Various Government Social and Infrastructure Development
Programmes
Introduction
India has tremendous resources and unquestionable potential to become a regional power. In
order to acquire the basic prerequisites to become a credible force, India must focus towards the
creation of world class infrastructure and ensure social equality and security for all its citizens.
The present Government, after understanding the significance of this requirement, has engaged
itself to this cause on a war footing. A total of 173 Centrally Sponsored Schemes and Additional
Central Assistance schemes are being restructured and centre has allocated a sum of Rs 5, 87,082
crores to the states and union territories as taxes, non-plan grants and loans, and central
assistance.
Government Social Welfare Schemes Launched on 01- 02 July 2015
Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayi Yojana
At present only 35% of the total 142 million hectare cultivable farm land is under irrigation.
Climate change has adversely affected the weather pattern and a major cause of farmer suicides
is the erratic rainfall pattern in areas that are not irrigated by manmade means.
The PMKSY aims to ensure access to some means of protective irrigation to all agricultural
farms in the country, to produce 'per drop more crop', thus bringing much desired rural
prosperity.
Rs 50,000 has been approved by the Union Cabinet on 02 July for the Pradhan Mantri Krishi
Sinchayi Yojana, through which over the next five years protective irrigation facilities for non
rain-fed areas will be provided to improve water efficiency through the country.
Also under this scheme, government would aim to make states a single market for farm produce
by linking 585 mandis through the IT network and paving the way for a single licence rather
than individual licences for each mandi. It is proposed that this platform will be up in the next
six months. The improved infrastructure of the mandis will promote productivity and farmers
will get better value of their produce.
National Policy For Skill Development & Entrepreneurship
The Cabinet approved of another scheme on 02 July 2015, through which government aims to
train 40 crore people by 2022 through this policy. The methodology adopted would include skill
development through the public-private partnership mode.
In order to make the manpower industry ready, the industrial units will be engaged to improve
the desired skill sets so that the candidates are placed directly after carrying out their on the job
training.
Social Welfare Schemes Launched on 28 February 2015
Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY)
PMSBY offers a renewable one-year accidental death-cum-disability cover of Rs.2 lakh for
partial/permanent disability to all savings bank account holders in the age group of 18-70 years
for a premium of Rs.12 per annum per subscriber.
Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY)
PMJJBY offers a renewable one-year life cover of Rs.2 lakh to all savings bank account holders
in the age group of 18-50 years, covering death due to any reason, for a premium of Rs.330 per
annum per subscriber.
Atal Pension Yojana (APY)
The APY caters to people employed with the unorganized sector in which no pension is
applicable.
The pension scheme provides to the subscribers a fixed minimum pension of Rs.1,000, Rs.2,000,
Rs.3,000, Rs.4,000 or Rs.5,000 per month starting at the age of 60 years, depending on the
contribution option exercised on entering at an age between 18 and 40 years.
The period of contribution by any subscriber under APY is 20 years or more. The fixed minimum
pension would be guaranteed by the government.
Social and Infrastructure Development Programmes: 2014-15
Social Development Schemes
National Food Security Mission (2007) - Enhance agricultural productivity of wheat, rice
pulses on sustainable basis through, restoring soil fertility, providing easy bank loans and
subsidies, providing technical knowhow and improving technologies to ensure food security of
the country and the implementation of various food for work schemes under the Food Security
Act -2013.
Certain other pet projects of the PM, like Rural Areas Growth & Development Programme, SoilHealth Card Scheme, Jan Dhan Yojana, Skill India Programme and Sansad Adrash Gram Yojana
will play a pivotal role in energising the National Food Security Mission.
Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (2005).The objective of
MGNREGA is to "enhancing livelihood security in rural areas by providing at least 100 days of
guaranteed wage employment in a financial year, to every household whose adult members
volunteer to do unskilled manual work".
In addition to this, the aim of MGNREGA is to create durable assets, like infrastructure
development projects that would augment the basic resources available to the poor.
At minimum wage rate and within 5 km radius of the village, the employment under
MGNREGA is an entitlement that creates an obligation on the government failing which an
unemployment allowance is to be paid within 15 days.
