Current Affairs

Rajasthan Farmer Welfare and BNSS Implementation Reviewed by Amit Shah

Source:socialnews ↗

Why It Matters

The article spans critical governance mechanisms relevant to RPSC RAS Prelims, including state-specific agricultural welfare programs (Mukhyamantri Kisan Samman Nidhi), employment initiatives (Rozgar Utsav), and cooperative development (Saras Dairy). The practical application of Section 163 of the newly enacted Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) by the District Magistrate is particularly significant for questions concerning recent legal-administrative reforms and law enforcement powers.

Summary

Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah's two-day visit to Rajasthan involves significant public welfare and infrastructure announcements across Udaipur, Chittorgarh, Jaipur, and Alwar. Key highlights include the direct bank transfer of Rs 667.40 crore to nearly 66.74 lakh farmers under the Mukhyamantri Kisan Samman Nidhi, alongside Rs 152 crore distributed via the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana. Major inaugurations feature the foundation of a Rs 200 crore Saras Dairy plant and the Mukhyamantri Rozgar Utsav, which provided appointment letters to over 10,500 youths. The event also highlighted the recent administrative shift to the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), with the Udaipur District Magistrate invoking its Section 163 to enforce security measures, analogous to the former Section 144 of the CrPC.

Key Points

  • Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah embarked on a two-day tour of Rajasthan, covering key districts like Udaipur, Chittorgarh, Jaipur, and Alwar.
  • Rs 667.40 crore was released via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to 66.74 lakh farmers under the state's Mukhyamantri Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme.
  • Additionally, Rs 152 crore in crop insurance claims were disbursed to farmers under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana.
  • Development projects inaugurated include the foundation stone for a Rs 200 crore Saras Dairy plant in Udaipur and the distribution of appointment letters to 10,548 newly recruited youths under the Mukhyamantri Rozgar Utsav.
  • For security reasons during the VIP visit, the Udaipur District Magistrate invoked Section 163 of the newly implemented Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) to declare a temporary no-fly zone in the city.

Important Terms

Mukhyamantri Kisan Samman Nidhi

A Rajasthan government income support scheme providing direct financial assistance to farmers. It supplements the central PM-KISAN scheme by granting extra annual funds to strengthen rural agrarian livelihoods and incomes.

UPSC context

Tests knowledge of State Government Policies & Welfare Schemes under RPSC Paper III (Economy of Rajasthan).

Source
Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY)

A flagship central agricultural insurance scheme launched in 2016. It offers comprehensive, affordable financial protection to farmers against crop loss or damage due to non-preventable natural calamities, pests, and diseases.

UPSC context

Relevant for RPSC Paper III (Indian Economy) to test knowledge of central agricultural interventions and risk mitigation.

Source
Mukhyamantri Rozgar Utsav

A Rajasthan state initiative where the government formally distributes appointment letters to newly recruited personnel and provides grants to startups, celebrating and promoting youth employment opportunities.

UPSC context

Tests awareness of state employment generation initiatives under RPSC Paper III (Economy of Rajasthan - Youth & Employment).

Source
Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS)

The new criminal procedure code replacing the 1973 CrPC. Its Section 163 replaces Section 144, empowering Executive Magistrates to issue urgent preventive orders restricting public assembly to maintain law and order.

UPSC context

Crucial for RPSC Paper III (Public Administration and Political System) covering recent administrative and legal reforms.

Source
Saras Dairy

Rajasthan's premier member-owned dairy cooperative brand. It procures milk from local farmers across village societies, providing them fair returns, and manufactures various dairy products for consumers.

UPSC context

Important for RPSC Paper III (Economy of Rajasthan) covering the cooperative movement, dairy development, and rural economy.

Source

Prelims Trap

Mukhyamantri Kisan Samman Nidhi is a fully state-funded scheme providing ₹8,000 annually.

The state government provides only a ₹2,000 top-up. The remaining ₹6,000 comes from the central PM-KISAN scheme, making the total ₹8,000.

Static Concepts Connected

Rajasthan Economy

How is the cooperative dairy sector structured in Rajasthan?

  • Three-tier system: Follows the Anand pattern: State level (RCDF), District level (Milk Unions), and Village level (Primary Milk Cooperative Societies).
  • RCDF's Role: Rajasthan Cooperative Dairy Federation (est. 1977) acts as the apex body handling milk procurement, processing, and marketing under the 'Saras' brand.
Indian Polity & Law

What are the provisions of Section 163 of the new BNSS?

  • Replaces CrPC 144: It formally replaces Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC), dealing with urgent cases of nuisance or apprehended danger.
  • Magisterial Power: Empowers Executive Magistrates (like the District Magistrate) to issue temporary prohibitory orders, such as declaring no-fly zones, to maintain public safety.

Cross-Topic Patterns

  • State Top-ups to Central Schemes

    Rajasthan's Kisan Samman Nidhi topping up PM-KISAN illustrates the growing trend of state governments adding financial layers to central DBT schemes for targeted welfare.

  • Practical Rollout of BNSS

    The invocation of BNSS Section 163 for VIP security in Udaipur reflects the immediate on-ground administrative shift from the colonial-era CrPC to the new criminal codes.

Expect a matching question on new BNSS sections vs old CrPC ones (Sec 163 vs 144), or a statement question on Kisan Nidhi's funding split.

Linked PYQs · 3

Linked PYQs · 3

  • 2016RPSC_PRELIMSGS1

    The powers of the District Collector as District Magistrate are – 1. Maintaining law and order. 2. Controlling the police. 3. Inspecting passports of foreigners. 4. Collecting land revenue. Choose the correct answer from the code below – Code:

  • 2021RPSC_PRELIMSGS1

    When was the ‘Pradhan Mantri Kisan Maandhan Yojana’ started for the purpose of pension to small and marginal farmers?

  • 2023RPSC_PRELIMSGS1

    Which scheme aims to improve the health and nutritional status of pregnant women and lactating mothers and their infants (0 to 6 months) by promoting the use of appropriate practices, care, and services during pregnancy, safe delivery, and breastfeeding?