Daily Current Capsules

SAMRIDHI (Strategic Acceleration for Market, Research, Innovation & Development)

The Governor of Punjab and Administrator of Chandigarh, Shri Banwarilal Purohit, inaugurated a Deeptech Startup Accelerator Program dedicated to catalyzing innovation in agriculture and water technology called SAMRIDHI (Strategic Acceleration for Market, Research, Innovation & Development: a Holistic Initiative for ICPS Startups) hosted by iHub AwaDH, a Technology and Innovation Hubs set up UNDER National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems (NM-ICPS).
The SAMRIDHI conclave in which five strategic collaborations were formalized, featured five deep-tech innovations.
The conclave organised by IIT Ropar’s Technology and Innovation Hub AwaDH was supported by 46 investment partners, and over 50 jury members evaluated and mentored the startups.
The program is executed with the Department of Science & Technology (DST), Government of India, under the National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems (NM – ICPS), reinforcing DST’s commitment to advancing technology and innovation.

Know! about National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems (NM-ICPS)

Implemented by the Department of Science &Technology
NM-ICPS is a Pan India Mission and covers entire gamut of India that includes Central Ministries, State Governments, Industry and Academia
The NM-ICPS is a comprehensive Mission which would address technology development, application development, human resource development & skill enhancement, entrepreneurship and start-up development in CPS and associated technologies.
The Mission aims at establishment of 15 numbers of Technology Innovation Hubs (TIH), six numbers of Application Innovation Hubs (AIH) and four numbers of Technology Translation Research Parks (TTRP).
These Hubs & TTRPs will connect to Academics, Industry, Central Ministries and State Government in developing solutions at reputed academic, R&D and other organizations across the country in a hub and spoke model.
The Mission will feed the Central Ministries/ Departments and State Govts and also the Industry to effectively use the CPS technologies in their projects and schemes for the benefit of the society.

ASEAN India Grassroots Innovation Forum (AIGIF)

Two grassroots innovators and one student innovator from India won prizes in the grassroots innovation and student innovation competition respectively at the 4^th edition of ASEAN India Grassroots Innovation Forum (AIGIF), a flagship programme hosted by Malaysia’s Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation (MOSTI) which concluded on November 30, 2023.
The AIGIF is an annual programme focused on fostering a strengthened relationship between India and ASEAN Member States (AMS) on the premise of cooperation in Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI).
The annual program is a collaboration between the ASEAN Committee on Science, Technology, and Innovation (COSTI); Department of Science & Technology (DST), Government of India; National Innovation Foundation (NIF) – India and the Science and Technology Ministry of the host nation, Malaysia’s Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation (MOSTI) in the year 2023.
Yayasan Inovasi Malaysia (YIM) is an agency under MOSTI which executed the AIGIF this year.

UN Climate Conference COP 28

The 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference or Conference of the Parties of the UNFCCC, more commonly referred to as COP28, is the 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference, being held from 30 November until 12 December 2023 at Expo City, Dubai.
Officially, COP 28 stands for the 28^th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the UNFCCC.
In COP 28, representatives from 197 countries are showcasing their efforts to limit global warming and prepare for future climate change.
This is the first time that countries formally assess their progress under the 2015 Paris Climate Agreement.

Know! about the conference

The conference has been held annually since the first UN climate agreement in 1992.
The COP conferences are intended for governments to agree on policies to limit global temperature rises and adapt to impacts associated with climate change.
UN Climate Change conferences (or COPs) take place every year, and are the world’s only multilateral decision-making forum on climate change with almost complete membership of every country in the world.
The COP is where the world comes together to agree on ways to address the climate crisis, such as limiting global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius, helping vulnerable communities adapt to the effects of climate change, and achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.

Cyclone Michaung

Cyclone Michaung has caused havoc on India’s southern coast and also led to inundation in several parts of the city.
The name of the cyclone ‘Michaung’ was proposed by Myanmar, which signifies resilience and fortitude.
This is the sixth cyclone to develop in the Indian Ocean this year and the fourth to form in the Bay of Bengal.

