Government Committees, Schemes & Bills - Current Affairs for June, 2016

Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan (PMSMA) a Modi government initiative was launched in June 2016

• Scheme aims at boosting healthcare facilities for pregnant and especially poor women
• It seems to protect pregnant ladies from infectious diseases as well
• Under this scheme, pregnant ladies will be given free health check up and required treatment for free on the 9th of every month
• Scheme will be applicable to pregnant women to avail in government hospitals across India
• Scheme is applicable for women in the pregnancy period of 3-6 months
• Women belonging to semi urban, rural and poor areas will be accorded preference

Andhra Pradesh has formally joined the Centre’s scheme to revive ailing electricity distribution firms and stave off debt amounting to INR 11,000 crore in the current fiscal.

• Ministry of Power has signed a tripartite agreement to formally join the scheme with AP government and two state discos APSPDCL and APEPDCL.
• This is a landmark achievement when the state reduces power transmission, distribution and billing losses through the agreement to 5-6 percent soon.
• State’s current TDC stood at 10.19 percent and if achieved.
• AP has come forward to also replace 15 lakhs agricultural pump sets over the next three years with energy efficient pump sets.

The Expert Committee set on examining the Specific Relief Act, 1963 submitted its Report To Union Law & Justice Minister Shri D.V.Sadananda Gowda in New Delhi.

• In its report the committee has recommended modifications in the Specific Relief Act, 1963 for ensuring the ease of doing business.
• In the context of tremendous developments which have taken place since 1963 and the present changed scenario involving contract based infrastructure developments, public private partnerships and other public projects, involving huge investments; and changes required in the present scheme of the Act.
• So that specific performance is granted as a general rule and grant of compensation or damages for non-performance remains as an exception, the committee decided
• The committee observed that there also is a need to classify diverse Public utility Contracts as a distinct class recognising the inherent public interest/importance to be addressed in the Act. Any public work must progress without interruption.
• This requires consideration whether a court’s intervention in public works should be minimal. Smooth functioning of Public works projects can be effectively managed through a monitoring system and regulatory mechanism.
• The role of courts in this exercise is to interfere to the minimum extent so that public works projects will not be impeded or stalled.

Non Resident Indians can now open National Pension Savings Account if one had Aadhaar or PAN card. NRIs can open NPS accounts online now. They earlier could only open NPS accounts through paper applications by approaching bank offices. Via eNPS, subscribers will open an NPS account from their home. All that is needed is an internet connection and PAN or Aadhaar card. NRIs can open NPS accounts on both repatriable and non-repatriable basis.

• On repatriable basis, NRI will have to remit the amount though NRE/FCNR/NRO account
• For non repatriable scheme, NRIs will be able to join NPS through NRE/FCNR/NRO accounts at time of maturity or during partial withdrawal
• Both schemes are hoped to help NRIs return to India following employment abroad in view of attractive returns, low cost flexibility and regulation by PFRDA.
• India has the second largest diaspora in the world with 29 million people in 200 countries and 25 percent of these living in Gulf countries.

First Meeting of National Committee on Ramayana Circuit & Krishna Circuit under Swadesh Darshan Scheme was held on 14 June 2016.

• The meeting was held under the chairmanship of Union Minister of Tourism & Culture Dr Mahesh Sharma.
• During the meeting proposal to set up 11 Ramayana Circuits and 12 Krishna Circuits were approved.

• Ayodhya, Nandigram, Shringhverpur & Chitrakoot (Uttar Pradesh)
• Sitamarhi, Buxar & Darbhanga (Bihar)
• Jagdalpur (Chattisgarh)
• Bhadrachalam (Telangana)
• Hampi (Karnataka)
• Rameshwaram (Tamil Nadu)

• Dwarka (Gujarat)
• Nathdwara, Jaipur & Sikar (Rajasthan)
• Kurukshetra (Haryana)
• Mathura, Vrindavan, Gokul, Barsana, Nandgaon & Govardhan (Uttar Pradesh)
• Puri (Odisha)

Union Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju along with Dr. Mahesh Sharma on June 11, 2016 presided over a DGCA presentation pertaining to passenger centric initiatives. The categories in which changes have been made include the following:

• Refund of air tickets
• Denied boarding, flight cancellation and flight delays
• Persons with reduced mobility
• Luggage

BSE is Asia’s oldest bourse. It has received RBI approval for starting the online bidding platform for Sovereign Gold Bond scheme. SGBs are government securities denominated in grams of gold offering an alternative to holding gold in physical form.

• Bond is issued by RBI on behalf of government and investors can apply for bonds at prices disseminated by RBI
• BSE has received approval from the RBI for acting as a receiving office for the Sovereign Gold Bond scheme
• Exchange plans to offer an online bidding platform which is part of the Internet Based Book Building System
• BSE said a mock bidding session would also be conducted to test system performance.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 1 June 2016 released the National Disaster Management Plan (NDMP). The plan aims to make India disaster resilient and reduce loss of lives.

• It is the first of its kind of national plan prepared in India. It emphasizes on a greater need for Information, Education and Communication activities to prepare communities to cope with disasters.
• The plan is based on the four priority themes of the Sendai Framework namely:

The Direct Tax Dispute Resolution Scheme, 2016 incorporated as Chapter X of the Finance Act, 2016, shall come into force on the 1st of June, 2016 and Declarations under this Scheme may be made on or before the 31st December, 2016 in respect of tax arrears & specified tax.

• The relevant rules and forms in this regard have been notified vide notification no. 34 & 35 dated 26th May, 2016.
• The provisions relating to imposition and collection of Equalisation Levy incorporated as Chapter VIII of the Finance Act, 2016 comes into force from the 1st of June, 2016The notification also provides for date of effectivity of equalisation levy, the statement of specified services, notice of demand and the relevant forms.
• The relevant rules and forms in this regard have been notified vide Notification No.37 & 38 dated 27th May, 2016.