• 09 Aug 2023

Uttar Pradesh Government Doubled the Allowance of Jailed Prisoners and Convicted Prisoners

Why in News?

On August 8, 2023, Joint Secretary of Uttar Pradesh Prisons Department Shivgopal Singh issued a government order stating that the state government has increased the allowance for labour of prisoners and convicted prisoners in jails.

Key Points:

• At present, skilled, semi-skilled and unskilled prisoners in the state jails get a daily allowance of Rs 40, Rs 30 and Rs 25. The cabinet has now increased this amount to Rs 81, Rs 60 and Rs 50.
• After 2011, this amount has now been increased in view of inflation.
• In the event of conviction, 15% reduction in remuneration will continue to be done as before.
• These rates have been implemented with immediate effect.
• These remuneration rates have been implemented in the context of the Allahabad High Court's decision of September 27, 2022.

Seal on 9 Agendas in Bihar Cabinet

Why in News?

On August 8, 2023, an important meeting of the state cabinet was held under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar at the Chief Secretariat building in Patna, the capital of Bihar, in which a total of nine agendas were approved.

Key Points:

• The nine agendas include schemes of Industries Department, Labour Resources Department, Environment, Forest & Climate Change Department, Urban Development & Housing Department etc.
• Recruitment will be done in the Environment, Forest and Climate Change Department: In the meeting, approval has been given for the restoration of Scientific Officer in Environment, Forest and Climate Change Department. This officer will conduct the work in the office of Bihar State Biodiversity Council. In this, approval has been given to appoint an officer on a contract basis.
• Approval for setting up of ITIs at Saran-Vaishali: Approval was given for setting up of ITIs at Garkha in Saran district and Raghopur in Vaishali under the scheme of setting up of new Industrial Training Institutes. For this, the cabinet has also approved the creation of a total of 86 posts. Also, an allocation of Rs 468 crore has been approved for this in the financial year 2023-24.
• Cabinet approves amendment of Bihar State Migrant Workers Accident Grant Scheme: The Cabinet has approved the agenda for amendment of Rule 5, 5A and 5B of the Bihar State Migrant Workers Accident Grant Scheme Rules, 2008. As a result, the Bihar State Migrant Workers Accident Grant Scheme Rules 2023 will be implemented.
• Financial incentive clearance to Dadaji Snacks: In the cabinet meeting, Patna's M/s Dadaji Snacks Pvt. Ltd. has been approved for financial incentive clearance in the light of the rules of Bihar Industrial Investment Promotion Rules, 2016.
• Approval for financial incentives for AFP Manufacturing: The Cabinet approved the clearance of financial incentives from Haripur to M/s AFP Manufacturing Company Private Limited in view of the rules of Bihar Industrial Investment Promotion Rules 2016.
• Rs 409 crore approved for the development of industrial areas: In the financial year 2023-24, Rs 409 crore will be spent for the development of industrial areas in the state. In this, approval has been given to withdraw and spend one hundred and fifty crores as the first supplement.
• Approval to Draft Agreement of National Urban Livelihoods Mission: The draft agreement on transfer of livelihoods for creating social awareness and implementation of institutional development component under National Urban Livelihood Mission has been approved.
• Amount approved for installation of STP with the help of World Bank: In the cabinet meeting, approval of Rs 98.59 crore has been given to work on the plan to install STP with the help of World Bank in Karmali Chak zone of Patna city. In this, the central share of 62 crores and the state will have 30 percent share, i.e., 36 crores of state share.
• Rs 542 crore approved for subway from Patna Museum to Bihar Museum: In the meeting, the revised estimate (revised estimate) of the subway construction plan to connect Bihar Museum with Patna Museum has been approved, which is now of Rs 542 crore.

Rajasthan Prakrit Language and Literature Academy will be formed

Why in News?

On August 8, 2023, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot approved the proposal to set up the Rajasthan Prakrit Language and Literature Academy.

