yearly government policies and schemes magazine 2017 · yearly government policies and schemes...

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Yearly Government Policies and

Schemes Magazine 2017

Governmentadda.com

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January 2017

Limits on age and attempts for NEET

o The Central government has decided to introduce an age limit for medical

aspirants taking the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET).

o The age limit for those aiming at 15% all-India quota seats has been set to

25 years whereas those from reserved categories will be able to take the

test till they turn 30 years old.

o But the number of attempts for each candidate will the three only.

Commerce Ministry launches online tool

o The Commerce Ministry launched an online system for rubber growers

which would help them in reducing the cost of production and enhancing

productivity.

o Rubber Soil Information System (RubSIS) is an online system for

recommending application of appropriate mix of fertilizers depending

upon their soil nature.

Programme of 5 non-communicable diseases

o The Union Health Ministry will roll out a massive screening and control

programme next month of 5 common non-communicable diseases, which

account for over 60% of all mortality in India.

o In the 1st phase, the population based screening component will be rolled

out in 100 districts in 32 states & UTs with about 1000 sub-centres.


Governmentadda.com | January 2017 3

o The 5 NCDS include hypertension, diabetes & cancers

Aadhaar Mandatory for MGNREGA Work

o From April 1, people living in rural areas need to have Aadhaar under

Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act.

o People will be required to give proof of possession of Aadhaar or undergo

the enrolment process till March 31, 2017.

o The govt has invoked Section 7 of the Aadhaar (Targeted Delivery of

Financial and other Subsidies, Benefits and Services) Act 2016 for the

purpose.

Govt Launched 'Bunkar Mitra' Helpline

o Textile Minister Smriti Irani has launched a Bunkar Mitra-Handloom

Helpline Centre where professional queries of weavers will be answered by

the experts in the field.

o This helpline can be accessed by dialing the toll free number 1800-208-

9988.

o Initially it will provide information in 7 languages.

o These are Hindi, English, Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, Bengali and Assamese.

Disabled may get 5% quota in colleges

o The govt will finalise the rules regarding the recently passed Disabilities

Bill by Apr 14 which will allow disabled persons to avail 5% reservation in

higher education institutions & 3-4% in govt jobs.

o According to the bill specially abled persons with benchmark disability

between 6-18 years will get free education.

o Under the Act, the government has increased the types of disabilities from

7 to 21.

Union Budget may be advanced by a month

o The Cabinet Committee on Parliamentary Affairs recommended holding of

the Budget Session from 31 Jan when the govt is likely to table the

Economy Survey followed by the Union Budget on 1 Feb.


Governmentadda.com | February 2017 4

o The first part of the Budget Session will run till 9 Feb.

o The Budget Session is being advanced as the government wants early

allocation of funds for various schemes- from 1 April.

February 2017

Kerala to launch sex offenders registry

o The Kerala government will launch a registry of sex offenders, the first of

its kind in the country.

o The registry will contain all identification details of sex offenders and

would be kept in public domain.

o The announcements come days after an actress was abducted and sexually

assaulted in a moving car while returning from a shooting site in Kochi.

“Namami Brahmapurta” program

o Taking a cue from Namami Devi Narmade programme of Madhya Pradesh

government, Assam will now launch ‗Namami Brahmapurta‘ campaign in

the north-eastern state from March 31 to April 4.

o The campaign will be launched across 21 districts along the Brahmaputra

in its entire stretch from Sadiya to Dhubri.

Tribal Youth Exchange Programme

o Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports on Feb 23 inaugurated the

9th Tribal Youth Exchange Programme in Delhi.

o In Programme youth from tribal belts of Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh will

get to visit various places in the capital and know more about the culture

and life style.

o Youth will explore the walled city and get to know more about the rich

history and heritage of Delhi.


Governmentadda.com | February 2017 5

Dwarka Darshan Circuit

o Ministry of Urban Development today approved development of 6 km long

Bet Dwarka Darshan Circuit in Gujarat at a cost of Rs.16.27 cr under the

Central Scheme Heritage City Development and Augmentation Yojana.

o Under HRIDAY launched on January 21, 2015, heritage related

infrastructure development is being taken up in 12 identified cities

including Dwarka-Bet Dwarka.

3 year cloud seeding experiment

o Maharashtra government has started a 3-year cloud seeding experiment.

o Weather scientists will fly airplanes loaded with silver iodide over clouds

hovering above Solapur, Maharashtra.

o The ₹250-crore programme, coordinated by the Indian Institute of

Tropical Meteorology, will be the first controlled experiment to quantify

the extent to which clouds form water drops large enough to make rain.

Middle income group scheme

o SC has made it easier for the people of middle and lower income groups to

approach it to avail legal aid.

o The Middle Income Group Scheme, introduced by SC is self-supporting

o and people whose gross income does not exceed Rs 60,000 pm or Rs

7,50,000 per annum can now avail its services.

o A sum of Rs 500 shall be payable to the SC & a stipulated fee as per the

schedule attached to the scheme.

Pandit Deendayal Krishi Shiksha Scheme

o Agriculture and Farmers Welfare minister, Radha Mohan Singh said that

all courses up to Agricultural Graduate are being linked with employment.

o This will be a big help for the students in earning their livelihood.

o Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Unnat Krishi Shiksha Scheme launched in

the year 2016 to promote agricultural education under which 100 centres

is being opened with a fund of 5.35 crore.


Governmentadda.com | March 2017 6

Inauguration of Indian Seed Congress.

o Shri Radha Mohan Singh inaugurates Indian Seed Congress – 2017 in

Kolkata

o The theme of Seed Congress is – ‗Seed of Joy‘

o Agriculture Minister placed emphasis on 7 points programmes laid down

by Hon‗ble Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi to make the income of the

farmers double.

