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- Why in News?
- The Union Cabinet has approved the “Grant-in-Aid to National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC)” scheme with a financial outlay of ₹2,000 crore over four years (FY 2025–26 to FY 2028–29), allocating ₹500 crore annually from the Government of India's budget.
- Key Provisions:-
- This Central Sector Scheme aims to provide financial assistance to cooperatives for establishing new projects, expanding existing facilities, and meeting working capital needs. NCDC, the implementing agency, will utilize the grant to leverage ₹20,000 crore from the open market during this period. The financial support will cover long-term credit for modernization, expansion, and technology upgrades, as well as working capital to enhance operational efficiency. The scheme is expected to boost income-generating assets, support diversification, and bridge socio-economic disparities, particularly by encouraging women’s participation in the workforce. Established in 1963, NCDC functions under the Ministry of Cooperation and promotes cooperative-based initiatives in production, marketing, storage, and trade of agricultural and allied products.
- Why in News?
- The Cabinet has approved an enhanced outlay of ₹6,520 crore for the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana (PMKSY) for the 15th Finance Commission period (2021–22 to 2025–26).
- Key Provisions:-
- This central sector scheme, led by the Ministry of Food Processing Industries since 2017-18, aims to develop modern infrastructure and efficient supply chains from farm gate to retail.
- Under the Integrated Cold Chain and Value Addition Infrastructure (ICCVAI) component, ₹1,000 crore has been allocated to establish 50 Multi-Product Food Irradiation Units. Additionally, support will be extended to 100 NABL-accredited Food Testing Labs under the Food Safety and Quality Assurance Infrastructure (FSQAI) component to enhance food safety and quality standards.
- PMKSY is a demand-driven initiative, independent of location or crop specificity, and includes components such as Agro Processing Clusters and Operation Greens. As of June 30, 2024, the scheme has approved 1,217 projects, drawing private investment worth ₹22,610.06 crore into the food processing sector.
- Why in News?
- Starlink, a satellite-based internet service developed by SpaceX, has received approval to offer its services in India. Utilizing a constellation of Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites, Starlink aims to deliver high-speed internet globally, including in underserved and remote regions.
- Key Provisions:-
- Satellite Internet Services work by transmitting data via satellites orbiting the Earth, providing wireless internet access even in areas lacking traditional infrastructure. This technology holds promise for bridging India’s digital divide, especially in isolated locations like the North-East, Ladakh, and disaster-prone zones. It can also support sectors like IoT, telemedicine, online education, and precision farming.
- While satellite internet offers strategic advantages, including military applications in high-altitude zones, it faces hurdles such as high user costs, latency issues, limited bandwidth, and regulatory challenges.
- The way forward involves deploying satellite broadband as a complementary solution alongside terrestrial networks, ensuring affordability, promoting local partnerships, and implementing hybrid connectivity models to expand rural and disaster-resilient digital infrastructure.
- Why in News?
- Starlink, a satellite-based internet service developed by SpaceX, has received approval to offer its services in India. Utilizing a constellation of Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites, Starlink aims to deliver high-speed internet globally, including in underserved and remote regions.
- Key Provisions:-
- Satellite Internet Services work by transmitting data via satellites orbiting the Earth, providing wireless internet access even in areas lacking traditional infrastructure. This technology holds promise for bridging India’s digital divide, especially in isolated locations like the North-East, Ladakh, and disaster-prone zones. It can also support sectors like IoT, telemedicine, online education, and precision farming.
- While satellite internet offers strategic advantages, including military applications in high-altitude zones, it faces hurdles such as high user costs, latency issues, limited bandwidth, and regulatory challenges.
- The way forward involves deploying satellite broadband as a complementary solution alongside terrestrial networks, ensuring affordability, promoting local partnerships, and implementing hybrid connectivity models to expand rural and disaster-resilient digital infrastructure.