Over 17 Lakh Saplings Planted during Mega Oil Palm Plantation Drive 2024 Benefiting 10,000 Farmers under National Mission on Edible Oils-Oil Palm

Key Highlights:

• The Drive, launched on July 15, 2024, has achieved a significant milestone by planting demonstrating the collective efforts of Government of India, state governments and oil palm processing companies towards expanding oil palm cultivation in the country.

National Mission for Edible Oils - Oil Palm (NMEO-OP)

• Launched by the Government of India in August 2021, NMEO-OP targets a substantial increase in oil palm cultivation and crude palm oil production.
• It is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme with a special focus on the North east region and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, with a focus on increasing the area and productivity of oilseeds and Oil Palm. 

Financial Outlay:

• Total Budget: 11,040 crores.
• Government of India Share: 8,844 crores.
• State Share: 2,196 crores.
• Includes:Viability gap funding to support the price stability for farmers and reduce financial risks.

Target of National Mission on Edible Oils (NMEO-OP)

• Around 9 MT of palm oil is imported every year to the tune of Rs. 40,000 crore which is around 56 % of the total imports of edible oil. At present against a total potential area of around 28 lakh hectares, only 3.70 lakh hectares is under oil palm cultivation.
• The target fixed for Oil palm area expansion by 2025-26 under NMEO-Oil palm is given below:

1. To increase area of oil palm to 10 lakh hectares from 3.5 lakh ha during 2019-20 by 2025-26 (additional 6.50 lakh ha) of which it is targeted 3.22 lakh hectares for general state and 3.28 lakh ha in North Eastern states with targeted FFBs production of 66.00 lakh tonnes.
2. To increase in Crude Palm Oil production from 0.27 lakh tonnes during 2019-20 to 11.20 lakh tonnes by 2025-26.
3. Increase consumer awareness to maintain consumption level of 19.00 kg/person/annum till 2025-26.

Significance of the Scheme:

1. Reduction in Import dependance:
   

• It is expected to incentivise production of palm oil to reduce dependence on imports and help farmers cash in on the huge market.
• India is the largest consumer of vegetable oil in the world. Of this, palm oil imports are almost 55% of its total vegetable oil imports.

       2. Rise in Yields:

• India produces less than half of the roughly 2.4 crore tonnes of edible oil that it consumes annually.It imports the rest, buying palm oil from Indonesia and Malaysia, soyoil from Brazil and Argentina, and sunflower oil, mainly from Russia and Ukraine.

• In India, 1% of its palm oil is used in food products,especially for cooking purposes. This makes palm oil extremely critical to India’s edible oils economy.

Special Provisions for North-East and Andaman:

• Additional Support: An extra 2% of the CPO price will be provided to farmers in these regions to align their support with the rest of India.

Seed Gardens Assistance:

• Rest of India: 80 lakhs for 15 hectares.
• North-East and Andaman: 100 lakhs for 15 hectares.
• Additional Assistance:Seed garden support of Rs. 40 lakhs (Rest of India) and Rs. 50 lakhs (North-East and Andaman).

IEPFA celebrates 8th Foundation Day in New Delhi

• The Foundation Day conference was on the theme of “Empowering Investors: Financial Literacy as the Key to Combat Fraud and Digital Scams”.
• The theme reflected the growing need to equip investors with the knowledge and tools necessary to safeguard themselves in an increasingly complex financial landscape.

IEPFA''s Mission and Initiatives:

• IEPFA has focused on protecting investors and promoting financial literacy since its inception.
• Over the past eight years, IEPFA has launched impactful initiatives, including:
• Niveshak Didi Programme with India Post Payments Bank.
• Niveshak Sarathi Initiative with Common Service Centres.
• Financial Literacy Camps in collaboration with the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI).
• Gyandarshan Tele-Lecture Series with IGNOU.

Investor Education and Protection Fund Authority:

• It was established in 2016 under the Companies Act, of 2013.
• The Authority is entrusted with;
• The responsibility of administration of the Investor Education Protection Fund (IEPF).
• Make refunds of shares, unclaimed dividends, matured deposits/debentures etc. to investors and promote awareness among investors.
• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Corporate Affairs
• The following amounts that remained unpaid and unclaimed for a period of seven years from the date they became due for payment are credited to the Fund:
• Amounts in the unpaid dividend accounts of the companies
• The application money received by companies for allotment of any securities and due for refund
• Matured deposits with companies
• Matured debentures with companies
• Grants and donations are given to the fund by the Central Government, State Governments, companies or any other institutions for the purposes of the Fund
• The interest or other income received out of the investments made from the fund.

