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GOVERNMENT POLICIES AND SCHEMES - July 2023

Jul 2023

Feb 07, 2024

Rajya Sabha Passes Bills Seeking to Modify SC/ST List in Odisha and Andhra

The Rajya Sabha passed two Bills, which seek to modify the list of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in Odisha and Andhra Pradesh.
The Upper House cleared the Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order (Amendment) Bill, 2024, and the Constitution (Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes) Order (Amendment) Bill, 2024, by voice vote.
The first Bill seeks to modify the SC/ST list in Andhra Pradesh, while the second seeks to modify the SC/ST list in Odisha. Both bills were piloted by Tribal Affairs Minister Arjun Munda.
Munda said that both Bills were brought with long-term planning. In Andhra Pradesh, three more ethnic groups — Bondo Porja, Khond Porja, Parangiperja — were added to the list of STs. While in Odisha, four groups were in the list. All these are Primitive Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) and they have been added to the scheduled list after 75 years of Independence.
There are 75 PVTGs which are spread from Andaman Island to the mainland. The government has started a scheme and worked in mission mode with a target to reach them in the far-flung areas in which they reside.

Rajya Sabha Passes Bill to Amend Water Act, Decriminalise Minor Pollution-linked Crimes

The Rajya Sabha passed the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Amendment Bill, which seeks to decriminalise minor offences related to water pollution, and exempt certain categories of industrial plants from statutory restrictions.
The Bill, which seeks to amend the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, was approved by the Rajya Sabha by voice vote.
According to the Bill, the central government will be empowered to exempt certain categories of industrial plants from the application of Section 25 relating to restriction on new outlets and new discharges.
According to the proposed law, the central government will prescribe the manner of nomination of chairpersons of State Pollution Control Boards. It also empowers the central government to issue guidelines on the matters relating to the grant, refusal or cancellation of consent by any state board for establishment of any industry, operation or process, or treatment and disposal system or bringing into use of new or altered outlets.

Feb 06, 2024

Lok Sabha Nod to Bill for OBC Quota in Local Bodies in J-K

The Lok Sabha passed a bill to provide reservation to Other Backward Classes in local bodies in Jammu and Kashmir, with the government asserting that important changes have taken place in the Union territory since the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019.
Currently, there is no provision for reservation of seats for Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in panchayats and municipalities in Jammu and Kashmir.
The bill seeks to provide reservation to Other Backward Classes in panchayats and municipalities in Jammu and Kashmir and bring consistency in the local body laws of the Union territory with the provisions of the Constitution.

Feb 02, 2024

Assam Cabinet Approves Bill for Tourism Sector Growth

The Assam cabinet, led by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, championed the Assam Tourism Development and Registration Bill 2024. This bill, set for introduction in the upcoming Legislative Assembly session, aims to regulate and boost tourism. Sarma emphasised its role in fostering economic growth, a testament to Assam's commitment to development under his leadership.
The cabinet also green lighted the Missing Autonomous Council Amendment Bill 2024. This bill expands council representation, underscoring Sarma's inclusive governance approach. Such reforms reflect Assam's dedication to equitable development. Under this amendment, the number of elected members will be increased from 36 to 40, while the count of nominated members will rise from 4 to 5.

Feb 01, 2024

Tamil Nadu Lists Guidelines for 'Ungalai Thedi, Ungal Ooril' Scheme

The Tamil Nadu government released guidelines for the 'Ungalai Thedi, Ungal Ooril' scheme announced in 2023 by Chief Minister M. K. Stalin aimed at strengthening public services and scheme implementation across the state.
According to the guidelines, Collectors and senior district-level officials will spend 24 hours (9 a.m. to 9 a.m.) in one taluk on the fourth Wednesday of every month to review the functioning of various projects, inspect infrastructure and receive representations from the public.

Jan 30, 2024

Odisha Launches LABHA: A 100% State-funded MSP Scheme for Tribal Empowerment

In a move towards the development and empowerment of approximately one crore tribals in Odisha, the state government, led by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, launched the 'LABHA' scheme. LABHA, an acronym for Laghu Bana Jatya Drabya Kraya, is a 100% state-funded Minimum Support Price (MSP) for Minor Forest Produce (MFP).
Tribal primary collectors will sell minor forest produce at MSP through procurement centres managed by TDCCOL (Tribal Development Cooperative Corporation of Odisha Limited).
LABHA Yojana will collaborate with Mission Shakti's Women Self-Help Groups (SHGs), benefiting the majority of tribal women who constitute 99% of primary collectors.

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