Haryana State PCS

• 09 Nov 2023

Chief Minister Inaugurated Hot Air Balloon Safari in Pinjore

Why In News?

On November 8, 2023, Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal inaugurated the Hot Air Balloon Safari at Pinjore, known as the 'Gateway of Himachal', located in Panchkula district of the state.

Key Points:

• Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar along with Haryana Vidhan Sabha Speaker Gian Chand Gupta and School Education and Heritage and Tourism Minister Kanwar Pal took a hot air balloon safari.
• Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister said that hot air balloon safari is very safe from the point of view of security. The company operating the hot air balloon has obtained safety certificates.
• To enjoy the hot air balloon safari, it will cost 13 thousand rupees per ride per ride. Only those people will be able to ride in it who meet the health-related parameters. The state government will give Rs 72 lakh as VGF to the company for two years.
• The introduction of hot air balloon safari in the region will not only boost tourism but also provide employment opportunities. With this, on the one hand, tourists will get to share new experiences in their journey in addition to the ongoing tourism activities, on the other hand, they will also be able to get acquainted with the historical background of Pinjore.
• The Chief Minister has made Panchkula, located in the Shivalik mountain range, a hub of adventure sports activities. Morni, the only hill station in the state, is also located in Panchkula. After introducing adventure sports like paragliding, water sports activity, jet scooter, parasailing and trekking in the tikkartal area near Morni Hills, Pinjore is now being developed as tourism.
• The Chief Minister said that the state government is developing Shivalik mountain region as well as Aravalli region for tourism. The world's largest jungle safari park is being developed by the state government on 10,000 acres of land in Gurugram and Nuh districts falling in the Aravalli Mountain range. This will help in preserving the Aravalli Mountain range, while on the other hand tourism will also boost tourism in Gurugram and Nuh areas.
• Pinjore, considered the gateway of Dev Bhoomi Himachal, has its own historical significance, it is also considered to be a site of Mahabharata period. This place preserves thousands of years old ancient history within itself. The remains of ancient history are present here.
• It is believed that the Pandava’s spent a large period of exile here during their exile, evidence of which is still seen in Pinjore. Not only this, the Yadavindra Garden, also known as Pinjore Garden, located here, is extremely famous. It is an example of Mughal Garden style.

Enhanced Version of NDC Portal launched with Bilingual Options

Why In News?

On November 7, 2023, Haryana Urban Local Bodies Minister Dr. Kamal Gupta inaugurated the NDC Project. Launched an upgraded version of the portal. The portal will now facilitate citizens to get information in both Hindi and English languages.

Key Points:

• Urban Local Bodies Minister Dr. Kamal Gupta said in a press conference that a budget of Rs 791.44 crore has been allocated for various development projects in the financial year 2023-24. Apart from this, a budget of Rs 50 crore has been approved under 'Divya Nagar Yojana' and Rs 3,116 crore under 'Atal Renewal and Urban Transformation Mission' (AMRUT) scheme.
• Dr. Gupta informed during the press conference that 93.66 km (about 58.2 mi) of roads have been repaired by urban local bodies, which shows commitment towards improving urban infrastructure.
• Apart from this, the department has taken steps to streamline parking in the state, so far 28,000 parking spaces for four-wheelers and 14,423 parking spaces for two-wheelers have been identified. Apart from this, 9,141 tricolor lights have been installed on the 280 km (about 173.98 mi) long road.

Solar Pumps will be Given on Subsidy to Cow Shelters and Water User Associations.

Why In News?

On November 7, 2023, a spokesman of the New and Renewable Energy Department of Haryana said that solar pumps will also be given on subsidy by the Haryana government to cow shelters and water user associations of the state. The last date to apply is November 14, 2023.

Key Points:

• The spokesperson said that to promote agricultural activities using solar energy in rural areas, the state's New and Renewable Energy Department, on behalf of the Central and State Government, is providing solar energy pumps ranging from 3 HP to 10 HP for irrigation to the farmers. 75 percent subsidy is being provided.
• He informed that 64,902 solar power pumps have been installed by the department so far and the installation of 26,798 pumps is going on. Haryana ranks second in the country in implementing this scheme and the department has set a target of installing 70,000 pumps in the financial year 2023-24.
• The spokesperson said that the pending electric tube well connections for the year 2019-2021 ranging from 1 HP to 10 HP will also be given on solar. Apart from this, solar energy pumps will also be given to cow sheds and water user associations, collective irrigation systems for irrigation at 75 percent subsidy.
• In this phase, applications were invited from interested farmers on saralharyana.gov.in portal till November 7, 2023, the last date of which has been extended to November 14, 2023.