State PCS

• 09 Oct 2023

Shakti Didi will give Solution Every Wednesday in Uttar Pradesh

Why In News?

On October 8, 2023, the Yogi government started a new campaign for the safety and self-reliance of women in Uttar Pradesh, under which Shakti Didi will visit various places in villages and cities every Wednesday and provide solutions.

Key Points:

• Every week on Wednesday, a team of two women policemen (Shakti Didi) will visit various places in villages and cities and give information to women about women-oriented schemes of the government and will also try to solve their problems by coordinating with various departments.
• BC Sakhi, Revenue Accountant, ANM, Asha workers will also be present during the visit to Gram and Nyaya Panchayats.
• Shakti Didi will give information about various government schemes. In these, the Chief Minister will talk about Kanya Sumangala Yojana, Destitute Women Pension Scheme etc. They will also provide information about laws related to women and children.
• Shakti Didi will also give information about the helpline number and forum issued by the government. Such an action plan will be made in urban areas also.

32 Industrial Cities will be Constructed along Five Expressways in Uttar Pradesh.

Why In News?

On October 7, 2023, Anil Sagar, Principal Secretary, Industrial Development Department, said that a network of 32 industrial cities will be built along five expressways in Uttar Pradesh.

Key Points:

• 84 villages falling under 23 tehsils of 23 districts along the three expressways have been notified as industrial cities.
• Uttar Pradesh Industrial Development Authority (UPIDA) will acquire or purchase land in the identified villages.
• Land ranging from 100 acres to 600 acres will be taken for each industrial city. After this, villages will soon be notified for the industrial city along the Agra-Lucknow Expressway and Gorakhpur Link Expressway.
• In this way, the total network of industrial cities will extend to 32 districts. Basic facilities will be developed here. After this, investors will be provided plots at their preferred location to set up their industries.
• Warehouse and logistics industries will be promoted first. Electronic equipment, hosiery, food processing units, chemicals, milk processing, pharmaceutical, machinery plants, IT, agricultural produce based units will be set up in these industrial cities.

Two Day Travel and Tourism Fair (TTF) 2023

Why In News? 

A two-day Travel and Tourism Fair (TTF)-2023 was organized at Gyan Bhawan, Patna on October 7-8, 2023.

Key Points:  

• In this two-day brainstorming, Bihar will be developed from the perspective of the capital of spiritual tourism. In the last session of the ceremony, Bihar Agriculture Minister Kumar Sarvjeet awarded the participants.
• Before the concluding session, a discussion was organized on the topic 'Possibilities of Spiritual Tourism: Meditation, Yoga, Health'.
• In the program, Protocol Officer of Bodhgaya Temple Management Committee, Rahul Dev told that a meditation center has been built in Bodhgaya. The first course will start in this center from this session.
• Tourism Corporation Director Nand Kishore said that Bihar is the spiritual capital. There are three important places in the world – Vatican City, Mecca and Bodh Gaya. Of these three, one is in Bihar, where tourists come from all over the world.
• The following awards were given in this program-
  • Best Print Promotional Material Award: India Tourism, Chhattisgarh Tourism and Jharkhand Tourism
  • Partner Hotel Award: Hotel Chanakya and Hotel AVR Patna
  • Transport Partner: Popular Tours
  • Group Participations Award: ABTO and TAB
  • Most Innovation and Product: Riya Travels and Tour
  • Best Decoration Award (Small Pavilion): Haryana Tourism
  • Best Decoration Award: Tourism Corporation of Gujarat Limited and Tamil Nadu Tourism
  • Best Decoration Award (Big Pavilion): Uttar Pradesh Tourism
  • Most Promising Destination for Adventures and Spiritual Tourism: Bihar Tourism

Schools of the State will be Converted into Government Mahatma Gandhi English Medium Schools

Why In News?

On October 8, 2023, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot gave approval to convert 510 schools of various categories in the state into Government Mahatma Gandhi English Medium Schools and to upgrade 47 upper primary schools into higher secondary schools.

