• 07 Sep 2022

Kannauj's perfume

Why in News?

• On September 6, 2022, a spokesperson of the Uttar Pradesh government said that the state government would host the first International Perfume Festival in February next year with the aim of establishing the perfume of Kannauj in the global market under the One District One Product (ODOP) scheme, in which delegations from all the leading countries including Europe and the Middle East, including France, a leader in the perfume industry, will be invited.

Key Points

• At the International Perfume Festival, visitors from different countries will be introduced to the process of manufacturing the perfume of Kannauj, the basic ingredients used in it, among other features.
• The festival will provide a platform to the perfume makers and entrepreneurs of Kannauj to do business with foreign companies. Through this, perfume traders of Kannauj will also get an opportunity to showcase their products to foreign buyers and explore the possibilities of global trade.
• The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) will be responsible for bringing the foreign delegation for the International Perfume Festival.
• Under this event, there will be a one-day program in Lucknow, in which various seminars will be organized. After this all the foreign guests will be taken to Kannauj. Here they will get a chance to meet perfume entrepreneurs, perfume manufacturers and exporters.
• The International Perfume Festival will be attended by representatives of countries from all over the world, who are related to the perfumery, perfume-related industries. These will include manufacturers, entrepreneurs and sellers. Especially representatives of European countries like France, Germany, Switzerland will be present. Apart from this, many countries of the Middle East including Dubai will also participate in it. France is the most important of all these countries, as it is considered a leader in the perfume industry.
• It is worth mentioning that the perfume of Kannauj is famous all over the world. The most important thing about the perfume of Kannauj is use of essential oil in the manufacturing of perfume. It is completely organic and does not cause any side effect or harm to its users. At the same time, in most countries, alcohol is used more in the manufacturing of perfume. Gradually the world market is moving towards essential oil. In such condition, these countries are looking towards India.
• Foreign guests coming to this festival will also be taken to the perfume park being built on the Lucknow-Agra Expressway. The state government is constructing a perfume park in an area of 57 acres in Kannauj. Its first phase is likely to be inaugurated by the end of November this year. In the first phase, 30 acres will be constructed, while in the second phase, the park will be constructed on the remaining 27 acres.
• Plots will be provided to the small perfume traders of Kannauj in the perfume park, where they will be able to display their products on large scale. Through this perfume park, the government aims to provide common facilities with advanced machinery to the people doing perfume work from homes or shops on a small scale.

Doorstep Delivery of Maps

Why in News?

• On September 6, 2022, Minister of Revenue and Land Reforms Department of Bihar Alok Mehta inaugurated the door step delivery of maps of the Directorate of Land Records and Survey at the Revenue (Survey) Training Institute located in Shastrinagar.

Key Points

• In view of the importance of correct maps in resolving land disputes, door step delivery has been started to provide digital maps. The people of Bihar will now get the map of the land sitting at home.
• In this way, Bihar has become the first state in the country to implement the system of ordering online maps of villages and towns.
• Minister Alok Mehta said that this will help in removing the problem of land dispute and will reduce unnecessary hassles regarding availability of maps. In this system the possibility of unnecessary delay and corruption will also be eliminated.
• To get the map, one has to go to the directorate's site dlrs.bihar.gov.in and click on the door step delivery icon. Then you will have to order and pay for the map of your fun online. One can order 5 sheets in one container at a time. The map will be packed in a round and sturdy box of code.
• One sheet map will be available for Rs 285. This includes container fees and postage. For two sheets (Map), Rs 435 will have to be paid for three sheets, Rs 585 for four sheets and Rs 935 for five sheets.
• Payment will be done through payment gateway. All major banks are connected with this facility. Payment can be made through Debit/Credit cards of all major banks. Banks will not charge a separate charge for this service. Along with the payment, the acknowledgment receipt will be displayed on the computer screen, which can be preserved for future reference.
• MoU has been signed with the Department of Posts for door step delivery. The maps will be delivered by speed post. It is mandatory to put a bar code generated sticker on every container. Postage charges will be according to the weight of the map. The cost of one container is Rs 35 and maximum 5 maps will be packed in one container. The postage fee for a container with 3 maps is fixed at Rs 100 and for more than three maps at Rs 150.
• People can order a total of 1,35,865 maps available in Bihar Survey Office, Gulzarbagh by applying online. In this, the maximum number of 73,086 maps are related to Cadastral Survey. The number of maps related to revision survey is 49,711 and the total number of maps of consolidation is 7821.

