PAHAL (Pratyaksh Hanstantrit Labh) scheme
PAHAL (Pratyaksh Hanstantrit Labh) scheme The Direct Benefit Transfer of LPG (DBTL) or PAHAL (Pratyaksh Hanstantrit Labh) scheme was earlier launched on June 1, 2013 and finally covered 291 districts. It required the consumer to mandatorily have an Aadhaar number for availing LPG Subsidy. The government has comprehensively reviewed the scheme and after examining the difficulties faced by the consumer substantively modified the scheme. The modified scheme is being re-launched in 54 districts on 15.11.2014 in the 1st Phase and in the rest of the country on 1.1.2015. Pratyaksh Hanstantrit Labh ( PAHAL scheme ) : Options to receive LPG subsidy Under the modified scheme, the LPG consumer can now receive subsidy in his bank account by two methods. Such a consumer will be called CTC (Cash Transfer Compliant) once he joins the scheme and is ready to receive subsidy in the bank account. The two options are: Option I (Primary): Wherever Aadhaar number is available it will remain the medium of cash transfer. Thus, an LPG consumer who has an Aadhaar Number has to link it to the bank account number and to the LPG consumer number. Option II (Secondary): If LPG consumer does not have an Aadhaar number, then he can directly receive subsidy in his bank account without the use of Aadhaar number. This option which has now been introduced in the modified scheme ensures that LPG subsidy is not denied to an LPG consumer on account of lack of Aadhaar number. In this option, Present bank account information (bank account holder name /account number /IFSC code) to the LPG distributor for capture in LPG databaseOR Present LPG consumer information (17 digit LPG consumer ID) to his bank LPG Consumers who are already CTC prior to launch on PAHAL (DBTL) Domestic LPG Consumer who had already joined the earlier PAHAL (DBTL) scheme by linking their Aadhaar to bank and LPG database don’t need to take fresh action for receiving subsidy as the subsidy will be transferred to their bank accounts via Aadhaar based on the previous seeding. Such CTC consumers cannot exercise Option II above. Pricing under PAHAL (DBTL) In the PAHAL (DBTL) district(s), domestic LPG cylinders will be sold to CTC domestic LPG consumers at Market Determined Price (does not include subsidy) from the date of launch of the scheme.Amount transferred to consumerThe total cash applicable on LPG cylinder will then be transferred to the CTC consumer for each subsidized cylinder delivered (up to the cap) as per his entitlement.Grace PeriodNon-CTC consumers will be allowed 3 months from the date of launch of PAHAL (DBTL) to become CTC. During this period such consumers will receive their entitlement of subsidized cylinders at the then applicable subsidized retail selling price. Parking Period After the grace period of 3 months, all non-CTC LPG consumers will get an additional 3 month Parking Period, during which the sale will happen at Market Determined Price for all LPG consumers. But for non-CTC consumers the total cash on the sale made to such consumers (as per their entitlement) shall be held back with the respective OMC to be transferred to the LPG consumers’ bank account in case consumer becomes CTC anytime during the Parking Period. In case consumer does not become CTC during this Parking Period, the parked funds will lapse and consumer shall become ineligible to receive the parked funds and sale will continue at market determined price till consumer becomes CTC. After the expiry of the Grace Period of 3 months, and thereafter an additional Parking Period of 3 months, all non-CTC consumers will receive cylinders at marker determined price and will not be entitled to total cash until they become CTC. When non-CTC consumers become CTC beyond the parking period they will be eligible to get one time permanent advance and total cash entitlement on balance subsidized cylinders in that financial year. Read Also NASA-ISRO NISAR Mission Permanent Advance A one-time Advance will be provided to every CTC consumer joining PAHAL (DBTL). The Advance will be notified, from time to time and will remain fixed for a financial year. It will remain with the consumer till the time of termination of connection, when it will be finally adjusted. LPG consumers who were provided permanent advance on a previous scale will not be eligible for any differential payment on account of the revision in the permanent advance. https://youtu.be/RWzY7gIYq1Q Enroll today with the best civils service academy and take your first step towards your Civils journey. Feel free to reach out to us for any inquiries, collaborations, or support. We’re here to help. join now
Bad Bank
Bad Bank Bad Bank – A recession in the Indian economy this year, due to the adverse effects of Covid-19 on economic activity. This will hit the banking and financial sector in particular, as slump in earnings of companies and individuals could lead to a jump in non-performing assets, reversing the early trends of NPA reduction post enactment of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) and write-off of bad loans by banks. Various analysts suggest that in a couple of years, the proportion of stressed assets in the banking system could jump to as high as 18 per cent from around 11 per cent at present. To tackle this upcoming challenge, the banking industry has proposed the setting up of a government-backed bad bank. Proposal of a bad bank: A bad bank buys the bad loans and other illiquid holdings of other banks and financial institutions, which clears their balance sheet. The banking sector, led by the Indian Banks Association (IBA), had in May submitted a proposal for setting up a bad bank to the finance ministry and the RBI, proposing equity contribution from