• 08 Apr 2023

Chief Minister laid the Groundwork for the Bio CNG plant in Suthni

Why in News?

On 6 April 2023, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath laid the virtual foundation stone from Lucknow for a Wet Waste Bio-Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) plant in Suthni village of Sahjanwa tehsil of Gorakhpur district.

Key Points

• Mumbai-based company Ever-Enviro Resource Management Pvt Ltd. will build this plant at a cost of Rs 150 crore. The work will be done on the Private Public Partnership (PPP) model.
• Apart from bio CNG gas, manure will also be prepared in this plant from the wet waste coming out of the city. The municipal team will transport the wet waste coming out of the city to the plant. The garbage will be sorted through the machines installed in the plant. After this, CNG and fertilizer will be prepared in the plant as per the requirement.
• The Bio CNG plant will require 200 tonnes of wet waste per day. 1000 kg of Bio CNG will be produced daily from this waste. Along with this, 40 tonnes of organic manure will also be made. With this, most of the 350 tonnes of garbage generated daily from the metropolis will be disposed of.
• Ever-Enviro Resource Management Pvt. Ltd., a Mumbai-based company, will bear the entire cost of setting up and operating this plant, even the company itself will pay the salaries of the employees engaged in the plant.
• On the other hand, only the land will be provided to the Municipal Corporation, in lieu of this land, the company operating the plant will also give Rs 56 lakh to the Municipal Corporation as a royalty every year. After 15 years, the company will hand over the plant to the Municipal Corporation in running condition.
• Municipal Corporation's Chief Engineer Sanjay Chauhan said that the company would prepare this plant in a year. After this, the garbage in the city will start falling there. Then apart from bio CNG, organic manure will start to become.
• The company will commercially use this bio CNG and organic manure. She will sell it in the market and recover her expenses. However, the Municipal Corporation will get both the things at a lesser cost.
• It is known that a plant has also been set up by this company in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, and from this, it takes out all its expenses.

Chief Minister inaugurated Ethanol Plant in Muzaffarpur

Why in News?

On 6 April 2023, Sandeep Poundrik, Principal Secretary, Bihar Industries Department, said that Chief Minister Nitish Kumar inaugurated the Greenfield Grain-Based Ethanol Plant at Motipur in Muzaffarpur district of South Bihar, which has been built at a cost of Rs 152 crore.

Key Points

• Sandeep Poundrik, Principal Secretary of the Industries Department has said that 1,300 people will get employment in the new Ethanol Plant in Motipur. In which, 300 people will be added directly and 1,000 indirectly.
• It is known that this is the second ethanol plant which has been inaugurated within one year.
• According to the Industries Department, Bihar is on its way to becoming India's grain-based ethanol hub. North Bihar will play an important role in this in the foreseeable future.
• Several more greenfield plants are nearing completion in Bihar under the ethanol policy of the government. In this, 2 ethanol plants in Muzaffarpur, 3 in Nalanda, 1 in Begusarai and 1 in Buxar are expected to be completed by June 2023.
• According to departmental figures, a target has been set to produce 100 million liters per year from the ethanol plant located at Motipur. The machines with a combined capacity of 320 KLPD (Kilo Liters Per Day) have been installed throughout the plant. This figure is expected to increase further after the commissioning of four ethanol plants simultaneously.
• With the establishment of this plant, along with employment, the farmers will also benefit a lot. The ethanol plant will need hundreds of tons of corn or broken rice every day. The company will directly contact the farmers for its purchase.
• It is known that maize is cultivated on a large scale in the Muzaffarpur district. In such a situation, due to the demand for maize at the local level, the farmers will be able to get a good price. Most of the middlemen do not get a fair price for maize. At the same time, DDG will also be available for the poultry feed plant.

Cricket Stadium inaugurated in Thikaria

Why in News?

On 6 April 2023, Rajasthan Assembly Speaker Dr. C.P. Joshi's chief hospitality and Rajasthan Cricket Association President Vaibhav Gehlot inaugurated the newly constructed cricket stadium at Thikaria in Banswara district of the state, which has been announced to be named after Haridev Joshi.