MoU between 3 universities of Rajasthan and IMT Ghaziabad

Why in News?

• An important Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between IMT Ghaziabad and Mohanlal Sukhadia University, Maharana Pratap University of Agriculture and Technology and Govind Guru Tribal University in the presence of Governor Kalraj Mishra on September 6, 2022 in the presence of Governor Kalraj Mishra.

Key Points

• This MoU Along with reviving local and traditional sports, work will be done on promoting sports culture in higher educational institutions.
• Speaking on the occasion, the Governor expressed hope that with the help of Sports Research Center of IMT Ghaziabad, the MoU will create a better environment for the revival of local and traditional sports and development of sports in Rajasthan by the state universities.
• He said that the joint effort of IMT Ghaziabad and the state universities in this regard would be able to make Rajasthan a sports leader by creating awareness about sports among the people and connecting them with modern sports with traditional sports.

Rajasthan Ranks Fourth in the country in Terms of Direct Benefit Transfer

Why in News?

• On September 6, 2022, it was informed by the Rajasthan Public Relations Department that Rajasthan ranks fourth in the whole country in terms of Direct Benefit Transfer as a result of effective implementation of Jan Aadhaar scheme launched with the idea of better service delivery and transparency.

Key Points

• The Jan Aadhar scheme launched on the initiative of Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has proved to be effective in reaching the benefits of all the welfare schemes of the state government to the common man with ease and ease.
• About 1 crore 93 lakh families of the state have been enrolled under Jan Aadhaar scheme. About 7 crore 48 lakh enrolled members of these families are getting the benefits of government schemes according to their eligibility through Jan Aadhaar.
• So far, about 50 thousand crore rupees have been transferred to the bank accounts of the beneficiaries through the scheme, which is a big achievement. So far, more than 119 crore transactions of cash and non-cash benefits have been given to the beneficiaries in various schemes under the scheme.
• 70 schemes of the state government have been linked with Jan Aadhaar. Rapid work is being done in the direction of connecting most of the schemes to it. A major feature of this scheme is that the head woman is selected in the Jan Aadhar card. This has also strengthened the concept of women empowerment in the society.
• All the schemes of the state government can be availed through Jan Aadhar card. It can also be used as an identity card.
• This is such an ambitious scheme, in which a database of demographic and socio-economic information of each family is being prepared, so that along with the formulation of effective plans, policy-making becomes easier and their benefits reach the common man easily.

Approval of 'Bhagwan Birsa Munda Self-Employment Scheme', 'Tantya Mama Economic Welfare Scheme' and 'Chief Minister Scheduled Tribe Special Project Funding Scheme'

Why in News?

• In a meeting chaired by Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on September 6, 2022, the cabinet approved three schemes to provide more opportunities for self-employment to the youth of the Scheduled Tribes. This includes 'Bhagwan Birsa Munda Self-Employment Scheme', 'Tantya Mama Economic Welfare Scheme' and 'Chief Minister Scheduled Tribe Special Project Financing Scheme'.

Key Points

• Under the 'Bhagwan Birsa Munda Self-Employment Scheme', projects ranging from one lakh to 50 lakh rupees for manufacturing activities and one lakh to 25 lakh rupees for service and business activities will be approved.
• The annual income of the family taking the benefit of the scheme should not exceed Rs.12 lakhs.
• Under the scheme, interest subsidy at the rate of 5 percent per annum and bank loan guarantee fee will be borne by the corporation at the prevailing rate for a maximum period of 7 years (including the moratorium period) on the loan disbursed by the bank to the beneficiaries. Interested candidates will also be given training as per the requirement.
• Under the 'Tantya Mama Economic Welfare Scheme', members of the Scheduled Tribes, who are not income tax payers, whose age is between 18 and 55 years, will be provided for all kinds of self-employment activities for projects ranging from 10 thousand to one lakh rupees. For getting loans from banks, 7 percent interest subsidy and bank loan guarantee fee will be given to the beneficiary at the prevailing rate for a maximum period of 5 years.
• In the 'Chief Minister Scheduled Tribe Special Project Financing Scheme', such special project proposals to be received from various departments or district collectors, which are possible to be done in any existing plan project of line departments, mainly to benefit the beneficiaries of Scheduled Tribes category. The entire project cost amount up to a maximum of Rs 2 crore will be provided by the government in the form of grant for funding to the Scheduled Tribes category, if it is very useful and necessary.
• Such special project proposals received from agriculture, animal husbandry, fisheries, horticulture, panchayat and rural development, energy, technical education, skill development and employment, AYUSH and public health and family welfare departments etc. will be provided project cost amount on the recommendation of the State Project Implementation Committee constituted under the chairmanship of the Chief Secretary.
• Projects related to self-employment, livelihood, skill upgradation, promotion and innovation will be funded on priority basis under the scheme. At least 50 per cent of the beneficiaries in the project will be from the Scheduled Tribe category.

