• 04 Dec 2023

Asia's second biggest fish market will be built in Moradabad

Why in News?

On December 2, 2023, Assistant Director of Fisheries Department of Uttar Pradesh, Vijay Shankar Chaurasia said that to promote fish farming, Asia's second largest fish market will be built in Moradabad.

Key Points:

• This three-storey modern fish center, to be built on 2.125 hectares of land at a cost of Rs 50 crore, will be completely air-conditioned. In this, all the facilities related to fish farmers and fish trade will be available under one roof.
• It is worth mentioning that Asia's first modern fish market was built in Chandauli district of Uttar Pradesh. After this, preparations are being made to build a second big market in Moradabad.
• After its completion, the fish producers of the district will get a bigger market and better prices to sell their produce, while fish production will get a boost and thousands of people will get direct and indirect employment.
• Due to the efforts of Divisional Commissioner Anjaneya Kumar to promote fisheries, Moradabad had got this project of fish market project about six months ago, but the problem was of land availability. Now 2.125 hectares of land has been found in village Mughalpura alias Agwanpur of Sadar Block.
• It is worth mentioning that fish production is also increasing rapidly in the division. While the total fish production in the year 2021-22 was 19,396 tonnes, it increased to 23,885 tonnes in the year 2022-23.
• This will be special in the modern fish market:
  • A large auction hall of 6470 sq.m.
  • Retail building with 2936 square meter area, comprising 23 retail stores, 34 restaurants, e-kiosks.
  • 2114 square meter center conference hall and training centre, laboratory.
  • Service building of 795 sq.m.
  • Four cold stores of 86 square meters each, on the ground floor.
  • Solar power plots and big generators to maintain the cold chain.
  • CC Road, Drainage System, Boundary Wall, Paver Block, Fire Hydrant, High Mosque Lights, Guard Room.

Jyoti Sinha of Bihar received the National Award for the Best Disabled Person

Why in News?

On the International Day of Persons with Disabilities on December 3, 2023, President Draupadi Murmu honored Jyoti Sinha of Muzaffarpur, Bihar with the National Award 2023 for 'Best Divyangjan' at a grand ceremony in New Delhi.

Key Points:

• It may be noted that on the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, President Draupadi Murmu presented the National Award 2023 to 21 individuals and 9 institutions for their exemplary contribution in various fields for the empowerment of persons with disabilities in New Delhi.
• Jyoti Sinha from Bihar, suffering from 70% muscular dystrophy, has been honored with the National Award 2023 for Individual Excellence in the category of Best Disabled Person in the Field of Art and Culture for her excellent work in the field of Madhubani painting.
• It may be noted that in 1969, the Central Government had approved a scheme to confer National Awards on outstanding persons with disabilities as employers and employees. These awards have been instituted with the objective of focusing public attention on issues related to persons with disabilities and promoting their inclusion in the mainstream of society.
• National Awards are given every year on 'International Day of Persons with Disabilities' on 3 December to outstanding individuals/organizations working for the empowerment of persons with disabilities.
• National Awards for Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities for the year 2023 have been given under the following categories-

I. National Award for Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities-2023-Individual Excellence

• best disabled person
• super disabled person
• Locomotor Challenge - (Locomotor, Muscular Challenges, Dwarfism, Acid Attack Victims, Leprosy Survivors, Cerebral Palsy)
• Visual impairment – (blindness, low vision)
• Hearing loss (deaf, hard of hearing, speech and language challenges)
• Intellectual disability (mental retardation, psychotic behavior, specific learning challenges, autism spectrum disorder)
• Any specified disability other than those mentioned above.
  • Best Disabled Child/Girl
  • Best person - working for the empowerment of persons with disabilities
  • Best Rehabilitation Professional (Rehabilitation Professional/Worker) – working in the field of disability

II. National Award for institutions engaged in empowering persons with disabilities-2023

• Best Institute for Empowerment of Disabled (Private Organization, NGO)
• Best Employer for Disabled - (Government Organization/PSE/Autonomous Body/Private Sector)
• Best State/UT/District in implementation of Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan/creation of barrier free environment
• Best accessible means of transport/information and communication technology (government/private organizations)
• Best State/UT/District in implementation of Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act/UDID and other schemes for empowerment of persons with disabilities.
• Commissioner of Persons with Disabilities of the State best in implementation of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 in his/her State
• Best organizations engaged in development of rehabilitation professionals

Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot submitted resignation letter to the Governor

Why in News?

On December 3, 2023, after the Bharatiya Janata Party got a clear majority in the assembly elections in Rajasthan and the defeat of the Congress, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot reached Raj Bhavan and submitted his resignation from the post of Chief Minister to Governor Kalraj Mishra.

