Clean India Project

• Clean India Project with the twin objectives of attracting more visitors and providing a hygienic environment in around tourist destinations across the country is launching on the pilot basis by Ministry of Tourism in New Delhi.
• In the first phase of the campaign, 36 such monuments have been identified by the Ministry of Tourism and Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).

• Under the Clean India Pilot Project, all issues regarding the heritage site are taken care of including providing drinking water facilities, renovation of toilets, proper signages in and around the premises, placing of garbage bins, maintenance of parking lots, conversion of site into friendly zone for physically challenged persons, various repair/replacement work, 24 X 7 management and garbage clearance, tourist help desks and deployment of volunteers for better management amongst others.
• Project is launching in Qutub Minar Complex. 
• India Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC), the public sector undertaking under the ministry, has been entrusted with the partnership of the pilot project of the prestigious campaign at Qutab Minar.

Nutrient Based Subsidy Scheme for Fertilizers

• The fertilizers namely DAP, MOP, NPKS complexes, MAP, TSP, Ammonium Sulphate (AS) and Single Super Phosphate (SSP) are provided to the farmers at the subsidized rates based on the nutrients (N, P, K & S) contained in these fertilizers.
•  Additional subsidy is also provided on the fertilizers fortified with secondary and micronutrients as per the Fertilizer Control Order such as Boron and Zinc.
• Subsidy under the NBS is being released through the manufacturers/importers.

Section 4 of the RTE Act

Section 4 of the RTE Act provides that where a child in the age group of six to fourteen years has not been admitted to any school or though admitted could not complete elementary education, he/she shall be admitted in an age appropriate class, and will have the right to receive special training. Such children shall be entitled to free education till completion of elementary education even after fourteen years.

PURA Provisioning of Urban Amenities in Rural Areas

Context : PURA re-released as PURA 2.0

• 1500cr in 12th plan- measly support for a positive program to develop infra in rapidly urbanizing but unrecognized Census Towns, increases CT from Rs. 1000 to Rs. 3200 cr in 10 years (Census Towns -> town having more than 5,000 populations with a density of 400 people per square kilometer and where the male population engaged in non-agricultural activities is more than 75 percent)
• private companies in consultation with Gram Panchayats, which will be the nodal agency, can take up projects like sanitation, water supply, street lighting, roads and solid and liquid waste management on user-charges basis in the census towns
•  Rural Development Ministry providing a grant of 40 to 50 crore rupees; 70 to 80 crore rupees will be mobilized by ongoing central schemes, while the private sector is expected to bring in about 20 crore rupees. The Private Company in consulation with the Gram Panchayat will get the lease of 10 years for the physical infrastructure to be developed in such towns to recover the investment

Fortune at the Bottom of the Pyramid

• Tested business modes  ITC e choupal, HUL Shakti rural women entrepreneus, Tata Kisan Kendra, DCM shriram hariuali kisaan bazaar, SEWA, BASIX
• Public private partnership has seen Common Service centres under SEWA SREI sahaj e- village program -CSCSs in 6 states, providing G2C and B2C
• Common service centers - CSC operator as a Village level Entrepreneur VLE, State Center Agency SCA, State designated agency SDA , 3tier system
• Sahaj , a non banking finance company SREI subsidiary, part of NeGP - last mile access to organizations looking to offer services to >2000 population villages
• VLEs are local entrepreneurs , who offer services like zZIT education, tailway tickets, mobile recharge, insurance cover etc  -

PURA 1.0 (APJ Abdul Kalam's idea)

Freedom to PPP to provide add on revenue generating facilities like Village Linked Tourism Rural markets, warehousing, schools integrated rural hubs

• 15 clusters in 10 states, amenities by private players - water supply sewage roads drainage and telecom and electricity ,funding support by ADB and MEA as well 
• Bharat nirman, private investments and O&M for 10 years under contract, growth center of gram panchayat core- infra + economic regeneration
• Features  25 sq km 3-4 Panchayats, roads, drainage, 5 pits for SWM, Skill development  Lead Economic Activity, street lights, internet kiosks, biomass gas generation, 1MW plant
• PPP 78:22 for infra, 100% orivate for revenue generation, VGF, Risk mititgation and rish sharing between shareholders
• Total 619 districts, 6484 blocks, 2,55,000 panchayats, 5,93,731 villages, 5.4cr BPL hh
• Model
• Micro consumer/producer and innovators connected physically, financially, and information/knowledge based with rural entrepreneurs, giving him economic connectivity with formal economy
• Convergence seen in NRLM, TSC and NRWDP in capital expenditure  provisioning, private player gets land free for public amenities, revenue sharing for other activities, after 10 years, reverts back to GP/state for maintenance and use

Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana RSBY

Context  - Universal Health Coverage in Twelfth Five Year Plan, on recommendations of K Srinath Reddy Committee
Sub-topics - Regulating Ministry, Beneficiaries, Terms and Conditions, Objectives, Performance, Problems/Issues

• Min of labor and employment, BPL households coverage of 30,000 for hospitalisation, cashless hospitalisation in empanelled hospitals with Health Cards, family of 5
• Nominal registration fee from user, premium paid 50:50 by centre and state max 750 rs per family per year, access to quality care, demand driven program

• Highly flexible and convenient
• Givens users option to public or private facilities of his choice, covers ALL preexisting diseases from day one, no age limit
• IT intensive biometric smart card, all hospitals connected at district level for info gathering and updation
• Portable, can be used in any district elsewhere
• Business model for insurers- premium paid for each household enrolled, hospitals get greater flow into public hospitals , monitored by insurers to prevent fraud, excessive administrative expense claims - competitive bidding for insurers, claim settlement between hospital and insurer, not the consumer!
• With greater flow ins of rural patients one hopes the RSBY money makes private sector set up hospitals in rural areas- 100bed hospital in Ballia mainly due to RSBY flux
• Covers transportation expenses as well
• Intermediaries like NGOs MFI compensated, strong measures like de empanelment of hospitals for fraud

• Performance 2.76 cr cards, total 31 lakh cases, 8200 hosps empaneled , sustainable - 89% burnout ratio (cash paid put against premium) for 2nd year district, saw 6% hospitalization
• Covers unemployed, unorganised labor, NREGA street vendors, railway portes, Kisan card holders etc
• Problems - insurance company incentivized to enroll but not for utilization- need to introduce an efficiency in service standard , very few TPAs third party administrators leading to higher chance/possibility of collusive fraud
• Beneficiaries  below poverty line families in unorganised sector, rickshaw pullers, domestic workers ,toddy tappers, ragpickers etc  also include NREG workers(15 day limit), mining industry
• Domestic workers brought under law, identify domestic workers, include in central list of scheduled employment, 4.75 million. Reform crucial for migrant workers and tribals from outflow states
• 30000 rs coverage to family of 5, treatment from empanelled private and government hospitals , smart cards may be extended for other benefits- maternity, death and disability
• Bring in unorganized labor, since it ends next year, will start an autonomous board to regulate & look after the program 

Draft of National Youth Policy 2012 unveiled

Key Features of Draft NYP 2012:-

• The Draft NYP 2012 recognizes that youth is not a homogenous group and there are numerous differentials based on their habitat, environment in which they live, socio-economic status of the families they belong to and their own life style.
• The target groups identified are (i) Student Youth (ii) Migrant Youth (iii) Rural Youth (iv) Tribal Youth (v) Youth At Risk (vi) Youth in violent conflicts (vii) out of school/dropouts (viii) groups with social /moral stigma (ix) Youth in Institutional Care. Young women, Youth belonging to socially and economically disadvantaged communities /groups, and differently-abled youth form the three priority groups among the target age group.
• The Draft NYP 2012 proposes to change the target age group from the existing 13-35 years to 16-30 years. This change is proposed mainly to realign the definition of Youth with the prevailing international definitions. The definition of Youth as per UN is 15-24 years and as per Commonwealth, it is 15- 29 years.
• The concerns of target groups and the priority groups therein, shall be addressed through a subsequent action plan based on policy interventions mentioned in the thrust areas of this policy.
• Draft NYP 2012 plans to divide broad age bracket of 16-30 years into three groups- the first sub-group will be 16-20 years covering mostly youth who require educational facilities. The second sub-group is 20-25 years who require access to employable skills. The third sub-group 25-30 who require access to self employment and enterprenuerial skills.
• The draft NYP 2012 aims at empowering youth through skill development for enhancing employability and providing entrepreneurship opportunities through convergence with other Ministries/Departments.
• The thrust areas are promotion of National values, social harmony, national unity, and empowering youth through employable skills, education, health, sports and recreation, gender justice, participation in community service, environment and local governance.
• The Draft NYP 2012 has monitorable indicators under five domains.
Accordingly, Youth Development Index will include the indices viz.

