GS- 2 Paper
Topics covered– Schemes for the protection of vulnerable sections of the society.
National Creche Scheme
Context
National Crèche Scheme is being implemented as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme through States/UTs to provide day care facilities to children (age group of 6 months to 6 years) of working mothers in the community.
About
- The National Crèche Scheme is being implemented by the Ministry of Women and Child Development.
- It is a centrally sponsored scheme being implemented with effect from 1st January, 2017.
- It aims at providing a safe place for mothers to leave their children while they are at work, and thus, is a measure for empowering women as it enables them to take up employment.
- It also provides supplementary nutrition, health care inputs like immunization, polio drops, basic health monitoring, sleeping facilities, early stimulation (for children below 3 years), pre-school education for children aged between 3-6 yrs.
Objectives
- To provide day-care facilities for children (6 months to 6 years) of working mothers in the community.
- To improve nutrition and health status of children.
- To promote physical, cognitive, social and emotional development (Holistic Development) of children.
- To educate and empower parents /caregivers for better childcare.
Funding
- The fund sharing pattern under National Creche Scheme for all recurring components of the scheme will be amongst Centre, States/UTs & Non Governmental Organisations/Voluntary Organisations.
- The ratio of fund sharing is 60:30:10 for States,
- For North Eastern States and Himalayan States is 80:10:10
- For Union territories is 90:0:10
Significance
- This scheme facility enables the parents to leave their children while they are at work and where the children are provided with a stimulating environment for their holistic development.
- The scheme is being structurally revised with the enhanced financial norms, stringent monitoring and sharing pattern between the Government of India and the implementing agencies and NGOs.
GS- 1 Paper
Topic covered– Role of women and women’s organization, population and associated issues, poverty and developmental issues, urbanization, their problems and their remedies.
Nirbhaya fund
Context
In accordance with the Framework for Nirbhaya Fund, an Empowered Committee (EC) of officers chaired by the Secretary, Ministry of Women & Child Development appraises and recommends proposals to be funded under this framework.
About
Nirbhaya fund was set up by government with an initial corpus of Rs. 1,000 crore after horrific gang rape of young woman in New Delhi in December 2012.
It was announced in Union Budget 2013.
The Fund is administered by Department of Economic Affairs of the finance ministry.
This fund is meant to support initiatives by the government and NGOs working towards protecting the dignity and ensuring safety of women in India.
Ministry of Women and Child Development apart from several other concerned ministries were authorised to work out details of structure, scope and application of this fund.
Concerns
- The government has been accused of keeping Nirbhaya Fund unutilised.
- Sanctioning money from the Nirbhaya Fund for schemes pertaining to compensation would render it as a fund merely for disbursal.
- With rise in cases of sexual harassment and crimes against women there is a crying need for implementation of such funds.
Way forward
- There is need to improve coordination between the ministries for accelerated implementation of projects under the schemes.
- The delay in inert-ministerial coordination may compromise women’s safety.
For prelims-
Ambedkar Hastshilp Vikas Yojana (AHVY)
About
- The Government launched the Ambedkar Hastshilp Vikas Yojana (AHVY) in the year 2001-2002 .
- It aims to mobilize the artisans into Self Help Groups thrift and credit, training of Self Help Groups on various aspects of forming and running the community business enterprises for self sustainability of artisans.
- The salient features of the Yojana are as follows-
- Ambedkar Hastshilp Vikas Yojana (Base Line Survey & Mobilization of Artisans)
- Design & Technology Upgradation
- Human Resource Development
- Direct Benefit to Artisans
- Infrastructure and Technology Support
- Research and Development
- Marketing Support & Services
All India Tiger Estimation – 2018
About
- India has 2,967 tigers, a third more than in 2014, according to results of a tiger census.
- India has achieved the target of doubling tiger population four years before the 2022 deadline.
- The survey, the fourth such since 2006 is conducted once in four years.
- The tiger count is prepared by National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) provides details on the number of tigers in the 18 tiger reign states with 50 tiger reserves.
- Over 15, 000 cameras were installed at various strategic points to capture the movement of tigers. This was supported by extensive data collected by field personnel and satellite mapping.
- A GIS based app called M-STRiPES (Monitoring System for Tigers-Intensive Protection and Ecological Status) developed by Dehradun-based Wildlife Institute of India is also used.
State wise numbers of tigers
- As per census, Madhya Pradesh has the highest number of tigers at 526,
- Karnataka is on second position with 524 tigers and Uttarakhand at number 3 with 442 tigers.
- While Pench Tiger Reserve in Madhya Pradesh recorded the highest number of tigers.
- Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve in Tamil Nadu registered the “maximum improvement” since 2014.
- Chhattisgarh and Mizoram saw a decline in their tiger numbers.
- Odisha remained constant in tiger population.
- All other states witnessed a positive trend.
IN LCU L-56
About
- IN LCU L56, the sixth ship of the Landing Craft Utility (LCU) MK IV class was commissioned into the Indian Navy at Visakhapatnam today.
- LCU 56 is an amphibious ship with its primary role being transportation and deployment of Main Battle Tanks, Armoured Vehicles, Troops and Equipment from ship to shore.
- The induction of LCU 56 will add to Maritime and HADR capability of ANC as the ship will be deployed for multi-role activities such as Beaching operations, Search and Rescue missions, Disaster relief operations, Coastal patrol, and Surveillance operations along the Andaman and Nicobar Group of Islands.
- LCU L56 would be administered and based in Port Blair under the NAVCC in ANC
- With this achievement State-owned Garden Reach Ship Builders and Engineers Ltd (GRSE) has become the “first Indian shipyard” to build and deliver 100 warships.
