Belmont Forum
- The Belmont Forum, created in 2009, is a high level group of the world's major funders of global environmental change research and international science councils.
- It provides an opportunity to identify, study and deliver international environmental research priorities.
- India is a member of Belmont Forum, besides Australia, Brazil, Canada, European Commission, France, Germany, Japan, Netherland, South Africa, UK and USA etc.
- Ministry of Earth Science represents India in the Belmont Forum since 2012.
- In order to coordinate the activities of the Belmont, a Full time Secretariat is hosted by one of the Belmont forum member on rotational basis.
- National French Research Agency (ANR), France is hosting the Secretariat from January, 2015 to December, 2017.
- Recently, India has approved the collaborative agreement with ANR France for supporting the Belmont Forum Secretariat from 2015 to 2017.
Mahatma Bunker Bima Yojana
- The Scheme is implemented by Ministry of Textiles.
- The objective of the scheme is to provide insurance cover to handloom weavers in case of natural death (Rs. 60,000/-), accidental death (Rs.1,50,000/-), total disability (Rs.1,50,000/-) and partial disability (Rs. 75,000/-).
- In addition to above, a scholarship of Rs.300/- per quarter per child is available to students studying in standards IX to XII. The benefit is restricted to two children of the member covered.
Water Management Index
- The index is developed by Niti Aayog.
- The index acts as a useful tool to assess and further improve the performance in efficient management of water resources.
- The Index has 28 key Performance Indicators covering irrigation status, drinking water and other water-related sectors.
- Niti Aayog will prepare the index for States/Union Territories from the current financial year (2017-18).
- The index would provide useful information for the States and Central Ministries enabling them to formulate and implement suitable strategies for better management of water resources.
