20 June Ras Mains Answer Writing

Answer:

With 60% of Rajasthan’s population dependent on agriculture, it’s crucial to make it profitable and sustainable. The state’s agri-export share is just 1.5% of APEDA products.  This 2019 policy seeks to address the entire value chain in agro-processing, marketing, and exports.

• Duration : launched on 17th December, 2019 ; Policy effective until 31st March 2024, with a review in 2021.

Main Features : 

• Development of Infrastructural Facilities: Support for creating warehouses, cold storages, pack houses, export facilitation centres, aggregation centres in public and private sectors.
• Promote value addition and export of crops with production advantage like cuminseed, coriander, gwar, isabgol, pulses, oilseeds, henna, kinnu, senna, pomegranate and fresh vegetables etc.
• Financial Support
• Capital Subsidy: 50% of project cost up to ₹100 lakh for farmers & their organizations; 25% up to ₹50 lakh for other entrepreneurs.
• Interest Subsidy: 5% on term loans; additional 1% for specific groups (farmers, SC/ST, women, young entrepreneurs).
• Freight Subsidy: ₹15 lakh/year for distant market transport and exports for 3 years; ₹20 lakh/year for organic produce for 5 years.
• Electricity Tariff Subsidy: ₹1.0 per KWH up to ₹2 lakh/year for 5 years ; 30% subsidy on solar power plant cost up to ₹10 lakh.
• Cluster Development Approach to minimize the post harvest losses : Encourage formation of agro-industrial parks, food parks, and agro-processing clusters to benefit farming communities.
• Promotion of FPOs/FPCs: Develop Common Facilitation Centres for Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) and Farmer Producer Companies (FPCs).
• Promotion of Livestock Products: Identify clusters for animal husbandry and promote quality livestock products through Good Animal Husbandry Practices (GAHP).
• Promotion of Quality Produce : Adopt Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) and food safety standards in production, processing, and packaging.
• Contract Farming:  Simplify rules and procedures; amended Rajasthan Agricultural Produce Markets Act, 1961 to permit contract farming for selected crops.
• Zero Defect Zero Effect Policy: Focus on high-quality production with minimal environmental impact.
• Traceability : Ensure product origin and production practices through cluster-based production and FPOs.
• Widening of Markets : A database for potential avenues for state produce
• Online Mandis: Connected 25 mandis with the electronic National Agriculture Market (eNAM) for transparency and better returns.
• Promotion of State Brand and Geographical Indication : Highlight unique Rajasthan products with specific agro-climatic characteristics and local skills.
• Employment Generation and Skill Development : Sector-specific skill development and training modules facilitated by Rajasthan State Livelihoods Development Corporation (RSLDC).
• Conducive Atmosphere for Agro-processing Industry : Simplify procedures with the help of Rajasthan State Agricultural Marketing Board.

Creation of Credit Facilitation Fund : Establish a ₹500 crore fund with “The Rajasthan State Cooperative Bank Limited” for credit facilities to eligible units under the policy.

Answer:

Rajasthan Grameen Aajeevika Vikas Parishad (RGAVP): Established in October 2010 by the Government of Rajasthan to implement all rural livelihood programs using SHG-based institutional architecture.

Key Activities :Institution Building, Capacity Building, Financial Inclusion, Livelihood Intervention, Convergence

Role in Rural Development:

1. Implementation of Livelihood Programs: Implements National Rural Livelihoods Mission (NRLM) across the state and National Rural Economic Transformation Project (NRETP) in 36 blocks of 9 districts.
2. Creating Financially Sustainable Platforms (Achievements): Direct procurement of SHG Products permitted up to ₹1.0 lakh ;Established retail stores, canteens, and outlets; Registered women in Suraksha Sakhi ; Uploaded SHG products on Amazon ; Formed FPOs, Van Dhan Kendras, and producer groups ; Establishment of Rajasthan Mahila Nidhi Credit Co-Operative Federation Ltd. ; Establishment of Ujala Milk Producer Company Limited and Hadoti Mahila Kisan Producer Company Limited.
3. Improving Access to Financial and Public Services: Financial assistance provided through revolving fund support and livelihood fund from RGAVP; opened bank accounts, and secured loans worth ₹3,903 crores.

Approach towards Capacity Building: Holistic approach beyond SHGs ;  Multiple financial assistance rounds ; Savings and credit model; Livelihood diversification; Social and Livelihood Security; Community to community learning (CRP Model); Skill development and employment; Effective monitoring through Web-based MIS system.

Answer:

State has a very strong base of MSMEs in Gems and Jewellery, Handicrafts, Food Processing, Auto Components, Textiles, Leather and Dimensional Stones.  Initiatives taken : 

1. MSME Policy-2022: Provisions for land allocation, infrastructure development, smart industrial areas, and cluster development.

• Assistance in product quality improvement, marketing, export promotion, and incentives for women, SC, ST, and specially abled entrepreneurs.

2. Mukhyamantri Laghu Udyog Protsahan Yojana (MLUPY): 8 percent interest subsidy on loans upto ₹25 lakh, 6 percent interest subsidy on loans upto ₹5 crore and 5 percent interest subsidy on loans upto ₹10 crore are being provided
3. Rajasthan MSME Amendment Act-2023: Extends exemption period from 3 to 5 years for obtaining state government approvals. Thus, allows setting up of inspection or NOC-free industries for 5 years.
4. State-Level One-Stop Shop: A single platform with officials from 14 departments to address industry-related issues promptly.
5. MSME Investor Facilitation Centre (MIFC): Established in District Industries and Commerce Centers to offer essential support and information to entrepreneurs.
6. RIPS-2022: Provides interest subsidies for MSMEs along with other benefits.
7. Rajasthan Financial Corporation (RFC): Offers financial assistance to MSMEs for industrial projects since 1955.
8. Collaboration Between Rajasthan Export Promotion Council and Aaroh Consulting: Aims to digitize and facilitate exports for MSMEs through training programs and expert guidance.

Answer:

Increasing crime against tourists

(Manish, a correspondent)

Jaipur, Dec 17, 2023. The State Govt. has shown great concern over the rising incidents of crime against foreign tourists. In the last two years Rajasthan’s image of a safe tourist haven has been scarred by several instances of tourists, especially foreigners, being raped, molested or looted. In 2020, an auto- rickshaw driver and his accomplice raped a 47 year-old German tourist. The two were sentenced to life imprisonment. In March 2022 Biti Mohanty, son of a senior police officer of Orissa, raped a German student in Alwar. In April 2022, a Japanese woman was raped and robbed of Rs. 54,000 by the son of a hotel manager in the holy city of Pushkar. Again an American tourist complained of being molested in Pushkar in January 2023.

Earlier in January 2023, a British Journalist alleged that she had been raped by a guest house owner in Udaipur. The State tourism industry is worried due to these shameful incidents. These kinds of incidents bring shame to the state and they are a blot on the culture of Rajasthan. It is suggested that the government must take quick, stringent steps to check the crimes and restore the image of Rajasthan. Although in 2021 Rajasthan government made ‘misbehaviour with tourists’ a cognisable offence in Rajasthan and a non-bailable one if repeated. But still effective implementation should be ensured. According to a tourism department official, the Rajasthan Govt. has decided to strengthen its tourism police force by recruiting more security personnel and by increasing their remuneration. This is a welcome step to check crime against tourists.