EVOLUTION OF PANCHAYATI RAJ IN INDIA

PANCHAYATI RAJ SYSTEM IN INDIA:

⋆ Article 40: The state shall take steps to organize village panchayats and endow them with such powers and authority as may be necessary to enable them to function as units of self­government. 

⋆ The Panchayati Raj is the Rural Local Self Government. 

⋆  ‘Local  Government’  is  mentioned  in  the State list of 7th schedule  of  the  Indian Constitution. 

⋆  The Panchayati Raj was not a part of the original Constitution. 

⋆  The Panchayati Raj was made a constitutional body through the 73rd amendment Act of 1992. 

BEFORE PANCHAYATI RAJ: 

⋆  The government has launched Community Development Programme (CDP) in the year 1952. 

⋆  The government has launched National Extension Service (NES) in the year 1953. 

BACK GROUND: 

⋆  In the year 1957 the Government of India appointed Balwant Rai Mehta Committee (B R Mehta Committee).

⋆  The B R Mehta Committee was appointed to look into the functioning of CDP and NES.  

⋆  The B R Mehta Committee submitted the report in November 1957.

⋆  The  Committee  recommended  the  establishment  of  the  scheme  of  ‘Democratic Decentralization” which is also known as Panchayati Raj.   

⋆  The recommendations were accepted by the National Development Council in January 1958.

⋆  Rajasthan was the first state to establish the Panchayati Raj in India on October 2, 1959.   

B R MEHTA COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION:   

⋆  B R Mehta Committee recommended for the establishment of 3­tier structure Panchayati Raj system.   

Gram (village) Panchayat     -    ­           Village Level           Panchayati Samiti                 -   ­            Block Level         
Zilla Parishad                        -  ­             District Level   

⋆  The Village Panchayat should be constituted with directly elected representatives.   

⋆  The Panchayat Samiti should be constituted with indirectly elected members.  

⋆  The Zilla Paridhad also to be constituted with indirectly elected members.   

⋆  All the planning and development activities should be entrusted to the panchayati raj bodies.  

⋆  The Panchayati Samiti should be the executive body.  

⋆  The Zilla parishad should be the advisory, coordinating and supervisory body.   

⋆  The District Collector should be the Chairman of the Zilla Parishad. 

 ⋆  There should be a genuine transfer of powers and responsibility to these democratic bodies.

⋆  These bodies should be transferred with adequate resources.   

 ⋆  A system should be evolved for the further devolution of authority in future. 

⋆  The National Development Council (NDC) accepted the recommendations in January, 1958. 

⋆  The NDC said that the basic principles should be identical throughout the country. 

WHICH  IS  THE  FIRST  STATE  TO  ESTABLISH PANCHAYATI RAJ?  
   
⋆  The scheme of Panchayat Raj was first established in Rajasthan and inaugurated on October 2, 1959 by then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru
       
⋆  Rajasthan was followed Andhra Pradesh and other states.   

⋆  There were many differences among the states in the structure and function of the panchayati Raj.   

⋆  The states like Rajasthan and Andhra Pradesh adopted 3 tier systems.   

⋆  West Bengal adopted 4 tier system.   

⋆  Tamil Nadu adopted the 2 tier system.  

 ASHOK MEHTA COMMITTEE:   

⋆  In  December  1977    (Janata  Party  Government)  the  Prime  Minister  Morarji  Desai appointed a committee on Panchayati Raj institutions.   

⋆  Ashok Mehta was the chairman of the committee.   

⋆  The Ashok Mehta Committee submitted the report in August 1978.

⋆  To  strengthen  the  Panchayati  Raj  system  the  Ashok  Mehta  Committee  made  132 recommendations.  

⋆  The Committee recommended for the adoption of 2 tier structure.  

         Zilla Parishad             -  ­           District Level   

         Mandal Panchayat      -  ­           Mandal Level   

  ⋆  Mandal Panchayat is a group of villages with a population of 15,000 to 20,000.   

  ⋆  The Zilla Parishad at the district level should be the executive body.   

  ⋆  The Zilla Parishad must be made responsible for planning at the district level.   

  ⋆  There  should  be  an  official  level  participation  of  political  parties  at  all  levels  of Panchayat elections.   

 ⋆  The Panchayati Raj must have compulsory powers of taxation to mobilize their own financial resources.
   
 ⋆  There should be a regular social audit by a district level agency and by a committee of legislatures to check whether the funds allotted for the vulnerable social and economic groups are actually spent on them or not.   

 ⋆  The State governments should not supersede the Panchayati Raj Institutions.   

 ⋆  In case of super session elections should be held within 6 months. 
  
  ⋆  The Nyaya Panchayats should be presided over by a qualified judge.   

  ⋆  The Nyaya Panchayat should be kept as a separate body.  

  ⋆  The chief electoral officer in consultation with the chief election commissioner should conduct elections of the Panchayat Raj.  

  ⋆  A Minister for panchayat Raj should be appointed.   

  ⋆  Seats for Scheduled caste and scheduled tribes should be reserved on the basis of their population.

NOTE:   No action was taken on the recommendations of the Ashok Mehta Committee report as the Janata Party government stepped down before the term due political turmoil.


      GVK RAO COMMITTEE: 
  
   ⋆  In the year 1985 the Planning Commission appointed a committee on Administrative Arrangement for Rural Development and Poverty Alleviation Programme. 
  
   ⋆  According to the G V K Rao committee the phenomenon of bureaucratization  weakened the Panchayati Raj institutions.   

   ⋆  The committee recommended for the revitalization of the entire Panchayati Raj system.

     L M SINGHVI COMMITTEE:     

    ⋆  In  the  year  1986  then  Prime  Minister  Rajiv  Gandhi  appointed  a  committee  on “Revitalization of Panchayati Raj Institutions for Democracy and Development”.   