Key Points:

• With the approval of Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, 44 schools of primary level, 294 of upper primary level, 13 of secondary level and 172 schools of higher secondary level will be converted into Government Mahatma Gandhi English Medium Schools. With this, students of urban and rural areas will get the facility to get education in English medium.
• It is noteworthy that the Chief Minister had announced the opening of one thousand Government Mahatma Gandhi English Medium Schools each in rural and urban areas in the budget year 2023-24. Earlier, approval has been issued for 709 schools.
• Similarly, as per the budget announcement of the Chief Minister, 47 upper primary schools will be upgraded to government higher secondary schools.
• The Chief Minister has also approved the proposal to open additional faculty/subjects in 72 government higher secondary schools of the state.
• According to the proposal, the Science stream will be started in 41 schools, Arts stream in 8 schools, the Commerce stream in 4 schools and Agriculture stream in 19 schools. Apart from this, the proposal for the creation of 41 new posts of Lecturer in School Education and 11 new posts of Laboratory Assistant has also been approved for operation of new faculties/subjects.

Rs 21 Thousand 613 Crore Approved for 7 Major Water Supply Projects in the State

Why In News?

On October 8, 2023, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot approved a financial proposal of Rs 21,613 crore for 7 major water supply projects in different areas of the state.

Key Points:

• The state government is taking important decisions to provide drinking water to the last person in the state and to create a future full of water security. In this sequence, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has approved the financial proposal for 7 major water supply projects.
• According to the proposal, through these 7 drinking water projects, functional domestic tap connections can be provided to 4,63,580 houses in the state.
• Under 'Kalitir Project', drinking water connections can be provided to 470 villages of Dholpur and Bharatpur districts by providing Chambal River water at a cost of Rs 709.41 crore. Also, drinking water can be supplied to 1,237 villages of Alwar and Bharatpur districts through Chambal River water under the Major Drinking Water Project at a cost of Rs 5374.15 crore.
• Apart from this, drinking water can be supplied from Chambal River water to 1,426 villages of Karauli and Sawai Madhopur districts at a cost of Rs 3990.08 crore under the Major Drinking Water Project.
• A provision of Rs 3529.90 crore has also been made in the proposal to provide tap connections to 1,473 villages of Chittorgarh, Pratapgarh, Rajsamand and Udaipur districts through Jakham Dam.
• Apart from this, a provision of Rs 229.73 crore has been made in the proposal to provide drinking water to 79 villages and 325 dhanis of Lohawat and Denchu of Phalodi district through Rajiv Gandhi Lift Canal under Indira Gandhi Canal Project.
• A provision of Rs 7583.15 crore has been made to provide drinking water through the Big Water Project to the villages not yet connected to the Indira Gandhi Canal Project in Sikar and Jhunjhunu districts.
• Apart from this, approval of Rs 196.68 crore has been given for providing drinking water connections to 123 villages and 244 hamlets of Nagaur district under 'Jayal Matasukh Project' under Indira Gandhi Canal Project.
• These large water supply projects will be implemented and financed by Rajasthan Water Supply and Sewerage Corporation.
• With this approval of the Chief Minister, drinking water will be easily available to the common people in large parts of the state. This will provide permanent solutions to various social, economic, health related and other problems in areas suffering from drinking water supply problems due to geographical conditions and other reasons.

Infectious Disease Institute, Jodhpur will be Upgraded

Why In News?

On October 8, 2023, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot gave financial approval of Rs 3 crore for various development works in the second phase of developing the Jodhpur-based Infectious Diseases Institute into a high-level research centre.

Key Points:

• It is known that the state government is continuously developing medical facilities in the state. In this series, the Chief Minister has given financial approval for the upgradation of the Infectious Disease Institute, Jodhpur.
• According to the proposal, an administrative block, new central drug store, central oxygen pipeline for pediatric cubicles and lift will be constructed in the institute at a cost of Rs 3 crore. 128 Slice CT machines will also be installed by PPP mode.
• It is noteworthy that Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot had announced in the budget to develop this center into a high level research centre, for the implementation of which the said approval has been given.

