• 03 Feb 2023

PM Shri Yojana will Change the Face of 40 Schools of Gorakhpur

Why In News?

On February 2, 2023, B.S.A. Ramendra Kumar Singh of Gorakhpur district of Uttar Pradesh told that 40 schools in Gorakhpur district will be upgraded under the PM Shree Yojana.

Key points

• Ramendra Kumar Singh said that about two crore rupees will be spent on each school for better infrastructure. These will be developed as model schools. These include a secondary and other primary school.
• Two schools from each development block will be selected as model schools on the basis of marks obtained on various parameters.
• It is worth mentioning that a list of four schools from all development blocks has been prepared and sent from the Basic Education Department. Out of the total 80 schools of basic education, 40 will be selected under PM Shri and they will be upgraded.
• Under the New Education Policy-2020 in these schools, children will be taught with child pedagogy based curriculum according to their skills. Concepts like rain water harvesting, solar energy, solid and liquid waste organic farming, plastic free etc. will be developed.
• The PM Shri School Scheme is a central government scheme for the Pradhan Mantri Vidyalaya for Rising India (PM-SRI). In this, two schools will be selected from every block of the country and they will be developed as model schools. In the first phase, the scheme has been implemented for five years (2022-2027).
• Ramendra Kumar Singh said that on the basis of various parameters, only one school AD Girls Inter College has been fulfilled in the secondary schools in the district. Due to this, only AD Girls Inter College is named in the list sent to PM Shri.

55 Bulandshahr Villages to Be Added to YEIDA Territory

Why In News?

According to information received from the media on February 2, 2023, 55 villages of Bulandshahr and Khurja Development Authority of Uttar Pradesh have now joined the Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority (YEIDA). Its notification has been issued.

Key points

• The inclusion of these villages in the Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority (YEIDA) will increase the scope of logistics, warehousing and cargo hubs of the Yamuna Authority.
• Gautam Buddh Nagar, Bulandshahr, Aligarh, Hathras, Mathura and Agra districts are included in the notified area of Yamuna Authority. So far, 40 villages of Bulandshahr district were in the notified area of the authority.
• An airport is also being built in the Yamuna Authority area. Logistics and warehousing hubs will also be developed. There was a plan to connect this hub with rail. For this, the authority had to expand its scope to the Delhi-Howrah railway line. For this, the authority planned to include 55 villages.

Cooperative Societies will be Formed with Priority in Gram Panchayats that fulfil the Prescribed Criteria

Why In News?

On February 2, 2023, Cooperative Minister of Rajasthan, Uday Lal Anjana told that the Gram Panchayat which fulfills the minimum number of members including 300 and other criteria and deposits the share amount of Rs 3 lakh, There Village Service Cooperative Society (GSS) will be formed on priority.

Key points

• Cooperative Minister Uday Lal Anjana said that efforts are being made by the state government to form cooperative societies in each gram panchayat. GSS The prescribed criteria for the formation of the organization are minimum number of members 300, share amount Rs 3 lakh, deposit amount Rs 1 lakh and Rs 75 thousand for lamps.
• He said that action is taken to form new Village Service Co-operative Societies as per rules on fulfilling the above prescribed criteria and receiving the proposal including the recommendation of the District Level Committee.
• The Cooperation Minister informed that there are a total of 71 Gram Panchayats in Vallabh Nagar Assembly constituency, out of which Village Service Co-operative Society is yet to be formed in 38 Gram Panchayats.
• He informed that under the budget announcement for the year 2022-23, new GSS will be formed in the remaining 4171 gram panchayats of the state in the next two years. Under this announcement, the remaining gram panchayats of Vallabh Nagar assembly constituency will also be filled with new G.G. S. S will be installed.

MP Transco Energized Railway Traction Feeder for Rail Operations in Katangi Area

Why In News?

On February 2, 2023, MP Transco (Madhya Pradesh Power Transmission Company) has prepared a railway traction feeder for Southeast Central Railway for smooth operation of electricity to rail in Katangi area and this feeder and built at a cost of about 12 crores. The line was erected, inspected and tested and energized.

