Both the Central and the Tamil Nadu governments have approved the modified national agricultural insurance scheme in all 13 blocks in Pudukottai. Under the scheme, compensation will be provided at revenue-village-level for losses of weather-based crops and coconut palm due to natural disasters. The scheme will benefit tenants while covering all food grain crops and will also grant compensation for monsoon failure at any stage.
The Delhi government is all set to revive non-functional rainwater harvesting systems in schools to enhance the groundwater level and combat the water crisis in the capital. More than 50% of 800 government schools have defunct RWHs due to lack of maintenance. A team of engineers, scientists and advisors along with two education coordinators have been constituted to find out the problems and suggest remedial measures in the RWH systems.
The National Green Tribunal has ordered the governments of Maharashtra, Gujarat and Goa to monitor and stop illegal sand mining in areas falling under the Coastal Regulation Zone. In its order, the Tribunal has asked the state governments to seek the help of Coastal Police, home guards, NGOs and locals to stop the illegal activity and take strict action against the sand mafia as well as those extracting sand illegaly in the coastal zone.
The Tamil Nadu Water Supply and Drainage Board plans to commence the trial run of the Combined Water Supply Scheme worth Rs. 1,295 crore, by August 2014. The project aims to provide Cauvery water to Vellore Corporation, 11 municipalities, 5 town panchayats and 944 rural habitations in Vellore district. It will be tried out for a minimum of 4 months to ensure that the water is supplied to the end user without any hindrance.
The Government has announced the launch of 'India Inclusive Innovation Fund' that aims to focus on water and sanitation for promoting grass root innovation in socially relevant sectors. The fund will also encourage social returns from the venture that will be scalable, sustainable and profitable. A 20% grant will be provided to the funds while the rest of the money will be generated from banks, insurance companies and overseas-based financial and development institutions.
This is a weekly roundup of policy matters from February 2-9, 2014. Also read last week's news roundup.