Gujarat to issue I-cards to skinners

o The Gujarat government is all set to issue identity cards to dalits involved

in business of cow-skinning.

o The I-cards will be issued by talatis at village level as well as the social

welfare department.

o ID card is aimed at preventing anti-social elements from harassing and

targeting dalits involved in animal skinning.

Wilson remedy available in India again

o Months after a reported shortage of the life-saving D-Penicillamine

medicine to treat Wilson‗s disease, the drug is now available in the

Country.

o Wilson‗s disease is a rare and potentially fatal genetic disorder that causes

excessive accumulation of copper in vital organs, it could even cause liver

failure if left untreated, leaving the patient in need of a transplant.

March 2017

10 percent import duty on wheat

o Since Dec 8, there was ―zero percent import duty‘ on wheat and big

corporate houses imported huge amount of wheat from Australia, Ukraine

and other countries.



o Ahead of wheat harvesting season and expected bumper crop, the central

govt has imposed a 10% import duty on wheat after a gap of nearly four

months.

o Farmers said reinstatement of a 10% import duty, against their

expectations of 25%.

Aadhaar mandatory for mobile connection

o The Department of Telecom (DoT) has sent a notice to all telecom

operators that all mobile phone subscribers -prepaid and postpaid — will

have to be verified using e-KYC.

o The Telecom department has directed mobile service providers to finish

the e-KYC re-verification of existing subscribers by February 6, 2018.

o The telecom operators will have to re-verify its existing users through

Aadhaar.

Construction of 1cr tonne capacity silos

o The Centre has approved construction of one crore tonne capacity silos for

storage of food grains by the end of year 2019-20.

o These silos will be constructed by Food Corporation of India (FCI) as well

as State Governments in Public Private Partnership mode in a phased

manner.

o A silo is a structure for storing bulk materials.

o Silos are used in agriculture to store grain.

SWADHAR GREH SCHEME

o Swadhar Greh Scheme targets the women victims of unfortunate

circumstances who are in need of institutional support for rehabilitation

so that they could lead their life with dignity.

o The Scheme envisages providing shelter, food, clothing and health as well

as economic and social security for the women victims of difficult

circumstances.

o The implementing agencies are mainly NGOs.



VAHAN and SARATHI to Curb Corruption

o The Provisions regarding issue of learner‘s licence and driving licence are

contained in Chapter II of Motor Vehicles Act, 1988(MV Act) and Chapter

II of Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989(CMVRs).

o The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has introduced online

based citizen centric application VAHAN 4.0 and SARATHI 4.0 under

digitization to ease out the processes and curb corruption.

Science Cities Set Up by Min. of Culture

o The following Science Cities have been set up by Ministry of Culture

through National Council of Science Museums (NCSM), an Autonomous.

o Organisation under the Ministry of Culture- (i) Science City, Kolkata (ii)

Regional Science City, Lucknow

o The Science Cities Scheme provides for setting up of Science Cities in all

the states of the country subject to availability of funds for this purpose.

Mahila Coir Yojana

o The Coir Board is implementing Mahila Coir Yojana (MCY) exclusively for

empowering women in the country by giving training and distribution of

coir processing equipment‘s.

o This is a 100% women oriented programme intended to provide self-

employment to the rural women artisans in coir producing regions.

o The training under MCY are conducted through all training centres of the

Board.

Aadhaar mandatory for crop insurance

o The Maharashtra govt has made Aadhaar mandatory to farmers for

availing crop insurance schemes from the next Kharif season.

o State Agriculture Dept. said farmers will now have to link bank account

with the Aadhaar number before June this year to avail crop insurance

schemes.


Governmentadda.com | April 2017 9

o It added that the scheme is applicable to food grain and horticulture

sectors.

USTTAD Scheme

o It was launched by Min. of Minority Affairs in Varanasi, UP in order to

improve degrading conditions of Banaras Saree weavers who belong to

minority communities.

o The Scheme aims at upgrading Skills and Training of minority

communities by preservation of traditional ancestral Arts and Crafts.

o It is fully funded by Union Govt and Min. of Minority Affairs is nodal

agency in implementing it.

Vikalp Scheme

o Named 'Vikalp' or alternative, the scheme aims to utilise vacant berths in

many premier trains including Rajdhani, Shatabdi, Duronto etc. in all

major routes.

o On April 1, the Indian Railways is launching a new scheme under which

passengers put on waiting lists can get confirmed berths in the next

alternative train.

o Passengers will not be charged anything extra for the difference of fare.

April 2017

Rs. 2 lakh aid for widow remarriage

o Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has announced a

slew of measures for women in the State, including a financial assistance

of Rs. 2 lakh for remarriage of widows.

o Speaking at his monthly radio broadcast ‗Dil Se‘ Mr. Chouhan appealed to

people to come forward to encourage remarriage of widows.

o It will help in eradicating social evils like dowry and child marriages.



Govt to set up mini food parks

o The government will be setting up, mini food parks to raise the processing

level.

o Minister of Food Processing, said all 42 sanctioned mega food parks will

be operational by 2019.

o This will be done under the new ₹6,000 crore SAMPADA

scheme approved by the government recently, she added.

Maharashtra launched 'MahaLabharthi„

o Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis launched ‗MahaLabharthi‗ web

portal that will help people get information about all the government

schemes that they are eligible for.

o The portal will allow people to apply for the welfare schemes.

o The government launched a new policy for HIV under which anyone who

is tested and found positive will get the necessary treatment.

o As per this new policy, anyone who is tested and found positive will get the

necessary treatment free of cost.

o The scheme will be a centrally sponsored scheme where all who have been

diagnosed positively can benefit under this new policy.

Schemes to facilitate access to justice

o Union Minister of Law and Justice Ravi Shankar Prasad inaugurated 3

welfare initiatives that would facilitate access to justice for the poor.

o Prasad launched the schemes, namely, ‗Pro-bono (in public interest) legal

services‘, ‗Tele-law service‘ and ‗Nyaya Mitra‘.

o The web portal, https://www.mahalabharthi.in, works on the basis of

personal, educational and professional information provided by a person

while registering on it

Govt launches Test &Treat policy for HIV

http://www.mahalabharthi.in/



o Its aim is to connect those in need of legal aid with lawyers through use of

technology.

