By:D.K Choudhary
Centre gives Rs 1,982 crore for Andhra Pradesh’s Polavaram project through NABARD
i. The Centre released Rs 1,982 crore for the multipurpose Polavaram irrigation project in Andhra Pradesh on December 26, 2016.The funding is being done through NABARD, which has now started funding irrigation projects. NABARD sanctioned the long term irrigation fund under Prime Minister Krishi Sinchayee Yojana.
ii. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley handed over the cheque to Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu at a function in New Delhi. Mr Jaitley also handed over cheques for Rs 463 crore rupees to Gujarat and Rs 756 crore rupees to Maharashtra for state projects.
iii. National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) on December 26 revealed that so far it has sanctioned loans worth Rs 35,322 crore under Long Term Irrigation Fund (LTIF)
iv. LITF initiative would ensure doubling of farmers’ income by 2022 under the ambitious Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY).
Assam Launches Health Insurance Scheme ‘Atal-Amrit Abhiyan’
i. The state government of Assam on December 25 launched an ambitious health insurance scheme ‘Atal-Amrit Abhiyan’ which will provide coverage against several critical illnesses.
ii. The scheme was launched by Assam’ Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal at a function 
in Guwahati, to mark the 92nd birthday of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
iii. The Health Assurance Scheme initiatives will offer coverage against 437 illnesses in six disease groups, namely, cardiovascular, cancer, kidney, neo-natal, neurological conditions and burns.
iv. Atal-Amrit Abhiyan is an attempt of the government to make quality health care affordable to every individual member of a family.
v. Both Below Poverty Line (BPL) and Above Poverty Line (APL) families, with annual income below Rs 5 lakh, are eligible for the scheme.
vi. The total financial outlay of the scheme is around Rs 200 crore and would entitle the poor to receive coverage of Rs. 2 Lakh annually. In order to avail the facilities, a laminated health card with unique identification number will be given to all the members of an eligible family and the assurance will be cashless at the point of delivery.
vii. A separate society will also be set up under the Department of Health and Family Welfare which will be responsible for administration of the scheme.
Centre releases special stamp on freedom fighters & Hardayal Municipal Heritage Public Library
Minister of State for Health & Family Welfare Smt Anupriya Patel released the few new postage stamps in New Delhi on December 26, 2016
The New Postage stamps were
i. Special Cover on freedom fighter “Shri Gaya Prasad Katiyar”
ii. A set of eight Commemorative Postage Stamps on “Personalities Series: Bihar” . The eight personalities are Dr. Sachchidananda Sinha, Karpoori Thakur, Dashrath Manjhi, Vidyapati , Kailashpati Mishra, Kunwar Singh, Phanishwar Nath Renu and Sri Krishna Sinha
iii. Stamp on “Hardayal Municipal Heritage Public Library”.
Registration of Pakistani Hindus as Indian Citizen reduced from Rs. 15,000 to Rs. 100
i. The registration fees for Hindus and other minority community people from three neighboring countries comprising Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh, to register as Indian citizens have been reduced drastically to Rs 100 from Rs 15,000.
ii. The changes have been made after amending various provisions of the Citizenship Rules 2009.
iii. The new rules will be applicable to minority communities including Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis and Christians from Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh and living in India on long term visa.
iv. But for minority community people from countries other than the three, the fees will be Rs 10,000 for registration in India and Rs 15,000 if registered elsewhere.
v. The new rules will allow the minority members from the neighbouring countries to take oath of allegiance as an Indian citizen in front of sub-divisional magistrate, in case of absence of collector, deputy commissioner or district magistrate.
Odisha Governemnt Launches Malaria control programme DAMAN
i. The State Government of Odisha has decided to launch a new malaria control programme, Durgama Anchalare Malaria Nirakaran (DAMAN), to control malaria in inaccessible areas, with a total spending of 120 crore rupees for five years.
ii. The programme will be implemented in 8000 villages of all 79 blocks of eight high malaria endemic southern districts – Koraput, Malkangiri, Nabarangapur, Kalahandi, Rayagada, 
Gajapati, Nuapada and Kandhamal with an annual expenditure of 24 crore rupees.
iii. These districts contributed around 60% cases and 56% death to the state malaria burden in 2015 – 16.
iv. DAMAN will deal with the routine malaria control activities and bridge the gaps in case findings and treatment among the high risk population of inaccessible villages of high endemic areas.
v. This programme includes mass screening for malaria with treatment of positive cases along with intensified surveillance, mosquito control measures and regular health education activities throughout the year.
vi. The government has already sanctioned Rs 10 crore to role out the programme. Under this programme, around 80 lakh high-risk populations will benefit.
vii .An estimation shows that the State contributes around 38 per cent of the reported malaria cases and 28 per cent of malaria total malaria deaths in the country.
Odisha Names Mega Lift Irrigation Scheme after the freedom fighter Parbati Giri
i. The State Cabinet of Odisha on December 24 named the Mega Lift Irrigation Scheme worth Rs. 7,600 crore, after the noted freedom fighter and social reformer Parbati Giri as a mark of respect for her immense contribution to the freedom movement and service to the poor and needy.
ii. The scheme was named after Parbati Giri by the Chief Minister of state, Naveen Patnaik at a cabinet meeting.
iii. The State Cabinet has approved tender for 13 mega lift irrigation schemes with a total command area of 19,400 hectares in Mayurbhanj and Keonjhar districts.
iv.The Cabinet meeting approved the lowest bid of Rs. 517.77 crore by GVPR Engineers Limited.
v. 102 mega lift irrigation schemes in eight clusters are now under construction since August, 2013 in a phased manner in 17 districts. The state has planned to take up 174 schemes in 15 clusters in 22 districts to create an additional irrigation potential of 2,14,270 hectares.
About Parbati Giri
i. Parbati Giri was one of the freedom fighters who devoted her life for the welfare of orphans and the downtrodden for which she is fondly remembered as Mother Teresa of Odisha.
ii. Born in Bargarh district, Giri established herself as a symbol of women empowerment by her strong commitment and determination. From the age of 11 as a little girl, she was inspired to join the freedom movement. Giri joined Quit India Movement in 1942 and had led many rallies against the British Rule.
Odisha
♦ Odisha is one of the 29 states of India, located in the eastern coast. It is surrounded by the states of West Bengal to the north-east, Jharkhand to the north, Chhattisgarh to the west and north-west, Andhra Pradesh and Telengana to the south and south-west.
♦ It is the 9th largest state by area, and the 11th largest by population. Odia (formerly known as Oriya) is the official.
