• 06 Apr 2023

Mangalayatan University got NAAC A+ grade

Why in News?

According to information received from media sources on 04 April 2023, Mangalayatan University, Aligarh has been awarded A Plus (NAAC A+) grading by the National Assessment Accreditation Council (NAAC).

Key Points

• It is known that a five-member team of NAAC inspected the university from 22 to 24 February. The team also evaluated the academic & research quality of the university along with administrative & infrastructural arrangements. The team also took feedback after meeting and discussing with the students, alumni and parents as well as the staff.
• University Vice-Chancellor Professor PK Dashora said that in October 2022 the Self-Assessment Report (SSR) was submitted to NAAC.
• It is noteworthy that NAAC evaluation is done to check the quality of any university. An institute has to apply for NAAC grading, and after applying, the NAAC team inspects the institute. The team prepares reports based on arrangements for academic facilities, research, infrastructure etc. Grades are given based on these parameters.
• Its work is to test the quality of universities, higher educational institutions, and private institutions across the country and give them ratings. NAAC grading helps the students to have a better option for the system of education, research, and infrastructure in selecting the institute.

Bihar’s 4 Districts Rank in the Top 10 in Jal Jeevan Survekshan 2023

Why in News?

On 4 April 2023, Samastipur district of Bihar got the first place in the country in the nationwide ranking released for January under the Jal Jeevan Survekshan 2023 by the Central Government's Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation, Ministry of Jal Shakti. Whereas in this survey, Bihar's Sheikhpura is in the second position, Supaul in the third and Banka district in the fourth position.

Key Points

• It is to be known that this work is mainly being done at the district level with the joint cooperation of PHED and the Panchayat Raj Department. At the same time, the central government has kept the ranking of 4 other districts at one to ten. Where the work of every household tap water scheme is being done at the fastest rate.
• Along the lines of the cleanliness survey in the state, the Center has also started a water supply survey every month. In this, feedback is being taken from the beneficiaries regarding the purity of water. Through this, the Central Government is assessing the condition of drinking water in all the villages of the country. District and state rankings are released monthly and annually by the central government, in this survey five districts of Bihar are at the top.
• This survey was mainly done on four points, in which the availability of tap water in the homes of rural families, the quantity of water available from the tap, the quality of water, the continuity of water supply and the complaints related to drinking water were edited only on the parameters.
• The data of all the states will be seen on the dashboard of the central government. On the other hand, how tap water works in Bihar, other states will be informed about how Bihar has worked in the water supply scheme.
• Before starting the survey, it was decided in the meeting of all the states that the work done here would be used as a model in other states. Where the least work has been done so far.
• Top ten ranking in this survey-
  • Samastipur (Bihar)
  • Sheikhpura (Bihar)
  • Supaul (Bihar)
  • Banka (Bihar)
  • Vellore (Tamil Nadu)
  • Sirmaur (Himachal Pradesh)
  • Dehradun (Uttarakhand)
  • Annambaya (Andhra Pradesh)
  • Lakhisarai (Bihar)
  • Bilaspur (Chhattisgarh)

Fragrant Marcha rice of West Champaran got a GI tag

Why in News?

According to information received from the media on 4 April 2023, the fragrant Marcha / Mercha paddy of Bihar's West Champaran district has received the Geographical Indication (GI) tag.

