Cradle Baby Scheme:

• The practice of female infanticide in some areas of the State, reflected a sudden decrease of Child Sex Ratio, as per census 1991. It may be attributed to so many socio economic factors. Poverty, dowry harassment, birth of child to unmarried women, deformed infants, famine, pandemic etc are among the causes that have been contributed for this kind of social evil practices. The low value associated with the birth of female child and the preference for male child also lead to intentional killing of female infants.
• To make sure that girl child receives proper care and support even if they are left abandoned by parents, Tamil Nadu has launched a novel scheme of Cradle Baby Scheme in the year 1992 in Salem District. By setting up cradles in the hospitals, the mothers are facilitated to leave their unwanted girl babies safely in the cradles. This is a specific measure to rescue these babies from the jaws of death and to promote the real value of girl children.
• This scheme paves the way for the parents who are unwilling to take care of girl babies due to poverty, social stigma, and children born with disability and due to various other reasons to voluntarily leave / place them in the cradles. The babies, received are given for In-country and Inter-country legal adoption to adoptive parents.
• During the year 2001, this scheme was extended to Madurai, Theni, Dindigul and Dharmapuri districts where the practice of female infanticide was prevalent.
• In the year 2011, the scheme was further extended to Cuddalore, Ariyalur, Perambalur, Villupuram and Thiruvannamalai districts where the Child Sex Ratio was recorded low as per the 2011 Census. Accordingly, Reception Centers were opened in the above mentioned districts. Children who are abandoned by parents are received in the cradles placed in the Hospitals, Primary Health Centres, Children Homes and Creches.
• With an aim to prohibit the evil practices of female infanticide and to address the issue of declining Child Sex Ratio, the Government of Tamil Nadu is taking earnest efforts to make the administrative machinery more responsive in enforcing the act and punish the offenders. 5,781 children (Male 1283, Female 4498) have been saved since the inception of the scheme till March 2022.

Chief Minister’s Girl Child Protection Scheme:

• The future of a country hinges on ensuring gender equality so that girl children are also adequately represented, qualified and able to participate in the process of development. Gender equality means providing equal opportunities to boys and girls in education, health, economic and political aspects. Girl children are discriminated based on gender and still considered as burden in a patriarchal society. Hence, the Government is taking steps to educate, empower and uplift the girl child.
• To eradicate female infanticide, to discourage the preference for male children and to promote family planning, Government implements Girl Child Protection Scheme for the welfare of girl child.
• In order to protect the rights of the girl children and to ensure education, the Government introduced the Chief Minister’s Girl Child Protection Scheme in the year 1992 with the direct financial investment on the girl children.
• Under this scheme, the amount is deposited in the name of the girl child with the Tamil Nadu Power Finance and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited. The copy of the fixed deposit receipts are given to the family of the girl children. On completion of 18 years, the amount deposited along with accrued interest will be given as maturity amount to pursue her higher education.

Aim of the Scheme:

• Ensure the girl child education atleast up to 10th std level and then motivate her to pursue higher education.
• Encourage girls to get married only after the age of 18 years.
• Encourage parents to adopt family planning methods after two girl children.
• Strengthen the role of the family for improving the status of the girl child.
• Protect the rights of the girl child and provide social and financial empowerment of the girl child.

Types of Schemes:

Scheme –I

An amount of Rs.50,000/- is deposited in the name of the single girl child in the form of fixed deposit with the Tamil Nadu Power Finance and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited, for a family having one girl child only. The copy of the fixed deposit receipt is given to the family of the girl child.

Scheme –II

An amount of Rs.25,000/- is deposited in the names of two girl children in the form of fixed deposits with Tamil Nadu Power Finance Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited, for a family with two girl children only. The copy of the fixed deposit receipts are given to the family of the girl children.

Criteria to Benefit under the Scheme:

• Family should have only one/two female children and no male child. In future, no male child should be adopted.
• Either of the parents should have undergone sterilization within 40 years of age.
• The parents should be a domicile in Tamil Nadu for a continuous period of 10 years at the time of submitting the application.
• Annual family Income should be less than Rs.72,000/-
• The application should be submitted before the child completes 3 years of age for Scheme I and before the second child completes 3 years of age for Scheme II.
• In case of birth of more than one girl child in first or second delivery, they will be benefitted under Scheme II.

Coverage of the Scheme:

Under this scheme, so far, 10, 46,605 beneficiaries have been registered and an amount of Rs.1705.52 crore have been deposited upto March 2022. For the year 2021-2022, an amount of Rs.83.45 crore have been deposited benefitting 33,359 girl children.

From 2015 to March 2021, a maturity amount to the tune of Rs.76.44 crore has been disbursed to 26,561 girl children through Tamil Nadu Power Finance and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited and due to continuous special effort of the Government, a maturity amount of Rs.90.18 crore has been disbursed to 30,114 girl children during the year 2021-22.

A sum of Rs.92.00 Crore has been provided in the Budget Estimate for the year 2022-2023.

Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) Scheme:

• Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) Scheme is a centrally sponsored scheme for girl child which aims to generate awareness and improve the efficiency of welfare services intended for girl children and to save them from social ills such as gender based abortions, female infanticide and advance the education of the girl children all over the nation.
• The scheme was targeted and implemented at 11 districts that were recognized to have low Child Sex Ratio that is lower female children as compared to male children. This is primarily an education based initiative to help to change social attitudes and does not involve direct cash transfer to any beneficiary.

Objectives of the Scheme:

1. To prevent gender biased sex selective elimination.
2. To ensure survival and protection of the girl child.
3. To ensure education and improve participation of the girl child.

Activities under the scheme:

• Considering the successful implementation of the scheme in Cuddalore district in Tamil Nadu since the year 2015, where the Child Sex Ratio was below the national average, the scheme was extended to 10 more districts (Ariyalur, Dharmapuri, Namakkal, Salem, Perambalur, Villupuram, Thiruvannamalai, Thiruvallur, Tiruchirappalli and Chennai) in the year 2018. Multi-sectoral inter-departmental convergence activities stressing the importance of girl children are being done at all levels in these districts.
• The scheme is being implemented in these 11 districts with financial assistance by Government of India and a sum of Rs.5.50 crore is allocated at the rate of Rs.50.00 lakh per district.
• In the remaining 27 districts, the scheme is implemented through media advocacy and outreach programmes to promote birth of girl child, to ensure safety and improve the education of girl children.
• In order to create mass awareness among the public about the scheme awareness activities, training to field level functionaries by the various departmental officials, celebrating birth of girl child by giving appreciation letter, providing health kit to mothers, providing tree saplings, maintaining Guddi Gudda boards informing numbers of birth of female and male children, signature campaign, human chains, rallies, conducting drawing, essay writing competitions and prize distribution among the school and college students, installing hoardings and banners in Government office premises and public places are being done.

The Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006:

The Government of India has enacted the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act in the year 2006. This legislation is armed with enabling provisions to prohibit child marriages, protect and to provide relief to victims and enhance punishment for those who abet, promote or solemnize such marriages. To eradicate child marriage in the State, the State of Tamil Nadu has framed and implemented the Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Child Marriage Rules, 2009.