Modi govt puts an end to red beacon

o The Union Cabinet has decided to do away with red beacons atop officials

cars.

o It has been announced that only Chief Justice of India would be allowed to

use it.

o The decision comes into effect from May 1, 2017.

o The ban applies to the PM, all ministers, bureaucrats and judges of the

High Court and Supreme Court.

'Ammaku Vandanam' scheme

o A unique programme to pay tribute to mothers will be introduced in the

government-run schools in Andhra Pradesh from this year.

schools across the state.

SAMPADA mission

o In a bid to achieve the vision of the proposed National Food Processing

Policy govt will soon launch a revamped National Mission on Food

Processing

o The revamped mission will be called SAMPADA - or the Scheme for Agro-

Marine Produce Processing and Development of Agro-Processing Clusters.

o It will complete the on-going Mega Food Parks and take up more cold

chain projects.

Universities to be declared national uni

o HRD ministry will soon decide on registration of 20 universities of

national importance which are aspired to be world class.

o Under 'Ammaku Vandanam' -- mother worship -- the school children will

take the blessings of their mothers and may also do 'paada pooja' (washing

her feet).

o The government also decided to implement the programme in 5,000 high



o here will be 10 government and 10 private universities in the list.

o The HRD Minister also assured students that India is getting better

research experiment labs which will encourage them to stay in the country.

Deendayal Rasoi Yojna launched in MP

o Madhya Pradesh is all set to join the league of those states which have

launched populist subsidised meal scheme for poor with the opening of

canteens that provides wholesome food at Rs 5.

o The scheme was launched in 49 districts.

o This scheme is named after the BJP ideologue Deendayal Upadhya.

12% free power for states

o As much as 12% of electricity generated in a power project is given to the

host state free of cost and the government has no plan to change the rules.

o The Government introduced two Bills related to the move for setting up of

a new National Commission for Socially and Educationally Backward

Classes (NSEBC).

o It will replace the two-decade old National Commission for Backward

Classes.

o While the first Bill will ensure setting up of the new commission, the

second Bill seeks to repeal the National Commission for Backward Classes

Act, 1993.

Change in e-visa policy

o The window for application under e-visa scheme has been increased from

30 days to 120 days.

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o When a power plant is set up in a state, the state government provides

land and other logistics to facilitate its successful installation.

o Host state of a power plant will continue to get 12 per cent free power.

Govt. introduces two bills for new NSEBC



o Duration of stay on e-visa increased from 30 days to 60 days with double

entry on tourist and business e-visas and triple entry on medical e-visa,

o With the double-entry benefits, tourists can visit neighbouring countries

like Bhutan and can return to India within the stipulated time.

National Board of Electric Mobility

o The Centre notified the constitution of the National Board of Electric

Mobility (NBEM).

o It also nominated six members of eminence and expertise from the

automobile industry into it.

o The Board will be chaired by the Secretary, the Dept of Heavy Industry.

o The NBEM will examine, formulate and propose short- as well as long-

term plans and contours of the mission programme on electric mobility.

Subsidy for mild hybrid vehicles removed

vehicle but assists normal engine by using recovered energy stored in a

battery and helps save fuel.

o FAME India was launched in 2015 to promote eco-friendly cars.

Mega Power Policy 2009 amended

o The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has approved amendments to

the Mega Power Policy 2009.

o The CCEA approved 25 Provisional Mega certified project for Mega Policy

benefits in proportion to the long term PPA tied up, as permitted under

the Mega Power Policy, once the specified threshold capacity of the

project, gets commissioned.

o The Union Ministry of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises has

withdrawn subsidy given to mild hybrid vehicles under FAME India

scheme.

o A mild hybrid vehicle has an electric motor, which on its own cannot run a



May 2017

First deaddiction centre for women

o Punjab is all set to get its first government-run women drug de-addiction

centre in the state.

o The 15-bedded centre, which is likely to become operational by next

month, will come up in Kapurthala district.

o Currently, no government facility exists in the state which is meant

exclusively for women drug addicts.

Govt. to rework MGNREGA workers' wages

o Centre is looking to rework the baseline on basis of which the

remuneration is paid to beneficiaries under the employment guarantee

and the minimum wage of some states.

Govt announces wind energy auction

o The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy has announced the launch of

second round of wind energy auction for 1,000 MW.

o UP will buy 499.9 MW, Bihar 200 MW, Jharkhand 200 MW, Delhi 100

MW and Assam and Odisha 50 MW each.

o All these companies will sell power to Power Trading Companies at a rate

of Rs 3.46 a kWhr.

6,000 crore scheme for food processing

o Govt. has approved a new Rs6,000 crore central scheme ‗SAMPADA‘ for

the 2016-20 period with an aim to boost processing of marine and

agriculture produce.

scheme.

o Daily wage under the MNREGA has risen by just Re 1 in Assam, Bihar,

Jharkhand, Uttarakhand and UP, by Rs 2 in Odisha and by Rs 4 in Bengal.

o There is huge variation between MGNREGA wages notified by the Centre


Governmentadda.com | June 2017 15

o The scheme will help in generating an investment of Rs31,400 crore and

facilitate handling of 334 lakh tonnes of agro-produce valuing Rs1,04,125

crore.

o SAMPADA is an umbrella scheme incorporating all ongoing schemes.

One IP- Two Dispensaries

o ―One IP- Two Dispensaries‖ scheme was launched by the govt on the

occasion of International Labour Day.

o Under this scheme, ESIC has given an option to an Insured Person (IP) to

choose two dispensaries, one for self and another for family through an

employer.

o This will benefit all IPs, especially migrant workers who are working in

other than home State.

