PIB Summary-14th March, 2023 | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly - UPSC PDF Download

National Youth Conclave

Why in News?
National Youth Conclave’ is being organized by the National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA) Affairs on 13-14 March 2023 at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi.

About National Youth Conclave

• The National Youth Conclave is an event organized during India’s G20 presidency in 2023, in alignment with the Urban20 and Youth20 engagement groups.
• The event aims to bring together the youth and government leadership of the country, creating an opportunity for cross-learning and collaboration.

What is Urban 20?

• The Urban-20 (U20) is a city diplomacy initiative that was launched on December 12, 2017, at the One Planet Summit in Paris.
• The U20 provides a platform for cities from G20 countries to discuss important issues of urban development such as climate change, social inclusion, sustainable mobility, and affordable housing, and propose collective solutions.
• The U20 is convened by C40 Cities (C40) and United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG) under the leadership of a Chair city, which rotates annually and is based in the G20 host country.
• The City of Ahmedabad chaired the U20 2023 Cycle, allowing it to showcase its unique urban development and climate change initiatives, as well as its rich culture and heritage to the participants.

What is Youth20 (Y20)?

• The Y20 is the official youth engagement group for the G20, which is a forum for the world’s largest and most advanced economies.
• The Y20 process brings together young leaders from around the world to discuss and debate global challenges and propose policy recommendations for G20 leaders to consider.
• The policy recommendations are compiled into a communiqué, which is publicly announced at the Y20 Summit and presented to world leaders during the official G20 summit.
• India hosted its first Y20 summit with a key focus on bringing young leaders from around the world together to discuss ideas for a better future and draft an agenda for action.
• During India’s presidency, the Y20 activities will focus on global youth leadership and partnership, with pre-summits on the five Y20 themes and various discussions and seminars at different universities across the country leading up to the final Youth-20 Summit.

Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana

Why in News?
As per data uploaded by Member Lending Institutions (MLIs) on Mudra portal, as on 27.01.2023, more than 38.58 crore loans have been extended since inception of the Scheme in April 2015. 

About Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY)

• Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY) is a flagship scheme of Government of India.
• The scheme facilitates micro credit/Loan up to Rs. 10 lakh to income generating micro enterprises engaged in the non farm sector in manufacturing, processing, trading or service sector.
• MUDRA supports Financial Intermediaries to extend loans to the non-corporate, non-farm sector income generating activities of micro and small entities.
•  These Micro and small entities comprises of millions of proprietorship / partnership firms running as small manufacturing units, service sector units, shopkeepers, fruits / vegetable vendors, truck operators, food-service units, repair shops, machine operators, small industries, artisans, food processors and others, in rural and urban

The loans under MUDRA scheme can be availed only through banks and lending institutions which include:

• Public Sector Banks
• Private Sector Banks
• State operated cooperative banks
• Rural banks from regional sector
• Institutions offering micro finance
• Financial companies other than banks

Interest rate
Interest rates are charged as per the policy decision of the bank. However, the interest rate charged to ultimate borrowers shall be reasonable.

Benefits
The benefits under the scheme has been classified under three categories as ‘SHISHU’, ‘KISHOR’ and ‘TARUN’ to signify the stage of growth / development and funding needs of the beneficiary micro unit / entrepreneur.

• Shishu: Covering loans up to Rs. 50,000/-
• Kishor: Covering loans from Rs. 50,001 to Rs. 5,00,000/-
• Tarun: Covering loans from Rs. 5,00,001 to Rs. 10,00,000/-

Eligibility

• Individuals
• Proprietary concern.
• Partnership Firm.
• Private Ltd. Company.
• Public Company.
• Any other legal forms.

The applicant should not be defaulter to any bank or financial institution and should have a satisfactory credit track record. The individual borrowers may be required to possess the necessary skills/experience/ knowledge to undertake the proposed activity. The need for educational qualification, if any, need to be assessed based on the nature of the proposed activity, and its requirement.

Eklavya Model Residential School

Why in News?
Budget 2023-24 announces recruitment of 38,800 teachers and support staff for 740 Eklavya Model Residential Schools, serving 3.5 lakh tribal students.

About Eklavya Model Residential Schools

• EMRS started in the year 1997-98 to impart quality education to ST children in remote areas in order to enable them to avail of opportunities in high and professional education courses and get employment in various sectors.
• Across the country, as per census 2011 figures, there are 564 such sub-districts out of which there is an EMRS in 102 sub-districts.
• As per revised 2018 scheme, every block with more than 50% ST population and at least 20,000 tribal persons, will have an EMRS by the year 2022.
• These schools will be on par with Navodaya Vidyalayas and will have special facilities for preserving local art and culture besides providing training in sports and skill development.

Objectives of EMRS

• Comprehensive physical, mental and socially relevant development of all students enrolled in each and every EMRS. Students will be empowered to be change agent, beginning in their school, in their homes, in their village and finally in a larger context.
• Focus differentially on the educational support to be made available to those in Standards XI and XII, and those in standards VI to X, so that their distinctive needs can be met,
• Support the annual running expenses in a manner that offers reasonable remuneration to the staff and upkeep of the facilities.
• Support the construction of infrastructure that provides education, physical, environmental and cultural needs of student life.

Features of EMRS

• Admission to these schools will be through selection/competition with suitable provision for preference to children belonging to Primitive Tribal Groups, first-generation students, etc.
• Sufficient land would be given by the State Government for the school, playgrounds, hostels, residential quarters, etc., free of cost.
• The number of seats for boys and girls will be equal.
• In these schools, education will be entirely free.