• 08 Jun 2022

Uttar Pradesh ranks 8th in Food Security Index, 2021-22

Why in News?

• On the occasion of World Food Day on June 7, 2022, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya released the 4^th State Food Safety Index (SFSI) of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), in which Uttar Pradesh has been ranked 8th.

Key Points

• Mandaviya launched various innovative initiatives including The Eat Right Research Awards and Grants Phase-II, Eat Right Creativity Challenge Phase-III, a competition at the school level by FSSAI.
• Tamil Nadu topped the Food Security Index, 2021-22 among 17 large states with 82 points, while Gujarat is second with 77.5 points and Maharashtra is third with 70 points.
• Uttar Pradesh and Odisha are jointly ranked 5^th in the category of big states with 54.5 points.
• Among the smaller states, Goa retained its top ranking, while Manipur and Sikkim secured the second and third positions. Among the Union Territories, Jammu and Kashmir, Delhi and Chandigarh secured the top three ranks.
• It may be recalled that the states have been assessed on five parameters of food security - human resources and institutional data, compliance, food testing facilities, training and capacity building and consumer empowerment.
• The Food Security Index, launched in 2018-19, was aimed at bringing about a competitive and positive change in the food security ecosystem in the country. The move was also taken to motivate the states and Union Territories to work towards ensuring safe food for citizens.

Gandhi Setu ranked as the Country's Largest Steel Bridge

Why in News?

• On June 7, 2022, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari and State Chief Minister Nitish Kumar inaugurated the eastern end of the Mahatma Gandhi Setu at Patna in the state of Bihar.

Key Points

• The eastern lane of the Mahatma Gandhi Setu, which was the longest bridge in the country for 35 years, has been completed after five years.
• This bridge will be a lifeline from Patna to north Bihar, now the distance from Patna to Vaishali will be covered in 15 minutes.
• It is made of steel instead of cemented. This bridge is the largest steel bridge in the country. It is 5.6 km long.
• Such a steel bridge has been constructed for the first time in the country. 67,000 tons of iron have been used in its construction.
• It is known that Mahatma Gandhi Setu has been constructed under 15 National Highway projects at a cost of Rs.13,585 crore.

Approval of Proposal for Creation of New Sub-Tehsil Bar and Todra

Why in News?

• On June 7, 2022, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot approved the proposal to make Bar (Tehsil Bhim) of Rajsamand district and Todra (Tehsil Sawai Madhopur) of Sawai Madhopur district as new sub-tehsil.

Key Points

• It may be recalled that the Chief Minister in the Budget for the year 2022-23 had announced the expansion of administrative units in the state with a view to administrative strengthening. The Chief Minister has given this approval by relaxing the rules.
• This decision of the Chief Minister will make it easier for the people to dispose of the revenue works at the local level itself.
• The new sub-tehsil bar will consist of 2 Land Records Inspector Circles, 7 Patwar Mandals and 36 Revenue Villages and new Sub-Tehsil Todra will consist of 3 Land Records Inspector Circles, 11 Patwar Mandals and 51 Revenue Villages.
• It may be recalled that on June 6, 2022, the Chief Minister had approved the proposal to upgrade Patan and Reengus sub-tehsils of Sikar district to tehsils.

Rajasthan ranks 10th in Food Security Index, 2021-22

Why in News?

• On the occasion of World Food Day on June 7, 2022, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya released the 4^th State Food Safety Index (SFSI) of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), in which Rajasthan has been ranked 10^th.

Key Points

• Mandaviya launched various innovative initiatives including The Eat Right Research Awards and Grants Phase-II, Eat Right Creativity Challenge Phase-III, a competition at the school level by FSSAI.
• Tamil Nadu topped the Food Security Index, 2021-22 among 17 large states with 82 points, while Gujarat is second with 77.5 points and Maharashtra is third with 70 points.
• Rajasthan is ranked 10th in the category of large states with 50.5 points.
• Among the smaller states, Goa retained its top ranking, while Manipur and Sikkim secured the second and third positions. Among the Union Territories, Jammu and Kashmir, Delhi and Chandigarh secured the top three ranks.
• It may be noted that the states have been assessed on five parameters of food security - human resources and institutional data, compliance, food testing facilities, training and capacity building and consumer empowerment.
• The Food Security Index was launched in 2018-19 with the aim of bringing about a competitive and positive change in the food security ecosystem in the country. The move was also taken to motivate the states and Union Territories to work towards ensuring safe food for citizens.

Avani Lekhara wins Gold at Para-Shooting World Cup

Why in News?

• India's star para-shooter Tokyo Paralympics champion Avani Lekhara on June 7, 2022, won the gold medal with a world record in the R2 women's 10m air rifle at the Para-Shooting World Cup in Chetiaro, France.

Key Points

• The 20-year-old from Jaipur has won the gold in the women's 10m air rifle standing SH1 event with 250.6 points. With this win, she has made her way to the 2024 Paris Paralympics.
• Avni has set a new world record by breaking her own world record of 249.6.
• Avani had won the gold medal in the 10m air rifle standing event in the SH1 category at the Tokyo Paralympics in August last year. She also won a bronze medal in the women's 50m rifle three position SH1 event and is the first para athlete from India to win more than one medal at the Paralympics.

