NATIONAL – DAIRY OF EVENTS

From July 1, the 100-Day Scheme to be implemented as a 125-Day Work Scheme

• Context: The Union Ministry of Rural Development has informed a Parliamentary Standing Committee that 25 states have already allocated funds for the 125-day work scheme.
• In place of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (the 100-day work scheme), the ‘VP- Ramji Bill’ (a 125-day work scheme) was passed in Parliament last December. Following the assent granted by President Droupadi Murmu, the bill officially became law.
• Under this new legislation, the duration of the work scheme has been extended from 100 days to 125 days.

Funding Sharing Mechanism

• In states and Union Territories possessing a legislative assembly, the Central Government will bear 60 percent of the funding for this scheme, while the respective State and Union Territory governments will bear the remaining 40 percent.
• For the eastern states, as well as the Himalayan region—specifically Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, and the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir—the Central Government will contribute 90 percent of the scheme’s funding, with the respective State governments contributing the remaining 10 percent.
• In this context, a meeting of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Rural Development and Panchayati Raj was held in New Delhi.
• The 125-day work scheme is scheduled to be implemented starting July 1st. Twenty-five states have already allocated funds for this initiative. All necessary administrative and policy-related measures for the scheme have been set in motion.

New Cards Featuring Facial Recognition

• Furthermore, it was announced that new ‘Smart Work Cards’ will be issued for the 125-day work scheme, replacing the work cards previously issued for the 100-day scheme.
• Officials stated that, in order to ensure transparency and accountability within this program, these new work cards will feature a specialized facial recognition capability for identification purposes.

 

India highlighted lung health screening at the 79th World Health Assembly.

• Context:Union Health Minister highlighted India’s expanding efforts in tuberculosis elimination, lung health screening, and ethical use of artificial intelligence in healthcare while addressing multiple high-level side events during the 79th World Health Assembly in Geneva.

India’s Tuberculosis Elimination Efforts

• Under the National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme (NTEP) and the vision of a “TB-Free India,” India has undertaken one of the world’s largest campaigns for TB screening and early detection.
• Active patient-finding efforts have been expanded through the following initiatives:
  • Door-to-door outreach
  • Mobile screening units
  • Community awareness campaigns
  • Targeted campaigns focusing on high-risk and vulnerable populations

National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme (NTEP)

• In 2020, the RNTCP was renamed the ‘National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme’ (NTEP).
• This renaming was undertaken to emphasize the Government of India’s objective of completely eliminating TB in India by 2025—five years ahead of the global targets set for 2030.
• The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) related to TB (Base Year: 2015) are as follows:
  • An 80% reduction in the incidence rate.
  • A reduction of over 90% in the mortality rate.
  • Zero catastrophic financial burden on any patient or their family due to TB.

• The programme operates under the guidance of the ‘National Strategic Plan 2017-2025’.
• Furthermore, the key activities of the programme are implemented under four strategic pillars: “Detect – Treat – Prevent – Build” (DTPB). The Role of Ayushman Bharat
• Ayushman Bharat Health and Wellness Centres, along with frontline health workers, help bring healthcare services closer to communities.

TB-Free India Campaign

• Through the TB-Free India Campaign, India has mobilized citizens, corporations, organizations, and communities.
• This initiative provides support—including care and assistance—to TB patients and their families.

Digital Initiative – TB-Free India App

• The Ministry launched the TB-Free India App, featuring “Kushi”—a multilingual conversational technology powered by Artificial Intelligence (AI).
• Features of the App:
  • Real-time guidance regarding TB symptoms
  • Information concerning entitlements
  • Details of nearby diagnostic centers

• This app is designed to function even on basic smartphones.

India’s Global Commitment

• India reiterated its commitment to eradicating TB ahead of global targets.
• India expressed its readiness to collaborate globally on scalable solutions for lung health screening.

Key Facts about Tuberculosis (TB)

• India bears the highest TB burden in the world; it is estimated that approximately 2.6 million people contract the disease annually, and nearly 400,000 people lose their lives due to it.
• The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) is implementing an ambitious ‘National Strategic Plan’ aimed at achieving the ‘TB eradication’ targets set under the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by the year 2025.

 

TEAM Initiative

• • Context: The Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) is accelerating the digital transformation of India’s smallest businesses through the ‘Trade Enhancement and Access to Markets’ (TEAM) initiative a transformative sub-scheme under the ‘Raising and Accelerating MSME Performance’ (RAMP) program, which operates with the support of the World Bank.

• Implemented by the National Small Industries Corporation (NSIC), the TEAM initiative aims to provide end-to-end e-commerce support to Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs). By doing so, it enables them to participate effectively in digital commerce ecosystems, specifically through the ‘Open Network for Digital Commerce’ (ONDC).

• This initiative seeks to empower artisans, home-based entrepreneurs, local manufacturers, and small retailers by providing them with structured institutional support at every stage of their e-commerce journey—including onboarding, product listing, packaging, logistics, and customer management.

About the TEAM Initiative

• • A Central Sector Scheme launched in 2024.

• The objective of this initiative is to provide comprehensive e-commerce assistance to Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs), thereby facilitating their successful integration into digital commerce platforms via the ‘Open Network for Digital Commerce’ (ONDC).

• • It is designed to promote open and inclusive digital networks that are conducive to the exchange of goods and services through electronic platforms. 
  • Project Linkage:TEAM serves as a key sub-scheme under the ‘Raising and Accelerating MSME Performance’ (RAMP) program, which is being implemented with the support of the World Bank.
  • About RAMP:Launched in 2022, this program focuses on enhancing the operational efficiency and expanding the reach of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) across the country.

• Duration: The scheme will be implemented for a period of three years, spanning from 2024 to 2027.

• Implementing Agency:The scheme is being implemented by the ‘National Small Industries Corporation’ (NSIC).

 

Dowry Death in India

• Context: NCRB data- UP, Bihar lead in dowry death cases.

The Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961   

• The Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961 was introduced to abolish the practice of dowry in India and curb this social evil through law. 
•  It is the first comprehensive legislation aimed at addressing dowry across all communities, applying uniformly to all persons except where specifically exempted. 

• • Objectives: 
    • Ban giving, taking, and demanding dowry. 
    • Protect women from harassment and exploitation. 
    • Discourage commercialization of marriage. 
    • Promote equality and dignity for women. 
  • Main provisions: 
    • Giving or receiving dowry is a punishable offence. 
    • Even demanding dowry without exchange is illegal. 
    • Dowry received must be transferred to the woman within a fixed time period. 

• Serious offences are cognizable and non-bailable. 

• • Courts can act based on police reports or victim complaints. 

• • Punishment: 

• Minimum imprisonment of five years. 

• • Fine of at least ₹15,000 or the dowry value, whichever is higher. 
  • Reduced punishment only in exceptional circumstances. 

• • Dowry Prohibition Officers: 

• Appointed by state governments. 

• • Responsible for prevention, investigation support, victim assistance, and enforcement of the Act.