• 04 Oct 2021

Uttar Pradesh's First Pollution Control Tower

Why in News

• Recently, installation of an Air Pollution Control Tower (APCT) has been approved on DND Expressway to control air pollution in the Noida region.
  
  • This work has been done with the help of Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL).

Key Points

• According to the official information, this air pollution control tower in the green belt of DND Expressway near Sector 16 (A) Filmcity of Noida will be installed and operated as a pilot project within the next two months.
• The base of this Air Pollution Control Tower (APCT) will have a diameter of about 4.50 meters and a height of about 20 meters.
• At present, this tower is being constructed at Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited's Haridwar plant and for its installation, about 400 square meters of space has been provided by the authority temporarily.
• With the installation of this tower, the area of ​​about one square kilometer and the air quality of DND and Greater Noida-Noida Expressway will improve.
• An expenditure of about 37 lakh rupees has been estimated per year in the operation of this tower, 50% of which will be borne by the Noida Authority.
• A tower of this type has been set up in Delhi's Connaught Place in August 2021, but this will be the first air pollution control tower in Uttar Pradesh.

City Gas Station of Torrent Gas in Gorakhpur

Why in News

• On October 3, 2021, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath inaugurated the City Gas Station of Torrent Gas at Khanipur in Gorakhpur district.

Key Points

• In the first phase of the City Gas Distribution (CGD) network Piped Natural Gas (PNG) will be supplied to 101 domestic connections and 1 industrial connection.
• On this occasion, he inaugurated 8 CNG stations and 13 PSA Oxygen Plants and also presented certificates of connection of domestic piped natural gas to 5 women.
• It is worth mentioning that PNG is cheaper as compared to LPG cylinder and also has an economic saving of 35 to 40 percent.
• Torrent Gas has been given a target to provide connections to 10,000 families in Gorakhpur city by the month of March.
• This gas company has taken forward the process of supplying PNG to district Gorakhpur as well as to district Kushinagar and Sant Kabir Nagar.
  
  • The program of PNG gas supply is being taken forward in 15 districts of the state.
• The central government has provided 127 oxygen plants to the state. Also, Torrent Gas Company is setting up 13 oxygen plants in the state.
• In this way, a total of 547 oxygen plants are being set up in the state, out of which about 490 oxygen plants have been prepared.

‘Savarkar: Echoes from a Forgotten Past’

Why in News

• Recently, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath released the book 'Savarkar: Echoes from a Forgotten Past' written by Vikram Sampat.

Key Points

• In this book, Sampath has made an innovative effort to show the personality and creativity of Veer Savarkar as a serious scholar on the basis of research and factual documents by going to different countries of the world and working tirelessly.
• In this book the biography of Veer Savarkar has been published in the light of facts and documents.
• It is noteworthy that Veer Savarkar was rich in multifaceted talent and personality. Along with being a leader in the freedom movement, he made important contributions in promoting journalism, philosophy, literature, history, untouchability, social reform and scientific approach.
• Veer Savarkar in his book '1857 Ka Swatantraya Samar' had described the bravery of 1857 as the first attempt of the country's freedom struggle. This book inspired many revolutionaries and youth to sacrifice their lives for the nation.

Status of Unemployment in Bihar

Why in News

• In the data, recently released by the Center for Monitoring of Indian Economy, it has been revealed that unemployment in Bihar has decreased by 3.6 percent in September compared to August.

Key Points

• It is clear from the data that while unemployment was 13.6 percent in the month of August, it has come down to 10 percent by the end of September.
• Although unemployment in Bihar is still higher than the national average of 6.9 percent, which remains a cause for great concern.
• It is also clear from the data that in Bihar, It is also clear from the data that in Bihar, unemployment in cities is more than that of villages.
• While rural unemployment has come down to nine percent, urban unemployment is still at 16.9 percent.
• The figures related to unemployment in Bihar for the last three months are given in the chart below-

Figures in Percentage
	July	August	September
Total Unemployment	13	13.6	10
Urban Unemployment	17.5	19.5	16.9
Rural Unemployment	12.4	12.8	9

Bihar: Most Backward State in NITI Aayog’s Report

Why in News

• Recently, a report has been published by NITI Aayog on the functioning of district hospitals across the country, in which the condition of Bihar has been described as the most pathetic.