• Youth Health Index,
• Youth Education Index,
• Youth Work Index,
• Youth Amenities Index,
• Youth Participation Index.

• The Draft NYP 2012 advocates establishment of strong coordination mechanism at the Centre and State Levels.

• The NYP 2012 proposes that Youth Policy be reviewed after every National Census.

The Draft Youth policy, for the first time, has also been under pinned by the guiding principle of providing targeted employable skills to different youth segments in line with Prime Minister's Skill Development Mission, apart from identifying varied segments based on socio-economic, gender and geographical parameters as specific targets.

Gramin Bhandaran Yojna

          The funds for this scheme are contributed by National Bank for Agricultural and Rural Development, National Cooperative Development Corporation and by cooperative banks and cooperative societies.
         The main objectives of the scheme include creation of scientific storage capacity with allied facilities in rural areas to meet the requirements of farmers for storing farm produce, processed farm produce and agricultural inputs. Also, promotion of grading, standardization and quality control of agricultural produce to improve their marketability. the scheme also aims at prevention of distress sale immediately after harvest by providing the facility of pledge financing and marketing credit by strengthening agricultural marketing infrastructure in the country.
          To avail the scheme, an interested promoter will have to submit a copy of the project proposal for term loan and subsidy to the respective banks on an application form as prescribed by the concerned bank along with project report and other documents for appraisal and sanction of loan.

National Policy on Old Persons (NPOP)

The National Policy for Older Persons (NPOP) was formulated in 1999 in response to the
increasing number of persons 60 years and above.

Key Elements of NPOP


Financial Security
i. The old age pension scheme to eventually cover all older persons below poverty line
ii. Pension scheme to be broadened to include both public and private sectors
iii. Tax exemption for medical and nursing care, transportation and support services for the old or the son or daughter with whom they are staying
iv. Public distribution system to reach out to cover all persons above the age of 60 living below the poverty line



Health Care and Nutrition

i. Subsidy for the health care needs of the elderly poor and graded system of user charges for others
ii. Provision of primary health services and health insurance to address preventive, curative, restorative and rehabilitative needs of older persons and geriatric care at secondary and tertiary levels
iii. Tax relief, grants, land grant at concessional rates to NGOs and private hospitals to provide economical and specialised care for older persons
iv. Setting up geriatric wards and conducting training and orientation programmes for geriatric care
v. Expansion of mental health services and counselling facilities for the elderly having mental health problems

Shelter
i. Earmarking 10 per cent of the houses in private and Government housing schemes and easy access to
loans.
ii. Layout of housing colonies to be made sensitive to the needs of the older persons.
iii. Quick disposal of cases relating to property transfer, mutation of property, property tax, etc.

Education
The concept of wellness in old age and related health education and information needs of the elderly should receive priority so that they are well-informed about safety, security as well as the evolving changes in lifestyle and living.

Welfare
Welfare is intended primarily for the extremely vulnerable elderly who are disabled, infirm, chronically
sick and without any familial support.
i. Identify the more vulnerable among the older persons such as the poor, the infirm and those without
family support. Institutional care to be the last resort only.
ii. Provide assistance to voluntary organisations by way of grants-in-aid for construction/maintenance of
old age homes, daycare centres, multi-service citizens centres, outreach services, supply of disabilityrelated
aids and appliances, etc.
iii. Set up of welfare funds for older persons with support from the corporate sector, trusts, charities,
individual donors and others for protection of life and property, involvement of NGOs and supporting
senior citizens to realize their potential.

Research and Training
i. Encourage research and documentation on ageing.
ii. Encourage medical colleges, training institutions for nurses and paramedical institutes to introduce
courses on geriatric care.
iii. NGOs associated with such activities to get support for training and orientation of their personnel for
the provision of specialized services.

Sensitizing the Media

What is the implementation mechanism of National Policy for Older Persons?

Ans. The Government has constituted the NCOP on 10th May 1999 under the Chairmanship of Hon'ble Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment. The NCOP is the highest body to advice and coordinate with the Government in the formulation and implementation of policy and programmes for the welfare of the aged. The NCOP has been reconstituted in 2005. The present strength of NCOP is 50.

Besides, the Ministry has also set up an Inter Ministerial Committee (IMC) headed by Secretary (SJ&E) with the aim of effective implementation of the National Policy on Older Persons and for taking actions on the recommendations of NCOP. The Ministry periodically reviews progress on the implementation of the National Policy on Older Persons through meetings of NCOP and IMC.

