News In Short-12-09-2024

Mission Mausam

Syllabus :GS 1/Geography 

In News

• Cabinet approved ‘Mission Mausam’ to create a more weather-ready and climate-smart Bharat.

About Mission Mausam

• It is a two-year initiative aimed at enhancing India’s capacity to cope with extreme weather and climate challenges.
• The mission, with a financial outlay of ₹2,000 crore, will be implemented under the Ministry of Earth Sciences.
  • The India Meteorological Department, the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, and the National Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasting—institutions under the Ministry of Earth Sciences—will spearhead the mission’s implementation.
• Key components include expanding research in atmospheric sciences, focusing on weather surveillance, forecasting, and modelling.
  •  The mission will integrate advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, and high-performance computing to improve the accuracy of weather predictions.
• Importance : It will enhance weather observation systems and provide better monsoon forecasts, air quality alerts, and extreme weather warnings.
  • The mission will benefit sectors including agriculture, disaster management, and health.

Source:TH

Afghanistan set to begin work on TAPI pipeline

Syllabus: GS2/ International issues

Context

• The Afghanistan government said that work would begin on a $10 billion TAPI gas pipeline traversing South Asia.

About

• The Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) natural gas pipeline project is a significant regional energy initiative. 
• It aims to transport up to 33 billion cubic meters (bcm) of natural gas annually from the Galkynysh gas field in Turkmenistan, through a pipeline spanning approximately 1,800 kilometers. 
• The route includes passing through key regions like Herat and Kandahar in Afghanistan, and Balochistan in Pakistan, before terminating in Fazilka, Punjab, in India. 

Significance

• The project is designed to meet the growing energy needs of South Asia, with Pakistan and India each expected to receive 42% of the gas supplies, and Afghanistan receiving 16%. 
• Afghanistan is also set to benefit from transit fees estimated at $500 million annually, which could boost its economy.
• The TAPI project could enhance regional cooperation, boost energy security, and promote economic development across the participating countries.

Source:TH

Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana – IV

Syllabus: GS2/Governance

Context

• The Union Cabinet has approved the Implementation of the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana – IV (PMGSY-IV) during FY 2024-25 to 2028-29.

About PMGSY-IV

• Under the scheme 25,000 unconnected habitations of population size 500+ in plains, 250+ in NE & Hill States/UTs, special category areas (Tribal Schedule V, Aspirational Districts/Blocks, Desert areas) and 100+ in LWE affected districts, as per Census 2011 will be covered.
• Also, 62,500 Km of all-weather roads will be provided to unconnected habitations. 
• Construction of required bridges along the alignment of the all-weather road will also be provided.

PMGSY

• Government launched the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana in 2000.
• It aims to provide all-weather access to unconnected habitations. 
• The Ministry of Rural Development along with state governments is responsible for the implementation of PMGSY.
• This scheme was centrally funded only up to 2015-16. Since then, the funds have been divided between the Centre and the State. 

Source: IE

Expansion of Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) 

Syllabus :GS 2/Health 

In  News

• The Union Cabinet has approved extending Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) health coverage to all senior citizens aged 70 and above, regardless of income. 

Key Points 

• Eligible senior citizens will receive a distinct card to access their entitled benefits.
• Seniors already covered by AB PM-JAY will receive an additional top-up of Rs. 5 lakh annually for themselves.
  • This top-up is separate from their family’s existing coverage.
• Options for Other Health Insurance Schemes:  Senior citizens covered under other public health insurance schemes such as the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS), Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS), and Ayushman Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) can either retain their existing coverage or opt for AB PM-JAY.
  • Senior citizens under private health insurance or the Employees’ State Insurance (ESI) scheme are also eligible for AB PM-JAY benefits.

About AB PM-JAY

• AB PM-JAY is the world’s largest publicly funded health assurance scheme.
• It provides Rs. 5 lakh annual coverage per family for secondary and tertiary care hospitalizations.
• Eligibility: Based on Socio-Economic Caste Census 2011 (SECC 2011) for rural and urban areas.
• The scheme is being implemented in 33 States/UTs except for the NCT of Delhi, West Bengal, and Odisha.
• Expenses Covered: Up to 3 days of pre-hospitalization and 15 days of post-hospitalization expenses (e.g., diagnostics, medicines).
  • No restrictions on family size, age, or gender.
  • Coverage includes all pre-existing conditions from day one.
• Achievements : So far, it has facilitated over 7.37 crore hospital admissions, benefiting 55 crore individuals across 12.34 crore families.
  • Initially, the scheme covered 10.74 crore vulnerable families (40% of India’s population).
    • In January 2022, the base was expanded to 12 crore families to account for population growth.
  • The recent extension also includes free healthcare for 37 lakh ASHAs, Anganwadi Workers, and Helpers (AWWs/AWHs) across the country.

