Cabinet Approves Continuation of Ocean Research Scheme O-SMART
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved the continuation of the umbrella scheme "Ocean Services, Modelling, Application, Resources and Technology (O-SMART)" for the 2021-26 period at a cost of Rs. 2,177 crore.
The scheme encompasses seven sub-schemes - Ocean Technology, Ocean Modelling and Advisory Services (OMAS), Ocean Observation Network (OON), Ocean Non-Living Resources, Marine Living Resources and Ecology (MLRE), Coastal Research and Operation and Maintenance of Research Vessels.
These sub-schemes are being implemented by autonomous institutes of the Ministry of Earth Sciences.
The objectives of the O-SMART scheme are: providing forecast and services based on the continuous observation of oceans, development of technologies and exploratory surveys for sustainable harnessing of oceanic resources (both living and non-living) and promotion of front-ranking research in ocean sciences.
Nov 19, 2021
West Bengal Government Launches Ration at Doorstep Scheme
The Mamata Banerjee government in West Bengal launched the 'Duare Ration' (ration at doorstep) scheme which the administration said will benefit around 10 crore of people of the state.
The 'Duare Ration' scheme is one of the many pet projects of CM Banerjee and was announced ahead of the West Bengal assembly elections earlier this year. A section of dealers had moved the Calcutta High Court against the scheme but their plea was junked.
Nov 17, 2021
Gujarat Launches 'Niramay Gujarat Yojana'
The Gujarat government launched 'Niramay Gujarat Yojana' to screen and protect people above 30 years from non-communicable diseases. The scheme was launched by Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel covers more than 3 crore people in the state.
The scheme looks to provide safety and preventive care to families. The prevalence of non-communicable diseases like high blood pressure, heart attack, paralysis, cancer, renal diseases, anemia, diabetes, etc, is more than communicable diseases.
The state government of Odisha launched a first of its kind road safety initiative named Rakshak, to train first responders of road accidents. Under the program, 300 master trainers will train 30,000 local people, staying or working at the eateries and different business establishments located near accident-prone spots. These 30,000 volunteers will be trained as First Responders to road accidents. They will be equipped to administer first aid and pre-hospital trauma care to accident victims within the golden hour.
The 'Rakshak' initiative was organised by the Commerce and Transport Department in collaboration with the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) and the Indian Red Cross Society, Odisha State branch.
As part of the initiative, the state government would train volunteers from roadside communities such as eateries, small repair shops, gas stations, and also police officers to be first responders to road accident victims.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched two innovative, customer-centric initiatives of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), the retail direct scheme and the integrated ombudsman scheme.
The RBI Retail Direct Scheme is aimed at enhancing access to the government securities market for retail investors.
It offers them a new avenue for directly investing in the securities issued by the Centre and the state governments. The investors will be able to easily open and maintain their government securities accounts online with the RBI for free.
The Reserve Bank-Integrated Ombudsman Scheme aims to further improve the grievance redress mechanism for resolving customer complaints against entities regulated by the central bank.