Key Points

• This stadium has been constructed from MNREGA and SFC funds, for the maintenance of which an MoU was signed between the district administration and the Rajasthan Cricket Association.
• It is known that many cricket players of Banswara made a different identity in cricket not only in the state but also at the international level. With the construction of this cricket stadium, sports talents here will get a chance to come forward.
• In the program, Minister of State for Sports Ashok Chandna said that the state government has made a tax provision of Rs.500 crores in the budget to encourage sports and sportspersons and is giving 2 percent reservation to sportspersons in government jobs.
• It is notable that Haridev Joshi (1921-1995) has been a popular politician, freedom fighter, and journalist from Rajasthan. Joshi had actively contributed to the media world through journalism for many years in the tribal areas of the state. Later he not only became the Chief Minister of Rajasthan but also held the post of Governor of Assam, Meghalaya and West Bengal.

The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence & Economic Offenses will be formed

Why in News?

On 6 April 2023, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot approved the proposal regarding the formation of the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence and Economic Offenses for the prevention of economic crimes in the state and for monitoring the sources of revenue more strongly.

Key Points

• The Nodal and Administrative Department of the Directorate at the state level will be the Finance (Revenue) Department.
• Major functions of the Directorate-
  • The tasks of control, research, investigation and prosecution of economic crimes will be done by the directorate.
  • In this, those who commit illegal occupation of land, fraud or irregularity in real estate, fraud or irregularity in bank, insurance or deposit work, declaring false bankruptcy, formation of fake companies, fraud in the work of government credit societies will be clamped down.
  • In addition, data on revenue leakage in the state will be gathered from various sources, analyzed, and probed. Work-related to monitoring all sources of revenue and preventing tax evasion will also be done.
• One post of Director General/Commissioner, four posts of Additional Director, 10 posts of Joint Director, and 20 posts of Deputy Director will be created in the Directorate. These posts will be filled by deputation.
• It is noteworthy that the Directorate of State Revenue Intelligence is already operational in the state. At the same time, the Directorate of Economic Offenses was announced in the budget 2022-23. Now by combining both, proper use of analytical ability will be possible in the investigation of human resources and crimes.

Along with 5 Handicraft Products of the state, Sunderja-Mango of Rewa got G.I. tag

Why in News?

On April 6, 2023, Managing Director, Madhya Pradesh Khadi Village Industries Board and Chief Executive Officer, Sant Ravidas Handicraft Development Corporation Anubha Srivastava said that the GI tag has been given to 6 products (5 Handicraft Products and One Horticulture Product) of Madhya Pradesh by Industry Promotion and Internal Trade of Union Ministry of Commerce.

Key Points

• These 6 products include Gond Painting of Dindori, Carpet of Gwalior, Batik Print of Ujjain, Stone Craft of Jabalpur Bhedaghat, Saree of Waraseoni of Balaghat and Sunderja-Mango of Rewa.
• It is known that this is the first time that so many products of the state have been given GI tags simultaneously. Along with this, the number of GI-tagged products has increased to 19 in the state.
• Anubha Srivastava told G.I. Tag (Geographical Indications Tag) is a type of level in which a product is given a special geographical identity, which is given by the Union Ministry of Commerce.
• He said that with the cooperation of the NABARD Textile Committee and the Ministry of Textiles, the state government has achieved this success in coordination with the Cottage & Village Industries department and local producer organizations.

Gond painting of Dindori	Gond painting of Dindori
Carpet	Batik print of Ujjain
Stone craft of Jabalpur Bhedaghat	Waraseoni saree of Balaghat
Sunderja-Mango of Rewa

Haryana Cabinet approves the draft of the SMDA, 2023 Bill

Why in News?

On 5 April 2023, Haryana cabinet meeting was held in Chandigarh under the chairmanship of Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal, in which the draft of Sonipat Metropolitan Development Authority (SMDA), 2023 Bill was approved.