Special Features of the Act:

• This Act prescribes the legal age for marriage as 21 years for males and 18 years for females.
• As per the Act, child marriage is cognizable and non-bailable offence.
• Child marriages are voidable and can be annulled.
• There is a provision for maintenance and residence to the victims of child marriages.
• Courts can issue injunction orders prohibiting solemnization of child marriages.

Punishment under the Act:

• A male adult above 18 years of age, contracts a child marriage, he shall be, punishable with rigorous imprisonment which may extend to 2 years or with fine upto Rs.1.00 lakh or with both.
• Persons whoever performs, conducts or directs or abets any child marriage shall be punishable with rigorous imprisonment which may extend to 2 years and with fine upto Rs.1.00 lakh.
• Any person having charge of the child, whether as parent or guardian or member of associations, who does any act to promote child marriage or permits it from being solemnized, or negligently fails to prevent it from being solemnized, including attending or participating in child marriage, shall be punishable with rigorous imprisonment which may extend to 2 years and shall also be liable to fine which may extend up to one lakh rupees. However, no woman shall be punishable with imprisonment.

Free Travel for Women in Government Buses:

• To ensure safe and secured travel for all women including working women and girls who are pursuing higher education, the free travel facilities have been provided in ordinary fare city buses operated under the control of the Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation.
• Safe travel of women paves the way for their empowerment. The free bus travel has helped women to reach the colleges and workplaces on their own, without depending others and has made a vast difference in the society. The daily expenses on transportation has been reduced and this has been a boon to enable them to spend on their essential expenses like education, food, dress etc.
• Approximately about 91.85 crore trips have been availed by the women including Working women and Girls students pursuing higher studies under this scheme.

Marriage Assistance Scheme:

Various Marriage Assistance Schemes have been implemented through the Department of Social Welfare and Women Empowerment for the purpose of ensuring girl child education, preventing child marriage, promoting widow remarriage and inter-caste marriages.

1. Muthulakshmi Reddy Ammaiyar Memorial Inter-Caste Marriage Assistance Scheme
   In order to abolish caste discrimination and to eliminate dowry harassment, a scheme to encourage inter-caste marriage by providing financial assistance was launched in the year 1968 and is now being implemented.
2. Dharmambal Ammaiyar Memorial Widow Remarriage Assistance Scheme was started in the year 1975 with an intention to rehabilitate the widows as well as to encourage the remarriage of widows.
3. V.R Maniyammaiyar Memorial Widow’s Daughter Marriage Assistance Scheme was started in the year 1982 with an intention to help the poor widowed mothers to get their daughters married.
4. Annai Theresa Memorial Orphan Girl Marriage Assistance Scheme was launched as a marriage assistance scheme, during the year 1985 to help for the marriage of the orphan girls.

Moovalur Ramamirtham Ammaiyar Ninaivu Marriage Assistance Scheme has been revamped as “Moovalur Ramamirtham Ammaiyar Higher Education Assurance Scheme”.

Eligibility for Benefit in Marriage Assistance Schemes:

• Under the E.V.R Maniyammaiyar Memorial Widow’s Daughter Marriage Assistance Scheme and Annai Theresa Ammaiyar Memorial Orphan Girls Marriage Assistance Scheme, the beneficiaries are given 8 gram gold coin along with cash assistance of Rs.50, 000/- for the graduates and diploma holders and Rs.25, 000/- cash assistance for others.
• Under Dr.Dharmambal Ammaiyar Memorial Widow Remarriage Assistance Scheme and Dr.Muthulakshmi Reddy Memorial Inter-caste Marriage Assistance Scheme, the beneficiaries are given 8 gram gold coin along with cash assistance of Rs.25,000/- which is disbursed as Rs.15,000/- through Electronic Clearing Service (ECS) and Rs.10,000/- in the form of National Savings Certificate (NSC) to non graduates and cash assistance of Rs.50,000/- for Degree/ Diploma Holders which is disbursed as Rs.30,000/- through Electronic Clearance Service (ECS) and Rs.20,000/- as National Savings Certificate (NSC).
• During the year 2021-2022, 94,700 beneficiaries are benefitted through the above marriage assistance schemes. A sum of Rs.64.44 Crore has been provided in the Budget Estimate for the year 2022-2023.

Moovalur Ramamirtham Ammaiyar Higher Education Assurance Scheme:

In the changing circumstances, ensuring higher education to the girls who are belonging to economically backward classes and providing education to women are the best productive investment to develop the skills, knowledge and self confidence of women. Recognizing that the enrolment ratio of girl students from Government schools in higher education is very low, the Moovalur Ramamirtham Ammaiyar Higher Education Assurance Scheme has been introduced. All girl students who studied from 6th standard to 12th standard in Government schools will be paid Rs.1000/- per month directly into their account, till their uninterrupted continuance of undergraduate degree, diploma and ITI courses.

• The students receiving other scholarship from any other schemes are also eligible under this new scheme. Through this scheme, approximately 6.00 lakh students are likely to be benefitted every year.
• A sum of Rs. 697.78 Crore has been provided in the Budget Estimate for the year 2022-2023.

Short Stay Home (Swadhar Greh):

• The Government of India has introduced “Swadhar Greh” in 2016 by merging two schemes namely, ‘Swadhar’ and ‘Short Stay Homes’. The homes which were functioning under the Directorate of Social Defence was brought under the control of Directorate of Social Welfare and is implemented.
• This scheme provides shelter, food, clothing, counselling, training, medical support and legal aid to women in difficult circumstances.
• The Swadhar Greh scheme (a short stay home for women) run by the Non Governmental Organisation can accommodate 30 women per home for upto a maximum of 5 years. Women above 60 years will be shifted to old age homes. Boys till the age of 12 and girls till the age 18, reside along with their mothers in these homes.
• The scheme is implemented through NonGovernmental Organisations with a sharing pattern of 60:40 between Union and State Government respectively.
• A sum of Rs.5.58 Crore has been provided in the Budget Estimate for the year 2022-23.

Mahalir Sakthi Maiyyam (Mahila Shakti Kendra-MSK):

• Mahalir Sakthi Maiyyam (Mahila Shakti Kendra (MSK) was introduced by Government of India in the year 2017-2018 with the aim to undertake awareness programmes to empower rural women on Government schemes, skill training, legal assistance, education, health and nutritional assistance.
• The sharing pattern between Central and State Governments for this scheme is 60:40. The scheme is envisaged to work at State, District and Block levels.

State Resource Centre for Women (SRCW):

• The State Resource Centre for Women is the technical body to support the implementation of women centric schemes such as One Stop Centre (OSC), Women Help Line etc, to undertake research on issues affecting women, conduct capacity building programmes, review and evaluate existing policies, programs, legislations impacting women and bring suitable recommendation to the Government at state level.
• A sum of Rs.38.90 lakh has been provided in the Budget Estimate for the year 2022-2023.

