would provide health insurance coverage to about 35 Lakh Above
Poverty Line families in the state.
• Under the scheme, an end-to-end cashless service would be rendered to a total of 1044
diseases covered under the scheme. Unlike other insurance schemes pre existing
disease will not be considered.
• To avail the ArogyaRaksha scheme benefits, every individual of the family would be
required to pay Rs. 100 per month or Rs. 1200 per annum as policy premium.
• A total of 432 hospitals including 80 government general hospitals have been enrolled
for the implementation of the scheme.
• The scheme would provide an insurance coverage of up to Rs. 2 Lakh per
annum and free treatment in any 432 corporate hospitals in the state.
The scheme is estimated to cost Rs 160.56 crore and the government would sanction the
necessary allocations for the scheme in the budget session 2017-2018.
Telangana to Provide Monetary Help of Rs. 1000 to Single Women in State

i. The Telangana Government led by Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, announced a new
scheme on January 6, 2017, to provide financial assistance of Rs. 1000 per month to poor
single women in the state.
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ii. Making an announcement in the Legislative Assembly, the CM informed that the new scheme
will be implemented from April 2017 and necessary funds will be allocated in the upcoming
budget.
Government Schemes - February 2017

Sikkim becomes 22nd State to join UDAY

i. India’s first fully organic state Sikkim has joined the union government’s Ujwal DISCOM
Assurance Yojana (UDAY) as 22 nd state , the so called UDAY will in turn hand it an overall
benefit of Rs 356 crore.
ii. Upon this decision Sikkim has inked MoU with the union government under the Scheme
UjwalDiscom Assurance Yojana (UDAY) for operational improvement of the state’s Power
Distribution Department.
iii. The MoU will help in improving operational efficiency of the power distribution and reduction in
AT&C and transmission losses to 15 per cent and 3.50 per cent, respectively, is possibly to bring
in added revenue of around Rs 328 crore.
Commerce Ministry approves Revenue Insurance Scheme for Plantation Crops

i. The Union Ministry of Commerce under NirmalaSitharaman has approved the pilot Revenue
Insurance Scheme for Plantation Crops (RISPC) on February 8, 2017 to protect the growers
of plantation crops from the twin risks.
ii. Firstly the risks of yield loss due to adverse weather parameters, pest attacks etc and
secondly income loss caused by fall in international/domestic prices.
iii. The Revenue Insurance Scheme for Plantation Crops (RISPC) is an improved version of Price
Stabilization Fund (PSF) Scheme, 2003 which was closed on September 30, 2013.
iv .RISPC will be implemented on a pilot basis for two years covering tea, coffee, rubber,
cardamom and tobacco in eight districts in West Bengal, Kerala, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh,
Assam, Sikkim and Tamil Nadu by the commodity boards.
v. On the basis of performance of the pilot project the Ministry will consider for extension of the
scheme to other districts.
Cabinet approves Rs. 2,351.38 crore ‘Pradhan Mantri Gramin Digital Saksharta Abhiyan’
for digital literacy
The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi approved the ‘Pradhan
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Mantri Gramin Digital Saksharta Abhiyan’ (PMGDISHA) on February 8, 2017 to make 6

crore rural households digitally literate by March 2019.
• The outlay for PMGDISHA is Rs.2,351.38 crore.The project will be carried out in a
phased manner. In the FY 2016-17, 25 lakh candidates will be trained under the
programme. Further 275 lakh in the FY 2017-18 and 300 lakh in the FY 2018-19 would
be trained.
• The programme would be implemented under the overall supervision of Ministry of
Electronics and IT in active collaboration with States/UTs through their designated State
Implementing Agencies, District e-Governance Society (DeGS), etc.
• To ensure that the programme covers overall geographical area, each of the 250,000
Gram Panchayats have been directed to register an average of 200-300 candidates.
• The scheme will enable the rural people to operate computers and other digital devices
like tablets, smart phones, send and receive emails, browse internet, access
Government Services, undertaking cashless transactions, etc.
Cricketer Sachin Tendulkar Adopts Donja Village in Maharashtra For Transformation

i. Indian Cricket Icon Sachin Tendulkar is set to adopt his second village in Maharashtra for
transformation after successfully transforming the lives of villagers
in PuttamrajuKandriga in Andhra Pradesh which he adopted in 2016 at an investment of
about Rs. 6 crore.
ii. The RajyaSabha MP Sachin Tendulkar is adopting Donja village in Osmanabad,
Maharashtra under the SansadAdarsh Gram Yojna to transform the undeveloped village into a
model one.
iii. Tendulkar has sanctioned over Rs 4 crore from his Members of Parliament Local Area
Development (MPLAD) fund for development of Donja. The total amount will be spent on
the development of a school which is over 70-years-old.
iv .The school will also be replaced with a new school building, a water supply scheme, concrete
roads, banking services, to set up micro cash-recycler ATMs and a sewage line attached to the
same.
v. Five special village level meetings have been held since the village was adopted by
Tendulkar in which the women were also given the opportunity to give their suggestions for the
village transformation.
vi. Out of 610 households in Donja, 400 did not have toilets but after Tendulkar’s adoption, nearly
231 toilets have been built and are in use.
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SC Introduces Middle Income Group Scheme to Provide Legal Services at Affordable

Rate
i. The Supreme Court has introduced the Middle Income Group (MIG) Scheme for the middle
income group people whose gross income is not exceeding Rs. 60,000 per month or Rs. 7.5
lakh per annum.
ii. The MIG Legal Aid Scheme is a self-supporting scheme which aims to provide legal services
to the middle income group who cannot afford the expensive litigation in the Supreme Court.
iii. Under the scheme, middle class people who have the desire to avail the benefit of the Scheme
shall have to fill up the form prescribed and accept all the terms and conditions contained within
and thus can avail the services of the society for a nominal amount.
Key Features of the Scheme
♦Under the scheme a Supreme Court Middle Income Group Legal Aid Society
(SCMIGLAS) would be set up as a governing body.
♦ The society will have Chief Justice-of-India as Patron-in-Chief, Attorney General for
India as Ex-officio Vice-President, Solicitor General of India as Secretary and other senior
advocates of the Supreme Court as its members.
♦The applicants will have to pay a sum of Rs 500 to the Supreme Court Middle Income Group
Legal Aid Society (SCMIGLAS) as service charges.
♦Besides, the applicant shall also have to deposit the fee as indicated by the Secretary which will
be in accordance with the schedule attached to the scheme.
♦ The Secretary will also be responsible to register the case under the MIG Legal Aid Scheme
and further proceed to forward the papers to the Advocate-on-Record or the Arguing Counsel or
Senior Counsel for opinion.
♦If Advocate-on-Record is satisfied with the case to be proceeded forward then only the Society
will consider that the applicant is entitled to legal aid.
♦ If the advocate who is appointed under the scheme is found negligent in the conduct of the case
entrusted to him then he will be required to return the brief together with the fee received by him
from the applicant under the scheme.
♦The society will not be responsible for the negligent conduct of the case and the entire
responsibility will be that of the advocate. The name of the Advocate will be struck off from the
panel prepared under the scheme.
CCEA approves 40,000-mw solar park scheme

The Union Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) okayed revised norms for the Scheme
for Development of Solar Parks and Ultra Mega Solar Power Projects with the production
target enhancement to 40,000 MW from the present 20,000 MW.
• The enhanced target capacity would ensure development of at least 50 solar parks each
with a capacity of 500 MW and above in various parts of the country.
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• In the recent development smaller parks in Himalayan and other hilly States where
contiguous land may be difficult to acquire in view of the difficult terrain, will also be
considered under the scheme.
Government Clears that BetiBachaoBetiPadhao has no provision for cash transfer

component
i. The Ministry of Women and Child Development has clarified that there is no provision
for individual cash transfer component in BetiBachaoBetiPadhao scheme.
ii. The Scheme simply focuses on generating awareness about girl child and changing the
mindsets and deep rooted patriarchy of the society and improve the efficiency of welfare services
for girls.
iii .The clarification came after the report that some unauthorised sites, organisations, NGOs and
individuals were distributing forms in the name of cash incentive under the scheme.
iv. The centre said that there is no cash incentive associated in any form for B3P scheme and
distribution of such forms was completely illegal.
Cabinet approves Extension of tenure of loans under the Credit Linked Subsidy Scheme
(CLSS) of PMAY from 15 to 20 years
i. The Union cabinet led by PM Modi has given its approval on February 1, 2017 to extend the
tenure of loans under the Credit Linked Subsidy Scheme (CLSS) under Pradhan Mantri Awas
Yojana (Urban) Mission from the current 15 years to 20 years.
ii. Besides the scheme has been introduced for the middle income group (MIG) category and
an initial allocation of Rs. 1000 crore has been made at Budgetary Estimate stage in 2017-18 for
the proposed CLSS for MIG.
iii. For economically weaker sections of society/Lower Income Group (LIG), the scheme
has been named as CLSS.
iv. The Primary Lending Institutions (PLIs) that have signed an MoU with the Central Nodal
Agencies (CNAs), under the CLSS of PMAY (Urban) have also been directed to extend the
necessary conditions of their MoU to CLSS for MIG with appropriate changes as applicable.
v. The schemes aim to ensure greater participation amongst the Economically Weaker Section
(EWS), LIG and MIG segment of the society to provide Housing for All by 2022.
vi. The interest subsidy would be disbursed to the home loan account of the beneficiaries by the
PLIs
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Jharkhand CM Raghubar Das launches UJALA scheme

i. Jharkhand Chief Minister Raghubar Das launched energy efficient fans and LED tube lights
under the ‘UnnatJeevan by Affordable LEDs and Appliances for All’ (UJALA) scheme in the
state.
ii. The UJALA scheme is being implemented by Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL), a JV
under the administration of Ministry of Power, Government of India.
iii. In Jharkhand, EESL plans to distribute more than 25 lakh LED tube lights and one lakh energy
efficient fans to people on upfront payment. It is estimated that over 5.5 lakh consumers will
benefit from the scheme.
Chief Minister SarbanandaSonowal Launches Chief Minister

SamagraGramyaUnnayanYojana (CMSGUY) in Assam
Chief Minister of Assam, SarbanandaSonowal, launched Chief Minister
SamagraGramyaUnnayanYojana (CMSGUY) in a function held at Sri SriMadhavdev
International Auditorium of SrimantaSankardevKalakshetra in Guwahati on February 5, 2017
with an aim to develop all the villages to Assam in the next five years.
Aim: The CMSGUY scheme aims to bring a revolutionary change in the state by doubling the
farm income by 2022 which also marks the 75 anniversary of India’s Independence.
• The total financial outlay of the CMSGUY scheme is Rs. 30,000 crore. It will be
implemented in phased manner in the villages of Assam till 2021-22.
About the CMSGUY Project
For the propoer implementation of the scheme a Mega Mission Society has been constituted
under the chairmanship of Sarbananda Sonowal.
• As per the Situation Assessment Survey done during 2002-03 to 2012-13, the report
estimated that the farm income in Assam was only 0.88 percent as against national
average of 5.2 per cent.
• The CMSGUY scheme would be launched in a time bound manner. It would cover
each village of the state for complete rural transformation though massive investment
so as to enhance rural productivity.
• It would include focused interventions in direct economic activities, logistic support
including market linkages, and community support.
• Under the 5-year scheme, five teams will be constituted in each block which will work as
a base to implement different missions of the programme. These teams will prepare
development plans for them to be implemented in each village.
• A village knowledge centre will also be set up in each village as a part of the scheme.
Besides, MGNREGA play ground will be built in each village.
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• Out of the total outlay of Rs. 30,000 crore of the project, Rs. 1.20 crore has been
planned as average investment to be made on each revenue village of the state.
• In the Union Budget 2017-18, an initial amount of Rs. 500 crore has already been
provided by the Finance Minister to Assam Chief Minister.
• Assam Minister has proposed Rs 1000 crore as a Supplementary Demand and by the
end of the financial year 2017 the CMSGUY will have Rs 1500 crore.
Government Schemes - March 2017
Centre to build 1 crore houses under PMAY-G by 2019

