• 03 Jul 2023

Bagmati Beach will be Developed on the Lines of Marine Drive in Patna

Why in News?

On July 1, 2023, Bihar's Water Resources and Information & Public Relations Minister Sanjay Kumar Jha said that on the lines of Marine Drive built on the banks of river Ganga in Patna, the banks of Bagmati river will also be developed in Darbhanga.

Key Points:

• Sanjay Kumar Jha directed the officials to plant saplings in the direction of greening the surrounding areas.
• By planting trees around the Ghats, people will get a clean environment. Pollution will also be curbed. The pier will be further levelled, so that people will be able to walk easily.
• A pathway will be built like Marine Drive on the banks of the river. Chatariya village is an urban area. If it is constructed like Marine Drive, then people around will get a better option for walking.

Multipurpose Indoor Hall to be Built in Bharatpur and Bikaner

Why in News?

On July 2, 2023, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot approved a financial proposal of Rs 16.44 crore for the construction of multipurpose indoor halls to provide better sports facilities to the players in Bharatpur and Bikaner districts of the state.

Key Points:

• The construction of each hall will cost Rs 8.22 crore.
• With the construction of a multipurpose indoor hall, players will get opportunities to participate in indoor games and showcase their talent.
• It is worth mentioning that an announcement in this regard was made by the Chief Minister in the budget 2023-24.

Rs 231 Crore Sanctioned under Various Schemes in the Extremely Backward Classes Development Fund in the State

Why in News?

On July 1, 2023, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot approved financial proposals worth Rs 231.44 crore under various schemes for the students of the Most Backward Class (MBC) of the state. This amount has been sanctioned under the MBC Development Fund.

Key Points:

• The Chief Minister has approved Rs 1.50 crore for 'Devnarayan Anuprati Yojana', Rs 8 crore for 'Devnarayan Pre-Matric Scholarship', Rs 135 crore for 'Devnarayan Uttar Matric Scholarship', Rs 17.50 crore for 'Devnarayan Gurukul Yojana' and Rs 20.34 crore for 'Devnarayan Scooty Distribution and Incentive Scheme'.
• The Chief Minister has approved Rs 37.90 crore for the construction of buildings of Devnarayan Residential Schools at Rawatbhata in Chittorgarh and Biratnagar in Jaipur.
• Apart from this, Rs 11.20 crore has been approved for the construction of buildings of Umren in Alwar, Niwai in Tonk and Devnarayan hostels in Mansarovar and Pratap Nagar in Jaipur.
• With this decision of the Chief Minister, the students of the most backward classes will be able to get education easily and they will be able to build their bright future.
• It is worth mentioning that in the budget for the year 2023-24, the amount of the MBC Development Fund has been increased to Rs 200 crore by the Chief Minister.

Many Important Decisions Taken in Rajasthan Cabinet Meeting

Why in News?

On June 30, 2023, a meeting of the state cabinet was held under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, in which many important decisions were taken regarding the formation of new districts, reading the Preamble and fundamental duties of the Constitution in schools, increasing the first salary in favour of the employees in 6 months, giving more opportunities to the youth of the state in government service.

Key Points:

