Kerala Affairs
Agri sector receives fund for modernization in Kerala
To attract more youngsters and persons who have lost their jobs due to the pandemic to the agri sector, the finance minister said that fair prices will be ensured for farm products.
As part of this, Krishi Bhavans to be modernized as smart offices and the finance minister has allocated Rs10 crore as preliminary expenditure. Integration of various stages from distribution of quality planting materials, cultivation (depending on the nature of the ), extension activities of <a href="https://exam.pscnotes.com/Agriculture-notes-for-state-psc-exams”>Agriculture, harvest, use of warehouses, cold storage chain and Marketing will be modernized using advanced digital technologies like cloud computing, blockchain, AI for the benefits of farmers.
Subiksha Keralam scheme started during the tenure of the previous government to address Food scarcity and increasing income duringCovidhas enhanced production on a large scale. He said that shortage of godowns equipped with facilities for preservation, drawbacks in procurement and marketing networks, pushed farmers into distress.
A sum of Rs 10 crore has been earmarked for a computerized service Network for marketing agri products. Two districts will be chosen for the pilot project this year in which farmer producer companies, co-operative societies and agri markets shall be included in this scheme. An amount of Rs10 crore is earmarked for this.
National and International Affairs
Health Ministers Discretionary Grant (HMDG):
According to HMDG, a subsidy of up to Rs 1.25 lakhs is provided to patients with an annual income of less than Rs 1.25 lakhs
By providing their Ration Card number, beneficiaries can apply for financial assistance under both schemes.
In a virtual ceremony, Union Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas launched a number of initiatives to give a major boost to the SATAT initiative.
The goal of the SATAT scheme is to establish Compressed Bio-Gas (CBG) production Plants and make CBG available on the market for use as a green fuel.
By 2023, SATAT aims to produce 15 MMT of CBG from 5000 plants.
It has the potential to increase the availability of low-cost transportation fuels, as well as make better use of agricultural waste, cattle dung, and municipal solid waste.
It will also provide an of 175,000 crore rupees, which is an additional Source Of Income for farmers, as well as 75,000 direct jobs and 100,000 indirect jobs.
The Union Cabinet has approved the MoUs/agreements signed by India.
Highlights:
Cooperation in the field of sustainable urban development between India and the Maldives.
All Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) member countries have reached an agreement.
Cooperation in the field of mineral Resources between India and Argentina.
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between India and Japan on sustainable urban development.
Rashtriya Arogya Nidhi (RAN):
Under RAN, poor patients suffering from major life-threatening diseases are eligible for financial assistance of up to Rs 15 lakhs for treatment at Government hospitals.
The eligibility criteria for RAN Services were based on the BPL thresholds in each state/UT.
Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS):
It is a comprehensive Health Scheme for Serving Employees, Members of Parliament, ex-MPs, Pensioners, and others, as well as their dependent family members.
It has expanded to 72 cities in the last 7 years.
The NIC-developed e-referral module has enabled CGHS dispensaries and wellness centres to issue online referrals to empanelled hospitals.