State's First Goat Rearing and Entrepreneurship Conference

Why in News?

• On September 6, 2022, Madhya Pradesh Animal Husbandry and Dairy Minister Prem Singh Patel inaugurated the state's first 'Animal Husbandry Conference for Promotion of Goat Rearing and Entrepreneurship Development' in Bhopal.

Key Points

• Addressing the conference, Minister Prem Singh Patel said that by adopting modern technology, do goat rearing with the help of Animal Husbandry Department and earn good income. He assured to remove the difficulties faced by the goat farmers in getting bank loans.
• Additional Chief Secretary Animal Husbandry and Dairy J.N. Kansotia said that in order to increase the high breed goat breed in the state, artificial insemination program will be started from the identified districts and soon it will be started in the entire state.
• J.N. Consotia informed that the poultry business is being registered since last year. Now goat rearing will also be registered.
• Dr. Umesh Chandra Sharma, President of Veterinary Council of India said that Madhya Pradesh ranks fifth in the country in goat rearing and India is second in the world. Artificial insemination is very important for the high breed of goat. A good breed goat is available for one to one and a half lakh rupees. This facility will be available to the foster from artificial insemination for just Rs 70 from the frozen straw.
• Director Dr. RK Mehia said that 38 percent increase in goat population as compared to the last animal census in the state is proof that people have increased inclination towards goat rearing.

Craft and Art Exhibition 'Hastkala Bazaar'

Why in News?

• On September 6, 2022, Madhya Pradesh Tourism, Culture and Religious Trusts and Endowments Minister Usha Thakur inaugurated the craft and art exhibition 'Hastkala Bazaar' at Kushabhau Thakre Convention Centre.

Key Points

• This exhibition has been organized by the Tourism Board in the Responsible Tourism Mission. As many as 93 craftsmen from 41 art forms from six cultural zones of the state are displaying their products at the exhibition.
• As many as 28 craft product stalls from about 16 districts have been set up at the 'Hastkala Bazaar' exhibition. Also, a live exhibition of 6 products has been organized.
• Terracotta and iron crafts of Chhatarpur, Bell metal of Betul, Bronze of Satna, Bundeli painting of Orchha, articles made from Industrial Waste Wood Made of Dewas, Handloom handicraft and Zari-Zardozi of Bhopal, Textile waste products of Rajgarh, Handicraft painting of Alirajpur, Maheshwar handloom, bamboo crafts, natural honey and marble stone items are on display along with Khandwa hand embroidery and paper products.

New School Health Scheme 'SEHAT'

Why in News?

• On the occasion of National Teachers' Day on September 5, 2022, Haryana Governor Bandaru Dattatreya launched a new school health scheme 'SEHAT' under the Ayushman Bharat programme for health check-up of school children at Indradhanush Auditorium, Sector 5, Panchkula.

Key Points

• The Governor also felicitated 93 teachers of the state for their outstanding work in the field of education in 2020 and 2021 at the State Teacher Award ceremony organized by the School Education Department at Indradhanush Auditorium.
• The Governor said that a new school health scheme 'Sehat' has been started under the Ayushman Bharat program. Under this scheme, the health of 25 lakh school children will be checked twice a year from the upcoming academic session. The data collected in the investigation will be linked to the e-treatment portal, which will make the digital health record of the child available at any place.
• Speaking on the occasion, Education Minister Kanwar Pal said that the Haryana government has taken several steps for qualitative improvement in education. Haryana is not only the first state in the country, but also in the world, where 5 lakh tabs were provided free of cost to students and teachers of 10th and 12th standard.

'Operation Akraman-2'

Why in News?

