TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Save Wetlands Campaign
2. Pradhan Mantri Matsya Kisan Samridhi Sah-Yojana (PM-MKSSY)
3. Cabinet approves 6 multi-tracking projects across Indian Railways
4. DigiReady Certification Portal
5. BharatSHRI

1. Save Wetlands Campaign

Syllabus: GS-3, Environment and Ecology.

Mains: Save Wetlands Campaign, about wetlands

Prelims: Save Wetlands Campaign and World Wetland Day.

Context:

Save Wetlands Campaign concluded.

About the Save Wetlands Campaign:

• The ‘Save Wetlands Campaign (SWC)’ was launched by MoEF&CC on the occasion of World Wetlands Day (WWD) 2023. 
• It was structured on a “whole of society” approach for wetlands conservation, enabling affirmative actions for wetlands conservation at all levels of the society and involving all strata of the society.
• The campaign was concluded on World Wetlands Day 2024.
• As part of the campaign, more than 6400 events were conducted throughout the year to engage citizens and sensitize them to wetlands management and conservation. 
• These events included wetland cleaning drives, painting competitions, pledge-taking ceremonies, sensitization workshops and seminars, involving Wetland Mitras and school & college students across different states/UTs. 
• Wetland ecosystems play a crucial role in securing ecological, economic, and climate security.

Also read: Ramsar sites

2. Pradhan Mantri Matsya Kisan Samridhi Sah-Yojana (PM-MKSSY)

Syllabus: GS-2, Govt schemes

Prelims: Pradhan Mantri Matsya Kisan Samridhi Sah-Yojana (PM-MKSSY)

Mains: Fisheries sector in India

Context:

The Union Cabinet approved the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Kisan Samridhi Sah-Yojana (PM-MKSSY).

Pradhan Mantri Matsya Kisan Samridhi Sah-Yojana (PM-MKSSY):

• It is a Central Sector Sub-scheme under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana for the formalization of the fisheries sector and supporting fisheries micro and small enterprises. 
• It is granted an investment of over Rs. 6,000 crores for the next four years from FY 2023-24 to FY 2026-27 in all States/Union Territories.
• Its outlay consists of 50% i.e. Rs.3,000 crore public finance including the World Bank and AFD external financing, and the rest 50% i.e. Rs.3,000 crore is the anticipated investment from the beneficiaries/private sector leverage. 
• Intended Beneficiaries:
  • Fishers, Fish (Aquaculture) Farmers, Fish workers, Fish Vendors or such other persons directly engaged in the fisheries value chain.
  • Micro and Small enterprises in the form of Proprietary Firms, Partnership Firms and Companies registered in India, Societies, Limited Liability Partnerships (LLPs), Cooperatives, Federations, Village Level Organizations like Self Help Groups (SHGs), Fish Farmers Producer Organizations (FFPOs) and Startups engaged in fisheries and aquaculture value chains.
  • FFPOs also include Farmers Producer Organizations (FPOs).
  • Any other beneficiaries that may be included by the Department of Fisheries, Gol as targeted beneficiaries.
• Aims of the scheme:
  • Gradual formalization of the unorganized fisheries sector through self-registration of fishers, fish farmers and supportive workers under a National Fisheries Sector Digital Platform including the creation of work-based digital identities of fish workers for improved service delivery.
  • Facilitating access to institutional financing to fisheries sector micro and small enterprises.
  • Providing a one-time incentive to beneficiaries for purchasing aquaculture insurance.
  • Incentivizing fisheries and aquaculture microenterprises through performance grants for improving fisheries sector value-chain efficiencies including the creation and maintenance of jobs.
  • Incentivising micro and small enterprises through performance grants for the adoption and expansion of fish and fishery product safety and quality assurance systems including the creation and maintenance of jobs.
• The initiative will support 6.4 lakh micro-enterprises and 5,500 fisheries cooperatives, providing access to institutional credit.
• It is projected to create 1.7 lakh new jobs, with a special emphasis on employing 75,000 women and also aims to generate 5.4 lakh continued employment opportunities in the micro and small enterprises value chain.

3. Cabinet approves 6 multi-tracking projects across Indian Railways

Syllabus: GS-3, Environment, Economy

Mains: Railways/infrastructure

Context:

The Union Cabinet approved six projects of the Ministry of Railways with a total estimated cost of Rs. 12,343 crore (approx.) with 100% funding from the Central Government.

Details:

• The multi-tracking proposals will ease operations and reduce congestion, providing the much-required infrastructural development on the busiest sections across Indian Railways.
• The six projects covering 18 Districts in 6 States i.e., Rajasthan, Assam, Telangana, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh and Nagaland will increase the existing network of Indian Railways by 1020 km and will provide employment of about 3 crores man-days to the people of the States.
• The projects aim to facilitate ease of travelling, minimize logistics cost, reduce oil imports and lower CO2 emissions.

4. DigiReady Certification Portal

Syllabus: GS-2, Governance

Prelims: DigiReady Certification Portal

Context:

Quality Council of India and Open Network for Digital Commerce launch DigiReady Certification Portal to empower MSMEs and small retailers.

DigiReady Certification Portal:

• QCI, in conjunction with ONDC, aims to assess and certify the digital readiness of MSME entities. 
• By leveraging this online self-assessment tool, MSMEs can evaluate their preparedness to seamlessly onboard as sellers on the ONDC platform, thereby expanding their digital capabilities and business potential.
• The DRC portal is designed to facilitate a streamlined seller journey, ensuring that MSMEs and small retailers can integrate seamlessly into existing digitized workflows.
• The certification process evaluates various aspects of digital readiness, including the presence of necessary documentation for online operations, proficiency in using software and technology, integration with existing digitized workflows, and efficient management of orders and catalogue offerings.

5. BharatSHRI

Syllabus: GS-1, Culture

Prelims: BharatSHRI, ASI

Context:

Progress of BharatSHRI.

BharatSHRI:

• BharatSHRI or Bharat Shared Repository of Inscriptions (BharatSHRI) is a digital epigraphy museum, with the digitization of one lakh ancient inscriptions in the first stage.
• The project is under the Archaeological Survey of India.
• No separate budget has been allocated for the project and the expenditure is incurred through the allocated funds to the Archaeological Survey of India.
• The ASI collects inscriptions from different parts of the country through meticulous village-to-village surveys, undertaken by a team of epigraphists. 
• The estampages of the inscriptions are then studied and preserved in the various Epigraphy branches.

Read previous PIB articles here.