• 04 Mar 2022

MLAs getting richer: ADR

Why in News

According to a report released recently by Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) and Uttar Pradesh Election Watch, the assets of sitting MLAs who are seeking re-election to the assembly have increased by 220.57 percent.

Key Points

• ADR has prepared this report after analyzing the self-affidavits of 301 MLAs/MLCs who contested again in the 2022 UP Assembly elections.
• According to the report, out of 301 MLAs/MLCs re-contesting, the assets of 284 MLAs/MLCs have increased from 0 per cent to 220.57 per cent and assets of 17 MLAs/MLCs have decreased from -1 per cent to -36 percent.
• According to the report, the average assets of these 301 MLAs/MLCs re-contesting by different parties including independents was Rs 5.68 crore in 2017, which has increased to Rs 8.87 crore in 2022.
• The average asset growth of these MLAs/MLCs between 2017 and 2022 state elections is Rs 3.18 crore, while the average percentage increase in assets of these re-contesting leaders is 56 per cent.
• The top MLA/MLC with the highest asset growth is Shah Alam (Guddu Jamali) of All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen from Mubarakpur seat, whose assets have been increased from Rs 77.09 crore in 2017 to Rs 195.85 crore in 2022 (a 65 percent increase).

'Parinda Bandho Campaign'

Why in News

On the occasion of World Wildlife Day on March 3, 2022, Dr. Samit Sharma, Government Secretary, Social Justice and Empowerment Department of Rajasthan, started the campaign 'Parinda Bandho Abhiyan' to tie Parinda and Chugga pots for the protection of birds.

Key Points

• Secretary Dr. Samit Sharma said that the department is running a campaign for tying birds and arranging chugga pots for birds in departmental offices, residential schools, hostels, homes and other institutions.
• He said that the launch of this campaign on World Wildlife Day has a special significance. This day makes us aware of our environmental concern and responsibility.
• In order to conduct the campaign in the departmental offices at the state level, everyone has been directed that in summer, the arrangement of water in birds' birds and food grains in chugga pots should be done with mutual cooperation.

Agricultural Excellence Center

Why in News

On March 3, 2022, Israel's Consulate General Kobi Shoshani, during his meeting with Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, informed that Israel has proposed to set up two centers of excellence in Madhya Pradesh (out of 29 agricultural centers in India).

Key Points

• Among the proposed centers, orange production in Chhindwara and vegetable production in Morena will be promoted.
• Presently some establishments of Israeli companies are functioning at Malanpur and Mandideep in Madhya Pradesh.
• The Chief Minister said that the suggestion received by Israel would be considered and implemented. Industrial investment prospects in Madhya Pradesh will also be promoted in collaboration with Israeli companies.
• In the irrigation sector, India and Israel are working on water projects in the Bundelkhand region of Madhya Pradesh. In particular, both countries look forward to cooperation in other potential areas of water management.
• Officials of the Department of Agriculture and Horticulture, Madhya Pradesh will be benefited in a fortnightly specialization course in Israel.
• Chief Minister Chouhan said that the Bundelkhand region would be rejuvenated by the implementation of Ken-Betwa project. Madhya Pradesh is inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's philosophy of 'Per Drop More Crop' and the farming style of Israel.

Solar Power Park

Why in News

Omkareshwar Floating Solar Park (600 MW) approved in the Ultra Mega Renewable Energy Power Parks (UMREPPS) mode under the Solar Energy Park Scheme of the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, Government of India in the meeting of the Council of Ministers held under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on March 3, 2022. ) and Chhatarpur Solar Power Park (950 MW) has been approved.

Key Points

• Rewa Ultra Mega Solar Limited (RUMSL) will be the Solar Park Project Developer (SPPD) for the development of these parks.
• The proposed 600 MW capacity floating solar project on Omkareshwar reservoir is the world's largest floating solar project in the present scenario.
• This project will be developed as a multipurpose project, in which it will be possible to fulfill the objectives of land conservation, water conservation etc. useful for tourism, agriculture and industry.
• The power generated from the solar projects will be purchased by the Madhya Pradesh Power Management Company Limited (MPPMCL) for the supply of solar RPO of the state and for the use of the state. The rest of the electricity will be purchased by other public institutions for use in the state or outside the state.
• The above projects will also prove helpful in fulfilling the renewable energy bond with low cost environment friendly electricity to the state.
• It is noteworthy that in the COP 26 conference organized by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Glasgow, the country has set a target of setting up renewable energy projects of 500 GW (five lakh MW) by the year 2030.

