1. Celebration of National Consumer Day
• Every Year 24th December is observed as National Consumer Day with a specific theme in India.
• This year theNational Consumer Day is celebrated with the theme “Timely Disposal of Consumer Complaints”.
• On this day the Consumer Protection Act, 1986 had received the assent of the president.
• The enactment of this Act is considered as a historic milestone in the consumer movement in the country.
• The Department of Consumer Affairs, Government of India, will be celebrating the National Consumer Day, 2018with the theme “Timely Disposal of Consumer Complaints” at Kothari Auditorium, DRDO Bhawan, New Delhi where representatives of State Governments, Presidents/Members of the State Commissions, VCOs and Members of the Central Consumer Protection Council will deliberate on the various issues and challenges faced by consumers.
• TheConsumer Protection Act aims to provide consumers with effective safeguards against different types of exploitation such as defective goods, deficiency in services and unfair trade practices.
• This day provides an opportunity for individuals to highlight the importance of the consumer movement and the need to makeevery consumer more aware of their rights andresponsibilities.
2. Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY)
• Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY) is the flagship placement linked skill-training programme under the Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD).
• There are several challenges that are preventing India’s rural poor from competing such as the lack of formal education and employability skills. DDU-GKY bridges this gap by funding training projects with an emphasis on placement, retention, career progression and foreign placement.
• The mission of the flagship scheme of MoRD is to ensure rural poor youth are skilled in market relevant trades and job-relevant competencies.
• The policy seeks a strategic alignment of objectives of DDU-GKY with the HR strategy of organizations, which have a large potential to absorb trained manpower.
• The Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) announced the Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY) Antyodaya Diwas, on 25thSeptember 2014.
• DDU-GKY is a part of the National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM), tasked with the dual objectives of adding diversity to the incomes of rural poor families and cater to the career aspirations of rural youth.
• DDU-GKY is uniquely focused on rural youth between the ages of 15 and 35 years from poor families.
• As a part of the Skill India campaign, it plays an instrumental role in supporting the social and economic programs of the government like the Make in India, Digital India, Smart Cities and Start-Up India, Stand-Up India campaigns.
3. Paika Rebellion
• The government is planning to release the commemorative coin and postage stamp in memory of Paika Rebellion.
• Two-hundred years ago in 1817, a valiant uprising of soldiers led by Buxi Jagabandhu (Bidyadhar Mohapatra) took place in Khurda of Odisha. This is known as Paika rebellion.
• The Paikas were the traditional land-owning militia of Odisha and served as warriors. When armies of the East India Company overran most of Odisha in 1803, the Raja of Khurda lost his primacy and the power and prestige of the Paikas went on a decline. The British were not comfortable with these aggressive, warlike new subjects and set up a commission under Walter Ewer to look into the issue.
• Although initially the Company struggled to respond they managed to put down the rebellion by May 1817. Many of the Paik leaders were hung or deported. Jagabandhu surrendered in 1825.
4. Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO)
• The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) has issued safety guidelines for Isotretinoin.
• CDSCO has directed Drug Controllers of all the States and Union Territories to monitor the sale, manufacture and distribution of Isotretinoin.
• Isotretinoin is an oral drug, which is used in the treatment of severe acne.
• Isotretinoin capsules of 10 mg/20 mg were approved by CDSCO in 2002 for the treatment of cystic and conglobate acne, and severe nodular acne unresponsive to antibiotic therapy.
• It was later found that Isotretinoin can cause birth defects in progeny if not taken without proper guidance.
• The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) under Directorate General of Health Services, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India is the National Regulatory Authority (NRA) of India.
• CDSCO along with state regulators, is jointly responsible for grant of licenses of certain specialized categories of critical Drugs such as blood and blood products, I. V. Fluids, Vaccine and Sera.
5. PM Modi attends annual conference of DGPs, IGPs in Gujarat
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the annual conference of DGPs and IGPs at Kevadia colony of Narmada district.
• The venue for the conference is a Tent city set up nearer to the statue of unity.
• DGPs conference is an annual event in which top police officers from all over the country share and discuss security-related issues.
• Militancy in Jammu and Kashmir, cross-border terrorism and attempts to radicalise youth are top the agenda of the conference.
6. India provides access to life-saving medicines at affordable prices
• Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu has said that India is rendering yeoman service in developing countries by providing access to life-saving medicines at affordable prices.
