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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Union Minister Shri G. Kishan Reddy Meets Saudi Minister to Strengthen Cooperation in Critical Minerals Sector

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 04 FEB 2025 7:16PM by PIB Delhi

    Union Minister of Coal & Mines, Shri G. Kishan Reddy, today held a high-level meeting with Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources, Mr. Bandar Ibrahim Alkhorayef, in New Delhi. The meeting aimed at strengthening cooperation in the critical minerals sector and exploring new avenues for investment and technological collaboration.

    A significant development during the discussion is related to the designation of Geological Survey of India Training Institute (GSITI) as a Centre of Excellence under the Future Minerals Forum. This initiative will facilitate specialized training programs for geologists from Saudi Arabia, Africa and Central Asia, contributing to capacity building in the global mining sector.

    Key points of the meeting included:

    Resilient Mineral Supply Chains: Both leaders emphasized the need to establish reliable and secure mineral supply chains to reduce dependency on imports.

    Investment in Value-Added Processing: Focus was laid on promoting joint ventures for processing critical minerals to support clean energy technologies.

    Technological Collaboration: Discussions also explored cooperation in adopting advanced mining technologies and innovation for sustainable mineral exploration and extraction.

    The dialogue builds on India’s engagement at the Future Minerals Forum (FMF) 2025 in Riyadh, where Shri Reddy highlighted India’s commitment to securing critical minerals essential for the energy transition and clean energy systems. At the FMF 2025, Shri Reddy also held discussions with representatives from Brazil, Italy, and Morocco to foster global partnerships.

    This meeting marks a significant step in India’s efforts to develop international partnerships for mineral security and sustainable development, aligned with the National Critical Minerals Mission (NCMM).

    ******

    Shuhaib T

    (Release ID: 2099793) Visitor Counter : 29

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Budgetary allocations for the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 04 FEB 2025 7:13PM by PIB Delhi

    Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (Mahatma Gandhi NREGS) is a demand driven wage employment Scheme and Government is committed to making sufficient fund available in order to meet the demand for work at ground. For the financial year 2024-25, budget allocation of Rs. 86,000 crores have been made at Budget Estimate (BE) stage, which is the highest ever allocation under Mahatma Gandhi NREGS at the Budget Estimate (BE) stage since inception. The details of funds allocation at the Budget Estimate stage, Revised Estimate stage and fund released under Mahatma Gandhi NREGS during the last five financial years and current financial year 2024-25 (as on 28.01.2025) are given below:

     

    (Rs. in crore)

    Financial Year

    Budget Estimate

    Revised Estimate

    Release

    2019-20

    60,000.00

    71,001.81

    71,687.71

    2020-21

    61,500.00

    1,11,500.00

    1,11,170.86

    2021-22

    73,000.00

    98,000.00

    98,467.84

    2022-23

    73,000.00

    89,400.00

    90,810.99

    2023-24

    60,000.00

    86,000.00

    89,268.30

    2024-25

    (As on 28.01.2025)

    86,000.00

    —

    82,421.05

     

    State/UT-wise (including Bihar) details of pending liabilities for wage component under Mahatma Gandhi NREGS as on 27.01.2025 are given at Annexure.

    As per the provision of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, the beneficiaries are entitled to get wage payment within 15 days of closure of Muster Roll of the work. Government of India has also issued a detailed Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to the States to ensure timely wage payment. The Ministry along with the States/UTs has been making concerted efforts for improving the timely payment of wages. States/UTs have been advised to generate pay orders in time. The Ministry has taken various steps to ensure timely payment of wages to workers under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS). These include:

    (i) Upscaling of National Electronic Fund Management System (Ne-FMS)

    (ii) Intensive consultation with State Governments and other stakeholders to strategise timely payment of wages, verification of pending compensation claims etc.

    (iii) Formulation of Standard Operating Procedure for monitoring of timely payment and payment of compensation.

    (iv) During Annual Action Plan finalization meeting, Mid-Term review meeting, Labour Budget revision meeting, Monthly review meeting, as well as State/UT visit by senior officers, the issue of the status of timely payment of wages and payment of delay compensation is also reviewed.

     

    These initiatives have helped in timely generation of Fund Transfer Orders (FTOs) within 15 days from the closure of muster rolls. The details of FTOs generated within 15 days during last three financial year and current financial year (as on 29.01.2025) is given below:

     

    Fund Transfer Orders (FTOs) generated within 15 days from the closure of muster rolls under Mahatma Gandhi NREG during the last three financial year and current financial year (as on 29.01.2025).

    Financial Year

    2024-25

    2023-24

    2022-23

    2021-22

    % Fund Transfer Orders (FTOs) generated within 15 days

    98.47

    97.91

    92.5

    96.54

    (As per NREGASoft)

    Annexure

     

    State/UT-wise details of pending liabilities for wage component under Mahatma Gandhi NREGS as on 27.01.2025 (Rs. in crore)

    Sl. No.

    States/UTs

    Pending liabilities for wage component

    1

    Andhra Pradesh

    67.35

    2

    Arunachal Pradesh

    28.65

    3

    Assam

    140.34

    4

    Bihar

    670.01

    5

    Chhattisgarh

    175.86

    6

    Goa

    0.33

    7

    Gujarat

    62.67

    8

    Haryana

    26.06

    9

    Himachal Pradesh

    89.60

    10

    Jammu and Kashmir

    72.13

    11

    Jharkhand

    117.45

    12

    Karnataka

    140.41

    13

    Kerala

    485.99

    14

    Madhya Pradesh

    261.50

    15

    Maharashtra

    278.61

    16

    Manipur

    48.00

    17

    Meghalaya

    65.74

    18

    Mizoram

    17.73

    19

    Nagaland

    3.73

    20

    Odisha

    118.22

    21

    Punjab

    64.71

    22

    Rajasthan

    472.54

    23

    Sikkim

    3.24

    24

    Tamil Nadu

    1652.45

    25

    Telangana

    15.46

    26

    Tripura

    114.59

    27

    Uttar Pradesh

    1214.85

    28

    Uttarakhand

    22.26

    31

    Puducherry

    1.09

    32

    Ladakh

    2.37

    Total

    6433.95

    This information was given by the Minister of State for Rural Development Shri Kamlesh Paswan in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.

    *****

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: PM to visit Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj on 5th February

    Source: Government of India (2)

    PM to visit Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj on 5th February

    PM to take holy dip at Sangam and offer prayers to Maa Ganga

    Posted On: 04 FEB 2025 7:14PM by PIB Delhi

    Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will visit Maha Kumbh Mela 2025 in Prayagraj on 5th February. At around 11 AM, he will take a holy dip at the Sangam and offer prayers to Maa Ganga.
     
    Mahakumbh 2025, which commenced on Paush Purnima (January 13, 2025), is the world’s largest spiritual and cultural gathering, attracting devotees from across the globe. The Mahakumbh will continue until Mahashivratri on 26th February.
     
    In line with his commitment to promote and preserve India’s spiritual and cultural heritage, Prime Minister has consistently taken proactive steps to enhance infrastructure and facilities at pilgrimage sites. Earlier, during his visit to Prayagraj on 13th December, 2024, Prime Minister inaugurated 167 development projects worth Rs 5,500 crore, improving connectivity, amenities and services for the general public.

     

    ***

    MJPS/ST

    (Release ID: 2099788) Visitor Counter : 168

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Women under Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihood Mission

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 04 FEB 2025 7:12PM by PIB Delhi

    The Government had set a target of mobilizing 10 crore rural households into SHGs under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihood Mission (DAY – NRLM) by 2023-24. The target of mobilization of 10 crore households was achieved in March 2024.

    The State/UT-wise targets and the number of households mobilized under Deen Dayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM) is given at Annexure.

    Nellore district has 37 rural blocks. All the 37 blocks are covered under the DAY-NRLM.

    The Central allocation under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM) for Andhra Pradesh for the last three financial years amounted to Rs. 756 crores. However, only Rs. 377 crores released, reason for non- release of entire amount is because of non-submission of proposals by the State due to delay in receipt of funds from Treasury.

    For the current financial year, the approved central share under DAY-NRLM for Andhra Pradesh is Rs.307.69 crore out of which Rs.76.92 crore has been released so far.

    The Mahila Kisan Sashaktikaran Pariyojana (MKSP), a key sub-scheme under DAY-NRLM aimed at enhancing the livelihoods and income of Mahila Kisans. The Ministry had approved 13 projects under MKSP in 2011, including Nellore District in Andhra Pradesh. After grant of two extensions, these projects were closed in FY 2019.

    For FY 2023-24, the Ministry approved an Annual Action Plan for an amount of Rs. 64 Cr. for MKSP, with the central share being Rs. 38.40 Cr. and the state share Rs. 25.60 Cr. The physical target for the year included the creation of 160 Integrated Farming Clusters (IFC) under MKSP. However, the Andhra Pradesh SRLM has not opened the budget head for MKSP in FY 2023-24. Moreover, the MKSP budget provision was not reflected in the Public Financial Management System (PFMS) TRSY-07 report for FY 2023-24, which are mandatory for the release of funds under Central Sponsored Schemes as per the Department of Expenditure norms. Due to which the Ministry has not released any fund to Andhra Pradesh SRLM for MKSP during FY 2023-24. Out of the total allocation of Rs. 15 crores (Rs. 9 Cr. Central Share + Rs. 6 Cr. State share) for FY 2024-25, amount of Rs. 2.25 Cr. has been released as a part of the Central Share.

    Regarding the Start-Up Village Entrepreneurship Programme (SVEP), which is a demand-driven scheme, funds are released based on the submission of Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) from the state. However, the Andhra Pradesh SRLM has delayed the submission of the required DPRs and financial documents for SVEP components, which has also delayed the timely release of funds for the programme. Out of the total allocation of Rs. 13.33 crore (Rs. 8 Cr. Central Share + Rs.5.33 Cr. State share) for FY 2024-25, amount of Rs. 2 Cr. has been released as a part of the Central Share.

    State

    Target for HH Mobilisation

    Mobilisation as on March 24

    Andaman

    15000

    13194

    Andhra Pradesh

    8310437

    9075289

    Arunachal

    84623

    86937

    Assam

    3593756

    4111020

    Bihar

    12332493

    12713428

    Chhattisgarh

    3193288

    3068427

    Daman DIU and NH

    12469

    12695

    Goa

    45947

    50298

    Gujarat

    3031245

    2783006

    Haryana

    730806

    629094

    Himachal Pradesh

    338103

    378542

    Jammu & Kashmir

    950000

    797805

    Jharkhand

    3446912

    3589607

    Karnataka

    3239273

    4207374

    Kerala

    3644669

    4002478

    Ladakh

    13315

    11710

    Lakshadweep

    3692

    4363

    Madhya Pradesh

    6549384

    5829972

    Maharashtra

    7109774

    6525549

    Manipur

    207481

    99810

    Meghalaya

    418254

    444264

    Mizoram

    73765

    85934

    Nagaland

    121260

    135261

    Odisha

    6610605

    5757107

    Puducherry

    45931

    59714

    Punjab

    657609

    543246

    Rajasthan

    4600000

    3804161

    Sikkim

    58557

    56675

    Tamil Nadu

    3675989

    4023939

    Telangana

    4593482

    4820573

    Tripura

    460061

    494675

    Uttar Pradesh

    11807911

    9507884

    Uttarakhand

    491114

    497777

    West Bengal

    11593207

    12251533

    Total

    102060412

    100473341

     

    This information was given by the Minister of State for Rural Development Shri Kamlesh Paswan in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.

    *****

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Payment under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 04 FEB 2025 7:11PM by PIB Delhi

    State/Union Territory-wise details of pending liabilities for material components under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (Mahatma Gandhi NREGS) as on 29.01.2025 are given at Annexure-I.

     

    State/Union Territory – wise details of pending liabilities for material components as on 29.01.2025. (Rs. in crore)

    Sl. No.

    States/UTs

    Pending liabilities for material components

    1

    Andhra Pradesh

    661.50

    2

    Arunachal Pradesh

    60.34

    3

    Bihar

    802.12

    4

    Gujarat

    11.79

    5

    Haryana

    38.27

    6

    Himachal Pradesh

    24.07

    7

    Jammu & Kashmir

    117.46

    9

    Jharkhand

    204.59

    10

    Madhya Pradesh

    290.93

    11

    Maharashtra

    1321.58

    12

    Manipur

    131.51

    13

    Meghalaya

    71.66

    14

    Rajasthan

    494.34

    15

    Sikkim

    10.11

    16

    Tamil Nadu

    496.70

    17

    Telangana

    282.74

    18

    Uttar Pradesh

    1010.49

    19

    Uttarakhand

    100.42

    Total

    6130.61

    Ladakh PFMS data is not available.

    District-wise details of employment provided to workers in Rajasthan State under Mahatma Gandhi NREGS during the financial years 2008-09 to 2009-10 and 2022-23 to 2023-24 are given at Annexure-II.

     

    District-wise details of employment provided to workers in Rajasthan State under Mahatma Gandhi NREGS during the financial year 2008-09 to 2009-10 and 2022-23 to 2023-24. (Figure in lakh)

    S.No

    District

    2008-09

    2009-10

    2022-23

    2023-24

    1

    Ajmer

    3.84

    4.25

    4.29

    4.35

    2

    Alwar

    3.26

    2.78

    1.59

    1.39

    3

    Banswara

    5.06

    4.11

    5.89

    5.98

    4

    Baran

    2.36

    1.74

    2.15

    2.00

    5

    Barmer

    6.00

    5.69

    7.00

    7.52

    6

    Bharatpur

    3.33

    3.09

    1.31

    1.12

    7

    Bhilwara

    5.00

    6.40

    5.18

    5.46

    8

    Bikaner

    4.03

    4.31

    3.29

    3.67

    9

    Bundi

    2.22

    2.14

    1.60

    1.42

    10

    Chittorgarh

    3.36

    3.72

    1.64

    1.55

    11

    Churu

    2.82

    3.12

    2.43

    2.47

    12

    Dausa

    3.32

    2.42

    1.02

    0.78

    13

    Dholpur

    2.24

    1.65

    1.14

    1.10

    14

    Dungarpur

    4.72

    4.05

    4.66

    4.82

    15

    Hanumangarh

    2.17

    3.18

    2.03

    2.08

    16

    Jaipur

    4.15

    2.28

    1.80

    1.52

    17

    Jaisalmer

    1.36

    5.03

    1.63

    1.82

    18

    Jalore

    2.41

    1.41

    2.12

    1.77

    19

    Jhalawar

    2.87

    2.38

    4.11

    4.38

    20

    Jhunjhunu

    0.92

    2.81

    0.67

    0.51

    21

    Jodhpur

    4.40

    1.19

    4.35

    4.20

    22

    Karauli

    2.64

    4.64

    2.00

    1.69

    23

    Kota

    1.44

    2.56

    1.40

    1.25

    24

    Nagaur

    4.65

    1.25

    5.29

    5.39

    25

    Pali

    3.24

    5.27

    2.55

    2.17

    26

    Pratapgarh

    0.00

    4.56

    2.95

    2.94

    27

    Rajsamand

    2.05

    0.00

    1.86

    1.81

    28

    Sawai Madhopur

    2.04

    2.21

    1.63

    1.23

    29

    Sikar

    1.94

    2.99

    0.91

    0.88

    30

    Sirohi

    1.51

    2.15

    1.38

    1.28

    31

    Sri Ganganagar

    3.89

    1.44

    2.51

    2.79

    32

    Tonk

    3.37

    2.86

    1.82

    1.73

    33

    Udaipur

    6.17

    5.39

    3.88

    3.90

    Total

    102.81

    103.05

    88.08

    86.97

     

    This information was given by the Minister of State for Rural Development, Shri Kamlesh Paswan in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.