In a written reply to question raised in Lok Sabha, Ram Kripal Yadav - Minister of State for
Rural Development mentioned that Central Govt. has approved the construction of 1 crore
houses under Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana-Grameen (PMAY-G) with the financial outlay of
Rs 81,975 crore during the period of 2016-17 to 2018-19.
• This decision is a part of Govt. efforts to achieve ‘Housing For All by 2022’ mission set by
PM Modi.
Moving towards ‘Housing For All’ by 2022:
Going by provisional figures of Socio Economic and Caste Census (SECC) 2011,
approximately 4 crore rural households in India are face housing deprivation.
• After considering work done in this direction under Indira Awaas Yojana (IAY) and
various State Govt. supported schemes since 2011, 2.95 crore houses still remain to be
constructed for achieving the goal of ‘Housing For All by 2022’.
• This approval to build 1 crore houses under PMAY-G by 2019 constitutes the first phase
of action plan.
Kerala, Tripura & Arunachal Pradesh Takes States’ List Under UDAY to 26
i. The power ministry has informed that a total of 26 states have now become the part of
the Ujwal DISCOM Assurance Yojana (UDAY) with the recent entry of Kerala, Arunachal
Pradesh and Tripura for the revival of debt stressed Discoms.
ii. While the state government of Kerala and Kerala State Electricity Board Ltd along with the
government of India signed the UDAY scheme on March 2, 2017, Arunachal Pradesh and Tripura
joined the scheme on March 29, 2017.
iii. With the participation of the three states in the UDAY, they would have an overall net benefit
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of approximately Kerala-Rs 4,178 crore, Arunachal Pradesh-Rs 309 crore and Tripura-Rs
810 crore due to cheaper funds, reduction in AT&C and transmission losses, interventions in
energy efficiency during the turnaround period.
Government Approves Solar Energy Scheme for Small Powerloom Units

i. The Minister of State for Textiles, Shri Ajay Tamta informed the Lok Sabha on March 16, 2017
that the Government has approved a new scheme, Solar Energy Scheme, to provide financial
assistance/capital subsidy to small powerloom units, for installation of Solar Photo Voltaic
(SPV) plant.
ii. Aim: To mitigate the problem of power cut/ shortage faced by decentralized powerloom units in
the country so as to improve utilization, efficiency, productivity to face both the domestic and
international markets competitively.
iii. The Scheme is meant for Units having 04, 06 & 08 powerlooms and subsidies for different
SPV plants will be given in the range of Rs 2,25,000 to Rs 8,55,000 depending upon the
capacity of the SPV plant (4KWP, 6KWP, 8 KWP).
iv. Besides, the Government of India shall provide financial assistance/capital subsidy to the
extent of 50%, 75% & 90% of the basic cost of the Solar Energy Plant (Cost of Solar Panel +
Inverter + batteries) to the applicants of General category, SC & ST respectively.
v. The Scheme will come into force with effect from April 1, 2017.
Government Launches Rs. 52000 lakh Mission Fingerling to achieve Blue Revolution
i. The Union government has launched Mission Fingerling on March 11, 2017 to achieve Blue
Revolution with the holistic development and management of fisheries in the country.
ii. The Blue Revolution programme focuses on creating an environment that envisages integrated
and holistic development and management of fisheries for the socio economic development of the
fishers and fish farmers.
iii. The main motive behind this programme is to enhance the fisheries production from 10.79
mmt (2014-15) to 15 mmt by 2020-21.
iv. The Department has identified 20 States based on their potential and other relevant factors to
strengthen the Fish Seed infrastructure in the country.
v. Total expenditure of about Rs. 52000 lakh has been identified by the government for the
programme to establish hatcheries and Fingerling rearing pond to ensure the fish production
of 426 crores fish fingerling, 25.50 crores Post Larvae of shrimp and crab in the country.
Centre Launches New Scheme TIES for Developing Export Linked

InfrastructureCurrentfairssschemes
The Commerce and Industry Minister Nirmala Sitharaman launched a new scheme
named Trade Infrastructure for Export Scheme (TIES) on March 15, 2017 for
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developing export linked infrastructure and boost the competitiveness of India’s shipments.
• Aim: TIES aims to bridge the infrastructure gap in India to ensure smoother movement
of export cargo and also ensure quality standards and certification measures to promote
outbound shipment.
• The scheme will have a total budgetary allocation of Rs 600 crore for three years with an
annual outlay of Rs 200 crore.
• It will be implemented from April 1, 2017 and span from 2017-18 till 2019-20.
Salient Features of TIES
An inter-ministerial empowered committee under the chairmanship of commerce
secretary Rita Teaotia has been constituted for sanctioning and monitoring of the project.
• The 10 member committee comprises of commerce secretary, DGFT, NITI Aayog CEO,
joint secretaries from DIPP, Home Affairs Ministry and Ministry of Development of North
East Region.
• The scheme would provide assistance for setting up and upgradation of infrastructure
projects with export linkages like the border haats, land customs stations, quality
testing and certification labs, cold chains, trade promotion centres, dry ports, export
warehousing and packaging, Special Economic Zones (SEZ) and ports/airports cargo
terminuses
• Besides, TIES would also consider the last and first mile connectivity
projects related to export logistics.
• Under the scheme, priority would be given to the projects involving significant
contribution by the implementing agency and bank financing for achieving financial
closure.
• Two states, Rajasthan and Karantaka, have already submitted project proposals
under this scheme.
Centre Approves Rs 756 cr scheme for Treating Cataract Patients

i. The Union Health Minister J P Nadda has announced that an amount of Rs. 756 crore has been
approved by the government under a scheme for the treatment of 786 lakh cataract patients over
the period of 5 years.
ii. The aim of the scheme is to eradicate the blindness among people due
to cataract by 2022. The scheme is a part of the National Blindness Control Programme.
iii. Under the scheme the government would provide Rs. 2000 financial assistance for each
cataract operation which would include the cost of lenses as well.
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LED Lights, Energy Saving Fans Distribution Scheme – launched by Virbhadra Singh
i. The Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh Virbhadra Singh officially launched the LED Lights,
Energy Saving Fans Distribution scheme on March 29, 2017. As the part of the scheme, LED
tube lights and energy-efficient fans are distributed to promote energy saving.
ii. The distribution of LED tube lights and energy saving fans is carried out under Unnat Jeevan
by Affordable LEDs and Appliances for All (UJALA) scheme
iii. The Himachal Pradesh government on September 2016, launched the UJALA scheme to
distribute subsidized CLF bulbs and LED lights, which helped in saving energy worth about Rs
200 crore and the present initiative is an extension of that scheme.
Arunachal Pradesh Launches Adarsh Gram Yojana for Rural Poor

i. The Arunachal Pradesh government has launched a new scheme Adarsh Gram Yojana that
is in accordance with the basic philosophy of the Prime Minister “Sabka Saath Sabka
Vikaas” (Collective Efforts Inclusive Growth).
ii. The scheme aims to reach the poor people in rural areas of the state to serve them better.
iii. Under the scheme, 123 villages (comprising one village per circle) will be developed as
‘Model Villages’ during the fiscal year 2017-18.
iv. The state government has allocated an amount of Rs.93 crore in the Budget 2017-18 for
infrastructure development and for creating employment opportunities and community assets for
the people of those villages.
Haryana Government announces Tirtha Darshan Scheme for Senior Citizen

Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar announced Tirtha Darshan Scheme on March 3,
2017 during the ongoing budget session of the Haryana Assembly.Under the scheme, senior
citizens of Haryana domicile above the age of 60 years will be able to go on a Pilgrimage within
the country at government expense.
♦ The government would bear the entire cost of the tour of senior citizens belonging to Below
Poverty Line (BPL) families.
♦ In case of a couple, the expenses of the spouse belonging to BPL family would also be borne by
the government. They would also be allowed to take an assistant along with them.In case of
senior citizens of non-BPL families, the government would bear only 70 percent of the cost.
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Delhi Govt Extends Midday Meal Scheme for Girls Up To Class 12

i. Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) led Delhi government has come up with an initiative to extend
the mid-day meal facility for the girl students upto class 12 in all Delhi government schools.
ii. Currently Delhi provides the facility to all the students of government schools including boys
upto class 8 only.
iii. However, from April 1, 2017, the midday meal service will also include girl students from 9-
12 also. Later the facility would also cover boys upto class 12.
iv. Delhi government has decided to set aside an amount of Rs. 50 crore for this purpose in its
Budget for 2017-18 to be presented on March 8, 2017.
v. The initiative makes Delhi the “first state” in the country to serve midday meal up to class 12.
Tamil Nadu CM Palaniswami Launches Rs 1580 cr Housing Scheme

The Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K Palaniswami launched a Housing Scheme on March 9, 2017
for construction of concrete houses for the economically poor section of the society.
♦The project is estimated at Rs 1,580 crore and will be implemented by the state government
with financial assistance from the Center.
♦While launching the scheme, CM Palaniswami gave away work orders to five beneficiaries.
♦For the current fiscal 2016-17, concrete houses will be constructed for 50,170 beneficiaries in
town panchayat limits.
Government Schemes - April 2017
‘Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana’ launched in Nellore, Andhra Pradesh

i. On 1st April 2017, Mr. Thaawarchand Gehlot, Minister for Social Justice and
Empowerment launched, first of its kind “Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana” in Nellore; Andhra
Pradesh aimed to make life comfortable for senior citizens of India.
ii. This scheme has been launched for providing Physical Aids and Assisted-living Devices to
Senior Citizens belonging to Below Poverty Line (BPL) category who suffer from age related
problems viz. hearing impairment, low vision, dental problems etc.
iii. This scheme was proposed in Union Budget 2015-16 and is fully funded by Central
Government. Money required to run this scheme will be drawn from Senior Citizens’ Welfare
Fund.
Govt launches PowerTex India scheme for powerloom sector

i. Union Textiles Minister, Ms. Smriti Irani launched PowerTex India Scheme on 1stApril
2017 at Bhiwandi in Thane district of Maharashtra. It is a gamut of schemes aimed at
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development of powerloom sector in India with a special focus on small powerloom weavers. The
scheme was simultaneously launched at 45 locations across India.
ii. She also launched PowerTex India helpline for scheme related assistance. For nationwide
publicity of scheme, a PowerTex van was also flagged off.
Components of PowerTex India Scheme:
• In-situ upgradation scheme of Plain Powerlooms: Provides subsidy to financially weak
powerloom unit owners for upgradation of looms. As a result of upgradation,
productivity and quality of fabrics will improve, which will provide a competitive edge to
powerloom fabrics in domestic and international markets.
• Group Workshed Shceme (GWS): Provides subsidy for construction of worksheds for
shutterless looms. This will provide better working conditions in terms of more space.
• Yarn Bank Scheme: Under this scheme, Government of India will provide Interest-Free
corpus fund to Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) or Consortium to purchase yarn at
wholesale price. This will benefit weavers by eliminating middlemen’s commission and
local suppliers’ brokerage.
• Common Facility Centre: Government of India will provide Rs. 2 crore subsidy to setup
Common Facility Centre having pre-weaving and post-weaving facilities.
• Pradhan Mantri Credit Scheme for Powerloom weavers: Provides access to affordable
credit facility to powerloom units (including SC, ST and Women Entrepreneurs)
through Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY) and Stand-up India. Under PMMY
in context of PowerTex India Scheme, decentralised powerloom unit/weavers will be
provided 20% margin money of the project cost, subject to a ceiling of Rs. 1 lakh. They
will also get benefit of interest subvention at the rate of 6% per annum on working
capital and term loans up to Rs. 10 lakh for 5 years. Under Stand-up India in context of
PowerTex India Scheme, SC, ST & Women Entrepreneurs will be provide 25% margin
money of project cost, subject to a ceiling of Rs. 25 lakh.
• Solar Energy Scheme: Provides subsidy to set up on-grid or off-grid Solar Photo Voltaic
Plant. This scheme will help weavers to save power cost and will also promote usage of
renewable energy.
• Tax venture Capital Fund: Capital required for expansion will be provided to Micro Small
and Medium Enterprises by Ministry of Textiles through SIDBI Venture Capital Fund Ltd.
(SVCL)
Mizoram becomes 27th State to join UDAY scheme

