Rashtriya Bal Swasthya karyakram

The initiative is to provide comprehensive healthcare and improve the quality of life of children(0-18) through early detection of birth defects, diseases, deficiencies, development delays including disability.

Rajiv Gandhi Equity Savings Scheme (RGESS)

“Rajiv Gandhi Equity Saving Scheme“(RGESS),exclusively for the first time retail investors in Securities Market. This Scheme would give tax benefits to new investors who invest up to Rs. 50,000 and whose annual income is below Rs. 10 lakh.

The Scheme not only encourages the flow of savings and improves the depth of domestic capital markets, but also aims to promote an ‘equity culture’ in India. This is also expected to widen the retail investor base in the Indian securities markets.

Centrally Sponsored Health Schemes/Programmes

The details of important Centrally Sponsored Health Schemes/Programmes of Ministry of Health & Family Welfare presently in operation in the country are as follows:

1.National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) - The National Rural Health Mission(NRHM) is a Centrally sponsored programme of this Ministry.  The NRHM launched in April, 2005 (for seven years i.e. 2005 to March 2012) seeks to provide accessible, affordable and quality health care to the rural population, especially the vulnerable sections, with special focus on 18 states, including Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and North-Eastern states.  The mission proposes to facilitate increased access and utilization of quality health services.  This has been carried out by increasing the spending on health and improving the health care services at the community level.  The mission undertakes several architectural corrections of the health system to enable and promote policies that strengthen public health management and service delivery within the country. It also envisages revitalizing the local health traditions and attempts to mainstream AYUSH into the public health system by effectively integrating health concerns through decentralized management at local levels.  The mission also addresses issues on sanitation and hygiene nutrition, safe drinking water, gender, social concerns, and inter-state as well inter-district disparities in health care provision.

Objectives of NRHM - The main objectives of NRHM are as follows:

      i)      Reduction in Child and maternal mortality

      ii)     Universal access to public services like food and nutrition, sanitation and hygiene and also access to public health care services with emphasis on services addressing women and children health and universal immunization.

      iii)   Prevention and control of communicable and non-communicable diseases, including locally      endemic diseases.

      iv)  Access to integrated complete primary health care.

      v)   Population stabilization, gender and demographic balance.

      vi)  Regenerate local health traditions & mainstream AYUSH.

     vii)  Promotion of healthy life styles.

2.Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme(RNTCP) - The programme is being implemented in the entire country among the urban as well as rural areas to address the problem of Tuberculosis, based on WHO recommended strategy of Directly Observed Treatment Short Course Chemotherapy,.

     Under the programme, diagnosis and treatment facilities including anti TB drugs are provided free of cost to all TB patients. For quality diagnosis, designated microscopy centers have been established for every one lac population in the general areas and for every 50,000 population in the tribal, hilly and difficult areas. More than 13000 microscopy centers have been established in the country. Drugs are provided under direct observation and the patients are monitored so that they complete their treatment. 

3. Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY) - Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY) is a nationwide, centrally sponsored scheme being implemented with the objectives of reduction in infant and maternal mortality by improving coverage of institutional delivery among pregnant women. Under the scheme, cash assistance is provided to pregnant women for giving birth in a health facility.

4.   Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakaram (JSSK) - Under National Rural Health Mission, the Government of India has launched Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakaram (JSSK) on 1st June, 2011, which entitles all pregnant women delivering in public health institutions to absolutely free and no expense delivery including Caesarean section.  The initiative stipulates free drugs, diagnostics, blood and diet, besides free transport from home to institution, between facilities in case of a referral and drop back home.  Similar entitlements have been put up in place for all sick newborns accessing public health institutions for treatment till 30 days after birth.     

5. Routine Immunization Programme and Pulse Polio Immunization Programme - Routine Immunization Programme and Pulse Polio Immunization Programme are under operation in the country. 

