State PCS

• 03 May 2023

Under the Direction of Soumya Mishra of Lucknow, 'Millet Fair' and 'Swaraj-Swatantrata ki Gatha' were organised in Canada

Why in News?

• On 2 May 2023, under the direction of Saumya Mishra from Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, for the first time 'Millet Fair' and 'Swaraj - The Saga of Independence' were organized in Toronto, Canada.

Key Points:

• In this program, the participants ranging from 2 years to 65 years presented 'Swatantrata Sangram Ek Gatha' of India, in which 80 freedom fighters were mentioned.
• The program included 40 types of millet traditional dishes from 28 states and 2 union territories of India.
• Meanwhile, Saumya Mishra of Lucknow said that it took almost 3 years to edit this drama story, it mentioned 80 freedom fighters and mostly included the heroes of the freedom struggle, about whom people had never heard
• This was followed by the digital unveiling of the 'Millet Recipe Book'. This book includes 34 recipes for home cooks, divided into four categories.

Bihar became Self-Sufficient in Fish Production for the First Time, with Production of 8.46 lakh tonnes

Why in News?

• According to the information received from the media on 2 May 2023, the total fish production in Bihar in the year 2022-23 is 8 lakh 46 thousand tonnes. This is 85 thousand tonnes more than 7.61 lakh tonnes in 2021-22.

Key Points:

• It is worth mentioning that 8.02 lakh tonnes of fish are required annually in Bihar.
• Bihar Animal and Fisheries Resources Department has prepared the data on fish production, under which Madhubani has the highest production of 88.96 thousand tonnes, while Jehanabad has the lowest production of 1.55 thousand tonnes.
• For the first time, Bihar has produced fish in excess. To meet the requirement for fish in the state, about 800 crore fish had to be imported from Andhra Pradesh and other states till now.
• Now due to more production, fish traders will also be able to send more fish to other states.
• It is worth mentioning that fish is also exported from Bihar to the neighboring states of West Bengal and Nepal.

MoU Signed between IIT Patna and C-DAC

Why in News?

• On 02 May 2023, an MoU was signed between IIT Patna and C-DAC to set up a supercomputer at IIT Patna by September 2023.

Key Points:

• The MoU was signed by Prof. T. N. Singh, Director, IIT Patna and E. Magesh, Director General (DG), C-DAC.
• IITs will be equipped with supercomputer power by September this year under the National Supercomputing Mission. The cost of setting up this supercomputer will be Rs 20 crore.
• This supercomputer can compute data with 833 tera flops or one trillion floating point operations.
• It is worth mentioning that IIT Patna has been selected by the Union Ministry of Science & Technology among the 9 institutes of the country.
• This supercomputer will prove to be a milestone and will enhance the high level of data computation for various purposes.
• Through this, it will help in forecasting the weather, as well as be able to issue alerts on the possibility of floods from agriculture.
• The youth working in the field of entrepreneurship will get a lot of benefits from this.
• With the advent of supercomputers, work will be done in various fields including Artificial Intelligence, Big Data, Security, Quantum Simulation, Process Simulation and Optimization, Computational Phyo Dynamics, Weather Modeling, Disaster Recovery, Drug Discovery, Molecular Dynamics, Machine Learning.
• Significantly, its infrastructure is based on Rudra Servers, which are designed, manufactured and assembled indigenously in India. This is a step towards Atma Nirbhar Bharat Mission.

MoU between IGIMS and C-DAC

Why in News?

• On 02 May 2023 Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Science (IGIMS) Institute and the development organization Center for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) in Patna, Bihar signed an MoU under the Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology.

Key Points:

• The MoU was signed in the presence of Dr Vinay Kumar, Director, Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences, Aditya Kumar Sinha, Director, C-DAC Patna and E Mangesh, Director General, C-DAC.
• With this MoU, doctors will now treat patients better by using machines and software at the Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Science (IGIMS) in Patna. Artificial Intelligence (AI) will now be used here for better treatment.
• Now both institutes together will use Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the treatment and development of medicines for many deadly diseases including cancer and to treat patients.
• The use of artificial intelligence will help a lot in the health sector in preparing medical databases, maintenance of equipment, reducing staff shortages and increasing laboratory facilities and early detection and diagnosis of diseases etc. This will prove to be very beneficial for both the patient and the institution.
• It is worth mentioning that artificial intelligence is a technical system in which the ability of computers to think, understand, act and respond like humans is developed through software. It can think, understand and learn artificially.

MOU Signed between NAREDCO and Rajasthan Housing Board

Why in News?

• On 2 May 2023, an MoU was signed between the central agency National Real Estate Development Council (NAREDCO) and the Rajasthan Housing Board.