the government and the banks. This was based on an idea proposed by a panel on faster resolution of stressed assets in public sector banks headed by former PNB Chairman Sunil Mehta. This panel had proposed an asset management company (AMC), ‘Sashakt India Asset Management’, for resolving large bad loans two years ago. NPA spike is expected down the line: The impact of Covid-19 and the associated policy response is likely to result in an additional Rs 1,67,000 crore of debt from the top 500 debt-heavy private sector borrowers turning delinquent between FY21 and FY22, according to a report by India Ratings and Research (Ind-Ra). This is over and above the Rs 2,54,000 crore anticipated prior to the onset of the pandemic, taking the cumulative quantum to Rs 421,000 crore. Given that 11.57 per cent of the outstanding debt is already stressed, the proportion of stressed debt is likely to increase to 18.21 per cent of the outstanding quantum. The rating agency said in a scenario wherein funding markets continue to exhibit heightened risk aversion, corporate stress could increase further by Rs 1.68 lakh crore, resulting in Rs 5.89 lakh crore of the corporate debt becoming stressed in FY21-FY22. Consequently, 20.84 per cent of the outstanding debt could be under stress in the agency’s stress case scenario. Government’s view: While the finance ministry has not formally submitted its view on the proposal, senior officials have indicated that it is not keen to infuse equity capital into a bad bank. The government’s view is that bad loan resolution should happen in a market-led way, as there are many asset reconstruction companies already operating in the private space. The government has significantly capitalised state-owned banks in recent years and pursued consolidation in the PSU banking space. In the last three financial years, the government has infused equity of Rs 2.65 lakh crore into state-owned banks. These steps, along with insolvency resolution under the IBC, are seen as adequate to the tackle the challenge of bad loans. Bad Bank RBI view : The central bank has so far never come out favourably about the creation of a bad bank with other commercial banks as main promoters. Former RBI Governor Raghuram Rajan had opposed the idea of setting up a bad bank with a majority stake by banks, arguing it would solve nothing. Government-funded bad bank would just shift loans “from one government pocket (the public sector banks) to another (the bad bank) and did not see how it would improve matters”. “Indeed, if the bad bank were in the public sector, the reluctance to act would merely be shifted to the bad bank. Why not instead infuse the capital that would be given to the bad bank directly into the public sector banks? Alternatively, if the bad bank were to be in the private sector, the reluctance of public sector banks to sell loans to the bad bank at a significant haircut would still prevail. Once again, it would solve nothing,” he wrote in his book I Do What I Do, comprising his commentary and speeches as the then RBI Governor. Alternatives to a bad bank: Many industry experts and government officials involved in economic policy-making argue that the enactment of IBC has reduced the need for having a bad bank, as a transparent and open process is available for all lenders to attempt insolvency resolution. As per latest available RBI data, as a percentage ofclaims, banks recovered on average 42.5% of the amount filed through the IBC in 2018-19, against 14.5% through the SARFAESI, 5.3% through Lok Adalats and 3.5% through Debt Recovery Tribunals. The view is that an IBC-led resolution, or sale of bad loans to ARCs already existing, is a better approach to tackle the NPA problem rather than a government-funded bad bank. In a speech on February 21, 2017, on ways to resolve banks’ stressed assets, Former RBI Deputy Governor Viral Acharya proposed two models. The first model is a private Asset Management Company (PAMC) which would be suitable for sectors where the stress is such that assets are likely to have economic value in the short run, with moderate levels of debt forgiveness. The second model is a National Asset Management Company (NAMC) for sectors where the problem is not just of excess capacity, but possibly also of economically unviable assets in the short- to medium-term, such as in the power sector. The NAMC would raise debt for its financing needs, keep a minority equity stake for the government, and bring in asset managers such as ARCs and private equity to manage and turn around the assets, he suggested, while arguing that these structure should not be termed as bad banks. Enroll today with the best civils service academy and take your first step towards your Civils journey. Feel free to reach out to us for any inquiries, collaborations, or support. We’re here to help. Join Now
Jallikattu Festival
Jallikattu Festival Out of India’s 37 indigenous cattle breeds, a large number come from Tamil Nadu. These include the Kangeyam, Thiruchengodu, Bargur, Palamalai, Alambadi, Kollimalai, Vadakarai, Manapparai, Umbalachery, Irucchali, Pulikulam, Thambiran Madu, Thenpandi, Thondainadu, Thurinjithalai and Punganur. Out of these, the Pulikulam breed, a native of the Sivagangai district, is mainly used for Jallikattu festival in Tamil Nadu. ‘Jallikattu’, otherwise known as ‘Eru Thazhuvuthal’ (Tamil for ‘Bull Embracing’) is a sport that has been played in southern Tamil Nadu during Thai Pongal since the Sangam Period. Significance of Jallikattu Festival With the advent of green revolution, due to farm mechanisation, the use of draught animals has decreased drastically. According to the last Livestock Census of India, while the indigenous cattle population has decreased considerably, exotic