• 06 Mar 2024

Infrastructure Projects in Uttarakhand

Why in News?

According to the official sources, the Centre released Rs 559 crore for 33 infrastructure projects in the state.

Key Points

• A letter from the assistant director of the finance ministry stated that the amount has been granted as part of an additional allocation under Part-I of the ‘Scheme for special assistance to states for capital investment 2023-24’ for the state.
  • Rs 26 crore has been earmarked for construction of a tunnel parking facility near the popular tourist spot of Kempty Fall.
  • Rs 10.8 crore has been released for development of an inter- state bus terminal at Herbertpur on the outskirts of Dehradun.
  • Rs 17 crore has been allocated for façade enhancement of Mall Road in Mussoorie, while Rs 20 crore is designated for strengthening the police force.
  • Rs 100 crore has been allocated for enhancing health infrastructure at Haridwar Medical College, with Rs 51 crore earmarked for construction of Shaurya Sthal in Dehradun.
  • Rs 88 crore has been allocated for the Song Dam Multipurpose project and Rs 25 crore has been designated for construction of residential buildings for cops in Udham Singh Nagar, Haridwar, and Dehradun.

Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment Scheme

• The Scheme for Special Assistance to States for Capital Expenditure was launched in FY 2020-21 in the wake of Covid-19 Pandemic.
• The scheme has been expanded and continued as ‘Scheme for Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment 2023-24’ with allocation of Rs 1.3-lakh crore.

Aravali Green Wall Project

Why in News?

Haryana government has finalised its proposal for the Aravali Green Wall project to revive degraded areas of the hills in seven districts of the state for creating a continuous ecological barrier along the range.

Key Points

• The project is part of the Union environment ministry’s Green Wall initiative.
  • In the first phase, 66 water bodies will be developed in the Aravallis of Gurgaon, Faridabad, Nuh, Rewari, Mahendergarh, Charkhi Dadri and Bhiwani.
• The project is inspired by African countries’ ‘Great Green Wall’ initiative and aims to restore green cover on the hills that stand as the only barrier blocking the expansion of desert-like conditions from Thar to north India, including Delhi-NCR.
  • The goal is to restore around 1.15 million hectares of the forests across four states — Haryana, Rajasthan, Gujarat and Delhi by 2027.
• A 2022 report by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) had found that around 8.2% of Haryana’s total area had degraded to become more arid over the years.
• The project emphasis is on soil conservation, erosion control, and improved water retention mechanisms that contribute significantly to stabilizing the water cycle, mitigating soil degradation and fortifying against the detrimental impacts of droughts and floods.
• According to ecologists and wildlife experts, Aravallis have several areas that are not notified as forest, but they are still home to a rich biodiversity of plants and wildlife. Plans need to be formed to conserve these green patches.

Great Green Wall of Africa

• It aims to restore Africa’s degraded landscapes and transform millions of lives in one of the world’s poorest regions, the Sahel.
• The African initiative is still only 15% complete.
• Once fully completed, the Wall will be the largest living structure on the planet – an 8,000 km natural wonder of the world stretching across the entire width of the continent.
• African countries during the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCCD) Conference of the Parties 14 (COP) sought global support in terms of finance to make the Wall a reality in the continent’s Sahel region by 2030.
  • Sahel is a semiarid region of western and north-central Africa extending from Senegal eastward to Sudan.
  • It forms a transitional zone between the arid Sahara (desert) to the north and the belt of humid savannas to the south.

Aravali Mountain Range

• The Aravallis is the oldest folded mountain on Earth.
• It spans over 800 km from Gujarat to Delhi (through Rajasthan and Haryana).
• The highest peak in the Aravalli Range is Guru Peak on Mount Abu.
• Impact on Climate:
  • The Aravallis have an impact upon the climate of northwest India and beyond.
  • During monsoons, the mountain range gently guides the monsoon clouds eastwards towards Shimla and Nainital, thus helping nurture the sub-Himalayan rivers and feeding the north Indian plains.
  • In the winter months, it protects the fertile alluvial river valleys (the para-Indus and Gangetic) from the assault of cold westerly winds from Central Asia.

Kshatipurti Portal For Crop Damage Claims

Why in News?

The Haryana government has decided to open the Kshatipurti portal for the farmers across all districts to submit their reports detailing the extent of damage to their crops.