    ⋆  The L M Singhvi committee recommended that the Panchayati Raj institutions should be constitutionally recognized, protected and preserved.   

    ⋆  The committee recommended that a new chapter should be added to the Constitution for the same purpose.   

    ⋆  The L M Singhvi Committee also suggested for the constitutional provisions to ensure regular, free and fair elections to the Panchayati Raj bodies.
                         

            ***************************************

   ⋆  After the recommendations of the above committees, then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi made an attempt to provide the constitutional status to the PRIs (Panchayati Raj bodies).  

    ⋆  In July 1989, the Rajiv Gandhi Government introduced 64th Constitutional amendment bill.   

 The 64th amendment bill was introduced in the Lok sabha:

 NOTE:  A constitutional amendment bill can be introduced either in the Lok Sabha or in the Rajya Sabha.   

   ⋆  This amendment is meant for providing the constitutional status to the Panchayati Raj institutions.   

     ⋆  The Lok sabha passed the bill in August 1989.   

 NOTE:  An amendment bill must be passes with the special majority.   

     ⋆  The bill was opposed in the Rajya Sabha on the grounds that it sought to strengthen centralization in the federal system.   
     ⋆  The bill was not passed in the Rajya Sabha.   

     ⋆  The 64th amendment bill was lapsed.   

  NOTE: 
               1)A constitutional amendment bill must be passed in both the houses of the Parliament separately with a special majority.   

               2)There is no provision of Joint sitting in case of disagreement on a Constitutional amendment bill.

            ***************************************

 

   ⋆  In the year 1989 National Front government was formed at the Central level.  

    ⋆  V . P. Singh was appointed as the Prime Minister of India.  

    ⋆  In the month of November 1989, the then Prime Minister V P Singh announced that the steps to strengthen the Panchayati Raj would be taken.  

    ⋆  In September 1990 a constitutional amendment bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha.  

    ⋆  But the government collapsed and there was an inevitable midterm election for the Lok Sabha in the year 1991.  

NOTE: If the Lok Sabha is dissolved all the bills that are pending in the Lok Sabha are lapsed.

   ⋆  This led to lapse of the bill.

    ⋆  After the elections of 1991 P V Narasimha Rao became the Prime Minister of India.  

  NOTE: During the election campaign on May 21, 1991 Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated.  

    ⋆  The  Congress  government  (P  V  Narasimha  Rao)  considered  the  matter  of constitutionality for the panchayati Raj institutions.  

   ⋆  The controversial aspects were removed from the bill.

     ⋆  The bill was introduced in the form of 73rd constitutional amendment bill.

     ⋆  The 73rd constitutional amendment bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha in 1991.  

     ⋆  The bill was passed by the Lok Sabha on December 22, 1992.  

     ⋆  The bill was passed by the Rajya Sabha on December 23, 1992.

     ⋆  The bill was approved by the 17 state assemblies.  

  NOTE: A constitutional amendment bill related to the federal powers must get the consent of at least half the state with simple majority.  

     ⋆  The President gave his assent (President (Shankar Dayal Sharma) on April 20, 1993.  

     ⋆  This became the 73rd Constitution amendment Act, 1992.  

SALIENT FEATURES OF THE 73RD AMENDMENT ACT 1992:   

    ⋆  This act added Part­IX to the Constitution.  

    ⋆  This act also added new article from 243A to 243O (English alphabet ‘O”).  

  Note: This means 243A, 243B, 243C …243O.  

    ⋆  The 73rd amendment act also added 11th schedule to the Constitution of India

NOTE:  THE  ORIGINAL  CONSTITUTION CONTAINS ONLY 8 SCHEDULES.     

   ⋆  9th schedule was added through the 1st amendment in the year 1951.   

   ⋆  9th schedule is related to the land reforms.   

  ⋆  10th schedule is added in the year 1985 through the 52nd amendment.   

   ⋆  10th schedule is related to the Anti­Defection law.       

   ⋆  The 11th schedule contains 29 subjects.   

   REMEMBER: 7th schedule is different from 11th schedule. 7th schedule consists of 3 lists Union, State and concurrent lists.   

    ⋆  The  state  governments  are  under  the  constitutional  obligation  to  adopt  the  new Panchayati Raj system.   

    ⋆  The compulsory provisions of the act have to be included in the state laws creating the new Panchayati Raj system.   

    ⋆  The voluntary provisions may be included at the discretion of the states.     

GRAM SABHA:     

   ⋆  All the adult members are in the village is the Gram Sabha.   

   ⋆  This means that all the persons registered in the electoral rolls of a village is the Gram Sabha.   

   ⋆  This is a village assembly consisting of all the registered voters in a Village Panchayat.

  ⋆  The Gram Sabha functions are determined by the state legislature.   

ESTABLISHMENT OF 3­TIER STRUCTURE:  

   ⋆  The act provides for the establishment of a 3­tier panchayati Raj structure at the state level to bring the uniformity throughout the country.   

         Village Level                          - ­           Village Panchayat   

         Mandal Level(intermediate)   -            Mandal Panchayat   

         Zilla Parishad                         -  ­           District Level   

   ⋆  But, a state with a population not exceeding 20 Lakh may not constitute Mandal Panchayat.   

  Note: It means the states with a population less than 20 lakh may constitute only Village Panchayat and Zill Parishad.   

ELECTIONS:   

   ⋆  All the members of the Panchayats at all levels   

         Village   

         Mandal   

         District   shall be elected directly by the people.               

   ⋆  The manner and procedure of election Chair person at the village level (Sarpanch or President) is determined by the state legislature.   

   ⋆  The chair persons of Mandal Panchyat (Madal President) and Zill Parishad (Chairman) shall be elected indirectly from amongst the elected members.  

   ⋆  A  District  (Zilla)  is  divided  into  number  of  ZPTCs  (Zilla  Parishad  Territorial Constituencies).   

