Current Affairs: Passage of the Day - 04 March 2025 | Current Affairs & General Knowledge - CLAT PDF Download

Directions: Read the passage carefully and answer the questions that follow.
In a move to enhance the welfare of differently-abled individuals, revenue and guardian minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule launched a Rs10 crore initiative aimed at providing self-employment opportunities to disabled residents of the district. At an event on Sunday organised by the social justice and special assistance department, 200 beneficiaries received the first batch of 100 e-rickshaws and 100 motorised tricycles, marking the first phase of a wider project that will benefit 640 disabled people.
The initiative, which was conceptualised by chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, is designed to support disabled individuals by enabling them to lead more independent lives and create self-sustained livelihoods. Bawankule announced that the govt is committed to ensuring that every disabled person in the district benefits from welfare schemes within the next two years, emphasising that no individual should be left behind.
The scheme, which received an initial allocation of Rs10 crore, has been funded with Rs6 crore from the District Mineral Foundation for the e-rickshaws and Rs4 crore for the motorised tricycles. These vehicles, given to individuals across the district, are expected to help improve mobility, allowing beneficiaries to travel for work or business, and offer much-needed economic support in the form of self-employment.
"The Maharashtra govt is dedicated to the welfare of the differently-abled," said Bawankule during the event. "For the first time in the state, a separate administrative department, the divyang kalyan department, has been set up to specifically focus on the needs of the disabled. Along with these vehicles, we are rolling out a series of welfare schemes for the differently-abled, such as the Surya Ghar scheme, which will provide free electricity to disabled households for the next 15 years," he added.
MOS Ashish Jaiswal highlighted that Nagpur's district annual plan fund has now surpassed Rs1,000 crore, a significant increase from Rs220 crore over the past 10 years. He emphasised that at least Rs10 crore would be allocated for disability welfare programmes in the district, supporting initiatives such as the current vehicle distribution. Additionally, plans are underway to introduce special schools for the disabled and the creation of more posts to aid in their rehabilitation. Special ambulances for disabled people are also part of the ongoing efforts.
As part of the second phase of the project, an additional Rs10 crore will be invested, with plans to distribute more e-rickshaws and motorised tricycles to additional beneficiaries within the next four months.
Alongside Bawankule and Jaiswal, MP Shyamkumar Barve, MLC Abhijit Vanjari, and MLA Sanjay Meshram, district collector Vipin Itankar, ZP CEO Vinayak Mahamuni, and other officials were also present.
​[Excerpt from TOI "Special Assistance Scheme" Dated 04/03/25]

Q1: What is the primary purpose of the Special Assistance scheme?
(a) To provide grants for rural development
(b) To offer interest-free loans to states for 50 years
(c) To increase taxation revenue for the central government
(d) To support private companies in state projects

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Ans: (b) To offer interest-free loans to states for 50 years
Sol: The Special Assistance scheme provides interest-free loans to states for a 50-year period to support capital investment and state-led reforms.

Q2: In which financial year was the Special Assistance scheme launched?
(a) FY2019
(b) FY2020
(c) FY2021
(d) FY2023

View Answer  

Ans: (c) FY2021
Sol: The Special Assistance scheme was introduced in the financial year 2021 to support state economies and infrastructure development.

Q3: What was the total allocation for the Special Assistance scheme in FY24?
(a) ₹12,000 crore
(b) ₹55,000 crore
(c) ₹95,000 crore
(d) ₹1.3 trillion

View Answer  

Ans: (d) ₹1.3 trillion
Sol: By FY24, the total allocation for the Special Assistance scheme had increased to ₹1.3 trillion, with ₹30,000 crore linked to specific outcomes.

Q4: What portion of the FY25 allocation was based on states’ shares of central taxes?
(a) ₹12,000 crore
(b) ₹30,000 crore
(c) ₹55,000 crore
(d) ₹95,000 crore

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Ans: (c) ₹55,000 crore
Sol: ₹55,000 crore of the FY25 allocation was distributed based on states’ shares of central taxes, while the remaining amount was linked to reform criteria.

Q5: Which of the following is a mandatory reform for states to receive funding?
(a) Reducing income tax rates
(b) Increasing urban population
(c) Developing iconic tourist centres
(d) Expanding private banking services

View Answer  

Ans: (c) Developing iconic tourist centres
Sol: States must implement reforms such as developing iconic tourist centres, vehicle scrappage policies, and industrial growth initiatives to qualify for funding.