• 07 Sep 2023

Namami Gange signs Agreement for Development of Sewage Treatment Infrastructure in Meerut

Why In News?

A tripartite agreement was signed between NMCG Uttar Pradesh Jal Nigam and M/s Meerut STP Pvt Ltd for development of sewage treatment plant (STP) and other infrastructure at Meerut, Uttar Pradesh in the presence of Director General of National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) in New Delhi on September 6, 2023.

Key Points:

• The total cost of the project under Hybrid Annuity PPP mode is Rs 369.74 crore and it is targeted to be completed by December 2025.
• NMCG has approved the project for construction of Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) with total capacity of 220 MLD, including development of Interception and Diversion (I&D) structures, laying of I&D network, operation for 15 years and maintenance including other works like sewage pumping station etc.
• The project also aims to address the existing sewage problems in the city of Meerut and the resulting sewage pollution in the Kali River.
• After completion of this project, there will be no discharge of untreated sewage from Meerut city into Kali River (East), which will reduce pollution.
• Kali (East) joins the river Ganga near Kannauj and the completion of this project will also help in reducing the pollution of river Ganga.
• The agreement was signed by S.K. Burman, Superintending Engineer, Uttar Pradesh Jal Nigam (Rural), Mayank Agarwal, Authorized Signatory, M/s Meerut STP Private Limited and Vinod Kumar, Director (Project), NMCG in the presence of G. Ashok Kumar, Director General, NMCG.

Eight Districts of Uttar Pradesh will Become 100% Digital Payment

Why In News?

According to information received from the media on September 5, 2023, eight districts of Uttar Pradesh will be equipped with a 100 percent digital payment ecosystem. By this year all these districts will become 100% proficient in digital payments.

Key Points:

• All these eight districts have been adopted by different banks. These include Fatehpur, Kannauj, Amroha, Varanasi, Shamli, Maharajganj, Deoria and Bahraich. The central headquarters of RBI is directly monitoring all these districts.
• Bank of Baroda has been given the responsibility of Fatehpur district selected for 100% digital payment. Bank of India has been given the responsibility of Kannauj, Canara Bank Amroha, Union Bank Varanasi, PNB Shamli, State Bank of India Maharajganj, Central Bank Deoria and Indian Bank Bahraich.
• Uttar Pradesh is also the first state in the country, where about 23 percent of the population is covered by the PM Suraksha Bima Yojana. PM Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana also covers 1.75 crore people of Uttar Pradesh, which is second in the country.
• Between April and June, 10.83 lakh and 28.43 lakh people have been covered under both the schemes respectively. About five crore people of the state have been covered under the PM Suraksha Bima Yojana. With this, Uttar Pradesh has become the first state in the country to have maximum insurance cover.

Harsh Becomes Junior Brand Ambassador of IIT Incubation Center

Why In News?

According to information received from the media on September 6, 2023, Harsh Rajput of Bihar Bal Bhawan Kilkari Institute has been selected as Junior Brand Ambassador in IIT Patna.

Key Points:

• Recently, a competition was organized on behalf of this institute on Research Scholars-Day, in which Harsh got the first position.
• Last year he also had the opportunity to participate as a Junior Research Scientist in an online workshop organized by NASA.
• As a Junior Brand Ambassador, his primary job is to promote innovation and entrepreneurship among the youth.
• He spoke of contributing to the like-minded youth in developing an innovative mindset, encouraging them to think out of the box, explore new possibilities and turn their creative ideas into impactful enterprises.

1.65 Lakh Students of the State will get Soft Skill Training

Why In News?

On September 6, 2023, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot approved the proposal to provide soft skill training to 1.65 lakh students of the state in order to enhance the capabilities of the youth of the state, make them employment-oriented and take important steps for their overall development. given.