   ⋆  A ZPTC member is directly elected by the people.

   ⋆  The directly elected ZPTC members from amongst them elect the chairman of Zilla Parishad.   

   ⋆  Similarly  each  Mandal  is  divided  into  MPTCs  (Mandal  Parishad  Territorial Constituencies).   

   ⋆  An MPTC is elected directly by the people.   

   ⋆  The President of Mandal is elected by the MPTCs from amongst themselves.   

   ⋆  Hence, except the ZP chairman and the Mandal President all the members in the Panchayats are elected directly.     

RESERVATION OF SEATS:   

  

   ⋆  Article 243 D provides the reservation of seats for SCs and STs.   

   ⋆  The Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribes are provided with the reservation of seats at all the three levels in proportion to their population.   

   ⋆  The state legislature shall provide for the reservation of offices of the Chairpersons in the Village panchayat or any other level for SCs and STs.   

   ⋆  The women are provided with the reservation at all the three levels.   

   ⋆  Not less than the 1/3rd of the total number of seats shall be reserved for women.   

  Note: 110th amendment bill that is meant for increasing the reservation for women from 1/3rd to ½ at all levels is still pending in the Parliament (As on January 15, 2104)   

   ⋆  This includes seats reserved for women belonging to SCs and STs).   

   ⋆  Not less than 1/3rd of the total number of offices of chairpersons in the panchayats at each level shall be reserved for women.   

   ⋆  The state legislatures may make any provision for reservation of seats in any panchayat or offices of chairpersons in the Panchayat at any level in favour of backward classes.   

TERM OF PANCHAYATS:  

  ⋆  The term of office is 5 years.   

   ⋆  The office can be dissolved earlier before the completion of the term in accordance with the procedure prescribed by state law.   

   ⋆  In case of dissolution election should be conducted before the expiry of the 6 months from the date of dissolution.   

   ⋆  A Panchayat that is reconstituted after premature dissolution shall continue only for the remainder of the period.   

   ⋆  Fresh election to the panchayats can be conducted before the expiry of the term of 5 years.   

QUALIFICATIONS:   

   ⋆  Article 243 F provides that all persons who are qualified to be chosen to the state legislature shall be qualified to be chosen as a member of a panchayat.   

   ⋆  A person who attained the age of 21 years is eligible to contest in the Panchayat elections.   

  NOTE: In case of state assembly it is 25 years.   

DISQUALIFICATIONS:   

   ⋆  If a person is disqualified under any law for the time being in force for the purpose of elections to the legislature of the state concerned.   

   ⋆  If a person is disqualified under any law made by the state legislature.   

  ⋆  No person can be disqualified on the grounds that he is less than 25 years of age if he has attained the age of 21 years.   

   ⋆  All  questions  of  disqualifications  shall  be  referred  to  such  authority  as  the  state legislature determines.   

 POWERS, AUTHORITY AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF PANCHAYATS: 

  ⋆  ARTCILE 243G-­243H: The State legislatures confer on the panchayats such powers and authority  as  may  be  necessary  to  enable  them  to  function  as  institutions  of  self government.   

   ⋆  The panchayats may be entrusted with the responsibilities of    Preparing plans for economic development and social justice   

   ⋆  Implementation of schemes for economic development and social justice.   

   ⋆  With regard to the subjects that are mentioned in the 11th schedule of the Indian Constitution. (29 items).   

   ⋆  Thus the 11th schedule distributes powers between the state legislature and panchayats.   

  NOTE: the 7th schedule distributes the powers between the Union and the State legislatures.     

POWERS  OF  PANCHAYATS  TO  IMPOSE  TAXES  AND  FINANCIAL RESOURCES:     

   ⋆   State legislature may authorize the panchayats to levy, collect and appropriate taxes, duties, tolls etc.   

   ⋆  The state legislature can also assign to a panchayat various taxes, duties etc collected by the state government.   

   ⋆  From the Consolidated Fund of the State Grants­in­aid may be given to the Panchayats.       

STATE FINANCE COMMISSION:   

  NOTE: This is just like the Central Finance Commission.   

   ⋆  The State Finance Commission is constituted by the Governor every 5 years.   

   ⋆  The state finance commission recommends about the division of net proceeds of taxes, duties, tolls and fees leviable by the state may be divided between the state government and  the  panchayats and  how  allocation  would  be  made  among  various  levels  of panchayats.

  ⋆  The State Finance Commission also recommends about the grants­in­aid to be given to the panchayats.   

   ⋆  The State finance Commission submits the report along with the memorandum of action taken on it to the Governor.   

   ⋆  The report of the Finance Commission along with a memorandum of action taken on it is laid before the state legislature by the Governor. 

AUDITING OF PANCHAYAT ACCOUNTS:   

   ⋆  The provisions are made by the state legislature with respect to the maintenance of accounts by the panchayats and the auditing of such accounts. 

STATE ELECTION COMMISSION:     

  ⋆  Article 243K provides for the constitution of a state Election Commission.   

  ⋆  The State Election Commissioner is appointed by the Governor.   

  ⋆  The State Election Commission is vested with the responsibilities of   

         Superintendence   

         Direction   

         Control of elections to the panchayats   

         Preparation of electoral rolls     

   ⋆  The State Election Commissioner can be removed in the same manner and on the same grounds as a judge of a High Court.

  ⋆  The State Legislature has the power to legislate on all matters relating to elections to panchayats.   

   ⋆  An election to a panchayat can be called in question only by an election petition which should be presented to such authority and in such manner as may be prescribed by or under any law made by the state legislature.   

MISCELLANEOUS:   

   ⋆  The President may direct the provisions of this act shall apply to any Union Territory subject to such exceptions and modifications as he specifies.   

   ⋆  The  73rd  amendment  act  is  not  applicable  to  the  states  of  Jammu  and  Kashmir, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland etc.   

