• 04 Jan 2025

Haryana Centre of Excellence

Why in News? 

Recently, the Haryana government has decided to set up a Centre for Urban Excellence (CUE) for regulated urban development. 

 Key Points 

• Nodal Agency and Objective: 
  • The Department of Town and Country Planning (DTCP) serves as the nodal agency for planned development in Haryana. 
  • The CUE aims to partner with a reputed institution to build cutting-edge knowledge, capacities, and implementation models. 
    • It also aims to foster innovation, facilitate stakeholder discourse, and enhance Haryana's urban livability index to international standards within a decade. 
• Urban Growth in Haryana: 
  • Haryana's urbanization level (35%) surpasses the national average (31%) as per the 2011 census. 
  • The state's urban population growth rate (44.25%) is higher than the national rate (32%). 
  • Rapid urbanization has highlighted the need for a policy advocacy body like the CUE to address urban development challenges. 
• Mission and Focus Areas: 
  • The CUE's mission is to strengthen state agencies' capacities for systematic urban innovation and governance. 
  • It will focus on: 
    • Environmental sustainability. 
    • Technology adoption. 
    • Resource conservation. 
    • A people-first approach. 
    • Shaping policies and practices for balanced growth and development. 
    • Activities include research, strategic advisory, technical support, training, and capacity building. 

Improved Security in J&K

Why in News? 

According to the Ministry of Home Affairs annual report counter-terrorist operations in Jammu & Kashmir have declined since 2018, with 338 security personnel killed in 676 encounters by March 2024. 

 Key Points 

• Improvement in Security Situation: 
  • Organised stone pelting and protests have ceased. 
  • The region has experienced significant improvement in overall security and development. 
• Measures to Curb Cross-Border Infiltration: 
  • Strengthened border infrastructure and multi-tiered security along the Line of Control (LoC). 
  • Changed infiltration routes and installed floodlights along the International Border. 
• Youth Mainstreaming and Employment Opportunities: 
  • Policies introduced to provide jobs and deter youth from militancy. 
  • Government efforts include employing 5,720 Kashmiri migrants in government jobs. 
  • Approval of 6,000 secure transit accommodations for government-employed migrants. 
• Online Grievance Portal for Kashmiri Migrants: 
  • It was launched in August 2021 to address grievances related to encroachment, title changes, mutations, and distress sales. 
• Financial Assistance to Displaced Families: 
  • Under the Prime Minister's Development Package (PMDP)-2015, Rs 5.5 lakh is being disbursed to 36,384 displaced families from Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK) and Chhamb. 
    • Since 2016, Rs 1,452.34 crore has been disbursed to 33,636 beneficiaries. 
• Focus on Development and Integration: 
  • These measures collectively aim to enhance security, provide social justice, and foster the integration of displaced communities into the region’s socio-economic fabric. 

 Line of Control 

• The Line of Control (LoC) emerged from the 1948 ceasefire line negotiated by the United Nations (UN) after the Kashmir War. 
• It was designated as the LoC in 1972, following the Shimla Agreement between the two countries. 
• LoC is demarcated up to the Siachen Glacier (Point NJ9842)- the world's highest battlefield. 
• LoC is delineated on a map signed by the Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) of both armies and has the international sanctity of a legal agreement.