GS PAPER II NEWS
Prime Minister Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana
Why in News
- As per the announcement of ‘Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Package (PMGKP)’ for the poor by the Department of Food and Public Distribution (DFPD), Government of India in the wake of the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic in the country in March 2020, “Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKP)” Distribution of ‘extra’ and ‘free’ food grains (rice/wheat) to about 80 crore National Food Security Act (NFSA) beneficiaries in the country was started under “PM-GKAY”.
Key point
- It aims to help the poor and needy by overcoming the difficulties of food security due to the unexpected outbreak of pandemic, lockdown and economic constraints across the country.
- Additional food grains are distributed on a per person basis of 5 kg per person per month, which is in addition to their regular monthly NFSA foodgrains (i.e. the monthly entitlements of the respective NFSA ration card).
- The objective of this measure is to ensure that no poor, weak or needy beneficiary/his family should suffer due to non-availability of food grains during the economic crisis arising out of the pandemic.
- Thus, through this special food security measure during the COVID-19 crisis, the Government of India has decided to provide the NFSA households normally distributed under the categories of Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) and Priority Families (PHHs) Act. The amount of monthly food grains has almost doubled.
- Initially the PM-GKAY scheme was announced for only three months April, May and June 2020 (Phase I) during 2020-21.
- Keeping in view the continuing need to ensure food security of the poor and needy beneficiaries, the government had extended the distribution of free food grains for a further period of five months from July to November 2020 (Phase-II).
- However, due to the continuing COVID-19 crisis in 2021-22, in April 2021, the government again announced distribution of free food grains under PM-GKAY for a period of two months from May and June 2021 (Phase III) and Then it was extended for five months from July to November 2021 (Phase-IV).
- Subsequently, keeping in view the continuing hardship arising out of COVID-19 in November 2021, it was decided by the Government of India to continue the distribution of free food grains from December 2021 to March 2022 (Phase-V).
- Food and Public Distribution Department has so far allocated about 759 lakh MT food grains to States/UTs for free distribution of food grains to about 80 crore NFSA beneficiaries under PM-GKAY scheme (Phase I to V) , which is equivalent to about Rs 2.6 lakh crore in food subsidy.
- As per the phase wise distribution report available from the States/UTs at present, a total of about 580 lakh metric tonnes of food grains have been distributed to the beneficiaries.
GS PAPER II
India and US internal security talks
Why in News
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- The internal security dialogue meeting between senior officials of India and the US was held today via virtual medium.
Key point
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- During the meeting, the two sides reviewed the ongoing cooperation and strengthened cooperation in counter-terrorism, cyber security, critical infrastructure and global supply chains, maritime security, aviation security, customs enforcement and trade security as well as other areas. Discussed measures such as further strengthening and exploring new opportunities.
- The two sides agreed that the existing sub-groups under the Internal Security Dialogue on cooperation in law enforcement, securing global supply chains, aviation security, investigative cooperation, capacity building and training will meet separately in the coming months to enable this To discuss the direction and find out how to further strengthen the ongoing cooperation between the two countries.
- The meeting concluded with the two sides expressing satisfaction at the ongoing partnership and agreeing to enhance bilateral engagement and cooperation in all areas of mutual interest.
- Both sides also agreed to hold Ministerial Internal Security Dialogue later this year.
GS PAPER II
11 new medical colleges and Central Institute of Classical Tamil (CICT) in Tamil Nadu
Why in News
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- The Prime Minister, inaugurated 11 new medical colleges and a new campus of the Central Institute of Classical Tamil (CICT) in Tamil Nadu via video conference.
Key point
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- Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister said that with the opening of 11 medical colleges and the inauguration of the new building of the Central Institute of Classical Tamil, our relationship with our culture is being strengthened along with providing health facilities to our society.
Central Institute of Classical Tamil (CICT)
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- The setting up of a new campus of the Central Institute of Classical Tamil (CICT) in Chennai is in line with the Prime Minister’s vision to protect and preserve Indian heritage and promote classical languages.
- The new campus is fully funded by the Central Government and constructed at a cost of Rs 24 crore. The CICT, which was operating from a rented building till now, will now operate from the new 3-storey complex.
- The new campus is equipped with a huge library, an e-library, seminar hall and a multimedia hall.