14 Days’ Handloom Expo at Gauhar Mahal

Why in News

The 14-day Handloom Expo was inaugurated by Padmashree Bhuribai as part of the Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav at Urban Haat Gauhar Mahal on March 3, 2022. The expo will run till March 15, 2022.

Key Points

• This special handloom expo is being organized by Sant Ravidas Madhya Pradesh Handicrafts and Handloom Development Corporation Limited, Bhopal in collaboration with Union Ministry of Textiles at Urban Haat Gauhar Mahal.
• The expo brings together quality and diverse handloom products from weavers from Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Rajasthan, West Bengal, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra and Gujarat, all under one roof, at discounted rates.
• An additional 25 temporary shops have been constructed along with 35 permanent available shops in the Urban Haat Gauhar Mahal complex. In this way, handloom cloth weavers from different states are available for sale in 60 shops.
• Cultural programs will also be held daily in this 14 day handloom ex-po. Entry and parking arrangements have been made free of cost for the customers in the ex-po.

Special Girdawari for Rabi 2021-22 crop

Why in News

In some districts of Haryana state, the work of special girdawari for the crops of Rabi 2021-22 damaged by the recent hailstorm has started from March 1, 2022.

Key Points

• The general girdawari work of Rabi crops in the state is done till February 28, while the special girdawari work for Rabi crops damaged by the recent hailstorm on February 25-26 has been started from March 1.
• As soon as the special girdawari is completed, the compensation will be directly transferred to the accounts of the farmers. The compensation amount is being distributed for Kharif crops (2020-21) like paddy, cotton, bajra.
• Deputy Chief Minister Dushyant Chautala said that even if the sowing of crops could not be done due to waterlogging in the agricultural land of the farmers, compensation would be given to the aggrieved farmers.
• It is noteworthy that due to heavy rains, water logging and pest attacks, there was damage in the Kharif 2021 crop (Cotton, Moong, Paddy, Bajra and Sugarcane), for which special Girdawari was done by the Haryana Government.

Supplementary Budget

Why in News

On March 2, 2022, Jharkhand's third supplementary budget of Rs 2,698 crore presented by Finance Minister Rameshwar Oraon was passed by voice vote in the assembly.

Key Points

• The third supplementary budget has been brought for the new scheme, which is a petrol subsidy to Below Poverty Line (BPL) families. A provision of Rs 100 crore has been made for petrol subsidy in the supplementary budget.
• Significantly, with the hike in petrol prices, the state government has decided to give a subsidy of Rs 250 per month to BPL families.
• It is noteworthy that Chief Minister Hemant Soren had launched a petrol subsidy scheme on the occasion of Republic Day, under which Below Poverty Line (BPL) families would get a subsidy of Rs 25 per liter for 10 liters of petrol per month.
• Apart from this, a provision of Rs 38 crore has been made in the supplementary budget for payment of honorarium to Poshan Sakhis.

National Conclave on Social Enterprises for Garbage Free Cities

Why in News

On March 3, 2022, a National Conclave on Social Enterprises for Garbage Free City was organized by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Government of India in Raipur, the capital of Chhattisgarh, in which representatives of 20 states of the country participated.