1st state to shift financial year

o The central govt had constituted a high-level committee under former

CEA Shanker Acharya to examine ―desirability and feasibility‖ of having a

new financial year.

June 2017

Free electricity for BPL families

o UP Cabinet Minister Shrikant Sharma has said that under the 'Power For

All' scheme all the urban Below Poverty Line families would get free

electricity connection.

o All urban dwellers below the poverty line shall receive free electricity

connections.

o Madhya Pradesh has become the first state to switch to the Jan-

Dec financial year from the existing April-March cycle.

o The move breaks a 150-year tradition as India started adopting the April-

March financial year from 1867.



o The 'Power for All' pact was signed in the presence of Chief Minister Yogi

Adityanath and Union Minister of State for Power Piyush Goyal.

Government launches VAJRA scheme

o Dept. of Science & Technology has launched VAJRA scheme to bring

together Indian scientists abroad and India-based researchers for

conducting joint researches in India.

o VAJRA will boost research work and lead to newer, cutting edge

technologies, which was needed in India.

o Under the scheme foreign researchers would receive endowments at par

with those in their own countries.

Free education from Nursery to PhD

o Chief minister Capt Amarinder Singh has announced free education for

session.

o He also announced free Wi-FI for 13,000 primary schools and all 48

govt colleges.

Telangana govt sets up WiFi hotspots

o Telangana govt has launched Hyderabad City Wi-Fi project, providing

wireless networking technology at over 1,000 public places in Hyderabad.

o 3,000 public locations were identified in the city, however network has

now been installed at 1,000 hotspots with an assured bandwidth of 5-10

Mbps offering 30 minutes of free wi-fi.

o Entire project is being rolled out at a cost of around Rs 300 crore.

No departure card from July 1

girls from nursery to the doctorate level in government institutions of

Punjab.

o Govt will also introduce free textbooks to all students of govt schools, and

will introduce pre-primary classes in govt schools from the next academic



o Govt has decided to discontinue the practice of filling up of the departure

card by Indians at all international airports with effect from July 1, 2017.

o The move is aimed at ensuring hassle-free movement of Indians going

abroad.

o However, those going out of the country via rail, seaport and land

immigration checkposts will have to fill the embarkation card.

APY can now be subscribed digitally

o Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority has introduced

APY@eNPS which involves complete digital enrolment process.

o It has been done to give additional push to cover the unreached population

at greater ease.

o Under APY, subscribers would receive a minimum guaranteed pension at

the age of 60 years, depending on their contributions.

o It is aimed at promoting awareness on different facets of life in India and

progress made by India in various fields such as economic and education.

o It provides a unique forum for students and young professionals of Indian

origin to visit India and develop closer bonds with contemporary India.

Free education to transgenders in TN

o The Tamil Nadu Government has announced free education for the

transgender community in all the colleges of state's Manonmaniam

Sundaranar University.

o The decision will be implemented from this academic year.

o One seat in every course of all the colleges affiliated to the university has

been reserved for the transgenders.

Online sale of cattle

o APY subscribers' base is more than 54 Lakhs.

Sushma Swaraj inaugurates KIP

o Sushma Swaraj inaugurated Know India Programme, for young overseas

Indians in New Delhi.



o The Telangana government launched a website to facilitate the buying and

selling of cattle online.

o The state said that the website - pashubazar.telangana.gov.in - would save

the farmers transportation costs, as they need not keep taking them to

markets.

o Each registration on the website will only be valid for 30 days, following

which it will be removed automatically.

Sand scheme after Sonia Gandhi

o Puducherry government plans to offer cement at subsidised rates to low

and middle income people, and name the scheme after Congress President

Sonia Gandhi.

o Since puducherry does not have industries manufacturing cement, so it

o Madhya Pradesh govt has launched a new debt relief scheme - Krishi Rin

Samadhan Yojana for farmers.

o Under the scheme, the interest rate on loans would be less, which would in

turn also help defaulting farmers get loans.

o Government has also allocated 1000 crore Rupees for the implementation

of this scheme.

o It has been launched as Farmers in Madhya Pradesh have been protesting

since a week

Skills for Life, Save a Life initiative

o Health Minister J P Nadda has launched - Skill for Life, Save a Life

initiative to promote skill development in the health sector.

will be procured from outside and sold at subsidised price.

o Due to shortage of sand in Puducherry people have to depend on Tamil

Nadu for sand.

Krishi Rin Samadhan Yojana Launched



o The initiative aims to upscale the quality and quantity of trained

professionals in the healthcare system.

o Under this initiative various courses are planned in specific competencies

for healthcare professionals as well as for general public.

Women to man parking lots in Chandigarh

o Chandigarh will become India‘s first city to have only women manage all

public parking lots under a ‗smart parking system.

o It is a joint initiative of the Chandigarh Municipal Corporation and Arya

Toll Infra Limited.

o Women attendants will manage all parking lots from 7.30 am to 9 pm

before men will take over.

o Women bouncers will be deployed at each parking lot for their safety.

E-taxi service launched in Hyderabad

o The taxis will operate from different parts of the city to Rajiv Gandhi

International Airport.

o To begin with, five e-taxis have been launched on a pilot basis.

India's first bicycle sharing scheme

o A public bicycle sharing system, Trin Trin was launched by chief minister

Siddaramaiah in Mysuru. It is India's first bicycle sharing scheme.

o A total of 450 bicycles can be borrowed for a nominal fee from 48

automated docking stations.

o Smart card will be used to take a bicycle from a docking station.

o World Bank, Global Environmental Fund and state govt have jointly

funded the initiative

NSDC signs MoU with Bird Academy

o An e-taxi service was launched in Hyderabad to mark the World

Environment Day.

o The e-taxis have been launched by Green Mile, an electric vehicle

infrastructure start-up company.



o National Skill Development Corporation has signed a MoU with Bird

Academy for skilling of unemployed youth in aviation and aerospace

sector.

o More than 30000 unemployed youth across various states and 5000

women and tribal youths from underprivileged sections of the society will

be trained.

o The 2 organizations will work together to set up training centres and

centre of excellence in India.