Key Points:

• Under this MoU, both organizations will jointly provide on-site skill training to 20,000 construction workers of the state under the program 'NIPUN' (National Institute for Promotion of Upskilling of Construction Workers) in the next 2 years.
• NAREDCO's Vice President Ashok Patni said that the Council has appointed Rajasthan Housing Board as the nodal agency for this training. With the cooperation of the Board, in the first phase, training will be imparted to thousands of workers involved in more than 150 ongoing projects across the state under the Board. After this, other institutions of the state will be connected.
• After training, construction workers will also be given free accident insurance of Rs 2 lakh for 3 years.
• After this MoU, the Housing Board will become the first organization in the country to train construction workers of government, non-government, daily wage workers, and builders in a professional manner with the help of NAREDCO. This training will be given on-site during the ongoing work, due to which the construction work will not be interrupted.
• At the end of the training, the workers will also be given a certificate and an incentive amount of Rs 500 by NAREDCO. There will be no financial burden on the board in this. The biggest highlight of this training is that after taking the training, the labourers will be able to move from unskilled to skilled, due to which their honorarium will also increase.
• Benefits of training to workers-
  • The successful candidates in the training will be given certificates by the government.
  • There will be an increase in the self-esteem of the construction workers after the training.
  • Remuneration received from unskilled to the skilled category will also increase.
  • Certificates received after training will give priority to other work as well.
  • At the end of the training, the workers will also be given a certificate and an incentive amount of Rs 500 by NAREDCO.
  • The construction workers taking the training will also benefit from the free accident insurance scheme.
  • Along with learning new skills, trained workers will also get information about new tools and techniques.
  • Knowledge of personal safety will reduce accidents during construction work.

Ladli Laxmi Festival Celebrated at Chief Minister's Residence

Why in News?

• On 02 May 2023, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan inaugurated the state-level Ladli Laxmi Utsav program focused on respect, guidance and dialogue for daughters at the Chief Minister's residence complex on Ladli Lakshmi Day.

Key Points:

• On this occasion, while giving the tagline 'Haan Main Bhi Ladli Hoon' to the Ladli Laxmi daughters of the state, the Chief Minister announced that medical, IIT, IIM, law institutes and admission to other prestigious educational institutions, their fees will be paid by the state government.
• For Ladli Lakshmi daughters, a special campaign will be launched in the state from 09 to 15 May in the city and panchayats.
• On this occasion, the Chief Minister released a booklet published on the effective evaluation of the scheme & distributed honours and certificates to the Ladli girls. Along with this, prizes were also given to the Gram Panchayats declared Ladli Lakshmi friendly.
• Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan felicitated Anandi Bai Yadav, Sarpanch of Gram Panchayat Rani Khajuri, Sarpanch Kailash Bai of Gram Panchayat Bhatni, District Vidisha, Tej Singh Chauhan, Sarpanch of Gram Panchayat Foodra, Sehore, Ramesh Shah, Sarpanch of Sier Mau Gram Panchayat, Raisen and Kailash Rajput, Sarpanch of Chhapra Gram Panchayat, Rajgarh by presenting shawls and certificates in Ladli Lakshmi-friendly Gram Panchayats of Bhopal.
• It is worth mentioning that such gram panchayats where the ladies are respected, 100% of girls are admitted to school, all are vaccinated, no girl child is malnourished, no girl child is a crime and where there is no child marriage, those panchayats are declared as Ladli Lakshmi friendly panchayats.
• On this occasion, the Chief Minister awarded a gold medal to Jhabua's Muskan Bhuria in the archery competition at the state level, Inspire award to Seoni's Himani Baghel at the state level, Ratlam's Keshvi Tiwari at the international level in karate among Ladli girls who achieved excellent achievements and Ratlam's Bhavya also honoured with a trophy & certificate for her achievement in Kho-Kho at the national level.
• Bhopal's Anushka Dubey won the gold medal in the Open National Competition in Taekwondo, her sister received the trophy and certificate from the Chief Minister due to her stay. Along with this, the Chief Minister also gave assurance certificates to three girls.

22 Percent Increase in Haryana's GST Collection

Why in News?

• According to the data released by the Union Ministry of Finance on 02 May 2023, there has been an increase of 22 percent in Haryana's GST collection this time as compared to last year.