    *****

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Families registered under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 04 FEB 2025 7:09PM by PIB Delhi

    Year-wise number of persons who availed employment under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (Mahatma Gandhi NREGS) in Udaipur, Dungarpur and Pratapgarh districts of Rajasthan from the financial year 2019-20 to the current financial year 2024-25 (as on 28.01.2025) is given below:

    Year-wise number of persons who availed employment under Mahatma Gandhi NREGS in Udaipur, Dungarpur and Pratapgarh districts of Rajasthan from the financial year 2019-20 to the current financial year 2024-25 (as on 28.01.2025)

    Financial Year

    Persons availed employment (in Nos.)

    Udaipur

    Dungarpur

    Pratapgarh

    2019-20

    399349

    432835

    211408

    2020-21

    536916

    568677

    276025

    2021-22

    454316

    537099

    294875

    2022-23

    388084

    466339

    294671

    2023-24

    389603

    482361

    293809

    2024-25

    359589

    435600

    279711

    Note: Salumber district was carved out of erstwhile Udaipur district on 7 August 2023. Separate Information in respect of this District is not available in NREGASoft.

     

    Number of persons registered under Mahatma Gandhi NREGS in Udaipur, Dungarpur and Pratapgarh districts of Rajasthan as on 28.01.2025 are given below:

    Number of persons registered under Mahatma Gandhi NREGS in Udaipur, Dungarpur and Pratapgarh districts of Rajasthan as on 28.01.2025.

    Districts

    Persons registered (in Nos.)

    Udaipur

    1207164

    Dungarpur

    806637

    Pratapgarh

    422884

    Note: Salumber district was carved out of erstwhile Udaipur district on 7 August 2023. Separate Information in respect of this District is not available in NREGASoft.

     

    Block-wise number of persons availed employment under Mahatma Gandhi NREGS in Udaipur, Dungarpur and Pratapgarh districts of Rajasthan, from the financial year 2023-24 to 2024-25 (as on 28.01.2025) are given at Annexure-I.

    Block-wise cumulative number of households issued Job Cards under Mahatma Gandhi NREGS to Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Others in Udaipur, Dungarpur and Pratapgarh districts of Rajasthan as on 28.01.2025 is at Annexure-II.

    Annexure-I

    Block-wise number of persons availed employment under Mahatma Gandhi NREGS in Udaipur, Dungarpur and Pratapgarhthe district of Rajasthan from the financial year 2023-24 to 2024-25 (as on 28.01.2025)

    Blocks of Dungarpur district

    Sl. No.

    Blocks

    Persons availed employment (in Nos.)

    2023-24

    2024-25 ( as on 28.01.25)

    1

    ASPUR

    32421

    29715

    2

    BICHHIWARA

    46007

    41742

    3

    CHIKHLI

    44987

    39552

    4

    DOVRA

    44929

    42200

    5

    DUNGARPUR

    40848

    37731

    6

    GALIYAKOT

    49498

    44815

    7

    JHONTHARI

    39290

    36310

    8

    SAABLA

    42100

    37841

    9

    SAGWARA

    87069

    75775

    10

    SEEMALWARA

    55212

    49919

     

    Total

    482361

    435600

    Block of Pratapgarh district

    1

    ARNOD

    29544

    27579

    2

    CHOTI SADRI

    25016

    22183

    3

    DALOT

    35590

    34078

    4

    DHAMOTAR

    35121

    35765

    5

    DHARIYAWAD

    50742

    48220

    6

    PEEPALAKHUNT

    44327

    42029

    7

    PRATAPGARH

    40245

    39898

    8

    SUHAGPURA

    33224

    29959

     

    Total

    293809

    279711

    Block of Udaipur district

    1

    BADGAON

    5208

    4870

    2

    BHINDAR

    13938

    14055

    3

    GIRWA

    17628

    15004

    4

    GOGUNDA

    23995

    21490

    5

    JAISAMAND

    10547

    9955

    6

    JHADOL

    21871

    21942

    7

    JHALLAARA

    27446

    26980

    8

    KHAIRWARA

    21598

    20053

    9

    KOTRA

    52319

    47605

    10

    KURABAD

    13588

    11441

    11

    LASADIA

    25757

    22864

    12

    MAVLI

    9834

    8557

    13

    NAYAGAON

    22415

    20373

    14

    PHALASIYA

    26133

    27273

    15

    RISHABHDEV

    25176

    23108

    16

    SALUMBAR

    14845

    14424

    17

    SARADA

    13452

    10510

    18

    SAYRA

    20753

    18448

    19

    SEMAARI

    17629

    16387

    20

    VALLABHNAGAR

    5471

    4250

     

    Total

    389603

    359589

    Note: Salumber district was carved out of erstwhile Udaipur district on 7 August 2023. Separate Information in respect of this District is not available in NREGASoft..
               

    Annexure-II

     

    Block-wise cumulative number of households issued Job Cards under Mahatma Gandhi NREGS to Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Others in Udaipur, Dungarpur, and Pratapgarh districts of Rajasthan as on 28.01.2025,

    Blocks of Dungarpur district

    Sl. No.

    Blocks

    Cumulative number of households issued Jobcards (as on 28.01.25)

    SCs

    STs

    Others

    Total

    1

    ASPUR

    2134

    14023

    16306

    32463

    2

    BICHHIWARA

    672

    38436

    4511

    43619

    3

    Chikhli

    541

    31521

    3631

    35693

    4

    Dovra

    674

    30547

    9311

    40532

    5

    DUNGARPUR

    526

    33829

    7046

    41401

    6

    Galiyakot

    1358

    25313

    9820

    36491

    7

    Jhonthari

    382

    30903

    4011

    35296

    8

    Saabla

    1838

    21063

    12703

    35604

    9

    SAGWARA

    2804

    35235

    24389

    62428

    10

    SEEMALWARA

    909

    31241

    9346

    41496

    Total

    11838

    292111

    101074

    405023

    Block of Pratapgarh district

    1

    ARNOD

    1581

    12529

    7047

    21157

    2

    CHOTI SADRI

    3035

    12124

    11222

    26381

    3

    DALOT

    759

    21365

    3479

    25603

    4

    DHAMOTAR

    1191

    18570

    6456

    26217

    5

    DHARIYAWAD

    1725

    39744

    5501

    46970

    6

    PEEPALAKHUNT

    371

    29780

    3490

    33641

    7

    PRATAPGARH

    3322

    12618

    14660

    30600

    8

    SUHAGPURA

    723

    19664

    1906

    22293

    Total

    12707

    166394

    53761

    232862

    Block of Udaipur district

    1

    BADGAON

    2450

    12787

    11266

    26503

    2

    BHINDAR

    2521

    6469

    20935

    29925

    3

    GIRWA

    573

    27819

    5323

    33715

    4

    GOGUNDA

    2284

    15274

    12650

    30208

    5

    JAISAMAND

    675

    15709

    5950

    22334

    6

    JHADOL

    748

    26418

    8536

    35702

    7

    JHALLAARA

    1166

    20458

    8051

    29675

    8

    KHAIRWARA

    677

    19510

    5670

    25857

    9

    KOTRA

    231

    61208

    7220

    68659

    10

    KURABAD

    1167

    9679

    9735

    20581

    11

    LASADIA

    649

    22286

    3748

    26683

    12

    MAVLI

    3971

    9194

    17170

    30335

    13

    NAYAGAON

    502

    19475

    3700

    23677

    14

    PHALASIYA

    307

    25630

    5320

    31257

    15

    RISHABHDEV

    453

    29261

    4469

    34183

    16

    SALUMBAR

    1678

    16408

    12969

    31055

    17

    SARADA

    607

    19952

    5705

    26264

    18

    SAYRA

    2204

    13312

    12156

    27672

    19

    SEMAARI

    613

    17350

    6454

    24417

    20

    VALLABHNAGAR

    1436

    2777

    9467

    13680

    TOTAL

    24912

    390976

    176494

    592382

    Note: Salumber district was carved out of erstwhile Udaipur district on 7 August 2023. Separate Information in respect of this District is not available in NREGASoft.
                       

    This information was given by the Minister of State for Rural Development Shri Kamlesh Paswan in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.

    *****

    MG/KSR/243

    (Release ID: 2099778) Visitor Counter : 29

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Construction of roads under Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojna

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Ministry of Rural Development

    Construction of roads under Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojna

    Posted On: 04 FEB 2025 7:08PM by PIB Delhi

    A total of 8,34,716 km road length has been sanctioned under various ongoing interventions/verticals of Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojna (PMGSY), out of which 7,71,641 km Road length has already been completed and upgraded as on date. The details of road length sanctioned and completed under PMGSY during the last three years, State-wise including Tamil Nadu and Gujarat is given at Annexure-I.

    The details of the Central share of funds released by the Ministry and expenditure incurred by the States (including State share) during each of the last three years, State-wise are given in Annexure-II.

    Further, the funds for implementation of the scheme are released by the Ministry to the State as a unit. Further release of funds to the Programme Implantation Units (PIUs) at the district level is done by the respective State Governments depending upon the absorption capacity of the PIU. The fund utilized in the district of Banaskantha, including State share, during each of the last three years is as follows:

    Year

    Expenditure including State share (₹ in crore)

    2021-22

    15.43

    2022-23

    19.87

    2023-24

    11.45

     

     Under PMGSY, in order to promote cost-effectiveness and new construction technologies in the construction of rural roads, including new materials/waste materials/ locally available materials, MoRD/ National Rural Infrastructure Development Agency (NRIDA) had issued ‘Guidelines on Technology Initiatives’, in May 2013. In order to promote innovations/latest technologies on large scale for wider adoption of new/ green technology in rural roads in a much systematic manner, MoRD/ NRIDA has revised the above guidelines and brought “Vision Document on New Technology Initiatives & Guidelines-2022. Under PMGSY, around 1,63,877 km of roads works has been sanctioned using new/ green technology out of which 1,14,789 km has been completed till date.

    Under PMGSY, maintenance of rural roads is the responsibility of the State/ UT Governments. The Ministry had issued guidelines for maintenance of roads constructed under the programme. Under PMGSY, roads are covered under a 5-year maintenance contract to be entered into along with a construction contract with the same contractor as per the Standard Bidding Document (SBD). Since the design life of PMGSY roads is ten years, the States have to undertake further five years of maintenance. A MoU has been signed with States/UTs to emphasize on maintenance of roads constructed under PMGSY. The Ministry has also implemented e-MARG i.e. software module for maintenance payments to the contractor during the defect liability period. The post five-year construction module of eMARG incorporates initial rehabilitation, renewal, pre- renewal routine maintenance, post-renewal maintenance and emergency repair works, as required. Maintenance funds to service the contract are required to be budgeted by the State Governments and placed at the disposal of the State Rural Roads Development Agencies (SRRDAs) in a separate maintenance account. On expiry of this 5-year post construction maintenance, PMGSY roads are required to be placed under Zonal maintenance contracts consisting of 5-year maintenance including renewal as per cycle, from time to time.

     

    The Union Cabinet on 11th September, 2024 approved implementation of the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana – IV (PMGSY-IV) during FY 2024-25 to 2028-29. Under the programme, financial assistance is to be provided for the construction of 62,500 Kms road for providing new connectivity to eligible 25,000 unconnected habitations of population size 500+ in plains, 250+ in NE & Hill Sates/UTs, special category areas (Tribal Schedule V, Aspirational Districts/Blocks, Desert areas) and 100+ in Left Wing Extremism (LWE) affected districts as per Census 2011 and construction/ upgradation of bridges on the new connectivity roads. Total outlay of this scheme will be Rs. 70,125 crores. The PMGSY-IV Guidelines have been circulated to all States/ UTs.

    Annexure-I

    State wise details of road length sanctioned and completed under PMGSY during last three years:

    (Road length in KM)

    Sl.No.

    State

    2021-22

    2022-23

    2023-24

    Road Length Sanctioned

    Road Length Completed

    Road Length Sanctioned

    Road Length Completed

    Road Length Sanctioned

    Road Length Completed

    1

    Andaman And Nicobar

    0

    14

    0

    31

    0

    43

    2

    Andhra Pradesh

    25

    1,282

    0

    1,051

    1,158

    369

    3

    Arunachal Pradesh

    0

    598

    0

    1,183

    1,743

    303

    4

    Assam

    0

    2,164

    933

    624

    0

    610

    5

    Bihar

    189

    1,862

    4,670

    1,961

    268

    2,251

    6

    Chhattisgarh

    0

    3,034

    615

    670

    1,525

    201

    7

    Goa

    0

    0

    0

    0

    0

    0

    8

    Gujarat

    0

    1,009

    0

    824

    2

    619

    9

    Haryana

    590

    1,384

    0

    414

    0

    344

    10

    Himachal Pradesh

    0

    1,624

    440

    1,126

    2,683

    317

    11

    Jammu And Kashmir

    0

    3,278

    1,217

    464

    535

    956

    12

    Jharkhand

    2,115

    995

    3,182

    1,053

    171

    1,431

    13

    Karnataka

    0

    2,560

    230

    1,629

    0

    457

    14

    Kerala

    567

    67

    0

    133

    595

    261

    15

    Madhya Pradesh

    5,408

    4,444

    982

    3,732

    295

    910

    16

    Maharashtra

    344

    199

    2,552

    1,144

    277

    1,570

    17

    Manipur

    0

    684

    0

    1,340

    502

    59

    18

    Meghalaya

    0

    826

    443

    481

    0

    399

    19

    Mizoram

    0

    346

    0

    192

    488

    149

    20

    Nagaland

    0

    198

    0

    69

    507

    132

    21

    Odisha

    3,999

    2,819

    0

    2,668

    148

    2,589

    22

    Puducherry

    0

    0

    0

    38

    0

    24

    23

    Punjab

    28

    289

    0

    453

    1,254

    956

    24

    Rajasthan

    0

    3,255

    2,384

    544

    493

    1,669

    25

    Sikkim

    0

    141

    0

    282

    305

    94

    26

    Tamil Nadu

    1,254

    2,063

    0

    847

    2,869

    985

    27

    Tripura

    0

    172

    232

    123

    550

    112

    28

    Uttar Pradesh

    12,274

    3,368

    0

    5,011

    454

    6,799

    29

    Uttarakhand

    1,157

    2,061

    1,091

    904

    1,241

    594

    30

    West Bengal

    0

    526

    857

    123

    0

    362

    31

    Telangana

    59

    631

    326

    496

    27

    493

    32

    Ladakh

    0

    109

    418

    139

    0

    41

    Total

    28,009

    42,004

    20,573

    29,749

    18,088

    26,100

     

     

    Annexure-II

    State-wise details of the funds released and expenditure incurred during last three years

    (₹ in crore)

    Sl. No.

