Revision Series | Economic Survey | Chapter – 4,5,6 | 47

Answer: (c)

• More than 76 per cent of the State’s network of 2,234 bank branches are located in rural regions.
• From October, 2021 to September, 2022, the opening of 20 new branches occurred.
• Currently, 1,708 branches are located in rural regions, 426 in semi-urban areas, and 100 in Shimla, the sole urban centre designated by the Reserve Bank of India for the state.
• Hence statement 2 is incorrect.

Answer: (c)

Answer: (a)

Mukhya Mantri Shodh Protsahan Yojana

• “Mukhya Mantri Shodh Protsahan Yojana”, was announced in FY2022-23 to promote research activities in State University which provides for monthly fellowship of ₹3 thousand to research scholars.
• This fellowship is available for 3 years from the date of registration.
• Hence statement 2 is incorrect

Answer: (b)

Answer: (a)

Answer: (b)

• As per Social Progress Index (SPI) 2022, Himachal Pradesh ranks 7th and has a score of 63.28, putting it in Tier 1 (Very High Social Progress).
• Additionally, in Himachal Pradesh, the link between SPI and GSDP is beneficial, as the state’s high per capita GSDP is causing the state to make significant strides in the area of social advancement.
• Aizawl (Mizoram), Solan (Himachal Pradesh), and Shimla (Himachal Pradesh) are the top 3 best-performing districts

Mizoram, Himachal Pradesh, Ladakh, and Goa have emerged as the best-performing states for the Foundations of Wellbeing.

• Social Progress Index (SPI) for States and Districts made by the Institute for Competitiveness and Social Progress Imperative.
• SPI is a comprehensive tool that can serve as a holistic measure of a country’s social progress at the national and sub-national levels.
• The index assesses states and districts based on 12 components across 3 critical dimensions of social progress –Basic Human Needs, Foundations of Wellbeing, and Opportunity.
• The index uses an extensive framework comprising 89 indicators at the state level and 49 at the district level.
• Basic Human Needsassess the performance of states and districts in terms of Nutrition and Basic Medical Care, Water and Sanitation, Personal Safety and Shelter.
• Foundations of Wellbeingevaluates the progress made by the country across the components of Access to Basic Knowledge, Access to Information and Communication, Health and Wellness, and Environmental Quality.
• Opportunityfocuses on Personal Rights, Personal Freedom and Choice, Inclusiveness, and Access to Advanced Education.

Based on the SPI scores, states and districts have been ranked under six tiers of social progress.

The tiers are-

• Tier 1: Very High Social Progress;
• Tier 2: High Social Progress;
• Tier 3: Upper Middle Social Progress;
• Tier 4: Lower Middle Social Progress;
• Tier 5: Low Social Progress;
• Tier 6: Very Low Social Progress.

Answer: (d)

• EPI examines state and union territory export performance and export readiness.
• The index’s goal is to create a benchmark to rank these states and UTs in order to enable them individually foster a favourable export environment in the area.
• The country’s think tank, NITI Aayog, took a significant stride forward by establishing the first-ever EPI 2020 for Indian states and UTs, followed by its second and most recent edition, EPI 2021.
• The report was developed in collaboration with the Institute of Competitiveness

Answer: (d)

Some interesting features :

• Only a score of 0.216 separates the topper, Kangra from Lahaul-Spiti, the lowest rank holder.
• Kangra, though at the top in the overall rankings, stands first in two themes i.e. i) Crime, Law & Order and ii) Transparency & Accountability. It has ranked 2nd in Essential Infrastructure and 3rd in Social Protection and Environment and 5th in Support to Human Development Index.
• Bilaspur district ranked 2nd in overall DGGI ranking and has a difference of 0.010 from top ranked Kangra. Bilaspur stands first in two themes i.e. i) Support to Human Development Index and ii) Environment Index and has ranked 3rd in Economic Performance Index.
• District Chamba improved its position from 11th (2020) to 6th position in overall ranking. Only a difference of score of 0.132 separates Chamba from top rank holder Kangra.
• Lahaul-Spiti is at the bottom of the rankings in District Good Governance Index. However, it has ranked 2nd in Women & Children Index.
• The gap between State’s average score and lowest performer district Lahul- Spiti in DGGI-2021 is 0.093 points only.

Answer: (d)

Answer: (c)

• There is a correlation that may be described as both positive and strong between the per capita Gross Domestic Product and the Social Progress Index.
• In general, states with greater incomes tend to have more social progress.
• For instance, Goa and Sikkim rank high on social progress, but Bihar ranks the lowest of all states.
• In Himachal Pradesh, the relationship between SPI and GSDP is in some way beneficial, as the state’s high per capita GSDP is causing the State to make significant strides in the area of social advancement.
• On the other hand, there are some states and UTs, like Delhi, that have a high per capita GSDP but relatively low social advancement, and vice versa.

Answer: (c)

• The Lead Bank responsibility for Himachal Pradesh has been divided between 3 banks:

1.Punjab National Bank (PNB) in six districts (Hamirpur, Kangra, Kinnaur, Kullu, Mandi, and Una);

2.United Commercial Bank (UCO) in four districts (Bilaspur, Shimla, Solan, and Sirmour); and

3.State Bank of India (SBI) in two districts (Chamba and Lahaul-Spiti).

• UCO bank is the State Level Bankers Committee’s convener bank (SLBC).

Answer: (c)

National Rural Livelihoods Mission (NRLM)

• The Ministry of Rural Development, launched flagship programme of Government of India for promoting poverty reduction through building strong institutions of the poor, particularly women enabling these institutions to access a range of financial services and livelihoods services.
• This scheme is implemented in the State through HP State Rural Livelihoods Mission (HPSRLM), Rural Development Department, Government of Himachal Pradesh.
• Banks in the Himachal have been allocated the annual target of ₹110.00 crore covering 8,000 beneficiaries

Answer: (d)

NABARD’s Initiatives for Climate Change in H.P.

• NABARD has been approved as a National Implementing Entity (NIE) for the Adaptation Fund (AF), Green Climate Fund (GCF), and National Adaptation Fund for Climate Change (NAFCC) established under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) set up by Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF & CC).
• To meet the future challenges of climate change, NABARD facilitated the preparation, development, and sanction of a projection titled ‘Sustained Livelihoods of Agriculture Dependent Communities in Drought-Prone Districts of Himachal Pradesh through Climate Smart Solutions’ in Sirmour district from the executing entity, namely the Department of Environment, Science, and Technology of the Government of Himachal Pradesh.
• The project has been allocated a budget of ₹ 20.00 crore by the MoEF and CC.
• NABARD has since released ₹19.12 crore upto 31st December, 2022.
• In addition department has also submitted the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for another NAFCC project titled “Reducing Glacial Lake Outburst Flood and Flood Risk in Parvati Valley in Kullu District” to MoEF & CC.

Answer: (c)

Answer: (a)

Stand-Up India Scheme (SUIS)

• Stand up India scheme has been formally launched throughout the Country that aims to encourage entrepreneurial culture among unserved and underserved segments of the society represented by SC, ST and Women.
• The Scheme facilitates loans of ₹10.00 lakh to ₹1.00 crore from Banks to at least one Scheduled Caste (SC) or Scheduled Tribe (ST) borrower and at least one women borrower per bank branch for setting up of a new enterprise in the field of construction, business or service sector (also termed as green field enterprise).
• Banks have sanctioned ₹43.46 crore to 276 new enterprises set up by SC/ST and Women entrepreneurs under the scheme during this financial year upto September, 2022