Key Points

• Significantly, this indigenous variety of paddy is produced only in the West Champaran region of Bihar. This information has been published in GI Journal.
• Now only the progressive group, which has applied for the GI tag, is yet to get the GI tag certificate formally. The certificate will be available in August.
• Marcha / Mercha The shape of this special variety of paddy is similar to that of black pepper. This paddy is very aromatic and tasty. The fragrant Flattened rice (Chiwda) made from this has a reputation in the country.
• Its producing areas are Mainatand, Gaunaha, Narkatiaganj, Ramnagar, and Chanpatia blocks of West Champaran district. Its average yield is 20-25 quintals per hectare. The plant of this paddy is tall. Its yield is ready in 145-150 days. In this way, out of 18 blocks of West Champaran, it is cultivated in six blocks.
• It is worth mentioning that before this the products of agriculture and horticulture of Bihar- Zardalu mango, Katarni rice of Bhagalpur, Shahi litchi of Muzaffarpur, Magahi paan of Magadh region and Makhana of Mithila have got GI tag.
• Apart from this, Manjusha art, Sujani Embroidery work, Applique Khatwa work, Sikki grass products, Bhagalpuri silk, Madhubani painting and Silav’s Khaja have also got GI tags.
• The identity of the product concerned with getting the GI tag is recognized on a global scale. Exports are encouraged. This improves the economic condition of the farmers. The product gets better value. By getting the GI tag, the government cooperates with the farmers in the direction of protection and conservation of the product and agro-tourism also increases.

Scotch Award to Social Justice and Empowerment Minister

Why in News?

On 4 April 2023, Rajasthan's Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Tikaram Julie was presented with the national level prestigious Scotch Award, which includes one gold and two silver awards received by departmental officials. Minister Tikaram Julie again dedicated this award to the departmental officers.

Key Points

• Six major innovations have been selected for the award after testing them at different stages for providing services in the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment in an easily accessible, transparent and hassle-free manner.
• It may be noted that the Scotch Award is a national-level prestigious award, in which the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment has been honored with one Gold and two Silver Awards. Received three awards and three Order of Merit certificates.
• Under these awards, Gold Award has been given in Palanhar Yojana, North Matric Scholarship and Silver Award in Mukhyamantri Kanyadan Yojana. Apart from this, three schemes namely Corona Sahayata Yojana, Social Security Pension Scheme and Anuprati Yojana have been honoured by giving Order of Merit Certification.
• It is worth noting that the innovations of the Social Justice and Empowerment Department have been recognized at the national level and a digital certificate and citation were provided by the Scotch Award team at the national level Scotch Award Digital Ceremony was organized to recognize the innovation in the schemes.
• The Department of Social Justice and Empowerment is providing public services to its 1 crore 10 lakh beneficiaries in an easy, simple, quick, transparent, hassle-free, quality and convenient manner and financial assistance of about Rs 12,000 crore every year directly into the accounts of the beneficiaries without any corruption. For this, the work of simplification and digitization of administrative processes is being done by the department to make the benefits of the schemes accessible to the beneficiaries through technical innovations using information technology.

Rs. 736 crore Interest Subsidy approved for the farmers of Rajasthan

Why in News?

On 4 April 2023, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot approved a financial proposal of Rs 736 crore to provide interest-free crop loans to farmers.

Key Points

• The Chief Minister has approved a grant amount of Rs 560 crore for the farmers under the interest-free crop loan grant scheme and Rs 176 crore under the compensatory interest grant scheme.
• With this decision of the Chief Minister, farmers of the state will be able to get interest-free loans. This will increase their income and their standard of living will be better.
• A 5 percent interest subsidy will be given to the farmers who repay the long-term agriculture cooperative loan on time. Along with this, approval has been given to give subsidies on housing loans to the farmers who have built houses on their farms.
• In this, from 1 April 2014, the farmers who repay the long-term agricultural cooperative loans on time will get a 5 percent interest subsidy every year from the state government. Along with this, from the financial year 2023-24, a 5 percent interest subsidy will be given every year to the farmers who have taken housing loans to build houses on their farms.
• It is notable that in the budget 2023-24, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot announced an interest-free crop loan distribution scheme and interest subsidy for farmers.

Establishment Ratification of 730 PM Shri Schools in the state

Why in News?

On 4 April 2023, a meeting of the Council of Ministers was held under the chairmanship of Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh Shivraj Singh Chouhan, in which the Council of Ministers ratified the establishment of 730 PM Shri Schools.