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between Government of India (GoI)
and Mizoram under the scheme Ujwal DISCOM Assurance Yojana (UDAY). The agreement
was signed for operational improvement of the State’s Power Distribution Department.
♦By this agreement Mizoram would get an overall net benefit of approximately Rs.198 crores by
participating in UDAY
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♦This benefit is achieved in the way of cheaper funds, reduction in Aggregate Technical and
Commercial (AT&C) and transmission losses and interventions in energy efficiency.
Benefits
Government withdraws subsidy to mild hybrids under FAME scheme

As per a notification issued by Ministry of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises, benefits
to given to mild hybrid vehicles under FAME India scheme have been withdrawn with effect
from 1st April 2017. The notification also clarified that decision does not apply to sales of mild
hybrid vehicles made to retail purchasers up to 31st March 2017.
• This news has negatively affected Maruti Suzuki – the largest car maker in India, whose
popular models ‘Ertiga’ and ‘Ciaz’ use hybrid technology and were eligible for benefits
under FAME India scheme.
Beneficiaries of PM’s Ujjwala Yojana crosses 2 crore mark

i. The number of people benefitting from the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana for providing
(Liquefied Petroleum Gas) LPG connections to Below Poverty Line (BPL) households has crossed 2
crore mark. This feat has been accomplished in less than a year’s time since its launch.
ii. This unparalleled success has been attributed to serious efforts made by Govt. authorities in
implementing the scheme.
Cabinet approves closure of Mahatma Gandhi Pravasi Suraksha Yojana

Union Cabinet has approved closure of the Mahatma Gandhi Pravasi
Suraksha Yojana (MGPSY). This scheme was launched in 2012 to provide insurance,
resettlement expenses and other social security needs of blue collar workers going abroad for
work to Emigration Check Required (ECR) countries.
• Very low subscription and no new subscription received for more than a year were the
reasons cited for closure of this scheme. Closure of the scheme will save the recurring
administrative and record-keeping expenditure.
Government reduces number of centrally sponsored schemes to 28

The Government has reduced the number of Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS) from 66 to
28 and effective from the financial year 2016-2017.
i. The GOI has rationalized Centrally Sponsored Schemes based on the recommendation of the
sub group of chief ministers.
ii. The minister has mentioned that 6 Schemes have been categorized as Core of the Core
20 Schemes as Core Schemes and remaining 2 as Optional Schemes.
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iii. The related Schemes could be merged and implemented as “Umbrella Schemes”to
administer the satisfactory component in the line with state specific requirements.
Lucky Grahak Yojana, Digi Dhan Vyapar Yojana mega draw at Rashtrapati Bhavan
On April 9, 2017, President Pranab Mukherjee will draw lots for Lucky Grahak Yojana (3
Mega Prizes for worth Rs. 1 crore, Rs. 50 lakh, Rs. 25 lakh – for consumers) and Digi Dhan
Vyapar Yojana (3 Mega Prizes worth Rs 50 lakhs, Rs. 25 lakh, Rs. 12 lakh – for merchants) at a
function to be held at Rashtrapati Bahvan.
i. These Mega Prize winners will be felicitated by PM Narendra Modi on 14th April 2017
in Nagpur on the occasion of Ambedkar Jayanti.
ii. Till March 30, 2017, 1350000 lucky consumers and 79,519 lucky merchants have received
prizes under these schemes.
Lucky Grahak Yojana (for Consumers):
• Starting Date: 25th December 2016
• Daily: Rs. 1000/- each for 15000 lucky winners
• Weekly: 7000+ lucky winners. Prizes worth Rs. 1 lakh, Rs. 10000 and Rs. 5000
• Mega Prize: 3 Mega Prize Winners, Prizes worth Rs. 1 crore, Rs. 50 lakh and Rs. 25 lakh.
Digi Dhan Vyapar Yojana (for Merchants):
• Starting From: 25th December 2016
• Weekly: 7000 lucky winners. Prizes worth Rs. 5000, Rs. 5000 and Rs. 2500
• Mega Prize: 3 Mega Prize Winners, Prizes worth Rs. 50 lakh and Rs. 25 lakh and Rs. 12
lakh.
• For Mega Prizes in both the above schemes, all transactions from 8th November 2016 will
be eligible.
• Implementing Agency: National Payment Corporation of India (NPCI)
• Eligibility: Transaction within the range of Rs 50/- and Rs 3000/- done through UPI,
USSD, Ru Pay cards and Aadhar Enabled Payment System (AEPS). Transactions through
credit cards and e-wallets are not eligible.
• Estimated Expenditure (till 14th April 2017): Rs. 340 crore
• Methodology to Select Winners: Random draw of digital transaction Ids
Government to launch Rs 6000-crore 'SAMPADA' scheme for food processing

Union Food Processing Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal has announced that her ministry will soon
approach the Cabinet for the approval for an umbrella programme ‘Scheme for Agro-Marine
Produce Processing and Development of Agro-Processing Clusters (SAMPADA).’
About SAMPADA:
Financial Outlay: Rs. 6000 crore
To be implemented by: FY 2019-20
Proposed Schemes to improve food supply chain:
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1. ‘Creation/ Expansion of Food Processing and Preservation Capacities’

2. ‘New Agro-Processing Clusters’
3. ‘Backward and Forward Linkages’
Initiative to create Food Processing Infrastructure:
Ms. Harsimrat Kaur also mentioned that in order to ensure seamless transfer of food products
from production place to consumption centre, Govt. will provide up to Rs 10 crore of subsidy grant
or 35% subsidy (whichever is lower) for creating infrastructure at food clusters, agriculture hubs,
food labs and cold chains across the country.
UP govt, center sign MOU for Power for All scheme

MOU has been signed between Uttar Pradesh government and Centre for the “Power for All”
scheme in the state.
Highlights:
i. The main purpose of this scheme is to provide 24-hour quality power supply in the state by
October 2018.
ii. To provide electric connection to every house and agriculture field by 2019.
iii. The cost of the project will be 40 thousand crore and 20 thousand crore will be spent till
2018.
iv. UP government has also announced 1912 helpline for the power related complains.Smart
meter will also be installed to stop electricity theft.
PM Modi inaugurates maiden Shimla-New Delhi flight under UDAN scheme

On April 26, 2017, Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged-off first UDAN flight from Shimla to
Delhi under the Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS). PM Modi also flagged off UDAN flights
from Kadapa (Andhra Pradesh) to Hyderabad and Nanded (Maharashtra) to
Hyderabad through video conferencing link.
• While flagging-off the Shimla-Delhi flight from Shimla Airport, PM Modi mentioned that
UDAN flights will start operating from 70 airports across India in next one year.
About Shimla-Delhi UDAN Flight:
Travelling from Delhi to Shimla takes around 10 hours by road journey. Through the UDAN flight
this distance will be covered within an hour.
• Exclusive rights to operate flights in Shimla-Delhi sector has been given to Alliance Air
(subsidiary of Air India).
• Currently the frequency of this flight’s round trip is five times a week.
• The fare for 24 seats reserved for UDAN passengers on this 70-seater flight has been
fixed at Rs. 2036/- per seat. 3340/- Viability Gap Funding (VGF) per seat will be
provided to Alliance Air for next 3 years.
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Over Rs 1 lakh-cr investment approved for housing of urban poor

Under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban) Ministry of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation
has sanctioned 1, 00,537 houses for urban poor.
Key Facts:
i. The Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban) Programme launched by the Ministry of Housing
and Urban Poverty Alleviation (MoHUPA).
ii. Its mission is to make Housing for All by 2022 when the Nation completes 75 years of its
Independence.
iii. The Ministry has approved construction of 18, 75,389 houses for Economically Weaker
Sections under PMAY (Urban) in 2,151 cities and towns in 34 States/UTs.
iv. Subsidy for beneficiary-led individual house construction /enhancement.
v. Promotion of Affordable Housing for weaker section through credit linked subsidy.
vi. The total investment approved includes central assistance of Rs.29, 409 cr, assistance from
State Governments and beneficiary contribution.
Haryana extends Accidental insurance cover to all residents

One of the most prominent schemes of Modi government Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima
Yojana (PMSBY) has been implemented by the Haryana government.
Key Points:
i. The scheme is applicable for 1 year and renew after it. It offers accidental death and disability
cover.
ii. To cover to all Haryana residents in the age group of 18-70 years.
iii. All residents of Haryana must have Aadhaar-enabled saving bank accounts that are
entitled for this scheme.
iv. In case of Accidental death sum insured would be Rs 2 lakh each and Rs 1 lakh in case of
total and irrecoverable loss of sight of one eye and loss of use of one hand or foot due to accident.
v. Aadhaar would be the primary KYC for the bank account and insurance coverage.
vi. The Premium of Rs 12 per annum will be deducted from the account holder's savings bank
account through 'auto-debit' facility in one instalment on or before June 1 of each annual
coverage period under the scheme.
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'Advanced Farming - Enriched Farmer' scheme announced by Maharashtra Govt

Maharashtra State Govt. has announced ‘Advanced Farming – Enriched Farmer’ scheme,
with an aim to increase farmers’ income by cutting production cost and increasing the output.
i. The scheme will be launched in the upcoming kharif season.
ii. Major Tasks to be executed under 'Advanced Farming - Enriched Farmer' Scheme
1.Raising production of major crops (up to the level of its genetic yield potential)
2.Diversification of crops
3.Introducing marketing techniques
4.Uniting farmers through farm producers’ companies and making them financially stable
iii. Additional measures under 'Advanced Farming - Enriched Farmer' scheme:
♦ Maharashtra Govt. will spend 60% of the fund available for mechanisation of farming on
tractors, power tillers, transplanters, and machines for polishing, grading, and packing the
produce.
♦ Maharashtra Govt. has also announced to increase grants for construction of green houses,
onion shades and shade nets, among others.
♦ A farmer outreach campaign will also be launched from May 25 to June 8 2017, to inform
farmers about the techniques to be used in agriculture ahead of the kharif season.
Bengal government introduces Social Security Yojana converges 5 beneficiary schemes

The Bengal government has launched the scheme for unorganized sectors and self-
employed people.
Key Notes:
• A common beneficiary programme is prepared for all the sectors and according to that
workers from each of the sectors and their family members will be benefitted.
• Children who will enroll in this scheme will also get education benefits.
• 5 crore people will get benefit from the Social Security Yojana and around 1 crore
will get direct benefit.
The state government has introduced Social Security Yojana by converging five separate
beneficiary schemes for workers.People will get more benefit from this new scheme as compared
with five earlier schemes.
1. State Assistance Scheme for Provident Fund for Unorganised Sector
2. West Bengal Unorganized Sector Workers’ Health Security Scheme
3. Social Security scheme for Construction Workers
4. West Bengal Transport Workers Social Security Scheme
5. West Bengal Bidi Workers Welfare Scheme are being converged.
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Andhra Pradesh CM Chandrababu Naidu relaunches Adarana

The 191st birth anniversary of social reformer Mahatma Jyotirao Phule. It is being celebrated for
the first time as a state function. Andhra Pradesh CM relaunches Adarana.
Key Highlights:
• Chandrababu Naidu announced the re-launch of ‘Adarana’, a scheme for improving
traditional occupations.
• It includes modern tools, technology, marketing, and financial support that are for the
artisans.
• It also provides employment in the rural areas those pursuing traditional occupations to
raise their income levels.
• Financial assistance was being provided under the ‘NTR Unnata and Videsi
Vidyadarana’
• An assistance of Rs. 2.5 lakh was given for those preparing for all-India services, Rs.
30,000 was given for Group II, and Rs. 20,000 and Rs. 19,000 respectively for bank POs
and clerks.
• The Government had allocated Rs. 25,000 crore for the welfare of the Backward
Classes (BCs) during the last three years and Rs. 10,000 crore during the year for BC
welfare and development.
Uttar Pradesh govt scraps Samajwadi Pension Scheme

