All Important Government Schemes 2024-25 (Part-3)

Make in India Programme

Launch Date:

• September 25, 2014

Focus Sectors:

• Initially targeted 25 sectors; now expanded to 27 sectors in Make in India 2.0.

Objective:

• Transform India into a global design and manufacturing hub.

Targets:

1. Establish India as a manufacturing hub.
2. Create 10 crore jobs in the manufacturing sector by 2022.
3. Increase the manufacturing sector’s share in GDP to 25% from 16% by 2022.
4. Establish the Indian manufacturing sector as a global brand.
5. Ensure the sustainability of development, with a focus on environmental protection.

Challenges:

• Complex Regulations: Difficulty in navigating bureaucratic processes and regulatory hurdles affects ease of doing business.
• Infrastructure Gaps: Lack of reliable infrastructure is a major constraint to achieving manufacturing targets.
• Skilled Workforce Shortage: Insufficient availability of skilled labor hampers growth in manufacturing sectors.

Conclusion:

The Make in India initiative aims to boost the manufacturing sector, generate employment, and strengthen the economy. Addressing challenges related to bureaucracy, infrastructure, and skill gaps is critical to realizing India’s potential as a global manufacturing hub.

Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana – Gramin (PMAY-G)

Launch Date:   November 20, 2016 (from Agra, Uttar Pradesh)

Revamped Scheme:

• Modified version of Indira Awas Yojana (revamped on April 1, 2016) to provide greater benefits and broader coverage.

Ministry Involved: Ministry of Rural Development

Main Objective:

• Achieve “Housing for All” by 2024 by constructing 2.95 crore affordable houses for economically weaker sections, with a focus on rural areas.

Eligible Beneficiaries:

• Selected based on the Socio-Economic Census 2011.
• Targeted groups include:
  • Scheduled Tribes (ST)
  • Scheduled Castes (SC)
  • Free bonded laborers
  • Widows
  • Kin of martyrs
  • Persons with disabilities (Divyang)
  • Minority communities

Funding and Cost Sharing:

• Cost Sharing:
  • Centre and State Ratio: 60:40 for plain areas, 90:10 for hilly areas.
• Financial Assistance:
  • Rs. 1.20 lakh for house construction in plain areas.
  • Rs. 1.30 lakh for hilly regions.
  • Rs. 12,000 for toilet construction.
  • Rs. 19,800 as remuneration under MNREGA for 90 days of labor.

Achievements and Challenges:

• Achievements:
  • In Rajasthan, 16 lakh houses have been completed out of 17 lakh eligible families.
  • The standard area for each house is 25 square meters.
  • Phase II: Constructed 2 crore additional houses under the scheme.
• Challenges:
  • Construction Delays: Delays in completing houses remain a significant issue.
  • Beneficiary Identification: Difficulties in accurately identifying eligible beneficiaries affect the progress toward achieving the “Housing for All” target by 2024.

Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY)

Launch Date:

• July 1, 2015

Tagline:

• Per Drop More Crop (Har Khet Ko Pani)

Funding Structure:

• Centre to State Share: 60:40
• Hilly States: 90:10

Aim:

1. More Crop Per Drop: Promote micro-irrigation and other water-saving technologies for optimal water use.
2. Improve Water Usage Efficiency: Enhance efficient use of available water resources.
3. Enhance Aquifer Recharge: Boost the recharge of aquifers to ensure long-term water sustainability.
4. Convergence of Investments: Achieve convergence of investments in irrigation infrastructure at the regional level.

Involved Ministries:

1. Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare
2. Ministry of Rural Development
3. Ministry of Jal Shakti

Features:

• The scheme is a combination of three existing schemes to create an integrated irrigation initiative:
  • Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme (AIBP)
  • On Farm Water Management (OFWM)
  • Integrated Watershed Management Programme (IWMP)

The Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana aims to provide efficient irrigation, enhance water conservation, and ensure optimal water usage in agriculture to achieve sustainable productivity and promote water efficiency.

Soil Health Card Scheme

Launch Date: February 19, 2015

Tagline: “Swasth Dhara Khet Hara” (Healthy Soil, Green Fields)

Launch Location: Suratgarh, Ganganagar (Rajasthan)

Administering Ministry: Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare

Aim:

1. Issue Soil Health Cards (SHC): Provide soil health cards to all farmers every two years to ensure balanced use of fertilizers and address nutrient deficiencies.
2. Investigate Soil Fertility: Identify and solve soil fertility issues to maintain soil health.