    State Name

    Release of Central Fund

    Expenditure incurred including State share

     

    2021-22

    2022-23

    2023-24

    2021-22

    2022-23

    2023-24

    1

    Andaman And Nicobar

    9.22

    12.22

    12.22

    5.45

    7.51

    22.93

    2

    Andhra Pradesh

    50.00

    644.13

    140.64

    508.86

    748.63

    368.03

    3

    Arunachal Pradesh

    1090.60

    1018.74

    339.90

    1,279.07

    1,246.99

    320.09

    4

    Assam

    1591.50

    664.91

    391.29

    2,488.03

    1,118.21

    571.22

    5

    Bihar

    375.00

    1443.23

    963.37

    1,992.99

    2,088.54

    1,815.63

    6

    Chhattisgarh

    394.41

    995.87

    401.77

    1,902.34

    1,057.35

    388.09

    7

    Goa

    0.00

    0.00

    0.00

    0.00

    0.00

    0.00

    8

    Gujarat

    195.50

    266.63

    298.41

    400.16

    492.19

    330.33

    9

    Haryana

    353.23

    168.25

    74.01

    583.12

    213.81

    150.86

    10

    Himachal Pradesh

    517.45

    624.76

    617.56

    933.22

    626.84

    371.54

    11

    Jammu And Kashmir

    1328.34

    717.00

    1304.17

    1,485.28

    1,114.78

    1,256.96

    12

    Jharkhand

    0.00

    332.63

    752.80

    598.44

    745.63

    1,323.90

    13

    Karnataka

    704.25

    720.47

    72.25

    1,499.18

    864.71

    404.03

    14

    Kerala

    0.00

    106.76

    54.25

    46.91

    124.97

    164.95

    15

    Ladakh

    140.79

    109.97

    37.50

    109.66

    107.81

    30.44

    16

    Madhya Pradesh

    1392.25

    1557.47

    599.42

    2,419.14

    1,978.73

    1,105.16

    17

    Maharashtra

    0.00

    743.00

    1110.80

    376.73

    1,074.02

    1,507.37

    18

    Manipur

    742.00

    744.98

    161.29

    710.58

    539.11

    296.83

    19

    Meghalaya

    483.92

    405.89

    122.59

    536.92

    373.72

    238.19

    20

    Mizoram

    74.34

    584.20

    141.37

    332.86

    315.94

    381.62

    21

    Nagaland

    145.31

    183.15

    161.29

    125.83

    198.65

    94.01

    22

    Odisha

    404.12

    1235.88

    1262.55

    1,795.5

    2,088.9

    1,589.8

    23

    Puducherry

    11.66

    24.72

    0.27

    0.00

    27.08

    11.89

    24

    Punjab

    68.59

    231.06

    265.10

    295.14

    428.72

    522.95

    25

    Rajasthan

    917.51

    199.90

    404.79

    1,452.64

    372.38

    633.09

    26

    Sikkim

    107.28

    263.33

    94.37

    177.89

    230.34

    130.13

    27

    Tamil Nadu

    440.00

    613.70

    411.36

    1,169.56

    532.36

    777.78

    28

    Telangana

    86.38

    321.43

    296.9625

    410.80

    345.32

    479.41

    29

    Tripura

    73.88

    267.59

    185.03

    202.93

    152.90

    112.64

    30

    Uttar Pradesh

    1418.55

    2068.57

    2679.63

    2,074.26

    3,267.32

    3,791.65

    31

    Uttarakhand

    787.00

    1297.16

    551.05

    1,218.45

    1,350.02

    800.68

    32

    West Bengal

    49.94

    381.03

    99.275

    701.28

    394.75

    309.11

    Total

    13952.99

    18948.61

    14007.29

    27,833.22

    24,228.27

    20,301.27

    This information was given by the Minister of State for Rural Development Shri Kamlesh Paswan in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.

    *****

    MG/KSR/336

    (Release ID: 2099775)

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Removal of workers from Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 04 FEB 2025 7:07PM by PIB Delhi

    Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (Mahatma Gandhi NREGS) is a demand-driven wage employment scheme and the responsibility of implementation of the scheme is vested with the Government of concerned States/UTs. Updation /deletion of Job Cards is a regular exercise conducted by the States/UTs. However, while deleting/ removing workers/Job cards, States/UTs have to ensure compliance with provisions of the Act and ensure that no job card of deserving or eligible household is deleted/cancelled. States/UTs-wise details of number of active workers deleted/cancelled from Mahatma Gandhi NREGS during the financial years 2022-23 and 2023-24 is given below.

    A total of 86,17,887 and 68,86,532 active workers have been deleted/cancelled during the Financial Year 2022-23 and 2023-24 respectively, for reasons such as fake/duplicate/incorrect job card, family shifted out of Gram Panchayat permanently, Village becomes classified as urban etc.

    States/UTs-wise details of number of active workers deleted/cancelled from Mahatma Gandhi NREGS during the financial years 2022-23 and 2023-24

    SI. No.

    State/UTs

    2022-2023

    2023-2024

    Active Workers

    Active Workers

    1

    Andaman And Nicobar

    11

    17

    2

    Andhra Pradesh

    485757

    360840

    3

    Arunachal Pradesh

    8315

    17008

    4

    Assam

    166823

    315937

    5

    Bihar

    1403802

    237655

    6

    Chhattisgarh

    274534

    595205

    7

    Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu

    0

    2

    8

    Goa

    4

    6

    9

    Gujarat

    201611

    258451

    10

    Haryana

    10016

    7089

    11

    Himachal Pradesh

    25399

    41045

    12

    Jammu And Kashmir

    44227

    108263

    13

    Jharkhand

    344051

    242883

    14

    Karnataka

    376577

    225536

    15

    Kerala

    14863

    51335

    16

    Ladakh

    3243

    1488

    17

    Lakshadweep

    0

    0

    18

    Madhya Pradesh

    790419

    1627427

    19

    Maharashtra

    195146

    102843

    20

    Manipur

    16740

    33268

    21

    Meghalaya

    9675

    60233

    22

    Mizoram

    5587

    8802

    23

    Nagaland

    8802

    13507

    24

    Odisha

    694696

    436230

    25

    Puducherry

    309

    325

    26

    Punjab

    107228

    33404

    27

    Rajasthan

    352408

    727700

    28

    Sikkim

    1067

    2195

    29

    Tamil Nadu

    233543

    270860

    30

    Telangana

    415200

    121422

    31

    Tripura

    15820

    49765

    32

    Uttar Pradesh

    1448978

    806253

    33

    Uttarakhand

    22951

    43291

    34

    West Bengal

    940085

    86247

    Total

    8617887

    6886532
             

    This information was given by the Minister of State for Rural Development Shri Kamlesh Paswan in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.

     

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE FOR FARMING

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 04 FEB 2025 7:04PM by PIB Delhi

    The Government has employed Artificial Intelligence (AI) methods to address various challenges in the agricultural sector to aid farmers. Some of the initiatives are given below:

    1. ‘Kisan e-Mitra’, an AI-powered chatbot, has been developed to assist farmers with responses to the queries about the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme. This solution supports multiple languages and is evolving to assist with other government programs.
    2. National Pest Surveillance System, for tackling the loss of produce due to climate change, utilizes AI and Machine Learning to detect pest infestation in crop issues, enabling timely intervention for healthier crops.
    3. AI based analytics using field photographs for crop health assessment and crop health monitoring using Satellite, weather & soil moisture datasets for rice and wheat crop.

    This information was given by Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Shri Ramnath Thakur in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.

    ******

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: IMPACT OF GLOBAL WARMING AND CLIMATE CHANGE ON FARMERS

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 04 FEB 2025 7:04PM by PIB Delhi

    Yes, the Government has taken several steps towards mitigation of adverse impact of global warming and climate change on agriculture in the country including Uttar Pradesh. The National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) provides an overarching policy framework to enable the country to adapt to climate change and enhance ecological sustainability. One of the National Missions under NAPCC is the National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA), which implements strategies to make agriculture more resilient to the changing climate. Several schemes have also been initiated under NMSA to deal with the adverse climate situations. Per Drop More Crop (PDMC) scheme increases water use efficiency at the farm level through micro irrigation technologies i.e. drip and sprinkler irrigation systems. Rainfed Area Development focuses on Integrated Farming System for enhancing productivity and minimizing risks associated with climatic variability. The Soil Health & Fertility scheme assists states in promoting integrated nutrient management through judicious use of chemical fertilizers including secondary and micronutrients in conjunction with organic manures & bio-fertilizers for improving soil health and its productivity. Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture, Agroforestry & National Bamboo Mission also promote climate resilience in agriculture. Further, Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana along with weather index based Restructured Weather Based Crop Insurance Scheme provide a comprehensive insurance cover against crop failure by providing financial support to farmers suffering crop loss/damage arising out of unforeseen natural calamities. 

     

    The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) under Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, is implementing a flagship network project namely National Innovations in Climate Resilient Agriculture (NICRA). Through this project, various climate change mitigation activities have been under taken. In Uttar Pradesh, one cluster of 3 to 4 villages each from 17 districts viz., Baghpat, Bahraich, Banda, Basti, Chitrakoot, Gonda, Gorakhpur, Hamirpur, Jalaun, Jhansi, Kanpur (Dehat), Kaushambi, Kushi Nagar, Maharajganj, Pratapgarh, Sant Ravidas Nagar and Sonbhadra were taken up for technology adoption. Climate resilient technologies such as system of rice intensification, aerobic rice, direct seeding of rice, zero till wheat sowing, cultivation of climate resilient varieties tolerant to extreme weather conditions such as drought and heat; in-situ incorporation of rice residues; etc. have been developed and demonstrated in these districts. Capacity building programs to farmers on climate resilient agriculture in these districts were also undertaken.

     

    This information was given by Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Shri Ramnath Thakur in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.

    ******

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: RESTRUCTURED NATIONAL BAMBOO MISSION

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 04 FEB 2025 7:03PM by PIB Delhi

    The restructured National Bamboo Mission (NBM) has been launched as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme in 2018-19. NBM provides assistance to both the Government & private sectors for the propagation and cultivation of bamboo in non-forest land, bamboo treatment, establishment of markets, incubation centers, value added product development & processing and development of tools & equipments. The funding pattern is 60:40 between Centre and State Government for all States except NE & Hilly States, where it is 90:10 and 100% in case of Union Territories/Bamboo Technology Support Groups (BTSGs) and National Level Agencies. 

    Major objectives of the Mission are to increase the availability of quality planting materials, area expansion of bamboo cultivation, improve post-harvest management, primary treatment and seasoning, preservation technologies, market infrastructure, product development, promote skill development and re-align efforts to reduce dependency on import of bamboo and bamboo products.

    The restructured NBM is being implemented in Uttar Pradesh since 2019-20. Bareilly Bamboo cluster under NBM is Operational in Shahjahanpur District. Under the NBM, activities i.e. Nursery establishment, Bamboo Plantation, Skill Development, Demonstration of Bamboo Products etc. have been undertaken in the areas surrounding Shahjahanpur Parliamentary Constituency of Uttar Pradesh State. The details of the activities undertaken in these areas is as provided below.

    Name of District

    Plantation Area (In ha)

    Nursery Established (In Nos)

    Activities for development of Bamboo Value Chain

    Shahjahanpur

    31.00

    01

     

    Bareilly

    18.00

    01

    01 Common Facility Center (CFC),01 Bamboo Bazaar, 01 Bamboo Treatment Plant and 01 Carbonization Plant

    Sitapur

    24.00

    01

     

    Pilibhit

    17.00

    00

     

    Lakhimpur Kheri

    14.00

    00

     

     

    This information was given by Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Shri Ramnath Thakur in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: LANDLESS FARMERS WELFARE

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 04 FEB 2025 7:02PM by PIB Delhi

    No specific census/survey of landless farmers has been conducted by this Ministry. Therefore, the exact number of landless farmers and farming on crop sharing basis with land-owners in the country is not available. However, number of wholly leased-in operational holdings/landless farmers in the country as per the latest Agriculture Census 2015-16 is 5,31,285.

    Agriculture being a State subject, the State Governments undertake implementation of agricultural schemes/programmes for the welfare of farmers including landless farmers and the Government of India also supplements these efforts through implementation of various central sector/centrally sponsored schemes/programmes. Among these, the schemes which specifically cover landless, tenant farmers and sharecroppers are the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) & Restructured Weather Based Crop Insurance Scheme (RWBCIS) and Kisan Credit Card (KCC) scheme.

    Under the Kisan Credit Card (KCC) scheme, farmers receive KCC loans at a subsidized interest rate of 7%. To facilitate this, an up front interest subvention (IS) under Modified Interest Subvention Scheme (MISS) of 1.5% is provided to financial institutions. Additionally, farmers who repay their loans promptly receive a 3% Prompt Repayment Incentive (PRI), effectively reducing the interest rate to 4% per annum. The benefits of IS and PRI are available for loan limits up to Rs.3 lakhs. However, if the short-term loan is taken for allied activities (other than crop husbandry), the loan amount is limited to Rs.2 lakhs only. 

    As per master circular of RBI dated 04thJuly, 2018, under the KCC scheme, Oral lessees and Share croppers, Self Help Group or Joint Liability Groups of farmers including tenant farmers, share croppers are eligible for short term loans.

    Further, to provide relief to the farmers on occurrence of natural calamities, the component of interest subvention is available on the restructured amount to banks for the first year and such restructured loans would attract normal rate of interest from the second year onwards as per the policy laid down by RBI.

    IS and PRI on restructured crop loans is also given to farmers affected by severe natural calamities for a maximum period of 5 years based on the report of Inter-Ministerial Central Team (IMCT) for grant of NDRF assistance and Sub-Committee of National Executive Committee (SC-NEC).