Women Helpline (181):

The Women Helpline has been launched with an intention to provide 24 hours immediate and emergency response to women affected by violence through nationwide similar short code toll free number-181 with 100% financial assistance by the Government of India since November 2018. Information about women related Government Schemes and Programmers are also provided through the Women Help Line. A sum of Rs.50.53 lakhs has been sanctioned by Government of India as recurring cost for the year 2021-22.

Nirbhaya Fund:

• Nirbhaya Fund was set up in the year 2016 by Ministry of Home affairs with an aim to provide safe environment for women. It is implemented in 8 cities, including Chennai, in the country, to implement projects for safety of women. Government of India sanctioned a sum of Rs.425.06 crore to implement 12 projects through 4 department’s viz., Greater Chennai Police, Greater Chennai Corporation, Metropolitan Transport Corporation and Social Welfare Department. It is being implemented in the sharing pattern 60:40 between Central and State Governments from the year 2018-19 by allocating and utilizing funds by the departments.
• The Government of India sanctioned Rs.12.96 crore under Nirbhaya Fund to this Department for strengthening Women Helpline and a sum of Rs.9.72 crore has been received till the year 2021-2022. Private System integrator has been engaged to upgrade and operate the Women Helpline 181 for 24 hours with additional staff for 3 years.
• The exclusive website has been created for Women Helpline and it is enabled to provide services like information sharing, necessary legal aid, counselling, Police help and medical assistance through Teleconferencing to women in distress.

Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005:

The Domestic Violence Act, 2005 provides protection to a women to ‘live in violence free home’. This Act ensures the women’s right to reside in her matrimonial home, custody of her children and maintenance.

Special Features of this Act:

• Cases can be filed under Prevention of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005 in addition or even if other cases and legal proceedings are pending between parties.
• Multiple Judgments can be obtained in a single case under this Act.
• Relief can be obtained for verbal and emotional violence also.
• Both petitioner and respondent can prefer Appeal to the court of sessions within 30 days from the date on which the order is made.

Protection Officers and Service Providers:

A Protection officer has been appointed in each District Social Welfare Office. This Protection Officer help the aggrieved women to file the Domestic Incidence Report and get legal redressals. The NGOs act as service providers who are notified under Domestic Violence Act, 2005.

Cases reported under Domestic Violence Act 2005:

Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961:

• The Dowry Prohibition Act was passed in 1961 and the Tamil Nadu Dowry Prohibition Rules were framed in 2004.
• The Act has been amended in 1989 and is being implemented by the District Social Welfare Officers who are designated as the Dowry Prohibition Officers as per Section 8B of the Dowry Prohibition Rules, 2004.
• The Police Department/Court files the dowry case after obtaining genuineness report from the District Social Welfare Officers.
• Dowry Prohibition Day is observed on 26th November, every year.

Cases reported under Dowry Prohibition Act:

The Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007:

The Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007 provide a statutory protection for the maintenance and welfare of parents and senior citizens. The State Government has framed Rules under this Act and notified the same on 31.12.2009.

It is the duty of the children and the legal heirs to take care of Parents and Senior Citizens. The act addresses the issues related to the physical health, mental health and property of the Senior Citizens for which they can get relief through the maintenance tribunals.

Salient features of the Act:

A senior citizen or a parent who is unable to maintain himself from his own earnings or out of the property owned by him is entitled to make an application to obtain maintenance amount from his children / legal heirs as follows:

• This Act includes senior citizens and biological, adoptive, step father, step mother as parents
• Any senior citizen who is aggrieved for not being maintained by their children/legal heirs can file a petition before the Maintenance Tribunal constituted under this Act for receiving a maintenance allowance upto a maximum of Rs.10,000/-
• A petition filed under this Act for maintenance allowance shall be disposed off within 90 days.
• If the persons responsible for the care and protection of senior citizens abandon them, such persons shall be punished with imprisonment for three months or fine up to Rs.5,000/- or with both.
• If any senior citizen who after the commencement of this act has transferred by way of gift his property to his children or legal heirs, subject to the condition that the transferee shall look after them and such transferee fails to do so then the parent or a senior citizen shall give a petition to cancel the gift deed.

Senior Citizen Helpline 14567:

A unique senior citizen helpline number ‘14567’ was launched by the Union Government throughout India, since 28.04.2021 in co-ordination with the Social Welfare and Women Empowerment Department to provide support to the senior citizens from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on all days. The Union Government provides 100 percent financial assistance to the implementing agency which runs the helpline. A sum of Rs.1.67 crore has been sanctioned for the year 2021-2022.

The senior citizen helpline ‘14567’ is a toll free phone number for senior citizens who are provided with the following services:-

• Rescue services
• Information on Old Age Homes
• Information on senior citizen welfare schemes
• Psycho Social Counselling
• Legal guidance on the provision of the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007

Out of 43,781 calls received upto March, 2022, 11,056 calls are actionable (received from elders) and 32,725 calls are non – actionable (call drops, nuisance calls, calls that are out of the services offered and calls by non elderly).

National Action Plan for Senior Citizens:

To ensure the welfare of Senior Citizens, the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India has formulated National Action Plan for Senior Citizen for the years 2019 – 2025. This Action Plan has been formulated on the basis of the National Policy for Senior Citizens and Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007. To fulfil the preferential need of Senior Citizens, the following 10 components has been included in the Action Plan:-

• Financial Security
• Health Care and Nutrition
• Shelter and Welfare
• Protection of life and property of Senior Citizens
• Active and Productive Ageing with Intergenerational Bonding and State Development
• Accessibility, Transport and Age friendly environment.
• Awareness Generation and Capacity Building.
• Promoting Silver Economy Senior friendly industrial goods and services in the society.
• Research and Study.
• Project Management

A sum of Rs.1,18,00,000/- has been sanctioned to the State Action Plan for Senior Citizens for the following projects:-

Tamil Nadu State Policy for Senior Citizens, 2022:

The Government of Tamil Nadu laying emphasis on the rights of the senior citizens to live with dignity and security and to be free from exploitation and mental and physical abuse had announced to formulate the Tamil Nadu State Policy for Senior Citizens during the last year. A series of meetings, workshops and consultations have been conducted in technical partners with Helpage India, J-Pal South Asia, Tamil Nadu Senior Citizen Support Forums, Tamil Nadu Dr.MGR Medical University, Madras School of Social Work. After various deliberations in the consultative meetings a draft policy on the Tamil Nadu State Policy on Senior Citizens,2022 is drawn and published in the website for getting the comments from the general public and others. The suggestions/Comments received have been considered and incorporated in the draft policy. As the elderly care is being looked after by the various line departments viz. Health, Home, Transport, Revenue etc., the draft policy was circulated to the line departments for their valuable inputs, comments and suggestions. On receipt of the same the draft policy will be finalized and published.

To improve the quality of life of the senior citizens the policy focuses on the areas concerning Health and nutrition, Social Security Schemes, Livelihood / Income Security, Housing and Environment, Safety and Security, Institutional Care, Awareness and Education, Research and Documentation, Disaster Management and Mitigation and need for creation of the separate Directorate for the Senior Citizens.