and crossbred cattle have increased. Indigenous breeds and hybrids with dominant native genes produce A2 milk, which is good for human health. Jallikattu is considered to be a bio-cultural sport as it helps to conserve native cattle breeds. But, fortunately or unfortunately, the Supreme Court of India banned Jallikattu on May 7, 2014, based on a plea by the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) and People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA). Jallikattu Festival The participants are supposed to take control of the bull by holding its hump for as long as they can. The festival is celebrated on Mattu Pongal, the third day of the harvest festival. Its name is derived from the Tamil words ‘salli’ meaning coins and ‘kattu’ meaning package. This refers to the bag of coins which is tied to the bull’s horns which participants try to get hold of. The bull species called Bos indicus, or humped cattle, is specifically bred for Jallikatu. The bulls that do well at the event are used latter for breeding. According to a famous legend, Lord Shiva had asked his bull, Basava, to send a message to those on Earth that they should take an oil bath daily and have food once a month for a period of six months. But Basava mixed up the messages and ended up asking people to eat everyday and take an oil bath once a month. This angered Lord Shiva and he punished Basava by cursing him to aid humans in ploughing fields. Those who believe in this legend pray to the cattle stock and try to tame them during Jallikattu. Tamil Nadu challenging the 2014 Supreme Court (SC) ban on a rural traditional sport—Jallikattu The participants are supposed to take control of the bull by holding its hump for as long as they can. The festival is celebrated on Mattu Pongal, the third day of the harvest festival. Its name is derived from the Tamil words ‘salli’ meaning coins and ‘kattu’ meaning package. This refers to the bag of coins which is tied to the bull’s horns which participants try to get hold of. The bull species called Bos indicus, or humped cattle, is specifically bred for Jallikatu. The bulls that do well at the event are used latter for breeding. According to a famous legend, Lord Shiva had asked his bull, Basava, to send a message to those on Earth that they should take an oil bath daily and have food once a month for a period of six months. But Basava mixed up the messages and ended up asking people to eat everyday and take an oil bath once a month. This angered Lord Shiva and he punished Basava by cursing him to aid humans in ploughing fields. Those who believe in this legend pray to the cattle stock and try to tame them during Jallikattu. Why is PETA keen on banning Jallikattu? In January 2016, the Central Government lifted the ban on request of Tamil Nadu Government. This notification was challenged by PETA and Other such welfare Organizations in the Supreme Court. PETA insists that ‘cruelty’ is not limited to slaughter but includes unnecessary suffering and torture induced on animals for the purpose of human entertainment. Therefore, PETA advocates that it is the fundamental duty of citizens of India to have compassion for all living creatures and to protect wildlife. Why are Tamilians protesting the ban on Jallikattu? They consider it symbolic of Tamilian pride as it is an ancient tradition that has been carried on for years. Jallikattu witnesses thousands of participants, attempting to tame the bulls by latching to their horns or humps. Its innumerable references could be found in Dravidian Literature and the indigenous population of Tamilnadu has held this event for years. The Jallikattu protests are fuelled by the view that the ban impinges on the cultural identity of the populace. Conclusion: Jallikattu is a part of Tamil culture, it has to be conducted with protection to animals and human beings. It should be regulated by an authority. Age old traditions and cultures need to be revisited if they are in violation of the laws of the land. https://youtu.be/RWzY7gIYq1Q Enroll today with the best civils service academy and take your first step towards your Civils journey. Feel free to reach out to us for any inquiries, collaborations, or support. We’re here to help. join now
Saubhagya Scheme
Saubhagya Scheme Pradhan Mantri Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana – Saubhagya scheme was launched by the Hon’ble Prime Minister on 25th September 2017. Under Saubhagya free electricity connections to all households (both APL and poor families) in rural areas and poor families in urban areas will be provided. There are around 4 Crore un-electrified households in the country and they are targeted for providing electricity connections by December 2018. Rural Electrification Corporation (REC) has been designated as its nodal agency for the Saubhagya scheme. To expedite and monitor the electrification process under Saubhagya a web portal (www.saubhagya.gov.in) was launched by Shri R.K. Singh, Minister of State (IC) for Power and New & Renewable Energy on 16th November 2017. The Saubhagya web portal has been designed and developed to disseminate information about the Household Electrification Status (State, District, Village wise), Household Progress as on date, State Wise Target vs Achieved, Monthly Electrification Progress, etc. Under the Saubhagya scheme, DISCOMs will also organize camps in villages/clusters of villages to facilitate on-the-spot filling up of application forms including release of electricity connections to households. DISCOMs/Power Department will also adopt innovative mechanism through dedicated web-portal/Mobile App for collection/consolidation of application form in electronic mode and also capturing process of release of electricity connections. The