Central Government initiatives bringing paradigm shift in entrepreneurshipto meet the aspirations of tribal youth in the North East: Arjun Munda

A market-oriented hub in the North-East will help leverage prized products of the region in international markets: Tribal Affairs Minister 80 Van Dhan Kendras of Sikkim launched virtually Posted On: 01 OCT 2020 6:39PM by PIB Delhi

TRIFED of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs with its Van Dhan Vikas Kendras is driving the socio-economic development of the tribal population in the North East. In a Webinar organised by Press Information Bureau, Guwahati in collaboration with TRIFED, on the topic ‘Success Stories: Pradhan Mantri Van Dhan Yojana- driving Atmanirbhar Bharat for Tribal Communities in North East’ here today, Union Minister of Tribal Affairs, Arjun Munda;

Chief Minister of Sikkim, Sh Prem Singh Tamang; Secretary, Tribal Affairs, Shri Deepak Khandekar ;senior officials from nodal departments of North -eastern states , partners of TRIFED and officers of TRIFEDamong others discussed about the potential and role of Van Dhan Vikas Kendras from entrepreneurial and policy perspective. MoS, Tribal Affairs, Smt Renuka Singh Saruta; Chairperson Trifed, Sh R C Meena; Vice Chairperson TRIFED Smt Pratibha Brahma were present on the occasion.

Speaking on the occasion, Shri Arjun Munda said that Central Government initiatives are bringing paradigm shift in entrepreneurship and help meet the aspirations of the youth in North East.He emphasised on the importance of market accessibility and said that products of the tribal areas are environment friendly. Union Minister said that creating demand in global market is important along with quality value added products .

He said that the Prime Minister is particularly interested in exploring the potential ofthe North-East. North East region has unique natural resources and this has to be leveraged for making products which would be competitive in global market place, he added. Shri Munda said that the export of products from tribal areas should be encouraged and has huge potential from perspective of employment. In this webinar platform, appreciating the efforts of Sikkim people, in a unique gesture Union Minister launched 80 Pradhan Mantri Van Dhan Kendras of Sikkim with well wishes to them.

Chief Minister of Sikkim, Shri Prem Singh Tamang, appreciated the efficacy of the Pradhan Mantri Van Dhan Yojana and said that its advantages have a correlation to the socio-economic development of the region.

Secretary, Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Shri Deepak Khandekar said that the programme is a Game-Changer in the North East with Pradhan Mantri Van Dhan Yojana driving Atma-Nirbhar Bharat as ‘Engines of Growth’ for Tribal Communities in North East.

In a detailed discussion, MD, TRIFED Shri Pravir Krishna said that ‘Van Dhan Yojana’ is a Market Linked Tribal Entrepreneurship Development Program for forming clusters of tribal SHGs and strengthening them into Tribal Van Dhan Kendras. This is for promoting enterprise by developing clusters of tribal SHGs and strengthening them into Van Dhan Vikas Kendras of 300 members each.

It’s objective is to take the ‘MSP for MFP program’ to the next level through establishing tribal enterprises, generating livelihoods leading to income enhancement. It is a program for gathering, value addition, processing, packaging, branding and retail-marketing for MFP products through tribal entrepreneurs.

The Webinar which had vast galaxy of dignitaries, which included Shri Suresh Gupta, Chief Secretary, Sikkim; Shri N. Darlong, Secretary, Tribal Welfare Dept., Tripura; Shri Anden Konyak, Secretary, DUDA, Nagaland and Shri Kathi Chishi, Secretary TOKA MPCS, Nagaland.

With Optimism, the dignitaries provided a perspective on the implementation of Van Dhan Kendras in the North-East. They said that the Value-added products such as hill brooms, wild honey, candles and ointments made of rock beeswax, bamboo bottles, aloe vera soaps, amla murabba (gooseberries) are providing income and employment opportunities for tribal communities.