Transgender Welfare:

The Government of Tamil Nadu considers Transgender are also a part of the society. Tamil Nadu, as the pioneer State in India, formed the “Tamil Nadu Transgender Welfare Board” on 15-4-2008. To ensure their welfare, social security, social recognition and to enhance their quality of life various welfare schemes are being implemented.

In order to improve the welfare of transgender, a “Thirunangaigal” mobile app was developed to register their self details and make it easier to get their identity card.

Transgender people can avail the following benefits:

• Identity Card
• Family Card
• Housing Patta
• Residential Homes
• Tailoring Machine
• Higher Education Scholarships
• Creation of Self Help Groups
• Self employment grant amount of Rs.50,000/- is provided to improve the livelihood of Transgender.

Under the Transgender pension scheme, a monthly pension of Rs.1000/- is provided to support the Transgender who are above 40 years of age and 1071 Transgenders are benefitted during the year 2021-2022.

“A State level Award for the Thirunangaiyar”, with Rs.1.00 lakh cheque has been instituted from the year 2020 to encourage a Transgender who has done eminent work for the welfare of Transgender and who has built their career on their own efforts. The award will be felicitated on “Thirunangaiyar Day” which falls on 15th April of every year.

Free bus travel on Government run white board buses has been introduced to the transgender to ensure their safe travel and approximately about 5.27 lakh trips have been availed by the Transgender.

Under the Transgender Self-Employment scheme, 141 Transgender have been benefitted in the first phase, with an amount of Rs.72.55 lakh.

To improve the livelihood and employment opportunities for Transgender, 20 Transgender have been imparted skill training by Anna Institute of Management, Chennai. A sum of Rs 6.19 Crore has been provided in the Budget Estimate for the year 2022–2023.

Tamil Nadu State Commission for Women:

The Tamil Nadu State Commission for Women is a statutory body which was constituted in 2008 to deal with the cases relating to crimes against women and to safeguard their rights.

The Commission is empowered to investigate specific problems of women and take action to provide speedy relief to the petitioners. The Commission has also undertakes studies related to women issues and makes recommendations to the Government. The Commission also ensures the implementation of various women related Social Legislations such as the Dowry Prohibition Act 1961, the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act 2005, Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007 and the Sexual Harrassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act 2013.

The Commission conducts various programmes like Walkathon, Rallies, Legal Awareness Programmes at State and district levels with the assistance of National Commission for Women. A sum of Rs.102.81 lakh has been provided in the Budget Estimate for the year 2022-2023.

Tamil Nadu Social Welfare Board:

The Tamil Nadu Social Welfare Board, constituted in 1954 and it has been working for the development of women and children comes under below poverty line through Voluntary Institutions. It monitors the effective implementation of the Programmes aided by Central Social Welfare Board and State Government.

The Tamil Nadu Social Welfare Board supports the Non Governmental Organisations to provide services like education, training, awareness creation and family counseling to women. A sum of Rs.113.49 lakh has been provided in the Budget Estimate for the year 2022-2023.

Family Counseling Centre (State Grant):

The main objective of Family Counseling Centres is to give counseling to the couples and members of the family to preserve the basic social fabric from the breaking of family and to help in creating harmony in the family. The needy can approach these centres to redress their problems.

The women, children and family members especially who are victims of domestic violence are provided couselling, referral and rehabilitative services through concerned departments with the help of two qualified counselors in each Family Counselling Centre.

It also helps women, who approach the centre to redress their grievances relating to dowry harassment, cases of alcoholism and counseling to AIDS victims by giving suitable and appropriate guidance.

The Government of Tamil Nadu is assisting 5 Family Counseling Centres in Chennai, Thiruvarur, Villupuram, Theni and Sivagangai Districts run by Non-Governmental Organisations, with a financial assistance of Rs.1,80,000/- each disbursed through the Tamil Nadu Social welfare Board.

A sum of Rs.10.06 lakh has been provided in the Budget Estimate for the year 2022-2023.

State Awards:

Avvaiyar Award:

The Avvaiyar Award is given to one eminent woman who has rendered excellent service in any one field such as Social Reform, Women Development, Communal harmony, Service for Language, Service in various disciplines in Art, Science, Culture, Press, Administration, etc., on the International Women’s Day which is being celebrated on March 8th, every year. The recipient of the Avvaiyar Award is honoured with a Gold Medal weighing 8 grams, cash award of Rs.1.00 lakh as Cheque, a Shawl, and a Citation.

Best Institution and Best Social Worker Award for serving Women:

In order to encourage the best services done by the institutions and individuals for the welfare of women, this award being given in every year on Independence Day. Best Social Worker award consists of Gold Medal weighing 10 grams, a Shawl and a Citation and Best Institution award consists of Rs.50, 000 cash in addition to a shawl and Gold Medal.

ONE NATION ONE RATION CARD (ONORC):

Objectives:

1. National/inter-State and intra-state portability to all ration card holders under NFSA (National Food Security Act).
2. No poor person should be deprived of getting subsidised food grains under the food security scheme when they shift from one place to another.

Salient Features:

1. The scheme was launched in 2019 with the following aim:
2. To ensure all beneficiaries, especially migrants get ration (wheat, rice and other food grains) across the nation from any Public Distribution System (PDS) shop of their own choice.
3. Under the existing system, a ration cardholder can buy food grains only from the PDS in the locality where he or she lives. This will change once the ‘ONORC’ system becomes operational nationally.
4. To reduce instances of corruption by middlemen and fraudulence in ration cards to avail benefits from different states.
5. To reduce the incidents of hunger deaths in the country, to further improve rankings in the Global Hunger Index.
6. The beneficiaries will be identified on the basis of their Aadhar based identification through the electronic point of sale (e-PoS) device.
7. Integrated Management of Public Distribution System (IM-PDS) portal (http://www. impds.nic.in/) provides the technological platform for the inter-state portability of ration cards, enabling a migrant worker to buy foodgrains from any Fair Price Shops (FPS) across the country.
8. Other portal (annavitran.nic.in) hosts the data of distribution of foodgrains through E-PoS devices within a state.
9. In Budget 2021-22, the government announced that ONORC schemeis being implemented in 32 States and Union Territories reaching about 69 crore beneficiaries (i.e. around 86% of the total beneficiaries).
10. The remaining four states and UTs (Assam, Chhattisgarh, Delhi and West Bengal) will be integrated into the scheme in the coming few months.
11. Recently the Ministry informed the parliament that presently ONORC plan is enabled in 35 states and UTs covering about 77 crore beneficiaries in the country.