Key Points:

• Rajasthan Prakrit Language and Sahitya Academy will work for the publication of folk literature of Jainism including the restoration & preservation of archaeological heritage and temples of Jain community.
• The Academy will undertake several works for the restoration, preservation and promotion of Prakrit and Jain language literature, including preparing a directory of high-quality texts, manuscripts, literature corpus, vocabulary and texts, translating Prakrit language into Indian languages.
• Apart from these, literary conferences, seminars, symposiums, poet conferences, lecture series, camps, exhibitions and all publicity related activities are organized, honouring litterateurs for their outstanding works, etc.
• The Academy will establish libraries, reading rooms and center's of study and discussion, formulate plans for the upliftment of Prakrit language and literature and carry forward the objectives of the Academy.
• The Academy will have four officers including president, vice-president, treasurer and secretary. They will be appointed by the state government.
• Along with this, there will be a general meeting of the academy, in which the above four officers including the Department of Art, Literature, Culture and Archeology, Department of College Education, Department of School Education (Primary / Secondary), Deputy Government Secretary / Joint Government Secretary of Rajasthan Oriental Vidya Pratishthan Jodhpur /Commissioner/Director or his representative.
• Apart from these, there will be 6 Prakrit language litterateurs nominated by the state government, 3 representatives nominated by the state government of reputed institutions working for the promotion and development of Prakrit language and 7 persons nominated by the General Assembly.
• It will be headquartered in Jaipur or Rajasthan Prachya Vidya Pratishthan Jodhpur.
• The administrative department of the Academy will be the Department of Art, Literature, Culture and Archaeology and the Principal Secretary of Government or his representative (Joint Government Secretary / Deputy Government Secretary level officer) will act as an official member in the Academy till the Constitution/ Rules of the Academy are framed.

Water Resources Department Received ET Government Digi-Tech Award 2023

Why in News?

The Water Resources Department of Rajasthan was awarded the ET Government Digitech Award 2023 in the category of Digital Initiatives at the three-day Economic Times Government Digitech Conclave & Awards 2023 being held in Goa on August 8, 2023.

Key Points:

• Dr. Subodh Agarwal, Additional Chief Secretary, Water Resources and IGNP received the award at the function.
• During the program, the Additional Chief Secretary told about the innovations in information and technology happening in the department and the state.
• Rajasthan has received this award at the national level for outstanding use of digital technology in the field of water.
• It is worth mentioning that the Water Informatics Centre run by the Department of Water Resources, Government of Rajasthan has received this award in the category of 'Digital Initiative in Making Climate/Disaster Resistant States/Cities'.
• This award is one of the prestigious national level e-Governance Awards, which has been instituted with the objective of recognizing and recognizing the digital experiments & innovations being done in the field of E-Governance.

MoU signed between Prashanti Medical Service and Research Foundation and State Government

Why in News?

On August 8, 2023, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between Prashanti Medical Service & Research Foundation and the Public Health and Family Welfare Department on behalf of the state government in the presence of Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan.

Key Points:

• The State Government's MoU has been signed with Prashanti Medical Service and Research Foundation to enable parents to easily treat congenital heart disorders in children and to provide specialist services.
• Under this MoU, Prashanti Medical Service and Research Foundation will provide free treatment to children affected by childhood heart disease at Sri Sathya Sai Heart Hospital, Ahmedabad.
• Under this, one thousand children will be treated completely free of cost in the hospital established in Ahmedabad, the state government will bear the travel expenses.
• It is worth mentioning that out of 1000 living children, about 9 children have the problem of congenital heart disorder, the cost of treatment of which ranges from 1 lakh to 5 lakh rupees. Therefore, this treatment becomes difficult for poor and lower middle-class families. Children can lead a normal life if the disease is detected on time and proper treatment is given. Keeping this in mind, it was decided by the Chief Minister to run the Child Heart Treatment Scheme in the state.
• In this scheme, arrangements were made for the treatment of children in Narayana Hrudayalaya Mumbai, Chirayu Hospital Bhopal, Aurobindo Hospital Indore.
• It is known that in the year 2019, the state government signed a contract with Prasanthi Medical Service and Research Foundation for two years and a total of 117 children were provided free treatment. Now again MO has been signed.