The two hours Knowledge cum Informative session had State Nodal Department/State Implementing Agencies of NE States for TRIFED. The experts from each North East states explained their Strategy and how the Pradhan Mantri Van Dhan Yojana is driving Atma-Nirbhar Bharat for Tribal Communities in North East. They also provided their feedback as how Van Dhan Vikas Kendras are making a difference in socio-economic development of the Tribal Communities.

While releasing the ‘Margdarshika’ for Gram Panchayats and Paani Samitis for implementation of Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) to have assured water supply to every rural home and unveiling of JJM Logo on 29th September, 2020, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi spoke about launching of ‘100 days campaign’ on 2nd October, 2020 to ensure piped safe water in schools and anganwadi centres across the country.

He also appealed to the States to make best use of this campaign to ensure provision of potable piped water supply in these public institutions. Ensuring safe water to children is a priority, as they are the most vulnerable to water-borne diseases, therefore provisions have been made under Jal Jeevan Mission for ensuring safe water through tap water connection in schools, anganwadi centres, health care centres, etc.

National Jal Jeevan Mission has reached out to States/ UTs to launch this campaign on 2nd October, 2020. During this 100 days campaign, Gram Sabhas will be convened coinciding with Gandhi Jayanti, on 2nd October, 2020 and in coming days to pass a resolution for providing safe water in all schools, anganwadi centres and other public institutions in the village in the next 100 days.

These facilities will be operated and maintained by the Gram Panchayat and/ or its sub-committee i.e. Village Water & Sanitation Committee or Paani Samiti.

As ‘nodal department’, Public Health Engineering Department of States will spearhead the campaign by involving Gram Panchayats and/ or its sub-committees, along with other line departments namely Education, Women & Child Welfare, Panchayati Raj & Rural Development, Tribal Welfare, etc.

This campaign will go a long-way in ensuring safe water supply to our children that will positively impact their health and overall development. This will be a befitting tribute to the ‘Father of the Nation’ Mahatma Gandhi on his 151st birth anniversary.

On the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti, Government of Gujarat is organizing an event at Porbander, where Chief Minister Shri Vijay Rupani will declare four districts of the State viz. Gandhinagar, Mehsana, Porbandar, and Anand having 100 percent household tap water connections coverage.

The event will also be joined virtually by Minister of Jal Shakti, Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat through video conference from Delhi. In this event, 100 days campaign to provide assured piped water supply in anganwadi centres and schools will be launched.

In Gujarat, the tap water coverage in rural households is 79.85 percent as on date. In 2020-21, the State has provided tap water connections to 7.70 lakh households. In the past one year, more than 2.30 Crore households have already been provided tap water connections across the country. As of now, almost 30% of total rural households i.e. 5.50 Crore rural households now get assured safe tap water in their homes.

Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) aims at the universal coverage of provision of tap water connection to every rural home by 2024. Under the mission, special focus is on women and children. Ensuring safe water to children is a priority, as they are the most vulnerable to water-borne diseases like diarrhoea, dysentery, cholera, typhoid, etc.

Repeated infections due to consumption of unsafe water in their formative years may have adverse effects, resulting in stunting. The situation is much more complex in areas where water sources are found to be contaminated with Arsenic, Fluoride, heavy metals, etc. and prolonged consumption of water having these contaminants may lead to degenerating diseases like Arsenicosis, Fluorosis, etc. resulting in serious health problems. To tackle this serious issue, provisions have been made under Jal Jeevan Mission for ensuring safe water through tap water connection in schools, anganwadi centres, health care centres, etc.

Finance Minister Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman reviews implementation of Aatma Nirbhar Bharat Package pertaining to Ministries of Finance & Corporate Affairs Posted On: 01 OCT 2020 5:28PM by PIB Delhi

Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi on May 12th, 2020, announced the Special economic and comprehensive package of Rs. 20 lakh crore - equivalent to 10% of India’s GDP – to fight COVID-19 pandemic in India. He gave a clarion call for Aatma Nirbhar Bharat or Self-Reliant India Movement. He also outlined five pillars of Aatma Nirbhar Bharat – Economy, Infrastructure, System, Vibrant Demography and Demand.

