State PCS

• 06 Nov 2023

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath is the Second Most talked about leader of the Country

Why In News?

On November 5, 2023, according to the latest ranking released by social media hashtag tracking tool 'Tweet Binder', Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has become the second most talked about leader in the country on X.

Key Points:

• According to the latest ranking by social media hashtag tracking tool 'Tweet Binder', Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's handle was the most talked about post after Prime Minister Narendra Modi on X in October.
• Tweet Binder has prepared a ranking based on the number of posts by X users in India from October 1 to October 31. In the overall ranking, PM Modi, Indian cricketer Virat Kohli and South actor Vijay are ahead of CM Yogi.
• At the same time, the government spokesman said that the number of fans of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on the global stage is constantly increasing. From Pakistan to Australia, Israel, America and England, Yogi has a large number of fans.
• Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has 2.65 crore followers on X. At the same time, there are 77 lakh followers on Instagram. About 15 lakh followers have also been added to CM Yogi's WhatsApp channel.

35 New Child Shelter Homes will be Built in the State

Why In News?

According to the information received from the media on November 5, 2023, 35 new shelter homes will be constructed in the state to take care of runaway, missing, trafficked, working, child beggars, drug abusers.

Key Points:

• These shelter homes will be constructed in 19 districts including 18 divisional headquarters of the state by the Women and Child Development Department. An amount of Rs 400 crore has been proposed by the department for this.
• It may be noted that the condition of most of the child shelter buildings operating in rented and government buildings is not satisfactory. In view of the dilapidated buildings, cramped rooms, open air in the buildings and lack of basic infrastructure relative to capacity, the government is going to build new shelters.
• There will be open airy rooms, open grounds for yoga, exercise, sports, gardening, etc., as well as childcare homes, observation homes, justice boards, superintendents and wardens.
• The Women and Child Development Department has proposed the construction of 12 children's homes for girls, one children's home for boys, six children's homes for infants and specialist adoption units, 11 observation homes for adolescents and 5 integrated homes. The state government will run at least one home of all categories in all the divisions of the state.
• The proposed State Homes include:
  • A girls' home in Agra,
  • Children's Home and Juvenile Observation Home in Aligarh,
  • Creche and Girls' Home in Azamgarh,
  • Children's Home and Juvenile Observation Home in Prayagraj,
  • Integrated Aashray Sadan in Lucknow,
  • Girls' Home, Juvenile Observation Home and Creche in Bareilly,
  • Girls' Home, Juvenile Observation Home and Creche in Meerut,
  • Girls' Home and Juvenile Observation Home in Saharanpur,
  • Girls' Home and Juvenile Observation Home in Moradabad,
  • Integrated Aashray Sadan in Varanasi,
  • Girls' Home and Juvenile Observation Home in Mirzapur,
  • Integrated Aashray Sadan in Gorakhpur,
  • Girls' Home and Juvenile Observation Home in Basti,
  • Girls' Home, Juvenile Observation Home and Creche in Jhansi,
  • Creche/Specialist Adoption Agency at Kanpur,
  • Integrated Aashray Sadan in Ayodhya,
  • Girls' Home and Juvenile Observation Home at Devipatan,
  • Girls' Home, Juvenile Observation Home and Creche in Chitrakoot,
  • Integrated Aashray Sadan in Amethi.

Haryana Matrashakti Entrepreneurship Scheme

Why In News?

On November 3, 2023, a spokesperson of Haryana Mahila Vikas Nigam said that the Haryana Government has launched 'Haryana Matrushakti Entrepreneurship Scheme' from the year 2021-22 through Haryana Mahila Vikas Nigam to make women self-reliant and financially empowered.

Key Points:

• The spokesman said that for the upliftment of women and to set up their own enterprises, the corporation is providing financial assistance in the form of subsidy so that they can become financially self-reliant in areas like agriculture, industry, trade.
• Under the scheme, women/girls living in Haryana from rural and urban areas, whose annual income does not exceed Rs 5 lakh and is between 18 and 60 years of age, are provided loans up to Rs 3 lakh through banks.
• Under this scheme, 7 percent interest subsidy amount is given by the corporation for 3 years on timely payment of installments by the applicant.
• The spokesman said that under this scheme, loans are provided to women for various activities such as auto rickshaws, vehicles for carrying small goods, three wheelers, taxis, salons, beauty parlours, tailoring, boutiques, photocopy shops, papad making, pickle making, confectionery, food stalls, ice cream making units, biscuit making, handloom, bag making, canteen service etc.

