• 05 Dec 2023

Uttar Pradesh Rural Sports League started

Why in News?

On December 4, 2023, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath inaugurated the league by lighting the torch of Uttar Pradesh Rural Sports League in Gorakhpur.

Key Points:

• On this occasion, a prize distribution ceremony was organised for the winners of Rashtrasant Brahmalin Mahant Avaidyanath Maharaj Fifth All India Prizemoney Men's Kabaddi Competition-2023.
• In the final match of Kabaddi competition, Uttar Pradesh won the title by defeating JD Academy New Delhi. After the end of the match, the Chief Minister awarded the winning teams and players.
• The Chief Minister also directed the Sports Department to double the prize money in the Brahmaleen Mahant Avaidyanath Memorial All India Prize Money Kabaddi Competition next year.
• While inaugurating the Uttar Pradesh Rural Sports League, the Chief Minister said that this competition will be held in all the development blocks of the state. There will be many types of sports competitions in it. After the block level, rural sports talents will get opportunities at the district, zone and state level. Lakhs of players will benefit from this.
• The Chief Minister said that the government has taken many important steps to increase sports resources and activities in the state. Under this, playgrounds and open gyms are being developed in every village. Stadiums are being built at the district level and mini stadiums at the block level.
• Currently there are 2 international cricket stadiums in Uttar Pradesh. The construction work of International Cricket Stadium is going on in Varanasi. 15 synthetic hockey tracks, 3 synthetic running tracks, 67 multi-purpose sports halls, 15 indoor basketball halls, 2 judo halls and 6 shooting ranges have been built in the state. The state's first world class sports university in the name of Major Dhyan Chand is being constructed in Meerut.
• On this occasion, the Chief Minister said that Khelo India, Fit India Movement and MP Sports Competition have given a lot of encouragement to sports and players. To give further impetus to this, sports centres are being built in every district.
• The Chief Minister said that to encourage the players, the state government is giving them government jobs along with providing adequate funds. Many coaches have been appointed on a monthly honorarium of Rs 1.5 lakh. Players are also being provided help from the Eklavya Sports Fund.
• He said that the players of the state who participate and win medals in Olympics, Asian Games, Commonwealth Games, World Championships are being given ample prize money, and those who win medals at the international level are being appointed to gazetted posts. 500 players have been appointed in the state.

Divyang Tejveer, Abhinav Chaudhary and Divyang Development Society of Uttar Pradesh received national awards.

Why in News?

On the International Day of Persons with Disabilities on December 3, 2023, President Draupadi Murmu honoured Divyang Tejveer, Abhinav Chaudhary and Divyang Development Society of Uttar Pradesh 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 from across the country for their exemplary contribution in various fields for the empowerment of persons with disabilities in New Delhi.
• Tejveer Singh, a person with 90% locomotor disability from both legs, from Dujana village of Dadri tehsil of Gautam Buddha Nagar, has been awarded the National Award for Individual Excellence-2023 in the category of 'Best Disabled' for his excellent work in the social field.
  • Disabled Tejveer Singh has already been honoured by the district administration and the state government. In the year 2021, DM had honoured Tejveer Singh. In the year 2022, State Governor Anandiben Patel honoured him with a gold medal and Rs 2 lakh.
• Abhinav Chaudhary, a person with 60% intellectual disability from Ghaziabad, has been honoured with the National Award for Individual Excellence-2023 in the category of 'Best Disabled' for his excellent work in the field of art, culture and social service.
  • Abhinav Choudhary, associated with art and culture and dance, acting and modelling, has participated in various national level dance programs like 'Dance India Dance' and won in 2018.
  • He has been awarded the 'World Record for the Most Dance Forms Performed by a Special Child' by World Records India. He has also won many other state and district level awards.
  • He is running a dance academy where he teaches dance to special needs and underprivileged children, which is a social service.
• Similarly, in recognition of the work being done by the Kanpur based non-profit organisation Disabled Development Society, it was awarded the National Award 2023 for the organisation working related to empowering the disabled in the category of the best organisation working in the development of rehabilitation professionals.
• 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/organisations 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 Victim, Leprosy Recovered, Cerebral Palsy)
  • Visual impairment – (Blindness, Low vision)
  • Hearing loss (Deaf, Hard of hearing, Speech and Language challenges)
  • Intellectual disability (Mental retardation, Psychotic behaviour, 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 organisations)
• 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 organisations engaged in development of rehabilitation professionals.

Dates announced for Panchayat by-elections in Bihar

Why in News?

The dates for Panchayat by-elections were announced by Bihar State Election Commission on December 4, 2023. There will be by-elections for a total of 1675 Panchayat posts in the state.

