PROJECT NAMAN |
Why in News: The Indian Army recently launched the first phase of Project NAMAN, establishing 14 Common Service Centres (CSCs) across key locations in India, including New Delhi, Jalandhar, Leh, Dehradun, Lucknow, and others.
About Project NAMAN
- Key Components:
- SPARSH Digital Pension System:A digital system designed to streamline pension-related processes for Defence Pensioners.
- Common Service Centres (CSCs): Centres set up at strategic locations to offer pension services and other essential government services.
- Tripartite MoU:Agreement between the Indian Army Directorate of Indian Army Veterans, CSC e-Governance India Limited, and HDFC Bank Limited.
- Village Level Entrepreneurs (VLEs):Veterans or their Next of Kin (NOKs) are selected to manage the CSCs, ensuring services are provided locally.
- Purpose:
- Streamline Pension Processes:Implementation of SPARSH aims to improve the efficiency and accessibility of pension services.
- Provide Accessible Facilitation Points: CSCs offer SPARSH-enabled pension services, Government to Citizen (G2C) services, and Business to Consumer (B2C) services.
- Support Veterans and Families:Provide essential care and services to war veterans, pensioners, war widows, and their NOKs.
Benefits:
- Convenience:All services are provided in a single, easily accessible location, making it simpler for veterans and their families to access essential services.
- Financial Assistance:HDFC Bank provides a monthly grant of ₹20,000 for the first 12 months to help stabilize and sustain the CSCs.
- Comprehensive Training:VLEs receive specialized training to effectively deliver services to the veterans and their families.
- Community Support:The centres serve not only the veterans and their families but also the surrounding community at military stations.
JAL JEEVAN MISSION (JJM) |
Why in News: The Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM), launched on August 15, 2019, recently marked its fifth anniversary. Aimed at providing tap water to every rural household by 2024, the mission has made significant strides in ensuring potable water access across India.
Background
At its launch in 2019, only 3.23 crore rural households (17%) had tap water connections. As of August 12, 2024, the mission has extended tap water coverage to over 15.07 crore households (77.98%), significantly enhancing rural living standards.
Key Achievements
Household Coverage:
- 82 crore additional households connected to tap water.
- Total coverage stands at 77.98% of rural households.
‘Har Ghar Jal’ Status:
- Achieved in 188 districts, 1,838 blocks, 1,09,996 Gram Panchayats, and 2,33,209 villages.
JE-AES Affected Areas:
- Over 2.35 crore households (79.21%) in districts affected by Japanese Encephalitis and Acute Encephalitis Syndrome now have clean tap water.
100% Coverage States/UTs:
- Goa, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Dadra Nagar Haveli & Daman Diu, Haryana, Telangana, Puducherry, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Mizoram, and Arunachal Pradesh.
Schools and Anganwadi Centers:
- Tap water connections provided to 9,27,421 schools and 9,63,955 Anganwadi centers.
Broad Objectives
- Functional Household Tap Connections (FHTC):Ensure safe drinking water access to every rural household.
- Quality-Affected Areas Priority:Focus on areas with contaminated water, drought-prone regions, deserts, and SAGY villages.
- Infrastructure Development:Build and maintain water supply systems in schools, Anganwadi centers, and public buildings.
- Community Engagement: Encourage local ownership through shramdaan (labor contribution) and active participation.
- Sustainability Focus:Ensure water source sustainability, regular maintenance, and infrastructure upgrades.
- Capacity Building:Train communities in construction, plumbing, water quality management, and catchment protection.
Components Supported
- In-Village Infrastructure:Develop piped water systems and FHTCs with a minimum service level of 55 lpcd.
- Reliable Water Sources:Ensure sustainable and quality drinking water through bulk transfers and treatment plants.
- Greywater Management:Promote safe disposal and reuse of wastewater.
- Technology and Retrofitting:Address water quality issues and retrofit ongoing projects to meet standards.
- Awareness and Capacity Building:Conduct IEC activities, train human resources, and engage communities.
- Disaster Response:Flexi Funds address challenges arising from natural calamities.
NEED TO PROHIBIT USE OF PESTICIDES |
Why in News: To tackle concerns about pesticide use, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has proposed forming an inter-ministerial committee. This step, discussed in the 44th Central Advisory Committee (CAC) meeting in August 2024, aims to ensure sustainable agricultural practices while safeguarding consumers from health risks due to pesticide residues.
Background
Pesticides are essential in modern agriculture for controlling pests and ensuring higher yields. However, their misuse and overuse can lead to environmental damage, health hazards, and pest resistance, necessitating strict regulation and sustainable practices.
Why Indian Farmers Use Pesticides
- Crop Protection:Prevent pests and diseases to safeguard yields and improve quality.
- Economic Stability: Reduce crop losses, ensuring stable income for farmers.
- Increased Productivity:Meet the food demands of a growing population through higher output per hectare.
Benefits of Pesticides
- Higher Crop Yields:Enhance productivity by protecting crops.
- Disease Control: Limit the spread of diseases by reducing pest populations.
- Economic Benefits: Support farmers’ livelihoods with increased yields and reduced losses.
Challenges of Pesticide Usage
Environmental Impact:
- Soil and water contamination.
- Loss of biodiversity due to harm to non-target species.
Health Risks:
- Acute and chronic health issues from pesticide exposure.
Resistance Development:
- Overuse leads to pest resistance, making control efforts less effective.
Government Initiatives
Integrated Pest Management (IPM):
- Combines biological, cultural, and chemical methods for sustainable pest management.
- Encourages biopesticides to reduce chemical dependency.
National Pest Surveillance System:
- AI-based platform to monitor pests and predict outbreaks, ensuring targeted pesticide use.
Promotion of Organic Farming:
- Policies to eliminate synthetic pesticides.
- Sikkim is a model state, banning synthetic pesticides entirely.
Food Safety on Wheels (FSWs):
- Mobile labs deployed by FSSAI to test pesticide residues and enhance food safety awareness.
AGRICULTURAL AND PROCESSED FOOD PRODUCTS EXPORT DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (APEDA) |
Why in News:
India recently exported its first ready-to-drink fig juice, crafted from GI-tagged Purandar Figs, to Poland. Facilitated by the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), this marks a significant milestone in showcasing India’s unique agro-products on the global stage.
About APEDA
The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) operates under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, focusing on the export promotion of India’s agricultural and processed food products.
Key Functions
- Market Development: Identifying and expanding markets for Indian agro-products.
- Quality Control:Certifying products to meet international standards.
- Infrastructure Development:Supporting cold storage, packaging, and transportation for exports.
- Training and Capacity Building:Organizing training programs for stakeholders to enhance export readiness.
- Financial Assistance:Funding exporters for quality improvement, infrastructure, and market development.
- Promotion of GI Products:Facilitating exports of Geographical Indication (GI) tagged items.
About Purandar Figs
- Origin:Grown in the Purandar taluka of Pune, Maharashtra.
- Unique Characteristics:Renowned for their sweetness and soft texture.
- GI Tag: Recognized for their regional authenticity and quality.
Benefits of GI Tagging
- Quality Assurance:Certifies adherence to traditional methods and high-quality standards.
- Market Recognition:Enhances visibility in domestic and global markets.
- Economic Benefits: Commands premium pricing, improving farmers’ incomes.
