News in Short Flashcards

Question

Indian Council of Historical Research (ICHR)

Answer 1

Recently, government reconstituted Indian Council of Historical Research (ICHR), an autonomous organization under Ministry of Human Resources Development (MHRD), registered under Societies Registration Act 1972 Its objective is to promote and give direction to historical research and to encourage and foster objective and scientific writing of history. o It also provides fellowships and financial assistance to the young teachers in colleges, universities and also assists to promote scientific research, both in India and abroad. o The composition of council is: o An eminent historian nominated by the Government of India (Chairman); o Eighteen historians nominated by the Government of India; o A representative of the University Grant Commission; o Director General of Archaeology o Director of National Archives; o Four persons nominated by the Government of India with one representative each of the Ministry of Education, the Department of Culture and the Ministry of Finance, and Member Secretary.

Answer 2

 It aims to promote, understand and develop fondness for India’s rich cultural heritage amongst the youth with a view to develop appropriate leadership qualities amongst youth.  It focusses on the less privileged children residing in backward areas by interacting with them in vernacular languages for their better understanding.  Centre for Cultural Resources and Training, an autonomous organization under the Ministry of Culture, is the implementation agency for this programme.

Answer 3

Recently, 40 Indian Origin youth from 8 countries visited the country under the 53rd Edition of “Know India Programme”. The partner states of this edition are Maharashtra and Daman & Diu.  It is a diaspora engagement programme through a three-week orientation, organised by the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India.  Its objective is of familiarizing the India Diaspora Youth, in the age group of 18-30 years, with developments and achievements made by the country and bringing them closer to the land of their ancestors.

Answer 4

 It is a convention of Women Sarpanches, aimed at empowering the women, which was held in Kurukshetra.  It aims to bring in to focus the leadership role played by rural women in Swachh Bharat Mission.  It is being organized by the Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation in association with the Government of Haryana.  The Swachh Shakti program was first held in 2017 at Gandhinagar, Gujarat.

Answer 5

 Ministry of Drinking Water and sanitation has launched part two of the nation-wide campaign called Darwaza Band to promote toilet use and freedom from open defecation.  It is promoted under the aegis of Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen) and envisages to bring about a behavioral change in men who have toilets but are not using them.  In part 2 of the campaign it aims to further promote the use of toilets and to sustain the open defecation free status of villages across India.  World Bank is supporting the ongoing part two of the Darwaza Band campaign.

Answer 6

Girmityas or Jahajis are descendants of indentured Indian labourers brought to Fiji, Mauritius, South Africa, East Africa, the Malay Peninsula, Caribbean and South America (Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana and Suriname) to work on sugarcane plantations by European colonizers.

Answer 7

The United States Chamber of Commerce's Global Innovation Policy Center (GIPC) launched a new innovation initiative titled "Fair Value for Innovation" at the Raisina Dialogue. It will examine economic underpinnings that would enable breakthrough innovation, and explore how policymakers can harness innovation capital in India and around the globe through research, advocacy, partnerships, and programs.

Answer 8

US President has signed ARIA act to counter the threat from China and to reinvigorate US leadership in the Indo-Pacific region. It aims to establish a multifaceted U.S. strategy to increase U.S. security, economic interests, and values in the Indo-Pacific region. ARIA recognizes the vital role of the strategic partnership between the U.S. and India in promoting peace and security in the Indo-Pacific region and it calls for strengthening diplomatic, economic, and security ties between both the countries.

Answer 9

At the conclusion of the Arab Economic and Social Development Summit, countries taking part in the summit issued a joint statement called the Beirut Declaration. • It called for establishment of an Arab free trade zone and the international community to support countries hosting refugees and displaced people.

Answer 10

Recently Chairman and member of National Statistical Commission (NSC) resigned due to difference with Government. NSC was set up by the Government of India as an autonomous institution in 2005 on recommendation of Dr. C. Rangarajan committee. • It serves as a nodal organization for all core statistical activities of the country including evolving, monitoring and enforcing statistical standards and ensuring statistical co-ordination among the different agencies involved. • The Commission has a part-time Chairperson, four part-time Members and Chief Executive Officer of the NITI Aayog as ex-officio member. • The Chief Statistician of India serves as the Secretary of the Commission. He is also the Secretary to the Government of India in the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation.