• Addressing Indian Pharmaceutical Congress in Noida on Friday, Mr Naidu said, rural health programmes, lifesaving drugs and preventive vaccines should also receive attention from policymakers and pharma companies alike.
• He said, speedy introduction of generic drugs into the market should remain in focus.
• The Vice President expressed happiness that the pharma sector is out-performing most other sectors in achieving consistently high growth.
• More than five thousand participants from across India are attending the annual congress.
7. Goa celebrates 57th Liberation Day
• GoaLiberation Day is being celebrated recently . Goa was liberated on 19th December1961, from around 450 years of Portuguese rule. Various functions have beenorganized across the state to mark the occasion.
• Atthe state-level Goa Liberation Day programme held in Panaji in North Goa thismorning, speaker of Goa legislative assembly Pramod Sawant unfurled thetricolour, reviewed the parade and addressed the gathering. Mr Sawant sharedthe thoughts of chief minister Manohar Parrikar, who was unable to attend thecelebrations due to illness.
• MrSawant said Liberation Day is an occasion to salute the freedom fighters whosacrificed their lives and the Indian Army who fought for the liberation of Goafrom the oppressive Portuguese rule of around 450 years.
• He said Goa hasachieved remarkable progress in agriculture, education, health, infrastructure etc. in the last 56 years.
8. Surrogacy Bill passed in Lok Sabha
• Lok Sabha has passed the Surrogacy (Regulation) Bill, 2016 which is aimed at prohibiting commercial surrogacy and unethical practices relating to it.
• The Bill has provisions to constitute National Surrogacy Board, State Surrogacy Boards and appointment of appropriate authorities for regulation of surrogacy.
• It permits surrogacy only for couples who cannot conceive a child.
• The intending couple must be Indian citizens and married for at least five years with at least one of them being infertile.
• The surrogate mother has to be a close relative who has been married and has a child of her own.
• The bill is aimed at stopping the exploitation of Indian women.
9. J&K comes under President`s rule
• President`s rule comes into force in Jammu And Kashmir as Ram Nath Kovind signed a proclamation to this effect.
• Six-months of Governor`s rule comes to an end on December 19.
• Governor’s rule was imposed in the Jammu and Kashmir after the state plunged into political turmoil following BJP withdrawal of its support to the PDP-BJP ruling coalition, reducing PDP to minority.
• Earlier, Union Cabinet had given its go-ahead for President`s Rule beyond December 19.
10. Concurrent List of the Indian Constitution
• Telangana TRS chief K Chandrasekhar Rao has called for an economic and political overhaul in India. KCR’s pitch, like that of many regional leaders, is an increase in state autonomy by weakening the concurrent list.
• Emphasising the need to decentralise power, KCR has said- The autonomy of states should increase.
• The Concurrent List should be weakened. There should be a clear division. Subjects which are under the Centre must be transferred to the state.
• The Constitution of India has provided for a division of powers between the Central and state governments. Under the Seventh Schedule, there are three lists – the Union, State and Concurrent.
• The Union List has a range of subjects under which the Parliament may make laws.
• This includes defence, foreign affairs, railways, banking, among others.
• The State List lists subjects under which the legislature of a state may make laws. Public order, police, public health and sanitation; hospitals and dispensaries, betting and gambling are some of the subjects that come under the state.
• The Concurrent List includes subjects that give powers to both the Centre and state governments.
• Subjects like Education including technical education, medical education and universities, population control and family planning, criminal law, prevention of cruelty to animals, protection of wildlife and animals, forests etc.
• However, given that there can be conflict when it comes to laws passed by Parliament and state legislatures on the same subject, the Constitution provides for a central law to override a state law.
• The 42nd Amendment Act was perhaps one of the most controversial. Effected in 1976 during the Emergency by then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, the amendment restructured the Seventh Schedule ensuring that State List subjects like education, forest, protection of wild animals and birds, administration of justice, and weights and measurements were transferred to the Concurrent List.
• PM Indira Gandhi had constituted the Sarkaria Commission to look into Centre-State relations. However, the recommendations of the Sarkaria Commission were not implemented by successive central governments.
11. Eklavya Model Residential Schools
• In the context of establishing quality residential schools for the promotion of education, Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRSs) for ST students are set up in States/UTs with provisioning of funds through “Grants under Article 275(1) of the Constitution”.
• The establishing of EMRSs is based on demand of the concerned States/UTs with availability of land as an essential attribute.