• In the cabinet meeting, the report of the Ram Lubhaya Committee formed for the formation of new districts was discussed. These new districts will give a new impetus to the development of the state and will increase the ease of the common man. Implementation and monitoring of development-related schemes will be done more effectively so that the common man can get the benefits of government schemes, facilities and services quickly.
• It is known that 19 districts were announced in this year's budget. In this sequence, the report submitted by the Ramlubhaya Committee, the representations received from various sectors and the public sentiment were discussed by the Cabinet regarding the assessment and determination of the limit.
• In the Cabinet meeting, it has been decided to introduce the Preamble of the Constitution and the Fundamental Duties in every school.
  • This will further strengthen the faith and pride of the young generation of the state in the great Constitution, democracy and nationalism of the country. 'No Bag Day' will be observed every Saturday in the schools.
  • The preamble and fundamental duties of the Constitution will also be published in the newly published textbooks.
• The Cabinet has approved the draft 'The Rajasthan ILD Skills University, Jaipur (Change of Name and Amendment) Bill-2023' and decided to rename Rajasthan ILD Skills University as 'The Vishwakarma Skills University'.
  • This will start the process of appointment of a vice-chancellor, formation of the board of management and bringing ordinances for new provisions etc.
  • With this decision, the work of the university will be done smoothly and at a fast pace. With this approval of the Cabinet, this bill can be introduced in the Assembly.
• The cabinet has approved the proposal to amend the Rajasthan Civil Services (Revised Pay) Rules 2017. Due to this, the salary will be fixed in the next cell if the promotion of the personnel is equal to the pay level of the promotion post or ACP. This will increase the salary of the personnel.
  • Also, two increment dates (January 1 and July 1) have been fixed instead of one increment date at present. Due to this, the personnel will get the first increment in 6 months only. With these amendments, the designations of various services will also be in line with the service rules.
• The Cabinet has approved the proposal to amend the Rajasthan Subordinate Office Clerical Service Rules 1999, Rajasthan Secretariat Clerical Service Rules 1970 and Rajasthan Public Service Commission (Clerical and Subordinate Service) Rules and Regulations 1999 with a view to provide more and more employment to the candidates of the state in government services and to provide skilled candidates in shorthand.
  • Under this, a provision has been made to give weightage to general knowledge of Rajasthan in the curriculum of Quick Clerk / Personal Assistant Grade-II in the Ministerial Service Rules related to Government Secretariat, Subordinate Offices and Rajasthan Public Service Commission.
  • Also, provisions have been made to include 15 times more students in the advertised posts for Phase II and to give weightage to the shorthand.
• The Cabinet has approved the proposal to amend the Rajasthan Civil Services (Allotment of Residential Accommodation) Rules, 1958 to provide relief to women government employees who are transferred during pregnancy.
  • With the said amendment, a woman government employee, who has been allotted a government accommodation, will be able to keep that house on normal rent till the end of maternity leave.
• The Cabinet has decided to amend the Rajasthan Industries Service Rules-1960, Rajasthan Industries Subordinate Services Rules-1966 and Rajasthan State and Subordinate Services (Direct Recruitment Rules-1999) in Appendix 'F' and rename 'Industries Department' as 'Department of Industry and Commerce'. With the change of name, the designation of the officers of the department will also be revised.

Aishwarya Pratap and Ashi Choksey Selected in Asian Games and ISSF World Championship

Why in News?

According to the information given by the Madhya Pradesh Public Relations Department on July 2, 2023, two shooters from Madhya Pradesh State Shooting Academy Aishwarya Pratap Singh Tomar and Ashi Chouksey have been selected in the Indian team for the Asian Games starting in September 2023 in China and the ISSF World Championship to be held in Baku Azerbaijan in August.

Key Points:

• Aishwarya Pratap Singh from Khargone district has been selected in the 10m air rifle and 50m three position men and Ashi Chowk of Bhopal has been selected in the 10m air rifle and 50m three position women's event.
• The 22-year-old young Indian shooter Aishwarya Pratap Singh Tomar won the Gold medal in the men's 50m rifle 3 positions event at the ISSF World Cup in Cairo in February 2023 and the Gold medal in the 50m rifle 3 positions event at the ISSF Shooting World Cup in South Korea in July 2022.
• Aishwarya had won the Yellow medal in the men's 50m rifle 3 positions event at the 2021 World Cup in Delhi. In the final match, Aishwarya defeated the then-world number-1 Istvan Penny of Hungary.
• The 21-year-old Chouksey won the gold medal in the 50m rifle 3 positions mixed event at the ISSF Shooting World Cup in Baku, Azerbaijan in June 2022 along with Swapnil Kusale. Ashi had won a bronze medal at the ISSF Junior Shooting World Cup in Germany.
• Earlier, Ashi came into the limelight at the national level by winning one gold and one silver medal in the Khelo India University Games held in Bengaluru and two gold and two silver medals in the National Shooting Championship.