Indore Stood at First Place in Eat Right Challenge

Why in News?

• At a function held in New Delhi on the occasion of World Food Security Day (June 7, 2022) Union Health Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya presented the first prize of the Eat Right Challenge competition to Indore.

Key Points

• Under the 'Eat Right Challenge for Cities and Districts', 75 cities and districts of the country have been chosen as winners with the objective of recognizing the efforts to adopt food security initiatives, promote rules and change.
• In this competition, 188 cities of the country had registered themselves, out of which Indore has secured the first position with the highest marks.
• Along with this, 7 other districts of the state - Bhopal, Ujjain, Jabalpur, Gwalior, Rewa, Sagar and Satna - were also awarded for positive change in food security under the Eat Right Challenge for Cities and Districts.
• Bhopal, Ujjain, Jabalpur have secured 3rd, 5th and 7th position respectively. Gwalior has been ranked 12th, Rewa 17th, Sagar 23rdand Satna 74th.
• At the event, 4 smart cities of Madhya Pradesh - Indore, Jabalpur, Sagar and Ujjain - were awarded for being ranked in the top 11 smart cities in the Eat Smart Cities Challenge.
• Indore Smart City was awarded for its policy of domestic recycling and donating surplus food under the Eat Smart Cities Challenge.
• Jabalpur Smart City was honoured for its initiative on behaviour change initiated by cartoon characters to tackle the problem of obesity among children.
• Sagar Smart City was awarded for creating video games and youth nutrition ambassadors for imparting food safety training to children, while Ujjain Smart City was awarded for promoting hydroponics.

Chhattisgarh First in Resolving Public Grievances Online

Why in News?

• As per the information received from the official sources of the state government recently, Chhattisgarh is the first in the country in resolving public grievances in the Centralised Public Grievance Redressal and Monitoring System (CPGRAMS) portal created by the Central Government for redressal of public grievances.

Key Points

• Chhattisgarh has come first with the resolution of 97 per cent of the troubleshooting applications received in the Centralized Public Grievance Redressal and Monitoring System portal.
• A total of 60,998 out of 62,738 applications received in the state till June 3, 2022, have been disposed of in the last five years.
• The CPGRAMS online portal receives complaints. Applications for resolution are transferred online to the State Governments.
• It may be mentioned that the Chief Secretary of Chhattisgarh holds meetings of departmental and district officials on virtual mode for one hour continuously. Usually eight district headquarters are added in a single day for review. This helps in speedy disposal of complaints.

Uttarakhand ranks 7th in Food Security Index, 2021-22

Why in News?

• On the occasion of World Food Day (June 7, 2022) Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya released the 4^th State Food Safety Index (SFSI) of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), in which Uttarakhand has been ranked 7^th.

Key Points

• Mandaviya launched various innovative initiatives including The Eat Right Research Awards and Grants Phase-II, Eat Right Creativity Challenge Phase-III, a competition at the school level by FSSAI.
• Tamil Nadu topped the Food Security Index, 2021-22 among 17 large states with 82 points, while Gujarat is second with 77.5 points and Maharashtra is third with 70 points.
• Uttarakhand is at the 7^th position with 55 points in the category of big states.
• Among the smaller states, Goa retained its top ranking, while Manipur and Sikkim secured the second and third positions. Among the Union Territories, Jammu and Kashmir, Delhi and Chandigarh secured the top three ranks.
• It may be recalled that the states have been assessed on five parameters of food security - human resources and institutional data, compliance, food testing facilities, training and capacity building and consumer empowerment.
• The Food Security Index was launched in 2018-19 with the aim of bringing about a competitive and positive change in the food security ecosystem in the country. The move was also taken to motivate the states and Union Territories to work towards ensuring safe food for citizens.

Amrit Sarovar will also be Built in less than One Acre of Land in Devbhoomi

Why in News?

• On June 7, 2022, Mohammad Aslam, state coordinator of Mission Amrut Sarovar, informed that the Central Government has relaxed the standard of area earmarked for construction of sarovar in Uttarakhand under the ambitious programme Mission Amrit Sarovar. Now, in Uttarakhand, lakes can be built in less than one acre of land.

Key Points

• The Centre has given this exemption in view of the heterogeneous geographical conditions of the state of Uttarakhand.
• The renovation and rejuvenation of the lakes will cost Rs 132.91 crore.
• It may be recalled that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced Mission Amrit Sarovar on April 24 this year with a view to conserve water for the future.
• Combining it with the Amrit Mahotsav of Independence, a target has been set to build 75 Amrit Sarovar's in each district. These reservoirs are to be constructed before 15th August next year.
• As per the prescribed standard, the area of a lake (reservoir) should be one acre or more.
• In the plains of Uttarakhand with heterogeneous geographical conditions, there is availability of one acre or more of land for reservoir construction, but this was not happening in the mountains. On this, the state government requested for relaxation in the standard of area, which was accepted by the Centre.
• Mohammad Aslam, state coordinator of the mission, said that 1017 lakes have been selected against the target of 975 lakes set for all the 13 districts. So far, 530 lakes have been sanctioned, out of which work has started on 333.
• Construction and revitalization of other lakes will begin soon. Most of the lakes will be constructed under MGNREGA.