• As per the budget 2018-19, every block with more than 50% ST population and at least 20,000 tribal persons will have an Eklavya Model Residential School by 2022.
• EMRS is a Government of India scheme for model residential school for Indian tribals (Scheduled Tribes, ST) across India.
• Objectives of EMRS:
• Comprehensive physical, mental and socially relevant development of all students enrolled in each and every EMRS. Students will be empowered to be change agent, beginning in their school, in their homes, in their village and finally in a larger context.
• Focus differentially on the educational support to be made available to those in Standards XI and XII, and those in standards VI to X, so that their distinctive needs can be met,
• Support the annual running expenses in a manner that offers reasonable remuneration to the staff and upkeep of the facilities.
• Support the construction of infrastructure that provides education, physical, environmental and cultural needs of student life.
12. IMPRESS scheme has been launched to promote Social Science Research in the country
• The Government has approved “Revitalizing Infrastructure and Systems in Education by 2022”, accordingly the scope of institutions to be funded through Higher Education Financing Agency (HEFA) has been enlarged to encompass School Education and Medical Education institutions, apart from Higher Education.
• The Government of India, in August 2018, had sanctioned the scheme “Impactful Policy Research in Social Sciences (IMPRESS)” at a total cost of Rs. 414 Cr for implementation up to 31.03.2021.
• 1500 research projects will be awarded for 2 years to support the social science research in the higher educational and to enable research to guide policy making.
• Implementing Agency:Indian Council of Social Science and Research (ICSSR)
Objectives of the Scheme:
• To identify and fund research proposals in social sciences with maximum impact on the governance and society.
• To ensure selection of projects through a transparent, competitive process on online mode.
• To provide opportunity for social science researchers in any institution in the country, including all Universities (Centre and State), private institutions with 12(B) status conferred by UGC.
• ICSSR funded/recognized research institutes will also be eligible to submit research proposals on the given themes and sub-themes.
• Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR) was established in the year of 1969 by the Government of India to promote research in social sciences in the country.
• Higher Education Financing Agency (HEFA) is a joint venture of MHRD Government of India and Canara Bank with an agreed equity participation in the ratio of 91% and 9% respectively.
13. Ten monuments adopted under the ‘Adopt A Heritage’ project
• The ‘Adopt A Heritage: Apni Dharohar, Apni Pehchaan’, scheme launched on 27th September, 2017.
• It is a collaborative effort by Ministry of Tourism, Ministry of Culture and Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), State/UTs Governmentsand envisages development and maintenance of tourist amenities at heritage sites and making them tourist friendly, to enhance tourism potential and cultural importance in a planned and phased manner.
• The aim of the project is to provide basic amenities that include cleanliness, public conveniences, safe drinking water, ease of access for tourists, signages, illumination, Wi-fi etc.
• The project envisages involvement of Private/Public Companies/Organizations and Individuals to adopt Monuments, Natural Heritage Sites and other Tourist Sites, primarily under CSR. No fund is given by Ministry of Tourism.
• Archaeological Survey of India has identified 100 monuments as “Adarsh Smarak” for upgradation of existing facilities/amenities like Wi-Fi, cafeteria, interpretation centre, brail signage, modern toilets etc.
• The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), under Ministry of Culture, is the premier organization for the archaeological researches and protection of the cultural heritage of the nation.
• The prime objective is maintenance of ancient monuments and archaeological sites and remains of national importance.
• It regulates all archaeological activities in the country as per the provisions of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958 along with the Antiquities and Art Treasure Act, 1972.
14. Prayagraj Kumbh Mela 2019
• Prayagraj Kumbh Mela 2019, a religious fair that will be held from January 15, 2019 to March 4, 2019.
• The Kumbh Mela (the festival of the sacred pitcher) is anchored in Hindu mythology. It is the largest public gathering and collective act of faith, anywhere in the world.
• The Mela draws tens of millions of pilgrims over the course of approximately 55 auspicious days to bathe at the sacred confluence of the Ganga, the Yamuna, and the mystical Sarasvati. Primarily, this congregation includes Ascetics, Saints, Sadhus, Sadhvis, Kalpvasis, and Pilgrims from all walks of life.
• Kumbh Mela is a religious pilgrimage that is celebrated four times over a course of 12 years. The geographical location of Kumbh Mela spans over four locations in India and the Mela site keeps rotating between one of the four pilgrimage places on four sacred rivers as listed below:
• Haridwar on the Ganges in Uttarakhand.
