Elections in Local Self-Government
- The Tamil Nadu Cabinet has recently decided to revert to Indirect Elections to the posts of Mayors of Corporations and chairpersons of municipalities and town panchayats.
- 74th Constitutional Amendment Act created 3 offices in Urban Local Bodies Viz
- Town Panchayat for a transitional area between a rural and urban area
- Municipalities for a small urban area
- Municipal Corporations for a large urban area
- The members to these offices are elected directly by the people.
- The state legislature may provide for the manner of election of the chairpersons of these three offices.
- It is also having powers to provide a representation of the members – MLAs/MPs, persons having special knowledge in Municipal administration, Chairperson of the committees.
- The State Election Commission is vested with the power to conduct elections to these offices.
Pradhan Mantri Kisan Maan-Dhan Yojana (PM-KMY)
- It is a new central sector scheme.
- Under this Scheme, a minimum fixed pension of Rs.3,000/- is provided to the eligible small and marginal farmers, on attaining the age of 60 years.
- It is a voluntary and contributory pension scheme, with entry age of 18 to 40 years.
- The beneficiary is required to make a monthly contribution of between Rs.55/- to Rs.200/- to the Pension Fund, depending on the age of entry into the Scheme.
- Central Government will contribute equally to the beneficiary’s contribution.
- The pension fund is managed by the Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC).
- The beneficiary may exit from the scheme voluntarily or on failure of contribution or on demise.
- On exit, the beneficiary will receive his/her accumulated share and the Government’s contribution will be deposited in the LIC Fund.
- After the subscriber’s death, the spouse or heir shall be entitled to receive 50% of the pension as family pension, provided he/she is not already an SMF beneficiary of the Scheme.
- On the death of the subscriber during the period of contribution, the spouse shall have the option of continuing the Scheme by paying regular contribution.
- It aims to cover around 3 crores Small and Marginal Farmers.
Jallianwala Bagh Trust Bill
- Jallianwala Bagh National Memorial (Amendment) Bill, 2019 has been passed by the Parliament recently.
- The Jallianwala Bagh National Memorial trust was first set up by then Congress President Motilal Nehru in 1920.
- In accordance with the amendment, the trust will no longer have the congress president as a member.
- The leader of the opposition in the Lok Sabha or the leader of the single largest opposition party in case there is no Leader of opposition will be a member.
- It also amends that a nominated trustee may be terminated before the expiry of the period of five years by the Central Government.
Jansankhya Sthirtha Kosh
- Jansankhya Sthirtha Kosh (National Population Stabilization Fund) is an autonomous body under Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
- It implements the Prerna scheme, Santushi Scheme and National Helpline for providing information on family planning.
- Prerna Scheme is for delaying marriage, childbirth and spacing.
- It recognizes and awards couples who have broken the stereotype of early marriage, early childbirth and repeated child birth.
- In order to become eligible for award under the scheme, the girl should have been married after 19 years of age and given birth to the first child after at least 2 years of marriage.
- The couple will get additional award if birth of the 2nd child takes place after at least 3 years of the birth of 1st child and either parent voluntarily accept permanent method of family planning within one year of the birth of the 2nd child.
- The amount of award is given in the form of National Saving Certificate (NSC).
- It is meant only for BPL families.
- Santushti Scheme invites private sector gynaecologists and vasectomy surgeons to conduct sterilization operations in Public Private Partnership mode.
- According to this Scheme, an accredited private Nursing Home/ Hospital can sign a tripartite MOU between the State Health Society as 1st party, accredited private health facility as 2nd party and JSK as the third party.
- Upon signing the MOU the private hospitals/nursing homes shall be entitled to incentive by JSK whenever it conducts 10 or more Tubectomy/Vasectomy cases in a month.
- The accreditation is done by the district and approved by the State Health Society.
Indira Gandhi Peace Prize
- The Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development for 2019 will be conferred on renowned naturalist and broadcaster Sir David Attenborough.
- It is the prestigious award accorded annually by Indira Gandhi Memorial Trust.
- Individuals or organisations in recognition of efforts towards promoting international peace, development and a new international economic order, scientific discoveries used for the larger good of humanity and enlarging the scope of freedom will be awarded.
Source: PIB, The Hindu