The IEPF is to be utilized for:

• The fund is utilized for promoting investor awareness and protection of investor interests.
• The Fund is also utilised for distribution of any disgorged amountamong eligible applicants for shares or debentures, shareholders, debenture-holders or depositors who have suffered losses due to wrong actions by any person, in accordance with the orders made by the Court.
• When a person or entity in the securities market makes a profit by fraudulent means, a ‘disgorgement’ order is issued to repay those gains to affected investors with interest.

Last date of submission of nomination for the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar is 15th September, 2024

• The Ministry of Women & Child Development organises Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Purashkar (PMRBP) every year to celebrate the energy, determination, ability, zeal and enthusiasm of our children.

Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar:

• The Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar (PMRBP) awards are a prestigious recognition of exceptional abilities and outstanding achievements in Indian children aged 5-18.
• These awards celebrate the diverse talents and contributions of young minds across the nation, inspiring others and fostering a sense of national pride.

Seven Categories of Excellence

• Bravery: For acts of exceptional courage and selflessness.
• Art & Culture: For outstanding contributions in the fields of music, dance, visual arts, literature, and other cultural pursuits.
• Environment: For remarkable efforts in environmental conservation and sustainability.
• Innovation: For groundbreaking inventions and creative solutions to challenges.
• Science & Technology: For exceptional achievements in scientific research and technological development.
• Social Service: For selfless dedication to social welfare and community development.
• Sports: For exceptional athletic accomplishments and sportsmanship.

Background:

• The Government of India has been conferring awards to children for their exceptional achievements.
• The awards for child welfare were also conferred, to individuals as well as institutions.
• These awards were given in the following categories:
• National Child Award for Exceptional Achievements - since 1996.
• National Child Welfare Award (Individual) - since 1979.
• National Child Welfare Award (Institution) - since 1979.
• Rajiv Gandhi Manav Sewa Award - since 1994.
• Since 2017-18, these Awards were given under the following categories:
• Bal Shakti Puraskar (Earlier known as National Child Award).
• Bal Kalyan Puraskar[Individual & Institution] (Earlier known as National Child Welfare Award).
• From the year 2022 onwards, Bal Kalyan Puraskar (both Individual and Institution) has been closed and Bal Shakti Puraskar has been subsumed under Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar.

Eligibility:

• A child who is an Indian Citizen and is a resident of India.
• A Child above the age of 5 years and not exceeding 18 years (as on 31st July of respective year).
• The act/incident/achievement should have been within 2 years of the last date of receipt of application/nomination for the year of consideration.

Shri Sanjay Kumar chairs International Conference on ‘Spectrum of Literacy’ on the eve of International Literacy Day 2024

• International Literacy Day is celebrated globally on September 8th every year to raise awareness about the importance of literacy and education for individuals and communities.
• Initiated by UNESCO in 1967, this day highlights the significance of literacy as a matter of dignity and human rights and the need for efforts to create a more literate and sustainable society. 
• International Literacy Day 2024 brings attention to ongoing challenges in global literacy and emphasizes the importance of achieving literacy goals for sustainable development.

Theme of International Literacy Day 2024

• The theme for International Literacy Day 2024 is "Promoting multilingual education: Literacy for mutual understanding and peace".
• This theme emphasizes the importance of using multilingual education to foster mutual understanding, social cohesion, and peace.
• It highlights the cognitive, pedagogical, and socio-economic benefits of adopting a first language-based, multilingual approach to literacy development and education.

International Literacy Day 2024 Importance:

International Literacy Day 2024 holds immense significance as it underscores the critical role literacy plays in personal empowerment, community development, and national progress.

• In 2024, the focus is on enhancing literacy rates to bridge educational gaps, promote gender equality, and support sustainable development goals.
• By highlighting the transformative power of reading and writing, International Literacy Day 2024 emphasizes the need for accessible education, the elimination of barriers to learning, and the implementation of effective literacy programs worldwide. 
• This observance not only celebrates the achievements in literacy but also calls for renewed commitment and collaborative efforts to ensure that every individual has the opportunity to acquire essential literacy skills, thereby fostering a more informed, equitable, and prosperous society.

Significance of International Literacy Day

• Highlights Literacy’s Role in Empowerment: International Literacy Day emphasizes the crucial part literacy plays in empowering individuals, enabling them to gain knowledge, develop skills, and enhance their personal growth.
• Encourages Societal Development: Literacy is a key driver of societal development, helping to foster economic growth, reduce poverty, and promote social inclusion.
• Beyond Reading and Writing: Literacy is not limited to reading and writing; it also involves understanding and interpreting information, which is essential for making informed decisions and improving one’s quality of life.
• Advocates for Inclusive Education: This day encourages governments, civil society, and educational institutions to support policies and practices that ensure access to literacy and education for everyone, regardless of their background.
• Promotes Global Awareness: By celebrating International Literacy Day, global awareness is raised about the importance of literacy, pushing for efforts to improve literacy rates worldwide.