CM, Governors & Schemes — Set 12

Correct Answer: A. Mukhyamantri Mahila Utkarsh Yojana

The Mukhyamantri Mahila Utkarsh Yojana, launched in 2020 under CM Vijay Rupani, provides interest-free loans up to Rs. 1 lakh to women's Self-Help Groups (SHGs) to promote women's economic empowerment. The scheme aimed to cover about 10 lakh women in one lakh SHGs across urban areas of Gujarat. It was designed to help women overcome the financial impact of COVID-19 and start or expand small businesses.

Correct Answer: C. 2019

Acharya Devvrat was appointed as the Governor of Gujarat in July 2019, succeeding Om Prakash Kohli. He had previously served as the Governor of Himachal Pradesh from 2015 to 2019. As Gujarat Governor, Acharya Devvrat has been a strong advocate of natural farming, cow protection, and Vedic education, actively engaging with farmers and educational institutions across the state.

Correct Answer: B. Gujarat International Finance Tec-City

GIFT City stands for Gujarat International Finance Tec-City, India's first operational smart city and international financial services centre located between Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar. Conceived during Narendra Modi's tenure as Chief Minister, GIFT City hosts the GIFT IFSC (International Financial Services Centre) which is a multi-services SEZ for financial and technology companies. It aims to compete with global financial hubs like Singapore and Dubai, attracting international banking, insurance, and capital market activities.

Correct Answer: A. Vijay Rupani

The Sardar Sarovar Dam on the Narmada River was dedicated to the nation by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on September 17, 2017, his birthday, when Vijay Rupani was the Chief Minister of Gujarat. The dam, with a height of 138.68 metres, is one of the world's largest dams and has been a key source of irrigation water for Saurashtra, Kutch, and North Gujarat. Construction of the dam faced decades of controversy and was allowed to reach full height by the Supreme Court of India.

Correct Answer: B. A scheme for sustainable groundwater management in water-stressed areas

Atal Bhujal Yojana (Atal Jal) is a centrally sponsored scheme implemented in Gujarat's water-stressed districts to promote sustainable management of groundwater resources through community participation. The scheme focuses on supply-side and demand-side interventions such as rainwater harvesting, watershed management, and efficient irrigation practices. Gujarat is one of the seven states where this scheme is implemented, with World Bank co-financing, to address the growing problem of groundwater depletion.

Correct Answer: B. KHAM politics combining Kshatriya, Harijan, Adivasi, and Muslim communities

Madhav Singh Solanki, who served multiple terms as Gujarat CM between 1980-1985 and 1989-1990, is associated with the KHAM strategy — a coalition of Kshatriya, Harijan, Adivasi, and Muslim communities to create a dominant electoral alliance. The KHAM strategy brought the Congress to power with record majorities in Gujarat but also led to the anti-reservation agitation of 1985. Solanki's era is significant for his social justice policies and reservation extension for OBCs.

Correct Answer: C. Electric Vehicle Policy 2021

Gujarat launched its Electric Vehicle Policy 2021 to promote adoption of electric vehicles and reduce vehicular pollution across the state. The policy offers subsidies and incentives on purchase of electric two-wheelers, three-wheelers, four-wheelers, and electric buses. Gujarat aims to make 10% of its total new vehicle registrations electric by 2025 and has established EV charging infrastructure across cities under this policy.

Correct Answer: B. A scheme to provide pucca houses to tribal and rural BPL families

The Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Awas Yojana is a Gujarat state scheme that provides financial assistance to construct pucca (permanent) houses for tribal and rural Below Poverty Line families who lack adequate shelter. The scheme provides grants to eligible beneficiaries for constructing houses with basic amenities like toilets, electricity, and water connections. It complements the central Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Gramin in addressing rural housing needs of the most vulnerable communities.

Correct Answer: B. 1995-1996 and 1998-2001

Keshubhai Patel served as Chief Minister of Gujarat in two terms: first from March to October 1995, and second from March 1998 to October 2001. During his first brief term, he was replaced after the BJP failed to secure a majority and his second term ended when Narendra Modi was appointed CM. Keshubhai Patel later founded the Gujarat Parivartan Party in 2012 after parting ways with the BJP.

Correct Answer: B. To deliver government services at the doorstep of citizens in remote areas

Seva Setu is a Gujarat government outreach programme that delivers various government services and entitlements directly to citizens in remote, tribal, and rural areas, eliminating the need for people to travel to government offices. Government officials visit villages and set up camps to provide services like certificates, pensions, ration cards, and scheme benefits on the spot. The programme has been particularly beneficial for tribal communities in districts like Dahod, Narmada, and Tapi where access to government offices is difficult.