PM Launches 'National Mission for Liberation from Sickle Cell Anaemia' in Shahdol, Madhya Pradesh

Why in News?

On July 1, 2023, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the 'National Sickle Cell Anaemia Liberation Mission' in Shahdol, Madhya Pradesh and distributed sickle cell genetic status cards to beneficiaries.

Key Points:

• On this occasion, Governor of Madhya Pradesh Mangubhai C Patel, Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Union Minister for Health & Family Welfare Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Ministers of State, Members of Parliament, Ministers of Government of Madhya Pradesh and Members of Legislative Assembly were also present.
• The mission aims to address the serious health challenges posed by sickle cell disease, especially among the tribal population. The launch marks an important milestone in the ongoing efforts of the government to eliminate sickle cell disease as a public health problem by 2047.
• The National Mission to Eradicate Sickle Cell Anemia was announced in the Union Budget 2023. It is implemented in 278 districts of the 17 most affected states of the country - Gujarat, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Assam, Uttar Pradesh, Kerala, Bihar and Uttarakhand.
• The Prime Minister also launched the distribution program of about 3.57 crore Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) cards in Madhya Pradesh. Ayushman card distribution ceremony is being organized in municipal bodies, gram panchayats and development blocks across the state.
• Ayushman Card Distribution Campaign is a step towards realizing the Prime Minister's vision of reaching each and every beneficiary to ensure 100% saturation of welfare schemes.
• On this occasion, the Prime Minister said that this campaign to eradicate sickle cell anaemia will become a major mission of Amrit Kaal. He expressed his determination to free the tribal communities and the country from the menace of sickle cell anaemia by 2047.

Animal Husbandry Department will Prepare 200 Animal Ambulances on the Lines of Dial 112

Why in News?

On July 1, 2023, Haryana Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister J.P. Speaking at the inauguration of the Haryana Animal Science Centre set up by Luwas Hisar at Behal in the Bhiwani district of the state, Dalal said the animal husbandry department is preparing 200 ambulances on the lines of police PCR's Dial 112.

Key Points:

• In order to increase the income of the farmers, the state government is promoting schemes like animal husbandry, fisheries, and horticulture in addition to traditional farming so that the farmers can become prosperous by adopting them, so ambulances are being prepared.
• The department has procured 70 veterinary ambulances and 130 ambulances are to be procured. A toll-free number will be given to them, on which the animal keeper will get medical care for the sick animal at his home, doorstep.
• The Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister said that due to the schemes implemented in the animal husbandry sector, Haryana has come second in the country in milk production. Most of the schemes implemented by the state government are related to the upliftment and development of the farmer.
• The state government has ensured the purchase of the farmer's produce at MSP, besides meeting other needs including fertilizers, and seeds at the time of sowing the crop. Apart from this, farming has been made risk-free by giving full compensation to the crops damaged by natural disasters.
• On this occasion, the Agriculture Minister said that to promote agriculture in the Loharu region, where canals have been repaired and new canals have been built. At the same time, efforts have been made to deliver water to the tail.
• He said that the centre to be built at Behal in Bhiwani would prove to be a milestone for the farmers and cattle rearers of the area. Now people will not have to go to Hisar for animal treatment.
• The animal husbandry will have full facilities for X-ray, ultrasound, surgery, and gynaecology for various diseases of animals in this centre. In addition, the centre will produce animals of such breeds while working on the technology of ETT (Imbro Transfer Technology). This will give more milk and improve the breed. This is the third such centre in the state, in which all these facilities are available.

Mera Bill Mera Adhikaar Yojana

Why in News?

On July 1, 2023, Haryana Deputy Chief Minister Dushyant Chautala informed at the GST Day-2023 program organized on the occasion of the sixth anniversary of the implementation of Goods and Services Tax (GST) in Gurugram district of the state that 'Mera Bill-Mera Adhikar Yojana' has been launched in five states of the country including Haryana with the aim of encouraging taxpayers.