Along with community participation, the MGNREGA is to be implemented mainly by the Gram
Panchayats. The involvement of contractors is banned. Labour-intensive tasks like creating
infrastructure for water harvesting, drought relief and flood control are preferred.
Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (2014) - The scheme has been started with a target to
provide 'universal access to banking facilities' starting with "Basic Banking Accounts" with
overdraft facility of Rs.5000after six months and Ru Pay Debit card with inbuilt accident
insurance cover of Rs. 1 lakh and also life insurance.
Ru Pay Kisan Card for availing agro-subsidies and loans will also get linked to bank account.
This scheme will further assist in the implementation of Direct Cash / Benefit Transfer scheme of
the Government.
Direct Cash/Benefit Transfer Scheme (2013-14). The Direct Cash / Benefit Transfer scheme
provides for direct transfer of money into the bank accounts of eligible persons for pension,
scholarship, payments under the Employment Guarantee Scheme and benefits/subsidies under
other Government welfare programs.
The cash transfer will be enabled through Aadhaar Card and facilitated by the PM Jan Dhan
Yojna.
The advantages of this scheme are that there will be greater transparency & accountability,
preventing fraudulent claimants and improving PDS through targeted welfare of deserving
categories.
11 lakh beneficiaries have received benefits under this scheme and its extension to other schemes
is being carried out.
Swarna Jayanthi Sagari Rozhar Yojana (SJSRY) - Provision of gainful employment to the
urban poor through self employment and wage employment ventures. The scheme is funded by
the Government of India and the State Government in the ratio of 75:25.
The scheme aims at alleviation of urban poverty through employment generation. It may be
noted that urbanisation is taking place at a very fast pace, and the present ratio of 25:75 of Rural:
Urban population is likely to become 40:60 in the next 7-10 years.
Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (2001). The objective of this scheme is to provide free and compulsory
education to all children between the ages of 6 to 13, as mandated by 86th Constitutional
Amendment to be a Fundamental Right.
The programme seeks to open new schools and create other infrastructure to facilitate
implementation of the programme.
An additional component focusing on Girl Children in educationally backward blocks to promote
Girls Education is Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya.
Mid Day Meal Scheme (2004). Mid Day Meal programme supplies free lunches on working
days for children in Primary and Upper Primary Classes in Government, Government Aided,
Local Body, Education Guarantee Scheme, and Alternate Innovative Education Centres, like
Madrass, supported under the Sarva Shiksa Abhiyan and National Child Labour Project schools
run by the Ministry of Labour.
The objective of the scheme is to help improve the effectiveness of primary education by
improving the nutritional status of primary school children.
Krishi Amdani Beema Yojana. It is to help farmers, so as they dont bear any financial loss if
their crops gets destroyed due to any reason like unexpected weather.
The Rashtriya Swasthiya Bima Yojana (2008). This scheme which provided for health
insurance to unorganised sector workers of over 34 million families has now been further
extended to new categories such as rickshaw, auto-rickshaw and taxi drivers, sanitation workers,
rag pickers and mine workers.
It is a step towards ensuring social security to the under privileged.
Mahatma Gandhi Pravasi Suraksha Yojana (MGPSY). It is a pension and life insurance
scheme started by Indian government.
Rani Laxmi Bai Pension Scheme. It is a Special pension scheme for Muzaffarnagar riot
victims announced by UP Govt.
National Rural Health Mission - The thrust of the mission is on establishing a fully functional,
community owned, decentralized health delivery system.
It aims to ensure simultaneous action on a wide range of determinants of health such as water,
sanitation, education, nutrition, social and gender equality.
Institutional integration within the different health sector departments was expected to provide a
focus on outcomes, measured against Indian Public Health Standards for all health facilities.
Union Cabinet, in May 2013, has approved the launch of National Urban Health Mission
(NUHM) as a sub-mission of an overarching National Health Mission (NHM).
National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) will also now be a sub-mission of the National Health
Mission. Major initiatives under this mission include:
Janni Suraksha Yojna. JSY aims to reduce maternal mortality among pregnant women
by encouraging them to deliver in government health facilities and also giving them cash
assistance.
Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakarm. Provide free to and fro transport, free drugs, free
diagnostic, free blood, and free diet to pregnant women who come for delivery in public
health institutions and sick infants up to one year.
National Mobile Medical Units. To cover those areas, that does not have proper medical
facilities.
National Ambulance Services. To provide free ambulances services on toll free
numbers, to reach patient within 30 min.
Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram. - Screen diseases specific to childhood,
developmental delays, disabilities, birth defects and deficiencies and will cover about 27
crore children between 018 years of age and also provide free treatment including
surgery for health problems.
District Hospital and Knowledge Centre. - District Hospitals are being strengthened to
provide Multi-specialty health care including dialysis care, intensive cardiac care, cancer
treatment, mental illness, emergency medical and trauma care etc.
Infrastructure Development Projects
Bharat Nirman (2005). This is an overall plan of the government for creating and augmenting
basic rural infrastructure.
It comprises projects on irrigation, roads (Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana), housing
(Indira/Rajiv Awas Yojana), water supply (National Rural Drinking Water Programme),
electrification (Rajiv Gandhi Grameen Vidyutikaran Yojana) (Rajiv Gandhi Grameen
Vidyutikaran Yojana) and telecommunication connectivity.
Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (Phase-II Launched in 2014). Government is
upgrading and constructing nearly 50,000 km of rural roads under phase-II of the Pradhan Mantri
Gram Sadak Yojana-II, up to 2017.
While, Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana, was launched in 2000, is a 100 per cent centrally
funded programme, PMGSY-II is on cost sharing basis between the central and state
governments in the ratio of 75:25.
Indira Awaas Yojana (1985). It is a social welfare programme, created by the Government, to
provide housing for the rural poor. Under the scheme, financial assistance worth Rs.70, 000/- in
plain areas and Rs.75, 000/- in difficult areas (high land area) is provided for construction of
houses.
The houses are allotted in the name of the woman or jointly between husband and wife. The
construction of the houses is the sole responsibility of the beneficiary and engagement of
contractors is strictly prohibited.
Nirmal Bharat Abiyan (2013). Sanitary latrine and smokeless chullah are required to be
constructed along with each house being constructed under the Awaas Yojana, for which
additional financial assistance is provided from Total Sanitation Campaign (now called the
Nirmal Bharat Abiyan) and Rajiv Gandhi Grameen Vidyutikaran Yojana, respectively.
Rajiv Awas Yojana (2013 to 2022). This scheme is an attempt on the part of the Government to
help slum dwellers gain appropriate housing and address the processes by which slums are
created and reproduced.
This scheme is a Centrally Sponsored Programme, with the aim of making India slum-free by
2022, by providing people with shelter or housing, free of cost and capacity building of
Municipalities at state and district levels.
The government has earmarked Rs. 32,230 crore for the implementation of this programme and
one million beneficiaries are proposed to be eventually covered under it.
PradhanMantri Gram Sinchai Yojana. It was launched to boost agricultural yield.
NABARD Warehousing Scheme (2013-14) This scheme envisages the extension of loans to
Public and Private Sectors for construction of warehouses, silos, cold storages and other cold
chain infrastructure.
The aim of this scheme is to minimise wastage and degeneration of food grains, especially,
perishable food items. The scheme will serve to preserve food grains for national food security.
Solid Waste Management (2013) - During the year 2013-14, 77 Towns / Panchayats which are
generating more than 5 MT per day of solid waste, have been sanctioned comprehensive solid
waste management projects involving door to door collection, segregation, composting, and
scientific land fill.
The same will promote the cause of campaigns like the Swatch Bharat Abiyan.
Tourism: Town & Heritage Town Development Programme (2013) - 106 Towns / Panchayats
are classified as Tourism, Heritage and Temple Towns. To improve the infrastructure facilities in
these Town Panchayats funds have been allotted.
Initiatives Being Directly Pursued by PM Narendra Modi
Housing for all by 2022: Government has announced in the Union Budget of 2014 that
everyone would get Houses by 2022.
To achieve the same, Government has setup a Mission on Low Cost Affordable Housing and also
increased housing interest rate limit to Rs 2 lakh from 1.5 lakh on home loans.