Know! about Cyclones

Cyclones result from atmospheric disturbances surrounding a low-pressure area characterised by rapid and often destructive air circulation.
Typically, cyclones are accompanied by severe storms and adverse weather conditions.
The air circulates inward in an anticlockwise direction in the Northern Hemisphere and clockwise in the Southern Hemisphere.

Know! about the naming of cyclones

The World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) is responsible for managing the rotating name lists assigned to each tropical cyclone basin.
In 2000, a group of nations called WMO/ESCAP (World Meteorological Organisation/United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific), which comprised Bangladesh, India, the Maldives, Myanmar, Oman, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Thailand, decided to start naming cyclones in the region.
After each country sent in suggestions, the WMO/ESCAP Panel on Tropical Cyclones (PTC) finalised the list.
The WMO/ESCAP expanded to include five more countries in 2018 — Iran, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and Yemen.
The list of 169 cyclone names released by IMD in April 2020 were provided by these countries — 13 suggestions from each of the 13 countries.
Names for cyclones arising in different ocean basins worldwide are conferred by Regional Specialised Meteorological Centers (RSMCs) and Tropical Cyclone Warning Centers (TCWCs) within specific regions.
The global oversight of this process involves six RSMCs.

Know! about RSMC

A Regional Specialized Meteorological Centre (RSMC) is responsible for the distribution of information, advisories, and warnings regarding the specific program they have a part of, agreed by consensus at the World Meteorological Organization as part of the World Weather Watch.

Regional Specialized Meteorological Centre (RSMC)- Tropical cyclone

There are six such meteorological centres and five regional Tropical Cyclone Warning Centres utilized for naming of tropical cyclones and the distribution of tropical cyclone advisories and warnings:

Southwest Pacific Ocean: RSMC Nadi-Tropical Cyclone Centre – Fiji Meteorological Service (Nadi, Fiji)
Southwest Indian Ocean: RSMC La Reunion-Tropical Cyclone Centre / Météo France (Réunion island, French Overseas Department)
Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea: RSMC – Tropical Cyclones New Delhi / India Meteorological Department (New Delhi, India)
Western North Pacific Ocean and South China Sea RSMC Tokyo / Japan Meteorological Agency (Tokyo, Japan)
Central North Pacific Ocean – RSMC Honolulu Central Pacific Hurricane Center (Honolulu, Hawaii, USA)
Northeast Pacific Ocean, Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean Sea, and north Atlantic Ocean – RSMC Miami / National Hurricane Center

Know! about ESCAP

The Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) is the most inclusive intergovernmental platform in the Asia-Pacific region. The Commission promotes cooperation among its 53 member States and 9 associate members in pursuit of solutions to sustainable development challenges.

ISSA Vision Zero 2023

The Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) bagged the “ISSA Vision Zero 2023” Award in the recently held 23rd World Congress on Safety and Health at Work in Sydney, Australia.

Know! about Vision Zero

“Vision Zero” is a transformational approach for prevention of accidents at work places integrating the three dimensions of safety, health and well-being at all levels of work.

Know! about International Social Security Association (ISSA)

The International Social Security Association (ISSA) is the principal international institution bringing together social security agencies and organizations of the world.
The ISSA’s aim is to promote dynamic social security as the social dimension in a globalizing world by supporting excellence in social security administration.
Founded in 1927, the ISSA has its headquarters at the International Labour Office in Geneva.
The ISSA provides access to information, expert advice, business standards, practical guidelines and platforms for members to build and promote dynamic social security systems worldwide.
The Liaison Office of ISSA for South Asia is also functioning from the ESI Corporation at its headquarters.
The Liaison Office is closely co-ordinating with the member countries in Bhutan, Iran, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Pakistan for consensus on topics related to social security for research.