The Uttar Pradesh State Govt., headed by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has stalled the
Samajwadi Pension Scheme of the previous Samajwadi Party Govt. under Akhilesh Yadav. He has
ordered the officials to conduct a detailed review of this scheme to ascertain whether the
beneficiaries are deserving candidates fulfilling the eligibility criterion. The officials have been
given one month’s time to complete this task.
• This decision was taken during second cabinet meeting in which CM Yogi Adityanath was
reviewing various social welfare schemes run by State Welfare Department.
About Samajwadi Pensions Scheme:
• Samajwadi Pension Scheme was launched in year 2014 with an aim to provide financial
assistance to 40 lakh below poverty line (BPL) category families in Uttar Pradesh.
This yojana replaced the erstwhile Rani Laxmibai Pension Yojana.
• Under this scheme, BPL families were entitled to monthly pension of Rs. 500 per
month for one year. The beneficiary family had to follow other conditions which were
related to children education, adult literacy and health standards.
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• Post completion of one year, the pension was to be hiked by Rs. 50 every year, till the
total amount reaches Rs. 750 per month. This hike of Rs. 50 was subject to fulfilment of
other conditions as listed above. Non-fulfilment of conditions would result in termination
of benefits.
• The scheme was being administered by Uttar Pradesh State Welfare Department.
Deendayal Rasoi Yojana launched in 49 districts of MP

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has launched subsidized meal scheme at
Rs.5 in Gwalior. This scheme helps people to get economical nutritious and good quality food
under the Deendayal Rasoi Yojana at cheaper rates. It is launched in 49 districts across the
state.
i. The scheme includes 49 districts in first phase. Under this scheme the poor peple will get four
chapattis, one vegetable curry and dal everyday between 11 am to 3 pm.
ii. Breakfast will be served at Rs 5 and lunch will be served at Rs.8. All these arrangements will be
done by Level Coordination And Monitoring Commiittee in which they will monitor all aspects
of scheme and at least 2000 people will serve every day.
iii. The budget of this scheme is Rs 10 crore and it will be funded by Corporate Sector Under
Corporate Social Responsibility.
Government Schemes - May 2017
MoAs signed for first wind auction Scheme

The Memorandum of Agreements (MoAs) for purchase of 1000 MW wind power under MNRE’s
first wind auction Scheme was signed between PTC India.
i. According to MoAs for meeting their non-solar RPO (Renewable Purchase Obligations) UP to buy
449.9 MW, Bihar-200 MW, Jharkhand-200 MW, Delhi-100 MW, Assam-50 MW and Odisha-50MW
of wind power.
ii. The Letter of Award (LoA) to the successful wind power developers under the first wind auction
scheme have been issued by Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI).
iii. The projects are to be commissioned within 18 months from the date of issue of LoA.
iv. With the success of first wind auction scheme, MNRE launched a scheme for another round of
wind auction for 1000 MW capacity wind power projects.
India to give Rs 35 cr to children of freedom fighters in Bangladesh

Under the new ‘Muktijodha scholarship’ scheme India will give Rs. 35 crore rupees to
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children of freedom fighters in Bangladesh in the next five years.

i. All freedom fighters will be eligible for multiple entries on Indian visa for a period of five years.
ii. Every year 100 of them will be entitled to free medical treatment in Indian hospitals.
iii. Under the scheme, students at higher secondary level will get a one-time grant of Taka 20,000
(Rs 15,370) and students at the undergraduate level will get a grant of Taka 50,000 (Rs 38,430).
PM Narendra Modi launches Sampada scheme for value addition of agriculture produce
On May 26, 2017, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the launch of the new
scheme SAMPADA (Scheme for Agro-Marine Processing and Development of Agro-
Processing Clusters) which will bring value addition of agriculture produce and will thereby
increase farmers’ income. PM announced this scheme at a ceremony for laying the foundation
stone of Indian agricultural research institute in Gogamukh in Assam
Details about SAMPADA (Scheme for Agro-Marine Processing and Development of Agro-
Processing Clusters):
Financial Outlay: Rs. 6000 crore
To be implemented by: FY 2019-20
PM Modi launches Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Sanchar Kaushal Vikas Pratisthan
Scheme
This scheme aims to train rural youth to maintain mobile towers, repair optical fibres and fix other
communication technologies.
• Under first phase of this scheme, training will be provided to 10,000 people from 10
States/UTs including Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Odisha, Punjab and Haryana.
Government will spend Rs. 7 crore for this purpose.
• Sinha mentioned that Department of Telecommunications (DoT) will establish more
than 1,000 Sanchar Kaushal Vikas Pratisthan in future under this scheme.
SAMADHAN - Rajnath Singh coins an acronym to wipe out left-wing terror

A meeting of the Chief Ministers of states affected by Left-Wing Extremism (LWE), presided
over by Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh was held in New Delhi on May 8, 2017. In this
meeting, Mr. Rajnath Singh announced SAMADHAN, a new strategy to wipe out left – wing
terror.
• Other Govt. functionaries who attended the meeting included Ajit Doval - National
Security
• Adviser, Rajiv Mehrishi - Union Home Secretary, Director of Intelligence Bureau, State
Heads of Police Department and Heads of the Central Forces.
Components of SAMADHAN Strategy:
S – Smart Leadership: In LWE affected areas, a Smart Leadership is required that can boost the
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morale of jawans and reorient them towards victory.

A – Aggressive Strategy: Aggression should be inculcated in thinking, operations and development
of infrastructure which can be useful during combat.
M – Motivation and Training: Training based on careful analysis of enemy’s strengths and
weaknesses should be provided to security forces
A – Actionable Intelligence: An efficient intelligence network should be developed by involving
locals and surrendered LWE cadre.
D - Dashboard KPIs and KRAs: Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and Key Result Areas (KRAs)
should be outlined for assessing the performance of state police and the central forces.
H – Harnessing Technology: To gain an edge, Mr. Singh recommended extensive use of
technology such as high-resolution cameras, GPS tracking, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and
satellite images.
A – Action Plan for each Theatre: As LWE is spread across vast geographical area spanning
various states, a specific action plan for each front has to be prepared.
N – No access to financing: Mr. Singh mentioned that identifying and choking up the source of
funds of LWE should be the ‘basic mantra’.
Haryana govt to offer meals at subsidised rates for workers

The Haryana government has decided to open canteens that offer meals at subsidized rates for
workers.
i. It offers meals to registered construction workers under the Antyodaya Anna Yojana, at 23
locations in the state.
ii. Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) is a Government of India sponsored scheme to provide highly
subsidized food to millions of the poorest families.
iii. Mobile food vans would also be started at 23 convenient sites with large number of workers.
iv. Meals would be served in these canteens between 8 am and 2 pm.
Haryana announces pension scheme for journalists

On May 27, 2017, Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar announced following incentives
for journalists at the "Swarna Jayanti Journalists' Meet" in Panchkula:
i. Rs 10,000 monthly pension scheme, for those who are above 60 years and have completed
20 years in the profession.
ii. A life insurance covers of Rs 10 lakh and a cashless media claim policy of Rs 500,000.
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Government Schemes - June 2017
Cabinet approves Interest Subvention to banks on Short-Term crop loan to farmers

Union Cabinet has approved the Interest Subvention Scheme (ISS) for farmers for the year
2017-18.
Salient Features of Interest Subvention Scheme (ISS):
• The Central Government will provide interest subvention of 5% per annum to all
prompt payee farmers for short term crop loan up to one year for loan up to Rs.
3 lakhs borrowed by them during the year 2017-18.
• The Central Government will provide approximately 20,339 crore as interest
subvention for 2017-18.
Government launches VAJRA scheme to attract Indian scientists abroad

The Department of Science and Technology (DST) has launched a scheme named 'Visiting
Advanced Joint Research Faculty' (VAJRA) on 22nd of June 2017.
i. It has been done to bring the Indian scientists abroad and India-based researchers together for
conducting joint researches in India.
ii. Under this scheme, scientists or senior researchers abroadof Indian origin or otherwise can
collaborate with faculties.
iii.Under the scheme the broad areas of research like energy, health, advance material and
others would be promoted.
Telangana launches single-woman pension scheme, first in India

On June 4, 2017, Telangana State Government launched single-woman pension
scheme across the state, thereby becoming the first state in India to launch such scheme.
i. Under this scheme, Telangana State Govt. will provide 1,000 financial assistance per month
to single women. The beneficiaries would get the pension in their bank accounts every month.
ii. Officials have identified 108302 beneficiaries in 31 districts.
iii. This scheme will benefit unmarried women, joginis and divorced women.
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Punjab govt launches 'Chief Minister Scholarship Scheme'

On June 6, 2017, Punjab State government launched the “Chief Minister Scholarship
Scheme” with an aim to provide cheaper and quality technical education to the meritorious and
poor students of the state.
i.The scheme was formally launched jointly by the Punjab Finance Minister Manpreet Singh Badal
and Punjab Technical Education Minister Charanjit Singh Channi after approval from Punjab Chief
Minister Captain Amarinder Singh.
ii. Under the scheme, students scoring 60-70% marks in Class 10 will get 70% fee
waiver, 80% fee waiver for those getting between 70% and 80% marks and 90% for
those scoring 80-90% marks. Students with 90-100% marks will get free education.
Madhya Pradesh government launches farmers’debt relief scheme, allocates Rs 1,000

crore
Madhya Pradesh government has launched a new debt relief scheme “Krishi Rin Samadhan
Yojana” for farmers.
i. The cabinet has allocated Rs 1,000 crore for the scheme.
ii. Under this scheme, the interest rate on loans would be less which would in turn also help
defaulting farmers get loan.
iii. Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan has announced a compensation of Rs 1 crore for the
kith and the kin of the dead farmers.
DDA launches new housing scheme with 12,000 flats

The Delhi Development Authority will launch its new housing scheme on 30th June.
i. The scheme is being floated under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana to help a large number
of people avail subsidy on interest.
ii. The cost of the flats varies from Rs 7.5 lakh to Rs 1.44 crore, depending on the type and
location.
iii. A majority of these flats fall under the LIG one-bedroom category.
iv. There are 10,000-plus flats in the LIG-one-bedroom category and the price range is
between Rs 14 and Rs 30 lakh.
v. The benefit will range between Rs 2.4 lakh and Rs 2.7 lakh. But only those allottees can
benefit from CLSS who meet the income status and other criteria of the scheme.
vi. To apply for the flats, people will have to pay Rs 1 lakh for LIG and Rs 2 lakh for MIG
HIG flats as earnest money.
Mizoram launches scheme for better treatment of HIV-Hit people

The Mizoram Health Minister Lal Thanzara has launched the 'Test and Treat Strategy' of
the Mizoram state AIDS Control Society (MSACS) to improve treatment for HIV affected
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people in the state.

i. Under the 'Test and Treat Strategy', the HIV affected people would be given free Anti
Retrovira Therapy (ART) irrespective of the CD4 count.
ii. The Test and Treat Strategy is a new initiative of the Centre to combat the HIV/AIDS
disease.
Government Schemes - July 2017
Arun Jaitley launches Pradhan Mantri Vaya Vandana Yojana pension scheme with 8 pct
fixed rate
On July 21, 2017, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley formally launched Pradhan Mantri Vaya
Vandana Yojana (PMVVY), a pension scheme exclusively for senior citizens (60 years and above)
with 8% fixed rate of interest on their savings.
More Details aboutPradhan Mantri Vaya Vandana Yojana (PMVVY):
Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) of India which has been given the sole privilege to operate this
scheme started offering the scheme from May 4, 2017. The scheme will remain open till May 3,
2018.
• It can be purchased offline as well as online through Life Insurance Corporation (LIC)
of India.Pension is payable at the end of each period, during the policy term of 10 years,
as per the frequency of monthly, quarterly, half-yearly, yearly as chosen by the
pensioner at the time of purchase.
• PMVVY provides an assured return of 8% per annum payable monthly for 10 years.
• Loan up to 75% of purchase price shall be allowed after 3 policy years to meet the
liquidity needs.
• The scheme also allows for premature exit for the treatment of any critical or
terminal illness of self or spouse. On such premature exit, 98% of the purchase
price will be refunded.
• On death of the pensioner during the policy term of 10 years, the purchase price
shall be paid to the beneficiary.
Ministry of Rural Development to launch Aajeevika Grameen Express Yojana