Key Points:

• With this approval of the Chief Minister, soft skill training will be available to 1.20 lakh college going students and 45 thousand students of class 11th and 12th of school education.
• An expenditure of Rs 38.50 crore is expected on this training, which will be borne from the amount available in the RCVET fund under the Youth Development and Welfare Fund.
• Along with skill development of the students, their personality development will also be possible through the training, which will increase their academic performance and provide better employment opportunities.
• It is worth mentioning that in the past, approval has been given by the Chief Minister for soft skill training to 50,000 trainees trained in government industrial training institutes.

149 Teachers were honoured at the State Level Teacher Honour Ceremony, various Innovations of the Education Department were Launched

Why In News?

On September 5, 2023, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot honored 149 teachers from 50 districts of the state in the state level teacher felicitation ceremony organized at Birla Auditorium on the occasion of Teachers' Day and launched various innovations of the education department.

Key Points:

• Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot also released the 'Teacher Samman' booklet published in honor of honored teachers at the state level teacher felicitation ceremony. Besides, six players who won gold medals in individual events in the 66th National School Tournament held in Bhopal were also honoured.
• In the ceremony, the Chief Minister launched various innovations of the Education Department-
• He launched Shala Darpan Shikshak App and unveiled Shala Sambalan 2.0 App with new features.
• Launched School After School Program to provide e-education in 12 thousand higher secondary schools in the state. Under this program, live classes will be organized through social media after school hours for the students of board classes in collaboration with ‘Mission Gyan’.
• The Chief Minister inaugurated the Robotics Labs set up in 300 Mahatma Gandhi English Medium Schools of the State. Through these labs, the knowledge of the latest technical field will be available to the students from the school level itself and they will be able to compete with the students of private schools.
• He launched the Mission Start program and Rajasthan State Open School Computerization Program for conducting e-classrooms in schools. Vedantu Innovation Pvt Ltd and Leadership Boulevard Pvt. Ltd. participated in the ceremony. MoUs were signed with various institutions including (LEAD).
• The Chief Minister said that the state government, realizing the importance of English language in the present times, has opened Mahatma Gandhi English Medium Schools in the state. Currently more than 6 lakh students are studying in these schools. Sanskrit University and Vedic schools have been opened in the state. The number of universities in the state has exceeded 90.
• He said that institutes like IIIT, IIM and AIIMS as well as Ayurveda University, Law University, Journalism University, Engineering College, Medical College etc. are available for higher studies in the state, so that students do not need to go out for studies.
• The Chief Minister said that under the Rajiv Gandhi Scholarship for Academic Excellence Scheme, 500 students are being sent abroad for studies. The Rajiv Gandhi Rural and Urban Olympic Games is creating a positive atmosphere towards sports. Other State Governments are also following suit now. Sportspersons in the state are being given reservation in out-of-turn jobs and government jobs.

Sanchi becomes the Country's First Solar City

Why In News?

On September 6, 2023, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan inaugurated the world heritage monument site Sanchi Nagar located in Raisen district as the first solar city.

Key Points:

• Along with this, initiative has been taken to set up a 600 MW power plant by installing solar panels on the surface of the dam at Omkareshwar in Madhya Pradesh.
• Along with this, an agreement was signed between the Department of Renewable Energy and IIT Kanpur to make Sanchi a Net Zero City.
• Sanchi Solar City has come up as a result of a 3 MW capacity solar project at Nagori near Sanchi. In the near future, a 5 MW solar project will be set up in Gulgaon, which will meet the energy needs of the agriculture sector.
• Sanchi Solar City will reduce annual carbon dioxide emissions by more than 14 thousand tonnes, which is equivalent to more than 2 lakh 38 thousand trees. Eco-friendly facilities will prevent environmental pollution. E-vehicles have been promoted. Four commercial charging points and three e-rickshaw charging points have been installed. Running battery vehicles will also save diesel worth more than 9 lakhs.
• In Sanchi, about 7 thousand citizens have pledged to save electricity in their homes by using solar stand lamps, solar study lamps and solar lanterns.
• The concept of solar for every house was successful in Sanchi. Solar plants of about 63 kW capacity have been installed on domestic rooftops. Energy audit of the central and state government offices and establishments in the city was conducted.
• Under the Energy Literacy Campaign, the people of Sanchi showed awareness in the field of energy saving and energy conservation. Using the plants will reduce electricity bills by about Rs 22 lakh every year.
• There will be an annual saving of Rs 7.68 crore in electricity expenditure incurred in the homes of citizens and government works in Sanchi.