details of consumers’ viz., Name and Aadhar number/Mobile number/Bank account/Driving License/Voter ID etc., as available would be collected by the DISCOMs. Scope of Saubhagya Scheme Providing last mile connectivity and electricity connections to all un-electrified households in rural areas. Providing Solar Photovoltaic (SPV) based standalone system for un-electrified households located in remote and inaccessible villages/habitations, where grid extension is not feasible or cost-effective. Providing last mile connectivity and electricity connections to all remaining economically poor un-electrified households in urban areas. Non-poor urban households are excluded from this scheme. Salient Features of Saubhagya are: All DISCOMs including Private Sector DISCOMs, State Power Departments and RE Cooperative Societies shall be eligible for financial assistance under the scheme in line with DDUGJY. The prospective beneficiary households for free electricity connections under the scheme would be identified using SECC 2011 data. However, un-electrified households not covered under SECC data would also be provided electricity connections under the scheme on payment of Rs. 500 which shall be recovered by DISCOMs in 10 installments through electricity bill. The electricity connections to un-electrified households include provision of service line cable, energy meter including pre-paid/smart meter, single point wiring. LED lamps and associated accessories in line with technical specifications and construction standard. In case of un-electrified households located in remote and inaccessible areas, power packs of 200 to 300 Wp(with battery bank) with a maximum of 5 LED lights, 1 DC Fan, 1 DC power plug etc. may be provided along with the provision of Repair and Maintenance (R&M) for 5 years. The details of consumers viz, Name and Aadhar number/ Mobile number/ Bank account/ Driving License/Voter ID etc., as available would be collected by the DISCOMs. The defaulters whose connections have been disconnected should not be given benefit of the scheme. However, the utilities may consider settlement of old dues and reconnection as per norms. https://youtu.be/RWzY7gIYq1Q Enroll today with the best civils service academy and take your first step towards your Civils journey. Feel free to reach out to us for any inquiries, collaborations, or support. We’re here to help. join now
Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA)
Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) The Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) is not a court, but rather an organizer of arbitral tribunals to resolve conflicts between member states, international organizations, or private parties. Established in 1899 to facilitate arbitration and other forms of dispute resolution between states, the PCA has developed into a modern, multi-faceted arbitral institution perfectly situated to meet the evolving dispute resolution needs of the international community. Significance of Permanent Court of Arbitration : Among the aims of the Conference had been the strengthening of systems of international dispute resolution—especially international arbitration. The delegates at the Conference were mindful that, during the previous 100 years, there had been a number of successful international arbitrations, starting with the “Jay Treaty” Mixed Commissions at the end of the 18th century, and reaching a pinnacle with the Alabama arbitration in 1871-1872. In addition, the Institut de Droit International had adopted a code of procedure for arbitration in 1875. This movement toward arbitration as a means of international dispute resolution was continued in 1899, and the most concrete achievement of the 1899 Conference was the establishment of the PCA as the first global mechanism for the settlement of disputes between states. Article 16 of the 1899 Convention recognized that “in questions of a legal nature, and especially in the interpretation or application of International Conventions” arbitration is the “most effective, and at the same time the most equitable, means of settling disputes which diplomacy has failed to settle”. Accordingly, Article 20 of the 1899 Convention formally established the PCA, stating: With the object of facilitating an immediate recourse to arbitration for international differences which it has not been possible to settle by diplomacy, the signatory Powers undertake to organize a Permanent Court of Arbitration, accessible at all times and operating, unless otherwise stipulated by the parties, in accordance with the rules of procedure inserted in the present Convention. The 1899 Convention was revised at the second Hague Peace Conference in 1907. Today the PCA provides services for the resolution of disputes involving various combinations of states, state entities, intergovernmental organizations, and private parties. Three-part organizational structure: Administrative Council — oversees its policies and budgets, a Members of the Court — panel of independent potential arbitrators International Bureau — Secretariat headed by the Secretary-General. India-PCA: India is a party of the PCA according to the Hague Convention on 1899. It has ruled against the Indian government over the cancellation of a contract between telecommunications firm Devas Multimedia and Antrix Corporation Ltd., in a decision that could cost the Centre billions of dollars in damages.: In 2005, the Indian Space Research Organisation’s (ISRO) commercial arm Antrix Corporation entered into an agreement with Devas to lease out satellite spectrum which the Bangalore-based company could use to provide high-quality telephony and Internet services. The Italian marines were accused of killing two Indian fishermen :Two Italian