26th June 2025

Explanation - Training of Trainers (ToT) programme is aimed at strengthening the financial autonomy of Panchayats. It focuses on enhancing the capacity of Panchayats to generate their Own Source Revenue (OSR). This initiative is being implemented under the Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan (RGSA) in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Ahmedabad. This Training of Trainers on OSR marks a structured and forward-looking initiative to build robust, responsive, and financially capable Panchayats across the country. 

Explanation - Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan was launched on 24th April 2018 as an umbrella scheme of the Ministry of Panchayati Raj, Government of India. It is a unique scheme proposed to develop and strengthen the Panchayati Raj System across India in the rural areas implemented during 2018-19 to 2021-22. The scheme was revamped and the Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Revamped Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan (RGSA) was approved for the implementation from financial year 2022-23 to 2025-26 for capacity building of elected representative of Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs). The primary objective of Revamped RGSA is to develop the governance capabilities of the Panchayats to deliver on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) which covered within the purview of Panchayats. The Revamped RGSA extends to all States and Union Territories (UTs) of the country including institutions of rural local government in non-Part IX areas, where Panchayats do not exist. 

Explanation - OIC is the 2nd largest intergovernmental organisation in the world after the United Nations, with 57 member states spread over four continents. It was established in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, in May 1971, following summits by Muslim heads of state and government in 1969 and by Muslim foreign ministers in 1970. It envisages safeguarding and protecting the interests of the Muslims from all around the world in the spirit of promoting international peace and harmony. The OIC is represented by permanent delegations in the United Nations and the European Union. India is not a member of the OIC, but was invited to the recently concluded Abu Dhabi meeting as the guest of honour. In 1969, the invite to then Indian Union Minister Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed was withdrawn at Pakistan's insistence. 

Explanation - Sabka Vishwas - (Legacy Dispute Resolution) Scheme, 2019 (SVLDRS) was a one time amnesty scheme proposed in the Union Budget, 2019, and introduced to resolve all disputes relating to the erstwhile Service Tax and Central Excise Acts, which are now subsumed under GST, as well as 26 other Indirect Tax enactments. It was introduced for taxpayers who wish to close their pending disputes, with substantial relief provided by the government. Operational Period — September 1, 2019 – December 31, 2019 Objectives — To encourage voluntary disclosure of past disputes of Central Excise, Service Tax, and 26 other Indirect Tax Enactments. To facilitate an eligible person to declare the unpaid tax dues and pay the same in accordance with the provisions of this scheme. To provide certain immunities, including penalty, interest or any other proceedings, including prosecution, to eligible persons who pay the declared tax due. This scheme provided for a substantial relief margin on all duty demands, ranging from 40% to 70% of the demand, except in the case of voluntary disclosure. 

Explanation - The PPSS is focused only on oilseeds, not pulses, and is a pilot scheme for private participation in the procurement process. 

Price Support Scheme (PSS) — 

• In PSS, physical procurement of pulses, oilseeds, and copra will be done by Central Nodal Agencies with the proactive role of state governments. 

• In addition to the National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India (NAFED), Food Corporation of India (FCI) will take up PSS operations in states/districts. 

• The procurement expenditure and losses due to procurement will be borne by the Central Government as per norms. 

Price Deficiency Payment Scheme (PDPS) — 

• Under PDPS, it is proposed to cover all oilseeds for which MSP is notified. 

• Direct payment of the difference between the MSP and the selling/model price will be made to pre-registered farmers selling his produce in the notified market yard through a transparent auction process. 

• All payments will be done directly into the registered bank account of the farmer. 

• This scheme does not involve any physical procurement of crops, as farmers are paid the difference between the MSP price and the Sale/modal price on disposal in the notified market. 

• The support of the central government for PDPS will be given as per norms. 

Pilot of Private Procurement and Stockist Schemes (PPPS) — 

• In addition to PDPS, for oilseeds, states have the option to roll out PPSS on a pilot basis in selected districts/Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMCs) of districts involving the participation of private stockists. 

• This scheme will allow private players to participate in the procurement of crops. 

• The pilot district/selected APMC(s) of the district will cover one or more crops of oilseeds for which MSP is notified.