Ambulance Service Started in Five Districts of Jharkhand

Why in News?

According to the information received from the media on August 8, 2023, under the National Health Mission, orders have been given to deploy ambulances under dial 108 emergency service in Jharkhand, under which 5 districts have been selected.

Key Points:

• In the first phase of deployment of ambulances in the state, approval has been given for regular operation of ambulances ensuring their stoppage at 69 base locations in Dhanbad, Hazaribagh, Khunti, Lohardaga and Ramgarh districts.
• All the 206 new ambulances parked in the NHM campus are being gradually deployed at the designated places.
• In the second phase, ambulance service will be started in Ranchi, Giridih, Dumka, Palamu, East Singhbhum and Pakur districts, for which recruitment of drivers and para emergency medical technicians is being done.
• It is known that in place of the old company M/s Jikitza Health Care Limited, the new company GBK Emergency Management and Research Institute (EMRI Green Health Services) of Secunderabad will take over its responsibility.
• The old company, Jikitza, was asked to hand over the same to the concerned company by 12 midnight on 18th August.
• It is known that since November 14, 2017, free 108 ambulance service is being run in Jharkhand. Under the MoU, the company's agreement with the government expired on November 14, 2022.
• The injured, general patients and pregnant women will get the benefit of ambulance service under emergency service.
• How many ambulances will be started in the state?
  • Dhanbad 27
  • Hazaribagh 19
  • Ramgarh 10
  • Lohardaga 6
  • Khunti 6
• In the respective districts, if an accident has to be taken to the hospital for treatment, a sick person or the elderly in the family should be taken to the hospital for health check-up from home, or a pregnant woman should be taken for delivery, people should call 108. But according to the case, immediate service will be available. The service of all ambulances is being made available 24 hours.
• These features will be:
  • 51 Ventilator Supported Advanced Life Support (ALS)
  • 131 Basic Life Support (BLS) with oxygen
  • 24 Child Care Supported NeoNatal Life (ALS Neo Natal) Support Ambulance

'Intensified Mission Indradhanush (IMI) 5.0' launched in Haryana

Why in News?

On August 7, 2023, the Government of India decided for nationwide implementation of 'Intensified Mission Indradhanush (IMI) 5.0' with the objective of increasing vaccination coverage for all vaccines specified in the National Immunization Schedule, under which the first phase of this mission has started in Haryana, scheduled from August 7 to August 12, 2023.

Key Points:

• A state government spokesperson said that three phases of 'IMI 5.0' scheduled for the months of August, September and October 2023 would be conducted in all the districts of Haryana.
• In the first phase, 65000 children of 0-5 years and 13600 pregnant women will be vaccinated.
• An official spokesperson said that the Government of India has recently launched the 'U-WIN (Winning over Immunization) Portal' which will be used for all data recording and reporting for IMI 5.0.
• The first round of 'IMI 5.0' has started in all the districts of Haryana. In most of the districts this campaign has been started by eminent personalities.
• The activities of this mission were launched by Moolchand Sharma in District Faridabad, Minister Dr. Banwari Lal in District Rewari, Minister Omprakash Yadav in District Narnaul, Haryana Deputy Speaker Ranbir Gangwa in District Hisar.
• In other districts of the state including Bhiwani, Faridabad, Fatehabad, Jind, Kurukshetra, Rewari and Yamunanagar, the mission was launched by the MLAs of the respective areas.
• Under 'Intensified Mission Indradhanush (IMI) 5.0' children up to 5 years of age are being vaccinated against measles and rubella. The main objective of this campaign is to eliminate Measles and Rubella by the end of this year.

'Sehat Bazar' Millets Cafe

Why in News?

On August 8, 2023, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel inaugurated the newly built 'Sehat Bazar' Millets Cafe opposite Dalpat Sagar in Jagdalpur of the state.