Key issues in implementation as experienced during the last 10 years of the NPOP.
These are the need for:
(1) coordination among multi-sectoral partners with clearer accountability and measurable and time bound results;
(2) financial outlays by different stakeholders within their respective mandates, but harmonised to produce policy outcomes;
(3) a stronger role for the National Council for Older Persons with greater political and administrative power necessary to bring multiple stakeholders contribute to a common cause;
(4) enhanced income security, including social pensions for the poor vulnerable senior citizens;
(5) increased protection for older women who face socio-economic, cultural and legal barriers; and finally
(6) the need for sharpening the policy focus as it addresses multiple issues with limited resources.


Recommendations by  Smt. (Dr.) Mohini Giri Committee in Draft National Policy on Senior Citizens, 2011


The focus of the new policy:

1. Mainstream senior citizens, especially older women, and bring their concerns  into the national development debate with priority to implement mechanisms  already set by governments and supported by civil society and senior citizens‟  associations. Support promotion and establishment of senior citizens‟
associations, especially amongst women.
2. Promote the concept of "Ageing in Place‟ or ageing in own home, housing,  income security and homecare services, old age pension and access to  healthcare insurance schemes and other programmes and services to  facilitate and sustain dignity in old age. The thrust of the policy would be preventive rather than cure.
3. The policy will consider institutional care as the last resort. It recognises that  care of senior citizens has to remain vested in the family which would partner  the community, government and the private sector.
4. Being a signatory to the Madrid Plan of Action and Barrier Free Framework it  will work towards an inclusive, barrier-free and age-friendly society.
5. Recognise that senior citizens are a valuable resource for the country and  create an environment that provides them with equal opportunities, protects  their rights and enables their full participation in society. Towards achievement of this directive, the policy visualises that the states will extend their support for senior citizens living below the poverty line in urban and rural  areas and ensure their social security, healthcare, shelter and welfare. It will protect them from abuse and exploitation so that the quality of their lives  improves.
6. Long term savings instruments and credit activities will be promoted to reach both rural and urban areas. It will be necessary for the contributors to feel National Policy on Senior Citizens 2011 assured that the payments at the end of the stipulated period are attractive enough to take care of the likely erosion in purchasing power.
7. Employment in income generating activities after superannuation will be encouraged.
8. Support and assist organisations that provide counselling, career guidance and training services.
9. States will be advised to implement the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007 and set up Tribunals so that elderly parents  unable to maintain themselves are not abandoned and neglected.
10. States will set up homes with assisted living facilities for abandoned senior citizens in every district of the country and there will be adequate budgetary support.

Implementation Mechanism

There will be efforts to provide an identity for senior citizens across the country and the ADHAAR Unique identity number will be offered to them so that implementation of assistance schemes of Government of India and concessions can be offered to them. As part of the policy implementation the Government will strive for: 

1. Establishment of Department of Senior Citizens under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment
2. Establishment of Directorates of Senior Citizens in states and union territories 
3. National/State Commission for Senior Citizens
4. Establishment of National Council for Senior Citizens
   A National Council for Senior Citizens, headed by the Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment will be constituted by the Ministry. With tenure of five years, the Council will monitor the implementation of the policy and advise the government on concerns of senior citizens. A similar body would be established in every state with the concerned minister heading the State Council for Senior Citizens.
   
     The Council would include representatives of relevant central ministries, the Planning Commission and ten states by rotation.
     Representatives of senior citizens associations from every state and Union Territory.
     Representatives of NGOs, academia, media and experts on ageing. The council would meet once in six months.
5. Responsibility for Implementation
   
   The Ministries of Home Affairs, Health & Family Welfare, Rural Development, Urban Development, Youth Affairs & Sports, Railways, Science & Technology, Statistics & Programme Implementation, Labour, Panchayati Raj and Departments of Elementary Education & Literacy, Secondary & Higher Education, Road Transport & Highways, Public Enterprises, Revenue, Women & Child Development, Information Technology and Personnel & Training will setup necessary mechanism for implementation of the policy. A five-year perspective Plan and annual plans setting targets and financial allocations will be prepared by each Ministry/ Department. The annual report of these Ministries/ Departments will indicate progress achieved during the year. This will enable monitoring by the designated authority.
6. Role of Block Development Offices, Panchayat Raj Institutions and Tribal Councils/Gram Sabhas
   
   Block Development offices would appoint nodal officers to serve as a one point contact for senior citizens to ease access to pensions and handle documentation and physical presence requirements, especially by the elderly women.
   Panchayat Raj Institutions would be directed to implement the NPSC 2011 and address local issues and needs of the ageing population.
   In rural/ tribal areas, the tribal council or gram sabha or the relevant Panchayat Raj institution would be responsible for implementation of the policy.
   The provisions of the 13thFinance Commission for special funding to them would be made applicable. 

