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GOVERNMENT POLICIES AND SCHEMES - September 2024

Sep 2024

Feb 17, 2026

Nadda to Launch SAHI and BODH Initiatives at India AI Summit

Union Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda announced two national AI initiatives at the India AI Summit in New Delhi: SAHI (Strategy for Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare for India) and BODH (Benchmarking Open Data Platform for Health AI). The programs aim to strengthen health services, disease surveillance and data sharing through AI. Officials say the initiatives will form part of broader digital health reforms and governance. The announcements reflect government–industry–academic collaboration intended to accelerate health tech adoption and foster responsible AI use in public health, research and policy development.

Initiatives: SAHI and BODH announced at India AI Summit.
SAHI: Strategy for Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare for India.
BODH: Benchmarking Open Data Platform for Health AI.
Goals: strengthen health services, surveillance, data sharing.
Policy driver: government–industry–academia collaboration.

North and South Blocks to Join Yuge Yugeen Bharat National Museum

The Union Cabinet approved transforming North Block and South Block into part of the proposed Yuge Yugeen Bharat National Museum. The decision follows Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s dedication of Seva Teerth, the new PMO, on 13 February 2026. As a result, cabinet meetings will cease to be held in South Block after nearly 95 years, and North Block will join the museum project. Officials describe the move as a step to consolidate governance history and present it through curated exhibits and heritage spaces. Details on funding, governance and timelines are expected later from government authorities.

Cabinet approval to incorporate North and South Blocks into the museum plan.
PM Seva Teerth dedication occurred on 13 February 2026.
South Block will stop hosting cabinet meetings after 95 years.
North Block to be part of the museum project.
Purpose: showcase governance history through exhibits.

Bharat-VISTAAR: AI Platform for Farmers Launched in Jaipur

Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan announced Bharat-VISTAAR, an AI-based digital platform for Indian farmers. The tool will provide weather updates, mandi prices, pest and disease management, soil health, crop advice and information on government schemes, all via calls, chatbots and an upcoming mobile app. Phase 1 will launch in Hindi and English across states including Maharashtra, Bihar and Gujarat. The launch event included participation from state agriculture ministers and farmers connected virtually through ICAR and KVK networks. Bharat-VISTAAR aims to empower farmers with timely, locally relevant information to improve yields and incomes.

Platform: Bharat-VISTAAR; AI-based for farmers.
Key features: weather, mandi prices, pest management, soil health, crop advice, schemes.
Access: calls, chatbots; later mobile app.
Phase 1: Hindi and English; states include Maharashtra, Bihar, Gujarat.
Goal: empower farmers; improve yields and incomes.

Feb 16, 2026

PM Modi Announces PM RAHAT Scheme for Accident Victims

New Delhi, 16 February 2026 — The Government of India announced a new health scheme PM RAHAT for road accident victims, following Cabinet approval on 14 February 2026 at Seva Teerth. Prime Minister Narendra Modi said eligible patients will receive cashless treatment up to ₹1.5 lakh per person for seven days from the date of the accident. The plan aims to ensure that no road accident victim is denied life-saving care due to lack of money. Officials highlight the Golden Hour principle, where rapid treatment improves survival. The scheme strengthens India's emergency healthcare system and reduces financial barriers for families.

PM RAHAT stands for Road Accident Victim Hospitalization and Assured Treatment
Cabinet approved the scheme on 14 February 2026 at Seva Teerth
Cashless treatment up to ₹1.5 lakh per person for seven days
Eligibility tied to road accident victims
Emphasis on treating patients within the Golden Hour

Brahmaputra Rail-Road Twin Tunnel Gets Cabinet Approval

The Union Cabinet approved a major infrastructure project—the Brahmaputra Rail-Road Twin Tunnel—in a greenfield corridor in Assam. The 33.7-kilometre project will connect Gohpur on NH-15 with Numaligarh on NH-715 at an estimated cost of ₹18,662 crore, implemented under Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC). The centerpiece is a 15.79-kilometre twin-tube tunnel: one rail tube and a four-lane highway, with a 1.26-kilometre road cut-and-cover and a four-kilometre rail cut-and-cover section. Officials say the tunnel will transform connectivity across Northeast India by enabling faster travel for people and goods.

Cabinet approval for the Brahmaputra Rail-Road Twin Tunnel
33.7-kilometre greenfield corridor in Assam
Cost: ₹18,662 crore; EPC mode
Twin-tube design: rail and highway
Improved northeast connectivity for people and goods

Feb 15, 2026

Maharashtra Launches My Village, Healthy Village Campaign with Rs 80 Crore Budget

The Maharashtra government launched the My Village, Healthy Village campaign to uplift rural health services through a multi-sectoral approach. The scheme, approved by the state cabinet, runs annually from 1 April to 31 March and has a budget of approximately Rs 80 crore. Its objectives include improved rural health standards, sanitation, safe water supply, and health awareness programs to promote preventive care and healthy lifestyles. The initiative envisions coordination across sanitation and water departments and health outreach to strengthen rural healthcare capacity, identify local needs, and improve service delivery for villagers.