K K Paul launches Vidya-Veerta mission

o Uttarakhand Governor K K Paul has launched Vidya-Veerta Abhiyan by

presenting VC's of universities with portraits of Param Vir Chakra

recipients.

Nitin Gadkari launches INAM-Pro +

o INAM-Pro+ is a Web Platform for Sale and Purchase of Construction

Material and Service.

o It is an upgraded version of INAM-Pro, a common platform to bring

cement buyers and sellers together.

o INAM-Pro+ will include A to Z of construction materials, equipments and

services.

o It will enable buyers to procure construction material/services at

reasonable rates in a transparent manner.

„SPARROW-ITS‟ launched

o Govt has launched SPARROW ITS: Smart Performance Appraisal Report

Recording Online Window.

o It will be displayed at institutions to send out a message that not only

soldiers but every citizen is responsible for country's safety.

o Campaign aims to construct a wall of valour to display portraits of 21

soldiers decorated with Param Vir Chakra


Governmentadda.com | August 2017 21

o It is in accordance with Govt's policy to introduce online Annual

Performance Appraisal Report for Group A services.

o Main aim is to enable Indian Trade Service officers to fill their APAR

online from 2016-17 onwards.

o ITS officers would get benefited by timely promotions upon evaluation of

their APARs.

Job portal „Mahaswayam‟ introduced

o Maharashtra CM, Devendra Fadnavis has recently launched a web portal

Mahaswayam.

o The portal will cater to job seekers, employers, entrepreneurs, and training

institutes who can avail details regarding skill development and

employment.

o Earlier, govt ran 3 different portals - Maharashtra Skill Development

$100 million loan.

o The loan will be used to finance large solar rooftop systems on industrial

and commercial buildings throughout India.

o PNB will use the ADB funds to make further loans to various developers

and end users to install rooftop solar systems.

o This agreement has been guaranteed by the Government of India.

August 2017

Madhyamik and Uchchtar Shiksha Kosh

o The Union cabinet approved the creation of a non-lapsable corpus fund for

secondary and higher education.

Society, Maharojgar and Mahaswayamrojgar.

o These 3 have now been merged into Mahaswayam.

ADB and PNB sign $100 million loan.

o The Asian Development Bank and Punjab National Bank has signed a


Governmentadda.com | October 2017 22

o The corpus—Madhyamik and Uchchtar Shiksha Kosh will have all the

proceeds from the 1% cess the government collects under the ‗secondary

and higher education cess‘ which has been in place since 2007.

o The fund will be akin to the Prarambhik Shiksha Kosh.

October 2017

Mobile Aadhar can be used as ID proof

o According to Bureau of Civil Aviation and Security, Mobile Aadhaar can be

used as an identity proof to enter airports.

o BCAS has said that passengers entering an airport premises need to

produce any one of the 10 identity proofs, which include passport, voter ID

o Assam Chief Minister launched a web portal ‗Assam Darpan‘ where details

of government schemes and projects would be available to the people.

o The platform has been developed as a part of the Digital India Programme.

o In the first phase, progress indicators of 15 government schemes will be

available.

Aadhar mandatory for subsidy:Maharashtra

o Maharashtra has announced that, in order to avail fertiliser subsidy,

farmers in Maharashtra will have to provide their Aadhaar number.

o Farmers won‘t need to have a debit or credit card to purchase

fertilisers. This rule will be implemented from November 1, 2017.

o This decision has been taken to curb diversion of subsidised fertiliser for

industrial use or exports.

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card, Aadhaar / m-Aadhaar, PAN card.

o Students also have the option to furnish a photo identity card issued by a

government institute

Assam launches “Assam Darpan” portal



New initiative named #AsktheSpokesperson

o The Ministry of External Affairs launched the ―#AsktheSpokesperson‖

initiative on Twitter, to create better awareness and understanding of

foreign policy issues to general public.

o It is launched on Twitter handle @MEAIndia.

o Initiative will be a regular feature to engage and educate the public about

foreign policy matters in simplified terms.

MP to shift to Jan-Dec fiscal format

o Madhya Pradesh State Government has shelved off its plan to switch to

January-December financial year format from 2018.

o In May 2017, Madhya Pradesh was the first state to announce that starting

from 2018, it will switch to January-December financial from the existing

April-March cycle.

was inaugrated in New Delhi in collaboration with New Delhi Municipal

Council.

o This centre, located at Mandir Marg, Delhi, is an exemplary heritage

building.

o The centre will be managed by Orion Edutech, which is NSDC affiliated

training partner. Orion has its network of over 275 skill development

centres across India.

Sabbatical leave to begin startups

o Kerala government has given green signal to a proposal of the state

Startup Mission to accord sabbatical leave to the faculty members of all

colleges who intend to establish startups.

o This decision came after Modi‘s speech at NITI Aayog‘s governing council

meet in April 2017.

First Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Kendra

o India‘s first Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Kendra for Skilling in Smart Cities



o The new initiative would help members of the academic community to

become part of entrepreneurship.

o It will contribute to the government's determined efforts to strengthen and

accelerate the startup ecosystem.

Pension for govt staff widows restored

o CM Amarinder Singh has restored the Special Family Pension for widows

of government employees killed by extremists.

o He has agreed to extend the Red Card scheme to families of police

personnel killed during the militancy period.

o He said that pension under the scheme would be made available to the

widow till her death as against the earlier provision of it being provided

until her remarriage.

o It is done with the aim of making India open defecation free by 2nd

October 2019.

o The Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation is looking over the

implementation of Swachh Bharat Mission in villages.

UP doubles ex-gratia amount for police

o Uttar Pradesh State Government under Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath

announced to double the ex-gratia amount for police officials martyred on

duty.

o Post this announcement, the ex-gratia amount for Police officials martyred

on duty stands, revised to Rs. 40 lakh from Rs. 20 lakh earlier.

o r. Adityanath made this announcement at the Police Commemoration Day

Parade in Lucknow.

