PUNJAB
Punjab increases income limit for loans under direct loan scheme to Rs 3L
Under the direct loan scheme run by the Punjab Scheduled Castes Land Development and Finance Corporation, the income limit for borrowing has been raised from Rs one lakh to Rs three lakhs.
“The State Government has extended the powers to sanction loans up to Rs one lakh to the district managers of the corporation at the district level for the expeditious disposal of debt cases for the convenience of people.
the main objective of the Corporation is to provide low interest rate loans to the Scheduled Castes and persons with disabilities for self-employment occupations such as dairy farms, grocery shops, clothing shops, shuttering work, lumbering, higher education loans, so that their economic status can be raised and they can be lifted out from the poverty line.
The Minister further said that the Corporation has provided financial assistance of Rs 2,293.73 lakh to 2,116 beneficiaries even during the difficult times of COVID-19 during the current financial year 2021-2022. The Corporation had set a target of disbursing Rs 40 crore to 1,400 borrowers, under which loan-subsidy of Rs 624.81 lakh has been disbursed to 562 beneficiaries so far.
Punjab Government during its tenure of almost four years has extended loans of Rs 8,066.23 lakh to 8,590 eligible and needy SC youth. In addition, the State Government has given huge relief to the debtors by waiving the debts of 14,260 beneficiaries amounting to Rs 4,540.80 lakh.
INTERNATIONAL
Philippines Got Approval for Golden Rice
The Philippines has become the 1st country in the world to get approval for the commercial production of genetically modified golden rice. Golden rice is a variety of rice enriched with various nutrients that will helpful in reducing childhood malnutrition.
Highlights:
♦ The Golden rice is developed by the Department of Agriculture-Philippine Rice Research Institute in partnership with the International Rice Research Institute, after contributing nearly two decades. It is named Golden Rice because of its bright yellow colour.
♦ One cup of golden rice can give as much as 40 per cent of vitamin A which is essential for children aged 6 months to 5 years, to combat childhood blindness & save lives in the developing world.
♦ Golden rice is the first genetically modified rice approved for commercial propagation in South and Southeast Asia.
NATIONAL
Anniversary of MyGov
MyGov is celebrating its 7th anniversary. MyGov, the citizen engagement platform, has been in operation for seven years.
Highlights:
♦ It was launched in 2014 with the idea of using an online platform to bring the government closer to ordinary people, creating an interface for ordinary citizens and experts to exchange ideas and opinions in a healthy way, with the goal of contributing to the social and economic transformation of India.
♦ MyGov has grown into a robust citizen engagement platform that is used by nearly all government departments to enable participatory governance.
Gharib Nawaz Employment Scheme – Minority Affairs
The Gharib Nawaz Employment Scheme is being carried out by the Ministry of Minority Affairs.
About Gharib Nawaz Employment Scheme:
In 2017-18, the Ministry of Minority Affairs launched the scheme to provide short-term job-oriented skill development courses to youth from minority communities in order to prepare them for skill-based employment.
This scheme is carried out in accordance with the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship’s (MSD&E’s) common standards by empanelled Program Implementation Agencies (PIAs).
The scheme is implemented by the Maulana Azad Education Foundation, which is an autonomous institution under the Ministry of Minority Affairs.
As part of this scheme, ‘Garib Nawaz’ skill development centres are run to help minority youth develop their skills.
National River Conservation Plan – NRCP
♦ It is a government-sponsored scheme administered by the Ministry of Jal Shakti.
♦ It all started in 1985 with the Ganga Action Plan (GAP).
♦ It was expanded in 1995 as the National River Conservation Plan (NRCP) to include the country’s other major rivers.
♦ The aim of the National River Conservation Plan is to reduce pollution loads in rivers by implementing various pollution abatement projects, thereby improving water quality.
♦ The implementation of this scheme is supervised by the NRCD.
Coastal States have RoPax and Water Taxi Services
The Ports, Shipping and Waterways Ministry under the Sagarmala program has carried out Ro-Ro/Ro-Pax projects on multiple routes.
Highlights:
♦ The Shipping Ministry launched Ro-Pax, a roll-on-roll-off cum passenger ferry service.
♦ It is a water transportation service project.
♦ It improves connectivity between centres while also helping to reduce pollution associated with road transportation.
♦ In comparison to road/rail transportation, water transport services are less expensive and more environmentally friendly. It is a less expensive option for people, as well as a more time-saving option, as it can reduce travel time into half.
♦ It has a significant impact on the logistical needs of the region’s small-scale industries.
Circulation of Draft Indian Ports Bill
The Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways had circulated the draft Indian Ports Bill 2020 in the course of new legislation, seeking input from all stakeholders.
Highlights:
♦ It aims to facilitate the structured growth and long-term development of ports in order to attract investments in the port sector.
♦ The proposed Bill will include measures to facilitate port conservation, taking into account the current situation with regard to the large number of non-operational ports.
♦ It will encourage more investment in the Indian maritime and ports sector by developing improved, comprehensive regulatory frameworks for the development of new ports and the management of existing ports.
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