6. National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases and Stroke (NPCDCS) - National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases and Stroke (NPCDCS) is a new initiative in the 11^th Five Year Plan. The NPCDCS aims at reducing the burden of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) such as cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and stroke which are major factors  reducing potentially productive years of human life, resulting in huge economic loss.  The NPCDCS has been approved at a total outlay of Rs.1230.90 crore for the remaining period of the 11^th Five Year Plan. This includes Rs.499.38 crore for DCS component of NPCDCS and Rs.731.52 core for Cancer Control Programme.  The expenditure will be met on cost sharing basis with the participating States at ratio of 80:20.   The programme has been initiated in 100 Districts of 21 States during 2010-11 & 2011-12. The objective of the programme include prevention and control of diabetes at various levels viz. Sub-centres, Community Health Centre (CHC), District Hospital etc. through screening of all persons above 30 years of age and all pregnant women for diabetes and hypertension, awareness generation on healthy life style and management of non-communicable diseases by strengthening / establishing Cardiac Care Units, Day-care cancer facilities at District Hospitals and specialised clinics (Non Communicable Diseases Clinic) at District Hospitals and Community Health Centres.          

7.National Programme for Control of Blindness (NPCB) - National Programme for Control of Blindness (NPCB) is one of the Centrally Sponsored Schemes  in operation in the country for control of blindness. 

8. National Mental Health Programme (NMHP) - Under National Mental Health Programme (NMHP), the objective is to provide treatment and care to the mentally ill patients in the country. Following provisions have been made under National Mental Health Programme:

      i)      Strengthening of State run Mental Hospitals.

      ii)     Upgrdation of Psychiatric Wings of Govt. Medical Colleges/ General Hospitals

      iii)    District Mental Health Programme.

      iv)    Manpower Development Schemes

9.National Tobacco Control Programme (NTCP)- The National Tobacco Control Programme (NTCP) has been launched in 42 Districts of 21 States in order to implement the various provisions made under Tobacco Control Act (COTPA), 2003 and to create awareness about the harmful effects of tobacco consumption.  The programme broadly envisages-

      i)      Public awareness/mass media campaigns for awareness building & for behavioral change.

      ii)     Establishment of tobacco product testing laboratories, to build regulatory capacity, as required under COTPA, 2003.

      iii)    Mainstream Research & Training – on alternate crops and livelihoods with other nodal Ministries.

      iv)    Monitoring and Evaluation including surveillance e.g. Adult Tobacco Survey.

      v)     Dedicated tobacco control cells for effective implementation and monitoring of Anti Tobacco Initiatives.

      vi)    Training of health and social workers, NGOs, school teachers etc.

      vii)   Setting up tobacco cessation centres.

10.National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP) - The National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP) is an ongoing centrally sponsored scheme which is implemented in all the states/UTs for prevention and control of six vector borne diseases, namely Malaria, Dengue, Chikungunya, Japanese Encephalitis, Kala-Azar and Lymphatic Filariasis. The Govt. of India provides technical support as well as cash and commodity assistance as per the approved pattern. 

11.National Leprosy Eradication Programme(NLEP)

12.Capacity building for Trauma Care - Under the Centrally sponsored Scheme-Assistance for capacity building for Trauma Care, funds have been released to 117 Government Hospitals situated along the Golden Quadrilateral, North-South and East-West Corridors of the national highways in 16 States, as per laid down norms of level of Trauma Center, in phases, towards construction, equipments, manpower, communication and Legal Service, after signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the respective state Governments.

13.Upgradation of facilities in the Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation in Medical Colleges -

Under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme for “Upgradation of facilities in the Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation in Medical Colleges”, funds have been released to 18 Medical Colleges under Central/State Governments after signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the respective State Governments.

14.Reproductive and Child Health programme (RCH) - Reproductive and Child Health programme is a comprehensive sector wide flagship programme, which is being implemented under Government of India’s (GoI) National Rural Health Mission (NRHM), to achieve the targets for reduction of maternal and infant mortality and total fertility rates.

15.National Programme for the Health Care of Elderly (NPHCE) - The National Programme for the Health Care of Elderly (NPHCE) has been initiated in 100 identified districts of 21 States during the 11^th Plan period (2010-12) in order to provide comprehensive health care facilities to the elderly people of the country.  Eight selected Regional Medical Institutions (Regional Geriatric Institutions) in different regions of the country have also been identified. 