Govt approves the National Data Sharing and Accessibility Policy, 2012

      The Union Cabinet today approved the National Data Sharing and Accessibility Policy – 2012 (NDSAP-2012).

Objective of the policy:

• To facilitate access to Government of India owned shareable data and information in both human readable and machine readable forms through a network all over the country in a proactive and periodically updatable manner, within the framework of various related policies, Acts and Rules of the Government, therefore, permitting a wider accessibility and use of public data and information.
• The NDSAP policy is designed to promote data sharing and enable access to Government of India owned data for national planning and development. The National Data Sharing and Accessibility Policy will apply to all data and information created, generated, collected and achieved using public funds provided by Government of India directly or through authorised agencies by various Ministries / Departments/ Organisations/ Agencies and Autonomous bodies.

Few Important schemes

Three new sub-schemes have been introduced under RKVY (Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana) from 2010-11. 

1. First on extending green revolution to Eastern Region of the country - covering States of Bihar,
   Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Orissa, Eastern UP and West Bengal, with objective of increasing crop productivity of region by intensive cultivation through promotion of recommended agricultural technologies and package of practices. Allocation of Rs. 400 crore for 2010-11 has been made for this, out of which Rs. 260.62 crore have been released to the States so far.
2. Second sub-scheme is special initiative for Pulses and Oilseeds in Dryland Areas during 2010- 11, with an allocation of Rs. 300 crore in current year and is operationalized by organizing 60,000 Pulse and Oilseeds Villages in identified watersheds by providing farm machinery and equipment on custom hiring basis to pulses and oilseed farmers and dovetailing with other existing central schemes having components for promotion of oilseeds and pulses production. Rs. 238.50 crore have been released to the States under this sub-scheme so far.
3. Third sub-scheme is National Mission for Saffron-Economic Revival of J&K Saffron Sector with allocation of Rs. 39.43 crore for current year. Out of this, first instalment of Rs. 19.72 crore has been released to Jammu & Kashmir. So now RKVY includes 9 sub components.  

• special initiative for pulses and oilseeds development in selected pulses and oilseed growing villages in rain-fed areas,
• scheme to bridge yield gap in agriculture in eastern India,
• initiative on vegetable clusters,
• accelerated fodder development programme,
• rain-fed area development programme,
• promotion of oil palm, nutri- cereals,
• national mission for protein supplements and
• saffron mission.

 Indira Awaas Yojana- 

• Aim of Indira Awaas Yojana is to provide financial assistance to the rural poor living Below the overty Line (BPL) for construction of a house.
• The benefits of the Scheme have since been extended to the families of Exservicemen of the armed forces & paramilitary forces killed in action.
• Besides 3% of the houses are reserved for the physically & mentally challenged persons of the rural BPL families.
• Funds are also been earmarked for coverage of minorities. Beneficiary is free to construct IAY house of their own choice. Hence, there is no architectural specification and layout given under IAY. A person is eligible for benefits even if he/ she has not plot.

Mega Food Park scheme-

• Launched in 2008, the scheme promotes fully-integrated food parks and provides half the total cost of the project, minus land and non-capital components such as operation and management costs.
• Such parks are expected to not only increase processing levels in the country — only six per cent of fruits and vegetables grown in the country are processed — but also promote cluster farming, benefiting farmers.
• For instance, each mega food park is to have a number of collection centres in a 120-km area around, where the farmer can directly sell his produce.
• The ministry has urged the state governments to adopt and implement its model State Agricultural Produce Marketing Act, so that the collection centres could be freed of mandi tax and farmers could get maximum returns, by dealing directly with buyer-companies.

Health insurance Portability is available to consumers from October 2011. The policy holder has to inform the new insurer about the time regarding the choice of switching. According to Irda guidelines, insurers need to be informed 45 days before renewing the existing policy. If the request for the portability is made after 45 days, the insurer may reject the request. Waiting period for certain illness varies from insurer to insurer. Hence, it is important for the policy holders to check the time period for pre-existing diseases. Besides the specific exclusions, other terms and conditions need to be scrutinised well before shifting.