• Ujjain on the Shipra in Madhya Pradesh.
• Nashik on the Godavari in Maharashtra.
• Prayagraj at the confluence of the Ganges, the Yamuna, and the mythical Sarasvati in Uttar Pradesh.
• Each site’s celebration is based on a distinct set of astrological positions of the Sun, the Moon, and the Jupiter.
• The celebrations occur at the exact moment when these positions are fully occupied, as it is considered to be the holiest time in Hinduism.
15. India`s aviation sector fastest growing in world
• Minister for Commerce and Industry Suresh Prabhu has said that India considers Turkey as a close friend and an important business partner and both the nations can benefit from each other.
• He was addressing at the India-Turkey Business Forum in New Delhi.
• Trade relations between the two countries must be sustainable and both should export and import goods from each other.
• The Minister said, there is huge potential for Turkish companies in India particularly in agriculture, construction and other sectors.
• Mr Prabhu who is also Minister for Civil Aviation, said, aviation sector of India is growing at 20 per cent and it is fastest growing aviation sector anywhere in the world.
• The Government is creating necessary infrastructure and in the next 10 years 100 more airports will be built with an investment of 65 billion dollars.
• He said, Government is working on a strategy to manufacture aeroplanes in India. Mr Prabhu said, with economic reforms, India will become a five-trillion-dollar economy in seven-eight years.
16. Assam government approves debt relief scheme for farmers
• The Assam government has approved debt relief scheme for the farmers of the state.
• The decision was taken in a cabinet meeting held in Guwahati headed by Chief Minister Sarbanand Sonowal.
• The state cabinet decided to waive 25 percent of loan amount to the farmers.
• However the maximum relief per farmer would be capped at 25 thousand rupees.
• The cabinet also decided that a farmer could avail a Kisan Credit Card (KCC) loan at zero percent interest.
• The Cabinet also approved a farmers incentive scheme, under which 10 thousand rupees would be given to farmers having bad debts for taking loan under KCC.
17. 1984 riots: Delhi High Court convicts Congress leader Sajjan Kumar
• The Delhi High Court convicted Congress leader Sajjan Kumar for conspiracy to commit murder in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots case and sentenced him to imprisonment for life.
• A bench of Justices S Muralidhar and Vinod Goel convicted Kumar for criminal conspiracy, promoting enmity and acts against communal harmony.
• The high court said Kumar`s life imprisonment will be for the remainder of his life and asked him to surrender by December 31.
• It also asked him not to leave Delhi before that.
• The conviction of five others -- former Congress councillor Balwan Khokhar, retired naval officer Captain Bhagmal, Girdhari Lal, former MLAs Mahender Yadav and Kishan Khokhar-- were also upheld by the high court.
• The high court was hearing the appeals filed by the CBI, riots victims and the convicts, challenging a trial court`s judgement in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots case in which Kumar was acquitted.
• The riots broke out after the assassination of prime minister Indira Gandhi by her Sikh bodyguards on October 31, 1984.
18. Transgender Bill passed in Lok Sabha amid uproar
• Lok Sabha passed the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Bill amid din after rejecting the opposition amendments.
• The Bill prohibits discrimination against a transgender person in areas such as education, employment and healthcare.
• It also directs the central and state governments to provide welfare schemes for them.
• Moving the bill, Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Thaawarchand Gehlot said, it was a long-standing demand to bring a legislation to protect the rights of transgender persons and their welfare.
• The bill is aimed at bringing the community into the mainstream of the society.
• The bill has incorporated 27 suggestions by the Standing Committee.
• The definition of transgender persons was at variance with the definitions recognised by international bodies and Indian experts.
• The bill has a regressive outlook and there should be more discussions on it to make it a robust law.
19. Cabinet decides to expand beneficiaries` list under PM Ujjawala Yojana
• The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved the expansion of beneficiaries list under Pradhan Mantri Ujjawala Yojana.
• Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said, CCEA has cleared expanding Ujjwala Yojana to provide free LPG connection to cover all poor families.
• Cabinet has also decided to release deposit-free LPG connections to poor families so far uncovered.
• Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) aims to safeguard the health of women & children by providing them with a clean cooking fuel – LPG, so that they don’t have to compromise their health in smoky kitchens or wander in unsafe areas collecting firewood.
• Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana was launched by Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi on May 1st, 2016 in Ballia, Uttar Pradesh.