Key Points

• This draft bill seeks to ensure continuous, sustainable and balanced development of Sonipat Metropolitan Area through quality of life and creation of employment opportunities aiming to develop a vision for a reasonable standard of living and integrated and coordinated planning, infrastructure to be provided to residents.
• Apart from this, the enactment of this bill will also lead to development and provision of urban amenities, mobility management, sustainable management of urban environment and social, economic & industrial development.
• The government has decided to set up Sonipat Metropolitan Development Authority (SMDA) Sonipat on the lines of Gurugram Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA) Gurugram, Faridabad Metropolitan Development Authority (FMDA), Faridabad and Panchkula Metropolitan Development Authority (PMDA) Panchkula.
• Its main objective is to develop a vision for the sustainable and balanced development of the Sonipat Metropolitan Area. Urban facilities and infrastructural development will be strengthened by the authorities.
• The Chief Minister will be the chairman of Sonipat Metropolitan Development Authority (SMDA), while Town and Country Planning Minister, Urban Local Bodies Minister, Transport Minister, Member of Parliament, State Legislative Assembly, Mayor and Senior Deputy Mayor of Municipal Corporation Sonipat and many senior officials of the State Government will be ex-officio members of this authority.

Haryana Government amended the Punjab Village Common Land (Regulation) Rules, 1964

Why in News?

On 5 April 2023, in the meeting of the Council of Ministers held in Chandigarh under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Manohar Lal, it was decided to amend sub-rule (2A) of the Punjab Village Common Land (Regulation) Rules, 1964.

Key Points

• Under this, interested social societies or religious institutions that want to establish Gaushala, Biogas Plant, Panchgavya Products, Veterinary Hospital, Research and Training Center and for growing fodder will now be able to take the included land on lease for a period of up to 20 years.
• For this, the lease holder in the Gaushalas will have to keep at least 50 percent of the destitute animals in the Gaushala during the lease period of the total animal population.
• These rules are now called the 'Punjab Village Common Land (Regulation) Haryana Amendment Rules, 2023'.
• After the said amendment, now the Gram Panchayat through its land allotment will be allowed to give lease for a period of up to 20 years at a minimum rate of Rs 5100 per acre per year.
• Religious organizations with a history of philanthropic contribution to the society verified by their forefathers will be recommended by the District Level Committee and the Haryana Gau-Seva Aayog.
• Any land in Shamlat Deh will be allowed to be given on lease for establishment of Gaushala in the ratio of 0.75 acre for every 100 animals (at least 50 percent destitute cattle) after construction of Gaushala.
• In Shamlat Deh, any land will be allowed to lease 2 acres of land to a Gaushala with 1500 animals (at least 50 percent stray animals) for ancillary purposes like biogas plant, Panchgavya products, veterinary hospital, research and training center etc.
• After construction of Gaushala, 1.5 acres of land earmarked for cattle rearing will be allowed to be given on lease for cultivation of fodder for every 100 animals (at least 50 percent destitute animals).

Online portal launched for Empanelment of Private Hospitals

Why in News?

According to the information provided by the Haryana Information, Public Relations and Language Department on 5 April 2023, Haryana Health and Family Welfare Minister Anil Vij has launched an online portal and a software as part of his commitment to provide transparent and quick health services to the people in the state.

Key Points

• Now on this portal, the process of empanelment of private hospitals will be online as soon as possible and they will be issued an online empanelment certificate.
• Private hospitals will be submitted on this portal with the complete set of required valid documents. Login ID is created at 4 levels namely PM Branch (ASMO/DD), DGHS, ACS (Health) & Health Minister for processing and subsequently approve/reject the applications.
• The state government is facilitating this through empanelment of private hospitals apart from government health institutions, especially for providing tertiary and super-specialty health facilities to its employees, pensioners and their dependents. To ensure highest quality standards, only JCI/NABH accredited hospitals have been empaneled since 2017 and no empanelment fee is charged.
• Presently, applications for empanelment are submitted in hard copy, by hand or by post to the DGHS office. Applications are taken on file and processed at various levels from the Minister of Health to the Clerk until final approval.
• Similarly, the online empanelment portal will enable efficient and quick processing of such applications, which also has the facility of real time tracking of applications. Deficiencies in the application, if any, will be highlighted on the portal for correction by the applicant hospitals without the need to visit any office.
• In this, a dashboard has also been prepared for the officers to monitor the functionality/pending of the applications. The dashboard for the users (State Government employees/pensioners) along with complete details about each empaneled hospital, empanelment period, scope of services, details of beds, details of doctors etc. is also displayed.
• Moreover, this online empanelment portal is another example of the Haryana Government's commitment towards efficient, transparent and speedy service delivery under which private hospitals will get an online certificate of empanelment.
• It is to be noted that at present, there are 423 (211 multi-specialty and 208 single specialty) private hospitals under the empanelment of the state government.