16.Strengthening and Upgradation of State Government medical colleges  - The Medical Education Division is implementing a Centrally Sponsored Scheme for strengthening and upgradation of State Government medical colleges by way of a one-time grant of Rs.1350 crores with funding pattern of 75% by Central Government and 25% by State Government for starting new Post Graduate disciplines and increasing PG seats.

17.National AIDS Control Programme -Department of AIDS Control is implementing National AIDS Control Programme-IV as a 100% centrally sponsored scheme/programme is implemented in all States/UTs.

18.Centrally Sponsored Scheme for Development of AYUSH Hospitals and Dispensaries - A Centrally sponsored Scheme for Development of AYUSH Hospitals and Dispensaries is under implementation. The Department of AYUSH is providing funds to all States/UTs Government under the following components:

      i)      Establishment  of OPD at PHC’s

      ii)     Establishment of IPD at CHC’s

      iii)    Establishment of AYUSH wings at DH’s

      iv)    Upgradation of AYUSH Hospital and Dispensaries

      v)     Establishment of PMU

     vi)    Essential drugs to AYUSH Hospital & Dispensaries

The Child Labour (Prohibition & Regulation) Act, 1986

The Child Labour (Prohibition & Regulation) Act, 1986, prohibits the employment of children below the age of 14 years in 18 Occupations and 65 Processes. The Act regulates the working conditions of children where they are not prohibited from working. Any person who employs a child in any occupation or process where employment of children is prohibited under the Child Labour Act, is liable for punishment with imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than 3 months but which may extend to one year or with fine ranging from Rs.10,000/- to Rs.20,000/-. In pursuance of the National Child Labour Policy, the National Child Labour Project Scheme was started in 1988. The scheme seeks to adopt a sequential approach with focus on the rehabilitation of children working in hazardous occupations and processes in the first instance. Under the Project, children rescued/withdrawn from work are enrolled in the special schools, where they are provided with bridge education, vocational training, nutrition, stipend, health care, etc. before being mainstreamed into formal education system.

Measures Taken for Care of Senior Citizens

The Central Government has enacted the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007 in December, 2007 which, inter-alia, makes maintenance of parents/ senior citizens by children/ relatives obligatory and justiciable through Tribunals; provides for revocation of transfer of property by senior citizens in case of negligence by children/ relatives; penal provisions for abandonment of senior citizens; medical facilities for senior citizens; and protection of life and property of senior citizens. The Act is required to be brought into force by individual State Governments. 

The Government of India has also announced the National Policy on Older Persons (NPOP) in January 1999 which envisages State`s support to ensure financial and food security, healthcare, shelter and other needs of older persons to improve the quality of their lives.

The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment is implementing a Central Sector Scheme of Integrated Programme for Older Persons (IPOP) under which financial assistance is provided to State Governments, Panchayati Raj Institutions/ Urban Local Bodies and Non-Government Organisations, etc. for running and maintaining of old age homes, day care centres, mobile medicare units, etc.

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare is implementing a Centrally Sponsored Scheme namely, “National Programme for Health Care of Elderly (NPHCE)” to improve health services for the elderly.  

The Ministry of Rural Development is administering the Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS) under which Central assistance is given towards pension @ Rs.200/ per month to persons above 60 years and @ Rs.500/- per month to persons above 80 years belonging to a household below poverty line, which is expected to be supplemented by at least an equal contribution by the States.  

Besides, various facilities and benefits such as income tax concession, air and rail fare concession, etc. are also provided to senior citizens by the Central Government.  

Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya (KGBV)

The Government of India has introduced the Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya Scheme in August, 2004 to provide educational facilities for girls belonging to Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Other Backward Classes, minority communities and families below the poverty line in Educationally Backward Blocks. Gender disparities still persist in rural areas and among disadvantaged communities. Looking at enrollment trends, there remain significant gaps in the enrollment of girls at the elementary level as compared to boys, especially at the upper primary levels. The objective of KGBV is to ensure access and quality education to the girls of disadvantaged groups of society by setting up residential schools with boarding facilities at elementary level

Youth Employability Skill (YES) Project

Youth Employability Skill (YES) Project with the objective to enhance the employability of youth by running a variety of employable skill based training courses through recognized Vocational Training Providers (VTPs) for rural youth and youth club members in the States of North Eastern Region and Jammu & Kashmir.

