• 04 Apr 2023

Varanasi’s 7 Govt. Schools will be Hi-Tech from Project Alankar

Why in News?

On 2 April 2023, Girish Kumar Singh, Inspector of Schools of Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, said that under 'Project Alankar', facilities like corporate schools will be provided in 7 government high schools and intermediate schools of Varanasi district. For this, the process of signing an MoU with the executive agency has also been completed.

Key Points

• An amount of ₹2 crores has been released by the Board of Secondary Education for these government high schools and intermediate schools in the Varanasi district. Soon after the completion of the tender process, the work of renovation and renovating of the schools will start.
• The dilapidated school buildings will be improved and equipped with modern facilities.
• 12 points have been included for beautifying government schools by Project Alankar. These mainly include the facilities like clean drinking water, separate classrooms for boys and girls, a laboratory, a sports ground, a badminton court, a volleyball court, a multipurpose hall with an open gym, a smart class, a library, a solar plant with laboratory and rainwater harvesting etc.

Country's Longest Extra Dose Cable Bridge being Built in Bihar

Why in News?

According to information received from official sources of Bihar Road Development Corporation on 2 April 2023, the country's longest extra dose cable bridge is being constructed in the state, with a total length of 22.76 km.

Key Points

• The length of this bridge is 9.76 km and the length of the approach road on both sides of the bridge is 13 km. With the completion of this bridge, vehicles coming from South Bihar and neighboring Jharkhand will not have to come to Patna city to go to North Bihar, this will reduce the pressure on vehicles in the city.
• The Patna end of this bridge with a total cost of about Rs 4988 crore is at Sabalpur on NH-30 and Vaishali end is at Chaksikander on NH-103.
• With the construction of 6 lanes extra dose cable bridge on the Ganga, there will be new connectivity for North Bihar along with changing the face of Raghopur Diyara.
• In the construction of the six-lane bridge, there is a distance of 160 meters between the two pillars of the Ganga. This distance has been kept in view of the movement of cargo ships in the Ganga. A 6-lane bridge is being constructed about 1.5 km across the river from Patna's south left side and about 8.5 km across the river from Bidupur's north end.
• This bridge is being constructed at the height of 22 meters from the water level of the Ganga. So the water level on the bridge will not make any difference due to the height of 12 to 13 meters from the maximum water level of the Ganga.
• Official sources said that the construction of the link road to connect Raghopur Diyara with the Six-lane bridge has also started.

New Medical Colleges will be established in Pratapgarh, Jalore and Rajsamand

Why in News?

On April 2, 2023, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot approved a proposal to set up new medical colleges in Pratapgarh, Jalore and Rajsamand districts.

Key Points

• It is known that the state government has given permission to open a medical college to strengthen basic medical services and to work towards providing better medical facilities to the general public.
• New medical colleges will be established under the Rajasthan Medical Education Society (RajMES) in Pratapgarh, Jalore and Rajsamand. Each medical college will be constructed at a cost of Rs 250 crore.
• Apart from this, Rs 75 crore will be spent on necessary equipment, furniture and books in these colleges.
• With this decision, the health infrastructure in the state will be strengthened.
• It is noteworthy that in the budget year 2023-24, it was announced to establish medical colleges in Pratapgarh, Jalore and Rajsamand.

Provision of Rs 750 crore for the 'Mukhya Mantri Gas Cylinder' Scheme

Why in News?

On 1 April 2023, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot approved a financial proposal of Rs 750 crore under the 'Chief Minister Gas Cylinder Scheme', under this initiative the families included in the BPL and Ujjwala scheme of the state will now get gas cylinders for Rs 500.

Key Points

• Under the 'Mukhya Mantri Gas Cylinder Scheme ', eligible beneficiaries will be able to get one cylinder per month at a discounted price from April 1, 2023. This will benefit more than 73 lakh families in the state.
• The state government under this scheme will give a subsidy of Rs 410 per gas cylinder to the families having gas connections in the Ujjwala scheme. The BPL gas connection holders will get a subsidy of Rs 610 per gas cylinder.
• The subsidy amount will be transferred to the account of the beneficiary linked with Jan's Aadhaar when he himself purchases the cylinder. Even the beneficiaries who register after April 1, 2023, will also get the benefit of this scheme.
• It is to be mentioned that Chief Minister Shri Gehlot announced in the 2023-24 budget to provide a cylinder for Rs 500 to the families under BPL and Ujjwala scheme.
• A large number of people in the state will get relief from inflation and their economic situation will improve with this decision.

First RPTO of Haryana

Why in News?

