All Important Government Schemes 2024-25 (Part-8)
Sickle Cell Anemia Eradication Mission
Announcement: Budget 2023-24
Objective:
- Eliminate sickle cell anemia by 2047 through early detection, prevention, and treatment.
Features:
- Universal screening of 7 crore people up to 40 years of age in tribal areas for early identification of sickle cell anemia.
Challenges:
- Awareness and Diagnosis: Limited awareness and healthcare infrastructure in tribal areas may hinder timely diagnosis.
- Accessibility to Treatment: Ensuring access to effective treatment in remote regions remains a significant challenge.
Conclusion:
The Sickle Cell Anemia Eradication Mission aims to eliminate sickle cell anemia by providing early screening and treatment. Addressing awareness and accessibility issues will be crucial in achieving the mission’s target by 2047.
Agriculture Accelerator Fund
Announcement: Budget 2023-24
Provision:
- Funding support for the establishment of agriculture startups in rural areas.
- Promotion of new technologies in the agriculture sector to improve productivity and innovation.
Challenges:
- Access to Funding: Ensuring that startups, especially those in rural areas, have easy access to the fund can be challenging.
- Adoption of Technology: Limited awareness and resistance to new technologies among farmers may hinder effective utilization of innovations.
Conclusion:
The Agriculture Accelerator Fund aims to boost agricultural innovation and entrepreneurship. Ensuring streamlined access to funding and promoting the adoption of new technologies among farmers will be key to achieving the desired impact.
Unity Mall Scheme
Announcement: Budget 2023-24
Objective:
- Establish a Unity Mall to promote and sell handicraft products, GI products, and items under the One District One Product initiative.
Features:
- Unity Malls will be established in the state capital, prominent tourist centers, or financial capitals of the states.
Challenges:
- Market Competition: Competing with large-scale retail chains may affect the success of Unity Malls.
- Supply Chain: Ensuring a consistent supply of products and managing logistics effectively is critical to meeting consumer demand.
Conclusion:
The Unity Mall Scheme aims to promote local handicrafts and district-specific products through a dedicated retail space. Addressing competition from large retailers and ensuring a smooth supply chain will be essential for the scheme’s success.
Aspirational Block Program (ABP Program)
Announcement: Budget 2022-23
Objective:
- Similar to the Aspirational District Program, the ABP focuses on the overall development of 500 blocks across the country.
Challenges:
- Resource Allocation: Ensuring sufficient resources to support the development of all 500 blocks can be challenging.
- Monitoring Progress: Regular monitoring and evaluation of the development activities in these blocks require an effective governance mechanism.
Conclusion:
The Aspirational Block Program aims to bring focused development to 500 blocks. Ensuring adequate resource allocation and efficient monitoring will help achieve holistic progress in these areas.
Krishi Udan Yojana
Announcement: 2020
Objective:
- Enhance the value of agricultural products by improving the transport of perishable goods, with a particular focus on the North East and tribal districts.
Administering Ministry: Ministry of Civil Aviation
Provision:
- 53 airports selected for participation in the scheme.
- Transport of agricultural produce via national and international routes.
Kisan Rail:
- Operated by the Ministry of Railways and serves a similar purpose to the Krishi Udan Yojana.
- Faster transportation of agricultural products through Kisan Rail.
- First Kisan Rail: From Devtali (Maharashtra) to Danapur (Bihar).
- Total 1,586 Kisan Rails are currently operational.
Challenges:
- Logistics and Connectivity: Ensuring efficient connectivity between airports, railheads, and farms can be challenging.
- Cold Storage Facilities: Adequate cold storage facilities are needed to maintain the quality of perishable goods during transit.
Conclusion:
Krishi Udan Yojana and Kisan Rail aim to improve the transportation of perishable agricultural goods, enhancing value realization for farmers. Addressing logistical challenges and ensuring adequate storage facilities are key to the success of these initiatives.
National Nutrition Mission (NNM)
Launch Date: March 8, 2018
Launch Location: Jhunjhunu, Rajasthan
Administering Ministry: Ministry of Women and Child Development
Aim:
- Improve Nutritional Levels among children (below 6 years), pregnant women, and breastfeeding mothers.
Goals:
- Reduce Child Stunting: 2% annually.
- Reduce Poor Nutrition: 2% annually.
- Reduce Child Wasting: 2% annually.
- Reduce Anemia: 3% annually.
National Nutrition Month:
- The month of September is celebrated annually as National Nutrition Month.
Poshan 2.0:
- Integrated Nutrition Support Programme includes:
- Anganwadi Seva Yojana.
- Scheme for Adolescent Girls (aged 14 to 18 years).