The Ministry of Rural Development will launch a new sub-scheme under Deendayal
Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM) which will be named
as “Aajeevika
Grameen Express Yojana (AGEY)”.
Aajeevika Grameen Express Yojana (AGEY) – Objectives & Mode of Implementation
As mentioned by Minister of State for Rural Development, Ram Kripal Yadav the main
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objectives of AGEY are to provide an alternative source of livelihoods to members of Self

Help Groups (SHGs) under DAY-NRLM by facilitating them to operate public transport
services in backward rural areas.
• This will provide safe, affordable and community monitored rural transport services like
e-rickshaws, 3 and 4 wheeler motorised transport vehicles to connect remote
villages with key services and amenities including access to markets, education and
health for the overall economic development of the area.
• This sub-scheme will be implemented in 250 blocks in the country on a pilot
basis for a period of 3 years from 2017-18 to 2019-20.
• One of the options proposed to be given under the sub-scheme is that the Community
Based Organisation (CBO) will provide interest free loan from its own corpus to
Self Help Group member for purchase of the vehicle.
Government approves construction of 30,000 affordable houses on private land

The Centre has approved the construction of 30,000 houses for the urban poor on
private land in Maharashtra's Sholapur on 25th of July 2017.
i. It is the first such project to be taken up on private land under PMAY(U).
ii.Itsmain aim is to give momentum to affordable housing in urban areas.
iii .The State Level Sanctioning and Monitoring Committee (SLSMC), set up under PMAY(U), will
oversee the implementation of the project.
iv. Central assistance of Rs 1.50 lakh for each beneficiary is provided under this component.
v. Under the Centre's flagship programme Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban), the Housing
and Urban Affairs Ministry gave a nod to central assistance of Rs 450 crore for the project.
vi. Under PMAY(U) the Raynagar Cooperative Housing Federation, Sholapur had submitted a
proposal to build 30,000 houses for its members comprising beedi and textile workers and other
urban poor belonging to the Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) at a cost of Rs 1,811 crore.
vii. The cost of each dwelling unit of Rs 6,03,777 has been determined in a transparent manner
with central and state assistance. The delivery price would be Rs 3,53,777 per house.
viii. The CSMC, in its 24th meeting has approved the construction of 2,84,803 more
affordable houses for urban poor under PMAY (U).
ix. Total cost of these houses to be built in six states is Rs 16,407 crore for which central
assistance of Rs 4,272 crore has been approved.
x. Andhra Pradesh has been sanctioned 2,25,245 houses, Uttar Pradesh 23,322, Tamil
Nadu 15,374, Manipur 10,392, Assam 9,767 and Meghalaya 703.
Cabinet approves revision of guidelines of Sovereign Gold Bonds Scheme

On July 26, 2017, the Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave
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approval for revision of guidelines of Sovereign Gold Bonds (SGB) Scheme with a view to
achieve its intended objectives.
Cabinet has approved following changes in Sovereign Gold Bonds Scheme:
The investment limit per fiscal year has been increased to 4 kg for individuals, 4 Kg for
Hindu Undivided Family (HUF) and 20 Kg for Trusts and similar entities notified by the
Government from time to time.
• The ceiling will be counted on financial year basis and will include the SGBs purchased
during the trading in the secondary market.
• SGBs will be available ‘on tap’ (instantly available). Based on the consultation with NSE,
BSE, Banks and Department of Post, features of product to emulate ‘On Tap’ sale
would be finalised by Ministry of Finance.
• To improve liquidity and tradability of SGBs, appropriate market making initiatives
will be devised. Market makers could be commercial banks or any other public sector
entity, such as MMTC or any other entity as decided by Government of India.
UP govt launches free power connection scheme for BPL families

Uttar Pradesh Power Minister Srikant Sharma has launched free power connection scheme
for the BPL card holders in the state on 23rd of July 2017.
i. The scheme has been launched at 624 places across the state.
ii. The scheme will also benefit the poor people who do not have BPL cards at present.
iii. Those people who do not have BPL cards will have to pay between Rs 80 to Rs 120 for getting
the power connection.
Delhi govt launches Free Surgery Scheme

Delhi’s Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on 8th July, 2017 announced a new health scheme to
enable capital’s residents avail free surgery in private hospitals at government’s cost. This
would be applicable in case government hospitals were unable to operate within one month.
i. According to the scheme, if the waiting period for 52 surgeries — heart bypass, cataract and
kidney stones removal,etc—listed by the government is more than one month, patients would
be eligible to get it done at 48 empanelled hospitals.
ii. The new scheme is open for all residents of Delhi, irrespective of their income slab. The
patient can get the authorization letter from Delhi Arogya Kosh (Health Fund) after submitting
residence proof along with OPD slip.
Maharashtra govt approves revised policy of 'Majhi Kanya Bhagyashree' scheme

The Maharashtra government has approved a revised policy of the 'Majhi Kanya
Bhagyashree' scheme who have a yearly income of upto Rs 7.5 lakh will be benefited from this
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scheme.
i. According to the earlier provisions, the 'Majhi Kanya Bhagyashree' scheme is for those girls who
come under Below Poverty Line (BPL) families and those whose annual income was upto Rs 1
lakh.
ii .According to the revised provisions, families having an income upto Rs 7.5 lakh will be
eligible for the scheme.
iii. As per the revised provisions after having the first girl child, if the mother or the father
undergoes a family planning operation, a sum of Rs 50,000 shall be deposited in a bank in the
name of the girl child.
iv. If any of the parents undergo a family planning operation after having the second girl child, a
sum of Rs 25,000 shall be deposited in the name of both children.
v. The scheme will be valid only if there are a maximum of two girl children born. In case a third
child is born, the scheme shall become invalid for the first two as well.
vi. The girl will be able to withdraw the interest money twice - once she attains 6 years
of age and when she turns 12.
vii. The girl will be able to withdraw the principle money plus the interest when she turns 18,
provided she has completed her education upto Standard 10 and is unmarried.
Shala Siddhi Prohatsan Yojana started in 25,000 MP schools

Madhya Pradesh’s school education department is going to start programmes such as
'Hamari Shala Kaisi Ho' and 'Shala Siddhi Karyakram' in all government schools of the state.
i. It aims to provide qualitative education to the government school students.
ii. The State Education Centre has also started Shala Siddhi Prohatsan Yojana under the
programme in 25 thousand schools of the state to encourage best works.
iii. A time table has also been fixed for the award process going by the time table, the district
core committees would be required to form block-level selection committees by 22nd July.
Punjab launches flagship 'care companion programme' scheme

The Punjab health minister Brahm Mohindra has launched a flagship care companion health
scheme on 28th of July 2017.
i. The main aim is to improve patient outcomes through better family engagement and
education.
ii. The state department of health and family welfare has signed an MoU with Noora Health
India Trust, a healthcare non-profit organisation, for implementation of the 'Care Companion
Programme' (CCP).
iii .The objective is to reduce the number of infant deaths and complications like infections
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in the first 30 days post- discharge and ensure adoption of long-term health pro-motive
behaviours.
Punjab launches ‘Apni Gaddi Apni Rozgar’ scheme

The Punjab government has announced the launch of its flagship 'Apni Gaddi Apna Rozgar'
scheme by flagging off over 100 uber MOTO bikes.
i. Under the scheme the state government will be providing commercial two wheelers and
four wheelers to unemployed youth at subsidised rates.
ii. The scheme aims to generate job opportunities for youth and providing better mobile
transport in Punjab.
iii. In its first phase the Uber bike taxis will run in Mohali, ludhiana, Zirakpur
and Kharar regions of Punjab.
Government Schemes - August 2017

Cabinet approves New Central Sector Scheme – “”Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada
Yojana”
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has approved the renaming of the new Central Sector
Scheme – SAMPADA (Scheme for Agro-Marine Processing and Development of Agro-
Processing Clusters) .”Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana (PMKSY) “covers for the period
of 2016-20 coterminous with the 14th Finance Commission cycle.
• The objective of PMKSY is to supplement agriculture, modernize processing and
decrease Agri-Waste.
• PMKSY with an allocation of Rs. 6,000 crore is expected iv.It will benefit 20 lakh farmers
and generate 5, 30,500 direct and indirect employment in the country by the year
2019-20.
• It will provide a big boost to the growth of food processing sector in the country.
Axis Bank to waive 12 EMIs on home loans under Shubh Aarambh scheme
Under the new scheme Shubh Aarambh Home Loans Axis Bank will waive 12 equated
monthly installments (EMIs) on regular repayments of loans of up to Rs 30 lakh.
Key Points:
i.The lender has introduced ShubhAarambh Home Loans, in which 12 EMIs are waived 4 EMIs
each after the fourth, eighth and 12th year from the date of the first disbursement.
ii.The waiver will be in the form of reduction in tenure.
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iii.The loans can be used to purchase an under-construction, ready, resale house, self-
construction, and a plot plus construction.
Assam Plans To Introduce Compassionate Family Pension Scheme

On August 20,2017 Assam state government is introducing a new Scheme called, Scheme for
Compassionate Family Pension (CFP) at GAUHATI.The scheme plans to offer the
compassionate family pension instead of job offers to family members due to some practical
difficulties.
i.A new scheme called ‘Scheme for Compassionate Family Pension in lieu of Compassionate
Appointment’, which will be known as ‘Compassionate Family Pension Scheme’ or CFP Scheme.
ii.Current Policy couldn’t satisfy the objectives completely and legal heir fails to get an
appointment immediately due to lack of educational qualifications and sometimes non-availability
of vacancies.
iii.The scheme will be applicable to those employees who died in harness on or after April 1,
2017, but the relevant office message related to the compassionate appointments will be
applicable to those who died on or before March 31, 2017.
The new scheme will be applicable to all employees of the state government, all others as eligible
under Assam Services (Pension) Rules, 1969, all state government employees under NPS
category and All India Services officers borne on Assam cadre.
Amazon to help implement Karnataka government’s ‘Ksheera Bhagya’ Scheme

Amazon has announced a partnership with the Akshaya Patra
Foundation to implement the Karnataka government’s ‘Ksheera Bhagya’ Scheme in
Bengaluru on 30th Aug 2017.
Key Notes:
i.Under this scheme schoolchildren would be provided a glass of milk each five days a
week.
ii.The partnership aims to reach out to 170,000 children across 1,300 government schools
in the state.
iii.The scheme is developed by Karnataka Milk Federation on Chief Minister’s
(Siddaramaiah) to help poor children by providing them nutritious food essential for healthy
growth and all-round development of schoolchildren.
Odisha launched special Programme to prevent spread of malaria

Odisha Government will soon launch “Durgama Anchalare Malaria Nirakaran” (DAMAN), a
special programme to prevent the spread of malaria in remote areas of Ganjam district.
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More Information about Odisha’s Durgama Anchalare Malaria Nirakaran:

• The health officials have identified over 135 remote villages under the jurisdiction of five
community health centres as malaria prone areas.
• The community health centres that have been identified are Patrapur, Adapada,
Badagada, Dharakote and Gallery.
• Under this programme, camps will be held in these remote areas for mass test for
malaria. As many as 103 camps will be held in the next three months. Around 15,000
people would be covered under the programme
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis launches Namo Yuva Rojgar Kendra
The Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Devendra Fadnavis has launched Namo Yuva Rojgar
Kendra on 14 August 2017.
Key Notes:
i.Namo Yuva Rojgar Kendra is an initiative on the part of the state government to provide
job opportunities to the unemployed youth in Mumbai.
ii.Under the programme, there will be various schemes including farmer’s weekly market, farmer’s
mobile market and mother’s tiffin.
iii.Under this Yuva Rojgar Kendra, Mumbaikars can get fresh and healthy food, as well as
farm, produce procured directly from farmers.
iv.These products will be made available with the help of mobile vans all over Mumbai and the
information about the location of the vans is made available through an app.
v.BJP’s state president Raosaheb Danve, Mumbai president Ashish Shelar, Agriculture minister for
state Sadabhau Khot were also present on the occasion.
Facebook to monitor MSME growth in Odisha, launches SheMeansBusiness