On 2 April 2023, Haryana's Deputy Director (Horticulture) and drone instructor Dr. Satendra Kumar Yadav said that the state government has set up a Remote Pilot Training Organization (RPTO) at the community centre building at Phusgarh village in Karnal district. This is the first Government RPTO of Haryana.

Key Points

• It is known that drones have started being used for the security of the country and the state to farm barns. For the last two-three years, the state government has also encouraged the use of drones in agriculture. This is the reason why it is being demonstrated in various agriculture and horticulture universities and research institutes.
• Recently the Maharana Pratap Horticulture University of Karnal got the first prize for spraying nano urea, DAP, chemicals on all the crops in a maximum of 700 acres in the Indian Agricultural Research Attari area.
• Haryana Government has constituted an organization Drishya i.e. Drone Imaging and Information Service of Haryana Limited. This organization will operate the RPTO established in Karnal.
• From 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024, RPTO Karnal has a target of training about 500 youths to become drone pilots. Right now two drones have become available with RPTO.
• Drishya, which operates the RPTO, is headed by state Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, while Wing Commander Giriraj Poonia, a retired Indian Navy officer, has been appointed as its CEO. IAS TL Satyaprakash has been appointed as its Managing Director.
• To take training as a drone pilot, it is necessary for the youth to pass matriculation. For this, he should have an Aadhaar card and passport. Also, his age should be between 18 to 65 years. Interested youth have to register in RPTO.
• From fertilizer to pesticide spraying in the agriculture sector, the demand for drones is continuously increasing. Apart from this, the use of drones is increasing in the telecommunication sector, mining sector, national highway and health services, due to which the demand for trained drone pilots in these sectors is also increasing.
• Deputy Director (Horticulture) and drone instructor Dr. Satendra Kumar Yadav said that an action plan for five days of special training has been prepared and sent to the government.
• Apart from this, the fee fixed by the Indira Gandhi National Flying Academy (IGRUA) is 65 thousand (GST extra), but a proposal has been prepared and sent to the government to reduce the fee to 25 thousand rupees. After getting approval from the government, fees will be fixed accordingly and training days will be fixed.

Haryana Govt. Signed an Agreement with Amazon regarding the Disabled

Why in News?

On 2 April 2023, Haryana State Disabled Commissioner Rajkumar Makkad informed that the state government has entered into an agreement with Amazon, under which 10,000 youths of the state will be given employment in the Amazon company. These include giving jobs to 1500 Divyangs.

Key Points

• Divyangjan Commissioner Rajkumar Makkar informed that employment will be provided to Divyangjans who come under the Divyangjan Rights Act-2016.
• A help desk will be started from April 3 in the office of the Social Justice and Empowerment Department established on the ground floor of the Small Secretariat for the Divyangs. To get the benefits of government schemes, it is mandatory for all Divyangjans to get a UDID card made.
• The state commissioner said that the fees for the differently-abled have been made free in the 10th and 12th examinations conducted by the Haryana School Education Board.
• The backlog will be filled in 97 government-aided colleges of the state, for which a four-member committee has been constituted. In aided colleges, the category whose posts have been filled more will be cut and the Divyangjans will be given their rights. Along with this, the benefit of reservation in the promotion will also be provided.
• It is known that till now the Scheduled Castes and Divyangjans have not been given appointments on the posts according to their roster in the aided colleges. Ordinary people have got employed in the seats of Divyang.

10-10 Thousand Rupees will be Given as an Incentive to Nachaa Committees

Why in News?

On 2 April 2023, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel announced Rs 10,000 each as an incentive to dance committees at the late Dau Ramchandra Deshmukh state-level Nacha Gammat Mahotsav in village Nikum of Durg rural assembly during the Bhent-Mulaqat programme.

Key Points

• On this occasion, he honoured Padma Shri Domar Singh Kunwar and Deepak Taram with mementoes and also released the book 'Chet Karo Tan Ke' on the stage.
• The Chief Minister said that the Late Dr. Ramchandra Deshmukh, the doyen of the art world of Chhattisgarh, revived the culture of the state. He promoted his culture in the country and abroad through cultural programs by training dance artists in a new way.
• It is known that a three-day late Dau Ramchandra Deshmukh state-level dance festival was organized in village Nikum from 31 March to 2 April.
• Dau Ramchandra Deshmukh, the harbinger of the cultural renaissance in the Chhattisgarh region and known as the comet of the art world, took a meaningful initiative to awaken the Chhattisgarhi society battling exploitation and deprivation through his folk art and folk songs. The destitute life and suffering of the Chhattisgarh region moved him so much that it became the basic tone of all his productions.
• In 1951, he established 'Dehati Kala Manch'. In 1971, he formed the 'Chandaini Gonda' theatre party. After Chandaini Gonda, Padumlal Punnalal Bakshi's story 'Kari' was released in 1983 which created a buzz in the region.