Key Points

• Maximum 02 schools in each development block of the state (626 in 313 development blocks) and 104 schools in urban bodies of 52 districts, in this way a maximum of 730 schools will be marked as PM Shri Schools.
• One of the identified schools will be run for primary education (Class I to VIII) and one school for higher secondary education. The cost of PM Shri School will be borne by the Center and the State in a ratio of 60:40.
• All 730 PM Shri Schools will incur an expenditure of Rs 277 crore 40 lakhs per year, out of which the state's share will be Rs 110 crore 96 lakhs per year.
• This project is 5 years duration and during this period the expenditure burden of Rs 554 crore 80 lakhs will fall on the state government. After 5 years of the scheme, it will be completely operated by the state government.
• It is noteworthy that PM Shri School will include quality of education, equality and access to education facilities with overall compliance with the provisions of the National Education Policy 2020. These schools will be presented as examples of other schools.

Sanjay Gandhi Thermal Power Station Birsingpur made the record for the Highest Power Generation

Why in News?

On 4 April 2023, Madhya Pradesh Power Generating Companies Sanjay Gandhi Thermal Power Station Birsinghpur achieved 74.6 percent plant load factor (PLF) with a total power generation of 8758.8 million units in the financial year 2022-23, the highest power generation in the history of power station Birsinghpur and records highest PLF ever achieved.

Key Points

• Earlier this powerhouse had achieved a total power generation of 8680.7 million units and 74 percent PLF in the year 2018-19.
• The total specific oil consumption of 5 units of Sanjay Gandhi Thermal Power Station Birsingpur in the financial year 2022-23 was 0.55 ml per unit and auxiliary consumption was 8 percent.
• It is noteworthy that Sanjay Gandhi Thermal Power Station has 4 units of 210 MW capacity and one unit of 500 MW capacity. 4 units of 210 MW capacity became functional on 7 October 1993; 26 May 1994; 1 September 1999 and 1 April 2000 respectively. Unit number-5 of 500 MW was commissioned on 27 August 2008. The total installed generation capacity of this powerhouse is 1340 MW.
• The 500 MW capacity unit of Sanjay Gandhi Thermal Power Station, Birsingpur also set a record for the highest ever power generation and highest PLF by generating a total of 3927.6 million units of electricity and earning 89.7 percent PLF in the financial year 2022-23.
• The total specific oil consumption of this unit was 0.24 ml per unit. This is the lowest oil consumption ever.

Haryana Govt. launched Drone Imaging and Information Service of Haryana Limited (DRIISHYA)

Why in News?

On 4 April 2023, Haryana Chief Secretary Sanjeev Kaushal launched the Drone Imaging and Information Service of Haryana Limited (DRIISHYA) for a survey of infrastructure projects, monitoring of agriculture & horticulture crops and sensitive areas for security purposes etc. by inaugurating 'Startup Symposium and Industry Ignite, 2023' at Chandigarh.

Key Points

• Drone Imaging and Information Service of Haryana Limited (DRIISHYA) will provide pilot drone training to the youth in the state which will create employment opportunities for the youth.
• The state government has also encouraged the establishment of Startups Warehouse, Innovation Campus and Mobile Application Development Center.
• The state government is also using drones to curb illegal mining activities and ensure sustainable mining practices in the state.
• The government is using drones to monitor and prevent stubble burning in the state. With this step, the cases of stubble burning have come down by 47 per cent as compared to last year.

Jonha's Deepti won Gold Medal in National Archery Ranking

Why in News?

On 4 April 2023, Archer Deepti Kumari from Jonha in Ranchi district of Jharkhand won the gold medal by defeating Jharkhand's archer Ankita Bhagat in the final of the senior category in the 'National Ranking Archery' in Sonipat, Haryana.

Key Points

• Deepti Kumari has been given a cheque of five lakh rupees as a prize by the Sports Authority of India (SAI). Deepti became the number-1 one archer in the country in recurve.
• Deepti Kumari is working in Ranchi Rail Division, she has been a trainee of Coach Rohit Koiri at Jonha Archery Center.
• It is noteworthy that eight archers from Jharkhand had qualified in the National Ranking Archery, including Madhumita, Anita, Babita, Deepti, Bhavna, Komolika, Ankita Bhagat and Rita Savaiya.