NOTE: The Centre increased the borrowing limit of states to 5% of gross state domestic product (GSDP) in 2020-21 from 3%. However, incremental borrowing beyond 3.5% of GSDP is linked to reforms undertaken by the states, including:

1. Universalisation of ONORC
2. Ease of doing business
3. Power distribution reforms
4. Urban local body reforms

Internet games:

1. Online games often refer to games played over some type of computer network, such as the Internet.
2. A virtual game played simultaneously by multiple players
3. The sport most played by teenagers in the world

Social Impacts of Internet Games:

1. Provide children with fun, enjoyment, teamwork, imaginative adventure.
2. Provides great load shedding during lockdown.
3. Helps reduce stress and anxiety.
4. Improves brain coordination and reflexes.
5. Artificial intelligence and machine learning increase productivity.
6. Internet gaming is increasing with direct investment.
7. Online chess is advanced.
8. Educational games are great
9. Online rummy is the reason many people lose money
10. PUBG game impact
11. Videogames have increased violent behavior.
12. Inducing suicidal feelings.
13. Lack of physical training
14. Eye damage
15. Some have received economic benefits.
16. Encourages anti-social behavior.
17. Sexual activities attract
18. Attracts drug users.
19. Online rummy is a form of gambling
20. Decreased interaction with others.
21. Changing perspective on the world
22. Obesity
23. Social isolation
24. Loss of money and excessive indebtedness
25. Cyber Crimes
26. Increase in bank robbery, theft, ATM robbery

Activities:

1. Creating awareness
2. Allowing only Internet games suitable for children
3. Prohibition of online gambling games
4. Establishment of Counseling Centres
5. Checking advertisement images in online games 6. Getting helpline and police help
6. Tamil Nadu Government banned online gaming in November 2020. Fine Rs 5000 Fine Rs 5000 Punishment 6 months imprisonment.

PRADHAN MANTRI KISAN SAMMAN NIDHI (PM-KISAN):

Objectives:

1. Provide income support to all landholding eligible farmers’ families (irrespective of the landholdings) in the country.
2. Supplement financial needs of farmers for procuring various inputs related to agriculture and allied activities as well as domestic needs.

Salient Features:

1. It is a Central Sector Scheme with 100% funding from Government of India.
2. Income support of Rs.6000/- per year is provided to all land holding eligible farmer families across the country, in three equal installments of Rs.2000/- every four months.
3. The benefit shall be paid to only those farmers’ families whose names are entered into the land records except for Forest dwellers, North-eastern states and Jharkhand which has separates provisions for land records
4. All PM-KISAN beneficiaries will be given the Kisan Credit Cards (KCC) so that farmers can take easy loans from the banks.
5. This will help all such farmers to get short term loan for crop & animal/fish rearing at a maximum interest of 4% on timely repayment.
6. PM-KISAN Mobile App was launched on 1st Anniversary of PM KISAN to broaden the reach of the scheme.
7. Using this app, farmers can view the status of their application, update or carry out corrections of name based on their Aadhaar card and also check history of credits to their bank accounts.
8. Scheme provides exclusion criteria for certain category of farmers.

Exclusion:

1. All Institutional Land holders.
2. Farmer families in which one or more of its members belong to following categories
3. Former and present holders of constitutional posts
4. Former and present Ministers/ State Ministers and former/present Members of Lok Sabha/ Rajya Sabha/ State Legislative Assemblies/ State Legislative Councils, former and present Mayors of Municipal Corporations, former and present Chairpersons of District Panchayats.
5. All serving or retired officers and employees of Central/ State Government Ministries /Offices/Departments and its field units Central or State PSEs and Attached offices / Autonomous Institutions under Government as well as regular employees of the Local Bodies (Excluding Multi- Tasking Staff /Class IV/Group D employees)
6. All superannuated/retired pensioners whose monthly pension is Rs.10,000/-or more (Excluding Multi-Tasking Staff / Class IV/Group D employees) of above category
7. All Persons who paid Income Tax in last assessment year
8. Professionals like Doctors, Engineers, Lawyers, Chartered Accountants, and Architects registered with Professional bodies and carrying out profession by undertaking practices.

PM FASAL BIMA YOJANA (PMFBY):

Objectives:

1. PMFBY aims at supporting sustainable production in agriculture sector by way of:
2. Providing financial support to farmers suffering crop loss/damage arising out of unforeseen events.
3. Stabilizing the income of farmers to ensure their continuance in farming.
4. Encouraging farmers to adopt innovative and modern agricultural practices.
5. Ensuring credit worthiness of the farmers, crop diversification and enhancing growth and competitiveness of agriculture sector besides protecting the farmers from production risks.

Intended beneficiaries:

1. All farmers including sharecroppers and tenant farmers growing notified crops in a notified area during the season who have insurable interest in the crop are eligible.
2. Initially, it was compulsory for loanee farmers. However, now it has been made voluntary for all farmers, including loanee farmers.

Salient Features:

1. It is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme, and it replaced the National Agricultural Insurance Scheme (NAIS) and Modified NAIS. The Restructured Weather-Based Crop Insurance Scheme (RWBCIS) is still continued.
2. Coverage of crops: Food crops (Cereals, Millets and Pulses); Oilseeds; Annual Commercial/ Annual Horticultural crops; Pilots for coverage can be taken for those perennial horticultural/commercial crops for which standard methodology for yield estimation is available.
3. Coverage of Risks and Exclusions

4. Area Approach basis: This principal assumes that all the farmers in a notified area i.e. ‘Insurance Unit (IU)’ face similar risks for a notified crop. The IU is notified by the State/UTs and is Village/Village Panchayat for major crops and or above Village/Village Panchayat for other crops
5. Rate of premium payable by the farmer:

6. Central Subsidy: Initially the contribution of state and Centre was shared on 50:50 bases. However, it was restructured in 2020. And now the Central contribution is up to:

• 30% for unirrigated areas/crops
• 25% for irrigated areas/crops (districts having 50% or more irrigated area will be considered as irrigated area/district for both PMFBY/RWBCIS)
• 90% for North Eastern States

7. Insured sum of crops: States/UTs can either choose scale of finance or district level value of notional average yield at MSP. Farm gate price will be considered for the other crops for which MSP is not declared.
8. Special efforts shall be made to ensure maximum coverage of Scheduled Caste (SC)/ Scheduled Tribe (ST)/ Women farmers under the Scheme.
9. Allocation of business to Insurance Companies to be done for 3 years. Earlier the tenders floated by the States varied from 1 to 3 years periods.
10. States not to be allowed to implement the Scheme in subsequent Seasons in case of considerable delay by States in release of requisite Premium Subsidy to concerned Insurance Companies beyond a prescribed time limit. (Cut-off dates for Kharif and Rabi seasons will be 31st March and 30th September).
11. Provision of Penalties/ Incentives for States, Insurance Companies (ICs) and Banks for delay in settlement claims prescribed cut off date.
12. States have been allowed to set up their own insurance companies for implementing the scheme.
13. Mandatory capturing of Aadhaar number.

