• 08 Sep 2022

Three Important Decisions of the Chief Minister for Drug Free Rajasthan

Why In News?

• On September 7, 2022, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot took an important decision to make Rajasthan drug-free, for various works including prevention of drug abuse, rehabilitation of drug victims and spreading public awareness in the state, 'Drug-free Rajasthan Directorate/Commissionerate', 'Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF)' and 'Anti-Narcotics Unit ( Approved proposals for constitution of 'ANU)'.

Key Points

• Directorate of Drug Free Rajasthan / Commissionerate is being formed for many works including eliminating the growing problem of drug addiction. In this, the Commissioner, ex-officio Government Secretary, Home has been appointed.
• Also, officers/ employees of Medical and Family Welfare, Excise, Education, Social Justice and Empowerment, Police Department, State Forensic Science Laboratory, Directorate of Information and Public Relations will be included.
• The 'Anti-Narcotics Task Force' has been constituted under the chairmanship of Additional Chief Secretary, Home. Additional Director General of Police, ANU has been made member secretary.
• There will be 10 members in this force. These include Additional Chief Secretary of School Education, Department of Medical Health and Family Welfare, Department of Social Justice and Empowerment, Department of Agriculture, Excise Department and Government Secretary of Higher Education Department and Additional Director General of Directorate of Revenue Intelligence, State Drug Controller, State Forensic Science Laboratory and Director of Directorate of Information and Public Relations.
• The task force, Narco Coordination Centre (NCORD) will act as secretariat. It will ensure implementation of decisions of various meetings of NCORD.
• Coordination will be established with various departments, government agencies and police units for purposes such as developing strategies, measures and various methods for enforcement of laws against drug trafficking, prevention of abuse, rehabilitation of victims and spreading awareness.
• This force will ensure legal action against police, health and other departmental officers if they are found involved in smuggling of medicines. It will also assess the data related to drug abuse by various departments and recommend it to the state government for necessary policy changes.
• Proposals will be prepared and sent to the Central Government as per the requirement of various departments for financial assistance provided under central government schemes for drug control by the Directorate/ Commissionerate.
• An 'Anti-Narcotics Unit (ANU)' is being formed under the chairmanship of Inspector General of Police in SOG for the prevention of narcotic drugs and narcotics. It will mainly work as Anti-Narcotics Enforcement.

Second Phase of 'Rajiv Gandhi Jal Sanchay Yojana'

Why In News?

• On September 7, 2022, Aparna Arora, Principal Secretary, Rajasthan Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Department, informed that the state government has decided to start the second phase of 'Rajiv Gandhi Jal Sanchay Yojana', in which an order has been issued.

Key Points

• According to the order issued by Secretary Aparna Arora, the main objective of the second phase of the scheme is to discuss with the general public and construct pucca anicuts, MIT, WHS and MST on priority, conserve various financial resources and revive traditional drinking water and water sources.
• Similarly, to overcome the shortage of drinking water in the villages, to make drinking water available near the village or villages, to increase the ground water level, to increase the irrigated and arable area by rainwater harvesting and conservation, to increase the irrigated and arable area by conserving water and soil, etc.
• In the second phase, about 4500 villages of 352 Panchayat Samitis of Rajasthan have been included in this campaign.
• The working period of the second phase will be 2 years. Committees have been formed at the state, district and block levels for its effective implementation and monitoring. Along with this, gram panchayat level executive committee has also been formed to publicize the action plan.
• Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Department administrative department and Catchment Development and Land Conservation Department will be the nodal department for the implementation of the second phase. District Collector will be the nodal officer for effective implementation of this scheme.
• It is noteworthy that Rajiv Gandhi Jal Sanchay Yojna was started on 20th August, 2019 for maximum collection, conservation and equitable use of available water in the state. In the first phase, 4029 villages were included in 1450 gram panchayats.

Distribution of Subsidy on Farm Equipment Through ''e-RUPI vouchers'

Why In News?

• On September 7, 2022, Additional Chief Secretary, Haryana Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Department, Dr. Sumita Mishra informed that for the first time, subsidy on agricultural equipment would be distributed by the department through ' e-RUPI vouchers.