Following the call of the Hon'ble Prime Minister, Minister for Finance & Corporate Affairs Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman laid down the details of the Aatma Nirbhar Bharat Package in a string of press conferences from 13th May to 17th May 2020.

The Ministries of Finance & Corporate Affairs have immediately started implementation of the announcements related to the Economic Package under Aatma Nirbhar Bharat Package (ANBP). Regular reviews and monitoring of the implementation of economic package is being overseen by the Finance Minister personally.

In the latest review pertaining to Ministries of Finance & Corporate Affairs taken by Smt.Nirmala Sitharaman here today, the following progress has been reported so far: Rs 3 lakh crore Collateral-free Automatic Loans for Businesses, including MSMEs

To provide relief to the business, additional working capital finance of 20% of the outstanding credit as on 29th February 2020, in the form of a Term Loan at a concessional rate of interest will be provided.

This will be available to units with upto Rs 25 crore outstanding and turnover of up to Rs 100 crore whose accounts are standard. The units will not have to provide any guarantee or collateral of their own. The amount will be 100% guaranteed by the Government of India providing a total liquidity of Rs. 3 lakh crore to more than 45 lakh MSMEs.

After taking Cabinet approval on 20.05.2020, Department of Financial Services issued Operational Guidelines for the Scheme on 23.05.2020 and Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme (ECLGS) Fund was registered on 26.05.2020. Guidelines amended on 4.8.2020 to include Individual loans for business, enhance loan outstanding ceiling to Rs 50 crore and annual turnover ceiling to Rs 250 crore.

As reported on 29.09.2020, by 12 Public Sector Banks , top 24 Private Sector Banks & 31 NBFCs , the total amount sanctioned to Non -Individual & individuals, under the 100% Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme stands at Rs 1,86,469 crore, of which Rs 1,32,246 crore has already been disbursed to 2,709,027 borrowers.

Rs 45,000 crore Partial Credit Guarantee Scheme 2.0 for NBFCs, HFCs and MFIs to do fresh lending to MSMEs & individuals

Under Revised Guidelines issued on 17.08.2020, additional 3 months have been allowed, till 19.11.2020, for building portfolio and to increase ceiling for AA/AA- rated bonds from 25% to 50% of total portfolio.

As on 25th September 2020, Banks have approved purchase of portfolio of Rs 25,505 crore and are currently in process of approval/ negotiations for Rs. 3,171 crore. As reported by PSBs on 25th September 2020, portfolio of Rs 16,401 crore has been purchased.

Rs 30,000 crore Additional Emergency Working Capital Funding for farmers through NABARD

As on 25th September,2020 , Rs. 25,000 crore has been disbursed out of this special facility. Balance amount of Rs. 5,000 crore under Special Liquidity Facility (SLF) allocated to NABARD by RBI for smaller NBFCs and NBFC-MFIs.

NABARD is finalising the operational guidelines to roll out disbursement out of this facility. Rs 30,000 crore Special Liquidity Scheme for NBFCs/HFCs/MFIs

SBICAP was assigned to set up a SPV to implement the Scheme. The Scheme was launched through a Press Release dated July 1, 2020. On the same day the regulator RBI also issued a circular to NBFCs and HFCs on the Scheme.

As on 30th September 2020, thirty nine (39) proposals involving an amount of Rs.11,120 crore have been approved. Out of this sanctioned amount, Rs 7,227 crore has been disbursed whereas Rs 182 crore will not be availed. The remaining sanctions of Rs 3,707 crore have lapsed. This Scheme has been closed on 30th September,2020.