Campaign name: My Village, Healthy Village
Duration: 1 April to 31 March annually
Budget: around Rs 80 crore
Focus on sanitation, water, and preventive healthcare
Multi-sectoral collaboration for rural health improvements

Odisha to Add QR Codes on Land Records for Digital Verification

Odisha will introduce QR codes on land ownership documents (Record of Rights, RoR) to enable instant digital verification of property details. Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari announced that each RoR will carry a QR code with ownership, location, and transaction history. The system aims to enhance transparency, curb fraud, and streamline property transactions. Scanning the QR code will reveal the full property profile, including parcel maps. Currently, buyers rely on encumbrance certificates covering records from the past 30 years. The QR-based verification will complement existing records and improve due diligence for buyers, sellers, and authorities.

QR codes to be added to RoR land documents
Details include ownership, location, and history
Aims to improve transparency and curb fraud
Current records cover up to 30 years
Scan to view full property profile

Feb 14, 2026

Odisha to introduce QR codes on land records for instant digital verification

Odisha will introduce QR codes on land ownership documents to enable instant digital verification of property details. Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari announced that each land patta (Record of Rights, RoR) will carry a QR code providing ownership, location and transaction history. Scanning the code will display a property profile, including parcel maps and complete purchase history. The initiative aims to enhance transparency, curb fraud and streamline property transactions. Once implemented, scanning will replace reliance on encumbrance certificates for broader and faster verification, as EC records cover only about 30 years of transactions.

Policy: QR codes on RoR land records
Purpose: transparency, fraud reduction, faster verification
Data displayed: ownership, location, transaction history
Current practice: encumbrance certificates cover ~30 years
Expected benefit: streamlined property transactions
Implementation: phased rollout in land records

Feb 13, 2026

Delhi CM Skill Development Scheme Aims to Link Artisans to Global Markets

The Delhi government approved the Chief Minister Skill Development Scheme to bolster artisans in khadi, handloom, and cottage industries, linking traditional crafts to global markets. Chief Minister Rekha Gupta described artisans as custodians of Delhi’s cultural heritage and outlined a programme of structured training, digital access, and financial support to strengthen livelihoods in a rapidly changing economy. The scheme targets thousands of artisans, easing access to design inputs, marketing networks, and e-commerce platforms. Officials emphasised bridging the gap between customary methods and modern supply chains while maintaining quality and identity. The plan complements existing state and central initiatives to formalize skills and expand export potential.

Focus on khadi, handloom, and cottage industries.
Structured training, digital access, and financial support.
Aims to connect artisans with global markets.
Targets thousands of artisans in Delhi.
Seeks to modernize traditional crafts without losing identity.

Odisha to implement QR codes on land records for digital verification

Odisha will introduce QR codes on land ownership documents to enable instant digital verification of property details. Each land patta, or Record of Rights, will carry a QR code providing information about ownership, location and transaction history. The move aims to improve transparency, curb fraud and streamline property dealings. Once scanned, the code will display the property’s profile, including location, parcel map and purchase history. Currently, buyers rely on encumbrance certificates issued by tehsil offices covering records for the past thirty years. The reform promises a quicker, verifiable paper trail and reduced reliance on offline documents.

QR codes to be added to land patta/Record of Rights documents.
Scan reveals ownership, location and transaction history.
Aims to curb fraud and streamline property transactions.
Encumbrance certificates currently cover up to 30 years.

Assam Rifles to Induct Indigenous Dog Breeds Under Atmanirbhar Bharat

Assam Rifles announced an Indigenous Dogs Induction plan under the Centre's Atmanirbhar Bharat push, highlighting a shift toward homegrown security assets. The force has already deployed the Tangkhul Hui breed from Manipur as a pilot project and intends to induct the Kombai breed from Tamil Nadu in April. Full induction is targeted by March 2027, with training taking place at the Assam Rifles Dog Training Centre in Jorhat, Assam. The move follows directives from the Union Home Ministry encouraging greater use of Indian dog breeds in security duties. Officials argue indigenous dogs are well-adapted to local climates and show disease resistance.

Tangkhul Hui breed deployed as pilot in Manipur.
Kombai breed to be inducted from Tamil Nadu in April.
Full induction targeted by March 2027 at ARDTC, Jorhat.
Centre directives push indigenisation of security assets.
Indigenous dogs cited as disease-resistant and climate-adapted.

Delhi unveils Chief Minister Skill Development Scheme for artisans

The Delhi government approved the Chief Minister Skill Development Scheme to empower artisans linked with khadi, handloom and cottage industries. Chief Minister Rekha Gupta announced that the program will provide structured training, digital access and financial support to thousands of artisans, helping them upgrade skills and access modern markets. The scheme aims to bridge the gap between traditional crafts and contemporary demand, enabling better income prospects and cultural preservation. Officials emphasise the scheme’s potential to boost livelihoods while integrating artisanal sectors into the broader digital and economic framework of the national capital.

Scheme targets khadi, handloom and cottage industries.
Offers structured training, digital access and finance support.
Aims to connect artisans with modern markets.
Supports livelihoods and cultural heritage in Delhi.

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