Government Plan Programme Policies for UPSC Exam

:: Make in India ::

The Government has launched the "Make in India" Programme to promote manufacturing in the country. The "Make in India" initiative is based on four pillars, which have been identified to give boost to entrepreneurship in India,not only in manufacturing but also other sectors. The four pillars are:

• Make in India' recognizes 'ease of doing business' as the single most important factor to promote entrepreneurship.
• Government intends to develop industrial corridors and smart cities, create world class infrastructure with state-of-the-art technology and high-speed communication.
• FDI has been opened up for new sectors like Defence Production, Insurance, Medical Devices, and Construction and Railway infrastructure in a big way.
• In order to partner with industry in economic development of the country Government shall act as a facilitator and not a regulator.

Mega Food Park Scheme: Important Topics for UPSC Exams​

What is the scheme all about?

• It is a scheme of the Ministry of Food Processing Industry (MOFPI) of the Government of India and is an inclusive concept.
• It proposes a demand driven/pre-marketed model with strong backward/forward linkages and sustainable supply chain.
• Its objective is to establish a "direct linkage from farm to processing and then to consumer markets" through a network of collection centres (CCs) and primary processing centres (PPCs) so as to ensure optimization of value addition, minimization of wastage, increasing farmer’s income and creating employment opportunities particularly in rural sector.
• The scheme is based on a “Cluster” approach and envisages a well-defined agriculture or horticultural-processing zone containing state-of-the art processing facilities with support infrastructure and a well-established supply chain.

Government Plan Programme Policies for UPSC Exam

:: Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik ::

The scheme UDAN envisages providing connectivity to un-served and under-served airports of the country through revival of existing air-strips and airports. The scheme would be in operation for a period of 10 years.

UDAN has a unique market-based model to develop regional connectivity. Interested airline and helicopter operators can start operations on hitherto un-connected routes by submitting proposals to the Implementing Agency. The operators could seek a Viability Gap Funding (VGF) apart from getting various concessions. All such route proposals would then be offered for competitive bidding through a reverse bidding mechanism and the route would be awarded to the participant quoting the lowest VGF per Seat. The operator submitting the original proposal would have the Right of First Refusal on matching the lowest bid in case his original bid is within 10% of the lowest bid. The successful bidder would then have exclusive rights to operate the route for a period of three years. Such support would be withdrawn after a three year period, as by that time, the route is expected to become self-sustainable.

The selected airline operator would have to provide a minimum of 9 and a maximum of 40 UDAN Seats ( subsidized rates )on the UDAN Flights for operations through fixed wing aircraft and a minimum of 5 and a maximum of 13 Seats on the Flights for operations through helicopters. On each such route, the minimum frequency would be three and maximum of seven departures per week. Route networks would also be encouraged under the scheme to achieve economies of scale and optimal usage of aircraft.

The fare for a one hour journey of appx. 500 km on a fixed wing aircraft or for a 30 minute journey on a helicopter would now be capped at Rs. 2,500, with proportionate pricing for routes of different stage lengths / flight duration.

(Written Result) UPSC CISF AC (EXE) LDCE - 2017

On the basis of the results of the written part of CISF(ACs) Ltd. Departmental Competitive Exam, 2017 held by UPSC on 05.03.2017, the candidates with the under mentioned roll numbers have qualified provisionally for Physical Standards/ Physical Efficiency Tests and Medical Standards Tests.

The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) will intimate to the candidates about the date, time and venue of the Physical Standards/ Physical Efficiency Tests and Medical Standards Tests to be conducted by them. In case any candidate, whose roll number figures in this list, does not receive any intimation regarding the same, he/she may contact the CISF Authorities, immediately.

The marks and other details related to examination shall be available on the Commission’s web site within 30 days from the date of publication of the final result i.e. after conduct of interview etc. and would be available on the web site for a period of 60 days.