Facebook will monitor the growth of the MSMEs in Odisha after imparting training to them
in next one year.
Key Notes:
i. Facebook has partnered with the Odisha’s MSME department and Project Mission
Shakti to train 25,000 entrepreneurs by the end of 2018.
ii. The state government has plans to organize hands-on workshops for MSME
entrepreneurs and women SHGs on ‘Digital Marketing Skills’.
iii. The partnership aimed to reduce the digital divide and empower nearly 25,000 entrepreneurs
and SHGs over the next one year
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Government Schemes - September 2017
Prime Minister launches Pradhan Mantri Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana ‘Saubhagya’
On 25th September 2017, Prime Minister Mr.Narendra Modi launched a new scheme, Pradhan
Mantri Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana –‘Saubhagya’, to carry out electrification of all households in
India.
Saubhagya:
i.The total budget for this project is Rs.16,320 crore. Gross Budgetary Support (GBS)
provided is Rs.12,320 crore.
ii.The budget allocated for the rural households is Rs.14,025 crore. For which, GBS is
Rs.10,587.50 crore.
iii.Budget allocated for urban households is Rs.2,295 crore. For which, GBS is Rs.1,732.50 crore.
iv.All the States and Union Territories should complete household electrification by
31st December 2018.
v.The beneficiaries for free electricity connection would be identified using Socio
Economic and Caste Census (SECC) 2011 data.
The aim of this Scheme is:
• Environmental upgradation by eliminating Kerosene usage for lighting
• Improvement of education, health services and communication
• Increasing economic activities and jobs
• Improvement of quality of life particularly for women
Dr.Harshvardhan launches Pt. Deen Dayal Upadhayay Vigyan Gram Sankul Pariyojana
On 22nd September 2017, The Minister of Science & Technology, Earth Sciences & Environment,
Forest & Climate Change, Dr.Harshvardhan launched ‘Pt. Deen Dayal Upadhayay Vigyan Gram
Sankul Pariyojana’ in Uttarakhand.
Pt. Deen Dayal Upadhayay Vigyan Gram Sankul Pariyojana:
i.This project has been inspired by teachings and ideals of Pandit Deen Dayal
Upadhayay.
ii.Department of Science and Technology (DST) has planned to adopt a few clusters of villages in
Uttarakhand and make them self-sustainable using the tools of Science and Technology.
iii.The main idea of this project is to acquire local resources and skill sets and transform
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them using science and technology. So the value addition is imparted to the local products
and services, which would develop the rural community.
Government extends FAME India Scheme by six-month

Minister of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises Anant Geete mentioned that
the government wasconsidering the extension of a scheme to promote electric
and hybrid vehicles by another six months.
Key Points:
i.The scheme’s phase-I was introduced from April 1, 2015, to March 31, 2017.The phase
was subsequently extended by six months till September end.
ii.The scheme extends incentives for purchase of electric and hybrid vehicles in particular
areas.
iii.Under the scheme, a total of 150,550 electric and hybrid vehicles were extended the incentive
till 26th July 2017.
Government to launch ‘School Chalo Abhiyan’ scheme to enroll 80 lakh kids

On 8th September 2017, Union Human Resource Development Minister Mr.Prakash Javadekar
announced that Government would implement ‘School Chalo Abhiyan’ scheme in 2018, in New
Delhi.
School Chalo Abhiyan:
1. The ‘School Chalo Abhiyan’ scheme was announced during a seminar on Literacy Day.
2. This scheme has been introduced in order to enroll students who have dropped
out from school.
3. The scheme aims to enroll 70 to 80 lakh students around the country.
Cabinet approves implementation of the scheme “Dairy Processing & Infrastructure

Development Fund”
On September 12,2017, Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs(CCEA) approved a “Dairy
Processing & Infrastructure Development Fund” (DIDF) with an outlay of Rs10,881
crore during the period from 2017-18 to 2028-29.This fund will give new impetus to the dairy
industry and to people relying on it.The project will be implemented by National Dairy
Development Board (NDDB) and National Dairy Development Cooperation (NCDC).
The objective of the fund : –
i)Building an efficient milk procurement system by setting up of cold storage infrastructure.
ii)Installation of electronic milk adulteration testing equipment.
iii)Creation/modernization/expansion of processing infrastructure and manufacturing
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faculties for Value Added Products for the Milk Unions/ Milk Producer Companies.
Government launches ‘Pradhan Mantri LPG Panchayat’ to boost PMUY

on 23rd September 2017, Union Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Mr.Dharmendra
Pradhan launched the ‘Pradhan Mantri LPG Panchayat’ in Mota Ishanpur village of Gujarat.
i.On this occasion, Mr.Dharmendra Pradhan handed over free LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas)
connection to a beneficiary of PMUY (Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana) scheme.Gujarat Chief
Minister Mr.Vijay Rupani was also present in the occasion.
ii.‘Pradhan Mantri LPG Panchayat’ will focus on spreading awareness among LPG users
about the proper use and benefits of LPG.
iii.This Panchayat will act as an interactive forum for PMUY beneficiaries, officials, LPG distributors
and NGOs (Non-Governmental Organisations).Under one Panchayat, around 100 LPG
customers will be clubbed.
vi.The customers can share their experiences with others.The Panchayats will also discuss about
safety practices, quality of service provided by distributors and availability of refill cylinders.
Karnataka launches unified health scheme ‘Arogya Bhagya’

Karnataka government will merge the existing seven health schemes to launch a unified
health scheme- ‘Arogya Bhagya’. It will cover all 1.4 crore households of the state.
Key Points:
i.The main theme of the ‘Arogya Bhagya’ scheme is ”Treatment Firstand Payment Next”.
ii.All the health facilities will be provided through Aadhaar linked Universal Health Card.
iii.Universal Health Coverage scheme would help the card holder to get treatment in all the enroll
private hospitals besides government hospitals to get treatment without paying any cash.
iv.The State Cabinet had given administrative sanction for the unified schemes and it will come
to effect from 1stof November.
v.The facilities would be provided by categorising the beneficiaries into two groups—A and
B.
Jharkhand Government launches Shaheed Gram Vikas Yojana

On September 17,2017 Jharkhand Government launched the “Shaheed Gram Vikas
Yojana” at Ulihatu Village ,Khunti district of Jharkhand. BJP President Amit Shah along
with Jharkhand Chief Minister Raghubar Das launched the initiative.
The scheme aims at developing the villages of freedom fighters in the state . Ulihatu Village is
the birth place of freedom fighter and Jharkhand’s tribal icon, Birsa Munda.
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Benefits of Shaheed Gram vikas yojana:-

i. villages of many tribal freedom fighters will be developed and their habitants will be
provided basic amenities. Amit shah gave away gas connections, solar lamps to some of the
beneficiaries.
ii.136 pucca houses will be built. Development in this area was sluggish due to left wing
extremism.
Odisha Government launched ‘Sampurna Yojana’

On 24th September 2017, Odisha Government launched ‘Sampurna (Sishu Abond Matru
Mrityuhara Purna Nirakaran Abhijan) Yojna’ scheme for pregnant women, in Odisha.
Sampurna Yojana:
i. Under the ‘Sampurna Yojana’ scheme Odisha government will provide Rs.1,000 as
transport cost for pregnant women to travel to the hospital from inaccessible areas
arranging their own vehicles.
ii. This schemes covers villages where 102, 108 ambulances or four-wheeler vehicles cannot
reach.
iii. The government has launched this scheme to increase institutional deliveries in order to
reduce Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) and Mother Mortality Rate (MMR).
iv. The Odisha Government has planned to spend Rs.6 crore per year on this scheme.
Haryana government scraps Dadupur Nalvi canal scheme

The Haryana Cabinet under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar
has approved a proposal of Irrigation and Water Resources Department to announce
1,019.2994 acres of land acquired for construction of Dadupur Nalvi Irrigation Scheme.
Key Points:
i.The scheme was meant to provide water to even those areas which fall under the
category of dark zone because of low level of underground water.
ii.This project was launched after long pending demand of the farmers. The primary objective
of the project of providing canal irrigation could not be fulfilled.
iii.The Dadupur Nalvi scheme was initiated in the year 1985 and the project was approved
by the then government for Rs 13 crore for irrigation and recharging of ground water in the
Yamunanagar, Kurukshetra and Ambala districts.
iv.In october 2005, the project was again approved by the government for Rs 267.27
crore for this scheme in which Shahbad Feeder, Shahbad Distributory and Nalvi Distributory
along with off taking channels were to be constructed for utilising 590 cusecs discharge.
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Gujarat government launches ‘Gyankunj Project ‘in schools

Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani has launched “Gyakunj e-class project” from Shahpur primary
school in Gandhinagar announced on 4th Sept 2017.
Key Points:
i.Under this initiative, interactive e-class will be launched with smart board.
ii.In the first phase, 550 schools will be covered under the ‘Gyankunj Project’ and
gradually standard 5th to 9th of every schools of the state will cover under the project.
iii.’Gyankunj Project’ covers under total worth of Rs. 35.85 crore.
iv.The objective of the project is to produce world-class students. The project is launched
at expenditure of Rs. 222,000/- per school.
Government Schemes - October 2017
Government launches special course for untrained teachers

On 4th October 2017, the Human Resource Development (HRD) Ministry started a special training
course for untrained teachers, designed by National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS), called
Diploma in Elementary Education (D.El.Ed).
Diploma in Elementary Education (D.El.Ed):
i. The HRD Ministry had announced that ‘untrained teachers’ have to complete the Diploma in
Elementary Education (D.El.Ed) course, within 2019.
ii. This course would be offered through ‘Swayam’, a platform for online education and
knowledge through Dish TV. A mobile application has also been launched to help with
clarifications.
Centre launches six-year secure Himalaya project

On October 2, 2017, Union Environment Minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan in association with
the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) launched SECURE Himalaya
project for conservation of biodiversity, land and forest resources in the high Himalayan
ecosystem.
Salient Features of SECURE Himalaya Project:
• SECURE Himalaya stands for securing livelihoods, conservation, sustainable use

and restoration of high range Himalayan ecosystems.
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• The project is meant for specific landscapes in High Himalaya ecosystem spread across
four states viz. Jammu and Kasmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Sikkim.
Landscapes-States to be covered under SECURE Himalaya: State
Landscape
Changthang Jammu & Kashmir
Lahaul-Pangi and Kinnaur Himachal Pradesh
Gangotri-Govind and Darma-Byans Valley in Pithoragarh Uttarakhand
Kanchenjunga – Upper Teesta Valley Sikkim
National Wildlife Action Plan for the period 2017-2031 and Global Wildlife Programme
conference
On October 2, 2017, during the inaugural day of Global Wildlife Programme
conferencein New Delhi, Harsh Vardhan also launched India Wildlife mobile App and
released National Wildlife Action Plan for the period 2017-2031.
Through 103 wildlife conservation actions and 250 projects, National Wildlife Action Plan for the
period 2017-2031, which is India’s third National Wildlife action plan will focus on preservation
of genetic diversity and sustainable development across the India
Cabinet approves SANKALP & STRIVE Schemes to boost Skill India Mission
In a bid to provide a boost to ‘Skill India Mission’, on October 11, 2017, Union Cabinet
approved two new skill development schemes named Skills Acquisition and Knowledge
Awareness for Livelihood Promotion (SANKALP) and Skill Strengthening for Industrial
Value Enhancement (STRIVE). Both these schemes are result oriented programmes focusing
on vocational education and training.
Salient Features of Skills Acquisition and Knowledge Awareness for Livelihood
Promotion (SANKALP) Scheme:
SANKALP is a centrally sponsored scheme having financial outlay Rs 4,455 crore out of
which 3300 crore will be in the form of a loan from World Bank.
• Under this scheme, over 50 Trainers and Assessors academies with self-sustainable
models will be set up in priority sectors.
• The scheme also has provision to set up additional academies to plug sectoral and
geographical gaps.
• Underprivileged and marginalised sections of the society including women, Scheduled
Castes (SCs), Schedule Tribes (STs) and Persons with Disabilities (PWD) will be provided
skill training opportunities under SANKALP.
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Salient Features of Skill Strengthening for Industrial Value Enhancement (STRIVE)