National Revolutionary Front Manipur

Following the recent signing of Peace Agreement between United National Liberation Front (UNLF), Government of Manipur and Government of India on 29^th November, 2023, around 25 leaders/cadres of National Revolutionary Front Manipur (NRFM- a Meitei UG outfit) along with 25 weapons have joined UNLF on 02^nd December, 2023.
Know! about NRFM
NRFM (earlier United Revolutionary Front) was formed on September 11, 2011 by cadres of three factions of KCP, a Meitei UG outfit.
Its senior leaders operated from bases in a neighbouring country and were involved in violence and extortion in various parts of the Manipur Valley.
The development is likely to encourage other Meitei UG outfits to join the peace process and pursue their demands in a democratic manner

United National Liberation Front (UNLF)

Last week the Centre signed a peace agreement with Manipur-based insurgent group, United National Liberation Front (UNLF)
UNLF, the oldest valley-based armed group of Manipur, has agreed to renounce violence and join the mainstream
Formed in November 1964, UNLF is the oldest Meitei insurgent group in Manipur.
The organisation aims to establish an independent socialist Manipur.
The outfit has an armed wing – Manipur People’s Army. It is a banned organisation under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA), which was extended for five years earlier this month.

India Internet Governance Forum IIGF’23

The Internet Governance Forum (IGF) is a multi-stakeholder platform bringing together representatives from various groups, considering all to be at par to discuss public policy issues related to the Internet. India Internet Governance Forum 2023 (IIGF-2023) is a hybrid event, being convened on 5^th December
After successfully convening the first two editions of the IIGF in 2021 and 2022, the third edition of the IIGF is being conducted under the overarching theme “Moving Forward – Calibrating Bharat’s Digital Agenda”.
The event is an effort to delve deeper into issues such as building a secure, trusted & resilient cyberspace for Bharat, Enabling Innovation for India’s Developmental Goals, Bridging Divides and Calibrating Bharat’s Digital Agenda

Know! about IIGF

The India Internet Governance Forum is an initiative associated with the UN Internet Governance Forum (UN IGF).
The Internet Governance Forum (IGF) is a multi-stakeholder platform bringing representatives together from various groups, all at par to discuss public policy issues related to the Internet.
The IGF facilitates a common understanding of how to maximise Internet opportunities and address risks and challenges that may arise.
The Indian chapter of the United Nations IGF, called India IGF or IIGF, was created in 2021, and is supported by a 14-member multi-stakeholder Committee(s) representing Government, Civil Society, Industries, Technical community, Think Tanks, Industry Associations,

Sandhayak

Sandhayak (Yard 3025), the first of four Survey Vessel (Large) ships, being built at Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata, was delivered to the Indian Navy
The SVL ships are designed and built to the rules of Indian Register of Shipping Classification Society by M/s Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata.
The primary role of the ship would be full-scale coastal and deep-water Hydrographic Survey of Port/ Harbour approaches and determination of navigational channels/ routes.
Zone of operation includes maritime limits up to EEZ/ extended continental shelf.
The ships will also collect oceanographic and geophysical data for defence and civil applications.
In their secondary role, ships will provide limited defence and function as Hospital ship during war/ emergencies.
Sandhayak is fitted with state-of-the-art hydrographic equipment such as Data Acquisition and Processing System, Autonomous Underwater Vehicle, Remotely Operated Vehicle, DGPS long-range positioning systems, Digital side scan sonar etc.
Sandhayak has an indigenous content of over 80% by cost.

INS SUMEDHA – MISSION DEPLOYED AT ANTSIRANANA, MADAGASCAR

As part of Indian Navy’s Long Range Mission Based Deployment, Indian Naval Ship Sumedha is undertaking port call at Antsiranana, Madagascar from 04 to 06 December 2023.
INS Sumedha is third of the indigenously constructed Naval Offshore Patrol Vessel (NOPV) of Saryu class deployed for multiple roles independently and in support of Fleet Operations.