Key Points:

• As per the notification issued by the State Election Commission, the date of voting has been fixed on December 28, while the nomination will be from December 9 to December 15.
• Scrutiny of nomination papers will be held on December 16, while the last date for withdrawal of nomination papers has been fixed as December 20.
• Under the Panchayat by-election, elections will be held for the posts of Zilla Parishad member, Gram Panchayat head, Gram Kachari Sarpanch, Panchayat Samiti member, Gram Panchayat member and Gram Kachahari Panch.
• Elections will be held for 4 posts for Zilla Parishad member, 21 for Gram Panchayat Mukhiya, 36 for Gram Kachari Sarpanch, 20 for Panchayat Samiti member, 353 for Gram Panchayat member and 1241 posts for Gram Kachahari Panch.
• Voting will be held on December 28, which will start from 7 am till 5 pm. Counting of votes will take place from 8 am on December 30.
• It may be noted that last time a by-election was held for other vacant posts including Panch in 2022.

Action plan will be made for safe and easy blood supply to patients

Why in News?

On December 4, 2023, Additional Chief Secretary of the Medical and Health Department, Shubhra Singh, said that an action plan will be made for easy and safe availability of blood and blood components (plasma, platelets, packed red blood cells, cryoprecipitate) to the patients in the state and Two sub-committees (regulatory and technical) will be formed.

Key Points:

• Shubhra Singh gave instructions in this regard while reviewing the functioning of State Blood Transfusion Services and State Blood Transfusion Council in the Government Secretariat.
• These committees will ensure smooth operation of blood banks across the state as per the guidelines of the Government of India.
• Additional Chief Secretary said that an action plan should be made soon to ensure easy and safe availability of blood to the patients in the state. He directed to appoint a state nodal officer for effective monitoring of blood transfusion and to conduct regular reviews at the zonal level by the zone level committee of the concerned medical college.
• He directed that all the blood banks established in the state should be inspected regularly and factual reports should be submitted. If any blood bank violates the prescribed protocol or guideline, strict action should be taken.
• Additional Chief Secretary said that for easy supply of blood to the common citizen
• Wide publicity should be given about the e-blood fund portal. Besides, information in this regard should also be made available to the general public through the portal of Medical and Health Department of Rajasthan Government and 181 helpline.

Disabled Sunita Gupta and Prashant Aggarwal of Rajasthan received National Award.

Why in News?

On the International Day of Persons with Disabilities on December 3, 2023, President Draupadi Murmu honoured disabled Sunita Gupta and Prashant Aggarwal of Rajasthan 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 from across the country for their exemplary contribution in various fields for the empowerment of persons with disabilities in New Delhi.
• Sunita Gupta, a 70% physically disabled person from Dausa, has been awarded the National Award for Individual Excellence-2023 in the category of 'Best Disabled Person' for her excellent work in the field of art and culture.
  • Disabled Sunita Gupta, despite being from a rural area, started the business of artificial jewellery by taking a loan of Rs 50 thousand from the government.
  • He is also associated with the Rain Water Harvesting Mission and Sweep Team Voter Awareness. He has also worked in the film Vicky Donor.
• For the commendable work being done by 51-year-old Prashant Aggarwal, President of Narayan Seva Sansthan, Udaipur, he has been honoured with the National Award-2023 for Personal Excellence in the category of 'Best Individual - Working for the Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities'.
  • Prashant Aggarwal has been playing an important role in the upliftment of persons with disabilities and bringing them into the mainstream of society through initiatives like residential schools, vocational rehabilitation centres, free distribution of assistive aids and appliances, free marriage ceremonies through the organisation .
  • In the year 2017, he has also been awarded the Best Social Worker in the Field of Disability by the Government of Rajasthan.
• 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/organisations 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 Victim, Leprosy Recovered, Cerebral Palsy)
  • Visual impairment – (Blindness, Low vision)
  • Hearing loss (Deaf, Hard of hearing, Speech and Language challenges)
  • Intellectual disability (Mental retardation, Psychotic behaviour, 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 organisations)
• 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 organisations engaged in development of rehabilitation professionals.

Deputy Chief Minister inaugurates UITDC Center at CDLU

Why in News?

On December 4, 2023, Haryana Deputy Chief Minister Dushyant Chautala launched the ambitious UITDC Center at Chaudhary Devi Lal University (CDLU), Sirsa, setting a new dimension in the field of Information Technology.

Key Points:

• On this occasion, Dushyant Chautala said in his address that Chaudhary Devi Lal University is the first university in the state to establish such a state-of-the-art IT centre.
• On this occasion, Vice Chancellor of the University Prof. Ajmer Singh Malik said that this university, named after the Deputy Prime Minister of India Chaudhary Devi Lal, has played an important role in meeting the higher education needs of the region.
• The University IT Data and Computer Center has been constructed in the CDLU campus at a cost of more than Rs 9.80 crore.
• There are 20 rooms in this building and arrangements for 7 computer labs, system analyst room, video conferencing room, hardware & software stores etc.
• About 350 computers will be installed in the centre, which will fulfil the dream of complete digitalization of the university and will benefit the students. The process of setting up the center of NTA (National Testing Agency) in the university is also about to be completed.
• UITDC Director Prof. Sushil Kumar said that this centre will help the students to acquire practical knowledge.