Answer 11

A debenture is a type of bond that is not secured by physical assets or collateral. Debentures are backed only by the general creditworthiness and reputation of the issuer. • An entity which needs to raise money for itself can issue debentures promising a fixed rate of interest and return of the principal at a certain date known as Debenture Redemption. • Treasury Bills issued by governments are a type of Debentures.

Answer 12

* Recently Ministry of Finance rejected the proposal of SEBI to remove the requirement of the debenture redemption reserve (DRR). * DRR is a provision under Companies Act. DRR is to be funded by company profits every year until the debentures are redeemed. The reserve is to be created out of the issuer’s profits of until at least 25% of the face value of debentures issued. * Financial institutions such as banks and non-banking financial companies are exempted. * DRR protects investors against the possibility of default by Company.

Answer 13

Recently France has implemented tax on large technology companies with large annual global revenue called GAFA (Google Apple Facebook Amazon) Tax from 1st Jan 2019.

Answer 14

Government has unveiled new guidelines for Jan Shikshan Sansthans (JSS) aligning them to the National Skills Qualification Framework. Jan Shikshan Sansthans (JSSs) are established to provide vocational training to non-literate, neo-literate, as well as school drop outs • It was under the Ministry of Human Resources Development, but transferred to the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship in 2018.

Answer 15

University Grants Commission (UGC) has decided to set up Consortium for Academic and Research Ethics (CARE) to refine and strengthen research publication. • The good quality Research Journals in disciplines under Social Sciences, Humanities, Languages, Arts, Culture, Indian Knowledge Systems etc., will be maintained by CARE and referred to as ‘CARE Reference List of Quality Journals’. • This will be used for all academic purposes

Answer 16

Chairman of National Solar Energy Federation - Pranav R. Mehta recently became the first Indian to be appointed chief of Global Solar Council. • Global Solar Council is international non-profit association of the national, regional and international associations in solar energy and the world ‘s leading corporations. • It was founded at the 2015 Paris Climate Conference. • National Solar Energy Federation is a founding member of the Global Solar Council (GSC). o It is an umbrella organization of all solar energy stakeholders of India such as international and national companies. o It works in a complimentary manner with the Central and State Governments for achieving India’s national solar target of 100 GW by 2022.

Answer 17

Alliance to End Plastic Waste was recently founded. • It is a nonprofit organization which includes companies from across the globe. From India, Reliance Industries is a part of the alliance. • It has committed over $1.0 billion with the goal of investing $1.5 billion over the next five years to help end plastic waste in the environment

Answer 18

* The Centre has recently signed an agreement with five States including Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, Delhi, Himachal Pradesh, to restart construction of the Renuka multipurpose dam project in the Upper Yamuna Basin. * The Renuka dam project has been conceived as a storage project on the Giri river (a tributary of the Yamuna) in Sirmaur district of Himachal Pradesh.

Answer 19

Defence Minister recently inaugurated girder bridge over Diffo river on Roing-Koronu-Paya road in Arunachal Pradesh. It is a pre Stressed Concrete Box Girder type bridge. The Diffo bridge will provide for uninterrupted access between Dibang Valley and Lohit valley region of Eastern Arunachal Pradesh together with providing an all-weather road to our troops deployed on the China border. • It will be undertaken by the Border Roads Organisation

Answer 20

Atal Setu is 5.1-km long cable-stayed four-lane bridge weighing 2.5 lakh tones on Mandovi river in Goa.

Answer 21

Recently Railway Minister announced the name Vande Bharat Express for Train 18, indigenously developed world-class train under Make in India. • It is the first locomotive-less train in the country and will ply between Delhi & Varanasi. • It is India's first semi high-speed train with max speed of 180 kmph. Before Vande Bharat Express (Train 18), Gatimaan Express was the fastest train in India with maximum operational speed of 160 Km/hr

Answer 22

Indian Railway’s Mission Raftaar envisages a target of doubling of average speed of freight trains and increasing the average speed of all non-suburban passenger trains by 25 kmph in the next 5 years.

Answer 23

High speed train based on Train 18 with maximum speed of 200 kmph, to replace all Rajdhani Express fleet by 2020.

