• 10 Feb 2022

Fortified Rice Distribution Approved

Why in News

• On February 8, 2022, in the cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, the central government's scheme for distribution of fortified rice from government ration shops was approved.

Key Points

• Under this scheme, 85 percent of the population of rural areas and 75 percent of the population of urban areas will get nutritious rice, which will be rich in iron, fluoric acid and vitamin B-12.
• Significantly, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced fortification of rice distributed under various government schemes including Public Distribution System (PDS) and Mid-Day-Meal Scheme by the year 2024.
• According to the Food Ministry, fortification of rice is a cost-effective and complementary strategy to increase the vitamin and mineral content of the diet.
• According to FSSAI, food fortification refers to the intentional increase in the content of essential micronutrients in food, so as to improve the nutritional quality of food and provide public health benefits with minimum risk to health.

Important Decisions of the Madhya Pradesh Council of Ministers

Why in News

• In the meeting of the Council of Ministers held under the chairmanship of Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on February 9, 2022, many important decisions were taken including the development of two new industrial parks in the state.

Key Points

• Approval was given in the meeting regarding effective control over illegal mining, transportation and storage of minerals. Rule 53 of the Madhya Pradesh Minor Mineral Rules, 1996 and Rule 20 of the Madhya Pradesh Sand (Mining, Transport, Storage and Trade) Rules, 2019 have been repealed with respect to illegal mining, transportation and storage of minerals.
• The newly proposed Madhya Pradesh Minerals (Prevention of Illegal Mining, Transport and Storage) Rules, 2021 were approved while completely repealing the Madhya Pradesh Minerals (Prevention of Illegal Mining, Transport and Storage) Rules, 2006.
• Apart from this, other technical improvements have been made in the Madhya Pradesh Minerals (Prevention of Illegal Mining, Transport and Storage) Rules, 2021. With these reforms, there will be effective control over illegal mining, transportation and storage in the state and due to the unified provision in the above rules, transparency and ease in disposal of cases will be possible.
• The cabinet decided to include all 412 (407 urban bodies and 5 cantonment councils) urban bodies in the state under Atal Renewal and Urban Transformation Mission (AMRUT 2.0) scheme.
• The cabinet gave in-principle approval to the project cost amount of Rs.2141.85 crore for the construction of 108 feet high multi-metal statue of Acharya Shankar, Shankar Museum and infrastructure of Acharya Shankar International Advaita Vedanta Sansthan at Omkareshwar.
• In the cabinet meeting, administrative approval of Rs 551.20 crore was given for the Dam Strengthening and Upgradation Project Phase-II. Under this project, the work of strengthening and upgradation of 27 dams of the state will be done. The project will be funded by the Government of India in the ratio of 70:30 (World Bank: State Government) for Drip-II with the help of World Bank.
• The cabinet decided to develop two new industrial parks in the state at Bhopal (Bagrauda, Gokalkundi) and Sehore (Badhiyakhedi) at a cost of Rs.59 crore 89 lakh.
• The Council of Ministers introduced an amendment ordinance regarding the establishment of four new private universities- Prestige University (Indore), Times University, (Bhopal), Dr. Preeti Global University (Shivpuri) and LNCT Vidyapeeth University (Indore) through the proposed ordinance, Approved the departmental proposal to take effect from 2022. The Higher Education Department was authorized to take legal action incidental to issuing the ordinance.

Outstanding Cooperative Societies Awarded

Why in News

• On February 9, 2022, Madhya Pradesh Cooperative and Public Service Management Minister Dr. Arvind Singh Bhadauria presented Regional Excellence and Merit Awards-2021 to cooperative societies doing excellent work in the state under the joint aegis of National Cooperative Development Corporation and Department of Cooperation in Mantralaya. .