Toilets to be named as „izzat ghar‟

o The Central Government has asked each state to name the toilets in their

rural households as ―izzat ghar‖, or to use a phrase in regional language

equivalent to ―house of dignity‖.



NRCB signs agreement with Andhra Pradesh

o National Research Centre for Banana (NRCB) has signed a memorandum

of cooperation (MoC) with Andhra Pradesh State Government to develop

technologies relating to banana production.

o NRCB will also provide necessary training and will support growers and

entrepreneurs in initial phase.

o It will also promote indigenous and commercial varieties of banana for

domestic and export markets.

Odisha‟s first PNG supply in Bhubaneswar

o On October 19, 2017, Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas,

Dharmendra Pradhan inaugurated Odisha‘s first PNG (Piped Natural Gas)

project in Bhubaneswar.

o This PNG supply project is a part of ‗Pradhan Mantri Urja Ganga‘ pipeline

o The Maharashtra government has released a sum of Rs 4,000 crore under

the first phase of the over Rs 34,000 crore farm loan waiver scheme,

CM Devendra Fadnavis announced.

o Disbursal, in the first phase, will cover more than 8 lakh farmers.

o Fadnavis said that from Rs 21,000 crore in 2011-12, investment in the

agriculture sector had increased by almost three times to Rs 63,000 crore

now.

Odisha's portal for easy access to data

o On 17th October 2017, Odisha government unveiled the State Open

Government Data Platform named www.odisha.data.gov.in.

project.

o The target of the project is to provide one crore PNG connections in the

state by 2020.

Maharashtra releases loan waiver scheme

http://www.odisha.data.gov.in/



o Odisha‘s Chief Secretary A P Padhi asked the data officers of all

departments to upload information of their respective departments on the

website within a week.

o This Government data Portal has been launched with the main objective of

sharing data with people.

Universal social security plan

o The government has drafted a Rs 1.2 lakh crore plan to provide universal

social security coverage for the poorest people of the country.

o This broader programme envisages three categories — the poorest 20%,

who will get a government payout; those who subscribe on their own and

formal sector workers who will need to set aside a fixed proportion of

income toward the scheme.

o This campain aims to highlight various aspects of women standing ‗by‘ and

‗for‘ women.

o Through this campaign, Ministry of WCD has urged people to come out of

the notion of women harming other women.

MP launches Bhavantar Bhugtan Yojana

o Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan launched the

ambitious ‗Bhavantar Bhugtan Yojna‘.

o The objective of this scheme is to ensure reasonable prices to the farmers

for their agriculture produces and thereby protecting them from losses

suffered on account of distress sale.

o The farmers will be compensated the difference between Minimum

Support Price and the actual sale price.

Ministry of WCD launches '#IamThatWoman'

o In a bid to end gender bias in women against women, Union Ministry of

Women and Child Development (WCD) has started an online campaign

#IamThatWoman.



Radha Mohan Singh reviews Project CHAMAN

o Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister, Shri Radha Mohan

Singh said that project CHAMAN was launched in order to provide

strategic development to the horticulture sector.

o In it remote sensing technique is being used for strategic development of

horticulture sector as also to increase the farmers‘ income.

o It gives methodology for preparing reliable estimates of horticulture crops.

Punjab police launches foot patrolling

o In a bid to check criminal activities in the state, Punjab police has

launched an initiative whereby police personnel will patrol designated

areas on foot to keep a watch on anti-social elements.

o The aim of this initiative is to reduce incidence of crime by increasing the

presence of police in vulnerable locations.

o The new online system was inaugurated by Rajasthan Assembly Speaker

Kailash Meghwal.

o The new online system will facilitate smooth exchange of information and

reports among respective departments

Water carnival at Madhya pradesh

o Madhya Pradesh will be developed as a hub of water tourism in the

country, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said.

o Chouhan inaugurated a two-and-a-half-month-long water carnival which

will be held till January 2.

o The carnival will be held at Hanuwantiya Island in the backwaters of

Indira Sagar Dam in Khandwa district of the state.

Kerala to launch „health for all‟ drive

o The initiative would also build a bridge for people-friendly policing.

First state to Call Motions Online

o Rajasthan State assembly has become the first in India to call attention

and adjournment motions and proposals online from legislators.



o The Kerala government is taking the dictum ‗health is wealth‘ seriously

and making plans to become a 100 % healthy State by replicating its

resounding success in literacy.

o The State will kick off ‗Kayika Kshmata Mission‘ (Physical Endurance

Mission) on New Year Day.

o It will focus on the physical well-being of all, from nursery students to

senior citizens.

12% growth in seafood export

o The Marine Products Export Development Authority is looking at a 10-12

per cent growth in seafood exports in the current fiscal.

o According to Mpeda, seafood exports in 2016-17 reached a record $5.8

billion.

o Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Shri Radha Mohan Singh said

the government started PMKSY to provide a permanent solution from

drought.

o Three ministries are implementing this scheme in mission mode.

o PMKSY aims not only to create irrigation sources but also to create

protected irrigation by harnessing rainwater through ‗Jal Sanchay‘ and ‗Jal

Sinchan‘.

Foundation of Highway projects in Bihar

o Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid foundation stone of four sewerage and

four National Highways projects in Bihar during his visit to the state to

attend the centenary celebrations of the Patna University.

o Mpeda has formed 600 farmer clusters across the country under the

National Centre for Sustainable Aquaculture. These clusters help the

agency to export quality marine products.

Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana



o The projects are under the aegis of 'Namami Gange' (Ganga rejuvenation)

programme.

o Besides these four projects, NMCG has also planned seven other sewerage

projects for Patna and Bhagalpur.