Notification Issued to Create New District Maihar

Why In News?

On September 5, 2023, by publishing a notification in the Madhya Pradesh Gazette, it has been proposed to change the boundaries of Satna district and define the boundaries to create a new district Maihar.

Key Points:

• Suggestions and objections have been invited in writing within a period of 30 days from the date of publication of the information in the Madhya Pradesh Gazette.
• It has been proposed to make Maihar the district headquarters of the newly created district Maihar. A total of 234 patwaris, including 122 patwari halka of Tehsil Maihar of Satna district and all 53 patwari halka of Tehsil Amarpatan and 59 patwari halka of Tehsil Ramnagar, will be present.
• According to the proposal, Sidhi and Rewa districts will be in the east of Maihar, Panna in the west, Satna in the north and Katni, Umaria and Shahdol districts in the south.
• It is noteworthy that on September 5 itself, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, while addressing Maihar's meeting virtually from the residence office, had announced to make Maa Sharda's city Maihar a district.

The Chief Minister Made Several Important Announcements for the prisoners of the state.

Why In News?

On September 5, 2023, Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal, while inaugurating the newly constructed extension building of the state's District Jail, Bhiwani, revealed many important announcements for the prisoners of the state.

Key Points:

• On this occasion, the Chief Minister announced a telemedicine facility for prisoners in all the jails of the state.
• Apart from this, an amount of Rs 10 crore was announced to change the diet system for prisoners, with this the diet of prisoners will be increased by Rs 10.
• The Chief Minister also approved petrol pumps outside 11 jails of the state.
• On the lines of police personnel, it was announced to provide free facilities in Haryana State Transport buses to jail personnel also.
• Apart from this, it was also announced to provide facilities for jail employees under online transfer policy in a couple cases.
• The Chief Minister said that an additional amount of Rs 1 crore will be provided to the jail inmates and the jail staff should take a pledge that if they behave well towards the prisoners, it will contribute significantly to human development.
• At present, there is enough space to keep 22 thousand criminals in jails, but the government is emphasizing on making adequate arrangements for 26 thousand criminals.
• The Chief Minister said that jail staff need training, for this a jail training center is being set up in Karnal, which will be ready in the month of December.
• Small scale industries are being established in the jails of the state. Many types of talents and talents are also hidden in the prisoners. Honorarium is given by getting them to work in jails, for this the department is studying what kind of remuneration they should get.
• Apart from this, high security facilities are being provided to the jails of the state.
• Apart from construction of jails at nine places in the state, expansion work is also being done. Apart from this, arrangements are also being made for snipers in jails to catch narcotics.
• In the jail expansion work, five barracks for male prisoners and one barrack for female prisoners have been made in the new jail premises. The capacity of a male barrack is 126 and the capacity of a female barrack is 114. Earlier the capacity of prisoners in the old jail was 561, which has now increased to 1335.

Jharkhand Cabinet Meeting Approves Inclusion of Transgenders in Backward Class Along with 34 proposals

Why In News?

On September 6, 2023, a cabinet meeting was held under the chairmanship of Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren, in which a total of 34 proposals were approved to include the transgender community in the backward class.