‘Rajasthan Talent Search Exam’ will be held in the State

Why In News?

According to the information given by the Information and Public Relations Department of Rajasthan on October 8, 2023, 'Rajasthan Talent Search Exam' will be organized for the meritorious students of the state on the lines of 'National Talent Search Exam'.

Key Points:

• In this, 10 thousand students selected will get a scholarship of Rs 1250 per month for classes 11 and 12 and Rs 2000 per month for undergraduate and postgraduate classes.
• Students entering class 10th for the first time will be eligible for this examination. The examination will be in Hindi and English medium. Board of Secondary Education Rajasthan, Ajmer has been made the nodal agency for the examination.
• There will be two question papers in the examination. First, there will be a mental aptitude test and second, an educational aptitude test. In this, students will be able to apply for free.
• It is noteworthy that an announcement in this regard was made by the Chief Minister in the year 2023-24 budget.

Tribal Students of Madhya Pradesh Stood Second by Winning 23 Competitions in the National Cultural Festival.

Why In News?

On October 7, 2023, tribal students of Madhya Pradesh participated in Eklavya Model Residential School (EMRS)in Dehradun. Got second position in the fourth National Cultural Festival by performing best in 23 competitions.

Key Points:

• The students of Eklavya Model Residential School (EMRS) have secured overall second position in the country. Uttarakhand became the overall champion by winning just one competition more than Madhya Pradesh.
• 80 students of Madhya Pradesh participated in 28 different competitions in this event, out of which they stood first in 10 out of 23 competitions, second in 07 and third in 06.
• More than 2200 students from 22 states of the country participated in the four-day event.

Chief Minister Flagged off the Mobile Deendayal Rasoi Kendra

Why In News?

On October 7, 2023, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan flagged off the Deendayal Rasoi Kendra running from Smart Park.

Key Points:

• These mobile centers will go to the places in Bhopal and other cities and provide full meals to workers and other needy people for five rupees, where these people work. Mobile centers will be operated in other cities of the state also.
• There are two main objectives of starting this scheme. One is that poor people can get food at subsidized rates, second is that migrant workers and other needy citizens can get the facility of a full meal near their workplace.
• Earlier the centers operated at one place only. With this system, such laborers who come from villages to cities to earn their living will be able to get fresh food at their place of work without spending much money and time.
• In these centers, food is distributed from 10 am to 3 pm at the rate of Rs 5 per plate. The state government has made arrangements to provide a grant of Rs 10 per person under this scheme.
• It is noteworthy that this scheme was started in Madhya Pradesh on February 7, 2017 with operation at 56 places including district headquarters and 6 major religious places. Presently the scheme is being operated at 166 locations.
• Under this scheme, 225 lakh food thalis have been distributed in the state.
• 25 mobile kitchen centers have been started in the state. The cost of a mobile center is Rs 25 lakh. It will also have modern equipment for food preparation and keeping hot food.
• Cities with a population of more than 10 lakh in the state, where mobile centers have been started, include 3 mobile kitchen centers in Bhopal, 4 in Indore and two each in Jabalpur and Gwalior. Operation of one mobile kitchen center each has been started in the remaining 12 municipal corporations and two industrial towns, Pithampur and Mandideep.
• Soon, there is a plan to start such kitchen centers in 68 urban bodies with a population of more than 20 thousand.

National Kishore Kumar and National Lata Mangeshkar Awards for the year 2022

Why In News?

On October 6, 2023, the Culture Department of Madhya Pradesh announced the National Kishore Kumar Award and National Lata Mangeshkar Award for the year 2022.