PRADHAN MANTRI KRISHI SINCHAYEE YOJANA (PMKSY):

Objectives:

1. Achieve convergence of investments in irrigation at the field level (preparation of district level and, if required, sub district level water use plans).
2. Enhance the physical access of water on the farm and expand cultivable area under assured irrigation (Har Khet ko pani).
3. Integration of water source, distribution and its efficient use, to make best use of water through appropriate technologies and practices.
4. Improve on-farm water use efficiency to reduce wastage and increase availability both in duration and extent.
5. Enhance the adoption of precision-irrigation and other water saving technologies (More crop per drop).
6. Enhance recharge of aquifers and introduce sustainable water conservation Practices.
7. Attracting greater private investment in precision irrigation system.

Salient Features:

1. It is a Centrally Sponsored Schemes.
2. It is an inter-ministerial Scheme that has been formulated amalgamating ongoing schemes viz. Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme (AIBP); Integrated Watershed Management Programme (IWMP); and On Farm Water Management (OFWM) component of National Mission on Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA).
3. Water budgeting is done for all sectors namely, household, agriculture and industries.
4. Long Term Irrigation Fund (LTIF) has been instituted under PMKSY in NABARD for funding and fast tracking the implementation of incomplete major and medium irrigation projects.
5. A dedicated Micro Irrigation Fund (MIF) with National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) under PMKSY has been set up to provide states financial assistance on concessional rate of interest.
6. National Steering Committee (NSC) under PM with Union Ministers of all concerned Ministries supervises and monitores the scheme.
7. National Executive Committee (NEC) under the Chairmanship of the Vice Chairman, NITI Aayog oversees the implementation of the scheme.

ACCELERATED IRRIGATION BENEFIT PROGRAMME (AIBP):

1. Ministry of Jal Shakti.
2. The AIBP was launch in 1966- 97 to provide Central Assistance to major/ medium irrigation projects in the country.
3. Its objective to accelerate implementation of such projects which were beyond resource capability of the states or were in advanced stage of completion.
4. In October, 2020 the ministry launched a mobile app for Geo tagging of the component of projects under AIBP. This app was developed by Bhaskaracharya National Institute of space applications geo-informatics (BISAG-N).

PMKSY (HAR KHET KO PANI):

1. Ministry Of Jal Shakti.
2. Creation of new water sources through minor irrigation (both surface and ground water).
3. Surface Minor Irrigation (SMI) scheme and Repair, Rennovation and Restoration (RRR) of Water Bodies are also being Implemented.
4. Strengthening carrying capacity of traditional water sources, construction of rain water harvesting structures (Jal Sanchay) Jal Mandir (Gujarat) Khatri, Kuhl (H.P), Zabo (Nagaland), Eri, Ooranis (T.N) Dongs (Assam) Katas, Bandhas (Odisha and M.P.)
5. Command area development.

PMKSY (PER DROP MORE CROP):

1. Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.
2. Promoting efficient water conveyance and precision water application devices like drips, sprinkles, pivots, rain- guns in the farm (Jal Sinchan).
3. Extension activities for promotion of scientific moisture conservation, Crop combination crop alignment, etc.
4. ICT interventions through NeGP – precision irrigation technologies, on farm water management crop alignment, etc. and also to do intensive monitoring of the scheme.

PMKSY (INTEGRATED WATERSHED DEVELOPMENT):

1. Department of land resources, Ministry of Rural Development.
2. DPAP, DDP and IWDP were consolidated under this component
3. Effective management of of runoff water and improve soil and moisture conservation activities
4. Cluster approach in selection and preparation of project
5. Convergence with MGNREGS.

DROUGHT PRONE AREAS PROGRAMME (DPAP):

1. The erswhile Rural Work Programme of 1971-72 was redesignated as the DPAP during the Fourth Five Year Plan (1969-74).
2. The basic objective of the programme is to minimise the adverse effects of drought on production of crops and livestocks and productivity of land, water and human resources ultimately leading to Drought proofing of the affected areas.
3. Central and states Government in the ratio of 75:25 share the cost.

DESERT DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (DDP):

1. The DDP was introduced as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme in 1977-78. The objective of the programme is to control the desertification and restoration of econogical balance in the desert areas for development.
2. The Central share under each type of eco system: Hot Arid Non Sandy Areas (75%), Hot Arid Sandy Areas (100%), Cold Arid Areas (100%).

INTEGRATED WASTELAND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (IWDP):

1. This scheme is under implementation since 1989-90, and has come to this Department along with the National Wastelands Development Board.
2. The development of non-forest wastelands is taken up under this Scheme.
3. The scheme provides for the development of an entire micro watershed in an holistic manner rather than piecemeal treatment in sporadic patches.
4. The thrust of the scheme continues to be on development of wastelands.
5. The basic objective of this scheme is an integrated wastelands development based on village/micro watershed plans.
6. These plans are prepared after taking into consideration the land capability, site condition and local needs of the people.
7. The scheme also aims at rural employment besides enhancing the contents of people’s participation in the wastelands development programmes at all stages, which is ensured by providing modalities for equitable and sustainable sharing of benefits and usufructs arising from such projects.

PRADHAN MANTRI KISAN MAAN-DHAN YOJANA (PM-KMY):

Objectives:

To provide social security to Small and Marginal Farmers in their old age when they have no means of livelihood and minimal or no savings to take care of their expenses.

Beneficiaries:

1. Small and Marginal Farmers (Cultivable land up to 2 hectares as per land records of the concerned State/UT)
2. Entry Age between 18 to 40 years
3. Exclusions: Few categories of beneficiaries of higher economic status; Small and Marginal Farmers covered under any other statuary social security schemes such as National Pension Scheme (NPS), Employees’ State Insurance Corporation scheme, Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maan Dhan Yojana (PM-SYM), etc.

Salient Features:

1. It is a Central Sector Scheme.
2. This pension scheme is voluntary and contributory.
3. The monthly contribution by farmer ranges between Rs.55 to 200 to the Pension Fund, depending on the age of entry into the Scheme, with matching Contribution by the Central government.
4. The beneficiaries may opt voluntarily to exit the scheme after a minimum period of five years of regular contributions. On exit, their entire contribution with an interest equivalent to prevailing saving bank rates will be returned.
5. Assured pension of Rs. 3000/- month on attaining the age of 60 years.

Pension fund manager:

• Life Insurance Corporation (LIC)

Enrolment:

1. Either through self-registration online or through the Common Service Centres (CSCs).
2. Village Level Entrepreneurs (VLEs) of the CSCs who are field level functionaries, have also been provided incentives for ensuring maximum enrolment.

Grievance redressal:

There shall be an appropriate grievance redressal mechanism of LIC, banks and the government.

NATIONAL FOOD SECURITY MISSION (NFSM):

Objectives:

1. Increase the production of various crops included in the mission
2. Area expansion and productivity enhancement
3. Enhancing farm level economy
4. Creating employment opportunities
5. Restoring soil fertility and productivity

Salient Features:

1. It is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme launched in 2007.
2. NFSM has been implemented on sharing basis between the Centre and the states on 60:40 basis for general category states & 90:10 basis for North East & hilly states.
3. Assistance is provided for inter alia stress tolerant/climate resilient varieties of food grains.
4. Initially it was launched for increasing the production of rice, wheat and pulses. However, now the mission comprises eight components.