Candidates are also advised to intimate the change in their address, if any, to the CISF authorities at HQ: - DG, CISF, Block No. 13, CGO Complex, Lodhi Road, New Delhi-110003.

The Gist of Kurukshetra: January 2017

• Strategies for Achieving Self-Sufficiency in Pulses and Oilseeds
• Role of Pulses in Indian Agriculture

Strategies for Achieving Self-Sufficiency in Pulses and Oilseeds

India is a proud nation enjoying self-sufficiency in foodgrain production and sustainable food security despite burgeoning population and various climatic stresses. But there is no room for complacency, because country is still facing severe challenges in pulse and oilseeds sectors. Poor productivity and low gross production compel country to resort to frequent imports for meeting the domestic demand of pulses and oilseeds. The widening gap between demand and supply often leads to skyrocketing of prices in domestic market, especially in pulses, which is a cause of major concern for general public and the Government alike. More than two years ago, the new Government took a decisive step and developed strategies for achieving self-sufficiency in pulses and oilseeds. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, while launching DD Kisan Channel on 26th May 2015, urged and motivated farmers to work hard in a mission mode for achieving self-sufficiency in pulses by 2022, when India will be celebrating its platinum jubilee of Independence. Prime Minister expressed his concern over widespread protein malnutrition in the country which can be eradicated by regular and adequate supply of pulses to poor families.

The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) is supporting the endeavours through its R&D programmes, extension mechanism and expert inputs for devising future vision for these important commodities. Government of India is also supporting 'International Year of Pulses - 2016' a call given by United Nations, by organizing various activities and events among stakeholders with the objective to promote farming of pulses across the country. Similarly, an International Conference is being organized this month (12-14 November 2016) on 'Pulses for Nutritional Security and Sustainable Agriculture' in which researchers, policy planners, extension personnel, industrialists, entrepreneurs will deliberate to develop a roadmap for increasing productivity and more importantly profitability of pulses.

Pulses: Production, Demand and Supply

The Gist of Yojana: January 2017

• Tax Reforms: Past, Present and Future
• HIMANSH, India’s Remote, High- Altitude Station
• India's Tax System: Increasing Progressivity
• Ushering in a New Era of Tax Reforms

Tax Reforms: Past, Present and Future

Tax reforms are an integral part of the development process of any country. Eve n developed countries such as the United Kingdom and the United States, which are often the role models for developing countries such as India, too undertook reforms in the last few years.

Take the United Kingdom. The Conservative Liberal Democrat coalition government undertook reforms between 2010 and 2015. In the reforms initiated in 2013, two million people were virtually removed from paying income tax altogether when the Chancellor of the Exchequer presented the budget. The raft of reforms brought about a rise in the personal allowance, which meant that no one paid any tax until he or she earned more than £9,440. The threshold for the higher rate of tax - above which people pay tax at 40 per cent - dropped from £34,370 to £32,010, excluding the personal allowance.

At the same time the top rate of income tax fell in 2013-14 from 50 per cent to 45 per cent for those whose taxable income exceeded £150,000.

Take a country like the United States. A symbol of free trade and an advanced economy, it is a country that needs tax reforms very badly.

Realising this, two legislators are trying to deliver a broad tax reform. Max Baucus, the Democrat who heads the Senate's tax-writing committee, and D.ave Camp, his Republican counterpart in the House of Representatives, have been at the exercise for the last three years; they have been talking to people and floating ideas. Though any full plan is yet to fructify, their principles are sound: lower tax rates for both corporations and individuals, paid for by limiting or scrapping tax breaks.

Weekly Current Affairs Update for IAS Exam

VOL. - 154 (13th November 2016 TO 19th November 2016)

File Type: PDF ONLY "NO HARD COPY"

Covered Topics:

• Ministry of External affairs
• Planning Commission of India
• National
• International
• Economy
• Sports
• In The News
• Science and Technology
• Selected Editorials of Importance