• 04 Apr 2022

Uttar Pradesh tops in buying from GeM portal

Why in News?

According to the recent data provided by the Government of Uttar Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh has been in the first position in the entire country in the last 5 years in the purchase done from GeM portal.

Key Points

• According to government data, over Rs 20,642 crore have been procured by various departments through GeM portal in the last five years.
• Gujarat ranks second with a purchase of Rs 7,400 crore, while Madhya Pradesh is at the third position with a purchase of Rs 5,000 crore.
• GeM is a one-stop national public procurement portal to facilitate online procurement of general use goods and services required by various Central and State Government Departments/Organizations/Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs).
• It was launched in the year 2016 to bring transparency and efficiency in the government procurement process.

Rajasthan tops in renewable energy production

Why in News?

On April 2, 2022, Additional Chief Secretary and Chairman, RREC (Rajasthan Renewable Energy Corporation), Dr. Subodh Agarwal informed that Rajasthan has become the first state in the country to develop 10 GW solar power capacity.

Key Points

• Dr. Subodh Agrawal informed that according to the report released by the Ministry of Renewable Energy of the Central Government, Rajasthan has come on top in the entire country by developing 10,506 MW of solar power capacity in the country.
• According to the report released by the Center, Karnataka with 7,534 MW capacity is second and Gujarat with 6,309 MW capacity is third.
• Dr. Agrawal informed that in the financial year ended March 31, 2022, more than 3,000 MW capacity has been developed, whereas in the last three years 6,552 MW capacity has been developed in the state.
• Rajasthan is also progressing rapidly in rooftops. Out of 10,506 MW of solar power capacity, 9,542 MW of ground mounted, 668 MW of rooftop and 296 MW of solar power have been developed in the offgrid area.
• It is worth noting that with the recent MoU and LoU agreements, Rajasthan is now going to be developed as the largest solar hub of the country. Out of the MoU LOIs done under Invest Rajasthan in the state, MoU LOIs worth more than Rs 8 lakh crore have been signed only in the energy sector.

Madhya Pradesh's Gross Revenue Receipts up by 17.13%

Why in News?

On April 3, 2022, Madhya Pradesh Finance Minister Jagdish Deora informed that the gross revenue receipts have increased by 17.13% in the financial year 2021-22. Last year the gross revenue receipt was Rs 57,720 crore, which has increased to Rs 67,609 crore this year.

Key Points

• The Finance Minister said that as a result of better tax policy, financial discipline and providing a favorable environment to the taxpayers, the gross revenue receipts have increased by 17.13% in the financial year 2021-22.
• According to the Commercial Tax Department, the target of GST was Rs 21,600 crore, against which Rs 22,206.01 crore was realized. Thus there was an achievement of 102.81 percent in receipts.
• Against the target of Rs 16,540 crore in non-GST taxes, an achievement of 101.24 per cent was achieved by receiving Rs 16,745.35 crore.
• Against the target of Rs 7,400 crore in registration and stamp duty, 110.34 percent achievement has been achieved by getting Rs 8,164.85 crore.
• Against the target of Rs 10,340 crore in excise, the realization stood at Rs 10,386 crore, which is 100.45 percent.

Dispute between Haryana and Punjab over Chandigarh

Why in News?

In the cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on 3^rd April, 2022, it was decided to convene a special session of the Vidhan Sabha on 5^th April with reference to the Punjab government's claim on Chandigarh.

Key Points

• Significantly, on 1 April, the Punjab Legislative Assembly passed a resolution unanimously reiterating its claim on Chandigarh.
• In the long-running Chandigarh claim dispute, the Central Government's decision to introduce Central Service Rules instead of Punjab Service Rules for the employees of Chandigarh UT has added fuel to the fire.
• Significantly, Haryana was carved out of Punjab by the Punjab Reorganization Act of 1966. Chandigarh was handed over to Haryana, but when it was opposed, Chandigarh was made the capital of both the states by giving it the status of a Union Territory.
• In respect of Chandigarh, the property was divided between Punjab and Haryana in the ratio of 60 : 40.
• On July 24, 1985, according to the agreement between the then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi and Akali leader Longowal, the date of handing over Chandigarh to Punjab was fixed as January 26, 1986, but after some time Longowal was assassinated and this transfer could not be possible.

Vidyapati Smriti Parv

Why in News?

On April 3, 2022, the main annual festival of Mithila Cultural Council 'Vidyapati Smriti Parv' concluded with pomp in Bokaro Steel City.

Key Points

• On April 2, the two-day mega event was inaugurated by garlanding the portrait of Mahakavi Vidyapati, along with lighting the lamp by Amarendu Prakash, Director-in-Charge of Bokaro Steel Plant (BSL).
• The Maithili play 'Longiya Mirchi' was staged on the second day of the program followed by a short cultural program.
• Vidyapati (1352–1448 AD) was a Maithili and Sanskrit poet, musician and writer. He is also known as 'Mathil Kavi Kokil'.
• He has made a great effort to revive the public consciousness of the local language by giving the mantra of 'Desil Bayna Sab Jan Mittha' to the people of Mithila.

Eight floor cave discovered in Uttarakhand

Why in News?

Recently, Surendra Singh Bisht, Rishabh Rawal, Bhupesh Pant and Pappu Rawal of Gangavali Wonders Group of Gangolihat, Uttarakhand have discovered an eight-floor cave.

Key Points

• Other mythological deities including Sheshnag have been depicted on the rocks of the cave.
• This is the largest cave ever found.
• It is worth mentioning that 21 caves are mentioned in Manas Khand on the Shail mountain peak of Gangavali region, out of which 10 have been discovered.
• The caves discovered so far include Patal Bhuvaneshwar, Koteshwar, Bholeshwar, Maheshwar, Lateshwar, Mukteshwar, Sapteshwar, Daneshwar, Bhugtung caves.