Randomization and Real Time Inspection Software (Drug Wing)

Why in News?

According to the information provided by the Haryana Information, Public Relations and Language Department on 5 April 2023, Health and Family Welfare Minister Anil Vij has launched Randomization and Real Time Inspection Software (Drug Wing) for inspection of drug license stakeholders' organizations issued by Food and Drug Administration Department.

Key Points

• Haryana is the first state in the country to launch this software. This software will be implemented in Panchkula district on pilot basis and later it will be implemented in other districts of the state.
• This software has been started for the drug wing in the first phase and the food wing will be included in the second phase. The names of the random licensed units will be displayed on the official's mobile app for inspection.
• Through this software, the drug control officer will be given the duty to inspect the drug unit in a random manner and the target of inspection will also be given to these officers according to the month, which will be online. Inspection of all such drug units will be online and real time.
• In this, the officers will also have to share geo-tagging and location and immediately submit their inspection reports online to the licensing authority and higher authorities at the same time. For inspection, the concerned officers will also have to get approval from the controlling officers.
• It is known that at present there are 32581 retail and wholesale drug licensees in the state.

Jharkhand Education Minister Jagarnath Mahto passed away in Chennai

Why in News?

On 6 April 2023, Jharkhand Education Minister Jagarnath Mahto passed away in Chennai, he was an MLA from Dumri Assembly. Chief Minister Hemant Soren has shared this information by tweeting from his official Twitter handle.

Key Points

• Significantly, Jagarnath Mahto has been running ill for the last few months. On 14 March during the budget session of the Legislative Assembly, his health suddenly deteriorated due to which he was admitted to Paras Hospital in Ranchi. He was later airlifted to Chennai's MGM Hospital where he died during treatment on 6 April.
• Two years ago, after being infected with the Corona epidemic, he had a lung infection. During this, his lungs were transplanted in Chennai MGM itself and now he was sent there for follow-up. Earlier in October 2018, he had a heart attack.
• Jagarnath Mahto represented the Dumri assembly constituency of Giridih district, he was counted among the tall leaders of Jharkhand Mukti Morcha. He was a very popular MLA elected from the Dumri assembly. He was known as a 'Tiger' in the area.
• He also had the additional charge of the Product Department. As the education minister, his big achievement was considered to be the implementation of service condition rules for the stabilization of 65,000 para teachers.

Increase in the amount of assistance under 'Mukhyamantri Kanya Vivah Yojana'

Why in News?

According to information received from the Chhattisgarh Public Relations Department on 6 April 2023, the state government has increased the assistance amount from Rs 25,000 to Rs 50,000 under the 'Chief Minister Kanya Vivah Yojana'.

Key Points

• It is known that in the budget presented for the year 2023-24, a provision of Rs 38 crore has been kept for this scheme. With this, the dream of many families to get their daughters married pomp will be fulfilled.
• Under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, the state government has increased the amount under the scheme twice. In the year 2019, Bhupesh Baghel gave priority to the marriage of daughters in the first budget presented after taking over as Chief Minister, the grant amount given under marriage was increased from Rs 15 thousand to Rs 25 thousand. Now this amount has been increased to 50 thousand rupees.
• Compared to the year 2019, the fixed budget amount has also been increased from Rs 19 crore to Rs 38 crore. Due to this, the concern about the marriage of daughters in many families has been removed.
• Significantly, due to financial problems in many families, the daughter's marriage becomes difficult. Under these circumstances, the state government helps with the marriage of daughters under the 'Mukhyamantri Kanya Vivah Yojana'.
• The objective of this scheme, run by the Department of Women and Child Development, is to solve the economic difficulties faced by poor families in the marriage of girls, to stop extravagance in marriages and to promote simple marriages, through the organization of group marriages, along with increasing the self-esteem of poor families, improving their social status and preventing dowry transactions in marriages.
• Benefits payable under the scheme
  • Under the scheme, financial assistance is given to families living below the poverty line and a maximum of two girls above the age of 18 years of the cardholder family under the 'Chief Minister's Food Scheme'.
  • In this, along with providing makeup materials and other daily use items to the bride and groom as gifts, money is also given through bank drafts.
  • Some amount is also spent on organizing mass marriages.
  • Widows, orphans, and destitute girls are also included in the scheme.
  • To take advantage of the scheme, the office of the District Women and Child Development Officer/District Program Officer can be contacted. You can contact the Child Development Project Officer or the Integrated Child Development Officer at the development block level. You can also get information regarding the scheme from the Anganwadi workers in your area.

