Context:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the new Prime Minister’s Office complex called “Seva Teerth”, marking the shift of the PMO from the colonial-era South Block on Raisina Hill as part of the Central Vista redevelopment project.
Key Highlights:
New Administrative Complex
• The Seva Teerth complex will house:
- Prime Minister’s Office (PMO)
- National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS)
- Cabinet Secretariat
- Two new Central Secretariat buildings — Kartavya Bhavan 1 and 2 — were also inaugurated.
Part of Central Vista Redevelopment
• The complex is located on Dara Shikoh Road in New Delhi.
• It replaces colonial-era administrative buildings designed during British rule.
• The redevelopment aims to address space shortages and structural deterioration in older buildings.
Associated Welfare and Development Initiatives
Lakhpati Didi Scheme Expansion
• Target increased to 6 crore rural women beneficiaries.
• Aims to ensure women in Self-Help Groups (SHGs) earn over ₹1 lakh annually through income-generating activities.
Agriculture Infrastructure Fund Expansion
• Fund size doubled to ₹2 lakh crore.
• Supports post-harvest infrastructure such as warehouses, cold chains, and logistics.
Startup India Fund of Funds 2.0
• New ₹10,000 crore corpus to support early-stage startups and deep-tech innovation.
PM RAHAT Scheme
• Provides cashless treatment up to ₹1.5 lakh for accident victims.
Symbolic and Administrative Changes
• Delhi Metro’s Udyog Bhawan station renamed “Seva Teerth.”
• The complex represents a shift from colonial administrative symbolism to citizen-centric governance.
Significance / Applications
• Enhances administrative efficiency through centralized government offices.
• Promotes modern infrastructure for governance and policy coordination.
• Reflects the vision of “Nagrik Devo Bhava” and “Viksit Bharat”.
Relevant Prelims Points:
- Central Vista Redevelopment Project
- Project to redevelop India’s central administrative area in New Delhi.
- Includes new Parliament building, central secretariat buildings, and administrative complexes.
- Lakhpati Didi Scheme
- Initiative to empower women Self-Help Groups (SHGs).
- Objective: ensure annual income exceeding ₹1 lakh per beneficiary household.
- Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF)
- Launched in 2020 to finance post-harvest management and agricultural infrastructure.
- Startup India Fund of Funds
- Government initiative to support startups through venture capital funds.
- Managed by SIDBI (Small Industries Development Bank of India).
- Self-Help Groups (SHGs)
- Community-based groups, usually of rural women, promoting savings, credit access, and livelihood generation.
Relevant Mains Points:
Administrative Reforms and Governance Modernization
• Modern infrastructure improves policy coordination among key government institutions.
• Centralization can enhance decision-making efficiency and inter-ministerial collaboration.
Urban Planning and Heritage Debate
• Central Vista redevelopment has generated debate regarding heritage preservation vs modernization of governance infrastructure.
Women Empowerment and Rural Livelihoods
• Expansion of Lakhpati Didi scheme supports women-led rural entrepreneurship and financial independence.
• Strengthens SHG-based rural development models.
Startup Ecosystem and Innovation
• The Startup India Fund of Funds 2.0 promotes deep-tech innovation and entrepreneurship, supporting India’s ambition to become a global innovation hub.
Way Forward
• Ensure transparent implementation of large infrastructure projects.
• Strengthen monitoring of welfare schemes for effective outcomes.
• Promote inclusive growth through entrepreneurship and women empowerment.
UPSC Relevance:
• Prelims: Central Vista Project, Agriculture Infrastructure Fund, Lakhpati Didi Scheme.
• Mains (GS II & GS III): Governance reforms, urban planning, rural empowerment, innovation ecosystem.