The National Nutrition Mission aims to improve the nutritional status of vulnerable populations, particularly children, pregnant women, and lactating mothers. The program focuses on reducing malnutrition and anaemia through integrated support initiatives like Poshan 2.0.
Pradhan Mantri Surya Ghar – Muft Bijli Yojana
Overview
- Launch Date: 15 February 2024
- Approval Date: 29 February 2024
- Target: To provide 300 units of electricity per month to one crore consumers
- Budget: Rs. 75,000 crores
Key Features
- Subsidy for Solar Plant Installation: Subsidies are provided based on the capacity of the solar plant, aimed at reducing the installation cost for consumers.
- 3+ kW Plant: Subsidy of Rs. 78,000 for consumption exceeding 300 units.
- 2-3 kW Plant: Subsidy ranging from Rs. 60,000 to Rs. 78,000 for consumption between 150-300 units.
- 1-2 kW Plant: Subsidy ranging from Rs. 30,000 to Rs. 60,000 for consumption up to 150 units.
Special Initiatives
- Model Solar Village: Aims to select one village from each district to become a model for solar energy usage.
- Grant: Each selected model solar village is allocated a grant of Rs. 1 crore.
- Population Criteria: Focus on villages with a population of 5,000, and 2,000 in special states.
This scheme is designed to enhance energy independence by promoting the use of solar energy across India, targeting significant consumer benefits through subsidized rates and boosting solar infrastructure development at the community level.
Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY)
Launch Date: May 9, 2015
Scheme Type: One-year Life Insurance Plan
Beneficiaries: Individuals aged 18 to 50 years.
Insurance Coverage:
- In case of death of the policyholder, dependents are entitled to receive Rs. 2 lakh.
Administering Ministry: Ministry of Finance
Contribution: Annual Premium: Rs. 436 per year.
Insured Amount: Rs. 2 lakh.
Insurance Period: One year coverage from June 1 to May 31, renewable annually.
Claim Conditions:
- Claimable in case of normal death, accidental death, or death due to COVID-19.
Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana provides affordable life insurance coverage to individuals between 18 and 50 years, offering financial security to families in case of the policyholder’s death. The scheme is renewable annually to ensure continuous coverage.
Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban) – Housing for All
Launch Date: June 25, 2015
Objective: Provide housing for all in urban areas by 2022 (extended until 2024).
Features: Approval for 1.25 crore houses, with 86 lakh houses already completed.
Beneficiary Criteria:
- Beneficiary must not own a house or pucca house anywhere in India.
- Income Categories:
- EWS (Economically Weaker Section): Income 0 to 3 lakh.
- Low Income Group (LIG): Income 3 to 6 lakh.
- Middle Income Group (MIG): Income 6 to 9 lakh.
Financial Assistance: Up to Rs. 1.5 lakh provided for house construction.
Housing Scheme Phase-II: 1 crore new houses planned for construction.
Four Components:
- BLC: Beneficiary Led Individual Housing Construction.
- AHP: Affordable Housing in Partnership (Assistance of Rs. 1.5 lakh).
- ARH: Affordable Rental Housing.
- ISS: Interest Subsidy Scheme (Central Sector).
Challenges:
- Land Acquisition Issues: Availability of affordable land in urban areas is a significant challenge.
- Funding Constraints: Delays in funding and disbursement can slow down the progress of housing construction.
- Administrative Delays: Bureaucratic and regulatory hurdles often delay project approvals and implementation.
Conclusion:
Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban) is a major initiative to provide affordable housing to urban residents and promote social equality. Addressing challenges like funding, land acquisition, and administrative delays is essential to achieve the mission’s goal of “Housing for All.”
Nano Fertilizers
Approval: 2021
Launch Date: April 2023
Overview:
- World’s First Nano DAP (Liquid): The initiative provides nano fertilizers to replace traditional fertilizers, specifically Nano Urea branded as Urea Gold.
- First Nano Urea Plant: Set up in Kalol, Gujarat, by IFFCO to supply nutrients like nitrogen in a more efficient form to crops.
Challenges:
- Farmer Awareness: Many farmers are not aware of the benefits of nano fertilizers, limiting adoption.
- Distribution Issues: Limited production facilities lead to a shortage in nano fertilizers for large-scale usage.
Conclusion:
Nano fertilizers offer an environmentally friendly and efficient solution for crop nutrition. Addressing awareness and distribution challenges will help boost the overall acceptance and benefits of this technology.
Tag:Agriculture Accelerator Fund, Aspirational Block Program (ABP Program), Krishi Udan Yojana, Nano Fertilizers, National Nutrition Mission (NNM), Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban) - Housing for All, Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY), Pradhan Mantri Surya Ghar - Muft Bijli Yojana, RAS 2024, RAS MAINS, Sickle Cell Anemia Eradication Mission, Unity Mall Scheme, UPSC 2025