Key Points

• Instructions regarding Compensation are as follows:
  • In case of death due to flood, the relatives will get Rs 4 lakh per case.
  • Those pucca or kutcha houses that have been damaged, will be given compensation ranging from Rs 1.20 lakh to Rs 1.30 lakh.
  • 16 thousand rupees will be given to each person who has been injured in the flood or has come in any other disease. If the period is less than a week then Rs. 5400 will be given.
    • This amount will be given to those people who do not have Ayushman Bharat Yojana card.

Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY)

• PM-JAY is the world’s largest health insurance scheme fully financed by the government.
• Launched in February 2018, it offers a sum insured of Rs.5 lakh per family for secondary care and tertiary care.
• Health Benefit Packages covers surgery, medical and day care treatments, cost of medicines and diagnostics.
• Beneficiaries:
  • It is an entitlement-based scheme that targets the beneficiaries as identified by latest Socio-Economic Caste Census (SECC) data.
  • The National Health Authority (NHA) has provided flexibility to States/UTs to use non- Socio-Economic Caste Census (SECC) beneficiary family databases with similar socio-economic profiles for tagging against the leftover (unauthenticated) SECC families.
• Funding:
  • The funding for the scheme is shared – 60:40 for all states and UTs with their own legislature, 90:10 in Northeast states and Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal and Uttarakhand and 100% Central funding for UTs without legislature.
• Nodal Agency:
  • The NHA has been constituted as an autonomous entity under the Society Registration Act, 1860 for effective implementation of PM-JAY in alliance with state governments.
  • The State Health Agency (SHA) is the apex body of the State Government responsible for the implementation of AB PM-JAY in the State.

Haryana Government Approves 113 Projects

Why in News?

The Haryana government decided to implement 113 new projects worth more than ₹121 crore under Rural Augmentation and Mahagram Scheme.

Key Points

• These will be implemented in Yamunanagar, Panchkula, Ambala, Faridabad, Jhajjar, Bhiwani and Dadri districts.
• The Chief minister accorded administrative approval for these projects to be implemented by the public health engineering department.
• Two projects were approved under mahagram scheme, 108 projects under rural augmentation programme, and three under sewerage and sanitation.
  • The projects approved pertain to augmentation of water supply scheme, sewerage facility and sewage treatment plant, setting up of new district level wastewater testing laboratory and laying new water supply lines.

Rural Augmentation and Mahagram Scheme

• This scheme was launched by the State government through the Development and Panchayat Department in 2008-09.
• It envisages providing sewerage system, Improvements of drinking water supply, construction of pucca streets, improvement in electricity etc.

Chhattisgarh Climate Change Conclave 2024

Why in News?

Recently, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister launched a 2-day Climate Change Conclave, calling for more measures and efforts to save nature due to the major threat posed by climate change.

• The conclave was organised by the Chhattisgarh State Center for Climate Change and the Forest and Climate Change Department with technical support from the Foundation for Ecological Security.

Key Points

• During the event, the chief minister underscored the severity of climate change, citing irregular rainfall, prolonged droughts, cyclonic rains, and seasonal variations as tangible manifestations affecting both the nation and the world.
  • The CM stressed the importance of formulating strategies to address these challenges, highlighting the significance of preserving nature, greenery, and natural resources.
• During the conclave, the chief minister also launched the 'Chhattisgarh State Action Plan on Climate Change' and unveiled a book on traditional health practices titled 'Ancient Wisdom' at Bastar.
• He hailed the 2015 Paris Agreement as a crucial milestone in global efforts to combat climate change and urged for continued collaboration on a global scale.
• This conclave aimed to facilitate knowledge exchange and discussions among experts, environmentalists, policymakers, and tribal communities.

Foundation for Ecological Security (FES)

• It is a registered non-profit organisation based in Anand, Gujarat.
• Formed in 2001, it is the foundation of sustainable and equitable development.
• It is committed to strengthening, reviving, or restoring, where necessary, the process of ecological succession and the conservation of land, forest and water resources in the country.

