What is Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Program?

• PMEGP is a central sector scheme administered by the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises.
• Launched in 2008
• It is a credit linked subsidy programme for generation of employment opportunities through establishment of micro enterprises in rural as well as urban areas.
• Subsidy up to 35% is provided by the Government through Ministry of MSME for loans up to ₹25 lakhs in manufacturing and ₹10 lakhs in the service sector.
• Implementing agency is Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC).
•  It allows entrepreneurs to set up factories or units.
• Eligibility:
• Any individual, above 18 years of age.
• Only new projects/units are considered for sanction of loans.
• Self-help groups that have not availed benefits under any other public scheme, societies, production co-operative societies, and charitable trusts.

States told to include all eligible disabled persons under NFS Act

• The Department of Food and Public Distribution under Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution has sent letters to States Governments/UTs to include all eligible disabled persons under the National Food Security Act 2013.
• NFSA provides coverage of persons under Antyodaya Anna Yojana.
• The Atma Nirbhar Bharat Abhiyan benefits are for those persons who are not covered under NFSA Act or Public Distribution System of States. Therefore, the disabled persons without rations cards are also eligible to receive benefits under Atma Nirbhar Bharat Abbhiyan. The scheme is to lapse on August 31, 2020.
• National Food Security Act, 2013
• Objective is to provide for food and nutritional security in human life cycle approach
• By ensuring access to adequate quantity of quality food at affordable prices to people to live a life with dignity.
• Provides subsidized food grains under Targeted Public Distribution System
• Covers 75% of rural Population and 50% of urban population.

Arunachal Pradesh will provide tap water to all rural homes by 2023

• The Government Arunachal Pradesh has set a target to provide tap water connections to each household in the State by 2023 under Jal Jeevan Mission.
• Challenges faced in implementation are the tough mountainous terrain, sparsely located habitations and the harsh climatic conditions.
• Jal Jeevan Mission:
• Scheme under the Ministry of Jal Shakti
• Objective is to provide functional household tap connections to every rural household of the country by 2024.
• Enable every rural household, availability of potable water at a service level of 55 litres per capita per day on regular and long-term basis.

Hallmarking of precious metals will be mandatory from 1st June 2021.

• The Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution Shri Ram Vilas Paswan launched the online system of Registration and Renewal of Jewellers and online system of recognition and renewal of the Assaying and Hallmarking Centres
• The provision of mandatory hallmarking of precious metals like gold jewellery and artifacts will be effective from 1st June next year.
• Jewellers can apply online and submit required necessary documents and fees for obtaining a licence through this online portal
• At present, a total of 921 Hallmarking Centers are there in India.

Appointment: Election Commissioner

• The Centre has appointed Rajiv Kumar as the Election Commissioner.
• Mr. kumar was a finance secretary.
• He replaced Ashok Lavasa, who has resigned to join the Asian Development Bank (ADB)
• Appointment & Tenure
• The President appoints and Election Commissioners.
• They have tenure of six years, or up to the age of 65 years, whichever is earlier.
• They enjoy the same status and receive salary and perks as available to Judges of the SC.
• All Election Commissioners have equal say in the decision making of the Commission.

Current COVID19 Situation in India

Ministry of I&B releases SOP for Media Production

The Ministry of I&B have released a detailed SOP for resuming work in the media production industry.

QUIZ TIME

Objective of JJM is to provide functional household tap connections to every rural household by:

1. 2025
2. 2024
3. 2020
4. 2030

Answer – B

National Food Security Act 2013 provides coverage of persons under:

1. Antyodaya Anna Yojana
2. Mega Food Parks Scheme
3. Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana
4. Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment

Answer – A

Who appoints Election Commissioners?

1. Prime Minister
2. Chief Justice of India
3. Chief Election Commissioner
4. President

Answer – D

Question of the Day

What is One Sun, One World, One Grid Project?

Answer in next session…