State PCS

• 02 Sep 2021

Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana & Mukhya Mantri Awas Yojana

Why in News

• On September 1, 2021, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath handed over the keys to 5.51 lakh beneficiaries of Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Gramin) and Mukhyamantri Awas Yojana (Rural).

Key Points

• The Chief Minister handed over symbolic keys of houses to five beneficiaries from Ayodhya, Sonbhadra and Rae Bareli, while to other beneficiaries the keys were handed over through virtual medium.
• In the last four years, about 42 lakh houses have been sanctioned Under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban/Rural) and Mukhyamantri Awas Yojana (Rural) in Uttar Pradesh.
• On this occasion, the Chief Minister also observed the presentation of the work plan of Baba Gokarnath Rural Residential Complex developed in village Londonpur Grunt under Gola block of Lakhimpur Kheri district.
• The Chief Minister said that 52 lakh women have been linked to self-employment by forming self-help groups of women through the State Government Livelihood Mission.
• It is noteworthy that the ownership of about 70 percent of the houses in the state has been given to women.
• With the objective of providing housing to the poor, the ambitious scheme of the Government of India 'Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Rural)' was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on November 20, 2016 from Agra district of Uttar Pradesh.

Letter of Award

Why in News

• On September 1, 2021, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan presented a 'Letter of Award' for the development of 1500 MW solar projects in Agar, Shajapur and Neemuch.

Key Points

• Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has awarded 'Letter of Award' to:
  
  • Beam Power Energy Pvt. Ltd. and Avada Energy Limited for Agar's 550 MW Solar Park Ltd.
  • NTPC Renewable and Tale Tatutai Solar Project for 450 MW Solar Park in Shajapur
  • TP Sourya Limited, Mumbai and Al Jomeh Energy and Water Company, Dubai for 500 MW Solar Park in Neemuch
• In the recent billing for 1500 MW Agar-Shajapur Neemuch Solar Park, the record of lowest solar tariff in the country has been set. With the establishment of these projects, there will be a private investment of about Rs 5250 crore in the state.
• It is noteworthy that the rate of solar energy in Madhya Pradesh is the lowest in the country. Through continuous innovations and technology, a tariff of Rs 2.14 per unit of solar energy is being provided in the state.
• Asia's largest solar plant is located in Neemuch, Madhya Pradesh. From the Adarsh plant located in Rewa, solar power is being provided to Delhi Metro and world's largest floating solar park is being set up in Omkareshwar.
• Along with this, the Chief Minister announced to launch an 'Energy Literacy Campaign' in the state to deal with the ill effects of global warming and climate change.
  
  • In this, students from class 8th to 12^th and citizens will be made energy literate. It will be helpful in energy conservation as well as environmental protection and will be beneficial for the future generation as well as for the entire human race.

Smart Meter Awareness Week

Why in News

• Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam has started Smart Meter Awareness Week on September 1, 2021 which will run till September 7, 2021.
  
  • The aim of Smart Meter Awareness Week is to spread awareness about smart meters and its benefits,

Key Points

• Smart Meter Operation Center and Smart Meter Awareness Week program was started by the Chairman and Additional Chief Secretary of the Corporation, Electricity P.K. Made by Das.
• The establishment of the Smart Meter Operation Center is a big achievement of the corporation that will act as a control room for all smart meter related activities in future.
• It has been initiated with the objective of maintaining smooth functioning of the Smart Meter Programme, improving system management and speedy resolution of smart metering related problems for discoms and consumers.
  
  • This will bring transparency in the smart metering system and will facilitate real time monitoring.
• Under the Smart Meter Scheme, consumers will be able to track the actual power consumption and recharge the electricity meter as per the requirement. Apart from this, the consumer will not have to make any security deposit for taking a prepaid connection.
• Consumers will get a discount of 5 percent on the existing bill as per the SOP and the problems related to meter reading will also come to an end. Also, consumers can check their account balance through the mobile app by downloading the UHBVN Smart Meter.
• The scheme of installation of smart meters by Uttar Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam (UHBVN) was launched on July 11, 2018 by signing MoU with EESL. Its objective is to make electricity available to consumers through digital medium.
  
  • In the first phase of the scheme, Panchkula, Karnal and Panipat cities have been identified for installation of smart meters.

'Parker Beverly and the Tale of Six Checks'

Why in News

• Recently, Haryana Governor Bandaru Dattatreya released a book titled 'Parker Beverly and the Tale of Six Checks' written by 14 year old young writer Master Panav Bali.

Key Points

• Dattatreya said that the book highlights the fact that juvenile children can be saved from criminal tendencies.
• He appealed to the parents to join this type of literature and encourage the children to read such literature, so that they can stay away from wrong tendencies.
• On this occasion, the Governor honored young writers Panav, Karan Gilhotra, R.C. Bali, Vishal Bali and his parents.

'Rajiv Gandhi Grameen Bhumiheen Krishi Mazdoor Nyay Yojana'

Why in News

• On September 1, 2021, Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel started the registration for 'Rajiv Gandhi Grameen Bhumiheen Krishi Mazdoor Nyay Yojana' in the state. The registration for this Scheme will run from September 1 to November 30, 2021.

Key Points

• With this, Chhattisgarh has become the first state in the country, which has implemented 'Rajiv Gandhi Grameen Bhumiheen Krishi Mazdoor Nyay Yojana' to provide grants of Rs. 6,000.
• More than 10 lakh landless agricultural laborers will get the benefit of the scheme. The grant amount of Rs 6,000 per year for each family will be directly deposited in their bank account.
• This scheme launched in the name of former Prime Minister Late Rajiv Gandhi, apart from the landless agricultural laborers of the state, families associated with the farming system like shepherds, carpenters, blacksmiths, cobblers, barbers, washermen, priests and forest produce gathering families will also be benefited.
• The most needy families of the state will be helped through 'Rajiv Gandhi Grameen Bhumiless Krishi Mazdoor Nyay Yojana'. This new episode of Nyay Yojana will help in fulfilling the goal of Garhbo Nava Chhattisgarh.
• To get the benefit of 'Rajiv Gandhi Grameen Bhoomiless Krishi Mazdoor Nyay Yojana', it will be mandatory for the heads of rural landless agricultural labor families should register themselves by visiting the Rajiv Gandhi Gramin Bhumiless Krishi Mazdoor Nyay Yojana portal (rggbkmny.cg.nic.in) within the stipulated time period.

Quality Assurance Certificate

Why in News

• Recently, one community health center and four primary health centers in Chhattisgarh were awarded National Quality Assurance Standards (NQAS) certificates.

Key Points

• Health centers to received National Quality Assurance Standards (NQAS) certificates are:
  
  • Community Health Center Patan (Durg)
  • Primary Health Centers – Gandhi Chowk (Bilaspur),
  • Primary Health Centers- Morga (Korba)
  • Primary Health Centers- Ramatola (Rajnandgaon)
  • Primary Health Centers- Chataud (Dhamtari)
• These health centers were selected by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare after virtual inspection.
• This certificate is given to hospitals (health centers) for providing excellent health care.
• With this, so far 28 health centers in the state have got the NQAS certificate.
  
  • These include 14 primary health centres, 7 community health centers and 7 district hospitals.