Paris Agreement on Climate Change

• It is a legally binding global agreement under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) that was adopted in 2015. It was adopted in UNFCCC COP21.
• It aims to combat climate change and limit global warming to well below 2 degree Celsius, above pre-industrial levels, with an ambition to limit warming to 1.5 degree Celsius.
• It replaced the Kyoto Protocol which was an earlier agreement to deal with climate change.
• The Paris Agreement sets out a framework for countries to work together to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, adapt to the impacts of climate change, and provide support to developing countries in their efforts to address climate change.
• Under the Paris Agreement, each country is required to submit and update their Nationally Determined Contribution (NDCs) every 5 years, outlining their plans for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to climate change.
  • NDCs are pledges made by countries to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions and to adapt to the impacts of climate change.

Regional Conference on Strengthening of PESA

Why in News?

Recently, the Second Two-Day Regional Conference on Strengthening of Panchayats Extension to Scheduled Areas Act (PESA), 1996 was organised at Ranchi.

Key Points

• Secretary, Ministry of Panchayati Raj Vivek Bharadwaj addressed the valedictory session and emphasized on the Government's commitment to prioritise the implementation of schemes like PM–JAN MAN Yojana.
• Engaging discussions on Role of Non-Government Stakeholders in strengthening implementation of PESA and Enforcement of Forest Rights Act, 2006 in PESA areas were the highlights of the concluding day of the Regional Conference to help facilitating knowledge-sharing among participants, fostering commitment towards achieving the objectives of PESA.
• The Conference organised by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj concluded focusing on the strengthening and effective implementation of the provisions of the Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996, popularly known as the PESA Act.
• The Regional Conference garnered significant momentum towards the successful and targeted implementation of PESA and achieved its objectives, with active participation and insightful contributions from all participants, paving the way for further progress in the Act implementation.
• The participants from five participating States viz. Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Odisha and Telangana left the valedictory session filled with enthusiasm and hope, anticipating positive changes at the grassroots level as a result of their collective efforts.
• The Regional Conference in Ranchi concluded with a resounding resolution to maintain the momentum for the successful, envisioned and effective implementation of PESA.

Panchayat Extension to Scheduled Areas (PESA) Act, 1996

• To promote local self-governance in rural India, the 73^rd constitutional amendment was made in 1992.
• Through this amendment, a three-tier Panchayati Raj Institution was made into a law.
• However, its application to the scheduled and tribal areas under Article 243(M) was restricted.
• After the Bhuria Committee recommendations in 1995, Panchayat Extension to Scheduled Areas (PESA) Act, 1996 came into existence for ensuring tribal self-rule for people living in scheduled areas of India.
• The PESA conferred the absolute powers to Gram Sabha, whereas state legislature has given an advisory role to ensure the proper functioning of Panchayats and Gram Sabhas.
  • The power delegated to Gram Sabha cannot be curtailed by a higher level, and there shall be independence throughout.
• The PESA is considered to be the backbone of tribal legislation in India.
• PESA recognises the traditional system of the decision-making process and stands for the peoples’ self-governance.
• Following powers and functions have been provided to the Gram Sabhas:
  • Right to mandatory consultation in land acquisition, resettlement and rehabilitation of displaced persons.
  • Protection of traditional belief, the culture of the tribal communities
  • Ownership of minor forest products
  • Resolution of the local disputes
  • Prevention of land alienation
  • Management of village markets
  • Right to control production, distillation, and prohibition of liquor
  • Exercise of control over money-lending
  • Any other rights involving the Scheduled Tribes.

PM-JANMAN Scheme

• PM JANMAN is a government scheme that aims to bring tribal communities into the mainstream.
• The scheme (comprising Central Sector and Centrally Sponsored Schemes) will be implemented by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, in collaboration with the State governments and the Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTG) communities.
• The scheme will concentrate on 11 critical interventions overseen by 9 line Ministries, ensuring the implementation of existing schemes in villages inhabited by PVTGs.
  • It encompasses various sectors, including safe housing under the PM-AWAS Scheme, access to clean drinking water, improved healthcare, education, nutrition, road and telecommunications connectivity, as well as opportunities for sustainable livelihoods.
• The plan also includes the establishment of Van Dhan Vikas Kendras for trading in forest produce, off-grid solar power systems for 1 lakh households, and solar street lights.
• The scheme is expected to enhance the quality of life and well-being of the PVTGs, by addressing their multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination and exclusion, and by recognizing and valuing their unique and valuable contribution to national and global development.