Prelim Bits 26-12-2019

Good Governance Index

The index was launched to assess the state of governance in the country.
The rankings were launched by the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances, and the Centre for Good Governance.
The objectives of GGI are to provide quantifiable data to compare the state of governance in all States and UTs.
It enables them to formulate and implement suitable strategies for improving governance and shift to result oriented approaches and administration.
It takes into account 10 sectors –

The states and UTs are divided into three groups -- big states, north-east & Hill states and UTs.
Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Chhattisgarh and Andhra Pradesh topped among the ‘Big States’. Odisha, Bihar, Goa, and UP, are poor performers.
Among the North-East and Hill States, Himachal Pradesh Uttarakhand, Tripura, Mizoram and Sikkim are top performers.
J&K, Manipur, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh are poor performers.
Puducherry is the best governed Union Territory followed by Chandigarh and Delhi. Lakshadweep is the worst performing UT.

Atal Bhujal Yojana

Atal Bhujal Yojana (ATAL JAL) is a Central Sector Scheme under the Ministry of Jal Shakt recently approved by the Cabinet.
It will be implemented over a period of 5 years (2020-21 to 2024-25).
It aims to improve ground water management through community participation in identified priority areas in seven States.
The states are Gujarat, Haryana, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh.
It will promote panchayat led ground water management and behavioural change with primary focus on demand side management.
It has two major components such as,

The total outlay of Rs 6,000 crore, 50% shall be in the form of World Bank loan and will be repaid by the Central Government.
The remaining 50% shall be through Central assistance from regular budgetary support.

Rohtang Tunnel

The Rohtang tunnel connect Manali in Himachal Pradesh with Leh, Ladakh, and Jammu Kashmir, will be known as Atal Tunnel.
It is the 8.8 km-long tunnel and it will be the world’s longest highway tunnel at an altitude of above 10,000 feet (3,000 metres).
This strategic tunnel below the Rohtang pass is now nearing completion.
It cuts across the Pir Panjal range and provide all-weather connectivity to remote border areas of Himachal Pradesh and Ladakh.
It will reduce the distance between Manali and Leh by 46 kilometres.
The Seri Nullah river threatened to derail the project by its massive flow of water that often went upto 140 litres per second.

Jal Jeevan Mission

The mission is set to be operationalised with new guidelines released recently.
It aims to provide Functional Household Tap Connection (FHTC) to every rural household by 2024.
Jal Shakti Ministry is the nodal ministry for this mission.
The new guidelines will emphasise the critical role of the gram panchayat level to run and maintain the water supply system in their community and also bring in systems for water use charges.
Water is the State subject. Thus, the implementation has to be done through the States.
The fund sharing pattern to be 90:10 for Himalayan and North-Eastern States; 50:50 for other States and 100% for UTs.
For the implementation of JJM, following institutional arrangement has been proposed:
1. National Jal Jeevan Mission at the Central level;
2. State Water and Sanitation Mission (SWSM) at State level;
3. District Water and Sanitation Mission (DWSM) at district level; and
4. Gram Panchayat and/ or its sub-committees i.e. Village Water Sanitation Committee (VWSC)/ Paani Samiti at village Level.
The fund released by Central Government to the State Governments is to be deposited in one Single Nodal Account (SNA) that will be maintained by SWSM.
Public Finance Management System (PFMS) should be used for tracking the funds.

Ecoclub Programme

Environment Education Awareness and Training (EEAT) is an established central sector scheme of the Environment Ministry since 1983-84.
It aims to promote environmental awareness and mobilize student’s participation for environment conservation.
Under the scheme, National Green Corps (NGC) ‘Ecoclub’ programme was initiated in 2001-2002 with the objective to impart knowledge to school children about their immediate environment, interactions within it and the problems therein.
It aims to inculcate proper attitude towards environment and sensitize children on issues related to environment and development.
In a first, Annual Meet of the State Nodal Agencies implementing the Ecoclub organized by the Environment Ministry was held in Kevadia, Gujarat.

Source: PIB, The Economic Times