Prelim Bits 11-04-2023 | UPSC Daily Current Affairs

SHAKTI Policy

Ministry of Power  launches scheme for Procurement of Aggregate Power of 4500 MW for five years under B (v) of SHAKTI Policy.

• Scheme for Harnessing and Allocating Koyala (Coal) Transparently in India (SHAKTI) policy was designated for the allocation of coal among thermal power plants.
• Launch Year - 2017
• Ministry - Ministry of Coal.
• Aim - Ensure the availability and supply of coal to thermal power plants (TPPs) in in India in a transparent way.
• The scheme also aims to reduce the dependence on imported coal and promote rationalization of coal linkages.
• For the first time bidding of coal is being carried out under B(v) of Shakti scheme.
• Under the scheme, Ministry of Power has invited bids for the supply of 4,500 MW.

References

1. PIB - MoP  launches scheme for Procurement of Aggregate Power
2. News On Air - SHAKTI Scheme
3. Lok Sabha - Unstarred Question: Ministry of Coal - pdf

Mission Coking Coal

Based on recommendations of Inter- Ministerial Committee For Augmenting Coking Coal Production,the Ministry of Coal has set up Mission Coking Coal.

• Mission Coking Coal was set up to evolve a road map for increasing production and utilization of domestic coking coal.
• Launched - August 2021
• Ministry - Ministry of Coal
• Aim - To reduce dependence on imports for coking coal and increase use of locally available coal in the steel making through gasification process.
• The mission will prepare a roadmap suggesting ways to augment the production and utilization of domestic coking coal in India by 2030.
• Recommendations made - Exploration, enhancing production, enhancing washing capacity, and auction of new coking coal mines.

References

1. ET - 'Coking Coal Mission' to diversify raw material sources
2. PIB - Mission Coking Coal: Augmenting Coking Coal Production

National Career Service

In a written reply in Rajya Sabha, the Minister of State for Labour & Employment gave information about National Career Service (NCS).

• The National Career Service (NCS) is a one-stop solution that provides a wide array of employment and career related services to the citizens of India.
• Launch - Launched by the Prime Minister in July 2015.
• Aim - To provide a variety of employment related services through a digital platform at free of cost.
• Implementing Agency - The Directorate General of Employment, Ministry of Labour & Employment.
• Services - One stop solution for career related services including private and government sector jobs, information on job fairs, skill/training programmes etc.
• 3 pillars - NCS portal, Country wide set up of Model Career Centers and Interlinkage with all the states through employment exchanges.
• Portal - www.ncs.gov.in -The NCS Portal brings together Jobseekers and employers on one platform.
• Interlinkage - The NCS portal is integrated with 20 State and 7 UT Employment portals.

References

1. PIB - National Career Service
2. DGE - National Career Service
3. National Career Service

Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana

The Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare gave an update on Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY) in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha.

• The Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY) envisages creation of tertiary healthcare capacity in the underserved areas of the country.
• Aim - Correcting the imbalances in the availability of affordable/reliable tertiary healthcare services and augmenting facilities for quality medical education.
• Year - The scheme was approved in March 2006.
• Ministry - Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
• Fund - Central Sector Scheme
• The scheme has 2 broad components:
  1. Setting up of All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS);
  2. Up-gradation of existing Government Medical Colleges/Institutions (GMCIs).
• So far, 22 new AIIMS and 75 up-gradation Projects of existing Government Medical Colleges/Institutions (GMCIs) have been approved under this scheme.

References

1. Vikaspedia - Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY)
2. Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana

North East Entrepreneurs Development Program (NEEDP)

 North Eastern Council (NEC) has launched a first-of-its-kind North East Entrepreneurship Development Programme (NEEDP) at NEC Secretariat.

• North East Entrepreneurship Development Program (NEEDP) is an initiative for creating an inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem in north east region.
• Implementation - North Eastern Council (NEC) in association with IIM Calcutta Innovation Park.
• Aim - To foster Socio-Economic Development and Employment Generation in the North East region.
• Beneficiary - existing and aspiring entrepreneurs across all the 8 states of North East region.
• North East Entrepreneurship Challenge (Hunt) is being organized as a part of this initiative.
• Entrepreneurs are chosen through a systematic, transparent selection process ensuring representation from each state taken for incubation and pre-incubation programs.
• These programs will help them to commercialize and grow their businesses.

References

1. PIB - NEC and IIM Calcutta Innovation Park launch NEEDP
2. IIM Calcutta Innovation Park - NEEDP