02 May 2018: UPSC Exam PIB Summary & Analysis

Krishonnati Yojana

• The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has given its approval for the Umbrella Scheme, “Green Revolution – Krishonnati Yojana” in agriculture sector beyond 12thFive Year Plan for the period from 2017-18 to 2019-20.
• The Umbrella scheme comprises of 11 Schemes/Missions.
• These schemes look to develop the agriculture and allied sector in a holistic and scientific manner to increase the income of farmers by enhancing production, productivity and better returns on produce.
• The Schemes will be continued with an expenditure of Rs.33,269.976 crore for three financial years, i.e., 2017-18, 2018-19 and 2019-20.

The Schemes that are part of the Umbrella Schemes are:-

• Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH)
• National Food Security Mission (NFSM)
• National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA)
• Submission on Agriculture Extension (SMAE)
• Sub-Mission on Seeds and Planting Material (SMSP) Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanisation (SMAM)
• Sub Mission on Plant Protection and Plan Quarantine (SMPPQ)
• Integrated Scheme on Agriculture Census, Economics and Statistics (ISACES)
• Integrated Scheme on Agricultural Cooperation (ISAC)
• Integrated Scheme on Agricultural Marketing (ISAM)
• National e-Governance Plan (NeGP-A)

Indian Petroleum & Explosives Safety Service (IPESS)

• The Union Cabinet has approved the Cadre review and formation of Group ‘A’ service of the technical cadre of Petroleum & Safety Organization (PESO) in the name of Indian Petroleum & Explosives Safety Service (IPESS).
• The measure will enhance the capacity and efficiency of the organization and it will also enhance career progression of its Group ‘A’ officers.

Background

• PESO is a subordinate office under Department of Industrial Policy & Promotion (DIPP).
• The organization is serving the nation since 1898 as a nodal agency for regulating safety of substances such as explosives, compressed gases and petroleum.
• Over the years, the role and responsibilities of PESO have increased manifold and expanded into diverse fields. 
• Today, the organization deals with wide range of subjects related to explosives, petroleum, compressed gases, pressure vessels, gas cylinders, cross-country pipelines, Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), Auto Liquefied Petroleum Gas (Auto LPG) etc.

Pradhan Mantri Vaya VandanYojana (PMVVY)

• The Union Cabinet chaired by chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has given its approval for extending the investment limit from Rs 7.5 lakhs to Rs 15 lakhs as well as extension of time limits for subscription from 4thMay 2018 to 31stMarch, 2020 under
• Further, as a boost to the Social Security initiatives for senior citizens, the investment limit of Rs 7.5 lakh per family in the existing scheme is enhanced to Rs 15 lakh per senior citizen in the modified PMVVY, thereby providing a larger social security cover to the Senior citizens.  It will enable upto Rs.10000 Pension per month for Senior Citizens.
• As of March, 2018, a total number of 2.23 lakh senior citizens are being benefited under PMVVY.

Background

• The PMVVY is being implemented through Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) 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.
• The scheme provides 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 / half yearly and annual basis.
• The differential return, i.e. 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.

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