General Awareness

GOVERNMENT POLICIES AND SCHEMES - June 2023

Jun 2023

Jun 29, 2023

Cabinet Approves Introduction of National Research Foundation Bill in Parliament

The Union Cabinet approved the introduction of National Research Foundation (NRF) Bill, 2023, in parliament. The Bill aims to pave the way to establish NRF that will seed, grow and promote research and development (R&D) and foster a culture of research and innovation throughout India's universities, colleges, research institutions, and R&D laboratories.
The NRF, an apex body to provide high-level strategic direction of scientific research in the country as per recommendations of the National Education Policy (NEP), will be set up at an estimated cost of Rs.50,000 crore over 2023-28.
The Department of Science and Technology (DST) will be the administrative Department of NRF which will have a governing board consisting of researchers and professionals across disciplines.
Since the scope of the NRF is wide-ranging, impacting all ministries, the Prime Minister will be the ex-officio president of the board and the ministers of Science & Technology and Education will be ex-officio vice-presidents. NRF's functioning will be governed by an executive council chaired by the principal scientific adviser to the government.

Jun 25, 2023

Govt. Introduces 2 Changes as it Amends Electricity Rules 2020

The Government of India introduced two changes to the prevailing power tariff system, through an amendment to the Electricity (Rights of Consumers) Rules, 2020. The changes are: introduction of Time of Day (ToD) Tariff, and rationalization of smart metering provisions.
Time of Day (ToD) Tariff
Rather than being charged for electricity at the same rate at all times of the day, the price you pay for electricity will vary according to the time of day. Under the ToD Tariff system, Tariff during solar hours (duration of eight hours in a day as specified by the State Electricity Regulatory Commission) of the day shall be 10%-20% less than the normal tariff, while the tariff during peak hours will be 10 to 20 percent higher. ToD tariff would be applicable for Commercial and Industrial consumers having Maximum demand of 10 KW and above, from April 1, 2024 and for all other consumers except agricultural consumers, latest from April 1, 2025. Time of Day tariff shall be made effective immediately after installation of smart meters, for the consumers with smart meters.
Time of Day (TOD) tariff, is recognized globally across electricity industries, as an important Demand Side Management (DSM) measure which is used as a means of incentivizing consumers to shift a portion of their loads from peak times to off-peak times, thereby improving the system load factor by reducing the demand on the system during peak period. Various statutory provisions already exist to enable and promote implementation of ToD tariff (i.e. Tariff Policy, 2016, Electricity Act, 2003 and National Electricity Policy, 2005).
Rules regarding amendment made in smart metering provision
Government has also simplified the rules for smart metering. To avoid inconvenience / harassment of the consumers, the existing penalties for increase in consumer's demand beyond the maximum sanctioned load / demand have been reduced. As per the amendment in metering provision, post installation of a smart meter, no penal charges will be imposed on a consumer based on maximum demand recorded by the smart meter for the period before installation date. Load revision procedure has also been rationalized in a way that maximum demand shall be revised upwards only if sanctioned load has been exceeded at least three times in a financial year. Moreover, smart meters shall be read remotely at least once in a day and the data shall be shared with Consumers in order to enable them to take informed decision about consumption of electricity.

Jun 22, 2023

Jharkhand Government Launches Panchayat-level Medicine Scheme

Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren launched the state government's ambitious panchayat-level drugs shop scheme, aimed at making essential medicines available in remote areas.
Soren inaugurated the scheme in Chatra district by handing over licences to three persons for operating the medicine shops in panchayats.

Govt. Withdraws Livestock Bill amid Criticism by Animal Rights Activists

The government withdrew a draft Live-stock and Live-stock Products (Importation and Exportation) Bill after concerns over a provision in the legislation to allow for the import and export of live animals. The Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying issued a memorandum withdrawing the draft bill amid concerns raised by animal rights activists and other groups.
'The Live-stock Importation Act, 1898, being the pre-constitutional/pre-independence Central Act, a need has been felt to align it with the contemporary requirements and prevailing circumstances related to sanitary and phytosanitary measures, and its extant Allocation of Business Rules, 1961,' the memorandum said.
Some animal rights activists criticised certain provisions which they said were cruel to animals as the proposed legislation allowed for unregulated and large-scale import/export of animals. This could impact the gene pool of native animals.

Jun 21, 2023

Punjab Assembly Approves Bill, CM to Replace Governor as Chancellor of State Universities

In a significant development, the Punjab Assembly passed the Punjab Universities Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2023, which replaces the Governor with the Chief Minister (CM) as the chancellor of state-run universities. This move grants the state government greater control over higher education institutions.
The bill aims to address the differences that have arisen between the Bhagwant Mann-led government and Governor Banwarilal Purohit regarding the appointment of vice-chancellors for state universities.
The bill received widespread support from various political parties. In addition to the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and a lone Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) member also backed the legislation.

Jun 19, 2023

Madhya Pradesh Govt. Approves Cooperative Policy with Focus on Jobs

A cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan approved the Co-operative Policy 2023, with a focus to create jobs in the sector.
The policy emphasises on preparing and implementing the public co-operative partnership (PCP) model in the sector, which means co-operative organisations will work in collaboration with government bodies.
The state government is planning to use co-operatives as a medium to provide employment to the youth of Madhya Pradesh. In a bid to enhance self-employment opportunities, co-operatives will be formed in agriculture, health care, food processing, animal husbandry, water conservation, new and renewable energy, tourism, minerals, agricultural equipment, organic products, and other sectors and they will be linked to various government schemes.

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