Swachh Bharat Mission Grameen (SBM-G) - Phase 2
The Ministry of Jal Shakti reviewed the progress of the Swachh Bharat Mission - Grameen (SBM-G) under the Department of Drinking water and Sanitation.
The phase-2 of Swachh Bharat Mission Grameen (SBM-G) was announced by PM Modi in February, 2020 to emphasize upon the sustainability of achievements under phase-1 and to provide adequate facilities for Solid/Liquid & plastic waste management in rural India.
The phase-1 concluded in October 2019 with grand declaration of the Nation as Open Defecation Free.
Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM)
Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) was launched by PM Modi on 2nd October 2014 to accelerate the efforts to achieve universal sanitation coverage and to put focus on sanitation.The mission was implemented as nation-wide campaign to eliminate open defecation in rural areas during the period 2014 to 2019 through mass scale behavior change, construction of household-owned and community-owned toilets and establishing mechanisms for monitoring toilet construction and usage.
On 2nd October 2019, the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi - all villages, Gram Panchayats, Districts, States and Union Territories in India declared themselves "open-defecation free" (ODF) by constructing over 100 million toilets were constructingin rural India.
Gov. Schemes
The "sea snot" outbreak in Turkey
Turkey's Sea of Marmara, that connects the Black Sea to the Aegean Sea, has witnessed the largest outbreak of "sea snot". The sludge has also been spotted in the adjoining Black and Aegean seas.
The "sea snot", a slimy layer of grey or green sludge in Turkey's seas, which can cause considerable damage to the marine ecosystem.
"Sea snot" is formed when algae are overloaded with nutrients as a result of water pollution combined with the effects of climate change
Overproduction of phytoplankton caused by climate change and the uncontrolled dumping of household and industrial waste into the seas has led to the present crisis.
Environment
Pran Vayu Devta Pension Scheme (PVDPS)
PVDPS is launched by Haryana Government, under the scheme - trees which are of the age of 75 years and above will be identified throughout the state and these will be looked after by involving local people.
For maintenance of trees older than 75 years, a "pension amount" of Rs 2,500 would be given per year in the name of PVDPS. This "tree pension" shall continue to increase every year, on lines similar to the Old Age Samman Pension Scheme in the state.
Gov. Schemes
What is an Oxy Van (Oxygen Forest)?
Oxygen Forest scheme is launched by Haryana Government, under the scheme the state government will identify pieces of land to plant as many as 3 crore trees.
The Oxy Vans will occupy 10 per cent of the 8 lakh hectares of land across Haryana.
Gov. Schemes
SAGE (Seniorcare Aging Growth Engine)
Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment virtually launched the SAGE (Seniorcare Aging Growth Engine) initiative and SAGE portal for elderly persons.
The SAGE portal will be a "one-stop access" of elderly care products and services by credible start-ups.
An amount of Rs 100 crore has been assigned for the promotion of the silver economy.
Silver economy is the system of production, distribution and consumption of goods and services aimed at using the purchasing potential of older and ageing people and satisfying their consumption, living and health needs.
Under the initiative a fund of upto Rs.1 crore as one-time equity will be granted to each selected start-up.
The SAGE project is shaped on the recommendations of the empowered expert committee (EEC) report on start-ups for elderly.
Gov. Schemes
YounTab scheme - Ladakh
Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh launched the YounTab scheme for students and distributed 12,300 tablets among them virtually in Leh.
Under the scheme, 12,300 tablets with pre-loaded online and offline content, including textbooks, video lectures and online class applications, would be distributed to government school students from Class 6th to 12th.
Gov. Schemes
NTPC Joins UN's 'CEO Water' Mandate
NTPC has joined UN's CEO Water mandate, an initiative that mobilises business leaders on water conservation and sanitation as part of sustainable development goals.
The CEO Water Mandate is a UN Global Compact initiative to demonstrate commitment and efforts of companies to better their water and sanitation agendas as part of long-term sustainable development goals.
International Relations