Answer 24

It is part of the global International Waterbird Census (IWC) carried out each January as a voluntary activity. • In India, the AWC is jointly coordinated by the Bombay Natural History Society and Wetlands International. • Wetlands International is a non-profit organization established in 1937 as ‘International Wildfowl Inquiry’ and HQ in Netherlands.

Answer 25

* Iran has planned to revive its endangered salt water lake Urmia. * It is the largest lake in Iran, second largest lake in the Middle East and the sixth largest saltwater lake on earth. * Before shrinking, it was considered as the second largest saltwater lake in the world. * It has been shrinking since 1995, due to a combination of prolonged drought, over-farming, dam constrictions and climate changing phenomenon. * It has been designated as a site of international importance under the Ramsar Convention on wetland 1971. * In 1976, UNESCO (the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation) designated Lake Urmia, a biosphere reserve.

Answer 26

held recently at Jalandhar. • It is conducted annually by the Indian Science Congress Association (ISCA), under Department of Science and Technology. • Its first session was held in Kolkata under the General Presidentship of Ashutosh Mukherjee in 1914. In 1947, Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Prime Minister, was the General President. The tradition has been carried on by successive PMs for the last 70 years. • The theme this year was “Future India: Science and Technology”. PM emphasized on connecting science, technology and innovation with the people, in his address.

Answer 27

Recently, an international team of scientists began a research named SALSA (SUBGLACIAL ANTARCTIC LAKES SCIENTIFIC ACCESS) for study of microbes and living specimens in a Subglacial Lake Mercer of Antarctica. • This project could add to understanding of the evolution of life in these extreme environments on earth and other celestial bodies such as habitats deep inside Mars or on the ice-covered moons of Jupiter and Saturn.

Answer 28

Recently, Washington University launched telescope named X-Calibur, from Antarctica. • It intends to measure the polarization of X-rays arriving from distant neutron stars, black holes and other exotic celestial bodies. • The observations will also test two of the most important theories in modern physics under extreme conditions: quantum electrodynamics and general relativity.

Answer 29

Recently NASA’s New Horizons spacecraft carried out a historic flyby of a distant object called Ultima Thule and sent back its images. • Ultima Thule, is a contact binary. That means it is a single object, with two lobes, but the lobes are gently in contact. • The scenario to form such a body is that probably numerous small planetesimals came together in the outer solar system in a small region early on, the two of them more or less nudged together, gently fused by gravity. This created a snowman-shaped, two-lobed binary object. • NASA dubbed the larger lobe Ultima, and the other, which is about three times smaller, Thule. • It is the most distant object ever visited. • It is located in the Kuiper Belt- a donut-shaped region of icy bodies beyond the orbit of Neptune. o New Horizons is the first mission to explore the Kuiper Belt.

Answer 30

Normally, the last stage of a PSLV rocket after releasing the primary satellite in space becomes dead and categorised as debris. However, in PSLV-C44, the fourth stage (PS4) of the vehicle would be moved to higher circular orbit so as to establish an orbital platform for carrying out experiments. • Payload: Kalamsat (Nano-satellite), a student payload will be the first to use PS4 as orbital platform and Microsat-R, a military imaging satellite

Answer 31

Indus Food is a global platform where top exporters from Food and Beverage Industry of India will be participating and buyers from across the world have been invited. It is organised by Trade Promotion Council of India (TCPI) with the support of Dept. of Commerce, Govt. of India.

Answer 32

Recently the Smart Food Executive Council was formed under the aegis of the Smart Food Initiative founded by the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid-Tropics (ICRISAT). • It aims to build food systems where the food is good for you (highly nutritious), good for the planet and good for the smallholder farmer. • A major objective under the initiative is to diversify staples which can have the strongest impact on nutrition, the environment and farmer welfare.

Answer 33

The Ministry of Women and Child Development, has launched an online campaign, ‘#www: Web- Wonder Women’. • The Campaign aims to discover and celebrate the exceptional achievements of women, who have been driving positive agenda of social change via social media. It will recognize and acknowledge the efforts of these meritorious women. • Indian-origin women, working or settled anywhere in the world, are eligible for nomination. The shortlisted entries will be open for public voting on Twitter and the finalists will be selected by a specialized panel of judges.