Chhattisgarh Govt. implemented 'State Women Entrepreneurship Policy 2023-28'

Why in News?

According to information received from the Chhattisgarh Public Relations Department on 6 April 2023, the state government has implemented the 'State Women Entrepreneurship Policy 2023-28' to give a new identity to the efficiency of women and to connect them with entrepreneurship.

Key Points

• Under this policy, provision has been made to give financial assistance (loan) to women for setting up industries. Due to this, along with an increase in women's workforce, their participation in industry and trade will increase. With this policy, the number of startups started by women will also increase rapidly.
• Under the State Women Entrepreneurship Policy 2023-28, a provision has been made to give loans up to a maximum of Rs 50 lakh to the women entrepreneurs of the state for manufacturing enterprise projects, a maximum of Rs 25 lakh for service enterprise projects and up to Rs 10 lakh for business enterprise projects.
• Under this policy economic investment incentives will be provided to eligible micro, small and medium manufacturing and service enterprises established by women entrepreneurs in the state for expansion, expansion and consolidation.
• Fixed capital investment grants up to 30-55 per cent of the fixed capital investment made in the enterprise i.e. Rs 40 lakh to Rs 1 crore 20 lahks, term loan obtained for the enterprises and working capital provisioned in the project report (up to a maximum of three months' requirement) 45 to 70 percent interest subsidy, maximum amount from 15 to 60 lakh rupees, 50 percent for setting up new enterprises, margin money subsidy up to maximum 75 lakh rupees, net state goods and services tax (net SGST) reimbursement commercial production for 6 to 16 years from the date of commencement, exemption from electricity duty, for 6 to 12 years from the date of commencement of commercial production, full exemption and in addition to the above, exemption from stamp duty, transport grant, exemption from mandi fee, rent grant provision has been made.
• Women self-help groups will be given an additional grant of 5 percent in grants as an additional economic investment incentive and an additional time period of 1 year in cases of exemption.
• Under the Industrial Policy 2019-24, a provision has been made for a 5 percent additional grant and one-year additional exemption in cases of exemption to start-up enterprises established by women in the startup package announced under the Industrial Policy 2019-24.
• It is known that the Government of Chhattisgarh is encouraging women along with creating new schemes to ensure their participation in every field. Many women are working in small-scale and cottage industries in rural and urban areas. Along with this, through self-help groups, women working in Gothans, forest produce collection and other areas are making important contributions to the development of the state.

Ban on Fish Egg Production, Promotion and Rearing of Exotic Mangoor & Big Head Fishes in the State

Why in News?

On 6 April 2023, the Chhattisgarh Government, Fisheries Department declared fish seed production, fish seed culture and rearing of Exotic Mangoor (Clarias Garie Pinus) and Big Head (Hypopthalmicthys nobilis) fishes prohibited in the state.

Key Points

• According to the notification issued by the state government, the transportation, import and marketing of these fish have also been banned.
• No fisherman, individual, group or committee of these prohibited fishes, shall produce fish seed by the central or state government, promote and rear fishes in government or personal water bodies.
• According to the order issued by the Director of Fisheries, in case of violation of the ban, under the Chhattisgarh Fisheries (Amendment) Act 2015, one-year imprisonment and Rs 10,000 or both can be punished.
• If found involved in any activity related to these banned fish, after conviction, the concerned will be banned from all kinds of schemes offered by the Fisheries Department.

Chief Minister inaugurated the state's 1st health ATM and 40 True Net machines

Why in News?