India re-elected to International Maritime Organisation

In elections held at its assembly for the 2024–25 biennium, India was re-elected to the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Council with the highest tally.
India’s re-election falls under the Category of 10 states with “the largest interest in international seaborne trade”, alongside Australia, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE)..
India secured the large-scale support of the international community at the International Maritime Organisation for India to continue to serve the global maritime domain.
The International Maritime Organisation (IMO) is the leading authority that regulates the maritime industry, which supports global trade, transportation, and all marine operations.
The council is the executive organ of IMO and is responsible, under the assembly, for supervising the work of the organization.

Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC)

India has been unanimously elected as a member representing Asian region in the Executive Committee of Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC) during its 46th meeting being held at FAO Headquarters at Rome.
Executive Committee is an important arm of the CAC and the member countries have a considerable interest in getting its membership.
In this capacity, India would not only get an opportunity to contribute substantially in the International standard-setting process for different food product categories but will also be involved in the decision-making process.
The Executive Committee supports in the management of the Commission’s programme of standards development by conducting a “critical review” of proposals to undertake work and monitors the progress of standards development.
India’s proposal for setting up group standards for millets was also accepted by the Commission and India’s initiative for establishing global standards for millets was acknowledged by the Commission and supported by the member countries.

Know! about CAC

The Codex Alimentarius is a collection of internationally recognized standards, codes of practice, guidelines, and other recommendations published by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations relating to food, food production, food labeling, and food safety.

India Infrastructure Report 2023 released

The India Infrastructure Report 2023 on Urban Planning and Development was released on 4 December
The India Infrastructure Report 2023 has been a collaborative effort of the IDFC Foundation, Infrastructure Development Corporation (Karnataka) Ltd. (iDeCK) and the National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA).
The report is a significant milestone in the acclaimed India Infrastructure Report (IIR) series, initiated by the IDFC Foundation in 2001.

Know! about IIR 2023

The India Infrastructure Report (IIR) 2023 contains 25 chapters by prominent names in the urban development and policy ecosystem on the current state of urban development in India.
This annual publication has been instrumental in identifying and analyzing legal, fiscal, regulatory, technological, social, and conceptual aspects related to contemporary themes relevant to infrastructure development.
This makes it an invaluable resource for those involved in formulating urban policy, as well as for those interested in the development of India’s infrastructure and urbanization, such as policy makers, investors, academics, financiers, and multilateral agencies.

Key Highlights of the India Infrastructure Report 2023:

Spotlight on the transformative potential of digital technology in shaping the urban landscape of India. Focus areas include the concept of ‘smart cities’ and the significance of performance ranking criteria.
Examination of financial dimensions of urban development, with a special emphasis on public-private partnerships (PPPs), the financial sustainability of urban local bodies, and the efficacy of municipal bonds as potent financing instruments.
Urban transportation planning and urban redevelopment as pivotal components of effective urban governance through transit-oriented development, efficient urban goods movement, and floor space and land price regulation in India.

Know! about IDFC

IDFC Foundation is a not-for-profit institution, working on philanthropic initiatives in social infrastructure.
As part of its development agenda, IDFC Foundation also carries out focussed research, policy advocacy and capacity building across the spectrum of infrastructure sectors.

Know! about iDeCK

IDeCK, established in 2000 as a joint venture of the Government of Karnataka, IDFC Foundation and HDFC.
iDeCK focusses on catalysing well-planned, sustainable infrastructure projects, especially through public-private participation.
From its inception, iDeCK has accumulated a rich and diverse experience across infrastructure sectors through its active engagement in the development of over 800 projects in the country and abroad.