Key Points

• The report clearly states that the number of beds in district hospitals in Bihar is among the lowest in the country, which is only 6 beds per 1 lakh population.
• It may be noted that the National Average of beds per lakh population in the report is 22 and in terms of availability of beds, Delhi (59 beds) and Karnataka (33 beds) are at the top, while Bihar (6 beds) and Jharkhand (9 beds) are at the bottom.
• On an average only 8 hospitals in Bihar have the facility of diagnostic testing service.
• In terms of number of functional beds per 1 lakh population, Sadar Hospital, Saharsa is on top.

Directorate of Backward and Most Backward Classes

Why in News

• Recently, the Backward and Most Backward Classes Welfare Department of the Government of Bihar has issued a notification regarding the formation of the Directorate of Backward and Most Backward Classes in the state.

Key Points

• In the formation of the Directorate, it will be easy to reach the welfare schemes of backward and most backward classes to the ground level and the schemes can also be monitored well.
• It is noteworthy that to pay special attention to the welfare of the backward and most backward classes, a special department was formed by the State Government by separating it from the Welfare Department.
• The department has also sanctioned 446 posts of officers and employees for the operation of the Directorate, out of which 26 posts are at Directorate level and 420 posts are for Regional Offices.

Neemghan Adventure Tour

Why in News

• For the tourists and adventure lovers, the Tourism Department in collaboration with the Forest Department has started 'Neemghan Adventure Tour' as an innovation in Pachmarhi.

Key Points

• Neemghan Adventure Tour will operate in the Satpura Tiger Reserve area. In this, tourists will be able to enjoy the delicacies made of Kodo-Kutki, Jowar and Bajra in lunch along with seeing wildlife, rock painting, Butterfly Park, Coffee Garden during the adventure tour.
• A contract has been signed between State Tourism Development Corporation and Satpura Tiger Reserve for Neemghan Adventure Tour.
• Neemghan Adventure Tour will start daily at 9:30 am and run till 6:00 pm from Corporation's Pachmarhi units Hotel Glen View and Champak Bungalow. In addition to the jungle trail in the tour, a tour will also be done by gypsy. A gypsy can seat up to 6 people.
• In a day-long adventure tour of about 30 km, a forest trail of 500 meters will also be provided to the tourists. The corporation has made some special arrangements for the tourists, which include roti made on the stove for lunch, cots for rest in the afternoon and arrangement of swings on trees.

Janta Clinic

Why in News

• On October 3, 2021, Minister of Medical and Health, Medical Education, Ayurveda Dr. Raghu Sharma launched Janata Clinic for Jalore through virtual medium.

Key Points

• So far 12 Janta Clinics have been opened in Jaipur and 4 in Jodhpur in Rajasthan.
• Dr. Sharma dedicated the Janta Clinic in the industrial area of Jalore from his official residence to the general public through an online medium.
• He informed that with the help of Granite Association, arrangements have been made for the public clinic, land, building, ambulance, necessary furniture and equipment.
• With the start of Janta Clinic, all types of medical facilities will be available for 20 to 25 thousand residents of the industrial area and surrounding areas.
• Around 325 types of medicines including first aid facilities and counseling, ANC services, vaccination services, family welfare services, NCD screening services, free tests (primary level), free medicine (primary level) etc. and 8 types of tests can be done free of cost through Janta Clinic.
• According to the budget announcement of the Chief Minister for the year 2019-20, Janta Clinic was to be operated in areas deprived of state health services in the urban slum areas, dense settlements of the state, but due to the epidemic like Covid, this work could not go ahead. He said that with the reduction of corona infection, now Janata clinics will be opened in the state in a phased manner.

RHB AWAS App

Why in News

• On October 2, 2021, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot launched RHB AWAS, the mobile app of Rajasthan Housing Board on the occasion of launch of Prashasan Gaon ke Sang Abhiyan 2021.

Key Points

• Under the Prashasan Gaon ke Sang Abhiyan 2021 demand survey will be conducted by the Rajasthan Housing Board in all the municipal areas of the state to know the need of different categories of housing. On ascertaining the need of housing, the Housing Board will be able to develop plans there by buying or allotting land from the municipal bodies.
• This survey will be conducted by the board through the mobile app RHB AWAS.
• In this survey, information will be asked from the user about which category of accommodation he/she wants, such as 1BHK, 2BHK, 3BHK or independent housing. After this, he will have to fill the cost in the app within what price range he wants a house like from 8 to 10 lakh rupees, 12 to 15 lakh rupees, 20 lakh to 25 lakh rupees or 30 to 40 lakh rupees. After that he will enter his city and finally complete the survey by pressing the submit button.
• From this three things will be known that the people of which city, what size and for what price housing will be needed.