Socio-Economic Survey 2023 Started in Chhattisgarh

Why in News?

On 1 April 2023, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel inaugurated the Chhattisgarh Socio-Economic Survey-2023 work, an important campaign run by the Chhattisgarh government, by flagging off the survey team in a program organized at the residence office premises of the capital Raipur.

Key Points

• The survey work will run in the entire state from 1 April to 30 April 2023. Under this, the survey teams will go door-to-door in the rural areas of the state through a mobile application.
• On this occasion, the Chief Minister said that the 'Chhattisgarh Socio-Economic Survey-2023' will prove to be important in making new schemes and providing maximum benefits to the people by their better implementation.
• The objective of the survey is to assess the impact of the government's public welfare schemes on the standard of living of the common man in the past years and use the data obtained for better implementation of the schemes in future and for the formulation of new schemes.
• Beneficiaries who were deprived of various schemes from the survey will now also be able to join the new list and they will be able to get benefits of various public welfare schemes of the government according to their eligibility.

Chief Minister Launched Unemployment Allowance Scheme in the state

Why in News?

On 1 April 2023, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel launched the statewide ambitious unemployment allowance scheme from his residence office. Along with the launch of the scheme, the Chief Minister has also given an unemployment allowance approval order to four youths.

Key Points

• Under this scheme, every month Rs 2500 will be paid directly to the eligible beneficiaries in their bank account, as well as skill development training will also be given to the unemployed and they will be helped in getting employment.
• Eligibility Conditions:
  • It is necessary to be a native of Chhattisgarh to apply for the Unemployment Allowance Scheme.
  • The age of the applicant should be between 18 to 35 years as on 1st April of the year of applying for the scheme.
  • The applicant must have passed at least Higher Secondary i.e. 12th standard from a recognized board. Along with this, should be registered in any district employment and self-employment guidance centre of Chhattisgarh and his employment registration should be at least two years old with Higher Secondary or above qualification as of 1st April of the year of application.
  • The applicant should not have any source of income of his own and the annual income of the applicant's family from all sources should not exceed Rs.2.50 lakh.
  • An income certificate issued by Tehsildar or a higher revenue officer for family income should be made within 1 year from the date of application for unemployment allowance.
• Who will be ineligible:
  • If more than one member of the applicant's family of the unemployment allowance scheme fulfils the eligibility conditions then the unemployment allowance will be approved for only one member of the family. In such a situation, an unemployment allowance will be approved for that member, whose age is more. In case of equality of age, the member who registers first in the employment office will be made eligible for unemployment allowance. In case both age and employment registration date are the same, the member who has higher educational qualifications will be made eligible.
  • If any member of the applicant's family is employed in any class IV or Group D job in any institution or local body of the Central or State Government, such applicant will be ineligible for unemployment allowance. If the applicant is offered self-employment or any job in the government or private sector but the applicant does not accept the offer, then he will be ineligible for the scheme.
  • Family members of former and present ministers, state ministers and former or present members of Parliament or state legislatures, former and present mayors of municipal corporations and former and present chairpersons of district panchayats will be ineligible for unemployment allowance. Also, the family members of such pensioners who get a monthly pension of Rs 10,000 or more will be ineligible for the allowance.
  • Also, family members of income taxpayers, doctors, engineers, lawyers, chartered accountants and architects registered with professional bodies will be ineligible for unemployment allowance.
• Payment of unemployment allowance: Under the unemployment allowance scheme, a payment of Rs 2500 per month will be directly transferred to the beneficiary's bank account by the Directorate of Employment and Training, Nava Raipur. At the time of applying, the applicant has to give the correct information of his savings bank account number, and IFSC code. Any non-payment due to an error in the bank account will be the responsibility of the applicant.
• Period of unemployment allowance: Unemployment allowance will be payable for one year first to the eligible applicant for unemployment allowance under the scheme. If the particular beneficiary does not get profitable employment in this period of one year, then this period can be extended for one more year. In any case, this period shall not exceed two years.
• Skill Training:
  • Applicants who will be approved for unemployment allowance under the scheme will be offered skill development training within a period of one year.
  • After the skill development training, the applicant will be assisted in getting employment.
  • Skill development training will be provided free of cost in any one of the trades mentioned in the application. If applicants refuse to undergo training or do not accept the employment offered, their unemployment allowance will be discontinued.