Key Points:

• Governor Mishra accepted the resignation of Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot with immediate effect and urged him to continue working till the formation of the new government in the state.
• It is worth mentioning that in Rajasthan Assembly Elections-2023, Bharatiya Janata Party has won 115 out of 199 seats. Congress got 69 seats, while other parties and independents got a total of 15 seats.
• Ashok Gehlot was elected to the 7^th Lok Sabha (1980-84) for the first time in the year 1980 from Jodhpur parliamentary constituency. He represented Jodhpur parliamentary constituency in the 8^th Lok Sabha (1984–1989), 10th Lok Sabha (1991–96), 11^th Lok Sabha (1996–98) and 12^th Lok Sabha (1998–1999). In 1998 he became the Chief Minister of Rajasthan.
• Gehlot became a member of the 11th Rajasthan Legislative Assembly in February 1999 after being elected from Sardarpura (Jodhpur) assembly constituency. Gehlot was re-elected to the 12^th and 13^th Rajasthan Legislative Assembly from this assembly constituency. He was also elected in the 14th and 15^th Rajasthan Legislative Assembly and became the Chief Minister.
• He served as a Union Minister in the cabinets of Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi and PV Narasimha Rao. He became a Union Minister three times. When Indira Gandhi was the Prime Minister of India, Ashok Gehlot was the Deputy Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation in Indira Gandhi's cabinet from September 2, 1982 to February 7, 1984. After this Gehlot became the Deputy Minister of Sports.
• Gehlot served as the Union Minister of State for Tourism and Civil Aviation in the period from December 31, 1984 to September 26, 1985. After this he was made the Union Minister of State for Textiles. Gehlot was the minister of this ministry from June 21, 1991 to January 18, 1993.

Madhya Pradesh's Divyang Himanshu, Divyang Commissioner and Directorate of Divyangjan Empowerment received National Award.

Why in News?

On the International Day of Persons with Disabilities on December 3, 2023, President Draupadi Murmu honored Disabled Himanshu Kansal of Madhya Pradesh, State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities Sandeep Rajak & Directorate of Social Justice and Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, Bhopal with the National Award 2023 at a grand ceremony in New Delhi.

Key Points:

• It may be noted that on the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, President Draupadi Murmu presented the National Award 2023 to 21 individuals and 9 institutions for their exemplary contribution in various fields for the empowerment of persons with disabilities in New Delhi.
• Himanshu Kansal, a 100% hearing impaired person from Karahal village of Sheopur district, has been honored with the National Award 2023 for bringing unprecedented changes in the field of Indian Sign Language (ISL) and personal excellence in the category of Best Disabled Person in the field of his creative work.
• For the work done by Madhya Pradesh State in implementing 'Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan', the Directorate of Social Justice and Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities of Madhya Pradesh has been awarded in the category 'Best State in Implementation of Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan/Creation of Barrier Free Environment' for empowering persons with disabilities. National Award 2023 has been awarded to the institutions doing work related to this.
• Similarly, in recognition of the work being done by the State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities, Sandeep Rajak, in implementing the Persons with Disabilities Act 2016 in his state, he has been awarded the National Award 2023 for the institution doing work related to empowering the persons with disabilities in the Best State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities category.
  • State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities Sandeep Rajak, by taking innovative and effective steps himself, played an important role in the implementation of the RPWD Act in Madhya Pradesh and protected the constitutional rights of persons with disabilities in many cases.
• It is worth mentioning that in 1969, the Central Government had approved a scheme for conferring National Awards to outstanding persons with disabilities as employers and employees. These awards have been instituted with the objective of focusing public attention on issues related to persons with disabilities and promoting their inclusion in the mainstream of society.
• National Awards are given every year on 'International Day of Persons with Disabilities' on 3 December to outstanding individuals/organizations working for the empowerment of persons with disabilities.
• National Awards for Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities for the year 2023 have been given under the following categories-

I. National Award for Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities-2023-Individual Excellence

• best disabled person
• super disabled person
• Locomotor Challenge - (Locomotor, Muscular Challenges, Dwarfism, Acid Attack Victims, Leprosy Survivors, Cerebral Palsy)
• Visual impairment – (blindness, low vision)
• Hearing loss (deaf, hard of hearing, speech and language challenges)
• Intellectual disability (mental retardation, psychotic behavior, specific learning challenges, autism spectrum disorder)
• Any specified disability other than those mentioned above.
  • Best Disabled Child/Girl
  • Best person - working for the empowerment of persons with disabilities
  • Best Rehabilitation Professional (Rehabilitation Professional/Worker) – working in the field of disability

II. National Award for institutions engaged in empowering persons with disabilities-2023

• Best Institute for Empowerment of Disabled (Private Organization, NGO)
• Best Employer for Disabled - (Government Organization/PSE/Autonomous Body/Private Sector)
• Best State/UT/District in implementation of Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan/creation of barrier free environment
• Best accessible means of transport/information and communication technology (government/private organizations)
• Best State/UT/District in implementation of Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act/UDID and other schemes for empowerment of persons with disabilities.
• Commissioner of Persons with Disabilities of the State best in implementation of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 in his/her State
• Best organizations engaged in development of rehabilitation professionals

Director General of Police inaugurated the state's first e-library in Sonipat

Why in News?

On November 30, 2023, Haryana Director General of Police Shatrujit Kapoor inaugurated the state's first police e-library in Sonipat district. During this, apart from students of various government and degree colleges, students of D.A.V Police Public School participated in large numbers.

