Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM-JANMAN)

The Union Cabinet has recently approved Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM JANMAN) that focuses on 11 critical interventions for PVGT.

• The PM-JANMAN will focus on 11 critical interventions through nine ministries, including the Ministry of Tribal Affairs.
• It aids to ensure last-mile welfare scheme delivery.
• 75 communities located in 18 states and the Union Territory of Andaman and Nicobar Islands have been categorised as Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs).
• The scheme aims to provide pucca houses, piped water supply and roads for PVGT.
• The basic facilities includes Road and telecom connectivity, electricity, safe housing, clean drinking water and sanitation, improved access to education, health and nutrition and sustainable livelihood opportunities.
• The Ministry of Ayush will set up Ayush Wellness Centre as per existing norms and Ayush facilities will be extended to PVTG habitations through mobile medical units.
• The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship will facilitate skill and vocational training in PVTG habitations, multi-purpose centres and hostels as per suitable skills of these communities.

Scheme to Provide Drones to Women Self Help Groups (SHGs)

The cabinet has recently approved the Scheme to Provide Drones to Women Self Help Groups (SHGs).

• The scheme aims to provide drones to 15,000 selected Women SHGs during the period 2023-24 to 2025-2026 for providing rental services to farmers for agriculture purpose.
• It is a Central Sector Scheme where 80% of the cost of the drone will be provided by the union government.
• Features of the scheme – It is a central sector scheme.
• The scheme approves holistic interventions by converging the resources and efforts that includes:
  • Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare (DA&FW),
  • Department of Rural development (DoRD),
  • Department of Fertilizers (DoF) and
  • Women SHGs and lead fertiliser companies (LFCs).
• The Central Financial Assistance will provide 80 % of the cost of the drone.
• Accessories/ancillary charges up to a maximum of Rs 8 lakh will be provided to women SHGs for them to purchase drones.
• Clusters will be identified where the use of drones is economically feasible and the women SHGs across various states will be selected from these identified clusters.
• The cluster level federation (CLFs) will be created which will help the SHGs to raise the balance amount (total cost of procurement minus subsidy).
• The balance amount will be provided as loan under National Agriculture Infra Financing Facility (AIF).
• Interest subvention at the rate of 3 per cent on the AIF loan will be provided.
• A member of each SHG, who is deemed well-qualified and above 18 years of age, will be selected by LFCs and state rural livelihood missions (SRLM) for a 15-day training.
• This will include a five-day mandatory drone pilot training and a ten-day training in nutrients and pesticides application.
• The scheme will help infuse advance technology in agriculture for improved efficiency, enhance crop yield and reduced cost of operation for the benefit of farmers.
• LFCs will also promote use of Nano Fertilizers such as Nano Urea and Nano DAP by the drones with SHGs.
• SHGs will rent out the drone services to the farmers for Nano fertilizer and also for pesticide applications.

14th National Electricity Plan (NEP14) for India

According to a recent report by a think tank, India will need additional investment of $101 billion to align with International Energy Agency’s (IEA) Net Zero target, compared to the 14th National Electricity Plan.

• National Electricity Plan is prepared by the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) in accordance with the National Electricity Policy and notify such plan once in 5 years.
• The country requires an investment of $293 billion between 2023 and 2030 to meet the NEP14 solar and wind capacity targets, including storage and transmission.
• The plan aims to triple the India’s renewable energy capacity by 2030.
• Key highlights of NEP14 – It sets out solar capacity targets of 185.6 GW by FY 2026-27, reaching 364.6 GW by FY 2031-32.
• To achieve these targets, India needs to increase its current annual solar capacity addition by about 36% each year leading up to 2026-27.
• It estimates India’s total annual electricity generation to grow by 1,174 Terawatt hours (TWh) in FY 2022-32 period, reaching a total of 2,666 Terawatt hours (TWh) in FY 2032.
• Solar generation is expected to rise from 73 TWh in FY 2022 to 666 TWh in FY 2032. Wind power will increase from 69 TWh to 258 TWh in the same time period.
• Annual solar and wind generation are expected to rise which combined constitute 66% of India’s power generation growth in this 10-year period.
• If India achieves its solar targets set out in NEP14, solar’s share in the nation’s power mix is expected to increase five-fold from 5% in FY 2022 to 25% in FY 2032.

Golden Gate Declaration

The Economic Leaders of Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum recently met in San Francisco, California which concluded with the Golden Gate Declaration.

• The 30th edition of Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders' Meeting concluded in San Francisco with the adoption of the Golden Gate Declaration.
• The declaration underscores the commitment to creating a resilient and sustainable future for all member economies.
• The declaration aims to create a Resilient and Sustainable future for all.
• The summit concluded with the leaders declaring a commitment "to deliver a free, open, fair, non-discriminatory, transparent, inclusive, and predictable trade and investment environment.
• APEC is committed to necessary reform of the WTO to improve all of its functions, including conducting discussions with a view to having a fully and well-functioning dispute settlement system accessible to all members by 2024.
• During the forum meeting most APEC members strongly condemn aggression against Ukraine.
• The effective policies require, above all, responsiveness to all our people and economies.
• APEC mission and their practical work remain guided by their commitment, as laid out in the Putrajaya Vision 2040 and the Aotearoa Plan of Action.
• Putrajaya Vision 2040 and Aotearoa Plan of Action is an open, dynamic, resilient, and peaceful Asia-Pacific community by 2040, for the prosperity of all our people and future generations.

Soliga, Betta Kurumba and Paniyan

Recently Lantana jumbos (statute) was placed at the legislative assembly  of Karnataka and Craftsmen from Soliga, Betta Kurumba and Paniyan tribal communities are known for carving elephants and other animals using lantana logs.

• Soligas – Are the major indigenous tribes of BR Hills situated in Chamarajanagar district of Karnataka.
• Soligas have led a semi-nomadic life and were engaged in shifting cultivation.
• Nearly 50% of the Soligas income is from sustainable harvesting of minor forest produce.
• Soligas practice subsistence agriculture for their sustenance.
• Betta Kurumba – Are one of several ethnic groups who live in the Nilgiri-Wynaad region of region of southern India.
• Their home range straddles the states of Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu.
• Within Tamil Nadu, the Betta Kurumbas live in the Nilgiri Mountains.
• Paniyan – Wayanad of Kerala holds the largest population the Paniya tribe, also known as Paniyar/Paniyan.
• They are found in Wayanad, Kannur, Kozhikode and Malappuram districts of Kerala and adjoining districts of Coorg in Karnataka and the Nilgiris in Tamil Nadu.
• The term Paniya essentially means ‘someone who does work’ or ‘labourer’.
• Historically, Paniyas have been agrestic slaves who worked in the agricultural field of the janmis or landlords.