Indian government has made two decisions related to the agricultural and healthcare sectors

Current Context: The Indian government made two significant decisions on January 22, 2025, related to the agricultural and healthcare sectors.

• Agricultural Sector
• Expansion of Kisan Credit Card Loan Entitlement: The loan entitlement under the Kisan Credit Card scheme has been increased from ₹300,000 to ₹500,000 per farmer.
• Focus on Natural Farming: The government has initiated a program to promote natural farming among one crore farmers, supported by certification and branding. This initiative aims to reduce dependency on synthetic chemicals and improve soil health.
• Healthcare Sector
• Increased Budget Allocation: The healthcare budget has been increased by 2.50-3% to enhance infrastructure, particularly in rural and semi-urban areas.
• Promotion of Research and Innovation: A new program, the Scheme for Promotion of Research and Innovation in the Pharma MedTech Sector (PRIP scheme), has been introduced with a budget outlay of ₹5,000 crore. This scheme aims to strengthen research infrastructure and promote innovation in areas such as new chemical entities, medical devices, and antimicrobial resistance.

Question:

1 What is the new loan entitlement limit under the Kisan Credit Card (KCC) scheme as per the government's recent decision?

• A) ₹500,000
• B) ₹300,000
• C) ₹400,000
• D) ₹700,000

Answer: A) The government increased the loan entitlement under the Kisan Credit Card scheme from ₹300,000 to ₹500,000 per farmer to provide enhanced financial support for agricultural activities.