Rs. 1,500 crore Interest Subvention for MUDRA-Shishu Loans The current portfolio of MUDRA-Shishu loans is Rs 1.62 lakh crore (Maximum loan amount of Rs. 50,000). The Cabinet approved the Scheme on 24.6.2020 and guidelines of the Scheme were issued on 26.6.2020. However, 86% of eligible accounts were on moratorium till 31. 8.2020. Budget allocation of Rs. 1,232 crore made for FY 2020-21 and Rs. 120 crore released to SIDBI on 7th September 2020.

Rs 2 lakh crore Concessional credit boost to 2.5 crore farmers through Kisan Credit Cards in a Special Drive In Phase I, 58.12 lakh KCC cards with KCC limit of Rs. 46,330 crore had been sanctioned.

Legislative amendments to give effect to this announcement was incorporated in The Taxation and Other Laws (Relaxation and Amendment of Certain provisions) Bill, 2020 which was introduced in the Lok Sabha on 18th September 2020. After, the assent of Hon’ble President ,The Taxation and Other Laws (Relaxation and Amendment of certain provisions) Act, 2020 has been notified on 29th September,2020.

Other Direct Tax Measures: During the Current Financial Year, a number of 33, 53,898 refunds amounting to Rs.1,18,324 crore have been issued. Remaining refunds are under process.

Under the ANBP, the following was announced: Due date of all income-tax return for FY 2019-20 will be extended from 31st July, 2020 & 31st October, 2020 to 30th November, 2020 and Tax audit from 30th September, 2020 to 31st October, 2020

Date of assessments getting barred on 30th September, 2020 will be extended to 31st December, 2020 and those getting barred on 31st March, 2021 will be extended to 30th September, 2021.

Period of Vivad se Vishwas Scheme for making payment without additional amount will be extended to 31st December, 2020.

Legislative amendments to give effect to these announcements were incorporated in The Taxation and Other Laws (Relaxation and Amendment of Certain provisions) Bill, 2020 which was introduced in the Lok Sabha on 18th September 2020. After, the assent of Hon’ble President , The Taxation and Other Laws (Relaxation and Amendment of certain provisions) Act, 2020 has been notified on 29th September,2020.

Further enhancement of Ease of Doing business through IBC related measure : The Government has raised the threshold of default under section 4of the IBC, 2016 to 1 crore (from the existing threshold of Rs 1 lakh) vide Notification dated 24.6.2020.

A special resolution under section 240A of the Code, to provide relief to the MSMEs is being finalized and the same would be notified soon.

Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (Second Amendment) Act, 2020 has been notified on 23rd September, 2020 with effect from 5th June, 2020 thereby providing insertion of Section 10A in the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code 2016 (Code) to temporarily suspend initiation of Corporate Insolvency Resolution Process (CIRP) under Sections 7, 9 and 10 of the Code for a period of six months or such further period, not exceeding one year, from 25th March, 2020. The benefit of the proposed suspension will be available to all those defaults of the corporate debtor that occur from 25th March 2020 and till the end of the period of suspension. Further, such defaults arising between the 25th March, 2020 and till the completion of the suspension period will remain as non-est for the purpose of initiation of CIRP under the Code as a permanent carve-out. Section 66 of the Code is also amended to disallow the resolution professional from filing application of action against the directors or partners of the corporate debtor with respect of such default.

10. Decriminalization of Companies Act defaults The Companies (Amendment) Bill, 2020, has been passed by Lok Sabha on 19th September, 2020 and by Rajya Sabha on 22nd September, 2020. After, the assent of Hon’ble President , The Companies ( Amendment) Act,2020 has been notified on 28th September, 2020.

Ease of Doing Business for Corporates : The Companies (Amendment) Bill, 2020, has been passed by Lok Sabha on 19th September, 2020 and by Rajya Sabha on 22nd September, 2020. After, the assent of Hon’ble President , The Companies ( Amendment) Act,2020 has been notified on 28th September, 2020.