Source:  TH

PM Electric Drive Revolution in Innovative Vehicle Enhancement (PM E-DRIVE) Scheme

Syllabus: GS2/Governance

Context

• The Union Cabinet approved a new scheme called PM Electric Drive Revolution in Innovative Vehicle Enhancement (PM E-DRIVE) for the promotion of electric vehicles (EV) in India.

About

• The PM E-DRIVE will replace Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Electric Vehicles in India Phase II (FAME India Phase II).
• The Ministry of Heavy Industries (MHI) will implement the new scheme with a total outlay of Rs 10,900 crore over a period of two years.
• The scheme will focus on promoting electric buses, trucks, and ambulances. Electric cars for private or shared mobility will not be covered under this new scheme.
• The government has introduced e-vouchers for EV buyers to avail of demand incentives under the scheme.
  • These vouchers will be generated at the time of purchase and authenticated via Aadhaar, ensuring transparency in the subsidy process.

Major components of the scheme

• Subsidies/Demand incentives worth Rs.3,679 crore have been provided to incentivize electric two-wheelers, electric three-wheelers, e-ambulances, e-trucks and other emerging EVs.
• The scheme will support 24.79 lakh e-2Ws, 3.16 lakh e-3Ws, and 14,028 e-buses.
• The scheme allocates Rs.500 crore for the deployment of e-ambulances.
• A sum of Rs.4,391 crore has been provided for procurement of 14,028 e-buses by STUs/public transport agencies. 
• Rs.500 crore has been allocated for incentivising e-trucks.
  • Incentives will be given to those who have a scrapping certificate from MoRTH approved vehicles scrapping centers (RVSF).
• The scheme proposes the installation of 22,100 fast chargers for e-4 Ws, 1800 fast chargers for e-buses and 48,400 fast chargers for e-2W/3Ws. 
• The outlay for electric vehicle public charging stations (EVPCS) will be Rs.2,000 crore.

Significance of the Scheme

• The scheme promotes an efficient, competitive and resilient EV manufacturing industry thereby promoting Aatmanirbhar Bharat.
  • This will be achieved by incorporating a phased manufacturing programme (PMP) which encourages domestic manufacturing and strengthening of EV supply chain.
• The initiative is poised to address concerns regarding environmental pollution and fuel security as well as to make significant progress in promoting sustainable transportation solutions.
• The scheme shall create significant employment opportunities along the value chain.

Source: PIB

Salt Pans

Syllabus: GS3/Environment and Biodiversity

Context

• The Union Government approved the transfer of 256 acres of salt pan land in Mumbai to the Dharavi Redevelopment Project Pvt Ltd (DRPPL).
  • This invited criticism from opposition leaders and environmentalists due to environmental concerns.

Salt Pans

• They comprise parcels of low-lying lands where seawater flows in at certain times, and leaves behind salt and other minerals.
• Along with mangroves, this ecosystem is instrumental in protecting the city from flooding.
• According to the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ), the ecologically sensitive salt pans fall under CRZ-1B category, where no economic activity is allowed with the exception of salt extraction and natural gas exploration.
• Nationally, some 60,000 acres have been demarcated as salt pan lands, spread across Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, Gujarat, and Karnataka. 
• Andhra Pradesh boasts the largest expanse of such land, followed by Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra.

Source: IE

National Florence Nightingale Awards 2024

Syllabus: Miscellaneous

Context

• The President of India has conferred the National Florence Nightingale Awards 2024 to Nurses at Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi.

National Florence Nightingale Awards

• The Award was instituted by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in the year 1973. 
• This award is given as a mark of recognition for the meritorious services rendered by the nurses and nursing professionals to society.
• Each award consists of a Certificate of Merit, Cash Award of Rs.1,00,000/- and a medal.

Source: PIB