• Under this scheme, 5 Cr LPG connections will be provided to BPL families with a support of Rs.1600 per connection in the next 3 years. Ensuring women’s empowerment, especially in rural India, the connections will be issued in the name of women of the households. Rs. 8000 Cr. has been allocated towards the implementation of the scheme. Identification of the BPL families will be done through Socio Economic Caste Census Data.
• PMUY is likely to result in an additional employment of around 1 Lakh and provide business opportunity of at least Rs. 10,000 Cr. over the next 3 Years to the Indian Industry.
• Launch of this scheme will also provide a great boost to the ‘Make in India’ campaign as all the manufacturers of cylinders, gas stoves, regulators, and gas hose are domestic.
• The launch of PMUY in Ballia was followed by launch of the scheme in Dahod in Gujarat by Petroleum Minister Shri Dharmendra Pradhan & BJP President Shri Amit Shah. PMUY has also been launched in several districts in UP & Bihar.
20. India Post ventures into new arena of e-market place
• The Ministry of State for Communications (Independent Charge), launched the e-Commerce Portal of the Department of Posts (DoP).
• It will provide an e-Market place to sellers especially to rural artisans/self-help groups/ women entrepreneurs/State and Central PSUs/Autonomous Bodies etc. to sell their products to buyers across the Country.
• The small and local sellers (who were left) will now, by leveraging the vast physical and IT network of DoP, be able to maximize their reach and retailing power.
• The buyers can access the products of their choice displayed by sellers on the portal and place online orders by making digital payments.
• Under Core Banking Solution (CBS), an internet banking facility for Post Office Savings Bank (POSB) customers has been launched.
• Now, nearly 17 Crore POSB accounts will be intra-operable and customers can also transfer funds online to RD and PPF accounts of Post Offices.
• It helps to do transactions without physically visiting post offices.
• T he Department of Posts had launched a scholarship program for school children called Deen Dayal SPARSH (i.e., Scholarship for Promotion of Aptitude & Research in Stamps as a Hobby).
• To bring philately to the mainstream of the education system and incentivizing it, in 2017.
• Shri Sinha (Minister of State for Communications) presented the Meghdoot Awards to the Gramin Dak Sewak (GDS) and employees of the Department in eight categories in recognition of their outstanding contribution.
21. Kochi-Muziris Biennale
• Fourth edition of Kochi-Muziris biennale is being held in Fort Kochi, Kerala.
• The Biennale was curated by Anita Dube and become the first Biennale in world in which participation of women accounts for half of the participating artists.
• Theme of the Biennale is – “Possibilities for a Non- Alienated Life”.
• The Kochi-Muziris Biennale is an international exhibition of contemporary art held in Kochi, Kerala.
• It is the largest art exhibition in India and the biggest contemporary art festival in Asia.
• The Kochi-Muziris Biennale is an initiative of the Kochi Biennale Foundation with support from the Government of Kerala.
22. India decides to extend 1.4 billion dollar aid to Maldives
• India and Maldives underscored the need for strengthening and reforming of multilateral financial institutions and enhancing the voice and participation of developing countries in international economic decision-making.
• In a joint statement, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih reiterated the importance of an effective multilateral system as a key factor in tackling global challenges.
• Both the leaders reviewed efforts to promote bilateral trade and investment ties between the two countries.
• President Solih reaffirmed his government’s "India-First Policy” and commitment to working closely with India.
• India has decided to extend 1.4 billion dollars financial assistance to the Maldives as budget support, currency swap and line of credit for the social and economic development of Maldives.
• India and Maldives need to increase bilateral cooperation to maintain peace and stability in the Indian ocean.
• The two sides agreed to strengthen maritime security cooperation in the Indian Ocean region through coordinated patrol and aerial surveillance.
• India and Maldives inked four pacts, including one on visa facilitation.
23. EAM Sushma, Danish counterpart co-chair Joint Commission Meeting
• External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Foreign Affairs Minister of Denmark Anders Samuelsen co-chaired the 2nd session of Joint Commission Meeting in New Delhi.
• In a tweet, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said, both the leaders took stock of the ties and identified cooperation in renewable energy, agriculture, food processing, shipping, Smart Cities, digitization and culture. Mr Samuelsen is on a two-day official visit to India.
24. Telecom Disputes Settlement & Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT)
• Telecom Disputes Settlement & Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) has rejected TRAI’s order that had changed the definition of ‘significant market power’ (SMP) to identify predatory pricing, offering substantial relief to India’s older telcos.
