Content :

1. Sarbananda Sonowal Inaugurates India’s First Maritime NBFC — Sagarmala Finance Corporation Limited (SMFCL)
2. MoHUA Rolls Out Mega Monsoon Swachhata Campaign

Sarbananda Sonowal Inaugurates India’s First Maritime NBFC — Sagarmala Finance Corporation Limited (SMFCL)

Highlights

• Inaugurated by: Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal.
• Date of RBI NBFC registration: June 19, 2025.
• Occasion: Marks transformation of Sagarmala Development Company Ltd. into an NBFC.
• Category: Mini Ratna, Category-I CPSE (Central Public Sector Enterprise).

Relevance : GS 3(Infrastructure , Banking)

Purpose & Significance

• First NBFC dedicated to maritime sector in India.
• Aims to bridge financial gaps in maritime infrastructure and logistics.
• Supports Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047 and the goal of Viksit Bharat.
• Responds to a long-standing industry demand for tailored financial instruments.

Strategic Roles & Functions

• Offers customized financial solutions:
  • Short-term, medium-term, and long-term funding.
• Target stakeholders:
  • Port authorities
  • Shipping companies
  • MSMEs, startups
  • Maritime education institutions
• Enables investments in:
  • Shipbuilding
  • Renewable energy
  • Cruise tourism
  • Maritime skilling & education

Impact on Maritime Sector

• Provides a sector-specific financial ecosystem.
• Expected to accelerate innovation, investment, and inclusive development.
• Enhances logistics efficiency and sustainable development in the maritime domain.

Leaders’ Comments

• Sarbananda Sonowal:
  • Called it a “major milestone in India’s maritime journey.”
  • Emphasized alignment with PM Modi’s vision and the Amrit Kaal goals.
• Shantanu Thakur:
  • Highlighted SMFCL’s role in fostering a dedicated financial ecosystem.

Conclusion

• SMFCL positions India to become a global maritime power by providing structured, targeted financing to a crucial but underserved sector.

MoHUA Rolls Out Mega Monsoon Swachhata Campaign

Campaign Overview

• Name: Safai Apnao, Bimaari Bhagao (SABB).
• Duration: 1st – 31st July 2025.
• Launched by: Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) under Swachh Bharat Mission – Urban (SBM-U).
• Tagline: “Safai Apnao, Bimaari Bhagao”
• Objective: Health-centric sanitation to prevent water-borne and vector-borne diseases during the monsoon.

Relevance : GS 2(Governance ,Health)

Key Focus Areas

• Preventive drain cleaning and garbage hotspot reduction.
• Avoiding water stagnation to prevent diseases like Dengue, Malaria, and Chikungunya.
• Ensuring access to sanitation and safe drinking water in vulnerable areas.
• Cleanliness drives in public/community toilets, schools, and slums.

The 6 Swachhata Mantras

1. Clean Hands
2. Clean Homes
3. Clean Neighbourhood
4. Clean Toilets
5. Clean Drains & Waterbodies
6. Clean Public Spaces

Behavioral & Community Interventions

• Citizen mobilization through behavioural nudges for hygiene and waste management.
• School campaigns promoting handwashing and child hygiene.
• Encouragement of RWA, NGO, and citizen participation.
• Use of the Swachhata App for grievance redressal.

Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) Responsibilities

• Identify high-risk areas and conduct targeted sanitation action.
• Ensure daily waste collection, toilet maintenance, and public space cleanliness.
• Report all campaign activities on the Swachhatam Portal.

Special Initiatives

• Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) in 100 Smart Cities to clean markets, food streets, heritage areas.
• Use of Integrated Command and Control Centres for innovation and monitoring.
• Focus on SafaiMitras’ welfare, clean water access, and hygiene.

Inter-Ministerial Coordination

• Aligned with efforts of:
  • MoHFW
  • DDWS
  • MoRD
  • MoWCD
  • Department of School Education and Literacy

Conclusion

• The SABB campaign reinforces a preventive, participatory, and inter-agency approach to urban sanitation during monsoon, aiming for cleaner, healthier cities.