Strengthening of Khadi and Village Industries Sectors

The Khadi and Village Industries Commission(KVIC) is implementing a number of schemes for strengthening of khadi and village industries (KVI) sector in the country. These include: (i) Market Development Assistance (MDA),(ii) Interest Subsidy Eligibility Certificate (ISEC),(iii) Scheme of Fund for Regeneration of Traditional Industries (SFURTI), (iv) Khadi Reform and Development Programme (KRDP), (v)Product Development, Design Intervention and Packaging (PRODIP), (vi)Workshed Scheme for Khadi Artisans and (vii) Strengthening Infrastructure of Existing Weak Khadi Institutions and Assistance for Marketing Infrastructure.

KVIC is also implementing a credit-linked subsidy scheme named Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP) from 2008-09 for generating self-employment through establishment of micro-enterprises in the non-farm sector. General category beneficiaries can avail of margin money subsidy of 25% of the project cost in rural areas and 15% in urban areas. For beneficiaries belonging to special categories such as scheduled castes, scheduled tribes, OBCs, minorities, women, ex-servicemen, physically handicapped, beneficiaries belonging to NER, hill and border areas, etc., the margin money subsidy is 35% in rural areas and 25% in urban areas. The maximum cost of project is Rs 25 lakh in the manufacturing sector and Rs. 10 lakh in the service sector.

National Rural Health Mission (NRHM)

The National Rural Health Mission  (NRHM) which was launched in 2005, essentially seeks to provide accessible, affordable and quality healthcare services to the rural populations. The key features of the Mission include making the public health delivery system fully functional and accountable to the public, human resource management, community involvement, decentralization, rigorous monitoring and evaluation against standards, convergence of health and related programmes from village level upwards, innovations and increased flexible financing.

Pradhan Mantri Adarsh Garm Yojana

The Government has launched a Centrally sponsored pilot scheme called `Pradhan Mantri Adarsh Garm Yojana`, for integrated development of 1000 villages having more than 50% Scheduled Castes population. Presently, the Scheme aims to ensure the integrated development of these villages:-

(i)  primarily, through convergent implementation of existing Central and State Schemes, and

(ii) through `Gap-filling` central assistance @Rs.20 lakh per village on an average (with states expected to provide a matching contribution), for meeting such requirement of the selected villages as can not be met through (i) above.

Enhancing Cold Storage Capacity in the Country through Various Schemes

Government proposes to enhance existing cold storage capacity in the country by providing assistance for setting up of cold storages through various schemes listed above and by providing other concessions in service tax, excise & custom duty. The component of cold storages under these schemes is project based.

The Government is implementing following schemes under which grant-in-aid is provided to entrepreneurs for setting up of cold storages in the country including Bihar:

1. National Horticulture Mission (NHM)

2. Horticulture Mission for North East and Himalayan States (HMNEH)

3. National Horticulture Board (NHB)

4. Scheme of Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI)

5. Scheme of Agricultural Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA)

6. Scheme of National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC).

Crop Insurance Schemes for Compensation of Loss to Farmers

Four crop insurance schemes are being implemented namely National Agricultural Insurance Scheme (NAlS), Pilot Weather Based Crop Insurance Scheme (WBCIS), Pilot Modified National Agricultural Insurance Scheme (MNAIS) and Pilot Coconut Palm Insurance Scheme (CPIS). States have the choice for notification of areas / crops under the schemes.

Schemes are implemented by Agriculture Insurance Company (AI C) and private insurance companies according to provisions & guidelines laid down in the schemes. Compensation of the loss is assessed under NAIS and MNAIS based on yield data provided by implementing States and under WBCIS based on weather data recorded by automatic weather stations notified by implementing States. The extent of damage to the plant is the basis of compensation of the loss under CPIS which is assessed by a team of experts. Department of Agriculture & Cooperation, GOI, regularly monitors and reviews compensation of the loss and payment to farmers under each scheme.