• On September 6, 2022, Haryana Director General of Police (DGP) Prashant Kumar Agarwal said that a day-long special operation 'Operation Akraman-2' was launched by the Haryana Police to nab the miscreants.

Key Points

• As part of the 'Operation Akraman-2' operation, the police conducted extensive raids across the state throughout the day and registered 710 cases under relevant sections of the IPC, NDPS, Excise and Arms Act etc. and arrested 964 accused.
• The DGP said that the objective of this campaign launched by Haryana Police on September 5 is to take effective action against criminal elements, curb street crime and illegal weapons, crackdown on illegal liquor and drug trafficking.
• He said that we want to create fear of law among the criminals by raiding their areas/roads/houses suddenly to crack down on miscreants and anti-social elements in every district without leaving any scope for them to escape.
• According to reports received from various districts, 645 teams of about 3500 policemen raided many places in the field. During the raid, the raiding teams also managed to nab 45 proclaimed offenders and 34 bail jumpers. The arrested miscreants were wanted in several cases and were absconding to evade arrest.
• The highest number of 116 accused were arrested in Panipat district, followed by 108 in Gurugram and 102 in Ambala. Similarly, maximum 24 POs and bell jumpers were nabbed in Sonipat district and nine were arrested from Panipat.
• The DGP said that police teams also raided the jail premises of the state to check any kind of illegal activities, equipment and other items.
• Assessing the special drive, he described it as a step towards strict police action against criminals and further strengthening faith in law among the general public. He said that such special operations will continue in future also.
• 'Operation Akraman' is a special state-level operation to simultaneously raid the premises of criminal and anti-social elements. Under this, raiding police teams have been formed. These police teams jointly take action to curb criminal elements without leaving them the scope of escape.

Important Decisions of Chhattisgarh Council of Ministers

Why in News?

• In a meeting of the Council of Ministers held under the chairmanship of Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel on September 6, 2022, the decision to constitute separate departments for the welfare and development of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Backward Classes was taken along with many other important decisions.

Key Points

• In the meeting of the Council of Ministers, it was decided to constitute separate departments for the welfare and development of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Backward Classes. This will enable the implementation of welfare schemes and programmes run for these sections in a more systematic manner.
• Transfer, deputation, merger, attachment of persons appointed to district level and division level posts of class III and IV in the scheduled areas of Bastar and Surguja divisions notified by the state government and Korba and Gaurela-Pendra-Marwahi of Bilaspur division will not be done outside the district and division.
• The draft amendment was approved in the Interest Subsidy Rules 2021 on cooperative loans of farmers, according to which small and marginal farmers will get short-term loans up to Rs 3 lakh without interest for horticulture works, fisheries and gopalan.
• In the interest of farmers in the state, it was decided to construct Krishi Bhawan in Sector 19 of Nava Raipur Atal Nagar like other departments to implement the activities of agriculture and related departments like horticulture, fisheries, animal husbandry etc. from one place. For this, it was decided to allot land in one rupee token.
• Chhattisgarh State Hydro Electric Project (Pump Storage Based) Installation Policy 2022 was approved to encourage investment for setting up pump storage based hydro power projects in the state.
• In order to encourage the establishment of small hydro power projects, the proposal for enhancement was approved in the Departmental Policy-2012. It was decided to increase the notification issued for setting up of small hydro power project of 25 MW capacity at present, which expired in February 2022, by 10 years.
• It was decided to construct pucca roads in the service bank of irrigation canals of the Water Resources Department under the head of other construction departments instead of being done under the head of the Water Resources Department, so that the amount of irrigation department can be used to increase irrigation potential in the state.
• Under the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, post-facto approval was given to produce a short film focusing on the culture of Chhattisgarh and a documentary on the creation of a new India in 75 years of independence and the next 25 years.
• It was decided to extend the period of guarantee sanctioned to the department for availing loan to meet the state share under The Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban) from March 2022 to December 2024 (Mission Period).
• In-principle approval was given to the financial structure approved by the State Level High Power Steering Committee for the implementation of Mission Amrut 2.0 scheme. In the Mission Amrit 2.0 scheme, 169 urban bodies of the state have been included, under which the work of water supply and augmentation scheme in urban bodies is to be done on priority.
• Under Component-C of Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha Evam Utthan Maha Abhiyan (PM KUSUM) Scheme, 810 Megawatts (DC) for energizing agricultural feeders through solar energy Departmental proposal to set up solar power plants of 675 megawatt (AC) capacity was approved.
  • With the solarization of agricultural pumps, farmers will also get solar energy in addition to the electricity currently received for the operation of agricultural pumps. Therefore, at the time of solar energy availability, agricultural pumps will be operated with solar energy and if solar energy is not available, the electricity currently available will continue.