‘Prashasan Gaon ke Sang’ and ‘Prashasan Shahron ke Sang’ Campaign

Why in News

• On October 2, 2021, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot launched 'Prashasan Gaon Ke Sang' and 'Prashasan Shahron Ke Sang' campaign on the auspicious occasion of Gandhi Jayanti.

Key Points

• Ashok Gehlot also laid the foundation stone of Gandhi Darshan Museum and inaugurated Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Governance and Social Sciences.
• Gandhi Darshan Museum will be built in Central Park, while Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Governance and Social Sciences, built at a cost of Rs 1.07 crore in Kanak Bhawan, will have research work related to Gandhiji.
• This institute has been established on the lines of prestigious institutions like Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai and Institute of Technology and School of Governance, Pune, with an aim to prepare youth to play their role in administration and social work while imbibing the teachings of Mahatma Gandhi..
• Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot also released the guideline of 'Prashasan Gaon Ke Sang' and 'Shahar Ke Sang' campaign, e-booklet related to Sarvodaya Vichar Pariksha and Building Regulations Compendium. Also, launched a mobile app of Rajasthan Housing Board and distributed cards to Pankaj Sharma, the beneficiary of Indira Gandhi Urban Credit Card Scheme.

‘Wildlife Management and Desert Ecosystem Training Institute’

Why in News

• On October 1, 2021, Rajasthan's Minister of State for Forests and Environment Sukhram Bishnoi started 'WildLife Management and Desert Ecosystem Training Institute' at Tal Chhapar.
  
  • Its aim is to impart knowledge and training to the frontline personnel of the forest department in forestry, wildlife conservation as well as related to it.

Key Points

• This will not only provide practical training to the personnel, but it will also help in conservation and promotion of wildlife and forests.
• Wildlife Management and Desert Ecosystem Training Institute has been started at Tal Chhapar in compliance with the budget announcement for the year 2021-22 made by the Chief Minister. From its beginning, the staff will be given training in conservation and promotion of other wildlife including black buck. Along with this, study and training will also be done in relation to the grassland, desert ecosystem and its surrounding areas.
• This is the fourth training institute in Rajasthan, in which various trainings will be conducted for the capacity building and knowledge enhancement of the forest department staff.
• Principal Secretary of Forest Department Shreya Guha said that Tal Chhapar is famous for the protection of blackbuck all over the world. With the start of the training institute, this campaign will go further, so that the conservation and promotion of wildlife can be done in a proper way.

3rd Edition of Marathon in Pachmarhi

Why in News

• On October 3, 2021, Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board organized the third edition of the ‘Pachmarhi Marathon' with the aim of attracting more and more tourists for tourism and to introduce tourists to the scenic beauty and natural environment of Pachmarhi, the beautiful hill station of Madhya Pradesh.

Key Points

• On this occasion the Managing Director of State Tourism Development Corporation S. Viswanathan said that a meaningful effort is being made to promote health tourism and active holidays concept in the state by organizing the marathon.
• Pachmarhi is the top tourism spot of the state. Here in all seasons, whether it is winter or rainy, tourists from all corners of the country come here and enjoy the natural beauty.
• Viswanathan said that an action plan is being prepared to organize a professional marathon in Pachmarhi.
• This marathon was held in three categories: 5 km, 10 km. and 21 km. These categories were named Family Fun Run, Endurance Run and Dhupgarh Pahari Run.
• The Tourism Board provided T-shirts, RFID timing chips, route support, finishers medals and e-certificates to all the runners who participated in the marathon. In addition, the top three runners-up of the competition were given trophies and free stay vouchers for two nights and three days by the guests.
• It is worth mentioning that the first edition of the marathon was held on July 22, 2018, in which around 800 tourists participated. After the immense success of the first edition, it was decided to organize this marathon every year by the Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board as an annual event.
• Its second edition was held in the year 2019 on 21st July, in which around 800-1000 tourists participated. In view of the Covid-19 epidemic, this marathon could not be organized in the year 2020.
• During the third edition of the marathon, it was organized with limited participants following all the safety and security instructions keeping in mind the Covid-19. It was mandatory for all participating tourists to be fully COVID vaccinated and to submit a negative report of the COVID test.

NBA Accreditation

Why in News

• On October 01, 2021, two engineering colleges of Madhya Pradesh got accreditation from National Board of Accreditation, New Delhi for four courses till the year 2022-23.