Answer 34

Celiac disease also called sprue or coeliac, is an immune reaction to eating gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley and rye. It is a kind of an autoimmune disorder occurring in people who are genetically predisposed. • In celiac patient, eating gluten triggers an immune response in small intestine. Over time, this reaction damages small intestine's lining and prevents absorption of some nutrients

Answer 35

Recently Triple Drug Therapy regime for eradication of Lymphatic Filariasis was launched in city of Nagpur. • Triple Drug Therapy involves combination of three drugs Ivermectin, Diethylcarbamazine Citrate and Albendazol (Known as IDA). • WHO has recommended three drug treatment to accelerate the global elimination of lymphatic filariasis.

Answer 36

* Lymphatic filariasis, a neglected tropical disease is caused by infection with parasitic worms living in the lymphatic system. * The larval stages of the parasite (microfilaria) circulate in the blood and are transmitted from person to person by mosquitoes. * Manifestation of the disease after infection takes time and can result in an altered lymphatic system, causing abnormal enlargement of body parts (like feet, arms, breasts, genitals) leading to severe disability and social stigmatization and poverty of those affected.

Answer 37

India-Myanmar bilateral Army exercise

Answer 38

Recently, Indian Navy and Costal Guard conducted exercise ‘Sea Vigil 2019’- largest coastal defense exercise which has covered first time the entire coast of India including island territories.

Answer 39

Indian army and armies of various African countries recently conducted India-Africa Field Training Exercise (IAFTX)-2019.

Answer 40

Chief Minister of Sikkim recently launched ‘One Family, One Job’ scheme which envisions jobs to a member of every family which does not have a government job in the state.

Answer 41

The Madhya Pradesh government announced the launch of Yuva Swabhiman Yojana to ensure 100 days of employment every year to the youths from the economically weaker sections (EWS) in the urban areas.

Answer 42

Odisha government in partnership with UNICEF India has launched "Jiban Sampark" to generate awareness about the development and welfare initiatives of state government among the Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups of the state.

Answer 43

Recently, Department of Personnel and Training, Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions (DoPT) launched an iGOT (Integrated Government Online Training Programme). • This online training programme will be targeted to the requirements of officers and training inputs will be available on site and on flexitime basis. • It would act as a single point of access to the repository of training resources to numerous training institutions.

Answer 44

* The United Nations announced health and nutritional aid for crisis-stricken Venezuela through CERF. * CERF is a humanitarian fund established by the UN General Assembly in 2006 to enable more timely and reliable humanitarian assistance to those affected by natural disasters and armed conflicts. CERF objectives: o Promote early action and response to avoid loss of life. o Enhance response to time-critical requirements. o Strengthen core elements of humanitarian response in underfunded crises

Answer 45

* Various agriculturists raised their concern about the growing threat to local-community driven Pokkali Paddy cultivation. * Pokkali Paddy is a saltwater-tolerant paddy in the coastal fields of Alappuzha, Ernakulam and Thrissur districts of Kerala. * Pokkali cultivation is a traditional indigenous method of rice-fish rotational cultivation practiced in the coastal belts. * This GI-Tagged paddy is a single-season (only one yield in a year) paddy raised in saltwater fields between June and November followed by a season of fish-farming. After the harvest, the paddy stubble in the fields acts as food and shelter for shrimp and small fish.

Answer 46

* The Prime Minister recently inaugurated the 6th International Rice Research Institute South Asia Regional Centre (IRRI SARC) in Varanasi. * International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) is an independent, nonprofit, research and educational institute, founded in 1960. * The institute is headquartered in Los Baños, Philippines. * IRRI is known for its work in developing rice varieties that contributed to the Green Revolution in the 1960s.

Answer 47

* The Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare has launched an online portal “ENSURE- National Livestock Mission- Entrepreneurship Development and Employment Generation (EDEG)” to make subsidy transfer process quicker & faster. * The National Livestock Mission’s component EDEG, under which subsidy payment for activities related to poultry, small ruminants, pigs etc. were given through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) and goes directly to the beneficiary’s account. * Now, controlling officer/branch manager of the bank, after scrutinizing & sanctioning of proposal, will upload the subsidy claims in the portal. The subsidy will be approved within 30 days from the date of sanction of loan. * This portal has been developed by NABARD and operates under the Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying & Fisheries.