PARAMPARAGAT KRISHI VIKAS YOJANA (PKVY):

Objectives:

1. To promote natural resource based integrated and climate resilient sustainable farming systems.
2. To reduce cost of agriculture to farmers through sustainable integrated organic farming systems thereby enhancing farmer’s net income per unit of land.
3. To protect environment from hazardous inorganic chemicals by adoption of eco-friendly low-cost traditional techniques and farmer friendly technologies.
4. To empower farmers through their own institutional development in the form of clusters and group with capacity to manage production, processing, value addition and certification management.
5. To make farmers entrepreneurs through direct market linkages with local and national markets.

Salient Features:

1. Fund sharing: Funding pattern under the scheme is in the ratio of 60:40 by the Central and State Governments respectively. In case of North Eastern and Himalayan States, Central Assistance is provided in the ratio of 90:10 (Centre: State) and for Union Territories, the assistance is 100%.
2. NCOF: It is the monitoring body for PGS certification programme including authorization of RCs, selection of NABL accredited labs and random surveillance through the RCOFs.
3. Convergence with other Central Sector Schemes like MIDH, NFSM and with schemes of other ministries like MOFPI, SMES, MoRD, etc. for relevant components is highly encouraged.

KRISHI VIGYAN KENDRAS (KVK):

Objectives:

1. To be a frontline extension in agriculture, and to serve as a single window mechanism for addressing the technology needs of farmers.
2. To demonstrate location specific technologies and build capacity of farmers.

Salient Features:

1. The KVK scheme is a Central Sector Scheme. The KVKs are sanctioned to Agricultural Universities, ICAR institutes, related Government Departments and NGOs working in Agriculture.
2. Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has created a network of 721 Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) in the country and more KVKs will be established.
3. KVKs lay strong emphasis on skill development training of rural youth, farm women and farmers.
4. Provide latest technological inputs like seeds, planting materials and bio-products.
5. Advise farmers on timely crop/enterprise related recommendations, including climate resilient technologies.
6. Diagnose and solve problems emerging from district agro-ecosystems and lead in adoption of innovations.
7. It is an integral part of the National Agricultural Research System (NARS).

ONE RANK ONE PENSION SCHEME:

Objectives:

1. To provide uniform pension be paid to the Armed Forces personnel retiring in the same rank with the same length of service, regardless of their date of retirement.
2. To bridge the gap between the pensions of current and past ex-servicemen at periodic intervals.

Salient Features:

1. The arrears will be paid in four, half-yearly instalments. However, all widows, including war widows will be paid arrears in one instalment.
2. Pension will be re-fixed for all pensioners retiring in the same rank and with the same length of service as the average of minimum and maximum pension in 2013.
3. Personnel who voluntarily retire will not be covered under the OROP scheme.
4. In future, the pension would be re-fixed every 5 years.
5. Before OROP, ex-servicemen used to get pensions as per the Pay Commission’s recommendations of the time when they had retired.

PRADHAN MANTRI VAYA VANDANA YOJANA (PMVVY):

Objectives:

To provide social security during old age and protect elderly persons against a future fall in their interest income due to uncertain market conditions.

Eligibility:

It is open only to senior citizens (individuals who have attained an age of 60 years).

Salient Features:

1. It is a guaranteed pension scheme being implemented by through the Life Insurance Corporation of India.
2. It promises regular pension payments at a monthly, quarterly, half yearly or yearly frequency in return for an upfront investment (called a purchase price).
3. It sets a minimum and maximum limit on investment at ₹1.56 lakh and ₹15 lakh respectively.
4. The scheme guarantees pension payouts for 10 years, with a return of principal at maturity.
5. Subscribers get an assured pension ranging from Rs 1000/- per month to Rs. 12,000/- per month, based on contribution.
6. The ceiling of maximum pension is for a family as a whole, the family will comprise of pensioner, his/her spouse and dependents.
7. If the investor die within 10 years, beneficiaries will get back principal.
8. The scheme enjoys no tax benefits, except for GST exemption on principal.
9. Premature exit with a 2% penalty on principal is allowed in case of critical or terminal illness of self or spouse.
10. Loan facility is available after completion of 3 policy years. Maximum loan that can be granted shall be 75% of the Purchase Price.

Recent changes:

1. The scheme’s return has been aligned with the post office Senior Citizen’s Savings scheme, with a cap of 7.75%. It will be reset every year.
2. Initially, it provided an assured pension based on a guaranteed rate of return of 8% for 10 years.
3. This scheme has been modified and extended upto 31 March, 2023.

PRADHAN MANTRI MUDRA YOJANA (PMMY):

Objective

Increasing access of finance to the unbanked but also bring down the cost of finance from the last Mile Financers to the micro/small enterprises.

Intended beneficiary:

Any Indian Citizen who has a business plan for a non-farm sector income generating activity such as manufacturing, processing, trading or service sector and whose credit need is less than Rs 10 lakh.

Salient Features:

1. For implementing the Scheme, government has set up the Micro Units Development & Refinance Agency Ltd. (MUDRA).
2. MUDRA is registered as a Company under the Companies Act 2013 and as a NonBanking Finance Institution with the RBI.
3. MUDRA has been initially formed as a wholly owned subsidiary of Small Industries Development bank of India (SIDBI) with 100% capital being contributed by it. Presently, the authorized capital of MUDRA is 1000 crores and paid up capital is 750 crore, fully subscribed by SIDBI.
4. MUDRA supports the finance Institutions which are in the business of lending to micro / small business entities engaged in manufacturing, trading and service activities.
5. MUDRA loans are extended by banks, NBFCs, MFIs and other eligible financial intermediaries as notified by MUDRA Ltd.
6. The present authorised capital of MUDRA is at Rs. 5000 crore with a paid up capital of Rs.1675.93 crore. RBI has allocated an amount of Rs 20,000 crore from Priority Sector shortfall of Commercial Banks for creating a Refinance Corpus Fund.
7. There is no subsidy for the loan given under PMMY.
8. Banks have been mandated by RBI not to insist for collateral security in the case of loans upto 10 lakh extended to the units in the Micro Small Enterprises sector.
9. To mitigate the issue of collateral and to provide comfort to the lending institutions, a Credit Guarantee Product is extended by creation of a Fund called “Credit Guarantee Fund for Micro Units” (CGFMU).
10. The Scheme is being managed by National Credit Guarantee Trustee Company Ltd. (NCGTC).
11. MUDRA Card is a debit card issued against the MUDRA loan account. The borrower can make use of MUDRA Card in multiple drawals and credits, so as to manage the working capital limit in cost-efficient manner and keep the interest burden minimum.

ATAL PENSION YOJANA (APY):

Objectives:

The subscribers would receive the fixed minimum pension at the age of 60 years, depending on their contributions.

Intended beneficiary:

1. Open to all Indians between the age of 18 and 40 having a savings bank account in a bank or post-office.
2. It is mainly focused on citizens in unorganized sector.