Key Points:

• For the year 2022, National Kishore Kumar Award will be given to famous actor Dharmendra and the National Lata Mangeshkar Award will be given to music director Uttam Singh.
• The award amount of national and state awards given by the Culture Department has been doubled from the year 2022. Now, in the National Lata Mangeshkar Award and National Kishore Kumar Award, a prize money of Rs 5 lakh, plaque and shawl-shriphal will be given.
• It is noteworthy that the National Lata Mangeshkar Award is also given on rotation basis in the field of playback singing and music direction. This honor for the year 2022 was to be given for music direction.
• Famous film actor Dharmendra has been selected for the National Kishore Kumar Award. The National Kishore Kumar Award for the year 2022 was to be given in the field of film acting. This honor is given one by one in the fields of acting, screenplay, songwriting and direction.
• Renowned music director and renowned violinist Uttam Singh has also worked as a music arranger, programmer and recordist for many Bollywood films.

Haryana Agricultural Development Fair 2023

Why In News?

On October 8, 2023, the country's Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar inaugurated the three-day 'Haryana Agricultural Development Fair' at Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar. This fair will be organized till October 10, 2023.

Key Points:

• It is known that the Haryana Government organizes various programs from time to time to provide information about new agricultural techniques to the farmers and to showcase the agricultural products of the farmers. In this series, 'Haryana Agricultural Development Fair' is being organized.
• Farmers, entrepreneurs, agricultural scientists, researchers, students, politicians and other stakeholders from across the country and abroad are participating in this three-day fair.
• In the Haryana Agricultural Development Fair-2023, farmers will get a chance to win a lucky draw, progressive farmers will be honoured, agricultural equipment, technologies and innovations will be exhibited.
• Scientists will give information related to the cultivation of grains and will be given information about new seeds, fertilizers, pesticides, agricultural machines, instruments and their working methods. Haryanvi cultural programs will also be organized in the fair.

First Annual Pathology Conference of Haryana Section of Indian Association of Pathologists and Microbiologists organised

Why In News?

On October 7, 2023, the first annual pathology conference of the newly formed Haryana section of the Indian Association of Pathologists and Microbiologists (IAPM) was held at the Employees' State Insurance Corporation Medical College and Hospital, Faridabad, Haryana.

Key Points:

• During the conference, Director General of Employees' State Insurance Corporation, Dr. Rajendra Kumar said that Employees' State Insurance Corporation is successfully running one of the largest social security schemes in the world with approximately 13.5 crore service recipients.
• He discussed the recent technology-based initiative taken by the Employees' State Insurance Corporation to improve the delivery of services to the beneficiaries of the scheme.
• Dr. Rajendra Kumar said that the revised AAA+ app for patient appointments, e-Sanjeevani 2.0 app for telemedicine facility, medicine delivery and sample collection at beneficiaries' homes, etc. are some of the recent initiatives taken by ESIC with the aim of providing easy medical care. Technology-based initiatives have been taken.
• He clarified that now the cash benefits available under the scheme can be claimed online from the comfort of home without the need to visit the offices of the Employees' State Insurance Corporation.

National Tribal Festival ‘Aadi Mahotsav’ Inaugurated in Jamshedpur, Jharkhand

Why In News?

On October 7, 2023, Union Minister for Tribal Affairs Arjun Munda inaugurated 'Aadi Mahotsav' National Tribal Festival in Jamshedpur, Jharkhand.

Key Points:

• This mega event is being organized by Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India Limited (TRIFED) of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs from 7 to 16 October, 2023.
• ‘Aadi Mahotsav’, an annual celebration of tribal entrepreneurship, crafts, culture, cuisine and commerce, serves as an important platform to showcase the rich and diverse heritage of tribes across the country.
• This year the Mahotsav will highlight the talent of 336 tribal artisans and artists, especially those from Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) and Van Dhan Vikas Kendra (VDVK) beneficiaries.
• 30 artisan stalls from Jharkhand, about 11 VDVK stalls and 5 cuisine stalls will be included in this program. 68 artisan stalls from other states including 15 food stalls will be successfully showcased in this programme.
• There will also be live showcases of outstanding talent in various categories like textiles, painting, jewellery, metal, cane and bamboo and cuisine.

