PM ELECTRIC DRIVE REVOLUTION IN INNOVATIVE VEHICLE ENHANCEMENT (PM E-DRIVE) SCHEME |
Why in News: The PM Electric Drive Revolution in Innovative Vehicle Enhancement (PM E-DRIVE) Scheme provides fiscal incentives for electric two-wheelers, three-wheelers, buses, trucks, and ambulances. Notably, unlike the earlier FAME-2 scheme, the new subsidy excludes electric cars.
PM Electric Drive Revolution in Innovative Vehicle Enhancement (PM E-DRIVE)
- Purpose: To promote electric mobility across India and reduce reliance on fossil fuels.
- Launch Date:September 2024
- Duration:Two years
- Budget:₹10,900 crore
- Replacement:Supersedes the FAME India scheme (2015–2024).
Objectives:
- Promote EV Adoption:Reduce pollution and fossil fuel dependency.
- Enhance Infrastructure:Develop EV charging stations and testing facilities.
- Support EV Development:Focus on two-wheelers, three-wheelers, buses, trucks, and ambulances.
E SHRAM PORTAL |
Why in News: The Ministry of Labour & Employment (MoLE) has announced that the eShram portal has registered over 30 crore unorganised workers, showcasing its extensive reach among diverse worker groups, including migrant workers, gig workers, and agricultural labourers.
Features and Benefits of the eShram Portal
- Comprehensive Registration:
- Migrant workers and other unorganised workers can register themselves on the portal.
- Ensures inclusion in the national database, enabling access to targeted schemes.
- Family Details:
- Captures workers’ family information, aiding in the allocation of family-centric welfare schemes.
- Access to Social Security:
- Facilitates easy access to social security benefits and welfare schemes through registration.
- Integration with Job and Skill Platforms:
- National Career Service (NCS) Portal:Workers can leverage their Universal Account Number (UAN) to explore job opportunities.
- Skill India Digital Portal:Provides access to skill development programs and apprenticeships for worker upskilling.
- Pension Scheme:
- Eligibility for the Pradhan Mantri Shram-Yogi Maandhan (PM-SYM) scheme:
- Workers aged 18–40 years can register using their UAN for pension benefits.
- Access to Government Schemes:
- Integrated with the My Scheme portal, enabling workers to discover and apply for various government programs tailored to their needs.
AGRI FUND FOR START-UPS & RURAL ENTERPRISES (AGRISURE) |
Why in News: The Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare and Rural Development recently launched the AgriSURE Scheme in New Delhi, aiming to revolutionize the agricultural landscape in India.
About AgriSURE
- Overview:
- Full Name: Agri Fund for Start-ups & Rural Enterprises (AgriSURE).
- An innovative financial fund supporting agricultural start-ups and rural enterprises.
- A collaboration between the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare and NABARD.
- Registered as a Category-II Alternative Investment Fund (AIF) with SEBI.
- Financial Structure:
- Total fund size: ₹750 crore.
- Provides blended capital: equity and debt support for agritech start-ups and entrepreneurs.
- Focus: High-risk, high-impact activities across the agriculture value chain.
Objectives
Investment and Growth
- Foster an investment-friendly climate for agricultural start-ups.
- Accelerate growth within the agricultural ecosystem.
Capital and Support
- Sustain capital commitments to sector-specific AIFs.
- Provide liquidity to existing agri and agritech start-ups.
- Encourage young entrepreneurs with innovative, technology-driven ideas.
Technology and Linkages
- Strengthen the farm produce value chain.
- Enable FPOs (Farmer Producer Organizations), FPCs (Farmer Producer Companies), and primary cooperatives to access advanced farm technologies.
Employment and Investment
- Generate additional employment opportunities for rural and urban youth.
- Retain and motivate youth to stay engaged in agriculture.
- Attract more investments into the agricultural and rural start-up ecosystem.
Beneficiary Start-ups:
- Sectors: Agritech, food processing, animal husbandry, fisheries, supply chain management, farm mechanization, biotechnology, waste management, renewable energy, etc.
- The fund will support approximately 85 start-ups, with ticket sizes up to ₹25 crore.
Digital Agriculture Mission |
Why in News: The Union Cabinet Committee, chaired by the Prime Minister, recently approved the Digital Agriculture Mission with an outlay of ₹2817 Crore, including a central share of ₹1940 Crore. This initiative aligns with the vision of Viksit Bharat@2047, aiming to transform India’s agricultural sector through digital solutions.
About Digital Agriculture Mission
- Objective:
- Create a robust Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) for the agriculture sector, enabling better access to services, data, and insights.
- Includes initiatives like the Digital General Crop Estimation Survey (DGCES) and other IT projects by various government bodies.
- Key Components:
- Farmer IDs:Digital identities for farmers similar to Aadhaar, ensuring access to government services and schemes.
- Nationwide Crop Surveys:Collect accurate data on agricultural production to facilitate better planning and decision-making.
- AgriStack Development:Includes initiatives like the Krishi Decision Support System and Soil Profile Mapping to provide essential data for farmers.
- Job Creation:Approximately 2.5 lakh jobs are expected to be generated under this mission.
Objectives
- Income Enhancement: Provide timely and reliable information to farmers, ultimately aiming to increase their income.
- Digital Infrastructure:Develop a comprehensive Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) to facilitate various IT-driven agricultural initiatives.
- Data-Driven Decision Making:Empower farmers with accurate and timely information for better decision-making on farming practices.
- Job Creation:The mission is expected to create 2.5 lakh jobs, contributing to employment in the agricultural and allied sectors.
Benefits
- Improved Service Delivery:Leverage data analytics, AI, and remote sensing to enhance the efficiency and transparency of services for farmers.
- Enhanced Decision-Making:Empower farmers with accurate and timely information, improving their decision-making processes.
- Increased Productivity:With better access to resources and information, farmers can enhance their productivity and overall profitability.
- Sustainable Agriculture: Promote sustainable farming practices by providing data on soil health, crop patterns, and more.
- Economic Growth:Contribute to the country’s economic growth by boosting the agriculture sector.