Know! about NIUA

Established in 1976, National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA) has been bridging the gap between research and practice on issues related to urbanization and suggest ways and mechanisms to address urban challenges in the country.
It is a Central Autonomous Body under the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.
It is a national think-tank undertaking cutting-edge multi-disciplinary research, knowledge exchange and capacity development, policy planning and advocacy in the domain of urban development.

iGOT’s Accessibility Widget

On the occasion of International Day of Persons with Disabilities (PwD) on 3^rd December, 2023, a new Accessibility Widget was launched at the iGOT Karmayogi Platform.
Introduced with the objective of making the iGOT Platform accessible to learners across the government spectrum, the Widget currently offers user-friendly features such as: Screen Reader, Smart Contrast, Text Spacing, Dyslexia Friendly, Saturation, Pause Animations, and Page Structure.
iGOT’s Accessibility Widget seeks to not only empower PwD learners to navigate, and engage with content seamlessly but also demonstrates the Platform’s commitment to creating an inclusive and equitable learning experience for all.

iGOT Karmayogi

It is a comprehensive online learning portal to guide government officials in their capacity-building journey.
The portal combines six functional hubs for online learning, competency management, career management, discussions, events, and networking.
27 lakh+ learners from across the government spectrum are currently registered on the iGOT Platform having access to 818 courses.

Parliament’s Winter Session Highlights

Protection and Conservation of Ecosystem

The Government of India has been undertaking number of steps aimed at protecting the ecosystem and implementing conservation which have a direct/indirect impact on combating climate change.
India has updated its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) in 2022 and enhanced its target of electric power generation installed through non-fossil fuel to 50% by 2030 and to reduce the emission intensity of the GDP by 45% as compared to 2005 levels and has set a target for creation of carbon sink of 2.5 – 3 billion tons by 2030.
The Government of India has also included a non-quantitative target in the updated NDC namely LiFE – ‘Lifestyle for Environment’ as a key to combating climate change by involving people’s everyday actions.
India has also submitted its Long Term Low Emission Development Strategy (LT-LEDS) in COP 27 which has declared its goal of becoming net-zero by 2070.
The Government of India is also implementing National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) which comprises missions in specific areas of solar energy, energy efficiency, water, agriculture, Himalayan eco-system, sustainable habitat, green India, human health and strategic knowledge on climate change.
These Missions are institutionalized and implemented by their respective nodal Ministries.
The National Mission for a Green India (GIM) is one of the eight Missions outlined under the NAPCC.
It aims at protecting, restoring, and enhancing India’s forest cover and responding to Climate Change by undertaking plantation activities in the forest and non-forest areas.
The Department of Science and Technology is implementing two National Mission – National Mission for Sustaining the Himalayan Ecosystem (NMSHE) and National Mission on Strategic knowledge for Climate Change (NMSKCC).
In order to address the problem of climate change, various mitigation and adaptation strategies have been suitably incorporated under several flagship Urban Missions/ Schemes of Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) viz. Swachh Bharat Mission – Urban (SBM-U), Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT), Smart Cities Mission (SCM), Pradhan MantriAwasYojana – Urban (PMAY-U) and Metro Rail Projects. The Government has announced the scheme AmritDharohar to encourage optimal use of wetlands, and enhance bio-diversity, carbon stock, eco-tourism opportunities and income generation for local communities.
Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitats & Tangible Incomes (MISHTI) is being undertaken through NCM for protection of the shoreline and as a climate mitigation and adaptation measure.
Government of India (GoI) has launched the NamamiGange Program in 2014-15, to accomplish the twin objectives of effective abatement of pollution, conservation and rejuvenation of National River Ganga and its tributaries.
The main objective of river rejuvenation programme is to meet the primary water quality criteria for outdoor bathing notified by the Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change (MoEF&CC).
Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change has launched National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) in January 2019 to tackle the problem of air pollution in a comprehensive manner with targets to achieve 20 to 30 percent reduction in PM10 and PM2.5 concentrations by 2024.