Key Points

• In this regard, he said that after the implementation of this new initiative, on the one hand, farmers will not have to run from pillar to post to get their subsidy, on the other hand, there will be more transparency in the implementation of the scheme through this digital mode.
• He said that after being selected by the district level executive committee, the farmers can negotiate with the manufacturers approved by the department regarding the cost of the related equipment and the grant amount will be provided to them at the time of procurement itself.
• Dr. Mishra said that now farmers will not have to pay the entire amount from their own pocket, because after the e-RUPI initiative, farmers will have to pay only their share of the cost. In this way, the farmers will get relief from the additional burden that earlier had to bear the interest for arranging the total cost.

Agriculture and Horticulture Department will Give Internship to BSc, MSc and PhD students

Why In News?

• On September 7, 2022, Additional Chief Secretary, Haryana Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Department, Dr. Sumita Mishra said that the state agriculture and horticulture department will now give internships to BSc, MSc and PhD students. Students will also be given stipend by the department for this internship.

Key Points

• On the basis of merit, 10 students for BSc in each department, 5-5 students for MSc and PhD will be selected for internship program and work will be given in different divisions. Certificates will also be given to the students upon completion of the internship.
• Dr. Sumita Mishra said that under this scheme, all the students of Chaudhary Charan Singh Agricultural University of Hisar, Maharana Pratap Horticulture University of Karnal and Central Institute, Haryana located in Haryana will get an opportunity to do internship in Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Department and Horticulture Department of Haryana.
• Under this, students of BSc, MSc and PhD degrees in the field of Agriculture and Horticulture Department are being included for mutual benefit. Apart from this, the trainees will get an opportunity to know about departmental programs, methodology, technology centers, opportunities to meet and interact with farmers and technical knowledge of agricultural and horticultural crops during internship.
• Dr. Sumita Mishra said that this experience of internship received from the department will prove to be very helpful in the future of the students. This internship is neither a job nor any such assurance for jobs in departments.
• Under the internship program, the internship program for B.Sc. students will be of 4 weeks, while the internship program for MSc and PhD students in Agriculture and Horticulture will be of 8 to 12 weeks.
• Those B.Sc. students, who are already being given a stipend of Rs 13,000 per month by the university, will be given the facility of internship program only for work in the departments. While Rs 9,000 will be given to MSc students and Rs 12,000 as stipend to PhD students by the Department of Agriculture and Horticulture.

Governor Approves Chhattisgarh Private University (Establishment and Operation) (Amendment) Bill

Why In News?

• On September 7, 2022, Chhattisgarh Governor Anusuiya Uikey approved the bill introduced to further amend the Chhattisgarh Private Universities (Establishment and Operation) Act, 2005 (No. 13 of 2005).

Key Points

• After the amendment, this Act will be called the Chhattisgarh Private Universities (Establishment and Operation) (Amendment) Act, 2022. It will extend to the entire State of Chhattisgarh and will come into force from the date of its publication in the Gazette.
• By amending the said Bill, simple number 16 has been added to the schedule prepared under sub-section (1) of section 9 of the Chhattisgarh Private Universities (Establishment and Operation) Act, 2005 (No. 13, 2005 ), after simple number 15 and related entries.
• According to this, approval has been given to run the 16thprivate university 'Anjaneya University' in Chhattisgarh. The main campus of Anjaneya University is in village- Nardaha, Tehsil- Mandir Hasaud, District-Raipur.
• Journalism / Mass Communication / Media, Arts / Humanities / Social Science, Law, Business Administration / Commerce / Management / Finance, Library and Information Science, Fine Arts / Performing Arts / Visual Arts Graduate in Applied Arts, Hotel Management/ Hospitality/ Tourism/ Travel, Science/ Applied Science, Engineering/ Technology/ Architecture/ Design, Vocational Education/ Skill Development Courses in health and applied sciences, paramedical/nursing, rehabilitation science, Sanskrit phonetic degree (Sanskrit sounding degree) and physical education will be conducted.

Chhattisgarh Other Backward Classes Advisory Council will be Formed in Chhattisgarh

Why In News?

• On September 6, 2022, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel decided to constitute Chhattisgarh other backward class advisory council to protect the interests of other backward classes in the state of Chhattisgarh.

Key Points

• The formation of other backward class advisory council in the state will help in the recommendation and implementation of the program for the people of this class. Active participation of the people of this class will be ensured to solve the problems related to other backward classes.
• This will speed up the diagnosis of problems of other backward class people and bring a rapid positive change in the standard of living. In this Council, the problem of class specific, the need will be considered. At the same time, decisions related to the welfare of other backward classes will be taken.
• With the formation of this council, better monitoring will be done for the implementation of schemes and programs run in the interest of Other Backward Classes in the state. It will also help in the creation of new schemes and programs for the betterment of other backward classes.
• 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 conduct of welfare programmes of other backward classes.
• 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, other backward classes advisory council is being formed in Chhattisgarh.
• The Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh will be the Chairman of this Council and the Minister of Charge will be the Vice President. The council will have a total of 40 members, of which the state assembly will have at least 10 elected members from other backward classes and the remaining members will be nominated by the state government.