Key Points:

• After discussing with the women running the cafe, the Chief Minister appreciated the products made from millets and presented them with an amount of Rs 5,000 as best wishes.
• Sehat Bazar is being operated by Mom's Food Organization Jagdalpur. This cafe will be run by needy women who used to make tiffin's in the past.
• The facility of nutritious food items like Ragi Chilla, Ragi Dosa, Ragi Idli, Ragi Upma, Ragi Pakora, Ragi Puri, Ragi Khichdi, Mahua Tea, Kadha Tea etc. will be available in this cafe. The facility of tasty and nutritious dishes will also be available here for the people.
• It is worth mentioning that in the tribal areas of the state, coarse grains like Ragi, Kodo, Kutki have already been used. It is very beneficial from the point of view of health, so now these grains are being used a lot in other areas as well.
• These millets also contain nutrients, which are very beneficial for health. According to experts, Kodo, Kutki and Ragi have been considered as protein and vitamin rich grains. Its consumption gives benefits to diseases like sugar and BP.
• Crops like Kodo, Kutki, Ragi have an important place in the tribal culture and food of Surguja and Bastar. Iron in Kutki in coarse grains has antioxidant properties. It is also beneficial for anemia patients and its consumption does not cause obesity.
• The specialty of coarse grain kodo is that it retains moisture in the stomach. This improves blood circulation and its consumption reduces the chances of cancer.
• Ragi is rich in calcium and iron. It is beneficial for diabetes and anemia patients.
• It is worth mentioning that Chhattisgarh is the only state in the country, where along with the purchase of Kodo, Kutki and Ragi at the support price, the work of its value addition is also being done. The purchase of Kodo-Kutki at the support price of Rs.3 thousand per quintal and Ragi at Rs.3 thousand 377 per quintal has been fixed by the state government.
• It is to be noted that Chhattisgarh has entered into a tripartite MoU with IIMR Hyderabad for 14 districts under the Millet Mission for promotion of millet cultivation, training to farmers, availability of high-quality seeds and increase in productivity through the efforts of State Minor Forest Produce. A MoU has also been signed so that the productivity of Bajra can be doubled.
• The state of Chhattisgarh has received the National Level Nutritious Grain Award 2022 for promoting the cultivation of millets.

14 Women and 35 Anganwadi Workers Received Awards in Tilu Rauteli State Level Award 2022-23

Why in News?

On August 8, 2023, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami awarded the Teelu Rauteli State Level Award to 14 Heroines and 35 Anganwadi workers of the state in a program organized at IRDT Auditorium, Survey Chowk, Dehradun.

Key Points:

• On this occasion, the Chief Minister said that the Heroines of the State have brought laurels to the state and the country by performing excellently in various fields. The state government is determined to respect and empower them.
• Awarded to:
• Nivedita Karki of Pithoragarh, who left her board exams to pursue her dream of boxing and won gold medal in Sweden and Mansi Negi of Chamoli, who won bronze in 20-kilometer race event in China, received Teelu Rauteli state level award among 14 heroines.
• Para athlete Garima Joshi of Almora in sports disability category, state level para player Mohini Koranga of Bageshwar, Shambhavi Murari of Champawat in the field of arts and yoga, Amisha Chauhan of Dehradun in mountaineering disability category, state level player of Taekwondo in sports Haridwar's Divya Bhardwaj got this award.
• Apart from these, Manju Pandey of Nainital in the field of literature and education, Nutan Pant of Pauri in the field of women's employment, Preeti of Rudraprayag in environment, Himani of Tehri in sports, Neelima Rai of Udham Singh Nagar in the field of sports and adventure. Mamta of Uttarkashi and Kamla Arora of Nainital received the Teelu Rauteli Award.
• The state government has increased the amount of award given in the name of the state's heroine Teelu Rauteli by Rs 20,000. Now it has increased from 31 thousand to 51 thousand rupees.
• At the same time, the amount of state level Anganwadi worker award has been increased by Rs 30 thousand. Now it has increased from Rs 21 thousand to Rs 51 thousand.
• The amount of respect to all the heroines and workers has been deposited in their account online.