Key Points

• In order to promote cooperative development programs in various sectors, cooperative institutions doing excellent work in these areas were rewarded.
• The first prize for Best Primary Agricultural Credit Co-operative Society (PACS) was given to Tribal-caste Service Cooperative Society Maryadit Gogawan, District Khargone and second prize was given to Service Cooperative Society Maryadit Jamsawali, District Chhindwara.
• The first prize in Best Primary Society (Credit) was given to Sadguru Credit Sahakari Sanstha Maryadit District Dhar and the second prize was given to Gujarati Rami Mali Samaj Navyuvak Sahakari Sahakari Sanstha Maryadit Naugaon, District Dhar.
• In the field of Best Primary Society (Pro-edition), first prize was given to Primary Forest Produce Co-operative Society Maryadit, Rehti, District Sehore and in Best Women Co-operative Society (Women) the first prize was given to Self Shreyas Mahila Credit Co-operative Society Maryadit of Indore district.

Budget of Urban Local Bodies

Why in News

• On February 9, 2022, the Chief Minister of Haryana, Manohar Lal Khater said that this year 7 percent of the budget of urban local bodies will be kept, while 2 percent budget will be kept separately for low-income local bodies.

Key Points

• The Chief Minister informed that all the Municipal Corporations, Municipal Councils and Municipalities will have to prepare their budget from March 15 to March 31 at the local level and send it to the headquarters.
• These bodies have been directed to create new financial sources to increase the income and improve the services provided by the bodies to the public. In this context, a new advertising policy will be made for all municipal corporations, city councils and cities.
• In order to focus on holistic development in all the cities of the state, all cities will be included in the AMRUT-2 scheme, whereas earlier 18 cities were included in the AMRUT-1 scheme.
• It is noteworthy that the administration of urban bodies in the state is done according to the Haryana Municipal Corporation Act, 1994, in which the second amendment has been made in the year 2020.
• Constitutional status was given to the municipalities by the 74th Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992 in the Indian Constitution and through this amendment 'Part 9A' was added to the Constitution and it came into effect from June 1, 1993. Articles 243P to 243ZG make provisions relating to municipalities.
• By this amendment, the 12th Schedule was added to the Constitution, under which a list of 18 subjects has been specified for the municipalities.

Thermocol Ban

Why in News

• On February 9, 2022, Jharkhand Pollution Control Board Chairman AK Rastogi said that from July 1, 2022, thermocol and plastic-related items will be banned in the state.

Key Points

• Rastogi said that the board has already given instructions for this, so action will be taken for violating these rules.
• The scientific name of thermocol is Polystyrene, Polystyrene is a synthetic aromatic hydrocarbon polymer made from styrene monomer.
• It is a type of plastic, which is used in the manufacture of food packaging, foam plates, glasses, etc.
• As a thermoplastic polymer, polystyrene is in the solid state at room temperature, but converts to a liquid when heated above about 100 °C.
• According to the Plastic Waste Management Amendment Rules, 2021 notified by the Central Government, the manufacture, import, stocking, distribution, sale and use of single-use plastics including polystyrene and expanded polystyrene will be prohibited with effect from July 1, 2022.

Government Departments Will Now Get the Products of 'Chhattisgarh Herbals' with 10% Discount

Why in News

• On February 9, 2022, Chief Secretary of Chhattisgarh Amitabh Jain has directed all the departments of the state, Chairman Revenue Board, Bilaspur, Heads of Departments, Collectors and Public Undertakings that the products manufactured under the brand 'Chhattisgarh Herbals' should get 10 percent discount on MRP. Taking advantage, implement the system of making government purchases.

Key Points

• It is noteworthy that as per the instructions of Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, all the departments of the state government, government undertakings and municipal corporations etc. have been instructed to compulsorily purchase the products of 'Chhattisgarh Herbals' brand with discount as per their requirement.
• In relation to direct purchase of ayurvedic medicines, herbal products and processed food items from minor forest produce manufactured by Chhattisgarh State Minor Forest Produce Association Limited at the prescribed rate, rule 8 of Chhattisgarh Store Purchase Rules 2002 (as amended in 2020) has been amended.
• The Chief Secretary has directed all government institutions to compulsorily purchase all such items, which are sold under the brand 'Chhattisgarh Herbals' through Sanjeevani Kendras, with a discount of 10 percent on MRP.
• It may be mentioned that 'Chhattisgarh Herbals', a unit of Chhattisgarh State Minor Forest Produce (Trade and Development) Co-operative Federation, plays an important role in meeting the financial needs of the people living in and around the forests in the state, especially the tribals.
• Chhattisgarh State Minor Forest Produce Cooperative Federation procures 61 minor forest produce and is producing more than 150 value added products. The Sangh has set up 30 Sanjeevani Kendras in all the major districts of the state for retail sale of products.
• The presence of 'Chhattisgarh Herbals' in various International, National and Inter-State level exhibitions has expanded the reach of the products globally. 'Chhattisgarh Herbals' participated in International Gulf Food Festival in Dubai, International IndusFood Event in Delhi, Tribal Festival in Delhi, International Herbal Fair in Bhopal, Chhattisgarh Diwali Haat Mela, Rajyotsav and Exhibitions at Malls.
• Apart from this, exhibitions of 'Chhattisgarh Herbals' are organized from time to time in various important programs organized by government and private organizations.