Key points

• Chief Engineer of Madhya Pradesh Power Transmission Company, Deepak Joshi said that Southeast Central Railway has commissioned a 132 KV train on the Balaghat-Katangi section. There was a demand for traction feeder. After completing all the formalities by the Railways, M.P. Transco succeeded in energizing this feeder and line by constructing it.
• He informed that Madhya Pradesh Power Transmission Company has provided power supply from total 47 towers to this 11.5 kilometer feeder from 132 KV substation Katangi to railway traction substation Katangi.
• With the commissioning of this traction feeder, one more power supply has now become available for the Balaghat-Katangi section of the railway.
• It is known that earlier 132 KV from MP Transco's 132 KV Lalbarra substation. Balaghat-Katangi section was operated through RTS feeder Samnapur.
• About 60 kilometer rail section of Balaghat-Katangi-Tirodi along with Balaghat will be benefitted by the construction of this RTS feeder. With this, the Railways will be able to get quality electricity continuously.

New Guidelines Issued for Enhancement in Contract Agreements for Projects in Haryana

Why In News?

On February 1, 2023, Haryana Chief Secretary Sanjeev Kaushal informed that the state government has issued new guidelines for enhancement in contract agreements for projects in a transparent and uniform manner.

Key points

• Chief Secretary Sanjeev Kaushal said that now the competent authority will take a decision in the matter of structural design and modification of scope of work. If the cost of the allotted work is less than Rs 1 crore, then up to 30 percent of the engineer-in-chief will take the decision. From 30 percent to 50 percent, the administrative secretaries of the department will take a decision. In case of more than 50 percent, the cabinet sub-committee headed by the chief minister, comprising ministers in charge of the department as members, will take a decision.
• He said that if the cost of the allotted work is more than Rs 1 crore, then in this case, the administrative secretary of the department up to 10 percent, the committee headed by the chief secretary from 10 percent to 20 percent, which includes the administrative secretary of the department as a member, will take a decision.
• Further, in case of more than 20 percent, the cabinet sub-committee headed by the chief minister, comprising the minister in charge of the department as a member, will take a decision.
• Sanjeev Kaushal said that the present system regarding increase in cost of the project will continue due to the tender rates, price adjustment given in the contract agreement and change in supply rates of the Directorate of Supply and Disposal for departmental supplies.
• He said that the above decision has been taken after several cases of irregularities in the enhancement increase came to the notice of the government recently.
• In this regard, letters have been issued to all administrative secretaries, divisional commissioners, heads of departments, boards, corporations, organizations, chief administrators of public undertakings, managing directors, urban local bodies and district deputy commissioners to ensure strict compliance of these instructions with immediate effect.

Women's Ashrams will be Established in Three Districts of Haryana

Why In News?

Haryana Women and Child Development Minister Kamlesh Dhanda said that three women's ashrams will be set up in the state to empower women going through difficult times in life to provide shelter, training, capacity building and self-reliant under one roof. In which arrangements will be made to keep 50 eligible women in each women's ashram.

Key points

• Women and Child Development Minister Kamlesh Dhanda said in a meeting held at the Haryana Secretariat office that instructions were also given to the officers of the department to identify the land of these women's ashrams to be established in Rewari, Sirsa and Narnaul of the state and speed up the process of their construction.
• Sanjeev Kaushal informed that the present system would continue about increase in the cost of the project due to change in the tender rates, price adjustments given in the contract agreement and supply rates of the Directorate of Supply and Disposal for departmental supplies.
• Officials said that the building of Women's Ashrams Karnal will also be rebuilt and arrangements will be made to accommodate 50 eligible women.
• Women and Child Development Minister Kamlesh Dhanda said that it is the responsibility of the state to provide temporary ashrams to women facing adverse circumstances. In this, destitute women will be provided cloth allowance, ration allowance, education and training.

Approval of the Proposal for Amendment in the Rule of Haryana Civil Service (Pay) Rules, 2016

Why In News?

The Cabinet meeting held in Chandigarh on February 2, 2023 under the chairmanship of Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal approved the proposal to amend the rule of Haryana Civil Services (Pay) Rules, 2016.