marines — Massimiliano Latorre and Mr. Girone are facing the charge of murdering 2 Indian fishermen in 2012 off the Kerala coast. The fishermen were killed when the marines on duty aboard MV Enrica Lexie, an Italian-flagged oil tanker, fired at them. The order is binding for both countries as there is no appeal process in the UN tribunal. The Permanent Court of Arbitration at The Hague has maintained that the Cairn tax issue is not a tax dispute but a tax-related investment dispute and, hence, it falls under its jurisdiction. India’s demand in past taxes, it said, was in breach of fair treatment under the UK-India Bilateral Investment Treaty. The tribunal ordered the government to return the value of shares it had sold, dividends seized and tax refunds withheld to recover the tax demand. The government was asked to compensate Cairn “for the total harm suffered” together with interest and cost of arbitration. Enroll today with the best civils service academy and take your first step towards your Civils journey. Feel free to reach out to us for any inquiries, collaborations, or support. We’re here to help. join now
Manav Sampada (eHRMS- Electronic Human Resource Management System )
Manav Sampada (eHRMS- Electronic Human Resource Management System ) Manav Sampada (appropriately name for Human Capital, being the most important factor for the success of any Government, Organisation or Company) is a standard ICT solution for the Government sector, addressing maximum requirements of State Governments related to personnel management. The first and basic objective of Manav Sampada is to provide a generic, product based solution to the State/Central Government organisations for better management of personnel through electronic service record. It further assists the top management in knowing the exact number of employees, the retirement pattern, additional requirements in coming year for planning recruitments, funds required for retiring employees, re-allocation of surplus employees to other Departments/organisations within the State, ACR/ Property After initial implementation of the Project in Himachal Pradesh, and realising the benefits accruing/foreseen, the MeitY (then DietY) provided funds to NIC Himachal Pradesh (for making Manav Sampada a Product) and Government of Jharkhand (for replicating the Project). Accordingly, the software was converted into a Product and replicated first in Jharkhand, then in Bihar (Forest), Maharashtra (Jal Pradhikaran), Uttar Pradesh, Chandigarh, Punjab, Assam, Tihar Jail, New Delhi, Telangana, Goa, Ministry of Water Resources, GoI, Puducherry covering almost 16.1 lakh service books all over the country. Technology enhancement and application features Manav Sampada Cloud Hosting with Load Balancers: The software is hosted on NIC Cloud, Meghraj, with 5 load balancers to allow multiple simultaneous access by user States, with quick response times. Easy on-boarding and user friendly interface: The software on boarding has been made easier and any State can fill up the form and the Demo site credentials are issued to the State along with the creation of State instance on the cloud. Productization : The software has been converted as a Product following the Productization/ meta data standards of MeitY, using .Net MVC technology. The product version allows local customization as per State requirements, is easy to on-board, there are no costs related to hosting/ security audit individually for States, configurable parameters/ forms allow for minor customization at State level, additional requirements are met through funding support either to NIC HP or to the concerned State on their own. Integration with AG office/ NSDL and eSalary software: The software has been integrated through web-services for providing the details of salary, GPF/ CPF details from the respective software in their employee dashboard. This also ensures that estimated pension information / retirement benefits are available in the employee dashboard at a single location, completing the eService book entries. Mobile Apps on Android and Apple platforms: Mobile apps on most popular platforms of Android and Apple have been developed for the employees to get their service book information and other related information, including applying for leaves/ tours. SMS based alerts on transactions related to Transfer, Joining, APAR submission, reporting and reviewing: The employees get transaction alerts on their mobile number if there is any transaction in the Manav Sampada software, for immediate information. Single instance of SW catering to all States/ Organisations: The software is available to all States from a single location on the Internet with option to add on their images/ headers to present a different look. Open API for data sharing across other platform over web services (CM/DM Dashboard, e-Taal, Treasury etc.): e Governance standards MDDS-Demographic have been used for location parameters, names of individuals, Language Code and mobile numbers etc. Effective User Assistance: Form wise dynamic help for users, online service request and login based option for employees to raise and resolve their application queries online with their colleagues/administrators. A central help desk on phone/emails answers to the queries of users who also have access to may You Tube videos prepared by users themselves for reference of their collegues. Customizable Formats for different Functions: A customization multi-lingual form has been added in the software to enable a State to collect any kind of information, additionally, by defining the fields, labels, formats etc. Additional services have been added in the form of Pension papers generation, online leaves/ tours/other customization requests, integration with eSalary through web services and AG Office/ NSDL for GPF/CPF (for Himachal State), Online APAR/ACR/Property Returns, availability of dashboards, intelligent system for transfers, generation of pension papers, status of payments. This has added value for both the monitoring officials and employees. Enroll today with the best civils service academy and take your first step towards your Civils journey. Feel free to reach out to us for any inquiries, collaborations, or support. We’re here to help. join now