    This information was given by Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Shri Ramnath Thakur in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: AGRICULTURE MARKETS

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 04 FEB 2025 7:01PM by PIB Delhi

    Agricultural Marketing is a State subject and Agricultural Produce Market Committees (APMCs) are regulated under respective State Agricultural Produce Market Committee Act of the State. The data in reference to accommodation facility for the farmers as well as parking of their carrier vehicles is not maintained centrally.

    Student READY programme is an integral part of the undergraduate degree programme in the disciplines of Agriculture, and allied areas. The five components of the Student READY programme are:

    1. Experiential Learning – Business Mode
    2. Experiential Learning – Hands on Training (Skill Development)
    3. Rural Awareness Work Experience (RAWE)
    4. In Plant Training/ Industrial attachment/ Internship
    5. Students Projects

     

    Further, the details of the Scholarships/Fellowships awarded by Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) is at Annexure-I.

    Annexure-I

    Scholarships/Fellowships awarded by Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)

    S. No.

    Schemes/Fellowships

    Number of Beneficiaries

    2022-23

    2023-24

    1

    National Talent Scholarship for Under Graduate (UG) Students

    6734

    10034

    2

    National Talent Scholarship for Post Graduate (PG) Students

    3542

    3428

    3

    PG Scholarship

    1693

    1613

    4

    Junior/Senior Research Fellowship for Ph. D Students

    1130

    1157

    5

    Internship for B.V.Sc. Students

    4652

    4996

    6

    Merit-cum-Means (MCM) Scholarship for Undergraduate studies

    417

    439

    7

    Netaji Subhas-ICAR International Fellowship for Ph. D

    39

    32

    Total

    18207

    21699

     

     

    This information was given by Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Shri Ramnath Thakur in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: IMPLEMENTATION OF THE NEW SOIL HEALTH CARD SCHEME

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 04 FEB 2025 7:00PM by PIB Delhi

    Soil Health and Fertility Scheme has been implemented by the Government since 2014-15. So far, 24.74 crore Soil Health Cards(SHC) have been generated across the country and funds amounting to ₹1706.18 crore have been released to various States/UTs. Till date, 8272 Soil Testing Labs (1068 Static Soil Testing Labs, 163 Mobile Soil Testing Labs, 6376 Mini Soil Testing Labs and 665 Village Level Soil Testing Labs) have been established across the country.

    The Soil and Land Use Survey of India, a subordinate office under the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, organizes short-term training courses (3 days) on topics such as the application of soil databases through Geographic Information System (GIS), Soil Health Management, Integrated Watershed Management (IWMP), Geo-Spatial Technology for Natural Resources Management, and Soil Survey & Mapping. These training programs are designed for officers and officials from various user agencies in different States and Union Territories. In 2024, training program was conducted for officers from the Agriculture, Forest, and Soil & Water Conservation departments of the Government of West Bengal and the North-Eastern States, and in 2025 for the officers of Agriculture Department, Government of Jammu & Kashmir.

    Till date, 665 Village-level Soil Testing Labs (VSTL) have been established in 17 States. These include those set up by the entrepreneurs and Self-Help Groups (SHGs), but their data is not maintained centrally.

    So far, the Soil and Land Use Survey of India has completed soil mapping at 1:10,000 scale for approximately 290 lakh hectares, covering 40 aspirational districts. To promote judicious use of fertilizer by farmers, the Soil and Land Use Survey of India has also generated 1,987 village-level soil fertility maps for 21 States and Union Territories.

    This information was given by Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Shri Ramnath Thakur in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: INSURANCE CLAIMS BY FARMERS

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare

    INSURANCE CLAIMS BY FARMERS

    Posted On: 04 FEB 2025 7:00PM by PIB Delhi

    The farmer applications who have availed the claims of crop insurance under Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) and Restructured Weather Based Crop Insurance Scheme (RWBCIS) in Rajasthan from 2019 to 2024, district-wise is given in Annexure –1.

    The number of farmer applications under PMFBY and RWBCIS has grown by 35.12% and 27.50% year-on-year during 2022-23 and 2023-24, respectively, and has reached an all-time high during 2023-24 since the inception of the scheme. The number of farmer applications under PMFBY and RWBCIS from 2019 to 2024 State-wise is given at

    Annexure-2.

    Government is committed to provide financial security to farmers against the crop loss due to adverse climatic conditions.   In order to secure the farmers against the crop yield losses due to natural risks/calamities, adverse weather conditions, pests & diseases etc. two major crop insurance schemes namely, PMFBY and RWBCIS are being implemented by the Government.   PMFBY provides comprehensive risk coverage from pre-sowing to post harvest losses against non-preventable natural risks whereas the RWBCIS provides indemnification for likely crop losses due to deviation in weather indices.   PMFBY is available to all farmers who insure their crops as per the provisions of the Scheme. However, the scheme is voluntary for farmers and State Governments.

    The actuarial/bidded premium rates are charged by implementing agencies. Extremely low premium rate across the country for the season is charged from the famers, which is maximum 2% of sum insured for Kharif crops, maximum 1.5% of sum insured for Rabi crops and maximum 5% of sum insured for commercial/horticultural crops.     Further, due to various interventions of Govt. of India, the premium rates under the scheme has reduced significantly due to which some States like Maharashtra, Odisha, Meghalaya, Puducherry and Jharkhand are paying farmers’ share of premium whereas the farmers are required to pay 1 rupee only. This is a step towards universalization of the scheme.  Remaining part of actuarial premium is shared by the Central and State Government on 50:50 basis except North Eastern States (from Kharif 2020) and Himalayan States (from Kharif 2023) where it is shared in the ratio of 90:10.

    Annexure -1

    District-wise details of farmer applications who have availed the claims of crop insurance in Rajasthan from 2019-20 to 2023-24

    District

    Farmer Applications to whom Claims paid under PMFBY/RWBCIS (No.)

    2019-20

    2020-21

    2021-22

    2022-23

    2023-24

    Ajmer

          48,010

       39,445

          76,561

      89,315

       1,03,912

    Alwar

          67,758

       15,747

       2,514

      37,585

        2,168

    Banswara

          35,285

          4,555

          13,139

      12,569

        9,356

    Baran

          41,628

       38,537

          59,655

      20,786

        9,395

    Barmer

       1,17,845

       1,43,193

       5,30,202

    1,52,481

       3,57,456

    Bharatpur

          43,607

          6,761

          15,133

      47,278

        4,203

    Bhilwara

          87,585

       1,03,159

       1,40,420

      95,872

       1,05,947

    Bikaner

       1,10,911

       2,11,203

       2,67,995

    1,01,439

      67,632

    Bundi

          59,231

       72,508

          70,729

      44,193

        9,587

    Chittaurgarh

       1,22,597

       56,774

       1,24,936

     

     

    Chittorgarh

     

     

     

    1,29,059

       1,38,887

    Churu

       2,57,302

        2,91,895

       2,64,576

    3,56,924

      38,244

    Dausa

          15,527

       12,532

         90

        7,836

        2,955

    Dhaulpur

       3,349

          66

          961

     

     

    Dholpur

     

     

     

        1,518

      254

    Dungarpur

          18,978

       14,536

          16,862

      25,021

        9,715

    Hanumangarh

       1,77,117

    2,31,777

       2,50,335

    2,18,984

      94,632

    Jaipur

          50,220

       50,166

          50,589

      76,582

       1,02,835

    Jaisalmer

          51,375

       65,289

          40,355

      31,220

      35,188

    Jalor

       1,08,491

       1,27,656

       3,37,612

     

     

    Jalore

     

     

     

    2,09,275

      72,150

    Jhalawar

    1,16,138

       1,35,414

       1,17,951

      88,815

      21,217

    Jhunjhunu

    1,24,499

       99,426

       1,86,095

    1,92,809

      76,186

    Jodhpur

    82,488

       81,992

       2,55,539

    1,51,266

       2,05,358

    Karauli

       5,830

          3,642

       6,652

        2,516

      137

    Kota

          54,449

       16,234

          59,719

      44,217

        5,734

    Nagaur

    91,844

       63,827

       1,51,289

    1,00,352

       1,06,183

    Pali

          47,864

       36,536

       1,26,373

      25,778

      76,189

    Pratapgarh

    38,186

       27,624

          25,578

      23,205

      22,994

    Rajsamand

    10,060

          6,526

       1,367

        6,131

        1,649

    Sawai Madhopur

    36,337

       16,183

          24,010

      35,526

      21,775

    Sikar

    85,866

       57,567

          74,066

    1,94,480

       1,30,719

    Sirohi

       5,133

          3,350

          25,001

        2,220

        8,082

    Sri Ganganagar

    86,501

       92,744

       1,01,704

      53,902

      53,188

    Tonk

    65,336

       57,600

    33,272

    1,10,177

        6,540

    Udaipur

    30,276

       29,439

    42,055

      38,748

    5,785

    Total

    22,97,623

    22,13,903

     34,93,335

    27,28,079

     19,06,252

    Annexure -2

    State-wise details of farmer applications insured under PMFBY/RWBCIS from 2019-20 to 2023-24

    State

    Numbers

    2019-20

    2020-21

    2021-22

    2022-23

    2023-24

    A & N Islands

       99

       339

      535

          173

    187

    Andhra Pradesh

    27,88,373

     

     

    1,25,63,699

      1,29,01,749

    Assam

    10,06,212

    16,60,076

    9,96,027

    4,89,983

       7,95,553

    Chhattisgarh

    40,17,118

    51,58,351

    58,38,755

        77,30,260

         81,24,956

    Goa

        886

       84

        64

          403

      234

    Gujarat

    24,80,726

     

     

     

     

    Haryana

        17,10,601

      16,50,558

      14,52,842

         14,46,631

      1,01,74,480

    Himachal Pradesh

       2,84,009

        2,40,727

       2,33,725

       2,67,643

       2,78,051

    Jammu & Kashmir

     

     

       90,834

       91,582

       2,45,630

    Jharkhand

       10,92,116

     

     

     

     

    Karnataka

       19,45,207

      15,87,801

       19,17,808

         26,84,781

         30,15,023

    Kerala

          58,135

       76,317

          98,510

       1,46,546

       1,74,141

    Madhya Pradesh

        83,97,265

      84,52,044

    92,64,216

      1,77,32,045

      1,77,95,819

    Maharashtra

        1,45,66,294

    1,24,06,368

     99,02,582

      1,07,33,909

      2,41,85,161

    Manipur

       3,256

       –  

       2,807

        4,066

        5,073

    Meghalaya

          607

        130

     

      337

      38,569

    Odisha

        48,79,301

      97,52,474

    81,73,856

    80,20,763

      1,40,97,157

    Puducherry

          12,014

       10,980

      35,818

      38,384

      42,224

    Rajasthan

        86,16,616

    1,07,59,591

    3,44,70,735

      3,90,96,690

      3,89,87,544

    Sikkim

         21

          85

       2,422

        5,025

        3,104

    Tamil Nadu

        38,93,787

      58,87,474

       59,11,015

         61,43,139

         54,55,753

    Telangana

        10,34,223

     

     

     

     

    Tripura

          36,382

        2,57,236

       3,35,514

       3,56,201

       3,73,362

    Uttar Pradesh

        46,97,567

      41,90,508

       40,68,679

         42,83,804

         60,25,293

    Uttarakhand

       2,12,675

        1,70,812

       1,82,762

       2,82,068

       2,26,809

    Total

    6,17,33,490

    6,22,61,955

    8,29,79,506

    11,21,18,132

     14,29,45,872

    This information was given by Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Shri Ramnath Thakur in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: SKILL DEVELOPMENT SCHEMES FOR FARMERS

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 04 FEB 2025 6:58PM by PIB Delhi

    The Government has initiated and is implementing the following schemes aimed to provide farmers with latest skilling requirements.

    The Government is implementing Skill Training of Rural Youth (STRY) with the objective to impart short term skill training (7 days duration) to rural youths and farmers in agriculture and allied sectors for upgradation of their knowledge and skills and promote wage/self employment in rural areas. The component aims at providing short duration skill based training programs to rural youth and farmers on agri-based vocational areas for creating a pool of skilled manpower. Recently, the STRY programme has been subsumed under ATMA cafeteria.  

    The Government is implementing skill development programmes through Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) under Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) in different States of the Country to serve as single window agricultural knowledge, resource and capacity development centres with mandate of technology assessment and demonstration for its use and capacity building. As part of its activities, the KVKs are imparting training to the farmers, farm women and rural youths on different aspects of agriculture and allied sectors (Crop Production, Horticulture, Soil Health and Fertility Management, Livestock Production and Management, Home Science/Women empowerment, Agril. Engineering, Plant Protection, Fisheries, Production of Input at site, Agro forestry etc.) for their capacity building.

    A Centrally Sponsored Scheme on ‘Support to State Extension Programmes for Extension Reforms’ popularly known as Agriculture Technology Management Agency (ATMA) is implemented across the country by the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare. The scheme promotes decentralized farmer-friendly Extension system in the country with an objective to support State Government’s efforts to revitalize the extension system and making available the latest agricultural technologies and good agricultural practices in different thematic areas of agriculture and allied areas to farmers, farm women and youth, through various interventions like Farmers Training, Demonstrations, Exposure Visits, Kisan Melas etc.  Presently, the scheme is being implemented in 739 districts of 28 States & 5 UTs in the country.

    The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare is implementing ‘Sub Mission on Agricultural Mechanization’ (SMAM). For implementation of this scheme Four Farm Machinery Training & Testing Institutes (FMTTIs) located at Budni (Madhya Pradesh), Hissar (Haryana), Geraldine (Andhra Pradesh) and Biswanath Chariali (Assam) are engaged in the country for imparting skill development training courses to different categories of beneficiaries like farmers, technicians, under graduate engineers, entrepreneurs on selection, operation, repair and maintenance, energy conservation and management of agricultural equipments.

    Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY), an umbrella scheme of Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, is implemented for ensuring holistic development of agriculture and allied sectors. There is provision for allowing the states to choose their own agriculture and allied sector development activities including training programmes as per the district/state agriculture plan.

    The Government has launched National Skill Development Mission under the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) in July 2015, under which the DA&FW has been operationalizing skill training courses of minimum 200 hours duration for rural youth and farmers as per the approved Qualification Packs developed by Agriculture Skill Council of India (ASCI) in the areas of agriculture and allied sectors. Recently, this programme has been subsumed under ATMA cafeteria. 

    The details of the number of farmers benefited/trained under the skill development schemes implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare during the last three years, year-wise is given as under:

    S.No.

    Schemes

    Number of Farmers Trained

    Total

    2021-22

    2022-23

    2023-24

    1.

    STRY

    10456

    11634

    20940

    43030

    2.

    KVK

    1691744

    1953220

    2156363

    5801327

    3.

    ATMA

    1359069

    1428446

    1207207

    3994722

    4.