Key Points:

• Where the state's GST collection was 8,197 crores in the year 2022, it has increased to 10,035 crores in the year 2023.
• The GST collection has increased only in the neighbouring states of Haryana such as 16 percent in Punjab, 17 percent in Himachal, 8 percent in Delhi and 5 percent in Rajasthan. The growth rate of Haryana is more than these states.
• It is known that Haryana is one of the leading states on the parameters of economic development. The state government is giving importance to big industries as well as micro, small and medium industries. The state government has improved power availability and connectivity to promote industries.
• It is worth mentioning that GST is a comprehensive indirect tax which was introduced in India on 01 July 2017 through the 101st Constitutional Amendment Act, 2016 with the slogan 'One Nation One Tax'.

Inauguration of 80 Excellent Schools in Jharkhand

Why in News?

• On 02 May 2023, Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren inaugurated 80 excellent schools at a state-level function organized by the Department of School Education and Literacy at Thakur Vishwanath Shahdev High School, Jagannathpur, Dhurwa.

Key Points:

• On this occasion, Chief Minister Hemant Soren inaugurated the newly constructed building of Thakur Vishwanath Shahdev High School Jagannathpur and inaugurated the website. Along with this, the Chief Minister handed over the certificate related to the affiliation of Thakur Vishwanath Shahdev High School Jagannathpur to CBSE to the school head.
• The Chief Minister made an online inauguration of 80 excellent schools and a formal announcement of enrollment in these schools.
• All these 80 schools are affiliated with CBSE, where children will be taught through English medium. Along with this, the children of the state will also get the right to better education.
• It is known that the state government has set a target of setting up 80 district-level excellent schools, 325 block-level leader schools & 4,091-gram panchayat level model schools across the state and providing excellent education opportunities to more than 15 lakh government school children.
• State-of-the-art infrastructure, library, science lab, digital smart class, strong infrastructure of information technology, sports training and other facilities will be available in these schools.
• It is known that online training of principals of 80 excellent schools has been done in two phases by the National Center for School Leadership. The training of principals of 80 excellent schools has been completed in two phases by the Azim Premji Foundation.
• In January 2023, training was imparted by IIM for the capacity building of principals.
• Vocational training will also be given in 11 trades to the children of these excellent schools. Children will be given training in agriculture, IT, ITES, apparel & made-up and home furnishing, media & entertainment, automotive, tourism & hospitality and other trades.
• Industrial field visits are being arranged with state-level establishments and institutions associated with the respective trade so that employment opportunities can also be made available according to their interest in future life.

Chief Minister Made Various Announcements for Anganwadi, Sahayika, and Mitanins in the Thanksgiving Conference

Why in News??

• On 02 May 2023, the Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh, Bhupesh Baghel, expressed his gratitude by clapping at the Gratitude Conference held at the Science College Ground, Raipur. On this occasion, the Chief Minister made various announcements.

Key Points

• On this occasion, 6 Anganwadi workers and 5 Mitanni's (Female health volunteers)) were honoured for their excellent work. Along with this, a check for a loan amount of Rs 10 lakh was handed over to 6 self-help groups from Mahila Kosh.
• In this conference, the Chief Minister made several announcements, the main ones being-
  • Under Saksham Yojana, the annual income limit of women for the benefit of the scheme will be increased from Rs.1 lakh to Rs.2 lakh.
  • The limit of loan amount given to women groups will be increased from 4 lakh to 6 lakh. The Chief Minister also announced the construction of 5000 Anganwadi buildings.
  • Anganwadi workers and assistants will be honoured on November 14.
  • Announced making arrangements for block coordinator and master trainer from the session.
  • Announced to increase in the honorarium of Anganwadi workers by Rs. 10,000 and an incentive amount of Rs. 2200 to Mitanin sisters.

Review of Vision 25, Sankalp 2022

Why in News?

• Under the chairmanship of Chief Secretary of Uttarakhand, Dr. S.S. Sandhu, the Government's "Vision Paper 25, Sankalp 2022" was reviewed in the Secretariat.

Key Points

• During the review, the Chief Secretary gave instructions to collect the data of the state so that the ex-servicemen of the state can take maximum advantage of this scheme under the General Bipin Singh Rawat Ex-Servicemen Credit Guarantee Scheme. Along with this, instructions were also given to monitor this project daily.
• He directed to focus on the development of roads from Tanakpur, Ramnagar and Haldwani to the Manaskhand circuit to make access to the Manaskhand circuit easy.
• To strengthen the women's self-help groups, the products made by them should be made available in the market. Online platforms should be made available for marketing. Along with this, instructions were given to increase the maximum number of Jan Aushadhi Kendras in the state.
• To promote eco-tourism across the state, instructions were given to identify & develop maximum eco-tourism sites and to bring maximum proposals for the development of affordable rental housing complexes in rural & urban areas.
• While expediting the construction of excellent schools, the Chief Secretary instructed us to put the scheme on the ground soon and to focus on providing hostels along with strengthening colleges under higher education & technical education.