
30th JANUARY 2025 ENGLISH TNPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS PDF TNPSC SHOUTERS
Additional allocation of Rs. 500 crore for Kalaignar's Dream Home Scheme
- Based on the findings of the 'Housing for All' survey that there are approximately 8 lakh shanty houses in rural areas in Tamil Nadu, in order to achieve the goal of 'Shack-free Tamil Nadu', an announcement was made to build 8 lakh new houses in rural areas in 6 years by the upcoming year 2030.
- Accordingly, permission has been given to build one lakh houses in the current financial year (2024-25) and work is underway. The area of the house to be built under this scheme, including the kitchen, is 360 square feet.
- In order to reduce the financial burden of the beneficiaries, TANCEM cement and iron rods are purchased at low prices under this scheme and provided by the department.
- Ground level, window level according to the construction of the house. The amount is being released directly to the beneficiaries in four installments, namely, after the roofing and after the completion of the work, through the Single Nodal Account (SNA).
- So far, the Tamil Nadu government has allocated Rs. 1625.30 crore, and Rs. 1350.99 crore has been released to the beneficiaries according to the construction stage of the house.
- Moreover, Rs. 249.86 crore has been released for cement and steel provided by the department. Thus, a total of Rs. 1600.85 crore has been spent so far under the Kalaignanin Kanavu Illam scheme. The Kalaignanin Kanavu Illam scheme has been well received by the people.
- The one lakh houses provided under this scheme are also being constructed quickly. Considering this, the Tamil Nadu government has issued an order to release another Rs. 500 crore to expedite the construction work of the houses.
- Including the Rs. 500 crore received so far, a total of Rs. 2125.30 crore has been received and the amount is being released directly to the bank accounts of the beneficiaries according to the construction stage.
- The Tamil Nadu government is taking steps to ensure that all the houses are completed and made available to the public by this financial year.
- A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Data Informatics and Innovation Division of the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation and Indraprastha Institute of Information Technology (IIIT-Delhi) on 30.01.2025 under the Data Innovation Lab initiative.
- In the last one year, the Ministry has undertaken various reforms to modernize the national statistical system. In July 2024, the Ministry launched the Data Innovation Lab initiative to foster innovation and create an ecosystem for research-based solutions.
- The lab is designed as a platform for leveraging emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, machine learning and big data analytics to improve data collection, processing and dissemination.
- As part of its outreach activities, the lab has tied up with premier academic institutions. More than a hundred educational institutions have been approached. MoUs have been signed with renowned institutions including IITs and IIMs.
- The main objective of this partnership is to enhance academic expertise in official statistics to address global challenges by creating a link between academics and practitioners.
- In this joint effort and collaborative approach to improving official statistics, the partnership has been formalized through this MoU between the Ministry and IIIT. The collaboration with IIT Delhi is an important step in creating an ecosystem for innovation.
- With the signing of this MoU, the Union Ministry of Programme Implementation has strengthened its commitment to fostering long-term collaboration between the government and educational institutions and injecting new ideas into the system.
- This is expected to significantly enhance the functioning of the Ministry and lead to innovations that will strengthen the statistical environment of the country.
- The 38th National Games is being held in Dehradun, Uttarakhand. In this context, the men's 100m breaststroke in swimming Tamil Nadu athlete Rohit Benedict won gold in the battlalai category. This was the first gold medal in the national competitions.
- Similarly, the Tamil Nadu team won a silver medal in the 4-00m freestyle men's category. Tamil Nadu won a bronze medal in the women's 4-100m freestyle category. Similarly, the mixed teams also won a bronze medal in the triathlon category.