   ⋆  The act is also not applicable to Scheduled areas and tribal areas.   

  Note: Tribal areas are the autonomous districts.    

 SUBJECTS IN THE 11TH SCHEDULE OF THE INDIAN CONSTITUTION:   

   ⋆  The 11th schedule contains 29 subjects.   

         1) Agriculture, including agricultural extension.   

         2) Land improvement, implementation of land reforms, land consolidation and soil conservation.   

         3) Minor irrigation, water management and watershed development.   

         4) Animal husbandry, dairying and poultry.   

         5) Fisheries   

         6) Social forestry and farm forestry   

         7) Minor forest produce   

         8) Small Scale industries, including food processing industries

         9) Rural housing   

       10) Drinking water   

       11)Fuel and fodder   

       12)Roads, culverts, bridges, ferries, water ways, and other means of communication   

       13)Rural electrification, including distribution of electricity              14)Non conventional energy sources   

       15)Poverty alleviation programme   

       16)Education, including primary and secondary schools                    17)Technical training and vocational education   

       18)Adult and non­formal education   

       19)Libraries   

       20)Cultural activities   

       21)Markets and fairs   

       22)Health  and  sanitation  including  hospitals,  primary  health  centers  and dispensaries   

       23)Family welfare   

       24)Women and child development   

       25)Social welfare, including the welfare of the handicapped and mentally retarded   

       26)Welfare of the weaker sections and in particular of the scheduled castes and the scheduled tribes   

       27)Public distribution system

       28)Maintenance of community assets  

       29)Khadi,village and cottage industries

  MISCELLANEOUS:   

   ⋆  Maharashtra is the 1st state in the country to provide 33 percent reservation to women in the local bodies in the early 1990’s. (during the Chief Ministership of Sharad Pawar ).   

   ⋆  Bihar is the first state to provide 50 percent reservation for women in the local bodies. 

List of Government Schemes Launched in India 2016-17

Deendayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana (DUGJY):

Launched: 25^th July 2015 in Patna 

Aim: To bring reforms and uninterrupted power supply in rural areas of the country

Features

• Funding of of 43,033 crores w
• BPL will get a free electricity connection with LED lamps at Rs.3000 per connection. 
• GARV-2 app launched to provide realtime data about the six lakh villages of the country. 
• 100% electrification of rural areas

Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY)

Launched: 1st of May 2016 in Uttar Pradesh.
Aim: Social welfare by providing LPG connections to BPL households in the country.

Features

• To replace the unclean cooking fuels with the clean and more efficient Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG). 
• Financial support of Rs. 1600 for each LPG connection 
• Implemented by the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas 

Urja Ganga Yojana (UGY)

Launched: 24th October, 2016 in Varanasi
Aim: A 2540 km long gas pipeline which will guarantee supply of clean and eco friendly fuel to at least seven main cities – Varanasi, Patna, Jamshedpur, Kolkata, Ranchi, Bhubaneswar and Cuttack .

Features

• To provide the accessibility of approx. 5 lakh LPG gas cylinders within next 5 years.
• 20,000 vehicles will get CNG

Swachh Swasth Sarvatra Abhiyan (SSSA)

Launched: 25th December 2016 by Union Health Ministry  in collaboration with the Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation and Human Resource Development
Aim: To strengthen health centers in open defecation-free blocks

Features

• Grant of Rs 10 lakh to each Community Health Centres (CHCs) in ODF blocks of the country. 

Main components

• Community Health Centres (CHCs) in ODF blocks supported to achieve Kayakalp certification.
• Gram Panchayat of Kayakalp Primary Health Centres (PHCs) prioritized to become ODF.
• Training in WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene ) of CHC/PHC nominees. 

Deendayal Antyodaya Mission (DAM)

 Launched: June 2011

 Aim:

• To nurture rural power till they comes clear of abject poverty
• To expand livelihoods in small enterprises; agriculture based rural areas and employment in formal sector. 

Features:

• Also known as National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM)
• SAMARTHYA – A set of 10 training programmes focusing on technical education created under MGNREGA 
• Provides scope for value addition, innovation and entrepreneurship. 

Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan (PMSMA)

Launched: 9th June 2016
Aim: To improve the quality and coverage of Antenatal Care with Diagnostics and Counselling services as part of Reproductive Maternal Neonatal Child and Adolescent Health.

Features 

• Offers some additional opportunities to all pregnant women who have missed their ante-natal visits due to some reasons. 
• Provides care provision by a Doctor, Physician or Specialist in the second or third trimester. 
• Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan will be held on the 9th of every month.

Pradhan Mantri Vittiya Saksharta Abhiyan (PMVSA)

Launched: 1st December 2016 by Human Resource Development Minister Prakash Javadekar in New Delhi.
Aim: To go for cashless transaction and payment modes like using credit or debit cards or the payment wallets to reduce the malpractice in the country.

Features

• To stop the malpractice of corruption and to finish black money in India. 
• Encourages the common people to evolve and opt for cashless transactions 

Digi Dhan Vyapar Yojana (DDVY)

Launched: 15 December 2016 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi 

Proposed by: NITI Ayog headed by Arvind Panagariya

Aim: To increase the “Cashless Transactions”

Features

• NITI Ayog stands for the “National Institution for Transforming India”.
• Prizes for Merchants for all digital transactions are worth Rs. 50,000, Rs 5,000 and Rs. 2,500. 
• Incentives shall be restricted to transactions within the range of Rs 50 and Rs 3000 (common people). 
• The winners will be selected through a random draw of the eligible Transaction IDs. 

Launched: 15th December 2016 by NITI Aayog and NPCI.
Aim: To increase the “Cashless Transactions”

Features

• In this Yojana, there is a lucky draw for those who will do more cashless transactions during a particular period. This scheme is for merchants and customers only. 
• Those who are doing cashless transactions by using AEPS, USSD, UPI, RuPay. They will be eligible for this scheme. 

Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana (PMGKY)

Launched: December 2016
Aim: To improve the financial position of the poor people

Features

• To organise Garib Kalyan Mela
• Make our country developing to developed. 

NTR Aarogya Raksha Scheme

Launched: 1st December, 2016 in Vijayawada
Aim: To provide medical treatment to the people belonging to Above Poverty Line (APL) at Rs. 1200 premium per annum

Features

• Offers health insurance cover up to 2lakh and free treatment
• Provides medical treatment for 1044 health and
• The new Married couple either the wife or husband belongs to other state can be registered under one family by paying the entire annual premium. 
• People can resister for this scheme at any of the Mee Seva centers till 28th February, 2017. 

Digi-Locker scheme

Launched: 1 July 2015
Aim: To provide a secure storage of documents in digital form.

Features

• Helpful in sharing the e-documents through the registered repositories,
• Digital document contains the URL’S of the documents issued by the government agencies or any other entities. Uploaded documents contain all the documents uploaded by the user,each not exceeding 10 mb of space

Atal Amrit Abhiyan (AAA)

Launched: 25 December 2016 on 92nd birth anniversary of Atal Bihari Vajpayee
Aim: To provide health insurance against 437 illnesses including 5 critical diseases.

Features

• The scheme will roll out from 1 April, 2017. 
• A Health/Smart Card will be given at the cost of Rs 100/- 
• 437 illnesses are divided into six groups which are kidney, cardiovascular, cancer, burns, neo-natal and neurological conditions

Nagar Uday Scheme (NUS)

Launched: 25th December, 2016, on the birthday of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee

Launched by: Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh Shivraj Singh Chouhan.
Aim: To assess service being provided to citizens and bring them at standard life.

Features

• To inform lower income class people about public welfare scheme and provide benefit. 
• Under this scheme CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan flagged off Uday Abhijan Rath and 51 e rickshaws. 

Voluntary Disclosure and Surcharge Waiver Scheme

Launched: 19th November, 2016 by Haryana Government 

Aim: For declaring tampered or defective meters for all category of consumer having sanctioned load up to 5KW and for small domestic and non-domestic consumers having sanctioned load up to 2 KW in rural areas.

Features

• Applicable to only those consumers falling in the aforesaid three categories, who were in default as on 30th September, 2016
• To replace old meters with a new electronic meter within three days. 
• No checking during the period of operation of the scheme for consumers having load up to 5KW. 

Baristha Bunkar Sahayata Yojana (BBSY)

Launched: 7th August, 2016 by Odisha Government
Aim: All weavers within age of 60 years would get a monthly pension of 500 rupees per month.

Features

• Weavers above age of 80 years would get 700 rupees per month. 
• Weavers within age of 60 years would get a monthly pension of 500 rupees 

Pradhan Mantri Zero Deficit Zero Effect Scheme (ZED)

Launched: 2016 by Prime minister Narendra Modi. The scheme is launched

Aim: The scheme is launched to suppress the bad effect of products on environment.

Features:

• Micro Small and Medium Enterprises companies which follows the guidelines set by ZED and meet the standards set by the ZED will be awarded ZED certification along with various benefits. 
• More emphasis on producing items that have “Zero Deficits” so as to achieve the quality
• To encourage a sustainable environment & development 

E-Nirvan: Online Tax Related Grievance Scheme

Launched: September 8 2016 by CBDT. 

Aim: To reduce the forged cases on tax evasions & to provide assistance through electronic media.

Features

• Works will be done under paperless environment under the eyes of an assessment officer of IT department. 
• Everyone will be able to track their complaint and get a solution on the real-time basis. 
• A separate and dedicated window for grievance redressal in the Income Tax Business Application 

Mission Bhagiratha: Safe drinking water scheme

Launch: August 7, 2016 in Telangana

Aim: To provide safe drinking water to everyone in the State through dedicated water pipeline channels in the state.

Features

• The state government has designed a water grid project to provide a sustainable and durable solution to the problem of safe drinking water. 
• Mission “Bhagiratha” will provide 100 litres & 150 litres of clean drinking water per person in rural households and in urban households respectively. 

Kayakalp Award Scheme

Launched: 15th May 2015 by Ministry of Health And Family Welfare 

Aim

• To promote cleanliness and enhance the quality of public health facilities in Hospitals, Clinics, Public Space, 
• To incentivize and recognise such public healthcare facilities that show exemplary performance in adhering to standard protocols of cleanliness and infection control. 

Features:

• Few parameters on which the performance of Health Facilities Centre would be judged are as Hospital or Facility Upkeep, Sanitation and hygiene, Waste Management, Infection control, Support Services, Hygiene Promotion

Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY)

Launched: 13th January 2016 by Government of India
Aim: To provide insurance coverage and financial support to the farmers in the event of failure of any of the notified crop as a result of natural calamities, pests & diseases.

Features:

• It replaced the National Agriculture Insurance Scheme (NAIS) and modified NAIS. 
• Covers nearly 50 percent of the total cropped area in our country in the next three years
• Offers a uniform premium rate of 2 percent for kharif crops and 1.5 percent for Rabi crops. 

Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY)

Launched:  25 th June 2015.
Aim: Provide affordable houses to Indian citizen

Features:

• More than 2 Crore houses to be built among which 1 crore houses are to be built by 2019. 
• Ministry of Housing and Urban Poverty alleviation (HUPA) is the nodal agency. 
•  It has a cost of 1.25 lakhs per unit. 
• The houses constructed under PMAY will be in accordance with “Going Green” concept. 

UJALA (Unnat Jyoti by Affordable LEDs for All)

Launched: 1st May 2015 by Piyush Goyal
Aim: It aims at replacing 77 crores of incandescent lamps with LEDs which are much more energy saving.