• The Telecom Disputes Settlement & Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) also set aside a rule in the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) predatory pricing regulation that required top telcos to report all tariffs in the interests of transparency and non-discrimination.
• In order to bring in functional clarity and strengthen the regulatory framework and the disputes settlement mechanism in the telecommunication sector, the TRAI Act of 1997 was amended in the year 2000 and TDSAT was set up to adjudicate disputes and dispose of appeals with a view to protect the interests of service providers and consumers of the telecom sector.
• The Tribunal consists of a Chairperson and two Members appointed by the Central Government.
• The Tribunal exercises jurisdiction over Telecom, Broadcasting, IT and Airport tariff matters under the TRAI Act, 1997 (as amended), the Information Technology Act, 2008 and the Airport Economic Regulatory Authority of India Act, 2008.
25. Dam Safety Bill
• The government has introduced the Dam Safety Bill in the Lok Sabha, a legislation that aims to provide a robust legal and institutional framework under Central and state governments for the safety of dams, which will help states and Union territories adopt uniform procedures to ensure safety of reservoirs.
• Though the subject does not fall under the purview of Parliament, the Centre has decided to introduce this bill mainly because dam safety is an issue of concern in the country. And there are no legal and institutional safeguards in this regard.
• Highlights of Dam Safety Bill, 2018:
• The Bill provides for proper surveillance, inspection, operation and maintenance of all specified dams in the country to ensure their safe functioning.
• The Bill provides for constitution of a National Committee on Dam Safety which shall evolve dam safety policies and recommend necessary regulations as may be required for the purpose.
• The Bill provides for establishment of National Dam Safety Authority as a regulatory body which shall discharge functions to implement the policy, guidelines and standards for dam safety in the country.
• The Bill provides for constitution of a State Committee on Dam Safety by State Government.
26. Fourth Partners’ Forum
• The fourth Partners’ Forum was recently held in New Delhi. It was hosted by the Government of India, in association with the Partnership for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health (PMNCH).
• The previous chapters were held in Johannesburg, South Africa (2014), New Delhi, India (2010) and Dar es Salaam, Tanzania (2007). This is the second time India is hosting the Partners’ Forum.
• Partners’ Forum is a global health partnership launched in September 2005 to accelerate efforts to reduce child and maternal mortality, improve adolescent, child, newborn and maternal health.
• PMNCH’s mission is to support the global health community to work successfully towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly the health related SDGs.
27. Shyama Prasad Mukherji Rurban Mission (SPMRM)
• The Shyama Prasad Mukherji Rurban Mission (SPMRM) is under implementation across the country (launched in 2016).
• It is a unique programme, designed to deliver catalytic interventions to rural areas on the threshold of growth.
• There is a funding support of up to 30% of the estimated investment for each Rurban cluster, given as Critical Gap Funding (CGF), while 70% of the funds is mobilized by the States through convergence with synergic State and Central programmes and private investment and institutional funding.
• The CGF is now shared between the Centre and the State in a ratio of 60:40 for Plain area States and 90:10 for Himalayan and NE States.
• Provision of basic amenities –
• Provision of 24/7 Water Supply to all households,
• Solid and Liquid Waste Management facilities at the household and cluster level.
• Provision of Inter and Intra village roads –
• Adequate Street Lights and Public Transport facilities using green technologies.
• Provision of Economic Amenities –
• Various thematic areas in the sectors of Agri Services and Processing, Tourism, and Skill development to promote Small and Medium Scale Enterprises
• The objective of the National Rurban Mission (NRuM) is to stimulate local economic development, enhance basic services, and create well planned Rurban clusters.
28. National Mission on GeM (NMG)
• GeM is a short form of one stop Government e-Market Place hosted by Directorate General of Supplies and Disposals (DGS&D) where common user goods and services can be procured.
• The National Mission on GeM (NMG) was launched on 5th September 2018 to accelerate the adoption and use of Procurement by Major Central Ministries, States and UTs and their agencies (including CPSUs/PSUs, Local Bodies) on the GeM platform.
• Promote inclusiveness by catapulting various categories of sellers and service providers
• Highlight and communicate ‘value add’ by way of transparency and efficiency in public procurement, including corruption free governance.
• Achieve cashless, contactless and paperless transaction, in line with the Digital India objectives.
• Increase overall efficiency leading to significant cost saving on government expenditure in Procurement.
• Maximizing ease in availability of all types of products and services bought by Government buyers.