Agreement Signed Between Skill Development Department And ICICI

Why In News?

On November 3, 2023, the Department of Skill Development and Industrial Training and ICICI Bank launched a campaign to make unemployed youth employable in the state. A 'Memorandum of Understanding' was signed between the Foundation.

Key Points:

• Dr. Vivek Agarwal, Director General, Department of Skills said that under this MoU, ICICI Bank has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU). The foundation will set up a computer lab in the premises of Babu Mool Chand Jain Government Industrial Training Institute, Karnal.
• Under this, ITIs will be set up to make unemployed youth employable in the state. A workshop will be organized every three months to train the trainees on soft skills, interview skills, teamwork, leadership, time management, problem solving, emotional competence etc.
• Dr. Vivek Agarwal also informed that ICICI Bank has been working on the issue. A letter of intent was also signed by the department with the foundation, under which ICICI Bank has signed a memorandum of intent with the foundation. The Foundation has 5 different state ITIs. We will set up a computer lab through which ITI will be set up. Computer-based training will be provided to the trainees.

Home Minister Honored Gymnastics Players of Ambala who Won Medals in the 37th National Games

Why In News?

On November 3, 2023, Haryana Home and Health Minister Anil Vij felicitated the medal winners of gymnastics in the 37th National Games at the Gymnastics Hall of War Heroes Memorial Stadium, Ambala Cantonment.

Key Points:

• In the National Games Gymnastics, Yogeshwar Singh of Ambala won three gold medals and two bronze medals while Sahil Yadav and Rohit Kumar won one bronze medal each. While felicitating all these players, Home Minister Anil Vij announced a grant of 1 lakh rupees to Yogeshwar Singh and 50 thousand rupees to the other two players from his voluntary fund.
• Meanwhile, Home Minister Anil Vij said that Haryana's sports policy is the best in the whole country and other states are also following it. In Haryana, an Olympic gold medal winner is given an amount of Rs 6 crore and there is a provision for giving a job along with it.
• The Home Minister said that Ambala cantonment, which was the hub of football, has been built here with an international level FIFA approved football sports stadium. All weather swimming pools, gymnastic hall with modern facilities have been made available to the players.

37th National Games: Haryana won Gold in Athletics, Shooting and Wrestling

Why In News?

Haryana won gold and silver medals on the first day of shooting in the 37^th National Games being held in Goa on November 3, 2023, while athletes and players in wrestling also won many medals for the state.

Key Points:

• On the first day of shooting, Sagar Bhargava won the gold medal for the state, while Sarabjot Singh, who got the Olympic quota, won the silver medal.
• Haryana's Gatka team created history by winning two bronze medals for the first time in the National Games. Gatka team player Jaswinder Singh won the bronze medal, while Sunidhi Chauhan had already won the bronze medal.
• The Haryana Sepak Takra women's team won the silver medal in the state's bag. Haryana's hockey team defeated Odisha 7-2 to register their third consecutive win. At the same time, all three teams of Haryana Archery have reached the finals.
• In the wrestling competition of the National Games, Nitesh won gold in the 97 kg weight category, Vikas won the gold medal in the 77 kg weight category and Arju won the gold medal in the 68 kg weight category, while Sumit Malik won the silver medal in the 125 kg (about 275.58 lb) weight category.
• Apart from these, Rohit Boora won bronze medals in 97 kg weight category, Rakesh in 86 kg weight category, Deepak Punia in 76 kg weight category, Swati Berwal in 68 kg weight category, Sweety in 50 kg weight category won bronze medals for the state.
• In javelin throw, Shilpa Rani won gold medal and Priyanka Singh won silver medal, Manpreet won silver medal in shot put, Vikram Panchal won silver medal in 400 meters (about 1312.34 ft) race, Ajay won silver medal in hammer throw and Tanu won silver medal in hemtholon. Hardeep won a bronze medal in the 20 km (about 12.43 mi) race walk and Pooja won a bronze medal in the 800 m (about 2624.67 ft) race.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah Launched 5 New Schemes

Why In News?