Key Points:

• Under this scheme, consumers will have to take the bill at the time of purchase and upload that bill on the portal. After that, a reward of Rs 30 crore will be given to the consumers through a draw of lots from the Corps Fund.
• The 'Mera Bill- Mera Adhikar Yojana' will develop a tendency among consumers to ask for bills from the seller while shopping for goods. At the same time, a strong sentiment will also develop between the consumer and the government.
• This scheme has proved to be a great system in simplifying the tax system of the country and ending Inspector Raj.
• This has reduced the tax burden on the citizens and the facilities of the industry have also increased with the simple system. In the coming days, this system will be further improved with the help of officials, industry representatives and consumers.

Neeraj Chopra Won Men's Javelin Throw Title in Lausanne Diamond League Series

Why in News?

On June 30, 2023, Javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra from the Panipat district of Haryana has won the men's javelin throw title in the Lusan Phase-2023 of the prestigious Diamond League Series. He took the top spot with a throw of 87.66m.

Key Points:

• Germany's Julian Weber finished second with a throw of 87.03m and Jakub Vadlejche of the Czech Republic came third with a throw of 86.13m.
• It is known that this is the Second Gold of Indian Javelin star Neeraj in this year. He was also a gold medalist in the Doha Diamond League. At the same time, this is Neeraj's 8th international gold. Earlier, he had won gold in tournaments like Asian Games, South Asian Games, Olympic Games and Diamond League.
• Neeraj Chopra started off with a foul in the first round. At the same time, Germany's Julian Weber took the lead with a throw of 86.20 metres. At the end of the first round, Neeraj was not even in the top three athletes. After this, in the second attempt, Neeraj made a throw of 83.52 meters and reached the third number. Neeraj scored 85.02m in the third attempt. With this throw, he reached number two.
• Neeraj was fouled on the fourth attempt, but on the fifth attempt, Neeraj's 'Golden Arm' worked its magic and achieved a throw of 87.66 meters. reached first place. In the sixth and final attempt, Neeraj achieved a throw of 84.15 metres.
• It is worth mentioning that 25-year-old Neeraj had won gold in the Doha Diamond League on May 5 by throwing 88.67 metres. He then suffered a hamstring strain, forcing him to withdraw from the Fanny Blankers-Koen Games on June 4 and the Paavo Nurmi Games on June 13.
• However, during this time he did not miss the opportunity to play in any Diamond League. The Rabat, Rome, Paris and Oslo phases of the league do not feature the javelin throw.
• Lausanne is to be followed by leagues in Monaco (21 July) and Zurich (31 August), where the javelin throw is included. The final of the league will be held in Eugene (USA) on September 16-17.
• Neeraj will also participate in the World Athletics Championships 2023 to be held in Budapest, Hungary. This championship will be held from 19 to 27 August. Neeraj had won a silver medal in the last season in 2022 Eugene.
• The Indian team has been able to win only two medals in the history of this championship, one of them in the name of Neeraj. Prior to Neeraj, in 2003, Anju Bobby George had created history by winning the first medal for India in the women's long jump event. He had won the bronze medal.
• Apart from Neeraj, another Indian long jumper Murali Sreeshankar also participated in the Diamond League. He jumped 7.75, 7.63, 7.88 and 7.59 and 7.66 meters in the first 5 attempts. However, he could not win any medals. Murali finished fifth.

Deputy Director General of International Rice Research Institute Praised Chhattisgarh Millet Mission

Why in News?

According to the information given by the Chhattisgarh Public Relations Department on July 1, 2023, appreciation of the work being done under the 'Chhattisgarh Millet Mission' to promote the production of small grain crops (Kodo-Kutki, Ragi) in Chhattisgarh International Rice Research Joanna Can Potaca, The Deputy Director General (Crops) of the Institute Manila and eminent Agriculture & Nutrition Expert.