    SMAM

    13261

    15440

    14971

    43672

    5.

    RKVY

    —

    3799

    2951

    6750

    6.

    MSDE

    3470

    3715

    718

    7903

     

    Total

    3078000

    3416254

    3403150

    9897404

     

    The funds allotted/utilized under respective schemes in the districts of Tiruchirappalli and Pudukottai are given as under:

    District : Tiruchirappalli.

    (Rs. in Lakhs)

    S.No

    Schemes

    2021-22

    2022-23

    2023-24

     

     

    Funds alloted

    Funds utilized

    Funds alloted

    Funds utilized

    Funds alloted

    Funds utilized

    1.

    STRY

    0.42

    0.42

    0.42

    0.42

    1.26

    1.26

    2.

    ATMA

    51.5

    51.5

    24.9

    24.9

    21

    21

    3.

    TNSDC STRY

    0.88704

    0.88704

    0.68544

    0.68544

    —

    —

     

    Total

    52.80704

    52.80704

    26.00544

    26.00544

    22.26

    22.26

    Source: State Department of Agriculture, Government of Tamil Nadu

     

    District : Pudukottai

    (Rs. in Lakhs)

    S.No

    Schemes

    2021-22

    2022-23

    2023-24

     

     

    Funds alloted

    Funds utilized

    Funds alloted

    Funds utilized

    Funds alloted

    Funds utilized

    1.

    STRY

    0.84

    0.84

    0.42

    0.42

    1.26

    1.26

    2.

    ATMA

    56.40

    56.40

    39.50

    39.50

    19.60

    19.60

    3.

    TNSDC STRY

    1.69

    1.65

    0.60

    0.58

    —

    —

     

    Total

    58.93

    58.89

    40.52

    40.50

    20.86

    20.86

    Source: State Department of Agriculture, Government of Tamil Nadu.

    This information was given by Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Shri Ramnath Thakur in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: PROJECT VISTAAR

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 04 FEB 2025 6:57PM by PIB Delhi

    Project VISTAAR (Virtually Integrated System To Access Agricultural Resources) aims to develop a unified, federated digital ecosystem for agriculture by integrating reliable, validated and up-to-date resources across platforms. It focuses on enhancing scalability, accessibility and inclusivity of digital solutions while enabling two-way communication to incorporate farmer feedback. By driving center-state convergence, fostering partnerships with stakeholders and aligning with broader efforts of ICAR Institutes and State Agricultural Universities. VISTAAR supports the development of robust Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) for agricultural extension. Its goal is to empower farmers with actionable information, streamline collaboration and ensure the long-term sustainability of digital agricultural extension initiatives.

    Digitalization of the existing agricultural extension system aims to expand its outreach substantially and enable every farmer to access high-quality advisory services on crop production, marketing, value and supply chain management and Climate Smart Agricultural (CSA) practices, weather advisories etc. The advisory services provide information about all Government schemes related to agriculture & allied sectors from which the farmers are benefited.

    The Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare has signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with states of Odisha, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan to onboard their technical and content review committees onto the network and have started work on small pilots.

    Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare supports existing VISTAAR project implementation. No separate funds are allotted.

    VISTAAR aims integration with all initiatives and federal solutions via the network for access of farmers to up-to date information. This includes leveraging AI enabled chatbots deployed at the ground level and subsequent integration with Agristack.

    Efforts for VISTAAR includes extension worker training on the digital bots. This can be facilitated through existing partnerships and network volunteers for conducting training to Front Line Extension Workers (FLEW) to enhance video production skills and handling advanced IT tools to access required information at field level for providing further training to farmers in a phased manner.

    Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) have been signed with EkStep Foundation which is a not for profit organization for development of the VISTAAR DPI network on pro-bono basis. VISTAAR is also supported by not for profit organizations like Digital Green for content development on pro-bono basis. IIT-Madras has signed an MoU with DA&FW for sharing content on Agri-Startups for the benefit of farmers on pro-bono basis. 

    This information was given by Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Shri Ramnath Thakur in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: PROJECTS UNDER AGRICULTURE INFRASTRUCTURE FUND

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 04 FEB 2025 6:55PM by PIB Delhi

    With an objective to address the existing gaps in post-harvest management infrastructure in the country, the flagship scheme of Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF) was launched in 2020-21 to strengthen the infrastructure in the country through creation of farm gate storage and logistics infrastructure to enable farmers to store and preserve their farm produce properly and sell them in the market at better price with reduced post-harvest losses and lesser number of intermediaries. Improved post-harvest management infrastructure like warehouses, Cold stores, sorting and grading units, ripening chambers etc will allow farmers to sell directly to a larger base of consumers and hence, increase value realization for the farmers. This will improve the overall income of farmers.  As on 26.01.2025, Rs. 56334 Crores have been sanctioned for 92393 projects under AIF, out of this total sanctioned amount, ₹41996 crores are covered under scheme benefits. These sanctioned projects have mobilized an investment of Rs.91856 crores in agriculture sector.

    In state of Andhra Pradesh, ₹2819 cr (Including Rs. 924 in principle sanctions for PACS by NABARD) have been sanctioned for 2686 projects under AIF. The total project cost for these sanctioned projects is ₹4124 crore. The district- wise details of projects identified and approved for providing support under Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF) in the State of Andhra Pradesh is given in Annexure.

    As per the MoU signed by The Department with the Banks and other lending institutions, Interest rate on AIF loans should not exceed the cap fixed at 9% per annum. Again, all loans under this financing facility will have interest subvention of 3% per annum up to a limit of ₹ 2 crore. This subvention will be available for a maximum period of 7 years. In case of loans beyond ₹ 2 crore, then interest subvention will be limited up to ₹ 2 crore.

    As on 26.01.2025, Rs. 56334 Crores have been sanctioned to applicants for 92393 projects under AIF which leaves an amount of Rs 43,666 crore remain to be sanctioned by the lending institutions by 2025-26.

    To achieve the ambitious target of ₹1 lakh crore within the deadline, a series of strategic initiatives have been undertaken. The Union Cabinet has approved the progressive expansion of the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF). Key measures include allowing viable community farming assets for all eligible beneficiaries, including secondary processing projects integrated with primary processing in eligible activities, and converging AIF with PM-KUSUM Component-A. Additionally, NABSanrakshan is also included in scheme to extend credit guarantee support to FPOs. The recently concluded annual Bankers’ Conclave on 23.01.2025 at NABARD, Mumbai brought together top executives from banks and financial institutions to strengthen commitment and accelerate approvals. Additionally, multiple state-level conclaves are being planned over the coming months to engage regional stakeholders, address challenges, and enhance outreach. Regular interaction with AIF Nodal Officers of banks and state governments is being conducted to boost awareness, streamline processes, and promote the AIF initiative effectively. These efforts aim to create momentum, ensure timely sanctions, and drive funding toward the ₹1 lakh crore target.

    Annexure

     

    The district- wise details of projects identified and approved for providing support under Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF) in the State of Andhra Pradesh

     

     (Amount in Rs Crore)

    SN

    District

    Sanctioned No.

    Sanctioned Amt.

    1

    East Godavari

    258

    228

    2

    Guntur

    116

    195

    3

    Krishna

    199

    143

    4

    Palnadu

    101

    127

    5

    West Godavari

    284

    109

    6

    Sri Potti Sriramulu Nellore

    111

    95

    7

    Eluru

    116

    94

    8

    Ananthapuramu

    114

    85

    9

    Nandyal

    160

    83

    10

    Kakinada

    101

    75

    11

    Vizianagaram

    186

    72

    12

    Srikakulam

    187

    72

    13

    Bapatla

    89

    71

    14

    Kurnool

    90

    66

    15

    Tirupati

    42

    58

    16

    Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Konaseema

    127

    55

    17

    Ntr

    48

    50

    18

    Prakasam

    69

    48

    19

    Chittoor

    31

    44

    20

    Y.S.R.

    58

    35

    21

    Parvathipuram Manyam

    64

    29

    22

    Sri Sathya Sai

    54

    23

    23

    Anakapalli

    42

    17

    24

    Visakhapatnam

    24

    15

    25

    Alluri Sitharama Raju

    9

    6

    26

    Annamayya

    6

    2

    Grand Total

    2686

    1895#

    *Information is based on the applications received on AIF portal.

    # Excluding the Rs. 924 Crore in principle sanctions for PACS by NABARD

    This information was given by Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Shri Ramnath Thakur in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.

    ******

     MG/KSR

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Potassium Derived from Molasses (PDM), a by-product of sugar industry has minimum 14.5% potash and can be used by farmers in field as an alternative to MOP (Muriate of Potash with 60% potash content) reducing the dependence on imported potash

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Potassium Derived from Molasses (PDM), a by-product of sugar industry has minimum 14.5% potash and can be used by farmers in field as an alternative to MOP (Muriate of Potash with 60% potash content) reducing the dependence on imported potash

    Institute of Pesticides Formulation and Technology works on supporting adoption of greener technologies and development of user & environment friendly new pesticide formulations

    Posted On: 04 FEB 2025 6:52PM by PIB Delhi

    Potassium Derived from Molasses (PDM) is a by-product of sugar industry. PDM has minimum 14.5% potash and can be used by farmers in field as an alternative to MOP (Muriate of Potash with 60% potash content). Thus, PDM can reduce the dependence on imported potash. PDM was notified under Fertilizer Control Order (1985) in 2009, and in order to incentivize the use of PDM, it was inducted under Nutrient Based Subsidy scheme since Rabi, 2022. During 2024-25, Rs. 345 per tonne of subsidy has been fixed for PDM.

    Potash and Glauconite(Potassic mineral) have been classified as Critical and Strategic Minerals under “The Mines & Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment (MMDR) Act, 2023” by Ministry of Mines which aims to enhance domestic production and achieve self- sufficiency in critical minerals. MMDR Act, 1957 ensure that critical minerals are produced, processed, and recycled by catalyzing investments from governments and the private sector across the full value chain, emphasizing the importance of sustainable and responsible mineral management practices. The Central Government has also commenced the auction of mineral blocks for critical & strategic minerals as per provisions of MMDR Act, 1957. As on 10.12.2024, Ministry of Mines have successfully auctioned 5 mineral blocks of Glauconite(Potassic mineral).

    Chemical sector is broadly de-regulated and delicensed sector. The manufacturing, import, export, transportation etc. of Ammonium Nitrate are being regulated by Ammonium Nitrate Rules, 2012. Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO) issues licenses for manufacture, storage, transportation, import and export of Ammonium Nitrate under these rules. The licenses for manufacturing of Ammonium Nitrate are issued based on Industrial Licenses issued by Department of Promotion of Industry & Internal Trade (DPIIT).

     In Budget 2024-25, Basic Custom Duty (BCD) on Ammonium Nitrate has been increased from 7.5% to 10% to support existing and new capacities in pipeline. Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR), Department of Commerce provides a level playing platform to the domestic industry against the adverse impact of the unfair trade practices viz. dumping, actionable subsidies, circumvention etc. from any exporting country by using effective Trade Remedial measures such as anti-dumping and safeguard measures. However, currently, there are no pending applications seeking  protection in terms of import barriers like anti-dumping duty or countervailing duty/anti-subsidy duty on Ammonium Nitrate.

    The Government has approved the Market Development Assistance (MDA) @ Rs. 1500/MT to promote organic fertilizers, i.e. manure produced at plants under GOBARdhan initiative covering different Biogas/CBG support schemes/programmes of stakeholder Ministries/Departments such as Sustainable Alternative Towards Affordable Transportation (SATAT) scheme of Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG), ‘Waste to Energy’ programme of Ministry of New & Renewable Energy (MNRE), Swachh Bharat Mission (Rural) of Department of Drinking Water & Sanitation (DDWS), etc. with total outlay of Rs. 1451.84 crore (FY 2023-24 to 2025-26), which includes a corpus of Rs. 360 crore for research gap funding, etc.

    Further, Institute of Pesticides Formulation and Technology works on supporting adoption of greener technologies and development of user & environment friendly new pesticide formulations. UNIDO FARM (Financing Agrochemical Reduction and Management) Project undertaken by HIL (India) Ltd. to detoxify the agriculture sector by eliminating the use of highly hazardous pesticides and Persistent Organic Pollutants. The project focuses on three types of bio-pesticides: Btk (Bacillus thuringiensis kurstaki), Neem, and Trichoderma spp. Btk, a strain of the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis, which is effective for controlling caterpillar pests, while Neem controls a wide range of insect pests. Trichoderma provides effective control against soil-borne fungal diseases and enhances plant growth.

    This information was given by the Union Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilizers Smt Anupriya Patel in Rajya Sabha in written reply to a question today.

    *****

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: The Government announced New Investment Policy (NIP) – 2012 on 2nd January, 2013 and its amendment on 7th October, 2014 to facilitate fresh investment in the urea sector and to make India self-sufficient in the urea sector

    Source: Government of India (2)

    The Government announced New Investment Policy (NIP) – 2012 on 2nd January, 2013 and its amendment on 7th October, 2014 to facilitate fresh investment in the urea sector and to make India self-sufficient in the urea sector

    Total 6 new urea units have been set up under NIP-2012 which includes 4 urea units set up through Joint Venture Companies (JVC) of nominated PSUs and 2 urea units set up by the private companies

    Posted On: 04 FEB 2025 6:51PM by PIB Delhi

    With regard to Urea, the Government had announced New Investment Policy (NIP) – 2012 on 2nd January, 2013 and its amendment on 7th October, 2014 to facilitate fresh investment in the urea sector and to make India self-sufficient in the urea sector. Total 6 new urea units have been set up under NIP-2012 which includes 4 urea units set up through Joint Venture Companies (JVC) of nominated PSUs and 2 urea units set up by the private companies. The units set up through JVC are Ramagundam urea unit of Ramagundam Fertilizers and Chemicals Ltd (RFCL) in Telangana and 3 urea units namely Gorakhpur, Sindri and Barauni of Hindustan Urvarak & Rasayan Limited (HURL) in Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand and Bihar, respectively. The units set up by private companies are Panagarh urea unit of MatixFertilizers and Chemicals Ltd. (Matix) in West Bengal; and Gadepan-III urea unit of Chambal Fertilizers and Chemicals Ltd. (CFCL) in Rajasthan. Each of these units has installed capacity of 12.7 Lakh Metric Tonne per annum (LMTPA). These units are highly energy efficient as they are based on latest technology. Therefore, these units have together added urea production capacity of 76.2 LMTPA, thereby total indigenous urea production capacity (Reassessed Capacity, RAC) has increased from 207.54 LMTPA during 2014-15 to 283.74 LMTPA during 2023-24. Further, an exclusive policy for the revival of Talcher unit of FCIL through JVC of nominated PSUs namely Talcher Fertilizers Limited (TFL) by setting up a new Greenfield urea plant of 12.7 LMTPA at coal gasification route has also been approved.