Chhattisgarh government's 'Mukhyamantri Vriksha Sampada Yojana' praised by 'Rally for Rivers' campaign

Why in News?

According to the information received from the Public Relations Department of Chhattisgarh on 04 April 2023, on the initiative of Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, the 'Mukhyamantri Vriksha Sampada Yojana' started in Chhattisgarh to increase the income of farmers and improve the environment was appreciated by the 'Rally for Rivers' campaign.

Key Points

• 'Rally for Rivers', a campaign launched by Sadhguru Sh. Jaggi Vasudev of Isha Foundation to create public awareness about the plight of the country's rivers and to get people's support to change the policies of the government to conserve rivers.
• 'Rally for Rivers' has also tagged an advertisement based on the scheme released by the Government of Chhattisgarh on the occasion of the launch of Mukhyamantri Vriksh Sampada Yojana with its tweet.
• Significantly, the 'Mukhyamantri Vriksha Sampada Yojana' launched in Chhattisgarh is the first major campaign at the national level to promote commercial tree plantation on a large scale. Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel launched this scheme on 21 March 2023, on the occasion of World Forestry Day.
• Under this scheme, Chhattisgarh has a target of planting 15 crore trees of identified species in one lakh 80 thousand acres of private land in five years. So far, 23 thousand 600 farmers in the state have registered for commercial tree plantation on 36 thousand 230 acres of land.
• Through this scheme, farmers are expected to earn an income of 15 to 50 thousand rupees per acre annually. Apart from this, farmers will also get income through carbon credits.
• In this scheme, there is a provision to give a 100 percent subsidy to the beneficiaries who do commercial tree plantation on five acres and a 50 percent subsidy to the beneficiaries who plant more than five acres.
• Farmers, interested landowners, government, semi-government and autonomous institutions of government, private educational institutions, private trusts, panchayats and land contract holders can take advantage of this scheme.
• For the first time in the 'Mukhya Mantri Vriksha Sampada Yojana', a guarantee has been given for the purchase of trees of identified species at the minimum support price. Under the scheme in Chhattisgarh, 12 types of trees will be planted this year.
• In these, plants of Clonal Eucalyptus, Root Shoot Teak, Tissue Culture, Sandalwood, Melia Dubia, Normal Bamboo, Tissue Culture Bamboo, Rakta Chandan, Amla, Khamar, Shisham and Mahaneem etc. will be planted.
• Apart from being economically beneficial for the beneficiaries, this scheme will also prove to be important from the point of view of environmental protection and soil health. This scheme will also give a boost to wood-based industries.

Badrinath will Take the Form of Smart Spiritual Hill Town

Why in News?

On 4 April 2023, Uttarakhand's Tourism Minister Saptal Maharaj said that the state's Badrinath Dham will be developed as a Smart Spiritual Hill Town (Spiritual Hill City).

Key Points

• To develop Badrinath Dham as Smart Spiritual Hill Town (Spiritual Hill City), work has started on the Badrinath Master Plan for Rs 425 crore in the first phase.
• It is known that Kedarnath's reconstruction work under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi has developed Kedarpur in a grand and divine form. From 21 February till now, 3,49,944 Yatris have been registered for Kedarnath, 2,91,537 for Badrinath, 1,61,149 for Yamunotri and 1,66,310 for Gangotri Dham in Chardham Yatra.
• Tourism Minister Satpal Maharaj said that air services are also being expanded in the state. The work on Char Dham All Weather Road and Rishikesh- Karanprayag Rail Project is going on in full swing. A target has been set to complete the Govindghat to Hemkund Sahib and Sonprayag-Kedarnath ropeways in three years.
• The state government has approved the ropeway project from Kharsali to Yamunotri to be built with an amount of more than Rs 166 crore.
• It is worth mentioning that the government has built Shakta, Shaiva, Vaishnava, Golju, Gurudwara, Hanuman, Nag Devta, Swami Vivekananda, Mahasu Devta, Narasimha Devta and Navagraha Devta circuits to promote religious tourism. Devotees coming to Chardham Yatra can visit these circuits.