Approval of Proposal for Setting up of 810 MW DC/675 MW AC Capacity Solar Power Plant

Why In News?

• On September 6, 2022, in the cabinet meeting chaired by Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, 810 to energize agricultural feeders through solar energy under Component-C of Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha and Utthan Maha Abhiyan (PM Kusum) scheme. The departmental proposal for setting up solar power plants of MW (DC)/675 MW (AC) capacity was approved.

Key Points

• 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 availability of solar energy, agricultural pumps will be operated with solar energy and if solar energy is not available, the electricity currently available will continue to be available, which will lead to the operation of agricultural pumps.
• At present there are 577 agricultural feeders in the state, on which 1,75,028 agricultural pumps are installed. Under the scheme, 810 MW DC (675 MW AC) capacity solar power plant will be established on government land and agricultural land to solarize the above 577 feeders.
• For this, the agricultural land of the farmers will be taken on lease for 25 years with the consent of the farmers. For this, farmers will be paid at the rate of Rs 30,000 per acre per year, along with an increase of 6 percent per year in the amount of the said lease.

Cabinet approves State Hydroelectric Project (Pump Storage Based) Establishment Policy, 2022

Why In News?

• On September 6, 2022, in the cabinet meeting chaired by Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, approval of Chhattisgarh State Hydroelectric Project (Pump Storage Based) Establishment Policy 2022 to encourage investment for setting up of pump storage based hydro power projects in the state. to be done.

Key Points

• At the initial stage, a project of about 10,000 MW capacity has been identified by the Generation Company at 7 sites for the establishment of pump storage based hydro power projects in Chhattisgarh.
• In these selected sites, study is being done to establish the project in Korba, Jashpur, Surguja, Gariaband, Dhamtari and Balrampur districts.
• Under the Chhattisgarh State Hydro Electric Project (Pump Storage Based) Establishment Policy 2022, Chhattisgarh State Power Generation Company Limited has been nominated as the nodal agency for the establishment of pump storage based hydro power project. Feasibility report and Detailed Project Report (DPR) will be prepared for the identified project by the nodal agency.
• Significantly, due to abundant availability of coal in the state, a large number of coal based power generation projects are being set up. For the stability and smooth operation of any power system, there should be a proper ratio of thermal power capacity and hydro power capacity generation capacity. At present the share of hydro power generation in the state's power system is not up to the ideal situation.

Uttarakhand releases Rs 594.75 Crore Revenue Deficit Grant

Why In News?

• On September 6, 2022, the Department of Expenditure, Union Ministry of Finance released the sixth monthly instalment of post-transfer revenue deficit (PDRD) grant of Rs 594.75 crore to Uttarakhand as per the recommendations of the Fifteenth Finance Commission.

Key Points

• Significantly, the Fifteenth Finance Commission has recommended revenue deficit grant for the financial year 2022-23 to 14 states after a total transfer of Rs 86,201 crore.
• Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Himachal Pradesh, Kerala, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Punjab, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Tripura, States that have been recommended by the Fifteenth Finance Commission for post-transfer revenue deficit grants during 2022-23. Uttarakhand and West Bengal.
• The recommended grant amount will be released in 12 equated monthly installments to the states recommended by the Department of Expenditure.
• With the release of this sixth installment, the total amount of revenue deficit grant released to the states in the year 2022-23 has increased to Rs 43,100.50 crore.
• The sixth instalment released to Uttarakhand for September 2022 is Rs 594.75 crore and the total post-transfer revenue deficit grant (PDRDG) released to the state during 2022-23 is Rs 3568.50 crore.
• It is noteworthy that under Article 275 of the Constitution, revenue deficit grant is provided to the states after transfer. This grant amount is released to the states as per the successive recommendations of the Finance Commissions to meet the gap in the revenue accounts of the states after transfer.
• The eligibility of the states to receive this grant and the quantum of grant for the period 2020-21 to 2025-26 was determined by the Fifteenth Commission keeping in mind the gap between the assessment of the revenue and expenditure of the state.