Chief Minister inaugurates International Conference at Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University

Why in News?

On December 4, 2023, Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal inaugurated the international conference organised at Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University on the topic Strategy for Global Food-Nutrition Security, Sustainability and Health.

Key Points:

• During this, the Chief Minister was informed that an Agri Business Incubation Centre has been established in the university to promote startups of young entrepreneurs.
• Through this centre, 100 startups have been started in the last 4 years by providing an amount of Rs 6 crore. Through these startups, the best varieties of banana, sugarcane and prepared food products from coarse grains have been prepared using tissue culture technology.
• After this, the Chief Minister also held a meeting with eminent scientists from famous research institutions of 14 countries. He said that Haryana state has made great achievements in the agriculture sector. The agricultural products here are being exported to many countries in the country and the world. Now the state government is working with many countries of the world to increase its production as well as its quality.
• It may be noted that a three-day international conference is being organised at the University under the leadership of Prof.B.R. Kamboj, Vice Chancellor and Chief Patron of the Conference from 4^th to 6^th December in which 900 scientists & researchers from 15 countries including the US, UK, Canada, Kazakhstan, Japan, Egypt, France, Germany, Tunisia, Brazil, Morocco are participating.
• In the inaugural session of the conference, Arthur C. Ryder, co-winner of the IPCC Nobel Prize in France and Professor Sergio Capareda, Faculty Fellow of the University of Texas A and M, USA delivered lectures on technical issues.

Major decisions of the cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami

Why in News?

In the cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on December 4, 2023, many other important decisions were taken along with approving the 'Mukhyamantri Gram Sampark Yojana' to connect 3177 villages with population less than 250 with main roads.

Key Points:

• The Cabinet has given permission to the Secondary Education Department to hire assistant teachers and lecturers on a per-inspection basis. 1500 to 2000 such teachers can be hired.
• The Cabinet has decided to provide benefits to 35088 daughters who were deprived of the benefits of 'Kanyadhan Yojana' despite their applications from 2009 to 2016-17. They will get the amount at the rate of Rs 15,000. The government will spend Rs 52 crore 63 lakh on this.
• 559 excellent schools will be established in the state to provide modern and quality education to the students. Such a school will be selected as an excellent school, which is within 15 km. More and more government high schools & government inter colleges should operate within the periphery. Amount of Rs 240 crore will be spent on this.
• An incentive policy has been approved for construction of helipads on private land where government land is not available. Under the policy, 50 percent grant will be given on construction of the helipad. Land can also be given on lease.
• The Cabinet has approved the policy of Virtual Registry. Under this, online registration can now be done sitting at home. The person will not need to come to the office.
• The Cabinet has approved the structure of 950-950 posts for operation of 100-100 MBBS trainee capacity in the medical colleges under construction at Pithoragarh and Haridwar.
• Now, on making a driving licence in the state, the transport department will collect a user charge of Rs 100 from the applicant. This will make getting the licence somewhat expensive. The Cabinet has approved this proposal.

State government approved the first Uttarakhand helipad and heliport policy

Why in News?

On December 4, 2023, the Uttarakhand State Government approved the first Uttarakhand Helipad and Heliport Policy to increase air connectivity in the state. This will boost tourism as well as ease emergency medical care and rescue & relief operations during disasters.

Key Points:

• There are many places across the state where helipads or heliports can be developed, but government land is not available here. For this, the government has approved the policy of building helipads and heliports on private land.
• In the policy, two options have been given to the land owner for giving land for helipad and heliport -
  • First, the landowner can lease the land to Uttarakhand Civil Aviation Development Authority (UCADA) for 15 years, wherein UCADA will develop the helipad under DGCA norms. For this, the exchanged land owner will be given a rent of Rs 100 per square meter per year. Apart from this, 50 percent of the revenue received from operation and management will be paid.
  • Secondly, the land owner himself can develop a helipad and heliport. For this, after taking license from DGCA, a fee will be charged from those using the helipad. The government will provide 50 percent subsidy on the total capital expenditure.
• The policy mandates a minimum of 1,000 square metres of land for a helipad and 4,000 square metres of land for a heliport. It is estimated that Rs 10 to 20 lakh will be spent on the construction of the helipad and Rs 2 to 3 crore will be spent on the construction of the heliport. If the landowner himself builds a helipad and heliport, the government will give subsidy on it, which will be paid in two installments.