Features

• Domestic Efficient Lighting Program (DELP) has come up with this new UJALA scheme. 
• EESL (Energy Efficient Services Limited) has implemented the UJALA scheme. 

Lalima Abhiyan

Launched: November 1 2016 by CM of Madhya Pradesh Shivraj Singh Chauhan 

Aim: To make the Madhya Pradesh anaemia free

Features

• Iron folic acid tablets will be provided free in aaganwadis, hospitals and academic institutions. 
• Ferrous escorbate tablets will be distributed by the health minister JP Nadda. 

Kalinga Shiksha Sathi Yojana (KSSY)

Launched:  27th June 2016 by Chief Minister of Orissa Mr. Naveen Patnaik
Aim: 

• To reduce the financial stress of the parents facing hardship in paying high rate of interest of educational loans
• Provide the education loan at only 1% interest rates

Features

• The loan facility will be given to the students on the basis of their merit and the total annual income of their family. 
• Release the financial burden from the shoulders of the parents of the aspiring students. 
• The Odisha government is allotted the budget for this scheme is nearly 500 crore from its own resources. 

Sovereign Gold Scheme

Launched: Budget session 2016
Aim: To reduce the demand of physical gold thus keeping a tab on gold imports and utilising resources effectively.

Features

• On gold bond maturity, redemption will be made in Rupee only
• Price of gold bond will vary with the market prices of gold
• RBI has fixed tenor of the bond from 5 to 7 years to protect the investors from medium term volatility.

Annapurna Rasoi Yojana

launched: December 15, 2016 by Rajasthan’s Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje Annapurna
Aim:  To provide nutritious food to street-dwellers, vendors, rickshaw-pullers and students and working women

Features

• People will be provided breakfast at Rs. 5 and nutritious will be provided at Rs. 8.
• The scheme is implemented in 12 districts including Jaipur, Jodhpur, Kota, Ajmer, Bikaner, Udaipur, Bharatpur and many other districts along with Raje’s constituency Jhalawar.
• The skilled will prepare meals with their gloves, head-masks and aprons on.

Niramaya Health Insurance

Launched: October 2016 Implemented & monitored by: National Trust with the active participation of the Local Level Committees (LLC).
Aim: To enable and empower persons with disability to live as independently and as fully as possible, health services and their access to persons with disabilities assume a very significant role.

Features

• Scheme available all over India except J&K
• Insurance cover of up to 1 lac to PwDs
• PwDs with disabilities under the National Trust Act are eligible

Swavlamban Health Insurance Scheme

Launched: 2nd October 2015 Implementing agency: New India Assurance Company
Aim: To provide affordable health facilities

Features

• Uniform premium of 357 rupees per PwD person through out the country
• Sum insured is 2 lacs for a year and will cover PwDs in the age group of 0 to 65 years
• OPD benefits include 10000 p.a per PwD and 3000 p.a for mentally retarded people
• No premedical tests involved
• Swavlamban excludes people with autism, cerebral palsy and Multiple disabilities

National Health Policy

Aim: To achieve universal health coverage and delivering quality health care services to all at affordable cost.
Launched: By Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 15th march 2017

Features:

• This policy helps in problems and solutions with private sector as strategic partners. 
• It seeks to promote quality of care focus is on emerging diseases and investment in promotes and prevents healthcare. The policy is patient centric and quality driven. It addresses issues on health security and makes in India for drugs and devices. 
• The main objective of the National Health Policy 2017 is to achieve the highest possible level of good health and well-bein and to achieve universal access to good quality health care services without facing any financial hardship. 

Cyber Swachhta Kendra

Aim: Creating a secure cyber space by detecting botnet infections in India.
Launched: By the Minister of Electronics and Information Technology.

Features:

• It is a Digital India initiative in creating a secure cyber space by detecting botnet infections in India and to enable cleaning and securing systems of end-users to prevent further infections. 
• The Center is operated by the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In).The Centre aims to enhance coordination between the Government and industry in order to encourage cyber hygiene among all end-users and to create a secure and safe internet in India. 

Some of the tools released for citizens are as follows: 
1. USB Pratirodh -A desktop security solution, which protects from USB mass storage device threats.
2. AppSamvid - A desktop security solution which protects systems by allowing installation of genuine applications through white listing. This helps in preventing threats from malicious applications.
3. M-Kavach – An indigenously developed solution to address the security threats in mobiles.

Credit guarantee limit for small and medium businesses

Aim: To give a boost to the small entrepreneurs and job creation, the government today doubled the credit guarantee limit for small and medium businesses to Rs. 2 crore to help them over the liquidity problems.
Launched: By Prime Minister Narendra Modi

Features:

• The government has taken certain decisions in the interest rate of small and medium businesses which will also boost employment. 
• Government underwrites loans given by banks to small businesses through a trust. So far, loans were covered up to 1.crore rupees. This limit is now being enhanced to Rs. 2.crore 
• Earlier, the scheme only covered bank loans. But now it will cover loans given by NBFCs (non-banking financial companies) as well. 
• This will enable better access to credit for small shop-owners and small enterprises and the banks and NBFCs will not levy high interest on these loans, as the government is bearing the cost of underwriting them. 

Pradhan Mantri Gramin Digital Saksharta Abhiyan

Aim: To make 6 crore rural households digitally literate. This project is Rs.2,351.38crore to usher in digital literacy in rural India by March,2019.
Launched: By Finance Minister in the Union Budget 2016-17

Features:

• PMGDISHA is expected to be one of the largest digital literacy programs in the world. Under this scheme 25 lakh candidates will be trained in the FY 2016-17, 275 lakh in the FY 2017-18 and 300 lakh in the FY 2018-19. To ensure geographical reach each of the 2,50,000 Gram Panchayats would be expected to register an average of 200-300 candidates. 
• Digitally literate persons will be able to operate computers/digital access devices, send and receive emails, browse internet, access Government Services, search for information, undertaking cashless transactions, etc. and use IT to actively participate in the process of nation building. 
• The implementation of this Scheme would be carried out under overall supervision of Ministry of Electronics and IT in active collaboration with States/UTs through their designated State Implementing Agencies, District e-Governance Society, etc. 