Subsidy Schemes for farmers

Government has launched various schemes to provide financial assistance to farmers on purchase of inputs like fertilizers, seeds etc. Fertilizer subsidy is provided through two schemes: New Pricing Scheme (NPS-III) for Urea and Nutrient Based Subsidy Policy for Phosphatic and Potassic (P&K) fertilizers.  Under NPS-III Urea is being provided to farmers at subsidized MRP of Rs. 5360 per MT.  The difference in delivered cost of Urea and its MRP is provided as subsidy by the Government.  Under NBS Policy, a fixed subsidy on the basis of nutrient content of P&K fertilisers is announced on annual basis.  Under this Policy at present 21 P&K fertilisers are provided at subsidised rates to farmers.  The Fertiliser subsidy is provided to all farmers of all states in the form of subsidized MPR of fertilisers. 

Financial assistance/subsidy for seed production and distribution is provided under various existing schemes/programmes implemented by states covering foodgrains, pulses, oilseeds, cotton, jute & mesta, etc.  The scale of assistance extended varies with different levels of ceiling linked to costs under various schemes for different crops.

Under National Horticulture Mission (NHM), subsidy on crops, such as fruits, spices, medicinal and aromatic plants, cashew and cocoa, is provided to 18 States and 3 UTs.  This scheme implemented by State Horticulture Missions (SHMs) provides assistance to vegetables seeds production @ 100% of maximum permissible cost of Rs. 50,000 per hectare to public sector and for private sector @ 50% of the cost as credit linked back ended subsidy.  For promotion of Integrated Nutrient Management/Integrated Pest Management (INM/IPM) subsidy @ 50% of maximum permissible cost of Rs. 2000 per hectare limited to 4 hectare/beneficiary is provided.  

Under Horticulture Mission for North East and Himalayan States (HMNEH), financial assistance is provided for various activities, such as, production of quality planting material, cultivation of horticulture crops including fruits, rejuvenation/replanting of old and senile orchards, creation of water resources, protected cultivation, organic farming, promotion of INN/IPM, technology demonstration, human resource development, exposure visit of farmers, post harvest management and establishment of marketing infrastructure.

Under Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) and Macro Management of Agriculture Scheme (MMA), sufficient flexibility is provided to the States to develop and pursue agricultural programmes on the basis of their regional priorities.  No subsidy is provided directly by the Government of India to the individuals/farmers under these schemes.  Subsidy is provided under RKVY as per norms of existing Government of India schemes, which includes the components/activities that are proposed to be taken under RKVY.  In case of MMA, subsidy to farmers is provided by the state governments while implementing the approved Work Plans under the MMA scheme as per subsidy norms approved in the MMA guidelines.

Jeevan Raksha Padak

Jeevan Raksha Padak series of awards are given to a person for meritorious act of humane nature in saving the life of a person.  The award is given in three categories, namely, Sarvottam Jeevan Raksha Padak, Uttam Jeevan Raksha Padak, and Jeevan Raksha Padak.  Persons of either sex in all walks of life are eligible for these awards.  The award can also be conferred posthumously.

Green Haat

Green Haat is an initiative of Ministry of Environment & Forest (MoEF), Govt. of India to raise awareness on the rich forest and bio diverse heritage of the country among the growing urban population often living far off from the forests. The initiative is to showcase various value added forest based products developed by Rural Artisans, Community Self Help Groups, NGOs, and State Federations and thus provide support to biodiversity conservation and sustainable livelihoods.

Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana

RSBY has been launched by Ministry of Labour and Employment, Government of India to provide health insurance coverage for Below Poverty Line (BPL) families. The objective of RSBY is to provide protection to BPL households from financial liabilities arising out of health shocks that involve hospitalization. Beneficiaries under RSBY are entitled to hospitalization coverage up to Rs. 30,000/- for most of the diseases that require hospitalization. Government has even fixed the package rates for the hospitals for a large number of interventions. Pre-existing conditions are covered from day one and there is no age limit. Coverage extends to five members of the family which includes the head of household, spouse and up to three dependents. Beneficiaries need to pay only Rs. 30/- as registration fee while Central and State Government pays the premium to the insurer selected by the State Government on the basis of a competitive bidding.