BHARAT NIRMAN
- Government of India launched ‘Bharat Nirman’ in 2005, initially for a period of four years i.e. between the years 2005-2009.
- The programme was initiated by the Government of India, in partnership, with State Governments and Panchayati Raj Institutions with the objective to build rural infrastructure and provide basic amenities in rural areas.
- Under the scheme, projects are taken up in the areas of irrigation, road, housing, water supply, telecommunication connectivity and electrification.
- Phase I of the programme was implemented in the period 2005-06 to 2008-09.
- Phase II was implemented in the year 2009-10.
- India is a nation of young people and blessed with the population of about 70% of persons below the age of 35 years. This “Demographic Dividend” is seen as offering a window of opportunity to accelerate the country’s rate of growth. Therefore, the 12th Plan focuses on the problems related to adolescent and youth.
- As per the Census of India, 2011, India’s urban population has grown from 290 million in 2001 to 377 million in 2011; accounting for over 31% of the country’s population. The number of towns increased from 5161 in 2001, to 7935 in 2011.
- A new Minorities Division was created in the Planning Commission in December, 2012. The Division is responsible for providing policy and guidance in formulation of programmes towards social, educational and economic empowerment of Minorities.
UNIQUE IDENTIFICATION AUTHORITY OF INDIA
- The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) was set up in January, 2009 as an Attached Office of the Planning Commission.
- The UID project was launched by generation of first Aadhar on 29th September 2010, with the initial authorization to UIDAI to enrol 10 crore residents for generation of a Unique Identification number called “Aadhar”.
- The Aadhar data comprises a set of mandatory and optional demographic details (such as name, date of birth, gender and name of parents, residential address) and biometric features such as photograph, all ten finger prints and iris images which together are expected to establish and Verify the identity of a resident.
GOVERNMENT TO REPLACE PLANNING COMMISSION
- Recently Government of India has decided to replace the Planning commission with a new institution having new design and structure to address the emerging economic needs and to strengthen federal structure.
- This was stated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his Independent Day address to the Nation.