Varishtha Pension Bima Yojana

Aim: To provide social security during old age and protect elderly persons aged 60 years and above against a future fall in their interest income due to uncertain market conditions.
Launched: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given its post-facto approval for launching of Varishtha Pension Bima Yojana 2017. It is a part of Government’s commitment for financial inclusion and social security.

Features:

• This scheme will provide an assured pension based on a guaranteed rate of return of 8% per annum for ten years, with an option to opt for pension on a monthly / quarterly / halfyearly and annual basis. 
• The difference between the return generated by LIC and the assured return of 8% per annum would be borne by Government of India as subsidy on an annual basis. 
• Minimum investment is not yet specified. However, the maximum investment limit is Rs.7,50,000. 

Lucky Grahak Yojana and the Digi-Vyapar Yojana

Aim: The primary aim of these schemes is to incentivize digital transactions so that electronic payments are adopted by all sections of the society, especially the poor and the middle class.

Features:

Lucky Grahak Yojana (Consumers): 

• Daily reward of Rs 1000 to be given to 15,000 lucky Consumers for a period of 100 days. 
• Weekly prizes worth Rs 1 lakh, Rs 10,000 and Rs. 5000 for each Consumer who uses the alternate modes of digital Payments. 
• This will include all forms of transactions viz. UPI, USSD, AEPS and RuPay Cards but for the time being exclude transactions through Private Credit Cards and Digital Wallets. 

Digi-Vyapar Yojana (Merchants)

• Prize for Merchants for all kinds of digital transactions conducted at Merchant establishments. 
• Weekly prizes worth Rs. 50,000, Rs 5,000 and Rs. 2,500 
• Mega Draw on 14th of April (Ambedkar Jayanti) 
• 3 Mega Prizes for consumers worth Rs 1.cr, 50 lakh and 25 lakh for digital transactions between 8thNovember, 2016 to 13th April, 2017 to be announced on 14th April, 2017. 
• 3 Mega Prizes for merchants worth Rs 50 lakhs, 25 lakh, 12 lakh for digital transactions between 8th November, 2016 to 13th April, 2017 to be announced on 14th. 

First Flight under UDAN Scheme to Take off

Aim: To form more airports and to make air service available at low cost.
Launched: The Minister of State for Civil Aviation JayantSinha, on January 19, 2017 announced that the under UDAN Scheme is likely to take off in February 2017.

Features:

• Presently there are 75 operational airports in the country and after the implementation of UDAN scheme 43 new airports will be added. 
• Under this scheme traveller can buy tickets at Rs.2500. from 9 seats to maximum 40 seats can be booked by single user. 

Modified Special Incentive Package Scheme

Aim: To further incentivize investments in Electronic Sector and further move towards the goal of ‘Net Zero imports’ in electronics by 2020.
Launched: By Union Cabinet on 18 January

Features

• The incentive under the scheme will be available from the date of approval of a project and not from the date of receipt of application. 
• The incentives will be available for investments made within 5 years from the date of approval of the project. 
• Approvals will normally be accorded to eligible applications within 120 days of submission of the complete application. 
• A unit receiving incentives under the scheme will provide an undertaking to remain in commercial production for a period of at least 3 years. 
• The Appraisal Committee recommending approval of project will be chaired by Secretary, Ministry of Electronics and IT. 

CCEA approves 40,000-mw solar park scheme

Aim: For the development of Solar Parks and Ultra Mega Solar Power parks.
Launched: By the Union Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs.

Features:

• This Scheme for Development of Solar Parks and Ultra Mega Solar Power Projects with the production target enhancement to 40,000 MW from the present 20,000 MW. 
• The enhanced target capacity would ensure development of at least 50 solar parks each with a capacity of 500 MW and above in various parts of the country 
• In the recent development smaller parks in Himalayan and other hilly States where contiguous land may be difficult to acquire in view of the difficult terrain, will also be considered under the scheme. 

Credit Linked Subsidy Scheme (CLSS) of PMAY

• Aim: TO extend the tenure of loans under the Credit Linked Subsidy Scheme (CLSS) of PMAY from 15 to 20 years 
• Launched: By PM Modi has given its approval on February 1, 2017 
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Features: 

• The scheme has been introduced for the middle income group (MIG) category and an initial allocation of Rs. 1000 crore has been made at Budgetary Estimate stage in 2017-18 for the proposed CLSS for MIG. 
• The Primary Lending Institutions (PLIs) that have signed a MoU with the Central Nodal Agencies (CNAs), under the CLSS of PMAY (Urban) have also been directed to extend the necessary conditions of their MoU to CLSS for MIG with appropriate changes as applicable. 
• The schemes aim to ensure greater participation amongst the Economically Weaker Section (EWS), LIG and MIG segment of the society to provide Housing for All by 2022. 

Mission Fingerling

• Aim: To achieve Blue Revolution with the holistic development and management of fisheries in the country. 
• Launched: By Union government on March 11, 2017 

Features:

• The Blue Revolution program focuses on creating an environment that envisages integrated and holistic development and management of fisheries for the socio economic development of the fishers and fish farmers. 
• The main motive behind this program is to enhance the fisheries production from 10.79 mmt to 15 mmt by 2020-21. 
• The Department has identified 20 States based on their potential and other relevant factors to strengthen the Fish Seed infrastructure in the country. 