Steps taken by the Government to promote gender equality in education

The Department of School Education and Literacy is implementing an Integrated Centrally Sponsored Scheme for School Education- Samagra Shiksha from 2018-19.
The scheme has been redesigned and aligned with the recommendations of the National Education Policy, 2020.
It aims to ensure that all children, from pre-school to class 12, have access to quality education with an equitable and inclusive classroom environment which should take care of their diverse background, multilingual needs, different academic abilities and make them active participants in the learning process.
The major features of the Scheme are: (i) Support States and UTs in implementing the recommendations of the National Education Policy 2020 (NEP 2020); (ii) Support States in implementation of Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act, 2009; (iii) Focus on Early Childhood Care and Education; (iv) Emphasis on Foundational Literacy and Numeracy; (v) Thrust on Holistic, Integrated, Inclusive and activity based Curriculum and Pedagogy to impart 21st century skills among the students; (vi) Provision of quality education and enhancing learning outcomes of students; (vii) Bridging Social and Gender Gaps in School Education; (viii) Ensuring equity and inclusion at all levels of school education; (ix) Strengthening and up-gradation of State Councils for Educational Research and Training (SCERTs)/State Institutes of Education and District Institutes for Education and Training (DIET) as nodal agency for teacher training; (x) Ensuring safe, secure and conducive learning environment and maintenance of standards in schooling provisions and (xi) Promoting vocational education.
The State Councils of Educational Research and Training (SCERTs) and the District Institutes of Education and Training (DIETs) are an integral part of the Samagra Shiksha scheme.
One of the major objectives under the scheme is strengthening and up-gradation of SCERTs/State Institutes of Education and DIET as a nodal agency for teacher training.
Under the scheme, financial assistance is also provided to all the States/UTs for strengthening of the SCERTs and DIETs and to emphasize the integration of training structures,
SCERT has been designated as the nodal agency in the state for conduct of Teacher’s Training and preparation/conduct of combined annual teacher training calendars for all teachers, from ECCE to the senior secondary level.
The Department of School Education and Literacy has also launched a National Mission to improve learning outcomes at the elementary level through an Integrated Teacher Training Programme called NISHTHA – National Initiative for School Heads’ and Teachers’ Holistic Advancement, under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Samagra Shiksha in 2019-20.
NISHTHA is a capacity building programme for “Improving Quality of School Education through Integrated Teacher Training”.
NISHTHA training has been extended to secondary level teachers and to Foundational Literacy and Numeracy and Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) for training of master trainers.

National Culture Fund (NCF)

Government has set up National Culture Fund (NCF) in 1996 as a Trust under the Charitable Endowment Act, 1890 with an objective to mobilize extra resources through Public Private Partnerships (PPP) mode towards conservation of heritage sites, and overall promotion of India’s cultural heritage.
The progress of all projects approved by the NCF under PPP mode are regularly monitored by the Project Implementation Committee.
A donor/ sponsor while making contributions to the NCF can indicate a project to be taken to up for conservation or developing amenities around any monument along with specific location/aspect.

Indian Heritage

Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) in technical collaboration with Bhaskaracharya Institute for Space Applications and Geoinformatics (BISAG) has launched a mobile application ‘Indian Heritage’ in Sep 2023 containing information on protected monuments/areas with textual content and aided by interactive digital maps.
The first phase that has been launched incorporates 143 ticketed monuments with the ASI.

Scheme for Financial Assistance for Veteran Artists

The Ministry of Culture administers a Scheme by the name of “Scheme for Financial Assistance for Veteran Artists” for senior artists aged 60 years and above who have contributed significantly in their specialized fields of performing arts and culture, but are facing financial difficulties due to old age.
As per the extant Scheme guidelines the financial assistance up to Rs. 6000/- per month is being provided to the selected artists irrespective of the States/UTs to which the concerned beneficiary belongs. Under the scheme 11233 artists from different States/UTs have been selected.
The scheme was recently reviewed and monthly financial assistance has been increased from Rs.4000/- to Rs.6000/- from June, 2022.