Chhattisgarhia Olympic Games to be Held in State

Why in News?

• In a meeting of the Council of Ministers held under the chairmanship of Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel on September 6, 2022, the Council of Ministers decided to organize Chhattisgarhia Olympic Games from this year, taking a new initiative towards promoting local and traditional sports in Chhattisgarh.

Key Points

• In chhattisgarhia Olympics, where sports competitions like kabaddi, kho-kho to tennis ball cricket will be held in rural and urban areas, children to 100 years old will also be able to participate as participants. The special thing is that to participate in the Chhattisgarhia Olympic Games, it is mandatory for the player to be a permanent resident of Chhattisgarh.
• Kabaddi, Kho-Kho, Gedi, Pithul, Volleyball, Hockey and Tennis Ball Cricket are included in chhattisgarhia Olympic Games-2022.
• The competitions for these games will be held in both men's and women's categories. This Olympic Games will be held at four levels - Gram Panchayat, Block, District and State level. At the state level, Chhattisgarhia Olympic Games will be held in the capital Raipur.
• For technical assistance in organizing these games, the cooperation of sports coaches of Chhattisgarh Sports Development Authority, representatives of state and district sports associations and physical training teachers of education department will be taken.
• The talented players of Chhattisgarhia Olympic Games-2022 will be prepared by sports coaches (coaches) for national and international competitions. This will be a golden opportunity for athletes to enhance their career as a sportsperson at the national and international level.
• Separate committees will be formed by the state government for the sports event to be held at gram panchayats and 146 block level. The conveners of the committees formed at the gram panchayat level will be the sarpanch and the convenors of the committees formed at the block level will be the development block officers. Budget will be made available for gram panchayats and development blocks for food, transportation and other facilities of the players participating in the games.

Establishment of Small Hydroelectric Projects to Get a Boost in Chhattisgarh

Why in News?

• In a meeting of the Council of Ministers held under the chairmanship of Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel on September 6, 2022, the cabinet decided to increase the duration of the small hydropower policy by 10 years.

Key Points

• In the cabinet meeting, the proposal to increase the period of Departmental Policy-2012 to encourage the establishment of small hydro power projects in the state was approved.
• It was decided to increase the notification issued for setting up of small hydro power project of 25 MW capacity at present, which expired in February 2022, by 10 years.
• It is worth mentioning that the Small Hydro Electric Policy was launched by the Department of Energy in the year 2012 to encourage the establishment of hydro power projects up to 25 MW capacity under small hydro power projects, whose deadline has expired in February, 2022 after 10 years.
• According to the guidelines issued by the Ministry of Power, Government of India and Chhattisgarh State Electricity Regulatory Commission, it is in the state's interest to extend the duration of the Small Hydro Electricity Policy with a view to encourage proper exploitation and investment of available water sources in the state.
• It is noteworthy that power management in peak hours is a big problem for the distribution company of the state. Therefore, under pump-based hydro power projects, additional power can be generated in peak hours by proper storage and management of water, which will help in meeting the power management and energy purchase obligation of the state distribution company.
• At present, small hydro power projects of 75.65 MW capacity are being operated in the state. Further, PPA execution by investors for small hydro power projects of about 83 MW capacity is under process and inter-State clearance of projects of 171 MW capacity is under process.
• After preliminary survey, about 25 sites have been identified for setting up of small hydro power project of 385 MW capacity. In order to attract investment in small hydro power projects in the state, it has been decided to extend the duration of small hydro power policy by another 10 years.

Chhattisgarh Scheduled Caste Advisory Council

Why in News?

• On September 6, 2022, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel has decided to constitute a Scheduled Caste Advisory Council for prompt action in the interest of scheduled castes and recommendations in policy matters related to them.