Key Points:

• The Cabinet has approved the proposal of Chief Minister State Social Security Pension Scheme for people of transgender community under Social Assistance Scheme. Under this, the eligible beneficiary will get one thousand rupees per month as financial assistance.
• According to the Department of Women, Child Development and Social Security, there were about 11,900 transgenders in Jharkhand in 2011. At present their number has increased to about 14,000.
• Apart from this, the cabinet meeting has given approval to extend the service of 2500 assistant policemen working in 12 districts of the state by one year. Earlier the service of assistant policemen was for six years. This has been done for seven years.
• Apart from this, approval has been given to give the money for the purchase of bicycles to the students studying in class 8 through DBT in their account.
• In the cabinet meeting, the selection process for the Police Medal to be given to police officers on Jharkhand Foundation Day has been amended. Earlier, a committee headed by the Chief Secretary used to make selections. Now the committee headed by the Home Secretary will decide.
• The Cabinet has decided that now employees appointed on compassionate grounds will also be able to appear in the limited examination of Jharkhand Administrative Service. For this, the government has amended the Jharkhand Administrative Service Rules 2015.
• Jharkhand Cabinet has decided that unfunded educational institutions of the state will get grants only on the basis of NAAC grading. In this, student numbers and grading have been made the basis.
• If the number of students is more than 2001 and has A grading of NAAC, he will get a grant of up to Rs 30 lakh. Whereas if the minimum number of students is 200 to 500 and the grade is C, then a grant of Rs 4 lakh will be given.
• The grant given to paramilitary forces deputed in the state of Jharkhand to perform duties other than election related work has been amended.
• These proposals were also stamped
  • Approval of recruitment rules of Director Ayush in the Health Department.
  • 63.56 crore administrative approval for the restoration of Ichagarh canal for Kanchi irrigation scheme.
  • Approval for the formation of Stenographer's appointment and promotion rules-2023.
  • Amendment in the election bound by the salary and allowances service conditions of the Chief Information Commissioner.
  • Jharkhand Child Development Project Officer Service Cadre Rules-2018 was amended and constituted in 2023.
  • Approval of recruitment and promotion rules for research assistant personnel in water resources.
  • Approval for the formation of Jharkhand State Drug Testing Laboratory Manual-2023.
  • Approval of Director Drug Testing Laboratory Rules-2023.
  • Approval of Director Medicine Jharkhand Rules-2023.
  • Amendment in Jharkhand Panchayat Secretary Rules-2014.
  • Approval for formation of one additional Juvenile Justice Board each in Ranchi and East Singhbhum under Jharkhand Juvenile Justice Rules-2003.
  • Approval of 28 judicial officers of Civil Judge as District Judge in the light of the recommendation of Jharkhand High Court.

ASI Should Take a Second Decision on Declaring Ranchi's Brahma Temple as National Heritage: Jharkhand High Court

Why In News?

On September 5, 2023, the Jharkhand High Court, while giving its verdict on the PIL filed for the preservation and declaration of the Brahma Temple located on top of the historic Tagore Hill in Ranchi as a national heritage, has said that regarding the declaration of the Brahma Temple of Tagore Hill as a national heritage In this, the Archaeological Department of India (ASI) should take a decision again within three months.

Key Points:

• The division bench of Chief Justice Sanjay Kumar Mishra and Justice Anand Sen executed the PIL by giving several instructions to the state government. Earlier, after the completion of the hearing in the case on July 31, the division bench had reserved its decision.
• Directing the state government to remove encroachment from the Tagore Hill area, the bench said that the Land Reforms and Revenue Department will constitute a committee, which will measure the boundary wall of Tagore Hill. This measurement should be done as per the original revenue records. After this, the boundary wall of Tagore Hill should be brought back to its original form. The committee to be formed for the survey will have members nominated by the Deputy Commissioner of Ranchi.
• The division bench directed the state government to conserve and maintain the Brahma Temple, Kusum Tal, Shanti Dham and Samadhi Sthal of Tagore Hill. The division bench said that the Tagore Hill area should be beautified, and the entire area should be declared a plastic free zone.
• Earlier, during the hearing of the case, advocate Shailesh Poddar appeared on behalf of the applicant. Additional Advocate General Ashutosh Anand appeared on behalf of the State Government and Advocate Prashant Pallav appeared on behalf of the Central Government.
• It is noteworthy that a PIL was filed on behalf of the applicant Society of Preservation of Tribal Culture and Natural Beauty. The applicant had demanded the conservation of the Brahma Temple as well as declaring it as a national heritage.
• The petitioner in the case has said that the Brahma Temple situated on top of Tagore Hill in Morabadi was built in 1910. It was built by Jyotirindranath Tagore, elder brother of Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore. He was a dramatist, painter and musician. Along with the conservation of Brahma Temple, it should be declared a national heritage by the Archaeological Survey of India of the Central Government.

