PIB Summary- 16th February, 2023 | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly - UPSC PDF Download

Vibrant Village Programme

Why in News?
The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Hon’ble Prime Minister, has approved Centrally Sponsored Scheme- “Vibrant Villages Programme” (VVP) for the Financial Years 2022-23 to 2025-26 with financial allocation of Rs. 4800 Crore.

About Vibrant Village Programme

• The program’s goal is to enhance infrastructure in villages along India’s China border.
• In states like Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, and Arunachal Pradesh, infrastructure will be enhanced.
• Residential and tourism centres will be built as part of the programme.
• It will also facilitate the development of decentralised renewable energy sources and increase road connectivity.
• Aside from that, there will be direct access to Doordarshan and educational channels. A source of income will be offered.

Focus areas

• It emphasises the generation of livelihoods, road connectivity, housing, rural infrastructure, renewable energy, television, and broadband connections.
• This goal will be achieved by improving infrastructure in villages near the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

Need of Such Scheme

• The programme is a rebuke to China’s model villages, but the term was picked with care to avoid causing a stir in the neighbouring country.
•  In recent years, China has created new communities along the LAC, mainly across the Arunachal Pradesh border.
• Villages on the Indian side of the border have undergone unprecedented out-migration while China has been placing new citizens in border areas.

Rail Kaushal Vikas Yojana

Why in News?
Recently, to empower youth by providing them entry-level skill training in Railway Training Institutes, “Rail Kaushal Vikas Yojana” (RKVY) has been notified.

About Rail Kaushal Vikas Yojana

• Rail Kaushal Vikas Yojana is a sub-scheme under the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY)
• It is a skill development scheme with a special focus on providing training for jobs that are relevant to the Railways.

Technical Trades and Eligibility Criteria

• The training is imparted in fourteen industry-relevant technical trades such as Electrician, Welder, Machinist, Fitter, etc.
• Candidates who have passed class X and are aged between 18 and 35 are eligible to apply.

Training and Certification

• The training is provided free of cost to the candidates, and there is no provision for providing employment under this scheme.
• Participants are selected based on a transparent mechanism that considers marks in matriculation.
• After the program, trainees have to pass a standardized assessment and receive a certificate in the allotted trade by the National Rail and Transportation Institute.