Key Points

• The objective of the formation of this council is to bring about a rapid positive change in the betterment of scheduled castes and their standard of living in Chhattisgarh and to make them educationally, socially and economically competent.
• With the formation of this council, better monitoring will be done along with getting meaningful consultations for the implementation of schemes and programs run in the interest of scheduled castes in the state.
• Based on the recommendation of the council, the government-administration will be able to take necessary reform decisions for the betterment of the Scheduled Castes.
• In the council, the elected representative members of this class will participate in resolving the situation and problems of the society. This will facilitate the implementation of welfare programmes for the Scheduled Caste category.
• It is noteworthy that Chhattisgarh Scheduled Tribe Advisory Council has already been constituted for recommendation on the subject related to scheduled tribes in Chhattisgarh State. On the same lines, a Scheduled Caste Advisory Council will be formed in Chhattisgarh.
• The problems and needs of a particular class will be considered in this council. At the same time, decisions related to the welfare of Scheduled Castes will be taken.
• The Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh will be its chairman and the minister in charge will be the vice-chairman. There will be a total of 20 members in the council, out of which there will be at least 5 elected members of the Scheduled Castes in the State Legislative Assembly and the remaining members will be nominated by the State Government. In-charge Secretary, Government of Chhattisgarh, Tribal and Scheduled Caste Development Department will act as the secretary of this council.

Sainik Schools to open in Dehradun and Rudrapur

Why in News?

• In a meeting chaired by Uttarakhand Chief Secretary Dr. S.S. Sandhu on September 6, 2022, the proposal to open Sainik Schools in Dehradun and Rudrapur in the state was approved. Now it is being sent to the central government for approval.

Key Points

• Education Secretary Ravinath Raman said that it has been proposed to run Rajiv Gandhi Navodaya Vidyalaya in Dehradun and AN Jha Inter College in Rudrapur as Sainik Schools.
• The central government has decided to open 100 Sainik Schools across the country. For this, proposals of schools meeting the standards were sought from the states.
• In Uttarakhand, Rajiv Gandhi Navodaya Vidyalaya, Dehradun and AN Jha Inter College, Rudrapur are meeting almost all the standards for Sainik School. The proposal of both is being prepared and sent to the central government. After the proposal is sent, the Centre's team will inspect the respective schools.
• It is worth mentioning that there is only one Sainik School in Ghodakhal in the state, whose entire operation is done by the Ministry of Defense. However, the exercise of opening a Sainik School in Jakholi of Rudraprayag district has been going on for the last several years. This school was also approved, but due to lack of coordination between the Sainik Welfare and Education Department, the matter of building this school has been stalled for a long time.
• Grd World School at Bhauwala in Dehradun was among the 21 new Sainik Schools approved by the Defence Ministry for the academic session 2022-23, but admission to it has been kept in abeyance on the complaint of the school's recognition.
• There was a delay in sending the proposal from the state due to lack of clarity regarding the standards for opening Sainik School. Earlier it was told that 25 acres of land would be required for this, but later it came to know that Sainik School can also be opened in eight acres of land. After the situation was clarified, its proposal was prepared by the department.
• Grants will be given by the central government to open Sainik Schools in the state. This will enable the necessary resources to be raised. However, departmental officials say that both the selected schools meet all the standards of Sainik School.

Underpass for Elephants on the Road to the Nepal Border

Why in News?

• On September 6, 2022, Yogendra Sharma, Project Director, National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) informed that in view of the unhindered movement of wildlife, especially elephants, underpass will be constructed on a four km long stretch from Jagbuda in Banbasa to Nepal border (Chandni Dudhara) by NHAI.

Key Points

• Nhai Project Director Yogendra Sharma said that there is a plan to construct underpasses at 25 places in a length of 750 meters for the movement of wildlife. The concerned work is targeted to be completed in 18 months.
• NHAI officials claim that for the first time in Kumaon, an underpass will be built for the movement of wildlife. The tender process for this ambitious scheme is underway.
• Significantly, the Nepal government is building a dryport in Chandni Dudhara. To connect this dryport with India, NHAI is going to build a 4 km four-lane road from Banbasa to Nepal border.
• According to NHAI officials, a bridge will also be built on the Sharda river. A railway overbridge will also be prepared. A joint check post (immigration, forest, police, SSB and customs) will also be set up here.
• Minister of State for Defence and Tourism Ajay Bhatt said efforts are being made to make the movement better and convenient. Work is proposed to construct an important road up to the Nepal border. The scheme will cost Rs 225 crore. The final line survey work for the Bageshwar-Tanakpur railway line is underway, which is expected to be completed by December.