PIB Summary- 10th August, 2023 | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly - UPSC PDF Download

Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme

Context
Recently, the Union Ministry of State for Rural Development provided valuable insights into the E-attendance in Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme during a written reply in the Lok Sabha.

Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA)

• Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, MGNREGA, is an Indian labour law and social security measure that aims to guarantee the ‘right to work’. This act was passed in September 2005.
• It aims to enhance livelihood security in rural areas by providing at least 100 days of wage employment in a financial year to every household whose adult members volunteer to do unskilled manual work.
• It covers all districts of India except the ones with 100% urban population.
• MGNREGA is to be implemented mainly by gram panchayats (GPs). The involvement of contractors is banned.
• Apart from providing economic security and creating rural assets, NREGA can help in protecting the environment, empowering rural women, reducing rural-urban migration and fostering social equity, among others.
• The MGNREGA wage rates are fixed according to changes in the CPI-AL (Consumer Price Index-Agriculture Labour), which reflects the increase in the inflation in rural areas.

How MGNREGA came to be?

• In 1991, the P.V Narashima Rao government proposed a pilot scheme for generating employment in rural areas with the following goals:
  • Employment Generation for agricultural labour during the lean season.
  • Infrastructure Development
  • Enhanced Food Security
• This scheme was called the Employment Assurance Scheme which later evolved into the MGNREGA after the merger with the Food for Work Programme in the early 2000s.

Features of MGNREGA

• It gives a significant amount of control to the Gram Panchayats for managing public works, strengthening Panchayati Raj Institutions.
• Gram Sabhas are free to accept or reject recommendations from Intermediate and District Panchayats.
• It incorporates accountability in its operational guidelines and ensures compliance and transparency at all levels.

Objectives of MGNREGA

• Provide 100 days of guaranteed wage employment to rural unskilled labour
• Increase economic security
• Decrease migration of labour from rural to urban areas.

Amrit Bharat Station Scheme (ABSS)

Context
Southern Railway has identified 90 stations for development under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme (ABSS).

Amrit Bharat Station Scheme (ABSS)

• The Amrit Bharat Station Scheme (ABSS) aims at the development of railway stations with a long-term vision, focusing on enhancing facilities and amenities beyond the minimum essential requirements.
• The scheme will consolidate and replace previous redevelopment projects that have not yet commenced.

Implementation Approach

• The scheme entails the preparation of Master Plans for railway stations and their phased implementation.
• Master Plans will be based on factors such as station footfall and inputs from stakeholders.
• Zonal railways are responsible for selecting stations, which will then be approved by a committee of senior railway officials.
• The objective is to execute low-cost redevelopment that can be implemented in a timely manner.

Facilities Planned under ABSS

• Creation of a Roof Plaza in the future.
• Provision of free Wi-Fi and space for 5G mobile towers.
• Improving access through road widening, removal of unwanted structures, well-designed signages, dedicated pedestrian pathways, well-planned parking areas, and improved lighting.
• Efforts will be made to combine different grades/types of waiting halls and provide quality cafeteria and retail facilities.
• Upgrading furniture in waiting rooms, platforms, restrooms, and offices.
• High-level platforms (760-840 millimeters) will be provided at all categories of stations.
• Special amenities will be incorporated for the disabled, following guidelines issued by the Railway Board.

Direct Incentive Disbursement Program

Context
Recognising the pivotal role of its sales force, the Postal Life Insurance (PLI) introduced the pilot program for “Direct Incentive Disbursement” in the Delhi and Uttarakhand Circles.

Direct Incentive Disbursement Program

• The Direct Incentive Disbursement Program is a new initiative aimed at recognizing and rewarding the sales force of the Postal Life Insurance (PLI) department for their contributions and achievements.
• The program aims to streamline the process of incentive disbursement and provide various benefits to the sales force members across the nation.

Key Features and Benefits
Recognition of Sales Force Role: The program acknowledges the crucial role played by PLI’s sales force in driving the department’s success.

• Coverage: The program will impact approximately two lakh sales force members nationwide, including Gramin Dak Sevaks, Direct Agents, Field Officers, and Departmental Employees.
• Swift and Secure Transactions: Sales force members will receive their incentives directly in their Post Office Savings Bank accounts, ensuring quick and secure transactions.
• Convenience and Motivation: The direct disbursement of incentives allows the sales force to conveniently manage their funds. Immediate rewards are expected to enhance motivation and drive optimal performance.
• Simplified Administration: Automated payout processes will reduce administrative costs, enabling the department to focus more on delivering excellent client service.

Key Facts about Postal Life Insurance (PLI)

• Establishment: PLI is the oldest life insurer in India, introduced on February 1, 1884.
• Origin and Extension: It initially started as a welfare scheme for the benefit of postal employees and later extended its coverage to employees of the Telegraph Department in 1888.
• Coverage for Women: In a progressive move, PLI extended insurance cover to female employees of the former P & T Department in 1894, at a time when most other insurance companies did not provide coverage for female lives.