Salient Features:

1. It replaced the Swavalamban scheme.
2. The minimum period of contribution by any subscriber under APY is 20 years.
3. Subscribers can make contributions to APY on monthly/ quarterly / half-yearly basis.
4. Subscribers would receive the guaranteed minimum monthly pension of Rs. 1000 or Rs. 2000 or Rs. 3000 or Rs. 4000 or Rs. 5000 at the age of 60 years.
5. Central Government’s co-contribution: 50% of the total contribution or Rs. 1000 per annum, whichever is lower for a period of 5 years. The co-contribution could be availed only by the subscribers who:
6. Have joined APY between 1 June 2015 and 31 March 2016
7. Are not covered by any Statutory Social Security Schemes
8. Are not income tax payers
9. Subscribers can voluntarily exit before the age of 60 years from APY subject to certain conditions, on deduction of Government co-contribution and return/interest thereon.
10. In case of premature death of subscriber (death before 60 years of age), spouse of the subscriber can continue contribution to APY account of the subscriber, for the remaining vesting period, till the original subscriber would have attained the age of 60 years.
11. In case of death of subscriber, the spouse of the subscriber shall be entitled for the same amount of pension till his or her death.
12. After the death of both the subscriber and the spouse, the nominee of the subscriber shall be entitled to receive the pension wealth, as accumulated till age of 60 years of the subscribe
13. It is administered by the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority. The Institutional Architecture of NPS would be utilised to enroll subscribers under APY.

PRADHAN MANTRI JAN DHAN YOJANA(PMJDY):

Objectives:

1. Ensure access of financial products & services at an affordable cost.
2. Use of technology to lower cost & widen reach.

Intended beneficiary:

Persons not having any other account

Salient Features:

1. PMJDY was launched initially for a period of 4 years (in two phases) on 28th August 2014. In 2018, the scheme was extended with new features.
2. It is the National Mission for Financial Inclusion to ensure access to financial services, namely a basic savings & deposit accounts, remittance, credit, insurance, pension in an affordable manner.
3. Under the scheme, a basic savings bank deposit (BSBD) account can be opened in any bank branch or Business Correspondent (Bank Mitra) outlet, by persons not having any other account.

Benefits:

1. One basic savings bank account is opened for unbanked person.
2. There is no requirement to maintain any minimum balance in PMJDY accounts. Interest is earned on the deposit in PMJDY accounts. Rupay Debit card is provided to PMJDY account holder.
3. Accident Insurance Cover of Rs 2 lakh is available with RuPay card issued to the PMJDY account holders.
4. An overdraft (OD) facility up to Rs. 10,000 to eligible account holders is available.
5. PMJDY accounts are eligible for: Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT), Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY), Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY), Atal Pension Yojana (APY), MUDRA scheme.

NATIONAL PENSION SYSTEM (NPS):

Objectives:

1. To provide retirement income to all the citizens.
2. To institute pension reforms and to inculcate the habit of saving for retirement amongst the citizens.

Intended beneficiary:

Any individual citizen of India (both resident and Non-resident) in the age group of 18-65 years (as on the date of submission of NPS application) can join NPS.

Salient Features:

Tax Benefits:

1. Contributions made towards the NPS are eligible for an additional tax deduction up to ₹50,000. This is over and above the ₹1,50,000 limit of deduction available under sec 80CCD (1) or tax deductions available to individuals who make contributions under NPS.
2. Government has increased the income tax exemption limit on withdrawal from NPS to 60%, from 40%, on exiting the scheme, effectively making withdrawal from the pension scheme 100% tax-free.

Partial withdrawal:

1. Such Withdrawal can happen maximum of three times during the entire tenure of subscription if the subscriber has completed at least 3 years from the date of joining of the NPS.
2. However, the 3 years rule is not applicable if the withdrawal is made for skill development, re-skilling or any other self-development activities.
3. S/he can withdraw 25% of the contribution for exigencies like health, marriage, house and education, etc.

Permanent Retirement Account Number (PRAN):

1. The subscriber will be allotted a unique PRAN which is portable and can be used from any location in India. PRAN will provide access to two personal accounts:
2. Tier I Account: This is a non-withdrawable account meant for savings for retirement.
3. Tier II Account: This is simply a voluntary savings facility. The subscriber is free to withdraw savings from this account whenever subscriber wishes. No tax benefit is available on this account.

Premature exit:

1. A subscriber can exit only after completion of 10 years.
2. If the total accumulated corpus is less than or equal to Rs. 1 Lakh, the Subscriber can avail the option of complete Withdrawal.
3. However, if the accumulated corpus is more Rs. 1 Lakh only 20% of the accumulated funds can be withdrawn as lump sum and remaining 80% of the accumulated pension corpus of the Subscriber has to be utilized for purchase of an Annuity that would provide a regularmonthly pension.

Other benefits:

1. NPS returns are market linked. It offers 3 funds to subscribers: Equities, Corporate Bonds, and Government Securities.
2. EEE tax status (tax exempt at entry, investment, and maturity) for the NPS (earlier it was EET) has been given.

NOTE: Opening multiple NPS accounts for an individual is not allowed under NPS. However, an Individual can have one account in NPS and another account in Atal Pension Yojna.

BHARATMALA PARIYOJANA:

Objectives:

Umbrella program for the highways sector that focuses on optimizing efficiency of freight and passenger movement across the country by bridging critical infrastructure gaps.

Salient Features:

1. A total of around 24,800 kms are being considered in Phase I of Bharatmala which is to be implemented over a five years period of i.e. 2017-18 to 2021-22.
2. In addition, Bharatmala Pariyojana Phase-I also includes 10,000 kms of balance road works under National Highways Development Project (NHDP), taking the total to 34,800 km.

Bharatmala project category:

• Economic Corridors (9000km): To unlock full economic potential.
• Inter Corridor and Feeder Route (6000km): Ensuring holistic connectivity.
• National Corridor Efficency Improvement (5000km): Enhancing efficiency.
• Border Roads and international Connectivity (2000km): Boosting Border Connectivity.
• Coastal Roads and Port Connectivity (2000km): Leveraging Ports for Progress.
• Green Field Expressways (800km): Express speeds for Express gains.
• Balance NHDP works (10,000 km): Boosting all round connectivity.

1. Improvement in efficiency of existing corridors through development of Multimodal Logistics Parks and elimination of choke point.
2. Enhanced focus on improving connectivity in North East and leveraging synergies with Inland Waterways.
3. Special attention to fulfil the connectivity needs of backward and tribal areas, areas of economic activity, places of religious and tourist interest, trade routes with neighbouring countries, etc.
4. National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has launched Logistic Efficiency Enhancement Programme (LEEP) under Bharatmala Pariyojna which is aimed at enhancing the freight transportation in India through improving cost, time, tracking and transferability of consignments through infrastructure, procedural and Information Technology (IT) interventions.
5. NHAI has created a National Highways Investment Promotion Cell (NHIPC) for attracting domestic and foreign investment for highways projects.
6. The project is executed through Ministry of Road, Transport and Highways (MoRTH), NHAI, National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) and State Public Works Department (PWDs).