PIB Summary- 1st September, 2021 | PIB (Press Information Bureau) Summary - UPSC PDF Download

Kazind-21

About Kazind-21

• This is the 5th edition of the annual bilateral joint exercise of the armies of India and Kazakhstan.
• This year, it is taking place at Training Node Aisha Bibi, Kazakhstan.
• The previous Kazind exercise was held in India in 2019.
• This exercise will provide an impetus to the ever growing military and diplomatic ties between the two nations.
• The joint exercise also reflects the strong resolve of both nations to counter terrorism and will to stand shoulder to shoulder to combat the same.

Zapad 2021

About Zapad

• Zapad is a multi-nation military exercise going to be held in Russia in September 2021.
• It is one of the theatre level exercises of the Russian Armed Forces and will focus primarily on operations against terrorists.
• Over a dozen countries from the Eurasian and South Asian regions will participate in this signature event.
• From India, the NAGA Battalion group participating in the exercise will feature an all Arms combined task force.
• 200 Indian personnel will take part in this 13-day exercise.
• The exercise aims to enhance military and strategic ties amongst the participating nations while they plan & execute this exercise.
• China and Pakistan are also expected to take part in the exercise as observers.

Atal Pension Yojana

Atal Pension Yojana is a pension scheme under the Government of India. This scheme replaces the Swavalamban Yojana and was established to provide old age income security to the workers belonging to the unorganised sector. The Atal Pension Yojana was launched by PM Narendra Modi on 9th May 2015 in Kolkata. The scheme focuses on encouraging workers of unorganised sectors to save for their future.
Atal Pension Yojana Scheme – Latest Update
The flagship social security scheme of the Government of India – ‘Atal Pension Yojana’ (APY) – has completed five years of implementation on 9th May 2020 and garnered over 2.2 crore subscribers.

Important Facts about Atal Pension Yojana

Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority

• It is the statutory Authority established by an enactment of the Parliament, to regulate, promote and ensure orderly growth of the National Pension System (NPS).
• It works under the Department of Financial Services under the Ministry of Finance.

Target Segment: The scheme was launched on 9th May 2015, with the objective of creating a universal social security system for all Indians, especially the poor, the underprivileged and the workers in the unorganised sector.

Benefits of Atal Pension Yojana

• The scheme provides the subscribers with a fixed pension ranging between Rs.1000 to Rs. 5000. The pension is provided if he/she joins and contributes between the age of 18 years and 40 years. The contribution level varies as per the conditions which is low if the subscriber joins the scheme early and might increase if he/she joins late.
• After the death of the subscriber, the spouse is eligible for availing the same benefits provided by the pension.
• The indicative pension wealth will be returned to the nominees after the death of a spouse.
• Contributions to the Atal Pension Yojana (APY) is eligible for tax benefits similar to the National Pension System (NPS).

National Pension System

• NPS is a government-sponsored pension scheme. It was launched in 2004 for government employees.
• Now, any individual citizen of India (both resident and non-resident) in the age group of 18-65 can join NPS.

Eligibility for Atal Pension Yojana

• Atal Pension Yojana (APY) is open to those who are not a member of any statutory social security scheme.
• Any individual aged between 18 years to 40 years and have a bank account are eligible for the scheme.
• He/She will have to provide proof of possession along with their Aadhaar number or must undergo Aadhaar authentication.
• The subscriber should get their Aadhaar number recorded in the APY pension account as well as in their savings account.
• Providing of the Aadhar number is important for the debit of the contribution instalments and for the credit of government co-contribution.

The success of the APY Scheme

1. The journey of APY over these five years has been phenomenal and as on 9th May 2020 –
2. The total enrolment under the scheme stood at 2,23,54,028.  
3. During the first two years of its launch, almost 50 lacs subscribers were enrolled which doubled to 100 lacs in the third year and the milestone of 1.50 crore was achieved in the 4th year. 
4. In the last financial year i.e. 2020, almost 70 lacs subscribers were enrolled under the scheme.
5. Apart from remarkable enrolments, the scheme has been implemented comprehensively across the country covering all states and Union Territories with a male to a female subscription ratio of 57:43.
6. As on 30th April 2020, the total number of subscribers under NPS and Atal Pension Yojana has crossed 3.46crore 

MoU between Department of Animal husbandry & Dairying (DAHD) & Department of Rural Development (DoRD)

Context: An MoU has been signed between the DAHD and the DoRD.

What is the MoU for?

• The MoU is for leveraging the SHG platform for rural economic growth through the convergence of the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD), Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying and the National Rural Livelihoods Mission (NRLM), Ministry of Rural Development.
• As per the MoU, DAHD has also decided to use the services of the members of the SHGs as livestock resource persons and primary service providers through a new accredited model named “A-HELP” (Accredited Agent for Health and Extension of Livestock Production).
• This model will be implemented across the country by using the existing cadre developed under DAY-NRLM for livestock (Pashusakhis) by providing further training and accreditation as A-HELP worker.
• NRLM has about 40,000 Pashusakhis in its fold.
• This convergence will help in increasing the outreach of DAHD schemes through these community cadres and also help in additional earning for the cadres thus supporting in enhancing their sustainability.