Need of Sanitation: Swatchh Bharat Abhiyaan is the main motive of the Government i.e. need
for sanitations in all houses.
The Government is providing with the resources and has launched awareness campaigns in a
major way.
Smart Cities: Government has allocated Rs 7060 crore for 100 smarter cities. These Smart cities
will be developed by modernizing the existing small cities and creating modern satellite towns
around them.
MPs' Adopt-a-Village Scheme (Sansad Adarsh Gram Yojana): PM Modi has asked all MPs
to adopt a village in their constituency to make it into a model village. He himself adopted
village Jayapur, which is part of his Lok Sabha constituency of Varanasi.
The aim of this scheme is to improve the amenities available to the village, like, modern
community health centres, intermediate school, public toilets and drinking water facilities, post
office and bank branches, etc.
The vision of the PM is that modernisation of some villages initially, will have a cascading effect
across India in the times to come.
Skill India Programme: A national Multi-skill development programme is being launched,
called the Skill India Programme.
This Program will basically focus on giving employment skills training to youth and will provide
skilled manpower for proposed initiatives like the Make in India.
Under Project Uddan, 40,000 young people will be skilled over a period of five years.
Roshini Scheme was launched for skill development and job placement for rural youth and
women in maoist affected 24 districts in 9 states.
Clean Ganga Project: Finance Ministry has allocated Rs 100 crore for funding the Clean Ganga
Project and government also proposes to allocate another Rs 2037 crore to clean and purify
Ganga river.
PM recently visited Assi Ghat to infuse enthusiasm and inspiration among others to take up the
clean Ganga drive.
Solar and Renewable Energy: Ultra Mega Solar Power Projects are proposed to be installed in
several states like Rajasthan, Gujarat and Tamil Nadu. Rs 500 crore is being allocated for this
sector.
Tourism: Government announced to create 5 tourist circuits around various themes and a total
amount of Rs 500 crore has been kept aside for this sector.
The historic places and heritages sites will be beautified under this initiative and will help to
showcase Indias rich and diverse culture and heritage.
Moreover, it will draw foreign tourists from all over the world, generate revenue and
employment opportunities.
North-East Development: Development of North-East part of the country and focusing
especially on constructing National Highways, proper roads, organic farming, organic food
processing and exploration of natural resources to also generate employment opportunities.
A sum of total Rs 53,706 crore has been allotted for developing this sector.
Rural Areas Growth and Development Programme: Government is planning to improvise the
rural development model and make it more urbanize in giving proper goods and services.
Various existing rural development schemes will get an impetus under this initiative.
Statue of Unity: Government of Gujarat has commenced work on 31 October 2014, to build the
largest statue of Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel which will stand as a symbol of unity of the country.
An amount of Rs 200 crore has been allocated for Statue of Unity in Gujarat.
Soil-Health Card: Government is planning to take up an initiative to undertake measures to
restore soil fertility, so as to enhance agricultural productivity by providing every farmer with a
soil health card and complete technological backup support to improve and monitor soil fertility.
Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao Yojana: Under this initiative, creation of awareness of negative sex
ratio and safety of women, as also, improving the efficiency of welfare services for women is
being taken up. Rs 100 crore have been allocated for this sector.
'Sukanya Samridhi Yojna was launched on 22 January 2015 under the 'Beti Bachao Beti
Padhao' campaign, which is a small deposit scheme for girl child that would fetch an interest rate
of 9.1 per cent and provide income tax rebate.
'Sukanya Samridhi Account' can be opened at any time from the birth of a girl child till she
attains the age of 10 years, with a minimum deposit of Rs 1000. A maximum of Rs 1.5 lakh can
be deposited during the financial year.
Conclusion
Government has adopted a multi-prong approach to address a number of issues to take India to
the next level. The sincerity with which these initiatives are supported by the foot soldiers of the
Government will actually decide the success of these schemes.
It is perhaps a good opportunity and the right time for all of us to exhibit unequivocal national
spirit by doing our individual jobs with utmost sincerity and also strengthen the hands of the
authorities by spreading awareness about the government projects to avail maximum benefit
from these schemes.
