State PCS - Rajasthan (RAS)

• 23 Apr 2025

Mobile Veterinary Units

Why in News? 

The Rajasthan government has launched a special campaign to promote Mobile Veterinary Units (MVU) and the associated 1962-MVU chatbot service in Rajasthan 

Key Points 

• About the Scheme: 
  • Under the Mobile Veterinary Units (MVUs) Scheme , medical facilities have been provided to more than 41 lakh animals in the state in the last one year. 
  • Chatbot number 9063475027 has been launched which is a WhatsApp based service and provides tele-consultancy facility. 
  • The scheme is being operated through Call Centre 1962 , which was started about six months ago. 
  • Call centre operating company BFIL , a subsidiary of IndusInd Bank, is funding the scheme under Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). 
• A publicity campaign for the scheme has been launched, which includes: 
  • Information will be given to 10 lakh livestock farmers via SMS. 
  • There will be digital wall branding at 180 locations. 
  • Audio publicity through e-rickshaw and tempo. 
  • 7 lakh pamphlets will be distributed. 
  • Signage will be installed in 100 veterinary hospitals. 
  • Key-chains, calendars and other promotional material will be distributed. 
• Objective: 
  • Providing medical services to livestock owners at their homes. 
  • To make the MVU scheme accessible to more livestock farmers . 
  • To expand and strengthen access to and usage of the Service . 
  • Bringing transparency and efficiency in the animal husbandry sector through digital and AI technologies. 

 Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)  

• Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) can generally be referred to as a corporate initiative to assess and take responsibility for a company's impact on the environment and social welfare. 
• It is a self-regulating business model that helps a company become socially responsible. By practicing corporate social responsibility, companies can be mindful of the impact they have on economic, social, and environmental factors. 
• India is the first country to make CSR spending mandatory under Section 135 of the Companies Act, 2013 with a framework for identifying potential CSR activities. 
  • CSR is mandatory only for companies which are covered under Section 135 of the Companies Act, 2013, such as those having a net worth of Rs 500 crore or more, turnover of Rs 1,000 crore or more or net profit of Rs 5 crore or more. 
  • Unlike India, most countries have voluntary CSR frameworks. Norway and Sweden have adopted mandatory CSR provisions, but they started with a voluntary model. 

One Time Settlement Scheme

Why in News? 

The Rajasthan government has implemented One Time Settlement Scheme (OTS) with the aim of providing relief to farmers and small entrepreneurs and strengthening the financial position of land development banks . 

Key Points 

• About the Scheme: 
  • The Rajasthan government had announced it in the budget for the financial year 2025-26 and its first phase will be effective from 1 May to 30 September 2025. 
  • This scheme will be applicable to loans disbursed by Rajasthan Minorities Finance and Development Cooperative Corporation Limited (RMFDCC) , which were overdue by 31 March 2024. 
  • Eligible borrowers are required to make a lump sum payment of the entire outstanding principal by September 30, 2025. 
  • On making a lump sum payment, 100% waiver will be given on simple interest and penal interest. 
  • The benefit of the one-time settlement scheme will be available to 36,351 loanee members associated with Land Development Banks. 
  • The scheme aims to recover overdue loans worth Rs 760 crore . 
  • The loanee members will be eligible to avail re-loan with 5% subsidy under the scheme. 
  • An expenditure of Rs 200 crore has been proposed by the state government for this scheme. 
• Importance: 
  • The state government will get help in recovering the outstanding loan . 
  • The financial burden on the borrowers will be reduced, which will encourage them to join other schemes. 
  • Confidence and participation in government schemes will increase among the minority community . 
  • This will develop a sense of awareness and responsibility towards loan repayment 

 Land Development Bank 

• Introduction: 
  • Land Development Banks (LDB) are  co-operative banks established specifically for agriculture and rural development. 
  • These banks provide long term loans, which are mainly given to farmers for land improvement , irrigation, horticulture, purchasing agricultural equipment, animal husbandry and other agriculture related activities . 
• History: 
  • The first land development bank in India was established in 1920 at Jhang in Punjab. 
  • After this, another bank was established in Chennai in 1929, with which the expansion of land development banks started. 
• Sources of Finance: 
  • Grants and assistance by Central and State Governments. 
  • Financing for agriculture and rural development. 
  • Issue of bonds to raise long term finance. 
  • Loans from various co-operative and commercial banks.