Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay Sanrakshan Abhiyan (PM-AASHA)

        About Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay Sanrakshan Abhiyan (PM-AASHA):

• The Scheme is aimed at ensuring remunerative prices to the farmers for their produce as announced in the Union Budget for 2018.
• It provides for a holistic arrangement for assurance of a remunerative and stable price environment for growers /farmers to increase agriculture production and productivity.

        Components of PM-AASHA:

         The new Umbrella Scheme includes the mechanism of ensuring remunerative prices to the farmers and is comprised of

1. Price Support Scheme (PSS),
2. Price Deficiency Payment Scheme (PDPS)
3. Pilot of Private Procurement & Stockist Scheme (PPPS).

• It has been decided that for oilseeds, states have the option to roll out Private Procurement Stockist Scheme (PPSS) on pilot basis in selected district/APMC(s) of district involving the participation of private stockiest.
• The pilot district/selected APMC(s) of district will cover one or more crop of oilseeds for which MSP is notified.
• Since this is akin to PSS, in that in involves physical procurement of the notified commodity, it shall substitute PSS/PDPS in the pilot districts.
• In Price Support Scheme (PSS), physical procurement of pulses, oilseeds and Copra will be done by Central Nodal Agencies with proactive role of State governments.
• It is also decided that in addition to NAFED, Food Cooperation of India (FCI) will take up PSS operations in states /districts. The procurement expenditure and losses due to procurement will be borne by Central Government as per norms.
• Under Price Deficiency Payment Scheme (PDPS), it is proposed to cover all oilseeds for which MSP is notified.
• In this, direct payment of the difference between the MSP and the selling/modal price will be made to pre-registered farmers selling his produce in the notified market yard through a transparent auction process.
• All payment will be done directly into registered bank account of the farmer.
• This scheme does not involve any physical procurement of crops as farmers are paid the difference between the MSP price and Sale/modal price on disposal in notified market.

Bamboo industry

        Facts:

• 60% of India's bamboo is grown in North East Region.
• Home grown bamboo has been exempted from the Forest Act 1927.
• Government has set up new National Bamboo Mission (NBM) to focus on this sector.
• The North Eastern Council Cane & Bamboo Development Council (NECBDC) will act as a coordinating and facilitating agency for the North Eastern region.

        About National Bamboo Mission:

• Restructured National Bamboo Mission approved by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA).
• The Mission envisages promoting holistic growth of bamboo sector by adopting area-based,regionally differentiated strategy and to increase the area under bamboo cultivation and marketing.
• Under the Mission, steps have been taken to increase the availability of quality planting material by supporting the setting up of new nurseries and strengthening of existing ones.
• To address forward integration, the Mission is taking steps to strengthen marketing of bamboo products, especially those of handicraft items.

        Objectives:

• To promote the growth of the bamboo sector through as an area based regionally differentiated strategy;
• To increase the coverage of area under bamboo in potential areas, with improved varieties to enhance yields;
• To promote marketing of bamboo and bamboo based handicrafts;
• To establish convergence and synergy among stake-holders for the development of bamboo;
• To promote, develop and disseminate technologies through a seamless blend of traditional wisdom and modern scientific knowledge.
• To generate employment opportunities for skilled and unskilled persons, especially unemployed youths.

Swadesh Darshan Project

        About Swadesh Darshan Project:

• Swadesh Darshan scheme is one among the flagship schemes of the Ministry of Tourism for development of thematic circuits in the country in a planned and prioritised manner.
• Under this scheme the Government is focussing on development of quality infrastructure in the country with objective of providing better experience and facilities to the visitors on one hand and on other hand fostering the economic growth.
• The scheme was launched in 2014 -15 and as on date the Ministry has sanctioned 73 projects worth projects for Rs. 5873.26 Crore to 30 States and UTs.

        Objectives:

• To position tourism as a major engine of economic growth and job creation;
• Develop circuits having tourist potential in a planned and prioritized manner;
• Promote cultural and heritage value of the country to generate livelihoods in the identified regions;

• Enhancing the tourist attractiveness in a sustainable manner by developing world class infrastructure in the circuit /destinations;
• Follow community based development and pro-poor tourism approach;
• Creating awareness among the local communities about the importance of tourism for them in terms of increased sources of income, improved living standards and overall development of the area.
• To create employment through active involvement of local communities;
• Harness tourism potential for its effects in employment generation and economic development.
• To make full use of the potential and advantages in terms of available infrastructure, national culture and characteristic strong points of each and every region throughout the country by development of theme based circuits.
• Development of tourist facilitation services to enhance visitor experience/satisfaction.

India Water Impact Summit-2018

        Highlights:

• The India Water Impact Summit is an annual event where stakeholders get together to discuss, debate and develop model solutions for some of the biggest water related problems in the country.
• The discussions this year will be on rejuvenation of the Ganga River Basin.
• There will be multi-country dialogue on the subject, with showcasing of technological innovations, research, policy frameworks and funding models from India and abroad.

       The Summit will focus on three key aspects:

1. Spotlight on 5 states: Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Delhi and Bihar.

         The objective is to showcase the efforts and works going on within the respective states.

2. Ganga Financing Forum: The 2018 Summit also introduces the inaugural Ganga Financing Forum that will bring a number of institutions to a common knowledge, information and partnership platform.

         The Hybrid Annuity Model has redefined the economic landscape of water and waste-water treatment in India.

         All tenders have been successfully bid out and financial closures being achieved. Additionally, the Government is also now                   encouraging development of smaller decentralised waste water treatment projects.

         The Financing Forum will bring together financial institutions and investors interested in Namami Gange programmes.

3. Technology and Innovation: Implementation of the pilot/demonstration programme known as the Environment Technology Verification (ETV) process.

         This will provide an opportunity to technology and innovation companies from around the world to showcase their solutions for addressing the problems prevalent in the river basin.