Chief Minister Launches 'Chhattisgarh Yuva Mitan Parivahan Yojana'

Why In News?

On October 7, 2023, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel launched the ‘Chhattisgarh Yuva Mitan Parivahan Yojana’ in a program organized at his residence office. Under this, the students studying in the college will get free transport to go from home to college.

Key Points:

• It is noteworthy that this scheme has been launched following the announcement made by the Chief Minister. This scheme will benefit more than one lakh students studying in colleges and universities.
• On this occasion, the Chief Minister said that under this scheme, more than 1 lakh regular students studying in government colleges and government universities will benefit.
• The financial expenditure on this scheme will be approximately Rs 110 crore, out of which half will be borne by the state government and half of the expenditure will be borne by the bus operators as a rebate.
• To avail the benefits of this scheme, students can apply for bus pass along with college and route on the website. The college will approve or reject the application after logging in and checking all the details. Approved students can log in and download their bus pass with QR code and keep its printout safe with them. The bus will be taken from home to college and from college to home after checking the pass by the bus conductor.
• Under 'Chhattisgarh Yuva Mitan Parivahan Yojana', students will have the facility to travel from home to college. Free transport will make it easier for students to pursue higher education. This scheme will also be financially helpful for the students. This scheme will save time for students and promote social inclusion among students.

Launch of 9 New National Programs under National AYUSH Mission

Why In News?

Nine new national programs were launched in Chhattisgarh under ‘National AYUSH Mission’ in a program organized in the auditorium of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Raipur on October 7, 2023.

Key Points:

• Under the National AYUSH Mission, new national Programs were started like 'Supraja Ayush Maternal and Newborn Care', 'Vayomitra', 'Karuna', 'Ayurvidya', 'Anemia' and 'Lymphatic Filariasis' for 'Disease Management' and 'Disability Control' have been launched in the state.
• In the inauguration program organized in the auditorium of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Raipur, an orientation workshop was also organized for the doctors by the AYUSH department of the state government.
• During the orientation workshop, departmental officials and doctors held detailed discussions on further strengthening the health system. The department will soon organize detailed training regarding the new programs started.

4th Chhattisgarh State Women's Football League Championship from 8 October to 30 November

Why In News?

According to the information given by Chhattisgarh Public Relations Department on October 7, 2023, the fourth State Women's Football League Championship will be organized from October 8 to November 30, 2023, in Raipur, Bhilai and Dallirajhara under the auspices of Chhattisgarh Football Association.

Key Points:

• Director of Sports and Youth Welfare Department, Shweta Srivastava Sinha distributed sports kits to 60 girl players selected in this league at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Hockey Stadium, Raipur.
• The teams qualifying in this State League Championship will participate in the Indian Women's League Championship.
• 50 girl players of Girls Football Academy Raipur of Sports and Youth Welfare Department have also been selected in the State Women Football League Championship.

49th All India Police Science Congress

Why In News?

On 7-8 October 2023 two-day 49th All India Police Science Congress was organized at the Forest Research Institute, Dehradun, Uttarakhand. Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah inaugurated it.

Key Points

• Union Home and Cooperation Minister released the Compendium of 49th All India Police Science Congress, BPR-D's prestigious Hindi magazine (Police Science) and Uttarakhand Police-Marching with The Times magazine in the programme.
• The objective of this Science Congress is to equip the police with modern technology. It is noteworthy that police officers from all the states across the country participated in this program.
• In his address at the inauguration, Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah said that this 49th All India Police Science Congress is very important because this conference is the first Police Science Congress being held in Amritkal.
• Six themes – Policing in the 5G era, Narcotics – a game changing approach, Challenges of Social Media, Community Policing, Challenges of Internal Security and Coordination between Police and CAPFs – Border Security were discussed during this Police Science Congress.