Key Points

• In the government engineering colleges of Rewa and Ujjain, the students of Madhya Pradesh have got the authenticity of getting technical education of high quality.
• It is worth mentioning that recently the Mechanical course of Ujjain Engineering College and three Civil, Mechanical and Electrical Engineering courses of Rewa Engineering College have received accreditation from the National Board of Accreditation.
• Technical Education Minister Mrs. Yashodhara Raje Scindia informed that the education of these courses in Rewa and Ujjain engineering colleges will now be considered at par with national level institutions like IITs/NITs.
• An eight-member team of National Board of Accreditation has visited these colleges offline and online, thoroughly checking the entire resources of the institution, laboratories, quality of professors, academic quality of former and current students, and feedback has been provided to these institutions.
• Scindia said that with this, the chances of getting placement in reputed companies of the country have increased for the students who have passed these courses. With this accreditation, grants and facilities will be increased to both the colleges from University Grants Commission and All India Council for Technical Education, New Delhi.

Promotion of Scientific & Technical Research

Why in News

• Taking important steps towards promoting scientific and technological research and innovation in Haryana J.C. Bose University of Science and Technology, YMCA, Faridabad has recently signed an MoU with Indian Oil (R&D).

Key Points

• In collaboration with IndianOil (R&D), the University will launch a Research Fellowship Scheme to encourage young researchers to pursue research in emerging areas of science and technology.
• Under the MoU, Indian Oil (R&D) has made a budgetary provision of Rs 2.5 crore. Indian Oil-CSIR-JC The Bose University Research Fellowship Scheme will provide research fellowships for a period of five years to PhD scholars.
• This agreement reflects the commitment of IndianOil (R&D) to nurture a culture of research and innovation in the country. Earlier the agreement was signed by Dr. Sunil Kumar Garg, Registrar of the University and Dr. G. Kapoor, Executive Director (Chemical Technology), Indian Oil (R&D).
• Central University of Haryana, Mahendragarh and L&T Electrical and Automation Switchgear Training Centre, Delhi will now work together for the holistic development of the students. In this regard, both the institutions signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
• Under this partnership, the solution of the problem of training will be ensured according to the industrial requirements faced by the students.
• Under this MoU, the students will be provided industrial training and internship at L&T Electrical & Automation, Switchgear Training Centre, New Delhi.
• L&T Electrical & Automation, Delhi has state-of-the-art facilities for imparting advanced training to the students in various areas of Electrical Engineering like Switchgear, Automation, Digitization of Energy, Power Systems, Power Gear Solutions in Renewables, Industry 4.0 etc.

Medico City in Kanke, Ranchi

Why in News

• Recently, Additional Chief Secretary, Health Department, Arun Kumar Singh informed that a Medico City would be set up at Rinpas, Kanke, Ranchi.

Key Points

• Medico City will be constructed on 100 acres of land.
• With the formation of Medico City, people will be able to get super speciality health facilities within the state itself and there will be no need to go outside the state for treatment.

Uttarakhand's Highest National Flag in Rudrapur

Why in News

• On October 2, 2021, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami unveiled the Highest National flag of Uttarakhand at Gandhi Park in Rudrapur.

Key Points

• Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami hoisted the 181 feet high Tricolor by pressing the button with the recitation of Hanuman Chalisa. For this, Rs 28 lakh was spent from the MLA fund.
• This Tricolor Flag has been made by Star Sales Company on behalf of the Rural Works Department in 47 days. For this the material was procured from Kolkata.
• The pillar of this tricolor flag is 51 meters high. The length and width of the flag is 36×54 feet. 100% polyester fabric has been used in its manufacture.

Wildlife Week 2021

Why in News

• On October 1, 2021, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami launched Wildlife Week 2021 at Malsi Deer Park, Dehradun. It will be held till October 17, 2021.

Key Points

• On this occasion, the Chief Minister announced that all children up to the age of 18 years across the country would be given free entry in the Tiger Reserves, National Parks, Wildlife Sanctuaries, Conservation Reserves, Zoos, Nature Parks of Uttarakhand. This will help in connecting about 45 crore young students of the country with tourism.
• The Chief Minister announced that the CM Young Ecopreneur Scheme would be started to connect the local people of Uttarakhand with the economy of forests and wildlife. Under this scheme, 1 lakh youth will be made Ecopreneur.
• Under the CM Young Ecopreneur scheme, skill based nature guides, drone pilots, wildlife photographers, ecotourism, wildlife tourism will be converted into enterprises.