Manipur’s Zomi people push for BTC-like council
Manipur’s Zomi people push for BTC-like council State’s Zomi ethnic group has renewed its demand for a self-administered zone on the lines of the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) in Assam. Zomi council is an apex body of the Zomi tribes which include Gante, Kom, Mate, Paite, Simte, Tedim Chin, Thangkhal, Zou and Vaiphei. The Zomi Council, representing nine Zomi tribes, said it was banking on the decisive leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Mr. Shah and Manipur Chief Minister Nongthombam Biren Singh for the creation of Zoland Territorial Council (ZTC) under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution. SoO is the abbreviation for the tripartite suspension of operations among the Centre, the Manipur government and 25 extremist groups belonging to the Kuki-Zomi groups. While 17 of these groups formed the Kuki National Organisation (KNO), eight came together as the United People’s Front (UPF). The SoO agreement was first signed by the underground Zomi Revolutionary Army (ZRA) in 2005. The other groups came on board later. The KNO and UPF had demanded the creation of an autonomous hill state within Manipur . The demand evolved into that of a BTC-like territorial council Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) : The Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) is an autonomous district council for the Bodoland Territorial Region in India. It was established in February 2003. The BTC has 40 elected members and an additional six members that are appointed by the Governor of Assam. The area under the BTC jurisdiction is officially called the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR). The region falls within the geographical map of the least developed region in India. The agro-based economy is the only source of livelihood of the people. Industrialisation and other employment opportunities are scant. Enroll today with the best civils service academy and take your first step towards your Civils journey. Feel free to reach out to us for any inquiries, collaborations, or support. We’re here to help. join now
Rainbow Revolution- National agriculture policy
Rainbow Revolution The policy aimed at achieving a growth rate of over 4 per cent per annum by introducing `rainbow revolution’ in the next two decades so that the total GDP growth can be sustained at 6.5 per cent. In July 2000, the Centre Government of India had announced the first-ever national agriculture policy. The various colors of the Rainbow Revolution indicate various farm practices such as Green Revolution (Foodgrains), White Revolution (Milk), Yellow Revolution (Oil seeds), Blue Revolution (Fisheries); Golden Revolution (Fruits); Silver Revolution (Eggs), Round Revolution (Potato), Pink Revolution (Meat), Grey Revolution (Fertilizers) and so on. Thus, the concept of Rainbow revolution is an integrated development of crop cultivation, horticulture, forestry, fishery, poultry, animal husbandry and food processing industry. Agricultural Scenario of Bihar: Bihar is the third largest state in India with respect to population and seventh largest in area. It supports 8.8 per cent of country’s population with only 2.8 per cent of land mass. Agriculture is an important sector since it generates 16 per cent of State GDP but provides employment to 70 per cent of rural working force. Climate of Bihar is favourable for production of various field crops but agriculture of the state seems to be less dependent on behaviour of monsoon and distribution of rainfall. The state has achieved almost sustainability in agricultural production because the food grain production was 162 lakh tonnesin the next year with only annual rainfall of 774 mm with only 34 rainy days. In Bihar, there was severe drought in 1966 when only 866 mm of monsoon rainfall was received and food grain production was declined by 50 per cent of the normal production level. An increase in food grain production in the state in drought years was made possible due to increase in number of private tube wells installed by farmers. However, the State Government also made some cosmetic efforts for maintaining agricultural production. 1. Green Revolution: M S Swaminathan is the founder of Green Revolution. It is one of the major revolutions in the field of agriculture in India which led to both economic and social changes. It generated employment for the people and increased the food grain production .This revolution has enabled people to use HYV variety of seeds .It has also allowed multiple cropping to take place. 2.White Revolution: Varghese Kurien is the founder of White Revolution. It was started by the Indian government for the sustainance of the dairy industry.The aim of this revolution is to make India self-sufficient in milk and other dairy products.It helped in increasing milk production and improving techniques for the same. Which is the best UPSC Test Series Check Now 3.Yellow Revolution: Sam Pitroda is the founder of Yellow Revolution. It is started for the increase in oilseed production. It is the immediate rise in the production of edible oil due to the plantation of hybrid oil seeds like mustard,sesame etc. 4.Blue Revolution: Dr.Arun Krishnan is the founder of this Revolution. It is the step taken to cultivate the rising aquaculture in this modern age.It deals with the rising amount of fisheries and providing as well as maintaining the rightful amount of conditions for the growth and development of this sector of the society. 