Scheme:
STRIVE is a central sector scheme having financial outlay Rs 2200 crore out of which half the
amount will be in the form of loan assistance from World Bank.
• Under STRIVE scheme, emphasis will be laid on incentivizing Industrial Training

Institutes (ITIs) to improve overall performance including apprenticeship by
involving Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), business associations and industry
clusters.
• A robust mechanism for delivering quality skill development training will be developed.
This will be done by strengthening institutions such as State Skill Development
Missions (SSDMs), National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC), Sector Skill
Councils (SSCs), ITIs and National Skill Development Agency (NSDA) etc.
• National Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF) including National Quality
Assurance Framework (NQAF) across central and state government schemes will be
universalised in order to ensure standardization in skill delivery, content and training
output.
Department of Post launches Sampoorna Bima Gram Yojana

On 13th October 2017, the Minister for Communications Manoj Sinha launched the Sampoorna
Bima Gram (SBG) Yojana and an initiative for expansion of clientele base of Postal Life Insurance
(PLI).
SBG Plan & for expansion of clientele base of PLI:
i. Under Sampoorna Bima Gram (SBG) Yojana, at least one village (having a minimum of 100
households) will be identified in each of the revenue districts India.
ii. All households of that identified village will be covered with a minimum of one RPLI
(Rural Postal Life Insurance) policy each.
iii. Under the expansion of clientele base of PLI, benefits of PLI will not be confined to
Government and semi-Government employees anymore.
VAJRA faculty scheme – 260 applicants for government’s visiting researcher

programme
Central Government has received 260 applications from foreign scientists for Visiting Advanced
Joint Research (VAJRA) Faculty scheme. Out of these 260 applications, 70 will be shortlisted
for this year.
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About Visiting Advanced Joint Research (VAJRA) Faculty scheme:

VAJRA Faculty scheme is a pilot project by the Department of Science and Technology
(Under Union Ministry of Science and Technology) which was launched in May 2017.
• The department intends to select 1,000 scientists every year under this scheme.
• Public funded academic institutions and national laboratories in India are eligible to host
VAJRA faculties and can appoint them as visiting faculty. At these
institutions/laboratories, the selected scientists will be involved in co-guiding and
mentoring students as well as in developing collaborative programmes.
• Interacting with these scientists will help Indian doctorate students to collaborate with
best scientific minds and gain international exposure in their area of research.
• Scientists selected under this scheme will be paid US $15,000 in the first
month of residency and US $10,000 per month from the next month.
• They will work in India for a minimum of a month and a maximum of three
months.
Uttar Pradesh government launches ‘Mukhyamantri Samoohik Vivaah Yojana’

On October 3, 2017, Uttar Pradesh State Government launched a mass marriage scheme
called ‘Mukhyamantri Samoohik Vivaah Yojana’.
Details of ‘Mukhyamantri Samoohik Vivaah Yojana’
i. Under the scheme, Uttar Pradesh social welfare department will conduct mass marriages.
ii. In order to avail the benefits of this scheme, parents of the brides have to be residents of
Uttar Prdaesh and should be from below poverty line category. The scheme will also cover
widows and divorced women.
HP Cabinet approves Heritage Tourism policy & ‘Mukhya Mantri Rural Road Repair
Scheme’
On October 4, 2017, Himachal Pradesh Cabinet under Chief Minister Virbhadra
Singhapproved ‘Heritage Tourism Policy 2017’ & ‘Mukhya Mantri Rural Road Repair
Scheme’ along with other developmental and welfare initiatives.
‘Himachal Pradesh Heritage Tourism Policy’ 2017:
i. This policy has been approved with an aim to offer an experience of the culture and
heritage of Himachal Pradesh.
‘Mukhya Mantri Rural Road Repair Scheme’:
This scheme has been approved under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment
Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) for rural roads.
♦The roads to be renovated would be selected by the concerned panchayats after approval in
gram Sabha.
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Madhya Pradesh launches ‘Single Click Pension Delivery’ scheme

On October 1, 2017, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh
Chouhan launched ‘Single Click Pension Delivery’ scheme. Under this scheme, the money will
go directly into the account of the beneficiaries.
‘Single Click Pension Delivery’ scheme and “Shataayu Award” by Madhya Pradesh Government:
• ‘Single Click Pension Delivery’ scheme will benefit 35 lakh people in Madhya Pradesh.
• On October 1, 2017, Mr. Chouhan also honoured the elderly who completed the age of
100 years with the “Shataayu” award.
L-G Anil Baijal approves Delhi government education loan scheme

On 5th October 2017, Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal approved the Delhi government’s students
higher education loan scheme, in New Delhi.
Approval for Delhi government’s higher education loan scheme:
i. The Delhi government’s students higher education loan scheme would help thousands of
students and parents.
ii. The Delhi government had started this scheme 2 years back, to provide loans to students
for higher education, even if they didn’t have any property or land as security.
Karnataka launches ‘Mathru Purna’ scheme for pregnant women

On 2nd October 2017, Karnataka Chief Minister Mr.Siddaramaiah launched ‘Mathru Poorna’
scheme, for nutritional wellness of pregnant and lactating women in rural areas, at Vidhan
Soudha, in Bengaluru, Karnataka.
Mathru Purna:
i. The ‘Mathru Purna’ scheme, aims at providing pregnant and lactating poor women in
rural areas with one nutritious meal daily, for 25 days in a month.
ii. A full meal, of rice, dal with vegetables or sambar, one boiled egg and 200ml of milk, will be
given to pregnant women, through anganwadis. Two varieties of sprouts will be provided to
vegetarians instead of egg.
iii. This will meet 40-45% of the daily nutrition requirement of pregnant and lactating
mothers. Each meal would cost around Rs.20.
Uttarakhand Govt. launches ‘Solar Briefcase’ to provide electricity in remote areas

On October 8, 2017, Uttarakhand State Government and a charitable funding agency
named Swan Cultural Center and Foundation, launched ‘Solar Briefcase’ in Kedarnath
Dham.
i. This initiative aims to provide electricity to far flung areas in Uttarakhand.
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ii. Uttarakhand Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat has stated that around 47 villages and
1,40,000 families in Uttarakhand do not have access to electricity. Moreover there are 60 villages
in the state where electrification has not yet been done due to the difficult terrain.
President Ram Nath Kovind launches Rs.100 crore clean water initiative
On 8th October 2017, President Ram Nath Kovind launched Mata Amritanandamayi Math (MAM)’s,
‘Jivamritam’ filtration system, a clean water initiative, in Vallikkavu, Kollam district of Kerala.
‘Jivamritam’ filtration system:
i. ‘Jivamritam’ filtration system aims at providing filtration for clean drinking water to 1 crore
villagers. The first phase of this project is to install ‘Jivamritam’ filtration systems for clean
drinking water in 5,000 villages all over India.
ii. This project will be funded by MAM for Rs.100 crore.MAM has planned to implement all
5,000 Jivamritam systemswithin 1 year. Each Jivamritam system would filter daily drinking-water
supply for around 400 five-member families.
iii. The Jivamritam system was conceptualised and designed by faculty and students of
MAM’s university, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham (Amrita University).
Maharashtra govt approves climate change adaptation policy

On October 10, 2017, Maharashtra State cabinet approved a climate change adaptation
policy that will focus on developing environment-friendly villages and cities.
Decisions taken by Maharashtra State Cabinet:
Maharashtra State Government will set up a special cell under the state Environment
department for the effective implementation of this policy of developing environment-friendly
villages and cities.
• Besides, Maharashtra cabinet has approved financial allocation for special scheme for
pending agricultural pumps in Vidarbha and Marathwada region.
• Grant of Rs 10 lakh to the Akhil Bharatiya Marathi Sahitya Mahamandal and six other
regional educational institutions have been approved by Maharashtra cabinet.
Maharashtra launches web portal with information on new government schemes
On October 10, 2017, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnacis launched a web portal
that will help people get information about all the government schemes. The portal has been
named ‘MahaLabharthi‘.
Himachal Pradesh implements Senior Citizen Health Insurance Scheme (SCHIS)

On 9th October 2017, Himachal Pradesh government implemented the Senior Citizen Health
Insurance Scheme (SCHIS), in Shimla.
Senior Citizen Health Insurance Scheme (SCHIS):
i. SCHIS has been introduced to provide easy access to curative old age related health care
services through additional cover.
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ii. The scheme would increase coverage of Rs.30,000 per senior citizen to all existing
Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojna (RSBY) smart card holders.This would be in addition to the
basic coverage of Rs.30,000 in Trust and Society mode.
iii. The beneficiaries of this scheme would be RSBY enrolled people aged 60 years and
above. But, senior citizens who are eligible for RSBY but not currently enrolled in this scheme,
will not get the benefit of SCHIS.
Assam approved new IT policy

On October 17, 2017, Assam State Government approved a new Information Technology
(IT) Policy.
More Details about Assam Govt’s ne IT Policy:
i. Under the new IT policy, companies involved in Business Process
Outsourcing (BPO),companies engaged in software development and firms carrying out
research will be provided financial support.
ii. Call centres will receive one-time incentive of Rs. 1.20 lakh per employee, with minimum
intake of 100 employees.
iii. Companies engaged in software development will receive one-time support of Rs 1.50 lakh per
employee.
Assam govt rolls out new Tourism policy

On October 19, 2017, Assam State Government rolled out ‘Tourism Policy of Assam
2017’ with an aim to increase tourist inflow in the state by at least two to three times within next
five years.
Details about ‘Tourism Policy of Assam 2017’:
‘Tourism Policy of Assam 2017’ will be effective from January 2018 to December 2022.
• To channelize resources in making this policy a success story, tourism sector in
Assam has been accorded the ‘Industry’ status.
• In the policy, special emphasis has been laid on making the state a preferred
destination of film making by offering a range of incentives to movie
producers.
• Hindi, English and foreign language cinema makers, who have produced a minimum of
five feature films in Assam will be offered cash grant of 25 per cent or Rs 1 crore,
whichever is less, of expenditure in Assam.
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister launches Bhavantar Bhugtan Yojana

On October 16, 2017 Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan launched the
ambitious ‘Bhavantar Bhugtan Yojna’ in the presence of the farmers at the Krishi Upaj Mandi
in Khurai, Sagar district of Madhya Pradesh.
Under this scheme, farmers will be compensated the difference between Minimum
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Support Price (declared by Union Government) and the actual sale price or Model Price,
whichever is higher.
• Currently, compensation under this scheme will be provided for 8 crops including
oilseed and pulses.
• Registration is compulsory to avail benefits under this scheme. Besides, farmers are
required to sell their crops only in mandis and obtain a receipt for the same.
• The difference amount will be deposited in the bank account within a period of
2 months.
Chhattisgarh government reduces interest on loan under Saksham Yojna

Chhattisgarh State Government has reduced the rate of interest on loan given to women and
their self help groups (SHGs) under ‘Saksham Yojna’ from 6.5 per cent to 5 per cent.
More Details:
i. This decision was taken by Chhattisgarh Women and Child Development Minister
Ramsheela Sahu while chairing a meeting of ‘Chhattisgarh Mahila Kosh’ (CMK)’.
ii. Through various schemes, ‘Chhattisgarh Mahila Kosh’ (CMK) disburses easy term loans to
women and SHGs in Chhattisgarh.
iii. Saksham Yojana too is operated by Chhattisgarh Mahila Kosh, under which loans to the
tune of Rs 72 lakh had been distributed to about 111 SHGs during current fiscal year 2017-18.
Maharashtra government releases Rs 4,000 crore in phase 1 of loan waiver scheme

