State PCS

• 08 Feb 2024

Rajasthan Appoints Task Force for Identifying New Expressways

Why in News?

Recently, the Rajasthan government has appointed a task force for identifying new expressways to connect more cities with the network of roads for fast movement of traffic.

Key Points

• The new expressways will facilitate seamless transportation of people and goods and enhance tourism and economic development along the routes in the State.
• The task force would submit its report to the State government within six months after looking into the scope for construction of new expressways.
  • They will get the opinion of subject experts during the performance of its task.

‘Kisan Sathi’ Portal

Why in News?

With the use of Information Technology (IT) in the agriculture sector, the ‘Kisan Sathi’ portal has started acting as a single window platform for the farmers in Rajasthan.

Key Points

• The IT applications have simplified the procedure for the agriculturists to apply for various government schemes and monitor the benefits available to them.
• According to the State Agriculture Commissioner, more than 12 lakh farmers had used the web portal so far and benefited from the schemes for agriculture, horticulture, animal husbandry and agricultural marketing.
  • The paperless work had speeded up the procedure and brought transparency to the system.
• The Kisan Sathi portal has facilitated direct benefit transfer of ₹1,600 crore to about three lakh farmers, while the licenses for selling seeds, fertilizers and pesticides were issued in large numbers with the help of online verification.
• The portal, launched in 2021 as an initiative for “ease of doing farming”, had brought revolutionary changes for the farming community.
• The mobile apps developed for the farmers have also created new platforms connecting them with the buyers of agricultural produce.
  • The apps are rendering services for registration of sellers of farm produce, distribution of seed mini-kits, registrations for bio-farming and online submission of seed and fertilizer samples.

Vayu Shakti 2024

Why in News?

All frontline aircraft, including the Rafale fighter jets and Prachand attack choppers, will take part in the Indian Air Force's (IAF) Exercise Vayushakti scheduled to be held on February 17 in Rajasthan's Jaisalmer at the Pokhran Air to Ground Range.

• It is a triennial exercise (once every three years) aimed at showcasing the capability of the IAF to conduct full spectrum operations (Day and Night) and to see the participation of aircraft and helicopters,transport aircraft and unmanned aerial vehicles.

Key Points

• The VayuShakti-2024 would be in the form of a major firepower demonstration in Jaisalmer where all the major fighter aircraft, including the Rafale, Su-30MKIs, Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas, Mirage 2000 and MiG-29s, would be showcasing their firepower by shooting different missiles and bombs at designated targets.
• The next exercise planned by the IAF is the Exercise Gaganshakti which would see the entire IAF get activated from Ladakh to the Indian Ocean Region and from Bhuj to Arunachal Pradesh.
  • The pan-India-level exercise Gaganshakti, conducted once in five years.
  • Gagan Shakti is conducted by the IAF to showcase its air dominance over the entire extended area of the Indian Ocean Region.

Rafale

• French twin-engine and multirole fighter aircraft.
• Equipped to perform air supremacy, interdiction, aerial reconnaissance, ground support, in-depth strike, anti-ship strike, and nuclear deterrence missions.

Sukhoi Su-30MKI

• Twin-engine, two-seat, multirole fighter aircraft developed by Russia’s Sukhoi and built under license by India’s Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) for the IAF.
• Designed to perform air superiority, ground attack, electronic warfare, and maritime strike missions.

Tejas

• The Tejas by HAL is a multi-role light fighter aircraft designed by India's Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA).
• The first Mk-1A Tejas delivery to IAF will occur in March 2024.

MIG 29s

• It is a twin-engine, multirole fighter jet, developed by Soviet Russia in the 1970s. It has been upgraded since.

Panchkarma Centers in Every City of Haryana

Why in News?

Recently, Haryana Health, Family Welfare, and Ayush Minister Anil Vij has announced that Panchkarma centers will be opened in every city of the state.

• Tourism wellness centers will also be set up in tourist places.

Key Points

• The minister also announced the establishment of a drug testing laboratory within the Ayush department.
• To promote Ayush in the state a number of steps have been taken:
  • The 5500 Ayush yoga assistants will be recruited soon and they will be assigned the responsibility of yoga training in prestigious parks, Dharamshala, and community centers in urban areas.
  • Ayush yoga inspectors and coaches will also be recruited through Haryana Kaushal Rozgar Nigam.
  • In the first phase, 1121 Vyamshallas are under construction in the state, with 656 of them handed over to the Ayush department.
  • 892 yoga assistants have been appointed in yoga centers and community spaces. In the next phase, 1353 new yoga centers have been earmarked.
  • The approval to run Ayurvedic pharmacy at Shri Krishna Ayush University has been granted and officials have been directed to begin indoor and outdoor Ayush treatment facilities at the university.
  • The State Medicinal Plant Board officials have been directed to initiate training programs for the cultivation of medicinal plants for farmers.

Coordination Panels in Districts to Check Pollution

Why in News?

Recently, Haryana chief secretary Sanjeev Kaushal called for formation of coordination committees comprising officials from various departments for effective pollution control measures.

Key Points

• The chief secretary also mandated a complete ban on discharging sewage water into drains in Rohtak, Panipat, and Karnal districts.
• The government had prepared an action plan for treatment and diversion of 32.7 MLD (million liters per day) of sewage generated across 80 villages in Panipat district.
• As part of this initiative, sewage treatment has been successfully implemented using a three-tier pond system in 38 villages, while purification processes are currently underway in 42 other villages.
• Efforts are being made to improve the existing sewage treatment infrastructure.
• In line with sustainable water management practices, a framework has been prepared to reuse treated sewage water for micro-irrigation purposes across the state.
• Implementation of phase - I of the project on ‘Reuse of Treated Wastewater for Irrigation Purpose through Micro-Irrigation’ at Panipat.
• Phase - II initiatives aimed at further enhancing irrigation practices and environmental sustainability.