5.Golden Revolution: Nirpakh Tutej is the founder of this revolution. It mainly deals with the growth and development in honey production and the horticulture sector.This revolution helped the farmers to gain high profits with increase in the changing cropping patterns and construction of large farms. 6.SilverRevolution: Our former Prime minister Indira Gandhi is the founder of this Revolution.This deals with the increase in poultry farming and egg production.It has been able to meet the needs of the citizens successfully. The application of medical science and other technologies has allowed the development of this sector of agriculture. 7.Red Revolution: Vishal Tewari is the founder of this Revolution. It mainly deals with the cultivation and production of tomatoes and meat.This revolution has enabled the farmers to create a new era of cultivation.It is one of the recent types of revolution. 8.Black/Brown Revolution: This revolution speaks about the cultivation and large production of non-conventional sources of energy. Black Revolution deals with the production and world-wide distribution of petroleum and other related products.Brown revolution deals with the leather production.It is an aid for the clothes and textile industries. 9.Round Revolution: This revolution deals with the production of potatoes. It is one of the major parts of the Green Revolution.Due to the advancement in this sector, the whole agricultural sector has found a new boost.This revolution has paved its way to the increase in economic condition of the nation. 10.Grey Revolution: This revolution has brought massive changes in the whole agriculture sector.It deals with the application of fertilizers to the crops for better crop production. Fertilizers have brought a new change in the cultivation of crops. Benefits of Rainbow Revolution: It keeps a check on the needs of the citizens and provide accordingly. It has been an aid for the production of the best products. It make better supply to the consumers. It’s a boon for the Indian agricultural and husbandry sector. It aims at increasing environmental sustainability as well as development of resources. It promotes organic farming to decrease the use of chemicals and fertilizers. It has made practices like rain water harvesting compulsory. It aims at improving soil testing techniques and other agricultural technologies.It promotes soil health schemes. It takes care of the income of the farmers. It keeps a check on annual growth in agricultural sector. It keeps the farmers informed about miscellaneous plans and programs of the government for their growth and development. It ensures proper market facilities for the farmers without any restrictions on the movement of products. It supplies the farmers with adequate number of go-downs and warehouses . It promotes the agricultural exports with the help of good quality of agri-products. It keeps on maintaining nutritional values of the products. Rainbow Revolution aims at interlinking all sectors of agriculture and husbandry for better efficiency
Great Indian Bustard
Great Indian Bustard Great Indian bustard, (Ardeotis nigriceps), large bird of the bustard family (Otididae), one of the heaviest flying birds in the world. The great Indian bustard inhabits dry grasslands and scrublands on the Indian subcontinent; its largest populations are found in the Indian state of Rajasthan. Conservation Status: In 1994 great Indian bustards were listed as an endangered species on the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species. By 2011, however, the population decline was so severe that the IUCN reclassified the species as critically endangered. An estimated 50 to 250 mature birds remain. The largest concentration of great Indian bustards, perhaps 175 birds, occurs in the state of Rajasthan. Habitat loss and degradation appear to be the primary causes of decline. Ecologists have estimated that approximately 90 percent of the species’s natural geographic range, which once spanned the majority of northwestern and west-central India, has been lost, fragmented by road-building and mining activities and transformed by irrigation and mechanized farming. Many croplands that once produced sorghum and millet seeds, on which the great Indian bustard thrived, have become fields of sugarcane and cotton or grape orchards. Hunting and poaching have also contributed to the decrease in population. These activities, combined with the species’s low fecundity and the pressure of natural predators, have left the great Indian bustard in a precarious position. In 2012 the Indian government launched Project Bustard, a national conservation program to protect the great Indian bustard, along with the Bengal florican (Houbaropsis bengalensis), the lesser florican (Sypheotides indicus), and their habitats from further declines. The program was modeled after Project Tiger, a massive national effort initiated in the early 1970s to protect the tigers of India and their habitat. Project Great Indian Bustard: Ojective of conservation of the remaining population of critically endangered Great Indian Bustard Ardeotis nigriceps, locally called Godawan, an ambitious conservation program namely, Project Great Indian Bustard Probably more vulnerable to extinction than even tiger, Great Indian Bustard, although it was brought under the umbrella of Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, it did not gain attention and remained BPL (Below Protection Line); the