Chennai Metro introduced cycle scheme

o Chennai Metro Rail (CMRL) has introduced a free bicycle ride scheme for

its customers.

o To implement this scheme, CMRL has tied up with a private agency to

provide 100-hours of bicycle ride free of cost every month.

o This scheme has been introduced to promote eco-friendly travel in the

city. Commuters in Chennai can avail the benefit of this scheme at four

metro stations.

UP launches „Sankalp Seva‟ bus service

o This is a initiative to provide better bus services to the people, so that,

everyone will have access to all kind of facilities.

Maharashtra adopts climate change policy

o Maharashtra cabinet approved a climate change adaptation policy that will

focus on developing environment-friendly villages and cities.

o A special cell will be set up for the effective implementation of the policy.

o It is done to mitigate the impact of climate change on Maharashtra.

Schemes to boost Skill India Mission

o The Committee on Economic Affairs has approved two new World Bank

supported schemes of Rs. 6,655 crore.

o Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Aditynath flagged off 50 buses under

the ‗Sankalp Seva‘ bus service in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh.

o The buses launched under ‗Sankalp Seva‘ bus service will connect 6,000

villages.


Governmentadda.com | November 2017 30

o The two schemes are Skills Acquisition and Knowledge Awareness for

Livelihood Promotion (SANKALP) and Skill Strengthening for Industrial

Value Enhancement (STRIVE).

o They are outcome focused schemes marking shift in government's

implementation strategy in vocational education and training.

November 2017

Odisha launches Fish Pond Yojana

o Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik launched the ‗Fish Pond Yojana‘.

o Aim of this scheme is to boost fish production in Odisha. The scheme has

been launched with a budgetary provision of Rs 96 crore.

o Union Minister of Women and Child Development, Maneka Gandhi

launched an intensive training program for Capacity Building of Elected

Women Representatives (EWRs) of Panchayati Raj Institutions in New

Delhi.

o This program is being organized by NIPCCD under Ministry of WCD.

o The training programme will focus on women‘s issues and will provide

information on education and financial matters.

Govt doubles incentive rates of garments

o Under Merchandise Exports from India Scheme (MEIS), Central

Government has doubled incentive rates for export of readymade

garments and made-ups to 4 % from 2 % earlier.

o Under the scheme, additional 2200 hectare of freshwater aquaculture

farming will be created, for which farmers will be given 50% financial

assistance from state government.

Training program for EWRs of Panchayats



o This decision has been taken to boost shipments of readymade garments

and made-ups.

o Encouraging readymade exports through incentives would lead to more

production, which would eventually generate employment opportunities.

Bamboo Not A Tree Anymore

o President Ram Nath Kovind has promulgated an ordinance under Article

123 of Constitute to amend Indian Forest Act, 1927 to encourage bamboo

plantation.

o The amendment to Section 2(7) of Indian Forest Act, 1927 will encourage

bamboo plantation by farmers, which will contribute to doubling farmers

income by 2022.

o India is the 2nd largest producer of bamboo after China.

Samsung partners with UP govt

healthcare.

o It will also provide advanced equipments such as ultrasound and digital

radiology (x-ray) machines

FOGSI launches „Manyata‟ movement

o Federation of Obstetric and Gynecological Societies of India (FOGSI)

launched ‗Manyata‘, a nationwide movement emphasising the need for

quality care for mothers during and immediately after childbirth.

o FOGSI has launched ‗Manyata‘ in partnership with MSD for Mothers,

MacArthur Foundation and Jhpiego.

o The movement was flagged off by Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty.

o Samsung India announced a partnership with Uttar Pradesh State

Government for ‗Smart Healthcare Programme‘.

o Under this programme, Samsung India will set-up 20 new smart

healthcare centres across Uttar Pradesh to offer affordable and quality



Haryana to offer power Connection on EMI

o Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar announced a new scheme offering

Domestic Power Connections in rural areas on EMI.

o Currently it costs between Rs. 3000/- to Rs. 4000/- to get a domestic

power connection.

o Under this new scheme, households in rural areas can pay just Rs. 200

and get a domestic power connection.

o The remaining amount can be paid in easy installments of Rs. 100 to Rs.

200.

Karnataka passes SC/ST promotions bill

o Karnataka passed ‗Karnataka Extension of Consequential Seniority to

Government Servants Promoted on the Basis of Reservation Bill 2017‘.

Daily Drug Regimen for treatment of TB

o Ministry of Health & Family Welfare has recently announced the launch of

daily regimen for TB patients across the country under the Revised

National TB Control Programme.

o The daily FDC anti-TB drugs will be made available to private pharmacy or

at private practitioners.

o It will be provided free of cost. Ministry will take this forward to all major

hospitals.

Punjab to compensate acid attack victims

o Punjab State Cabinet approved ‗Punjab Victim or Their Dependents

Compensation Scheme.

31 | P a g e

o Prior to introduction of this bill, SC had struck down Karnataka Govt.‘s

provision for providing reservation in promotion for SC/ST employees.

o Karnataka had formed a committee led by Additional Chief Secretary

Ratnaprabha to study the above issues.



o It will provide minimum compensation of Rs three lakh to an acid attack

victim.

o Every year, Punjab State Government‘s department of home affairs and

justice, will allocate a separate budget to the department of legal and

legislative affairs to provide compensation under this scheme.

'Saubhagya' Web-Portal launched

o Ministry of State (IC) for Power and New & Renewable Energy, launched

the PM Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana – ‗Saubhagya‘ Web Portal.

o The portal can be accessed at http://saubhagya.gov.in.

o The Saubhagya Dashboard is a platform for monitoring household

electrification progress, which would disseminate information on

Household Electrification Status.

Kovind launches schemes in Jharkhand

o He also launched Jharkhand State Government‘s JOHAR (Jharkhand‘s

Opportunities for Harnessing Rural Development) scheme with the

objective to help tribal and Dalit families.