Answer 48

• Akademik Lomonosov –the world's first floating nuclear power plant is operational in Russia

Answer 49

* Hindustan Unilever (HUL) announced the merger of Glaxo SmithKline Consumer (GSK Consumer) and this deal has been structured as a share swap. * Share swap is when a company pays for an acquisition or merger by issuing its own shares (used as a currency) to the shareholders of the target company. * The number of shares to be issued in lieu of their existing holdings in the target company called the swap ratio and it is determined by valuing the target company after looking into metrics such as its revenues and profits, as well as its market price.

Answer 50

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) will capture payment habits of individuals in six cities via the ‘Survey on Retail Payment Habits of Individuals (SRPHi)’. Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bengaluru and Guwahati. • The survey seeks qualitative responses from individuals on their payment habits.

Answer 51

Recently, 80th Session of the Policy Commission Meeting of the World Customs Organization (WCO) was held in India. • In July, 2018, India became the Vice-Chair (Regional Head) of the Asia Pacific Region of WCO for a period of two years. • WCO was established in 1952 as the Customs Co-operation Council (CCC), it’s an independent intergovernmental body whose mission is to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of Customs administrations. • It’s the only global organization which defines global standards and procedures for customs clearances at the border and their implementation.

Answer 52

First International Conference on Sustainable Water Management was organized by Bhakra Beas Management Board under the aegis of National Hydrology Project at Mohali, Himachal Pradesh.

Answer 53

Recently Ministry of Power has launched Energy Conversation Building Code for residential buildings named Eco Nivas Samhita, 2018 in order to promote energy efficiency in design and construction of homes and generate awareness towards conservation. • This new code is applicable to all residential buildings built on a plot area of ≥500 m2. However, states and municipal bodies may reduce the plot area. • Energy Conversation Building Code is formulated and implemented by Bureau of Energy Efficiency. • Energy Conversation Building Code for commercial buildings is already in place.

Answer 54

It was set up in 2002 by Ministry of Power, under Energy Conservation Act, 2001. It assists in developing policies and strategies based on self-regulation to reduce energy intensity of the Indian economy. • Functions of BEE includes Conducting energy audit, developing Energy Conservation Building Codes, implementing Standards and Labeling Program.

Answer 55

• Recently Japan announced its withdrawal from International Whaling Commission (IWC) to resume commercial whale hunting. • The IWC was constituted under the International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling in 1946 with an aim for orderly development of the whaling industry by putting catch limit, designating whale sanctuaries, coordinating conservation work etc. • The 1946 Convention does not define the term ‘whale’. Currently a complete ban is applied on commercial whaling, while whaling under the scientific-research and aboriginal-subsistence provisions are allowed

Answer 56

* The Punganur cow, considered one of the world’s smallest breeds of cattle, is said to be on the verge of extinction due to cross-breeding being conducted by farmers. * The Punganur cow, found in Andhra Pradesh is diminutive, with a height of 70 cm to 90 cm and weighing around 115 to 200 kg. * It has become a status symbol in recent years as wealthy livestock farmers began buying it, believing it brings good luck.

Answer 57

Government recently launched Women Entrepreneurship Platform 2.0. • WEP 2.0: It seeks to transform the entrepreneurial ecosystem in the country and shall be a one-stop resource centre for future and budding women entrepreneurs. It acts as a medium for various stakeholders in the economy to come together and offer integrated services such as Incubation Support, Mentorship, Funding avenues, Compliance, Marketing Assistance etc.

Answer 58

The fourth Partners’ Forum was recently held in New Delhi. • It was hosted by the Government of India, in association with the Partnership for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health (PMNCH). • The PMNCH is an alliance of more than 1000 organizations in 192 countries from the sexual, reproductive, maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health communities, as well as health influencing sectors. • It was launched in September 2005 to accelerate efforts to reduce child and maternal mortality, improve adolescent, child, newborn and maternal health. • Its Secretariat is hosted at the World Health Organization in Geneva, Switzerland. • This is the second time India is hosting the Partners’ Forum (earlier in 2012).