    In addition, the Government also notified the New Urea Policy (NUP) – 2015 on 25thMay, 2015 for the existing 25 gas-based urea units with one of the objectives of maximizing indigenous urea production beyond RAC. The NUP-2015 has led to additional production of urea by 20-25 LMT as compared to the production during 2014-15 annually.

     Above steps together have facilitated increase of Urea production from level of 225 LMT per annum during 2014-15 to a record Urea Production at 314.07 LMT during 2023-24.

     With regard to P & K fertilizers, the Government has implemented Nutrient Based Subsidy Policy w.e.f. 01.04.2010 for Phosphatic and Potassic (P&K) Fertilizers. Under the policy, a fixed amount of subsidy, decided on annual/bi-annual basis, is provided on notified P&K fertilizers depending on their nutrient content. The P&K sector is decontrolled and the fertilizer companies manufacture/import/develop domestic production capacities of fertilizers as per the market dynamics. Further, to reduce dependency on imported fertilizers, the following measures have been taken by the Government & private sector:

    1. Based on the requests, the new manufacturing units or increase in manufacturing capacity of existing units have been recognized / taken on record under the NBS subsidy scheme, with a view to boost manufacturing and make country self-reliant in fertilizer production.

    2. Potash derived from Molasses (PDM) which is 100% indigenously manufactured fertilizer has been notified under Nutrient based subsidy (NBS) scheme.

    3. Freight Subsidy on SSP, which is an indigenously manufactured fertilizer, is applicable since Kharif, 2022 to promote SSP usage for providing Phosphatic or ‘P’ nutrient to the soil.

     The Economic Survey 2024-25 states that the Indian agriculture sector provides livelihood support to about 46.1 per cent of the population and has a share of 16 per cent in the country’s GDP at current prices. Fertilizers, water and seeds are vital inputs for achieving higher agricultural production in the country. Government has undertaken various efforts as mentioned in above paras during the last decade due to which the total all fertilizer production has increased from 385.39 LMT in 2014-15 to 503.35 LMT in 2023-24.

    This information was given by the Union Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilizers Smt Anupriya Patel in Rajya Sabha in written reply to a question today.

    *****

    MV/AKS

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Union Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan to launch Watershed Yatra tomorrow

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 04 FEB 2025 6:48PM by PIB Delhi

    Union Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan to launch Watershed Yatra in Hybrid mode tomorrow at 12:00 Noon. Department of Land Resources, Ministry of Rural Development, Govt. of India is starting a mass outreach campaign “Watershed Yatra”, to generate people’s participation and create awareness about the Watershed Development activities carried out under Watershed Development Component of Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (WDC-PMKSY 2.0) in project areas.

    The Yatra will help in achieving “Community Driven Approach”, galvanise the implementation machinery at field level and highlights the importance of sustainable management of natural resources for improving agriculture productivity, livelihoods, and the environment. The major activities to be carried out during the Watershed Yatra inter-alia include;

    • Bhoomi Poojan of New Works,
    • Lokarpan of Completed works,
    • Watershed Mahotsav,
    • Watershed ki Panchayat,
    • Awards and recognitions to the Watershed Margdarshaks in project areas
    • Bhumi-Jal Pitch and
    • Shramdan etc.

    The outreach campaign will consist of Van movement for around 60-90 days across 805 projects, which cover 6673 GPs (13587 villages) in 26 States and 2 UTs.

    As pre-launch activities for the Yatra, 1,509 Gram Sabhas have been conducted; 1,640 Prabhat pheris have been conducted; 2,043 locations have been identified for Bhumipoojan; 1,999 works have been identified for Lokarpan; 1,196 locations have been identified for Shramdan; and 557 locations have been identified for horticultural plantations. 

    During, the Watershed Yatra, felicitation of “Watershed Margdarshaks” at project level ; Experience sharing by “Watershed Margdarshaks”; Watershed ki Panchayat – talk by experts and  around 8,000 individuals in different Project Areas will be honoured, which will further motivate them.

    The Department has also developed a Learning Management System (LMS) relating to the domain of Watershed Development, to be hosted on DoLR’s website, which has linked to MY Bharat portal for further engagement of youth. A certificate will be issued to participating youths, which will motivate them to participate in Shramdaan activities.

    A mega event for “Watershed Yatra” has been created on ‘MY Bharat portal’ to connect with and involve Youths across the country. This will help in mobilizing youth volunteers for activities like Shramdan, strengthening community participation in watershed projects and will help in better implementation of WDC-PMKSY 2.0 scheme. This will also help in creating a community cadre of watershed workers and leaders.

    *****

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Chaman Arora awarded Sahitya Akademi Award 2024 in Dogri for his book “Ik Hor Ashwthama”

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 04 FEB 2025 6:35PM by PIB Delhi

    Sri Madhav Kaushik, President, Sahitya Akademi, has approved Sahitya Akademi Award 2024 in Dogri for Ik Hor Ashwthama (Short Stories) by Late Chaman Arora. The book was selected on the basis of recommendation made by the Jury comprising three members in accordance with the rules and procedures laid down for the purpose. The book was selected unanimously. The names of the Jury members on whose recommendation the Sahitya Akademi Award 2024 in Dogri is declared are given below:

     

                           Language

       Jury Members

                        

                              Dogri

     

    1. Dr. Sushma Rani

    2. Dr. Veena Gupta

    3. Dr. Jitendra Udhampuri

     

    The Award in the form of a casket containing an engraved copper-plaque and a payment of Rs.1,00,000/- will be presented to the family member/nominee of the awardee at a special function will be held on 8 March 2025 at New Delhi.

    ****

    Sunil Kumar Tiwari

    E-mail: – pibculture[at]gmail[dot]com

    (Release ID: 2099736) Visitor Counter : 8

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: District Mineral Foundation (DMF)

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 04 FEB 2025 6:19PM by PIB Delhi

    PMKKKY mandates DMFs to spend funds on priority sectors viz. Drinking Water, Environment Preservation and Pollution Control measures, Health Care, Education, Welfare of Women and Children, Welfare of aged and differently-abled, Skill Development and Livelihood generation, Sanitation, Housing, Agriculture and Animal Husbandry and other priority sectors which helps in improving the lives of peoples in mining-affected areas. Till November 2024, cumulative amount of Rs 1,02,083.03 Cr. has been collected in DMFs across country, out of which Rs 87,357.28 Cr. has been sanctioned for 3.60 lakh projects. A total 2.01 lakh projects have been completed and an amount of Rs.54,892 Cr. has been spent.

    To ensure effective implementation of the PMKKKY scheme, the Central Government has issued revised PMKKKY guidelines in January, 2024. Some of the key features of these guidelines includes utilisation of at least 70% of DMF funds in the directly affected area and high priority sectors, mandatory audit of DMF accounts by C&AG, inclusion of elected representatives i.e. MPs, MLAs and MLCs in the Governing Council, grievance redressal, compliance mechanism, and establishment of State Level Monitoring Committee under the chairmanship of Chief Secretary.

    The PMKKKY guidelines 2024 provides that Gram Sabha/ Local Bodies may aid in preparation of perspective plan. Further, these guidelines also mandates that the utilization of DMF Funds in the scheduled areas shall be guided by the provisions contained in Article 244 read with Schedule V and Schedule VI to the Constitution relating to administration of the Scheduled Areas and Tribal Areas and the Provisions of the Panchayats (Extension of the Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996 and the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006.

    This information was given by Union Minister of Coal and Mines Shri G. Kishan Reddy on 3rd February, 2025 in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.

    ****

    Shuhaib T

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Rural Education Statistics

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Ministry of Education

    Rural Education Statistics

    Posted On: 04 FEB 2025 6:13PM by PIB Delhi

    Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) 2024

     

    Introduction

     

    The Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) 2024 is a nationwide rural household survey that reached 649,491 children in 17,997 villages across 605 rural districts in India. Further, ASER surveyors visited 15,728 government schools with primary sections. 8,504 were primary schools and 7,224 were schools which also had upper primary or higher grades.

     

    Key Findings for Pre-primary (age group 3-5 years)

     

    1. Enrollment in pre-primary institutions
    • Among children aged 3-5 years, enrollment in some type of pre-primary institution (Anganwadi centre, government pre-primary class, or private LKG/UKG) has improved steadily between 2018 and 2024.
    • Among 3-year-olds, enrollment in pre-primary institutions increased from 68.1% in 2018 to 77.4% in 2024. Gujarat, Maharashtra, Odisha, and Telangana have achieved near-universal enrollment for this age group.
    • Among 4-year-olds, the all-India figure for enrollment in pre-primary institutions increased from 76% in 2018 to 83.3% in 2024. In 2024, enrollment rates in pre-primary for this age exceed 95% in states like Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Odisha.
    • Among 5-year-olds, this figure also showed big increases, rising from 58.5% in 2018 to 71.4% in 2024. The states with enrollment exceeding 90% in pre-primary institutions for this age include Karnataka, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Kerala, and Nagaland.

     

    1. Type of pre-primary institution
    • Anganwadi centres continue to be the biggest provider of services in pre-primary age group in India.
    • Approximately one-third of all 5-year-olds attend a private school or pre-school in 2024. This figure was 37.3% in 2018, fell to 30.8% in 2022, and returned to 37.5% in 2024.

     

    1. Age of entry to Standard (Std) I
    • The proportion of children who are “underage” (age 5 or below) is decreasing over time. In 2018, this figure was 25.6%, in 2022 it stood at 22.7%, and in 2024, nationally the percentage of underage children in Std I was at its lowest ever at 16.7%. On average, this proportion has either declined or remained stable across all states in India.

     

    Key Findings for Elementary (age group 6-14 years)

     

    1. Enrollment
    • Overall school enrollment rates among the 6-14 age group have exceeded 95% for close to 20 years. This proportion has stayed almost the same, from 98.4% in 2022 to 98.1% in 2024. Across all states, enrollment in this age group is above 95% in 2024.
    • In 2018, 65.5% of children in the 6-14 age group in India were enrolled in government schools. By 2024, the all-India figure increased to 66.8%.

     

    1. Reading
    • Std III: The percentage of Std III children able to read Std II level text was 20.9% in 2018. This figure increased to 23.4% in 2024. The improvement in government schools is higher than the corresponding recovery for private schools. Following a decline in Std III reading levels in government schools in most states in 2022, all states have shown a recovery in 2024. States with more than a 10-percentage point increase in this proportion between 2022 and 2024 in government schools include Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Kerala, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Odisha, and Maharashtra.
    • Std V: Reading levels improved substantially among Std V children, especially for those who are enrolled in government schools. The proportion of Std V children in government schools who can read a Std II level text fell from 44.2% in 2018 to 38.5% in 2022 and then recovered to 44.8% in 2024. In 2024, Mizoram (64.9%) and Himachal Pradesh (64.8%) had the highest proportions of Std V children in government schools able to read Std II level text. States with over a 10-percentage point increase in this proportion in government schools include Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, and Tamil Nadu.
    • Std VIII: Reading levels increased among children enrolled in Std VIII in government schools, which fell from 69% in 2018 to 66.2% in 2022 but then rose to 67.5% in 2024. Government schools in states such as Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, and Sikkim show notable improvements.

     

    1. Arithmetic
    • Std III: The all-India figure for children in Std III who are able to do a numerical subtraction problem was 28.2%. This figure has increased to 33.7% in 2024. Among government school students, this figure went from 20.9% in 2018 to 27.6% in 2024. For private school students, this number showed a smaller improvement since 2022. Government schools across most states have shown gains since 2022, with over 15-percentage point increases recorded in states like Tamil Nadu and Himachal Pradesh.
    • Std V: At the all-India level, the proportion of children in Std V who can do a numerical division problem has also improved. This figure was 27.9% in 2018 and then rose to 30.7% in 2024. This change is also driven mainly by government schools. States with the showing most improvement (more than 10-percentage points) in government schools include Punjab and Uttarakhand.
    • Std VIII: The performance of Std VIII students in basic arithmetic remains similar to earlier levels, going from 44.1% in 2018 to 45.8% in 2024.

     

    Key Findings for Older children (age group 15-16 years)

     

    1. Enrollment
    • The proportion of 15-16-year-old children who are not enrolled in school dropped sharply from 13.1% in 2018 to 7.9% in 2024 at the all-India level.

     

    1. Digital literacy
    • Access to smartphones is close to universal among the 14-16 age group. Almost 90% of both girls and boys report having a smartphone at home. More than 80% report knowing how to use a smartphone.
    • Of the children who could use a smartphone, 27% of 14-year-olds and 37.8% of 16-year-olds reported having their own phone.
    • 82.2% of all children in the 14-16 age group reported knowing how to use a smartphone. Of these, 57% reported using it for an educational activity in the preceding week while 76% said that they had used it for social media during the same period. While the use of a smartphone for educational activities was similar among girls and boys, girls were less likely than boys to report using social media (78.8% of boys as compared to 73.4% of girls). Kerala stands out in this respect, with over 80% children who reported that they used the smartphone for educational activity and over 90% using it for social media.
    • Among children who used social media, knowledge of basic ways to protect themselves online was relatively high. 62% knew how to block or report a profile, 55.2% knew how to make a profile private, and 57.7% knew how to change a password.

     

     

    Key Findings of School Observations

     

    1. Foundational Literacy and Numeracy (FLN) activities
    • Over 80% of schools had received a directive from the government to implement Foundational Literacy and Numeracy (FLN) activities with Std I-II/III, both in the previous as well as in the current academic year. A similar proportion had at least one teacher who had received in-person training on FLN.
    • More than 75% schools had received Teaching Learning Material (TLM) and/or funds to make or purchase TLM for FLN activities.
    • More than 75% schools reported implementing a school readiness program for students prior to entering Std I, in both the previous and the current academic year.
    • More than 95% schools reported having distributed textbooks to all grades in the school, a substantial increase over 2022 levels.

     

    1. Student and teacher attendance
    • Student and teacher attendance in government primary schools show small but consistent improvements since 2018. Average student attendance increased from 72.4% in 2018 to 75.9% in 2024.
    • Average teacher attendance increased from 85.1% in 2018 to 87.5% in 2024. This trend is largely driven by changes in teacher and student attendance in Uttar Pradesh.

     

    1. Small schools and multigrade classrooms
    • The proportion of government primary schools with less than 60 students enrolled shows a sharp increase, rising from 44% in 2022 to 52.1% in 2024. More than 80% primary schools in these states are small schools: Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Nagaland, and Karnataka. Himachal Pradesh has the highest proportion of small Upper primary schools at 75%.
    • Two-thirds of Std I and Std II classrooms in primary schools were multigrade, with students from more than one grade sitting together.