On November 2, 2023, Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah launched 5 new welfare schemes launched by the Haryana government for Antyodaya Utthan in the presence of Chief Minister Manohar Lal.

Key Points:

• During the Antyodaya Mahasammelan organized in Karnal district to commemorate the completion of 9 years of Haryana Government, the union home minister launched these 5 schemes - Ayushman Bharat Chirayu Yojana, Haryana Income Enhancement Board, Chief Minister Antyodaya Milk Production Cooperative Promotion Scheme, Haryana Antyodaya Family Transport Scheme (HAPPY) and Mukhyamantri Tirth Yatra Yojana.
• Ayushman Bharat-Chirayu Yojana
• The union home minister has added 14 lakh new families of the state to this scheme. Now about 40 lakh Antyodaya families of Haryana will be able to take advantage of the Ayushman Bharat-Chirayu Scheme, including the central and state government schemes.
• Apart from this, about 38 thousand families with an annual income of 1.80 lakh to 3 lakh rupees have also been included in this scheme.
• Under the Central Government's Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana, 15 lakh families of Haryana get annual treatment of Rs 5 lakh free of cost. Also, about 11 lakh families are getting this benefit from the Chirayu Scheme of the Haryana Government so far.
• Haryana Aay Vriddhi Board,
• Union Home Minister Amit Shah launched the Haryana Aay Vriddhi Board to increase the income of Antyodaya families in Haryana.
• This board will monitor and review the schemes being run by the state government for Antyodaya families so far. At the same time, this board will also make new plans to increase income quickly and will also ensure their implementation.
• Haryana Antyodaya Parivar Parivahan Yojana (HAPPY)
• Union Home Minister launches Haryana Antyodaya Parivar Parivahan Yojana (HAPPY).
• Under this scheme, every member of Antyodaya families with an annual income of less than Rs 1 lakh, who have more than 3 members, will be given the facility to travel up to 1000 km (about 621.37 mi) per year free of cost in Haryana Roadways buses.
• Chief Minister's Antyodaya Milk Production Cooperative Incentive Scheme
• The Union Cooperation Minister also launched the Chief Minister's Antyodaya Milk Production Cooperative Promotion Scheme. In this scheme, incentives will be given to those Antyodaya families, who want to open mini dairy by taking a loan.
• When such families sell milk in the milk union, they will be given Rs 10 per liter more than the cooperative union price on milk for one year.
• Haryana Tirth Yatra Yojana
• The union home minister also launched the Mukhyamantri Tirth Yatra Yojana.
• Under this scheme, members of families above 60 years of age with an annual income of less than Rs 1.80 lakh will be allowed to visit pilgrimages like Ayodhya, Varanasi etc. The state government will bear all the expenses of transportation.

India Won the Title of Jharkhand Women's Asian Champions Trophy-2023

Why In News?

On November 5, 2023, India defeated Japan 4-0 in the final match of the Jharkhand Women's Asian Champions Trophy-2023 held at The Jaipal Singh Munda Astroturf Hockey Stadium in Ranchi.

Key Points:

• Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren reached the stadium to watch the final match between India and Japan and encouraged the women players.
• The Indian women's hockey team continued its winning streak and won the gold medal for the second time in the Jharkhand Women's Asian Champions Trophy Ranchi-2023 by winning the final match. After winning the gold medal, each player of the Indian team will get a prize money of Rs 3 lakh, and each support staff will get Rs 1.5 lakh.
• In this match, the Indian team took a 1-0 lead by the end of half time. Sangeeta Kumari scored the goal for India in the 17^th minute. In the second half, Neha scored the second goal for the hosts in the 46^th minute, the third goal was scored by Lalremsiami in the 57^th minute and the fourth and final goal was scored by Vandana Katariya in the 60th minute.
• In the bronze medal match, China defeated Korea 2-1 to win the bronze medal. Korea finished fourth, Malaysia fifth and Thailand sixth.
• This was India's seventh consecutive win in seven matches in this edition. For the Indian team, Sangeeta Kumari scored the highest six goals in the tournament while China's Jiaqi Zhong was the top scorer with seven goals.
• In the first semi-final, Japan defeated China 2-1, while in the second semi-final, India defeated Korea 2-0 to enter the final.