- CICT, an autonomous organization under the Union Ministry of Education, is contributing to the promotion of Classical Tamil by undertaking research activities to establish the antiquity and uniqueness of the Tamil language.
- The Institute’s library has a rich collection of more than 45,000 ancient Tamil books.
- To promote Classical Tamil and support its students, the Institute is involved in educational activities like organizing seminars and training programmes, allocation of fellowships etc.
- It aims to translate and publish ‘Tirukkural’ in various Indian as well as 100 foreign languages.
- The new campus will provide an effective working environment for the Institute in its endeavor to promote Classical Tamil across the world.
About medical college
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- The new medical colleges are being set up at an estimated cost of about Rs 4,000 crore, of which about Rs 2,145 crore is provided by the central government and the rest by the government of Tamil Nadu.
- The districts where new medical colleges are being set up include Virudhunagar, Namakkal, Nilgiris, Tiruppur, Tiruvallur, Nagapattinam, Dindigul, Kallakurichi, Ariyalur, Ramanathapuram and Krishnagiri.
- The establishment of these medical colleges is in line with the Prime Minister’s constant endeavor to promote affordable medical education and improve health infrastructure in all parts of the country.
- New Medical Colleges with a total capacity of 1450 seats are being set up under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme named ‘Establishment of New Medical Colleges attached to existing District/ Referral Hospital’.
- Under the scheme, medical colleges are established in those districts which are neither government nor private medical colleges.
Background
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- There were 387 medical colleges in the country in 2014. In the last seven years alone, this number has increased to 596 medical colleges. This is an increase of 54 percent.
- In 2014, there were about 82 thousand medical undergraduate and postgraduate seats in India. In the last seven years, this number has increased to about 1 lakh 48 thousand seats.
- This is an increase of about 80 percent. He said that in 2014 there were only seven AIIMS in the country. But after 2014, the number of AIIMS sanctioned has gone up to 22. Also, various reforms have been undertaken to make the medical education sector more transparent.
Other key points
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- The Prime Minister said that by inaugurating 11 medical colleges in Tamil Nadu at once, he has in a way broken his own record when he has recently inaugurated 9 medical colleges in Uttar Pradesh.
- Over Rs 3,000 crore assistance will be provided to Tamil Nadu over the next five years. The Prime Minister said that this would help in setting up of urban health and wellness centres, district public health laboratories and critical care blocks across the state.
- The Prime Minister said that he has always been impressed by the richness of Tamil language and culture. “One of the happiest moments of my life was when I got a chance to speak a few words at the United Nations in Tamil, the world’s oldest language,” he said.
- He said that his government has also had the honor of setting up the ‘Subramaniam Bharathi Peeth’ on Tamil Studies at the Banaras Hindu University. He said that this bench located in his parliamentary constituency will awaken more curiosity towards Tamil.
- Regarding the thrust on promotion of Indian languages and Indian knowledge systems in the National Policy on Education 2020, the Prime Minister said that Tamil can now be studied as a classical language in school education at the secondary level or middle level.
- Tamil is one of the languages of Bhasha-sangam, where school students are exposed to 100 sentences in different Indian languages in audio videos.
- The largest e-content in Tamil has been digitized under the Bharatavani project.
- The Prime Minister said ‘Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat’ is an attempt to enhance the spirit of unity in diversity and bring our people closer
GS PAPER II
MSME Technology Center
Why in News
- Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated the Technology Center set up by the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises in Puducherry on the occasion of National Youth Day.
Key point
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- This world-class technology center, built at a cost of about Rs 122 crore, is spread over an area of 10 acres.
- The institute will train 20,000 youth and support 2000 micro, small and medium enterprises and incubate 200 startups, thereby taking the local economy to new heights.
- Inauguration of this MSME Technology Center by the Prime Minister will boost skill development and inculcate entrepreneurial spirit among the youth of the region.
- Developed Technology Centers across the country under the Major Technology Center Systems Program to develop existing and potential Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) by augmenting production facilities, augmenting manpower, providing consultancy and developing a competitive edge through adoption of best practices. are cooperating.
- The Ministry of MSME through its various initiatives and programs is revitalizing the sector to achieve inclusive growth, providing sustainable employment opportunities and thereby realizing Prime Minister’s vision of a self-reliant India.