Key Points

• On this occasion, Chhattisgarh's Urban Administration Minister Dr. Shivkumar Dahria informed that cleanliness has been linked with employment in Chhattisgarh. The key to the success of the Chhattisgarh model of cleanliness has been to link waste processing with livelihood. This has succeeded in making the cities of Chhattisgarh clean.
• For this, the state government linked cleanliness with 'Narwa Garva Ghurva Bari', emphasized on single-use plastic ban and worked on the basis of 6R policy - Rethink, Reuse, Recycle, Repair, Reduce, Refuge that create new waste.
• Community and public toilets were built in the settlements, in which people gave their full cooperation. Build sludge treatment plants for human sewage management, where sewer water is treated.
• More than 10 thousand cleanliness didis encouraged every citizen of the state for cleanliness. To make people aware, these didis went door-to-door and gave training to segregate wet and dry waste and have played their part with great dedication in making cleanliness a habit among the people.
• Toll free number 1100 has been provided for disposal of cleanliness related complaints of common citizens within 24 hours. All public and community toilets have been linked to Google, so that people can search their nearby toilets on the phone itself.
• Innovative work has been done in the direction of making a garbage free city by processing 100% waste in the processing plants in all the cities of the state by collecting dry and wet waste from house to house. Along with this, gardens and greenery have been developed by eliminating the open dump sites of more than 150 wastes.
• All the urban bodies in the state treat septic tank water. Due to this, Chhattisgarh has become the cleanest state in the country as well as the first ODF plus state.
• The cleanliness model of Chhattisgarh, which works in the traditional way of Narva, Garwa, Ghurva, Bari, has now become the most famous model of the country. Chhattisgarh has become the cleanest state in the country for three consecutive times.

Inauguration of 7th Postal Division of the State

Why in News

On March 3, 2022, Union Minister of State for Tribal Affairs Renuka Singh and Panchayat and Rural Development Minister T.S. Singhdeo inaugurated the Surguja postal division as the 7th postal division of the state.

Key Points

• Surguja, Surajpur, Koriya and Balrampur-Ramanujganj districts are included under Surguja postal division. One Head Post Office, 35 Sub Post Offices and 305 Branch Post Offices will operate under the division.
• Earlier, being Raigad postal division, people had to travel long distances to Raigad, which consumed both time and money. With the formation of the Surguja postal division, the officers-employees of the division and the general public will get convenience.
• Soon the air service will also start from Maa Mahamaya airport.
• Mayor Dr. Ajay Tirkey said that now people will get more facilities and better implementation of the schemes of the government will be done.

Area of Maize Increased 10 times in Three Years

Why in News

According to the recently released figures, the area under maize in Chhattisgarh has increased from 13 thousand hectares to one lakh 46 thousand hectares in the last three-four years, which is more than 10 times.

Key Points

• In the last three-four years, the interest of the farmers towards the cultivation of maize has increased very rapidly. Procurement of maize at the rate of Rs 1870 per quintal on support price in the state and the establishment of a processing center in Kondagaon has enabled the farmers to get better prices, due to which the area under maize has increased rapidly.
• After getting permission from the center, preparations are on to set up a plant for the production of ethanol in place of starch from maize at Kondagaon Maize Processing Center.
• In the last Rabi season 2020-21, farmers had cultivated maize in 93 thousand 200 hectares in the state, this area has increased to one lakh 46 thousand 130 hectares in the current Rabi season. There has been a record increase of about 53,000 hectares in the target of maize acreage during one year.
• In the Rabi season 2017-18, only 13 thousand 440 hectares and in the year 2016-17 (in Rabi season) farmers had cultivated maize in only 12 thousand hectares.
• Three to four years ago, there were a dozen districts in the state where maize cultivation was almost negligible. In today's situation maize is being cultivated in all the districts except Korea district, due to which the area under maize cultivation has increased by more than 10 times.
• In comparison to the year 2017-18, the area under maize cultivation in Bilaspur division of the state has increased by 327 times this year. Earlier, maize was cultivated in only 60 hectares in the division, whose area has increased to 19 thousand 662 hectares today.
• In Kondagaon district of the state, maize is cultivated in a maximum 45 thousand 880 hectares. Here earlier maize was sown in 4260 hectares. Similarly, in three-four years, the area of maize in Kanker district has increased from 4,000 hectares to more than 28,000 hectares.
• The area under maize has increased from about 1470 hectares to 21 thousand hectares in the districts of Raipur division, increased from 1470 hectares to 8780 hectares in Durg division, increased from 290 hectares to 10690 hectares in Surguja division, and maize area increased from 10,000 hectares to 85,800 hectares in Bastar division. hectare has been reached.