• 01 Jun 2022

Uttar Pradesh Announces Increase in MLA Local Area Development Fund

Why in News?

• On May 31, 2022, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath announced that the MLAs Local Area Development Fund for UTTAR PRADESH will be increased from Rs 3 crore to Rs 5 crore.

Key Points

• It is a modified form of the Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLAD) of the Central Government.
• The objective of the scheme is to create need-based infrastructure at the local level, build assets of public use and remove regional imbalances in development.
• The scheme is for rural areas as well as urban areas.
• The MLAs do not get any money under this scheme. The government transfers it directly to the local authorities concerned.
  • Legislators can recommend the works to be done under it in their constituencies only on the basis of the guidelines.
  • The allocation of funds per MLA under the scheme varies from State to State.
• Significantly, the Uttar Pradesh government had increased the MLALAD fund from Rs 2 crore to Rs 3 crore in February 2020, which was suspended in 2020-21 due to the Covid pandemic and partially restored in 2021-22.

PM Gatishakti National Master Plan

Why in News?

• On May 31, 2022, the Haryana government has constituted a 19-member Empowered Group of Secretaries (EGoS) under the Chairmanship of Chief Secretary Sanjeev Kaushal to oversee the implementation of the PM Gathakti National Master Plan (NMP).

Key Points

• The scope of the EGoS is to review and monitor the implementation of the State Master Plan and lay down a procedure and a definite time frame for coordination of various activities for construction of roads, raillines, etc., with all useful services in an area based approach for development of infrastructure on pilot basis.
• In addition, the 'State Logistics Coordination Cell' in Haryana will now function as the 'Technical Assistance Unit' (TSU) for the 'PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan' (NMP). The cell will act as a state-level institutional set-up for conducting the 'PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan' (NMP) in the state.
• In the year 2021, the Government of India has launched the ambitious Gati Shakti Yojana or 'National Master Plan for Multi-Modal Connectivity Plan' for execution of integrated and infrastructure projects to reduce logistics costs .
• Its main objectives are as under:
  • To ensure integrated planning and implementation of infrastructure projects over the next four years along with accelerating work at the ground level, reducing costs and focusing on job creation.
  • Inclusion of Rs 110 lakh crore 'National Infrastructure Pipeline' launched in the year 2019 under the Gati Shakti Scheme.
  • Reduction in logistics costs, increasing cargo handling capacity and reducing turnaround time at ports to boost trade.
  • Construction of 11 industrial corridors and two new defence corridors (one in Tamil Nadu and the other in Uttar Pradesh).
• Under this, 4G connectivity will be expanded in all villages, along with a plan to add a capacity of 17,000 km to the gas pipeline network.
• It will help in meeting the ambitious targets set by the government for the year 2024-25, which include extending the length of the national highway network to 2 lakh km, construction of more than 200 new airports, heliports and water aerodromes.

PM Cares for Children Scheme

Why in News?

• On May 30, 2022, children who lost their parents due to Corona in the state were given scholarships under the PM Cares for Children scheme, passbook of PM CARES Fund and health cards of Ayushman Bharat.

Key Points

• The beneficiaries of the state under the scheme include 49 children from 18 districts.
• The PM Cares for Children scheme was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on May 29, 2021 . Initially, the deadline for availing the benefits of the scheme was fixed as December 31, 2021, which was later extended to February 28, 2022 .
• To take advantage of this, a portal called PM Cares for Children.in was launched.
• The benefits under this scheme are-
  • The government will give monthly allowance to children who lose their parents till the age of 18.
  • On the age of 23, you will get a lump sum amount of Rs 10 lakh from the PM CARES Fund.
  • The children will be given free education by the government.
  • Children will get loans for higher education, the interest of the loan will be given from the PM CARES Fund.
  • Under the Ayushman Bharat scheme, health insurance of up to Rs 5 lakh will be available for 18 years, the premium of which will be paid through the PM Cares Fund.
  • If the child is enrolled in a private school, then his fee under the Right to Education Act will be paid from the PM CARES Fund, as well as the expenses of school uniforms and books etc. will also be paid from the CARES Fund.

Raipur Development Plan, 2031

Why in News?

• On May 31, 2022, the raipur development plan, 2031 was discussed in detail in the workshop held at the convention hall of new circuit house in the capital under the chairmanship of Chhattisgarh's Housing and Environment Minister Mohammad Akbar.

Key Points

• The draft Raipur Development Plan (Reviewed), 2031 is being prepared by the Department of Urban and Village Investment.
• Housing and Environment Minister Mohammad Akbar informed that due to the increasing population and development prospects in Raipur city, the scheme is being prepared keeping in mind the population of 30 lakh in 2031 for the purpose of planning .
• Raipur Development Plan Review (Draft), 2031 aims to provide and improve green cover in the investment sector.
• Similarly, emphasis is being laid on conservation of natural resources and water bodies, improvement of environment, decentralized approach and segregation of regional traffic. At the same time, improvement in internal routes for smooth movement of local vehicles and possible changes in future - changes in land use patterns have been included.

Resolution for Tobacco-free Uttarakhand

Why in News?

• On the occasion of World No Tobacco Day in Uttarakhand on May 31, 2022, more than 5 lakh people pledged to abstain from tobacco.

Key Points

• On this occasion, a state level programme was organized at Government Doon Medical College (GDMC), which was inaugurated by The Lieutenant Governor of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Admiral (Retd),D. K. Joshi addressed as the chief guest.
• To create a tobacco-free society, the tobacco-free Uttarakhand programme is being run under which the state government has set a target of reducing the consumption of tobacco by 15 per cent by the year 2025.
• Under this programme, the state government has set a target to make two villages of each block tobacco-free.
• Speaking on the occasion, Uttarakhand Health and Education Minister Dhan Singh Rawat said that an awareness campaign is being carried out in different parts of the state under tobacco-free Uttarakhand.