Project Bustard can be seen as a dawn of a new era for the conservation of neglected species like Great Indian Bustard which is also the state bird of Rajasthan. The rapid decline in its population across its distribution has already alarmed wildlife experts, ornithologists and bird lovers across the world. The main reasons cited for its decline are habitat loss due to conversion of grasslands to other purposes, anthropogenic and related biotic disturbances during its breeding season and frequent poaching of the species as game bird. A grassland species, Great Indian Bustard, is often considered as indicators of the health of our grasslands or pulse of grassland ecosystem which are unfortunately remained neglected and being considered as wastelands. These grasslands actually play an important role in the economy of the local communities as they support their livestock in terms of grazing. Roughly 15-20 percent of the livestock population of the world resides in India and one can imagine the dependence of them on the grasslands. So there is direct dependence of a major part of human population on these dwindling grasslands of India. Once more than 1000 individuals few decades back, bustard population shrunk to 745 in the year 1978, 600 in 2001, 300 in 2008 and not more than 125 in the current year, 2013. Being custodian of more than 50 percent population of bustard across the world, the desert state of Rajasthan does not want to be a mere spectator of the total extermination of the species across the globe, took up the responsibility for the conservation of this species and its habitat for our future generations by becoming a first state in launching the Project Bustard, initially in the DNP Sanctuary, located in Jaisalmer district of Rajasthan. Way Forward: Intensive Patrolling by the field staff Developing intelligence network in the area. Making of check posts and barriers at strategic locations Creation of a flying squad headed by not below the rank of a range officer. Strengthening of existing Wireless Network Habitat protection through creation of some inviolate areas for the bird by making some closures of appropriate size and restricting anthropogenic pressures Habitat enrichment through planting grasses like Lasiurus sindicus(sewan grass)and providing water facilities like water gazellers. Incentives to farmers and local people for giving information and protection of the species. Involving local people in the eco-development and eco-tourism activities. Generating mass awareness and sensitization among the masses. Continuous monitoring of the species and habitat Enroll today with the best civils service academy and take your first step towards your Civils journey. Feel free to reach out to us for any inquiries, collaborations, or support. We’re here to help. join now
NIRVIK scheme to provide high insurance cover for exporters
NIRVIK scheme to provide high insurance cover for exporters Export Credit Guarantee Corporation of India (ECGC) has introduced ‘NIRVIK’ scheme to ease the lending process and enhance loan availability for exporters. Under the new ‘NIRVIK’ scheme, which is also called the Export Credit Insurance Scheme (ECIS), the insurance cover guaranteed will cover up to 90 percent of the principal and interest. The insurance cover will include both pre and post-shipment credit. The Export Credit Guarantee Corporation of India (ECGC) currently provides credit guarantee of up to 60 percent loss. Objective: The main aim behind introducing the scheme was to enhance the accessibility and affordability of credit for exporters. Its objective was to promote exports from the country by providing credit risk insurance and related services for exports. Benefits of NIRVIK Scheme The decision will help make Indian exports competitive and make ECGC procedures exporter friendly, benefiting MSME exporters with a new scheme for reimbursing taxes, reduced insurance cost and ease of doing business. The insurance cover is expected to bring down the cost of credit due to capital relief, less provision requirement and liquidity due to quick settlement of claims and will ensure timely and adequate working capital to the export sector. Ministry of Commerce was already running a scheme “Export Credit Insurance Scheme” to provide credit risk insurance through ECGC Ltd at cheaper premium. Under this scheme it was covering a loss of 60% of Principal and Interest. But in the newly launched scheme “NIRVIK” this coverage has been increased to 90% of the Principal and Interest. So, if the exporter took Rs. 100 cr loan and he is not able to receive payment because of any aforementioned reasons. then ECGC will pay 90 crore and exporter will have to pay Rs. 10 crore. It was also proposed to subsidise the premium under the Scheme that has to be paid by exporters of certain key sectors. ECGC: The Export Credit Guarantee Corporation of India (ECGC) is a fully government-owned company that was established in 1957 to promote exports by providing credit insurance services. The ECGC provides Export Credit Insurance to Banks (ECIB) to protect the banks from losses on account of export credit at the Pre and Post-Shipment stage given to exporters due to the risks of insolvency or protracted default of the exporter borrower. ECGC Ltd is wholly owned by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. After the introduction of insurance covers to banks during the period 1962-64, the name was changed to Export Credit & Guarantee Corporation Ltd in 1964. It was changed to ECGC Ltd in August 2014. Enroll today with the best civils service academy and take your first step towards your Civils journey. Feel free to reach out to us for any inquiries, collaborations, or support. We’re here to help. join now
