18 September 2024 : PIB Summary For UPSC

1. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi launches ‘SUBHADRA’ – the largest women-centric scheme in Bhubaneswar, Odisha

(Source – https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=2055572 )

Context

The SUBHADRA scheme, launched by the Government of Odisha, aims to provide Rs. 50,000 over 5 years to women aged 21-60. It supports financial empowerment through direct bank transfers, linked with RBI’s digital currency pilot project.

SUBHADRA Scheme:

• The SUBHADRA scheme is a significant women-centric initiative launched by the Government of Odisha.
• It is designed to benefit over 1 crore women across the state.
• The scheme targets women aged 21-60 years for financial assistance.
• Each eligible woman will receive a total of Rs. 50,000 over a period of 5 years, from 2024-25 to 2028-29.
• The amount will be disbursed as Rs. 10,000 annually, divided into two equal installments.
• Payments will be made directly into the beneficiaries’ Aadhaar-enabled and DBT-enabled bank accounts.
• The scheme is integrated with a pilot project of the Reserve Bank of India’s digital currency, marking a step towards digital financial inclusion.

2. Rangeen Machhli App

(Source – https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=2055513 )

Context

The “Rangeen Machhli” app, launched by the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying, offers multilingual information on ornamental fish care and breeding. It includes a tool to locate aquarium shops and educational modules for fish enthusiasts and professionals.

The “Rangeen Machhli” App:

• The “Rangeen Machhli” app offers multilingual information on popular ornamental fish species in eight Indian languages, making it accessible to a broad audience.
• The app provides comprehensive guidance on fish care, breeding, and maintenance for hobbyists and farmers interested in ornamental fish.
• A key feature of the app is the “Find Aquarium Shops” tool, which helps users locate nearby aquarium stores, promoting local businesses and ensuring reliable sources for ornamental fish and aquarium products.

Ornamental Fishery in India:

Popular ornamental fish include goldfish, Oscar, Flower Horn, Tetras, Discus, and Cichlids, with goldfish being the most favoured among hobbyists.

India has a diverse range of ornamental fish, with over 195 indigenous varieties from the North-East and Western Ghats, and nearly 400 species from marine ecosystems.

Most ornamental fish exports are wild varieties from the North-East and Southern States, contributing about 85% of the country’s total exports.

The Western Ghats, a biodiversity hotspot, is home to 40 ornamental freshwater fish species, 37 of which are endemic.

Approximately 90% of India’s ornamental fish trade focuses on freshwater species, with the remaining 10% on marine species.