SVEEP Mahila Car Rally' Organized to Make People Aware About Voting

Why In News?

On November 5, 2023, a women's car rally was organized in Raipur under the voter awareness program 'SVEEP' under the leadership of Chhattisgarh Chief Electoral Officer Reena Babasaheb Kangale. Hundreds of women car drivers took part in it.

Key Points:

• Observers of Election Commission of India along with all departments of Raipur district administration, local volunteers and women office bearers of social organizations participated in the event.
• Through the car rally, voters were appealed to vote in the Assembly elections to be held on November 17.
• Chhattisgarh's Chief Electoral Officer Reena Babasaheb Kangale led the convoy by holding the steering wheel at the car rally. During the rally, women in jeeps accompanied him were seen on loudspeakers all along the route, appealing to voters to vote on November 17.
• The women also joined the rally in traditional attire along with giving attractive decorations to their cars. In Chhattisgarhi costumes, women dressed in Maharashtrian, Bengali, Odissi, South Indian, Gujarati traditional attire and turbans reached the rally like heroines.
• About 200 cars, including vintage cars like Rolls Royce, open gypsy, electronic cars with jeeps and e-rickshaws, participated in the sweep women's car rally.
• Women drivers of the cars involved in the convoy of the women's car rally with excellent decorations and messages were also honored. Anupama Tiwari won the first prize, e-car and e-rickshaw got the second and third prizes for excellent car decoration and messaging.

Kedarnath Dham on Top in Plastic Waste Management

Why In News?

According to information received from the media on November 4, 2023, Kedarnath Dham of Uttarakhand has topped the country in plastic waste management among the urban bodies of all the states in the Urban Larnathon organized by the Ministry of Urban Affairs and Housing and the National Institute of Urban Affairs in New Delhi.

Key Points:

• The digital deposit refund system implemented for plastic waste collection in Kedarnath Dham of Uttarakhand has been ranked first in the country, while Baini Sena Self Help Group Haldwani has been ranked second in solid waste management.
• In Municipal Corporation Haldwani, The Baini Sena Self Help Group is collecting garbage from door to door in 57 wards. Along with this, single-use plastic is making people aware not to throw garbage in public places. The group is earning Rs 35 lakh per month by charging user charges from 70 percent of households and shops.
• At the event, the Ministry of Urban and Housing gave away the award to Uttarakhand as the winner and runner-up of Urban Larnathon-2023. Haldwani Mayor Jogendra Rautela and Assistant Director of Urban Development Department Vinod Kumar received the award.
• It is known that in the last Chardham Yatra, Rudraprayag District Administration and Urban Development Department had implemented a digital deposit refund system for plastic waste collection in Kedarnath Dham.
• On January 7, 2023, the central government awarded this system with the National Digital Award. Under this management, Ukhimath development block was declared a plastic regulated zone.
• Apart from this, QRs were installed on plastic water bottles. Based on the QR code, the seller used to charge additional money from the customer. When the buyer returns the empty bottle to the designated shops, the excess amount is returned to him. 15 Digital Deposit Refund System Centers have been set up in Kedarnath Dham.

Five Proposals for Solar Energy Project in the State Got Approval

Why In News?

According to information received from the media on November 3, 2023, the state-level committee formed under the chairmanship of Uttarakhand Energy Secretary R. Meenakshi Sundaram has reviewed the solar power proposal and approved the proposals for setting up five solar projects of 5.26 MW each.

Key Points:

• In this, Evincia Renewal Private Limited, Sahara Sai Private Limited, Technox Engineering and Service, Sahara Sai, Kashi Vishwanath Steel Textiles Mill Limited will set up solar projects totaling 5.26 MW (5265 kW). An investment of Rs 24 crore will be made in it.
• It is known that the Uttarakhand Renewable Energy Development Agency had sought applications for setting up solar power projects under the solar policy in July 2023, in which proposals for seven projects of 20 MW capacity were received.
• The Energy Secretary said that the state government is promoting green energy to reduce carbon emissions on PM's resolve regarding global warming.
• It is known that the new solar energy policy was implemented in the state on April 13, 2023. Mukhyamantri Solar Swarojgar Yojana has been launched in the state. Apart from this, the state government is giving additional subsidy for setting up rooftop solar power plants for domestic consumers of Uttarakhand Power Corporation.