Bihar to set up 'State Ayush Society'

o Bihar State Government gave approval for setting up a ‗State Ayush

Society‘ with an aim to promote the usage of alternative medicine in the

state.

o Bihar‘s ‗State Ayush Society‘ will be set up as part of Central Government‘s

―National Ayush Mission‖.

o It will be registered under the Society Registration Act.

o Kovind launched various schemes and laid the foundation stones of

infrastructure projects in Jharkhand.

o These schemes are to be carried out at an expenditure of Rs 3455 crore. He

launched ‗108 Ambulance‘ service.

http://saubhagya.gov.in/



National Rural Drinking Water Programme

o Cabinet has accorded its approval for continuation and restructuring of

National Rural Drinking Water Programme.

o The scheme was launched to ensure good quality service delivery to the

rural population.

o The restructuring will make the programme flexible and will enable the

Ministry towards to reach the goal of increasing coverage of sustainable

Piped Water Supply.

Government triples home loan limit

o The government raised the maximum amount that a central government

employee can borrow from the government to Rs 25 lakh for new

construction/purchase of new house.

Haryana to treat Hepatitis-C by oral med

o Haryana has become the first state in the country to treat Hepatitis-C

patients of all categories through oral medicine.

o For the first time, the state government has included oral medicine in

government hospitals.

o This medicine would be provided free of cost to permanent residents of all

categories at the district level.

Panel for air pollution in Delhi

o As Delhi‘s air is turning toxic over recent weeks and reaching crisis levels,

the Centre stepped in and decided to set up a 7-member-committee.

o The committee will be under chairmanship of CK Mishra.

33 | P a g e

o The limit for home loan borrowing has been tripled for central government

employees as per the 7th pay commission recommendations.

o Earlier this limit was only Rs 7.50 lakh. This move is going to benefit about

50 lakh employees.



o The committee formed by the environment ministry will look to formulate

short-term and long-term plans.

Portal for sexual harassment complaints

o Maneka Gandhi launched an online portal for registering complaint

related to sexual harassment in non-government and government

organisations.

o The comprehensive online complaint system- 'SHe-box' (sexual

harassment electronic box) - will be hosted on the website of the Ministry

Of Women and Child Development.

o A unit in the Ministry will look into every complaint filed online.

Kerala launched „She Pad‟ scheme

o Kerala launched a new scheme for school students named ‗She Pad‘ in

Kerala.

part of the project.

Panel under M Vinod on GST laws

o A committee headed by M Vinod Kumar, GST chief commissioner for

Karnataka has started a review of the laws governing GST.

o The committee has been set up to provide suggestions for smoothening the

GST regime, especially for small business.

o Another committee comprising industry representatives has also been set

up to provide external inputs on this matter.

Assam CM launched 647 Schemes

o Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal rolled out 647 schemes

entailing an investment of Rs 24.57 crore for development of the world's

largest river island Majuli.

o CM Pinarayi Vijayan said that the ‗She Pad‘ scheme will benefit the girls of

classes 6 to 12 in Kerala and will be implemented in 300 schools this year.

o Free sanitary napkins, storage spaces and environment-friendly

incinerators at all government-aided schools in Kerala will be provided as



o Out of these, 448 schemes under MGNREGA involved Rs 21.90 crore and

199 schemes under 14th Finance Commission have an outlay of Rs 2.67

crore, it added.

o Majuli is a river island in the Brahmaputra River, Assam.

Deen Dayal SPARSH Yojana

o Minister of Communications Shri Manoj Sinha launched a Pan India

scholarship program for school children called Deen Dayal SPARSH

Yojana.

o SPARSH stands for Scholarship for Promotion of Aptitude & Research in

Stamps as a Hobby.

o It is proposed to award annual scholarships to children of Standard VI to

IX having good academic record and also pursuing Philately as a hobby.

o Inter-State Council investigates and advises on disputes between states.

o Article 263 of the Constitution of India provides for the establishment of

an Inter-State Council and PM is the head of it.

MSME Samadhaan

o Shri Giriraj Singh launched MSME Delayed Payment Portal – MSME

Samadhaan (http://msefc.msme.gov.in).

o It will empower micro and small entrepreneurs across the country to

directly register their cases relating to delayed payments.

o The Portal will give information about the pending payment of MSEs with

individual CPSEs / Central Ministries, State Governments, etc.

35 | P a g e

Inter-State Council reconstituted

o The Inter-State Council has been reconstituted with Prime Minister

Narendra Modi as its Chairman and six Union ministers and all chief

ministers as members.



Lifetime Pensions for Hindi Satyagrahis

o The state government of Haryana has announced lifetime monthly

pension of Rs 10,000 for 'Hindi Satyagrahis' and those from the state who

were jailed during the Emergency.

o The state government also announced that it would be providing enhanced

financial assistance to World War-II veterans and their widows.

o Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu was the Chief Guest for the occasion.

Maximum age of joining NPS increased

o Union Ministry of Finance increased the maximum age of joining the

National Pension System from the existing 60 years to 65 years.

o On account of this decision, subscribers who are willing to join NPS at the

later stage of life i.e. after attaining the age of 60 will be able to avail the

benefits of NPS.

Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana- Remunerative Approaches for Agriculture

and Allied sector Rejuvenation for 3 years i.e. 2017-18 to 2019-20.

o Scheme promotes agribusiness entrepreneurship, adopting risk mitigation

measures & strengthens farmers‘ efforts with an objective to make farming

as a remunerative economic activity

Cabinet approves SBA for subsidy

o Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has given ex-post facto approval

for implementation of Special Banking Arrangement (SBA).

o Rs. 10,000 crore SBA is for payment of outstanding claims on account of

fertilizer subsidy in the year 2016-17.

o This SBA has been implemented to overcome the liquidity problems of

fertilizer companies.

o National Pension System is a voluntary, defined contribution retirement

savings scheme.

Continuation of “Krishi Vikas Yojana”

o Cabinet has approved the continuation of Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana as

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