Answer 59

Direct Benefit Transfer Scheme for TB patients – Nikshay Poshan Yojana rolled out in April 2018. Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India announced the scheme for incentives for nutritional support to TB patients. * All TB patients notified on or after 1st April 2018 including all existing TB patients under treatment are eligible to receive incentives. The patient must be registered\notified on the NIKSHAY portal. * Financial incentive of Rs.500/- per month in cash or Kind for each notified TB patient for duration for which the patient is on anti-TB treatment is given through DBT in Aadhar-enabled bank account of beneficiary. * Its implementation is done under the National Health Mission.

Answer 60

The Bogibeel Bridge which at 4.94 km long and is India’s longest rail-cum-road bridge was recently inaugurated. • It has been built over the Brahmaputra river in the north eastern Indian state of Assam between Dibrugarh district and Dhemaji district. • The Bogibeel Bridge was a part of Assam Accord 1985 and was sanctioned in 1997-98. • It is India’s only fully welded bridge for which European codes and welding standards were adhered. • It will reduce travel time between the Assam and Arunachal Pradesh significantly

Answer 61

India’s first Railway University called National Rail and Transportation Institute (NRTI) was dedicated to the Nation recently. • It was first mentioned in the Union Budget-2014 and is only third such in the whole world after Russia and China. • This year, two under-graduate programmes are being offered by the university - B.Sc. in Transportation Technology and a BBA programme in Transportation Management.

Answer 62

Recently, Russia successfully test fired Avangard Missile. • It’s liquid-fueled intercontinental-range ballistic missile (ICBM), with the ability to fly as fast as Mach 20 (more than 15,000 miles per hour), and can carry nuclear and conventional warheads. • It comes with a manoeuvrable gliding feature, i.e it can adjust both altitude and direction, to avoid most missile defense systems. • Avangard deployment by 2019 will make it the first operational hypersonic glide vehicle system deployed anywhere in world.

Answer 63

``` Recently, Minister of Electronics & IT launched a National Challenge for Youths, “Ideate for India - Creative Solutions using Technology” with an aim to give school students (class 6-12) an opportunity to become solution creators for the problems. • The Challenge has been designed by the National e-Governance Division, Ministry of Electronics & IT in collaboration with Intel India, with support from the Department of School Education and Literacy. • Top 50 students will be declared Tech Creation Champions. ```

Answer 64

• Recently Indian Coast Guard conducted the Regional Level Marine Oil Pollution Response Exercise titled ‘Clean Sea - 2018’ at Port Blair. • It enhances the capability of Indian Coast Guard and improves coordination and communication with different agencies during oil spill in line with provisions of National Oil Spill Disaster Contingency Plan. • Andaman & Nicobar is highly vulnerable to oil spills as almost 200 ships cross Great Channel between Nicobar Islands and Northern Sumatra that leads into Malacca Straits making it among busiest sea routes of world

Answer 65

* It is aimed at creating product-specific traditional industrial hubs across 75 districts of Uttar Pradesh. * Under the scheme, financial and technical help for workers in that product will be provided. * It is being implemented by the Department of MSME and Export Promotion o f UP Government.

Answer 66

• Recently Maharashtra government with support from World Bank launched State of Maharashtra’s Agribusiness and Rural Transformation (SMART) project. • Its Major objectives include- Achieve sustainable farming, Facilitate agribusiness investment, Support resilient agriculture production, Expand access to new and organized markets for producers and enhance private sector participation in the agribusiness.

Answer 67

It was launched recently by Odisha government to provide the financial supports to Small, marginal farmers and also landless agricultural labourers of the state. • Under KALIA Scheme, the government will provide 5 types of benefits to the beneficiaries through DBT such as Support for Cultivation; Livelihood support; Life insurance; Financial assistance for sustenance of farmers not able to take up cultivation due to old age, disability, disease etc.; Interest free crop loan.

Answer 68

* It was launched by Jharkhand government to provide cash assistance of Rs 5,000 per acre to over 22.76 lakh small and marginal farmers across the state. * This scheme echoes the Rythu Bandhu scheme of Telangana government.