Key Points:

• Ms. Potaka highlighted the seed production programme of small grain crops under the Chhattisgarh Millet Mission and seed distribution system to farmers, the establishment of Millet Processing Centers through community participation through Krishi Vigyan Kendras, procurement of small grain crops like Kodo, Kutki, Ragi etc. from farmers by the State Government at support price, the inclusion of small grain crops in a mid-day meal program for nutrition and inclusion of small grain crops in various districts through women self-help groups. He praised the establishment and operation of The Millet Cafe.
• Ms. Potaka tweeted about this while sharing a photo of her meeting with Dr. Girish Chandel, Vice Chancellor of Indira Gandhi Agricultural University during the 'International High Impact Rice Breeding Workshop' held in the South African country of Ghana recently. Significantly, Ms. Potaka is also the Executive Director of the Smart Food Programme.
• It is worth mentioning that Dr. Girish Chandel, Vice Chancellor of Indira Gandhi Agricultural University, had recently participated as a subject expert in a four-day workshop on the 'Modernization of Paddy Breeding Program' organized in Kumasi city of Ghana.
• Dr. Chandel gave information about the works and activities being done to promote the production of small grain crops under the Chhattisgarh Millet Mission run under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel.
• Dr. Chandel also gave information about the research work being done on small grain crops in Indira Gandhi Agricultural University under the Millet Mission and the Millet Processing Center and Millet Cafe established through Krishi Vigyan Kendras.
• He also informed the agricultural scientists from different countries about the research work being done in the direction of modernization of the paddy breeding program at Indira Gandhi Agricultural University in the international workshop.

Kanvashram Rescue Center Project

Why in News?

On July 2, 2023, Chief Wildlife Warden of Uttarakhand Dr. Sameer Sinha said that in order to reduce the continuous increase in human-wildlife attacks in the state, Mrig Vihar located in Kanvashram of Lansdowne Forest Division will be converted into a mini zoo and rescue centre. A fresh exercise has been started to develop it.

Key Points:

• It is known that the wildlife in the state is turning violent and targeting the people in the populated areas. In such a situation, predatory animals (especially tigers and Guldar/Leopard) are caught and sent to rescue centres in all areas, but now there is no space left in the rescue centres available in the state to keep these Schedule One animal. That's why now the government is going to build new rescue centres and expand the old ones.
• Continuous talks are being held with the CZA to develop Mrig Vihar at Kanvashram as a mini zoo and rescue centre. Apart from this, efforts are also being made to expand other rescue centres.
• The difficulties of the Forest Department will be reduced to a great extent by the conversion of Mrig Vihar located in Kanvashram, spread over an area of about 12 hectares, into a rescue centre.
• It is known that in the year 2018, the then Forest Minister Dr. Harak Singh Rawat had taken initiative to develop Mrig Vihar as Mini Zoo and Rescue Center. During that time, in-principle approval was also given by the Central Government for this work.
• After this, the Central Zoo Authority (CZA) was asked to complete the formalities in this matter, which was not completed by the Forest Department in time. After this, the matter went into cold storage. Now correspondence has been started with the CZA through the government to develop Mrig Vihar as a mini zoo and rescue centre again on behalf of the forest department.
• Except for the Dehradun Zoo Rescue Center located at Malsi in the state capital Dehradun, all the other three rescue centres are running houseful. These rescue centres do not have a place to keep even a single Schedule One wild animal.
• Five in the zoo located in Almora and six in the rescue centre, a total of 11 Guldars (Leopards) have been kept. There is no place to keep other Guldars here.
• Similarly, 11 Guldars have been kept in the rescue centre located at Chidiyapur in Haridwar. This too has become Housefull. The rescue centre at Nainital Zoo is already full.
• An injured Guldar was kept in the Rescue Center at Dehradun Zoo, which has now been released into the forest after recovering. Currently, there is not a single Guldar in the rescue centre. Anyway, only two Guldars can be kept here.