• 05 Jan 2024

Rajasthan to Merge Chiranjeevi Scheme with Ayushman Bharat

Why in News?

• The Rajasthan government has sought the union health ministry's approval to integrate the state's Chiranjeevi health insurance scheme with the Centre's Ayushman Bharat programme into Ayushman Bharat Mukhyamantri Chiranjeevi Health Insurance Scheme.

Key Points

• The Ayushman Bharat Mukhyamantri Chiranjeevi Health Insurance Scheme, is expected to retain the existing benefits of the state scheme, including a ₹25 lakh insurance cover in both private and government hospitals.
• The state government has directed districts to issue new cards by 26th January, 2024, aligning with national efforts to cover all Ayushman Bharat beneficiaries.
• The Chiranjeevi scheme, introduced by former chief minister Ashok Gehlot, offers higher coverage compared to the Ayushman Bharat's ₹5 lakh.
• Since its launch in May 2021, the Chiranjeevi scheme has provided universal health coverage to all Rajasthani families. Its coverage was recently increased from ₹10 lakh to ₹25 lakh, with an additional ₹10 lakh for accident coverage.
• More than 100 million families have at least one Ayushman card with Uttar Pradesh leading in the number of beneficiaries at 46 million. Madhya Pradesh follows with 37 million, Gujarat and Chhattisgarh with 20 million each and Maharashtra with 19 million beneficiaries.

Uttar Pradesh’s Ganga Expressway

Why in News?

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has directed the Uttar Pradesh Expressway Industrial Development Authority (UPEIDA) to expedite the construction of the ‘Ganga Expressway,’ aiming for completion by the end of 2024.

• Uttar Pradesh has four expressways in the top 10 in India by length. With the Ganga Expressway, it will have five in the top 10.

Key Points

• This Ganga Expressway project is a significant development poised to reshape Uttar Pradesh’s infrastructure and a strategic initiative ahead of the Mahakumbh in 2025.
• The Ganga Expressway is the second-longest expressway in the country following the Mumbai-Nagpur Expressway.
  
  • It is an ambitious undertaking with a projected length of 594 kilometers.
  • It is poised to redefine travel efficiency and stimulate economic growth across its vast corridor.
• Ganga Expressway Features:
  
  • This expressway, connecting the state from east to west, will traverse 518 villages across 12 districts, significantly reducing travel time between Meerut and Prayagraj.
  • It is designed to accommodate six lanes initially, expandable to eight lanes, boasting a maximum speed of 120 kilometers per hour.
  • Another important feature includes two long bridges spanning the Ganga and Ramganga rivers, allowing even big planes to land. A 3.50-kilometer airstrip near Jalalabad tehsil in Shahjahanpur adds to the project’s versatility.
  • To enhance public convenience, nine public amenities complexes are planned along the expressway, with main toll plazas at Meerut and Prayagraj, and ramp toll plazas at 15 locations.
• The Ganga Expressway is not merely a transportation link but a testament to Uttar Pradesh’s commitment to modernising its connectivity landscape.

Rise of Spiritual Tourism in Ayodhya

Why in News?

After the construction and development works of the Ram temple in Ayodhya are completed in 2024, tourism is likely to increase tenfold in the city.

• The inauguration of Ram temple is expected to draw 7,000 people. After the temple opens, the Ayodhya Development Authority is expecting 300,000- 500,000 visitors every day for the next month (February).

Key Points

• India is focused on the much-anticipated ‘pran pratishtha’ (consecration ceremony) of Lord Ram idol at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya on 22nd January, 2024.
• The city has undergone major improvements in preparation for the temple's inauguration:
  
  • Ayodhya's Spiritual Tourism Boom: Prior to the Ram temple’s opening, hotel rates in Ayodhya reportedly increased and many are already booked.
  • Trains to Temple Town: Amrit Bharat trains are a new kind of superfast passenger train that uses push-pull technology to improve both passenger comfort and speed.
    
    • Vande Bharat Express will connect two prominent temples in Uttar Pradesh - Ram Janmabhoomi and Gorakhnath.
  • New Ayodhya Airport: Airlines intend to provide service to and from major cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, and Ahmedabad in order to accommodate the lakhs of people expected to visit the Ram Temple each day following the sacred event.
• The construction of the Ram Temple has already helped the economic condition in Ayodhya. The increasing number of tourists visiting the district creates new job opportunities for locals.
  
  • A number of new businesses have sprouted near the temple, offering tourists a variety of native handicrafts.