Financial Assistance for Promotion of Guru-Shishya Parampara

Ministry of Culture implements a financial grant scheme by the name of ‘Financial Assistance for Promotion of Guru-Shishya Parampara (Repertory Grant)’ across the country.
Under this scheme, financial assistance is provided to dramatic / theatre groups, music ensembles, children theatre, dance groups etc. engaged in all genres of performing arts activities like music, dance, theatre, folk art etc. and imparting training to artists/shishyas by their respective Guru on regular basis in line with Guru–Shishya Parampara.
As per the scheme, financial assistance for each Guru/teacher is provided @ Rs.15,000/- per month and for each Shishya/Artist @ Rs.2,000 to 10,000/- per month depending upon the age of the artists.

Gram Manchitra

In order to encourage the Spatial Planning by the Gram Panchayat, Ministry of Panchayati Raj had launched the Geographic Information System (GIS) application “Gram Manchitra” (https://grammanchitra.gov.in).
This application facilitates and supports Gram Panchayats to perform planning at Gram Panchayat level using geo-spatial technology.
It provides a single/ unified Geo-Spatial platform to better visualize the various developmental works to be taken up across the different sectors and provide a decision support system for Gram Panchayat Development Plan (GPDP).
Further, the Ministry has launched mActionSoft, a mobile based solution to help in capturing photos with Geo-Tags (i.e. GPS Coordinates) for the works which have asset as an output.
Geo-tagging of the assets is done in all three stages viz. (i) before start of the work, (ii) during the work and (iii) on completion of work.
This would provide a repository of information on all works and assets related to natural resource management, water harvesting, drought proofing, sanitation, agriculture, check dams and irrigation channels etc.
Assets geo-tagged using the m-ActionSoft application is available on Gram Manchitra, enhancing the visualization of various developmental works in the Gram Panchayats.
The assets created under the finance commission funds are geotagged with the photographs of assets by the Panchayats.
The GIS data of assets geotagged on the map of Panchayat can be visualized on the Gram Manchitra application.
Gram Manchitra provides several planning tools that use GIS technology to help Gram Panchayat officials develop realistic and achievable development plans.

Panchayat Development Index (PDI).

To assess and measure the progress made by Grassroots level Institutions in achieving Localized SDGs and thereby attaining SDG 2030, Ministry has released a report on Panchayat Development Index (PDI).
Panchayat Development Index would play a significant role for performance evaluation and progress assessment in achieving the LSDGs in rural area.
PDI score of the Gram Panchayats will help to assess their progress in achieving localized SDGs.
PDI will also help in comparing the Panchayats in their progress of development goals across nine themes as well as in composite PDI score.

AMRIT SAROVAR SCHEME

The Mission Amrit Sarovar was launched on 24^thApril 2022, with an objective to conserve water for the future.
The Mission aimed at developing/rejuvenating 75 Amrit Sarovar (Pond) in each district of the Country, totaling about 50,000 Amrit Sarovars in the country.

The salient features of the Mission Amrit Sarovar are given below:

Mission Amrit Sarovar is based on “Whole of Government” approach with the participation from the Ministry of Rural Development, Ministry of Jal Shakti, Ministry of Culture, Ministry of Panchayati Raj, Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change and technical organizations.
Under the Mission every district of the country will construct or rejuvenate at least 75 Amrit Sarovars.
Every Amrit Sarovar will have a pondage area of at least 1 acre with a water holding capacity of about 10,000 cubic metre.
Every Amrit Sarovar will be surrounded by trees like Neem, Peepal and Banyan etc.
Every Amrit Sarovar will be a source of generation of livelihoods by using the water for different purposes like irrigation, fisheries, duckery, cultivation of water chestnut, water tourism and other activities. The Amrit Sarovar will also act as a social gathering point in that locality.
Mission Amrit Sarovar is a visible manifestation of the action during Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav.

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Current Affairs 01,02,03,04 & 05 Dec 2023