Key Points:

• On this occasion, Director General of Police Shatrujit Kapoor said that the creation of e-library will especially benefit the students preparing for competitive examinations. The study material provided here will inspire students to learn and move forward in life.
• He said that this e-library is a platform for students preparing for competitive exams, where they can get knowledge in many languages.
• It is worth mentioning that this is the first major e-library established by Haryana Police in Sonipat district. Candidates of UPSC, NDA, CDS, Banking and other competitive examinations will benefit greatly through this e-library.
• This e-library is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities & houses standard books of various subjects, magazines, globes, maps & standard dictionaries and other reading materials. Apart from a photo studio equipped with new technology, a language room, conference hall and guest room have also been made in this e-library.

Jharkhand's Manisha Kerketta won silver medal in Junior World Boxing

Why in News?

Manisha Kerketta of Simdega district of Jharkhand won the silver medal in the 54 kg girls category at the IBA Junior World Boxing Championship being held in Armenia on December 3, 2023.

Key Points:

• It may be noted that the Junior World Boxing Championship 2023 was organized in Yerevan, Armenia from November 24 to December 4, 2023. In this prestigious global competition, 448 young talents from 58 countries showcased their talent in 26 weight categories.
• Jharkhand's Manisha Kerketta lost to Kazakhstan's Ayazan Sidik in the final match of 54 kg girls category and had to be satisfied with the silver medal.
• It is worth mentioning that Manisha Kerketta of Konpala Pandripani village of Simdega district of Jharkhand has become the first female player from Jharkhand to win a silver medal in the World Junior Boxing Championship after 23 years.
• Manisha Kerketta is a trainee of 'Jharkhand State Sports Promotion Society' (JSSPS), a sports academy run by the joint initiative of CCL & Jharkhand Government, since 2018 and is taking training from instructor Dronacharya Awardee Captain Braj Bhushan Mohanty.

Jharkhand's Sarita Kumari won gold medal in National Track Cycling Championship

Why in News?

Sarita Kumari of Jharkhand won the gold medal in the sprint event in the National Track Cycling Championship held at Sido Kanhu Velodrome Stadium, Khelgaon Ranchi under the joint aegis of Indian Cycling Federation of India and Jharkhand Cycling Association on December 3, 2023.

Key Points:

• It is worth mentioning that the 75^th Senior Women & Men, 52nd Junior and 38th Sub Junior Boys & Girls National Track Cycling Championship is being organized at Sido Kanhu Velodrome Stadium, Khelgaon Ranchi under the joint auspices of Indian Cycling Federation of India and Jharkhand Cycling Association.
• International cyclist Sarita Kumari, resident of Lohardaga district of Jharkhand, has so far won many medals in junior national level Khelo India etc. competitions.
• Sarita Kumari had won the gold medal in the mass start cycling competition in the sub-junior girls category and the silver medal in the time trial (10 km) in the two-day Khelo India Cycling Women's League held from November 26 to 27, 2022 in Chandigarh.

State's first signature bridge will be on Badrinath Highway

Why in News?

On December 3, 2023, Tanuj Kambuj, Executive Engineer, National Highway Construction Division, NLD, Srinagar Garhwal, said that the work of the state's first signature bridge at Narkota on Badrinath Highway is being done rapidly.

Key Points:

• It is worth mentioning that the first curved bridge of Uttarakhand state is being built at Narkota on Rishikesh-Badrinath Highway. A 110 meter long bridge is being constructed at a cost of Rs 64 crore under the All Weather Road Project.
• The target has been set to operate vehicles from this signature bridge by May 2024.
• A curved motor bridge is being constructed at Narkota Gadere on Rishikesh-Badrinath Highway. For its safety, there will be safety cables on both sides as well as on the upper side. The design of this signature bridge will be its main attraction.

Central Government approves Recovery and Reconstruction Plan for reconstruction of Joshimath

Why in News?

On November 30, 2023, the high-level committee headed by Union Home Minister Amit Shah approved the Recovery and Reconstruction Plan of Rs 1658.17 crore for the reconstruction of Joshimath affected by landslides.

Key Points:

• It may be noted that Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami had requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Shah to approve the proposal.
• Under the scheme, central assistance of Rs 1079.96 crore will be provided from the Recovery and Reconstruction Window of the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF).
• The state government will provide Rs 126.41 crore from the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) and Rs 451.80 crore from the state budget for relief. This includes the cost of land acquisition of Rs 91.82 crore for rehabilitation.
• The state government has made a budgetary provision of Rs 1000 crore for the rehabilitation and reconstruction plan of Joshimath in the financial year 2023-24.
• The state had sought a package of Rs 2942.99 crore from the Central Government for the reconstruction and rehabilitation plan of Joshimath. This includes construction of 150 prefabricated houses, site development work, interim relief, compensation for damage to residential & commercial infrastructure, compensation for land belonging to families living in vulnerable areas, permanent rehabilitation of affected people and acquisition & development.