Solar Energy Scheme

Aim: To mitigate the problem of power cut/ shortage faced by decentralized power loom units in the country so as to improve utilization, efficiency, productivity to face both the domestic and international markets competitively.
Launched: April 1, 2017

Features:

• To provide financial assistance/capital subsidy to small power loom units, for installation of Solar Photo Voltaic (SPV) plant. 
• The Scheme is meant for Units having 04, 06 & 08 power looms and subsidies for different SPV plants will be given in the range of Rs 2,25,000 to Rs 8,55,000 depending upon the capacity of the SPV plant (4KWP, 6KWP, 8 KWP). 
• The Government of India will provide financial assistance/capital subsidy to the extent of 50%, 75% & 90% of the basic cost of the Solar Energy Plant (Cost of Solar Panel + Inverter + batteries) to the applicants of General category, SC & ST respectively. 

Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana

Aim: To provide Physical Aids and Assisted-living Devices for Senior citizens belonging to BPL category.
Launched: On 1st April, 2017

Features:

• Free of cost distribution of the devices, commensurate with the extent of disability/infirmity that is manifested among the eligible senior citizens. 
• In case of multiple disabilities/infirmities manifested in the same person, the assistive devices will be given in respect of each disability/impairment. 
• The devices will help the Senior Citizens to overcome their age related physical impairment and to lead a dignified and productive life with minimal dependence on care givers or other members of the family. 
• The scheme is implemented through the implementing agency, ‘Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation (ALIMCO) a PSU under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.

Deendayal Rasoi Yojana

• Launched by: Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan. 
• Total Budget: Rs. 10 Crore 
• Under this scheme poor people will get good Quality food at cheaper rate 
• Cost of breakfast will be Rs. 5 and Lunch at Rs. 8 
• It will be completely monitored by Level Coordination and Monitoring Committee 

Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya sanchar Kaushal Vikas Pratisthan Scheme

• Launched by: Minister of states for communication, Manoj Sinha 
• Aim: Main Objective of this scheme is to train rural youth to maintain mobile towers properly, to repair optical fibers and ability to fix communication technology related issues 
• Under 1st phase, 10000 people from 10 states/UT will be trained 
• Total Budget: Rs. 7 crore. 

SAMPADA Scheme

• Launched On: May 26, 2017 
• Launched by: PM Narendra Modi 
• Full Form: Scheme for Agro Marine Processing And Development of Agro Processing clusters. 
• Aim: Main Objective of this scheme is to bring more income to farmers by 2022 
• Total Budget: Rs. 6000 crore 

Antyodaya Anna Yojana

• Launched By: Haryana Government 
• Aim: Main objective of this scheme is to provide meals at low cost to registered construction workers 
• Under this scheme meal will be served between 8 am to 2 pm 

SAMADHAN Strategy

• Launched By: Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh 
• Launched on: May 8, 2017 
• Aim: Main Objective of this scheme is to abolish left wing terrorism 
• S for Smart Leadership 
• A for Aggressive strategy 
• M for Motivation and Training 
• A for Actionable Intelligence 
• D for Dashboard KPI and KRA 
• H for Harnessing Technology 
• A for Action plan for each theatre 
• N for No access to financing 

Interest Subvention Scheme

• Under this scheme small saving interest were reduced by 0.1% 
• It provides short term crop loan of Rs. 3 lakh at a interest rate of 4 % per annum to farmers. 
• Total Budget: Rs. 20,339 crore 
• Implemented by: NABARD and RBI 
• Aim: Main Objective of this scheme is to provide short term crop loan at lower interest rate to boost agricultural productivity in the country. 

Single Women Pension Scheme:

• Launched on: June 4, 2017 
• Launched by : Telangana Government 
• Aim: Main objective of this scheme is to provide 1000 financial assistance per month to single women like unmarried and divorced women 

Chief Minster Scholarship Scheme:

• Launched on: June 6, 2017 
• Launched by: Punjab Government 
• Aim: Main objective of this scheme is to provide cheaper and quality technical education to the poor students of the state. 
• Under this scheme student scoring 60 % to 70% marks I 10th exam will be given 70% scholarship. 
• Student scoring 70 % to 80% marks I 10th exam will be given 80% scholarship. 
• Student scoring 80 % to 90% marks I 10th exam will be given 90% scholarship. 
• Student scoring 90 % to 100% marks I 10th exam will be given free education. 

JIGYASA Scheme

• Launched by: CSIR- Council of Scientific and Industrial Research. 
• Aim: Main Objective of this scheme is to connect students and scientist and to extend students classroom learning into research based laboratory. 

National Bio-pharma Mission

• Launched by: Union ministry of science and technology 
• Aim: Main Objective of this mission is to improve India’s technological and product development capabilities to globally competitive level in the next decade. 

Scheme COMMIT

Stands for Comprehensive Online Modified Modules on Induction Training
Aim: Main objective of this scheme is to improve the public service delivery mechanism.

VAJRA Faculty Scheme

• VAJRA stands for "Visiting Advanced Joint Research" faculty scheme. 
• This scheme was launched by department of science and technology on the advise of PM Modi, at Bengaluru on 8th January 2017 , during 14th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention. 
• It enables NRI scientist s to participate and give their contribution to the research and development in India. 
• Prof. Ashutosh Sharma, secretary at department of science and technology said, that the main objective of the Scheme is to bring the best of the world to India and to conduct research in India. 
• Minister of science and technology, Harsh Vardhan launched the web portal of VAJRA in New Delhi. 
• This scheme will be implemented by SERB ( The Science and Engineering Research Board) 
• VAJRA faculties will engage in collaborative research in public funded institutions and national laboratories. 
• These faculties can reside in India for a period of one month to max three months a year. 
• Maximum number of scientists who can take part in the program can be 1000. 
• Salary for these faculties will be $15000 for first month and $10000 p.m for the rest two months. 
• Additional perks like accommodation , medical insurance etc are not provided 
• These faculties are been selected and evaluated by a selection committee of eminent scientists. 
• The committee will meet twice a year on January and July. 
• SERB will announce the result in the month of April and september. 
• They will co- guide and mentor the students in collaborative programs.