11321 Crore Supplementary Budget Presented in Uttarakhand House

Why In News?

On September 6, 2023, Uttarakhand Finance Minister Prem Chand Agarwal presented the first supplementary budget of Rs 11321 crore for the financial year 2023-24 in the House during the assembly session, in which a provision of Rs 3530 crore has been made in revenue and Rs 7790 crore in capital head.

Key Points:

• After the approval of the supplementary budget, the total budget of the state will be Rs 88728 crore. The state government had made a budget provision of Rs 77407 crore for the financial year.
• In the supplementary grant demands that came on the floor of the assembly, 600 crores for construction of roads and bridges under capital expenditure, 765 crores for Jal Jeevan Mission, 321 crores for housing and urban development, 156 crores for land acquisition for making ring road around Tehri Lake, Rs 135 crore will be spent in parking construction.
• Apart from these, 128 crores will be spent on overall education, 100 crores on RIDF scheme of Lonivi, 100 crores on construction of Haridwar Medical College, 67 crores on rooftop solar plant and streetlights, 50 crores on construction of Chief Minister's Anganwadi building, 50 crores on making unity goods.
• Along with this, provision of funds has also been made for the development of the Sports Stadium, State Cancer Institute Haldwani, Rishikesh Yoga City.
• A provision of Rs 300 crore has been made for the repair of roads that have become dilapidated during the monsoon, while Rs 297 crore will be spent on the National Health Mission. The government has kept Rs 284 crore for food grain subsidy.
• A provision of Rs 218 crore has also been made under disaster management.

Principal of Swami Atmanand Government English Medium School, Dr. Brijesh Pandey honored with National Teacher’s Award.

Why In News?

On September 5, 2023, President Draupadi Murmu honored Dr. Brijesh Pandey, Principal of Swami Atmanand Government English Medium School Brahmapara, Ambikapur, Surguja district of Chhattisgarh, with the National Teacher’s Award at a function organized at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi on Teachers' Day.

Key Points:

• It is noteworthy that President Draupadi Murmu presented the President's Award for the year 2023 to 75 selected teachers from across the country in a ceremony organized at Vigyan Bhawan.
• In this teacher felicitation ceremony, all the awarded teachers were given a prize of Rs 50 thousand in cash, citation, shawl and quince.
• Dr. Brijesh Pandey, Principal of Swami Atmanand Excellent English Medium School of Surguja district, received this award for his excellent work in the field of education.
• Dr. Brijesh Pandey, honored with the National Teacher’s Award, made an important contribution in developing child scientists along with awakening their interest in science. Under his guidance, the models of many child scientists have been displayed at the national level.
• It is known that Dr. Pandey has also been honored with the Governor's Award in the year 2018. He played an important role in determining the activity book for primary education children.
• It is noteworthy that Swami Atmanand Excellent English Medium Schools have been established to provide quality English medium education to the children in the state. Through these schools, children from poor families in Chhattisgarh are also getting education in English medium. The number of Swami Atmanand schools in Chhattisgarh is also increasing day by day and parents have increased faith in these schools.