On October 18, 2017, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadanvis announced that the
State Government has released a sum of Rs 4,000 crore under the first phase of the farm
loan waiver scheme.
Details about First Phase of Farm Loan Waiver Scheme in Maharashtra:
i. Out of Rs 4000 crore which has been released under Phase I, Rs 3200 crore is for writing off
the loans of 4.62 lakh farmers and Rs 800 crore will be distributed as incentive for 3.78
lakh farmers who are paying their loans on time.
ii. It is to be noted that total farm loan waiver (announced in June 2017) which will be
provided to the farmers has been estimated at Rs. 34000 crore.
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Government Schemes –November 2017
Government launched Deen Dayal SPARSH Yojana, a scholarship program for school
children
On November 3, 2017, Union Minister of Communications Manoj Sinha launched a pan India
scholarship program for school children called Deen Dayal SPARSH Yojana to increase the
reach of Philately.
What is Philately?
Philately is the hobby of collection and study of Postage stamps.
Salient Features of Deen Dayal SPARSH Yojana:
Abbreviation SPARSH stands for SPARSH(Scholarship for Promotion of Aptitude
& Research in Stamps as a Hobby).
• Under this scheme annual scholarships will be awarded to children of Standard
VI to IX who have good academic record and are also pursuing Philately.
• The amount of Scholarship will be Rs. 6000/- per annum @ Rs. 500/- per
month.
• Total 920 scholarships will be awarded across India.
Project Saksham – Railways to start 9-month ‘upskilling’ exercise for employees

Indian Railways will start ‘Project Saksham’, India’s largest time-bound ‘upskilling’ exercise, to
upgrade the skill sets of its 13 lakh employees. ‘Sakham’ is a Hindi word which translates as
‘capable’ in English.
More Details about ‘Project Saksham’:
‘Project Saksham’ will begin in January 2018 and will continue till September 2018.
• Railway General Managers have been directed to identify training needs, divide their
subordinates into small groups and communicate the entire training plan to Union
Railway Ministry by December 31, 2017.
The project will be launched on January 12, 2018 (tentative date). This date coincides with
the 155th birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda
Cabinet introduces ‘Pradhan Mantri Mahila Shakti Kendra’

On November 22, 2017, Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) gave approval for
the expansion of schemes of the Ministry of Women and Child Development (WCD) under
the umbrella scheme “Mission for Protection and Empowerment for Women”.
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• The expansion has been approved for a period from 2017-18 to 2019-
20 with financial outlay of 3636.85 crore. Central Share will be approximately
Rs.3084.96 crore.
• Government is planning to establish One Stop Centres (OSCs) to provide comprehensive
support to women affected by violence and deployment of Mahila Police Volunteers
(MPVs) to create public-police interface.
• Pan-India expansion of Beti Bachao Beti Padhao yojana to cover all 650 districts has been
approved by CCEA.
• Besides, a new scheme called ‘Pradhan Mantri Mahila Shakti Kendra’ (PMSSK)’, which
will empower rural women through community participation, has also been approved.
Salient Features of ‘Pradhan Mantri Mahila Shakti Kendra’:
PMSSK will be geared towards empowering rural women through community participation with an
aim to create an environment in which they realize their full potential.
• Under Union Budget 2017-18, corpus of Rs 500 crore was announced for setting
up Mahila Shakti Kendras in 14 lakh Anganwadi Centres at village level.
• Most important will be the block level initiatives, under which community engagement
through Student Volunteers is envisioned in 115 most backward districts.
• More than 3 lakh student volunteers from local colleges will strive to generate
awareness about various important government schemes/ programmes as well as social
issues.
Road accident victims in Kerala to get free treatment for first 48 Hours
Kerala State Government has decided to formulate a ‘Trauma-Care Scheme’, under which all
accident victims in Kerala will be provided necessary emergency care and treatment free-of-cost
for the first 48 hours after being admitted to a hospital.
President Ram Nath Kovind launches schemes worth Rs 3,455 crore in Jharkhand
On November 15, 2017, President Ram Nath Kovind launched various schemes and laid the
foundation stones of infrastructure projects in Jharkhand. These schemes and projects are to be
carried out at an expenditure of Rs 3455 crore. It is to be noted that November 15, 2017 was
17th Statehood Day of Jharkhand.
Schemes launched by President Ram Nath Kovind in Jharkhand:
President Kovind was the chief guest of the statehood day celebrations organized by Jharkhand
State Government.
• Firstly, he launched Rs 290-crore ‘108 Ambulance’ service in the state.
46 | P a g e
• Thereafter, President Kovind launched Jharkhand State Government’s JOHAR

(Jharkhand’s Opportunities for Harnessing Rural Development) scheme.
Financial outlay for JOHAR is Rs. 1500 crore.
• Kovind also launched Mukhyamantri Swasth Bima Yojana. Under this scheme, 57
lakh households in Jharkhand whose annual incomes are less than Rs 72000 will be
provided premium free medical insurance cover.
• During the course of this visit to Jharkhand, President Kovind also distributed 40000
tablets to the teachers under Manki Munda and e-Vidya Vahini scheme. He also
unveiled a commemorative stamp on the terracotta temple complex in Maluti
village in Dumka.
Madhya Pradesh launches Ek Bharat-Shreshtha Bharat Yojana

Madhya Pradesh is the partner state of Manipur and Nagaland under ‘Ek Bharat-
Shreshtha Bharat’ Yojana. Thus, Madhya Pradesh State Government has assigned the task of
implementing this scheme to Higher Education Department of State.i. An 8-member team from
Madhya Pradesh has already toured Manipur and Nagaland in this regard.
ii. It has been decided that Madhya Pradesh will participate in Manipur’s Sangai Mahotsav from
21st – 30th November, 2017 and teams of Manipur and Nagaland will take part in Madhya
Pradesh’s Lok Rang and Bal Rang programmes.
Odisha to launch new irrigation scheme – Nabakrushna Choudhury Seccha Unnayan

Yojana
On 22nd November 2017, Odisha government decided to launch “Nabakrushna Choudhury Seccha
Unnayan Yojana” to provide irrigation facility to about 55,000 hectare of agricultural
land across Odisha.
Nabakrushna Choudhury Seccha Unnayan Yojana:
i. The scheme, “Nabakrushna Choudhury Seccha Unnayan Yojana”, has been named after former
chief minister and freedom fighter Nabakrushna Choudhury.
ii. The scheme would be implemented with an outlay of Rs 635 crore over a period of three
years.
Haryana Government’s New Scheme Offers Domestic Power Connections On EMI

On November 19, 2017, Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar announced a new
scheme offering Domestic Power Connections in rural areas On Equated Monthly Instalment
(EMI).
i.Currently it costs between Rs. 3000/- to Rs. 4000/- to get a domestic power connection.
47 | P a g e
ii.Under this new scheme, households in rural areas can pay just Rs. 200 and get a
domestic power connection. The remaining amount can be paid in easy instalments of Rs. 100
to Rs. 200.
Odisha launches Fish Pond Yojana to increase fish production

On November 27, 2017, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik launched the ‘Fish Pond
Yojana’ while inaugurating a workshop on ‘Doubling of Farmer Income through Dairy and Allied
Farming Practices’ in Bhubaneswar.
Salient Features of ‘Fish Pond Yojana’:
i. Aim of this scheme is to boost fish production in Odisha.
ii. The scheme has been launched with a budgetary provision of Rs 96 crore.
iii. Under the scheme, additional 2200 hectare of fresh water aquaculture farming will be created,
for which farmers will be given 50 per cent financial assistance from state government.
SAUBHAGYA Scheme launched in Manipur

On November 28, 2017, Union Minister of State (IC) for Power and New & Renewable
Energy, R.K. Singh and N. Biren Singh, Chief Minister of Manipur, launched Pradhan
Mantri Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana (SAUBHAGYA) in Manipur.
‘SAUBHAGYA’ Scheme – Manipur:
i. SAUBHAGYA scheme was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in September
2017. Objective of this scheme is to achieve universal household electrification in all parts India.
ii.Rural Electrification Corporation Limited (REC), is the nodal agency for coordinating the
implementation of SAUBHAGYA scheme
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Current Affairs Sectionwise PDF

Government Schemes - January 2017

Central Government Schemes

Union Cabinet Approves to Launch Varishtha Pension Bima Yojana 2017

Telangana and Assam Joins UDAY Scheme

Tamil Nadu Becomes 21st State to Join UDAY

Entrepreneurship Development Scheme inaugurated in Mizoram

Cabinet approves Amendment in Modified Special Incentive Package Scheme (M-SIPS)

State Government Schemes

Kerala CM Inaugurates e-Health Kerala scheme at Peroorkada Hospital

Arunachal launches ‘DulariKanya’ scheme to check infant mortality

Madhya Pradesh Launches Digital Dakiya Scheme For Digital Literacy

Anandam Scheme Launched in Madhya Pradesh to Help Poor

Chandrababu Naidu Launches ArogyaRaksha Scheme to cover APL Families

Telangana to Provide Monetary Help of Rs. 1000 to Single Women in State

Government Schemes - February 2017

Sikkim becomes 22nd State to join UDAY

Commerce Ministry approves Revenue Insurance Scheme for Plantation Crops

Mantri Gramin Digital Saksharta Abhiyan’ (PMGDISHA) on February 8, 2017 to make 6

Cricketer Sachin Tendulkar Adopts Donja Village in Maharashtra For Transformation

SC Introduces Middle Income Group Scheme to Provide Legal Services at Affordable

CCEA approves 40,000-mw solar park scheme

Government Clears that BetiBachaoBetiPadhao has no provision for cash transfer

State Government Schemes

Jharkhand CM Raghubar Das launches UJALA scheme

Chief Minister SarbanandaSonowal Launches Chief Minister

Government Schemes - March 2017

Central Government Schemes

Centre to build 1 crore houses under PMAY-G by 2019

Government Approves Solar Energy Scheme for Small Powerloom Units

Centre Launches New Scheme TIES for Developing Export Linked

Centre Approves Rs 756 cr scheme for Treating Cataract Patients

State Government Schemes

Arunachal Pradesh Launches Adarsh Gram Yojana for Rural Poor

Haryana Government announces Tirtha Darshan Scheme for Senior Citizen

Delhi Govt Extends Midday Meal Scheme for Girls Up To Class 12

Tamil Nadu CM Palaniswami Launches Rs 1580 cr Housing Scheme

Government Schemes - April 2017

Central Government Schemes

‘Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana’ launched in Nellore, Andhra Pradesh

Govt launches PowerTex India scheme for powerloom sector

Mizoram becomes 27th State to join UDAY scheme

Government withdraws subsidy to mild hybrids under FAME scheme

Beneficiaries of PM’s Ujjwala Yojana crosses 2 crore mark

Cabinet approves closure of Mahatma Gandhi Pravasi Suraksha Yojana

Government reduces number of centrally sponsored schemes to 28

Government to launch Rs 6000-crore 'SAMPADA' scheme for food processing

1. ‘Creation/ Expansion of Food Processing and Preservation Capacities’

UP govt, center sign MOU for Power for All scheme

PM Modi inaugurates maiden Shimla-New Delhi flight under UDAN scheme

Over Rs 1 lakh-cr investment approved for housing of urban poor

State Government Schemes

Haryana extends Accidental insurance cover to all residents

'Advanced Farming - Enriched Farmer' scheme announced by Maharashtra Govt

Bengal government introduces Social Security Yojana converges 5 beneficiary schemes

Andhra Pradesh CM Chandrababu Naidu relaunches Adarana

Uttar Pradesh govt scraps Samajwadi Pension Scheme

Deendayal Rasoi Yojana launched in 49 districts of MP

Government Schemes - May 2017

Central Government Schemes

MoAs signed for first wind auction Scheme

India to give Rs 35 cr to children of freedom fighters in Bangladesh

children of freedom fighters in Bangladesh in the next five years.

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