     

    1. School facilities
    • Nationally, all Right to Education-related indicators included in ASER have shown small improvements between 2018 and 2024 levels. For example, the fraction of schools with useable girls’ toilets increased from 66.4% in 2018 to 72% in 2024.
    • The proportion of schools with drinking water available increased from 74.8% to 77.7%, and the proportion of schools with books other than textbooks being used by students increased from 36.9% to 51.3% over the same period.
    • Sports-related indicators remain at close to the levels observed in 2018. For example, in 2024, 66.2% schools have a playground, similar to 66.5% in 2018.

     

    References

    https://asercentre.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ASER_2024_Final-Report_25_1_24.pdf

    Rural Education Statistics

    *********

    Santosh Kumar | Sarla Meena | Rishita Aggarwal

    (Release ID: 2099725)

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: The Indian Statistical Institute (ISI) celebrates 59th Convocation, Prof. Abhijit Banerjee delivered convocation Address

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 04 FEB 2025 6:13PM by PIB Delhi

    The Indian Statistical Institute (ISI), one of the country’s premier institutions in the field of statistical research and education, and an institution of national importance, hosted its 59th Convocation Ceremony at its Delhi center on Tuesday, February 4, 2025, marking a significant milestone in the academic and professional journey of its graduates. The ceremony was presided over by Prof. Sankar Kumar Pal, President of the Institute, with Dr. Saurabh Garg, IAS, Secretary, Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI), gracing the occasion as the Special Guest. The Chief Guest for the ceremony was Prof. Abhijit Banerjee, recipient of the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences and Ford Foundation International Professor of Economics at MIT, USA, who delivered the Convocation Address.

    The event began with the traditional Academic Procession by the members of the Academic Council of the Institute followed by singing of the Vedic Hymn by members of the staff and students of the Institute and proceeded with the formal Opening of the Convocation and Welcome Address by the President of the Institute. He reminded the students that the degree they received has a very high academic value that comes with great responsibilities and that when you belong to a privileged group you should apply your acquired knowledge to improve knowledge of the less privileged ones and give back something positive to the society. Prof. Sanghamitra Bandyopadhyay, Director of ISI presented the Annual Review, outlining the Institute’s academic achievements and progress. Afterward, Dr. Saurabh Garg addressed the gathering as the Special Guest. In his address, he highlighted the role of official statistics in evidence-based policy-making and in realising the vision of making India a developed Nation or Viksit Bharat by 2047. While felicitating the graduating students, he also stated that they will get a unique opportunity to contribute through their skillsets, to the transformative journey towards a Viksit Bharat. He also highlighted various initiatives undertaken by MoSPI for enhancing user friendly data dissemination and reforms of the sample surveys to provide timely and reliable statistics for policy making. He further stated, that National Sample Survey data has played a key role in shaping the key policies of the Government. He mentioned, that the ISI will be a crucial partner in Ministry’s endeavor to strengthen the Statistical System to meet the data needs of all stakeholders. Prof. Abhijit Banerjee then delivered his Convocation Address, offering his thoughts on the global impact of statistical sciences and the importance of rigorous research in shaping policy and economics worldwide. In his address, while highlighting the rich legacy of the Indian Statistical Institute, Prof. Banerjee urged the students to put their learnings to good use and find ways to create opportunities for the different segments of the society.

    The ceremony culminated in the award of Degrees and Diplomas, followed by the announcement of Prizes and Medals for outstanding academic performance. The programme concluded with a Vote of Thanks by Prof. Biswabrata Pradhan, Dean of Studies at ISI.

    This year, 470 students from various programs, including Ph.D. (a total of 42), M.Tech.(CS), M.Tech.(CrS), M.Tech. (QROR), M.Stat., M.Math, MS(QE), MS(QMS), B.Stat., B.Math., PGDSMA, PGDRSMA, and PGDAS, were awarded their degrees.

    About the Indian Statistical Institute (ISI):

    Founded in 1931 by the legendary statistician Prof. P. C. Mahalanobis, ISI is a globally renowned institute that has made significant contributions to the fields of statistics, mathematics, economics and computer science. From its humble beginnings as a small research institute, ISI has grown into an institution of international acclaim, consistently ranked among the top institutions for statistical education and research in the world.

    ISI’s primary objective has been to promote the advancement of statistical sciences, offer high-quality education, and conduct cutting-edge research. Over the years, ISI has played a crucial role in shaping national policies and contributing to the growth of India’s statistical infrastructure. The Institute is also known for its expertise in areas such as data science, machine learning, and economics and policy research, producing many of India’s leading statisticians, economists and computer scientists. The Institute also has other scientific disciplines where it conducts research including various areas of biology, geology and physics. In recent days it has also become a hub of cryptology and security science research.

    ISI’s Delhi Centre

    Although Indian Statistical Institute had a presence in Delhi since the days of the 2nd Planning Commission in the 1950’s, the current campus was inaugurated by the then Prime Minister Smt. Indira Gandhi on December 31st, 1974. The founding trio, Professors K. R. Parthasarathy, B. S. Minhas and K. G. Ramamurthy were at the helm of the Theoretical Statistics and Mathematics Unit, Economics and Planning Unit and the Statistical Quality Control Unit respectively. Because of their inspiration and academic standing in the world, soon the Delhi Centre of ISI attracted many academics who through their work enriched and created a centre of academic excellence. Eventually Delhi Centre of ISI became a major a hub for the Institute’s academic programs, research, and outreach activities in the northern region of India. Currently, the Centre offers a range of postgraduate programs, including M.Stat., MS(QE), and Ph.D. in statistics, mathematics and quantitative economics, and from this year Delhi centre along with Kolkata and Bangalore has started a new four years bachelor programme named Bachelor in Statistical Data Science (BSDS).

    The Delhi Centre which is known for its vibrant academic environment is celebrating it Golden jubilee. To commemorate this milestone the Institute decided to have it’s Convocation in the Delhi centre. This is the first time that the convocation ceremony was held outside the campus in Kolkata.

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Uniform Code of Pharmaceuticals Marketing Practices 2024 to prevent unethical marketing and ensuring responsible promotion of pharmaceutical products

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Uniform Code of Pharmaceuticals Marketing Practices 2024 to prevent unethical marketing and ensuring responsible promotion of pharmaceutical products

    The code outlines guidelines regarding promotion of drugs among doctors; Pharmaceutical companies are accountable for the actions of their medical representatives and other employees

    Posted On: 04 FEB 2025 5:51PM by PIB Delhi

    With the aim of preventing unethical marketing and ensuring responsible promotion of pharmaceutical products by regulating interactions between doctors / registered medical practitioners (RMPs) and representatives of pharmaceutical companies, the Department of Pharmaceuticals, on 12.3.2024, has issued the Uniform Code of Pharmaceuticals Marketing Practices 2024.

    The code outlines guidelines regarding promotion of drugs among doctors/RMPs. Pharmaceutical companies are accountable for the actions of their medical representatives and other employees. The code prohibits provision of gifts, monetary benefits and hospitality to doctors and their family members by pharmaceutical companies. It includes requirements for pharmaceutical companies to self-declare adherence to the code and disclose expenditures related to conferences, seminars and workshops organised for continuing medical education and continuing professional development. Companies may undergo independent, random or risk-based audits. The code establishes a two-layer complaint adjudication process, with appeals handled by the Department of Pharmaceuticals.

    Penalties under the code include the following:

    • Reprimand to the pharmaceutical entity and publication of full details thereof;
    • Recovery of money or items given in violation of the code by the pharmaceutical entity from the persons concerned and notification of the action taken to the Ethics Committee under the code;
    • Issuance of a corrective statement in the media, if promotional material issued therein does not comply with the requirements specified in the code; and
    • Pharmaceutical companies may face action under existing laws by relevant government departments, based on violations detected during administration of the code.

    Further, the Indian Medical Council (Professional Conduct, Etiquette and Ethics) Regulations, 2002 made under the Indian Medical Council Act, 1956 provides the code of conduct for doctors and professional association of doctors in their relationship with pharmaceutical and allied health sector industry.

    Clause 1.5 of the Indian Medical Council (Professional Conduct, Etiquette and Ethics) Regulations, 2002 provides that every physician should prescribe drugs with generic names legibly and preferably in capital letters and he/she shall ensure that there is rational prescription and use of drug. Further, the Medical Council of India issued circulars dated 22.11.2012, 18.1.2013 and 21.4.2017 directing all registered medical practitioners to comply with the aforesaid provisions.

    The National Medical Commission Act, 2019 empowers the appropriate State Medical Councils or the Ethics and Medical Registration Board of the National Medical Commission to take disciplinary action against a doctor for violation of the provisions of the aforesaid regulations. Further, States have been advised to ensure prescription of generic drugs and conduct regular prescription audits in public health facilities.

    This information was given by the Union Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilizers Smt Anupriya Patel in Rajya Sabha in a written reply to a question today.

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: The National Pharmaceuticals Pricing Policy, 2012 lays down the regulatory framework for pricing of drugs

    Source: Government of India (2)

    The National Pharmaceuticals Pricing Policy, 2012 lays down the regulatory framework for pricing of drugs

    The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation has signed agreements or memorandum of understandings on regulatory cooperation with other international agencies

    Posted On: 04 FEB 2025 5:50PM by PIB Delhi

    The National Pharmaceuticals Pricing Policy, 2012 (NPPP, 2012) lays down the regulatory framework for pricing of drugs. The key principles for regulation of prices in the said policy are (i) regulation on the basis of essentiality of drugs, (ii) regulation of prices of formulations only, i.e., medicines used by consumers and not the upstream products such as bulk drugs or intermediates, and (iii) regulation through market-based pricing as against cost-based pricing under the Drugs (Prices Control) Order, 1995. The details of the policy are available in the Gazette notification dated 7th December 2012 of the Department of Pharmaceuticals

    [https://egazette.gov.in/(S(cjt0i1uouyc1bl3ozo3jx3qk))/ViewPDF.aspx].

    As per the information provided by the Department of Health and Family Welfare, the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation has signed agreements or memorandum of understandings on regulatory cooperation with other international agencies, including with such agencies in Afghanistan, Argentina, Brazil, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Germany, Guyana, Japan, Netherlands, Russian Federation, Suriname, Sweden, Ukraine, United Kingdom and United States of America and the Drug Regulatory Authority of BRICS.

    This information was given by the Union Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilizers Smt Anupriya Patel in Rajya Sabha in a written reply to a question today.

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Hong Kong cinema celebrated at International Film Festival Rotterdam

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Brussels (HKETO, Brussels) supported the participation of Hong Kong films and filmmakers in the 54th International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR) being held in Rotterdam, The Netherlands, from January 30 to February 9.

         This year, IFFR proudly presents four Hong Kong films, highlighting the city’s vibrant film industry and its global influence. A Hong Kong networking event was organised by the HKETO, Brussels during IFFR on February 1 when Hong Kong production “Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In” was screened in the same night.  

         Celebrating Hong Kong’s dynamic cinema, the Hong Kong networking event brought together 150 Dutch and international filmmakers, industry professionals and film enthusiasts to an engaging exchange with renowned and emerging filmmakers from Hong Kong.

         The Deputy Representative of HKETO, Brussels, Miss Fiona Li highlighted at the networking event that Hong Kong films and long history in cinematography was one of the strongest testimony to the lively creativity and diverse yet blended cultures of Hong Kong. “Hong Kong is the destination that inspires and realises the storylines of your coming productions”, Miss Li said as she invited the audience to visit Hong Kong.  
     
         Miss Li said that, “The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region actively supports the industry through the Film Development Fund, focusing on nurturing new talent, enhancing local film production, expanding international markets and building an international audience”. Hong Kong spares no efforts in showcasing promising filmmakers and accomplished talents among the arts, cultural and creative sectors in Europe for more collaboration. “We aspire to strengthen the international visibility of our productions beyond this festival, to take our film industry to the next level, and to enhance Hong Kong as an international centre of arts, creativity and innovation”, she added.

         As one of the leading international film festivals, the IFFR in 2024 recorded 253 500 visits across its programme of 424 films, including 183 world premieres, complemented with a variety of multi-disciplinary and industry programmes. The four Hong Kong productions screened in IFFF 2025 were: The Last Dance (Dutch Premiere) by Anselm Chan, Possession Street (European Premiere) by Jack Lai, Last Song For You (European Premiere) by Jill Leung, and Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In (Dutch Premiere) by Soi Cheang.         

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Transforming Agricultural Finance

    Source: Government of India

    Transforming Agricultural Finance

    Enhancing KCC limit to ₹5 lakh

    Posted On: 04 FEB 2025 5:33PM by PIB Delhi

    Agriculture and Allied Activities sector in India

    The ‘Agriculture and Allied Activities’ sector has long been the backbone of the Indian economy, playing a vital role in national income and employment. With nearly 46.1 per cent of the population engaged in agriculture and allied activities, ensuring financial security and accessible credit for farmers remains a top priority for the government. Recognizing this, the Union Budget 2025-26 introduces key measures to strengthen agricultural financing, particularly through the Kisan Credit Card (KCC) scheme.

    The KCC scheme has been instrumental in fulfilling farmer’s financial needs. With a significant increase in the loan limit under the Modified Interest Subvention Scheme from ₹3 lakh to ₹5 lakh; this year’s budget underscores the government’s commitment to empowering farmers and boosting agricultural productivity.

    This article presents a comprehensive understanding of the KCC scheme and how it transforms agricultural credit accessibility in India.

    What is Kisan Credit Card Scheme

    Safeguarding and ensuring hassle-free credit availability at a cheaper rate to farmers has been the top priority of the government. Accordingly, the Kisan Credit Card Scheme (KCC) was introduced for farmers to provide farmers with easy access to affordable credit for their agricultural needs so as to meet short term /long term cultivation requirements, postharvest expenses, consumption requirement etc.

     

    How does KCC help Farmers?

    The Kisan Credit Card (KCC) scheme is designed to provide farmers with adequate and timely credit to meet their diverse financial needs. It helps farmers access institutional credit easily, ensuring their financial stability and agricultural productivity. The scheme offers support for:

    • Cultivation and post-harvest activities: Ensuring funds are available for cultivation and post-harvest costs.
    • Marketing loans: Helping farmers bridge financial gaps until they sell their produce at competitive market rates.
    • Household consumption needs: Offering financial support to meet essential household expenses, preventing dependency on informal lending sources.
    • Working capital for farm assets: Assisting in the maintenance of essential farming equipment and infrastructure.
    • Investment credit for allied activities: Expanding financial access to animal husbandry, dairying, fisheries, and other agricultural extensions.

    Recognizing the importance of allied sectors, the KCC scheme was expanded in 2019 to include animal husbandry, dairying, and fisheries. Banks can provide collateral-free loans up to ₹1.60 lakh, ensuring financial security and fostering growth in these allied fields.