Solar Energy Hub in Uttar Pradesh

Why in News?

According to the Uttar Pradesh New and Renewable Energy Development Agency (UPNEDA), 125 projects with an estimated outlay of Rs 1 lakh crore in pipeline in the field of clean energy in Uttar Pradesh.

• These projects are in line to achieve Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s vision of meeting 40% of the energy requirement of the State through solar and alternate sources.

Key Points

• In the first phases, four large solar projects worth Rs 35000 crore will be set up in different districts of Bundelkhand and Eastern Uttar Pradesh.
• The state government had received investment proposals to the tune of Rs 40 lakh crore at the Global Investors Summit (GIS) held in 2023.
• Solar power and other clean energy projects under the ‘Akshay Urja’ Scheme accounted for a significant share of the total investment.
• The State currently generates close to 2152 MW of solar energy, out of which 372 MW is in open access.
  • Bundelkhand region has witnessed the maximum number of solar plants amounting to nearly 60% of the total solar energy generated in the State.
• The State’s solar energy generation, which stood at close to 279 MW in 2017, has witnessed a multi fold rise over the last six years which includes incentives, rebates, concessions and promotions offered under the new Solar Policy of the state government.
• Under the current investment pipeline, Sonbhadra in Eastern Uttar Pradesh will witness the setting up of an off-stream close loop pump storage project by Greenko Group generating 3660 MW of electricity at an estimated outlay of Rs 17,000 crore.
• The Uttar Pradesh government is set to establish a 50 MW floating solar plant in Bakhira Bird Sanctuary in Eastern UP.
• Under the Solar City program, a 40 MW solar power plant is being established on 165 acres of land in Ayodhya by NTPC. Part of the project has already commenced and the remaining is expected to be operational by March 2024.

Haryana's Vikas Rana Wins Gold

Why in News?

Recently, Vikas Rana, 31, daughter of a farmer in Haryana created history by winning the maiden gold medal for the country in the cross country skiing championship in Germany.

• She has also represented India in the Asian Games.

Key Points

• She belongs to Sukhain Khurd village in the Uchana area of Jind.
• She won four gold, one silver and four bronze medals at the national games.
• She started her skiing practice at a young age and practiced most of the time in Gulmarg.

Asian Games

• The Asian Games is the biggest sports competition in Asia, held once every four years.
• The symbol for the Asian Games is the rising sun with interlocking rings.
• It is recognised by the International Olympic Committee.
• Asian Games were regulated by the Asian Games Federation from 1951 to 1978. Since 1982, the Olympic Council of Asia has regulated the Asian Games.
• India won 107 medals (28 gold, 38 silvers and 41 bronze) at the Asian Games 2023.

18 IAS Transferred in Haryana

Why in News?

Recently, the Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar has transferred 18 Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officers in the state.

Key Points

• Amit Kumar Agrawal, a 2003 batch IAS officer serving as the Additional Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister, has been entrusted with the role of Managing Director at Haryana Vidyut Prasaran Nigam.
• Mandeep Singh Brar, a 2005 batch IAS officer and the state director for Mines and Geology, has assumed additional responsibilities as the Director of Information and Public Relations.
• D Suresh, a 1995 batch IAS officer and Resident Commissioner at Haryana Bhawan in New Delhi, now serves as the Principal Secretary for Human Resources.
• Ashima Brar, a 2004 batch IAS officer and the Director General of School Education, has taken on the role of Additional Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister.
• Mr. PC Meena, Chief Executive of Gurugram Metropolitan Development Authority, now serving as Managing Director at Dakshin Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam in Hisar.
• Mr. Narhari Bangar, a 2011 batch IAS officer and Agriculture Director, transitions to the role of Commissioner at the Municipal Corporation in Gurugram, with Mr. Raj Narayan Kaushik from the 2010 batch taking over as the new Agriculture Director.
• Mr. CG Rajinikanthan, a 2004 batch IAS officer, as Director for General Industries and Commerce, Director General for MSME, and Adviser for Civil Aviation.
• Aditya Dahiya, a 2011 batch IAS officer and Special Secretary for Human Resources and General Administration, adds to his responsibilities by assuming the role of State Director for the National Health Mission.

Note

The change of cadre of All India Service officers is governed by Rule 5(2) of the IAS (Cadre) Rules, 1954 and analogous Rules in the Indian Police Service (IPS) (Cadres) Rules, 1954 and Indian Foreign Service (IFS) (Cadre) Rules, 1966.