On 6 April 2023, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami inaugurated 6 Health ATMs and 40 True Net machines in a program organized at Vishwakarma Bhawan located in the Uttarakhand Secretariat. The first health ATM of the state has been installed in the state secretariat.

Key News

• Through the Health ATM, 72 types of health-related tests will be done within 30 seconds with a single drop of blood.
• In the program, the Chief Minister said that with the installation of a Health ATM, now one will not have to go far for a check-up. Health ATMs will be set up on the Yatra routes to provide better health facilities to the tourists coming from the country and the world during the Chardham Yatra.
• Under Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), Indian Oil Corporation, Yash Bank, JK Tire have given Health ATMs and True Net machines.
• Through Yash Bank, one health ATM has been installed in Secretariat, Vidhan Sabha and Tanakpur Hospital. JK Tire Company has installed one Health ATM each at Police Line, JLN District Hospital Nainital, Joint Hospital Tanakpur, Community Health Center Jaspur, Sub District Hospital Ranikhet, Almora.
• An MoU was signed between the Health Department and the companies in the presence of the Chief Minister.
• Courtesy Indian Oil Corporation Limited 40 True Net machines will be installed at block level under CSR. With this, along with TB, covid will also be tested.
• You can also get yourself tested through the Health ATM. 72 tests including Hemoglobin, TLC & DLC, Blood Sugar, Blood Pressure, Uric Acid, Cholesterol, HbA1-C, Blood Group, Lipid Profile, Triglyceride, Glycoprotein, Pregnancy Test, Kidney Test, Hepatitis, Chikungunya, Malaria, BMC, BMI, temperature, oxygen level, body water content, ECG can be done. This test will be free of cost at these health ATMs.

3 proposals for an alternative route from Haridwar to Srinagar were prepared on the banks of the Ganges

Why in News?

On 6 April 2023, Ashish Chauhan, District Magistrate of Pauri, Uttarakhand, said that on the instructions of the government, three proposals have been prepared for another parallel alternative route across the Ganges on the Badrinath Highway.

Key News

• It is to be known that these three options of the alternative routes have been suggested by the Pauri district administration on the instructions of the government. After surveying the route, the report has been submitted to the government.
• A new route of 87 km as the first option has been proposed. Out of this, a 50 km road has already been built, while a new 32 km road has been proposed.
  • This route will start from a place called Mala, 26 km ahead of Rishikesh on the Badrinath Highway (NH-58). A bridge of 150-meter span will have to be built here. After this, this route will go from Mala to Srinagar via Singtali, Vyasghat, Devprayag, and Janasu.
• As another option, 95 km of the new road has been proposed. Out of this, about 50 km of road has already built, while 45 km of the new road will have to be constructed.
• This route will start from Phoolchatti. For this, a bridge of 150-meter span will have to be built on the Havel River. This route will go from Phoolchatti to Srinagar via Mala, Singtali, Vyasghat, Devprayag, and Janasu.
• As a third option, a total of 137 km of road has been proposed from Haridwar's Chandighat bridge to Srinagar. Out of this, about 50 km of road has already been built, while 56 km of the new road is to be built. Three bridges will have to be built on this route. There will be about 55 km of elevated road from Kali Mandir to Sirasu, and 2 km east-south from Chandighat.
  • This route will also go from Chandighat Bridge via Sirasu, Mala, Singtali, Vyasghat, Devprayag, Janasu to Srinagar. In all three options, the entire area falls in the Pauri district.
• There has been a demand for a long time to build a new bridge near Singtali to connect the Singtali area of Pauri Garhwal by road. If the government goes ahead with even one of the three options, apart from Singtali, hundreds of villages like Mala, Sirasu, Vyasghat, Saud, Sirala, Utrasu, Rampur, Roli, Dhanchada and Bilkedar, Chila, Gangabhogpur will be benefited.
• In all three options of the proposed highway, it will also connect two important railway stations Saud (Devprayag) and Janasu (Srinagar) of the Rishikesh-Karnprayag rail line.
• While the problem of traffic jams in Haridwar-Rishikesh will be solved after the construction of the road, the villages of the Pauri district will be connected by road. Due to the closure of the main road (NH-58) in the event of a disaster, this road will prove to be important from the point of view of travel and strategy.