     

    Understanding Short Term Loans

    The Modified Interest Subvention Scheme (MISS) offers concessional Short-term Agri-loans to farmers for crop and allied activities, providing a 7% interest rate on loans up to ₹3.00 lakh, with an additional 3% subvention for timely repayment, reducing the effective rate to 4%. MISS also includes post-harvest loans against NWRs for small farmers with KCCs.

     

    Ensuring Transparency

    The Kisan Rin Portal (KRP) launched in September 2023 addresses key challenges in the MISS-KCC scheme. Previously, banks had to submit claims for Interest Subvention (IS) and Prompt Repayment Incentive (PRI) manually to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and NABARD, leading to significant delays and inefficiencies. The Kisan Rin Portal digitizes this process, ensuring farmers and lending institutions benefit from quicker, seamless transactions, improving access to credit for agricultural needs.

    • Empowering Farmers with Seamless Access to Credit
    • Benefiting Financial Institutions: Banks and Cooperatives
    • Reaching the Grassroots: Training and Support

     

    By 31 December 2024, it had processed claims worth ₹108336.78 crore including Interest Subvention (IS) and PRI. About 5.9 crore farmers that are currently getting benefitted under the MISS-KCC scheme, have been mapped through KRP.

    Achievements of Agriculture sector

    • As of March 2024, the country has 7.75 crore operational KCC accounts with a loan outstanding of ₹9.81 lakh crore.
    • 1.24 lakh KCC and 44.40 lakh KCC were issued to fisheries and animal husbandry activities, respectively.
    • In the last 10 years, Rs 1.44 lakh Crore of Interest Subsidy has been released on Kisan Credit Card loans. It has risen nearly 2.4 times, from ₹6,000 Crore in 2014-15 to ₹14,252 crore in 2023-24.
    • Institutional credit flow to agriculture has risen nearly three times since 2014-15, rising from ₹ 8.5 lakh Crore to ₹ 25.48 lakh Crore in 2023-24. Short-term agriculture credit has more than doubled, increasing from ₹ 6.4 lakh Crore in 2014-15 to ₹ 15.07 lakh Crore in 2023-24.

     

     

    • The proportion of Small and Marginal Farmers accessing agriculture loans grew from 57% in 2014-15 to 76% in 2023-24.

     

    Conclusion

    The Kisan Credit Card scheme has been instrumental in transforming agricultural credit accessibility, ensuring that farmers receive timely and affordable financial assistance. By increasing financial support under the Union Budget 2025-26, the government is reinforcing its commitment to empowering farmers. These initiatives not only promote agricultural growth but also enhance rural livelihoods, paving the way for a resilient and self-sufficient farming community in India.

     

    References

    Annual Report 2023-24 https://www.agriwelfare.gov.in/en/Annual

    https://fasalrin.gov.in/

    https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2098424#:~:text=The%20budget%20for%20Department%20of,government’s%20commitment%20to%20agricultural%20development.

    Economic Survey of India: https://www.indiabudget.gov.in/economicsurvey/index.php

    https://static.pib.gov.in/WriteReadData/specificdocs/documents/2024/dec/doc20241219474501.pdf

    Transforming Agricultural Finance

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Budget 2025-26: Fuelling MSME Expansion

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 04 FEB 2025 5:27PM by PIB Delhi

    Credit access, digitisation, and business-friendly reforms lead the way

     

    Introduction

    The Union Budget 2025-26 introduces a series of measures aimed at strengthening the Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) sector, recognising its role as one of the key engines in India’s journey of development, alongside agriculture, investment, and exports. To help businesses expand and improve efficiency, the investment and turnover limits for MSME classification have been raised. Access to credit is set to improve with an increase in the credit guarantee cover for micro and small enterprises, startups, and export-focused MSMEs. A new scheme will provide financial support to first-time entrepreneurs from disadvantaged backgrounds, while sector-specific initiatives will enhance productivity in areas such as footwear, leather, and toy manufacturing.

    As a vital contributor to India’s industrial landscape, the MSME sector plays a crucial role in manufacturing, exports, and employment. With 5.93 crore registered MSMEs employing more than 25 crore people, these enterprises generate a significant share of the country’s economic output. In 2023-24, MSME-related products accounted for 45.73% of India’s total exports, reinforcing their role in positioning the country as a global manufacturing hub. The new budgetary provisions aim to build on this strong foundation by fostering innovation, enhancing competitiveness, and ensuring better access to resources. Through these steps, the government seeks to equip MSMEs with the tools needed to expand their reach and strengthen their contribution to India’s economic growth.

    Key Measures for MSMEs in Union Budget 2025-26

    The Union Budget 2025-26 introduces a series of measures aimed at strengthening the MSME sector by enhancing credit access, supporting first-time entrepreneurs, and promoting labour-intensive industries.

    Revised Classification Criteria

    To help MSMEs scale operations and access better resources, the investment and turnover limits for classification have been increased by 2.5 times and 2 times, respectively. This is expected to improve efficiency, technological adoption, and employment generation.

    Enhanced Credit Availability

    • The credit guarantee cover for micro and small enterprises has been increased from ₹5 crore to ₹10 crore, enabling additional credit of ₹1.5 lakh crore over five years.
    • Startups will see their guarantee cover double from ₹10 crore to ₹20 crore, with a reduced fee of 1% for loans in 27 priority sectors.
    • Exporter MSMEs will benefit from term loans up to ₹20 crore with enhanced guarantee cover.

    Credit Cards for Micro Enterprises

    • A new customised Credit Card scheme will provide ₹5 lakh in credit to micro enterprises registered on the Udyam portal, with 10 lakh cards set to be issued in the first year.

    Support for Startups and First-Time Entrepreneurs

    • A new Fund of Funds with ₹10,000 crore will be established to expand support for startups.
    • A scheme for 5 lakh first-time women, Scheduled Caste, and Scheduled Tribe entrepreneurs will provide term loans up to ₹2 crore over five years, incorporating lessons from the Stand-Up India scheme.

     

    Focus on Labour-Intensive Sectors

    • A Focus Product Scheme for the footwear and leather sector will support design, component manufacturing, and non-leather footwear production, expected to create 22 lakh jobs and generate a turnover of ₹4 lakh crore.
    • A new scheme for the toy sector will promote cluster development and skill-building, positioning India as a global toy manufacturing hub.
    • A National Institute of Food Technology, Entrepreneurship and Management will be established in Bihar to boost food processing industries in the eastern region.

    Manufacturing and Clean Tech Initiatives

    • A National Manufacturing Mission will provide policy support and roadmaps f or small, medium, and large industries under the Make in India initiative.
    • Special emphasis will be given to clean tech manufacturing, fostering domestic production of solar PV cells, EV batteries, wind turbines, and high-voltage transmission equipment.

     

    Budgetary Outlay of Ministry of MSME

    (In Rs. Crore)

    Financial Year

    Budget Estimates

    Revised Estimates

    2019-20

    7,011.29

    7,011.29

    2020-21

    7,572.20

    5,664.22

    2021-22

    15,699.65

    15,699.65

    2022-23

    21,422.00

    23,628.73

    2023-24

    22,137.95

    22,138.01

    2024-25

    22,137.95

    17,306.70

    2025-26

    23,168.15

    –

     

    Current Landscape of MSMEs in India

    The MSME sector continues to be a cornerstone of India’s economic growth, contributing significantly to employment, manufacturing, and exports. In recent years, the sector has displayed remarkable resilience, with its share in the country’s Gross Value Added (GVA) increasing from 27.3% in 2020-21 to 29.6% in 2021-22 and 30.1% in 2022-23, highlighting its growing role in national economic output.

    Exports from MSMEs have seen substantial growth, rising from ₹3.95 lakh crore in 2020-21 to ₹12.39 lakh crore in 2024-25. The number of exporting MSMEs has also surged, increasing from 52,849 in 2020-21 to 1,73,350 in 2024-25.

    Their contribution to India’s total exports has steadily grown, reaching 43.59% in 2022-23, 45.73% in 2023-24, and 45.79% in 2024-25 (up to May 2024). These trends underscore the sector’s increasing integration into global trade and its potential to drive India’s position as a manufacturing and export hub.

    Government Initiatives for MSMEs

    The Government of India has implemented a robust array of initiatives aimed at bolstering the Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) sector, recognizing its pivotal role in the economy. These efforts range from financial support and procurement policies to capacity building and market integration. Key initiatives include the Udyam Registration Portal, PM Vishwakarma scheme, PMEGP, SFURTI, and the Public Procurement Policy for MSEs, all aimed at fostering entrepreneurship, enhancing employment, and integrating informal sectors into the formal economy. These initiatives reflect the government’s commitment to supporting MSMEs and driving inclusive economic growth nationwide.

    PM Vishwakarma

    The ‘PM Vishwakarma’ scheme, launched by the Government of India, aims to enhance the quality and reach of products and services by artisans and craftspeople, integrating them into domestic and global value chains. Announced in the 2023-24 Budget and launched on September 17, 2023, this scheme seeks to provide comprehensive support to Vishwakarmas, improving their socio-economic status and quality of life.

    PM Vishwakarma is fully funded by the Government of India with an initial outlay of Rs. 13,000 crores for 2023-24 to 2027-28.

    Since its launch, the PM Vishwakarma scheme has achieved significant milestones, with over 2.65 crore applications submitted and 27.13 lakh applications successfully registered. Registered applicants will undergo a 5-day ‘Basic Training’ program, and those opting for credit support will receive collateral-free credit. These accomplishments highlight the scheme’s early success in empowering artisans and craftspeople nationwide.

    Udyam Registration Portal

    Launched on July 1, 2020, the Udyam Registration Portal serves as a pivotal platform for facilitating the registration of enterprises across India. The portal encourages enterprises previously registered under the Udyog Aadhaar Memorandum and Entrepreneurship Memorandum-II to migrate to this new system. It offers a free, paperless, and self-declaration-based registration process, eliminating the need for document uploads, thus simplifying the formalization of businesses.

    In a significant step towards integrating informal micro-enterprises into the formal economy, the Government introduced the Udyam Assist Platform on November 11, 2023. This initiative aims to bring these micro-enterprises under the formal sector, enabling them to access benefits such as Priority Sector Lending, which is essential for their growth and sustainability.

    As of February 4, 2025, the Udyam Portal boasts an impressive total of 5,93,38,604 registered MSMEs, with the vast majority classified as micro-enterprises. Beyond their economic contributions, these MSMEs have generated substantial employment opportunities, providing jobs to over 25.18 crore individuals. This extensive employment generation underscores the sector’s crucial role in driving economic development and enhancing social stability by offering livelihoods to millions across the country.

    Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP)

    Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP) is a credit linked subsidy scheme for providing employment opportunities through establishment of micro-enterprises in the non-farm sector. Under the Scheme, Margin Money (Subsidy) is provided to beneficiaries availing loan from banks for setting up new enterprises. The maximum project cost admissible for setting up of new project is Rs. 50 lakhs in manufacturing sector and Rs. 20 lakhs in Service Sector

    Subsidies under PMEGP vary by category:

    • Special Categories, including SC, ST, OBC, Minorities, Women, Ex-Servicemen, Transgenders, Differently-abled individuals, NER, Aspirational Districts, and Hill and Border areas, are eligible for a subsidy of 25% in urban areas and 35% in rural areas
    • General Category applicants are eligible for a subsidy of 15% in urban areas and 25% in rural areas.

    In a notable development, units in Aspirational Districts and Transgenders have been included in the Special Category. Additionally, geo-tagging of PMEGP units has been initiated to capture details of the products and services offered by these units and to create market linkages for them. Furthermore, prospective entrepreneurs receive free 2-day Entrepreneurship Development Programme (EDP) training to equip them with the necessary skills and knowledge to succeed.

    In 2023-24, the Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP) supported 89,118 enterprises, facilitating entrepreneurship across various sectors. The scheme disbursed ₹3,093.87 crore as margin money subsidy, enabling small businesses to scale operations and sustain growth. As a result, an estimated 7,12,944 employment opportunities were generated, reinforcing PMEGP’s role in strengthening self-employment and job creation nationwide.

    Scheme of Fund for Regeneration of Traditional Industries (SFURTI)

    Launched in 2005-06, the Scheme of Fund for Regeneration of Traditional Industries (SFURTI) aims to organize traditional artisans into collectives or clusters, facilitating product development, diversification, and value addition. The scheme promotes traditional sectors and seeks to sustainably increase the income of artisans. SFURTI was revamped in 2014-15 to further enhance its impact and reach.

    The primary objective of SFURTI is to organize artisans and traditional industries into clusters to improve competitiveness, create employment opportunities, and enhance the marketability of their products. By bringing artisans together, the scheme helps them leverage collective resources and skills, leading to better income prospects and sustained growth.

    Achievements:

    • Since 2014-15, SFURTI has approved the formation of 513 clusters and 376 clusters have successfully become functional.
    • A total grant of ₹1,336 crore has been extended to support these clusters.
    • Sustainable employment opportunities have been generated for around 2,20,800 artisans in 376 functional clusters (as on 12 Dec 2024).

     

    Public Procurement Policy for Micro and Small Enterprises

    The Ministry of MSME, Government of India, notified the Public Procurement Policy for Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs) in 2012. This policy mandates that 25% of annual procurement by Central Ministries, Departments, and Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs) must be sourced from MSEs. Within this 25%, 4% is reserved for MSEs owned by Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes (SC/ST), and 3% is reserved for MSEs owned by women entrepreneurs. Additionally, 358 items are exclusively reserved for procurement from MSEs.

     

    (Year: 2023-24)

    Achievements:

    • In 2023-24, Central Ministries, Departments, and CPSEs procured a total of ₹74,717 crore worth of goods and services from MSEs, which constituted 43.71% of their total procurement.
    • This policy benefitted 2,58,413 MSEs, ensuring they had access to significant business opportunities and support through government procurement.

     

    Conclusion

    In conclusion, the Union Budget 2025-26 outlines a strategic approach to bolster the MSME sector in India, emphasizing increased credit access, entrepreneurial support, and sector-specific initiatives. The significant revisions in classification criteria, coupled with enhanced credit guarantees and customised financial products like credit cards for micro-enterprises, are poised to catalyze growth and innovation. The focus on sectors like footwear, leather, and toys not only aims to boost employment but also positions India as a competitive player in global markets. Furthermore, the government’s ongoing initiatives like Udyam Registration, PM Vishwakarma, PMEGP, SFURTI, and the Public Procurement Policy continue to demonstrate a committed effort towards integrating and empowering MSMEs. These measures, combined with the establishment of new institutions and missions for manufacturing and clean technology, reflect a holistic strategy to not only sustain but significantly amplify the role of MSMEs in driving economic growth, employment, and inclusive development in India.

    References:

    Budget 2025-26: Fuelling MSME Expansion

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