Key points

• Chief Minister Mr. Manohar Lal said that these rules will be called Haryana Civil Services (Pay) Second Amendment Rules, 2022 and they will come into force from the date of their publication in the Gazette.
• Rule 56 amends the fixation of salary on re-employment of a retired employee, including contributory provident fund or defined contributory pension scheme benefits.
• According to the amendment, for the fixation of the salary of a person who has availed benefits under contributory provident fund or defined contributory pension scheme at the time of retirement and is re-employed in any department, 50 per cent of the final drawn salary will be withdrawn and unified in the next rupee. The amount so withdrawn shall be deemed to be a pension for the purpose of fixation of salary of such re-employed person.

PDS Empowerment Fortnight Started in Jharkhand

Why In News?

On February 1, 2023, after the order of Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren, the organization of PDS Empowerment Fortnight has been started to speed up the pace of providing ration cards to the needy beneficiaries who are deprived of their right to food. It will run till 14 February.

Key points

• Work related to Aadhaar improvement in ration card under PDS empowerment fortnight, action to remove name of one person registered in multiple ration cards, removal of name of dead persons in ration card, identification of beneficiaries receiving food grains from exception register, duplicate Aadhaar number Action is being taken for verification, physical verification of beneficiaries who have not lifted food grains for the last six months or more, food to the beneficiaries of Dal-Bhaat Center through Dal-Bhaat Apps and online to offline dealer.
• On the orders of the Chief Minister, not only PDS Empowerment Fortnight is being organized, but instructions have been given to make free Ayushman card through e-KYC of beneficiaries covered under Ayushman Bharat Mukhyamantri Jan Arogya Yojana. For this, from February 1 to February 15, 2023, a camp will be organized through Pragya Center and it will be ensured that the beneficiaries covered under Ayushman Bharat Mukhyamantri Jan Arogya Yojana get free Ayushman card through e-KYC.
• In this work, Sahiyas, ration dealers, women of self-help groups, maids and others will ensure that more and more eligible families are brought to the camp. All Pragya centers have been set a target of registering at least 50 eligible families every day.
• Sahiyas, ration dealers, women of self-help groups, volunteers and others will ensure that at least 15 people unable to get cards are taken to the Nikam Pragya Kendras every day.
• Block Development Officers will ensure necessary arrangements for organizing camps in all panchayats.

Central and State Government will Make Joint Efforts to Save the Cultural Heritage of the State

Why In News?

On February 2, 2023, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Directorate of Archaeology, Archives and Museums, Raipur and the Indira Gandhi National Center for the Arts, New Delhi to preserve, protect and promote the cultural heritage and historical heritage of Chhattisgarh.

Key points

• In this agreement, the Mahant Ghasidas Memorial Museum on the rock art of Chhattisgarh along with the rock art of the world and India will be set up separately in Raipur by the Indira Gandhi National Center for the Arts to acquaint the local students, tourists, researchers and public with the real aspects of their ancient culture. The gallery will be set up.
• Apart from this, it will be helpful in various academic programs and projects of both the institutions such as research training, compilation of digital resources, survey, archiving and conservation of state protected shelters.
• Speaking on the occasion, Culture Minister Amarjeet Bhagat said that this MoU is important in the direction of preserving and promoting 'Heritage of Chhattisgarh' and culture. The Department of Culture is committed to preserve the culture and archaeological importance of Chhattisgarh.

Every City of Uttarakhand will Become Smart with UIDF

Why In News?

On February 2, 2023, Additional Chief Secretary of Uttarakhand Anand Vardhan said that the Central Government has announced the creation of Urban Infrastructure Development Fund (UIDF) in the general budget, so that after Dehradun Smart City, every city of the state will now become smart.

Key points

• Additional Chief Secretary Anand Vardhan said that with the formation of UIDF, infrastructure development schemes like NABARD will be able to get loans at minimum interest rates.
• Till now, loans from the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) were available at the lowest rates for developing rural infrastructure. In urban areas, developing infrastructure proved to be quite expensive amid the pressure of increasing population and the need for resources. Loans had to be taken from agencies at expensive interest rates, which was also a challenging task.
• Anand Vardhan said that the UIDF for tier-2 and tier-3 cities will be operated under the National Housing Bank (NHB).
• UIDF will transform urban areas and overcome the challenges of rapid infrastructure development.