Features:

1. Card Distribution: Over 24 crore Soil Health Cards have been issued.
2. Soil Testing Standards: Soil is tested based on 12 parameters, including NPK (macro-nutrients).
3. Achievements in Rajasthan: Rajasthan successfully achieved 100% target under the scheme.

Recent Changes:

• Merged in 2023: In 2023, the scheme was merged into the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) under the new name Soil Health and Fertility.

The Soil Health Card Scheme plays a crucial role in improving soil fertility by guiding farmers on optimal nutrient usage, thus ensuring sustainable agricultural productivity. Its merger with RKVY aims to further strengthen soil health management and fertility practices across the country.

Ayushman Bharat Digital Health Mission

Launch Date: September 27, 2021

Objective:

• Make health services digital across the country for greater accessibility, transparency, and efficiency.

Duration: 5 years

Type: Central Sector Scheme

Implementing Agency: National Health Authority (NHA)

Features:

1. ABHA ID: Creation of a 14-digit Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA) ID for citizens.
2. UHI: Establishment of a Unified Health Interface (UHI) for seamless integration of digital health services.
3. 100 Microsite Project: Implementing the mission in 100 sites to evaluate effectiveness.

Challenges:

• Data Privacy Concerns: Digitalizing health data raises concerns about privacy and data protection.
• Digital Divide: Limited access to digital devices and internet services in rural areas can hinder the reach of this mission.

Conclusion:

The Ayushman Bharat Digital Health Mission aims to create a robust digital health infrastructure. Addressing privacy concerns and bridging the digital divide are essential to the mission’s success.

STARS Scheme (Strengthening Teaching-Learning and Results for States)

Announcement: October 16, 2020

Launch Date: February 23, 2021

Objective:

• Improve the quality of education in the Indian school system.

Collaboration:

• The scheme is implemented in collaboration with the World Bank.

Target States:

• Implemented in six states: Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Kerala, and Odisha.

Challenges:

• Teacher Training: Lack of proper training for teachers in implementing new teaching methodologies.
• Resource Allocation: Effective allocation of resources in targeted states is challenging.

Conclusion:

The STARS Scheme aims to enhance the quality of education in India by focusing on systemic improvements in school education. Overcoming challenges related to teacher training and resource allocation will determine the scheme’s overall success.

PM-WANI Scheme (Prime Minister’s Wi-Fi Access Network Interface)

Launch Date: December 9, 2020

Objective:

• Establish Wi-Fi data centers across the country to provide internet access to all citizens through Wi-Fi hotspots.

Provisions:

• One crore data centers are to be opened, providing affordable internet across the country.

Challenges:

• Infrastructure: Setting up Wi-Fi centers in remote and rural areas can be a challenge due to limited infrastructure.
• Data Security: Ensuring secure data usage and preventing misuse of public Wi-Fi is a concern.

Conclusion:

The PM-WANI scheme aims to enhance internet accessibility across India. Expanding infrastructure and ensuring data security will be vital for its success.

NIPUN Bharat Scheme (National Initiative for Proficiency in Reading with Understanding and Numeracy)

Administering Ministry: Ministry of Education

Objective:

1. Address the learning needs of children between the ages of 3 to 9 years.
2. Facilitate the implementation of NEP 2020.
3. Achieve proficiency in reading, writing, and numeracy for all children by Grade 3 by 2026-27.

Challenges:

• Implementation at Grassroots Level: Reaching out to children across various regions, especially in rural areas, to meet educational standards is a challenge.
• Teacher Training: Proper training of teachers to implement the NEP’s goals effectively is required.

Conclusion:

NIPUN Bharat aims to develop foundational literacy and numeracy skills among young children, as envisioned by the NEP 2020. Adequate teacher training and effective implementation are critical to achieving the scheme’s objectives.

RAMP Scheme (Raising and Accelerating MSME Performance)

Announcement: Budget 2022-23 (Launched on June 30, 2022)

Objective:

1. Improve market access and loan availability for MSMEs.
2. Resolve issues related to delayed payments and promote environmentally friendly products.

Type:

• Central Sector Scheme with support from the World Bank.

Budget: Rs. 6,000 crore

Recommendations:

• The scheme was implemented based on recommendations from the K.V. Kamath and U.K. Sinha Committee.

Challenges:

• Financial Literacy: Many MSMEs face difficulties in accessing formal financial services due to limited knowledge.
• Delayed Payments: MSMEs often face cash flow issues due to delayed payments from large corporations.

Conclusion:

The RAMP Scheme aims to enhance MSME performance through improved access to markets and financial services. Addressing financial literacy and reducing payment delays are essential to enhancing MSMEs’ contribution to the economy.