3 More Hospitals in the state got National Quality Assurance Standard Certificate

Why in News?

According to the information given by Chhattisgarh Public Relations Department on 1 April 2023, three more health centres of the state providing excellent healthcare and better treatment to patients have been awarded the National Quality Assurance Standard (NQAS) certificate by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

Key Points

• The team of the Union Health Ministry inspected these three hospitals in the last month of February and tested the quality of services available to the patients. The team also took feedback from the patients in this regard.
• The Union Health Ministry has awarded the National Quality Assurance Standard Certificate to Sitapur Community Health Center in the Surguja district, Komakhan Primary Health Center in Mahasamund and Gopalpur Urban Primary Health Center in Korba.
• Gopalpur Urban Primary Health Center got 89 percent, Komakhan Primary Health Center 85 percent and Sitapur Community Health Center got 84 percent marks in the evaluation of the Health Ministry team.
• It is noteworthy that the services and satisfaction level of the hospital are tested on various parameters by the team of experts before awarding the National Quality Assurance Standard Certificate.
• These include parameters such as services available, patients' rights, inputs, support services, clinical services, infection control, quality management and outcomes. Only hospitals that meet these stringent standards are issued quality certificates by the Union Health Ministry.

25 Thousand MSME Industries to be Set Up in Uttarakhand

Why in News?

According to information received from the media on 2 April 2023, to promote industrial development and create new employment opportunities in Uttarakhand, the state government has prepared a five-year roadmap, under which 25 thousand micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) are targeted to be established.

Key Points

• For an empowered Uttarakhand, American company Mackenzie Global has prepared a roadmap for industrial development in the state. 7500 crore will be invested in the state under the scheme. With this, a target has been set to provide employment to one lakh people.
• To promote investment, the government's focus will be on ease of doing business, infrastructure development for investment at the district level, cooperation in marketing and branding and encouragement to investors.
• The subsidy has been recommended by McKenzie Global as an incentive to promote investment. In this, it has been recommended to give subsidies up to 75 percent (maximum 75 lakhs), 40 percent (maximum 4 crore) to small-scale industries, and 20 percent (maximum 10 crores) to medium industries to be set up in hilly areas.
• The Amritsar-Kolkata Industrial Corridor industrial area is planned to be developed on a thousand acres of land near Prayag Farm in Udham Singh Nagar district of the state which is very close to Pantnagar and Rudrapur. Land will be available for setting up big industries here.

The Number of Vibrant Villages will Increase in the State

Why in News?

On 1 April 2023, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami informed that the Union Home Ministry would include more new frontier villages of Uttarakhand in the coming days under the Vibrant Village Program of the Central Government.

Key Points

• It is known that the Central Government has included Frontier Village Policy, Mana, Malari and Gunji in the Vibrant Village Program. The central government will cooperate for the development of these villages.
• Under the Mukhyamantri Seemant Gaon Vikas Yojana, tourism and economic activities will be increased in border villages.
• It is notable that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has named Mana as the first village.
• The Chief Minister said that it is the endeavour of the State Government that the tourists coming on the Chardham Yatra go to the border villages and spend five per cent of their travel expenses on local products of these villages.
• Frontier villages should be developed according to their speciality and their publicity should be done so that more and more tourists reach there. Due to this, the economic situation of the local people will improve and the problem of migration will also reduce.

Santhal Parganas First CNG Station Opened in Deoghar

Why in News?

On 1 April 2023, Dr. Nishikant Dubey, MP from Godda, Jharkhand, inaugurated Santhal Pargana's first natural gas-based CNG station at Kunda on Deoghar-Sarwan Road.

Key Points

• Member of Parliament Dr. Nishikant Dubey said that CNG is the fuel of the future and efforts are on to save the environment all over the world. That's why this CNG-based initiative will be effective in saving the environment.
• The first CNG station has been opened in Deoghar only because of providing natural gas facilities to the people in small towns along the lines of metros. Soon HPCL will supply piped door-to-door gas in all the cities of Santhal Pargana. For the next two years, CNG stations will also open in all the petrol pumps of this division.
• It is known that within the next six months to one year, the Government of India can announce the huge reserves of lithium in Deoghar. Lithium reserves have been found in Jammu and Kashmir. The government of India is now in the direction of ending dependence on other countries for petroleum products.
• The problem of gas theft and dependence on cylinders will end due to the supply of gas from door to door. Before 2024, homemakers will get the facility of piped gas from house to house. The MP said that more and more people should install CNG kits in their vehicles so that the cost of their operation can be reduced.