Production of Kodo-Kutki-Ragi will Get a Boost in the State

Why in News

• On February 9, 2022, Chhattisgarh Chief Secretary Amitabh Jain, in the meeting of the Inter-departmental Coordination Committee of Millet Mission organized through video conferencing, under 'Millet Mission', made an action plan for increasing the production area of Kodo-Kutki and Ragi in the state. instructed.

Key Points

• At present, these crops are produced in an area of 69 thousand hectares in the state. A target has been set to increase the area under crop production to one lakh 17 thousand hectares by the next procurement year.
• The purchase of Kodo-Kutki-Ragi is being done by Chhattisgarh State Minor Forest Produce Association on support price. So far 27,000 quintals of millets have been procured in this procurement year.
• It is worth noting that under the support price fixed by the state government, Kodo is being purchased at the rate of Rs 30, Kutki (black) at Rs 30, Kutki (brown) at Rs 30, Ragi at Rs 33.77 per kg.
• The scheduled date for purchase of Kodo, Kutki and Ragi crops on support price in the state was from December 1, 2021 to January 31, 2022, which has been recently extended till February 15, 2022.

Now 61 Minor Forest Produce are Purchased on Support Price in Chhattisgarh

Why in News

• On February 8, 2022, Chhattisgarh's Forest and Climate Change Minister Mohammad Akbar informed that keeping in mind the interest of the forest dwellers of Chhattisgarh state, the number of minor forest produce for purchase at present support price in Chhattisgarh has been increased from 52 to 61.

Key Points

• Minister Mohammad Akbar informed that in Chhattisgarh, the number of minor forest produce for purchase on support price has increased from 7 to 61 in about three years.
• It is noteworthy that under the support price fixed by the state government in Chhattisgarh, 61 minor forest produce increased from 52 to Harra Bal, Mahua Phool Kacha (Food Grade), Jhadu Chhind (Grass), Kodo, Kutki (Black), Kutki (Brown), Ragi, Amchur (white) and Amchur (brown) are new minor forest produce.
• According to the fixed support price, these include Harra Bal Rs 30, Mahua flower raw (food grade) Rs 10, Broom Chhind (grass) Rs 15, Kodo Rs 30, Kutki (black) Rs 30, Kutki (brown) Rs 30, Ragi Rs 33.77 Amchur (white) will be purchased at the rate of Rs 120.
• Sanjay Shukla, Managing Director of Chhattisgarh State Minor Forest Produce Association said that Malkangani seed (dry), Baybuding, Kalmegh/Bhuinim (dry), Amla (seedless) dry, Contains Rangini lac/Chilli lac (dry), Reetha fruit (dry), Van cumin seed, Satavar root (dry), Charota seed, Honey and Nagarmotha (dry).
• Similarly Mahul Patta, Harra Sabut (Dry), Harra Kacharia, Bahera Sabut (Dry), Bahera Kacharia, Giloy (Dry), Kusumi Lakh/Chilli Lakh (Dry), Van Basil Seed, Bhelwa, Shikakai Phalli (Dry), Tamarind Aati (with seeds), Tamarind flower (seedless), Tamarind seed, Mahua flower (dry), Mahua seed, Broom flower (grass), Kaunch seed, Dhavai flower (dry), Chironji kernel, Karanj seed, Belguda (dry) , Kullu gum, cashew kernels, sal seed, safflower seed, neem seed (dry) and jamun seed (dry) are being purchased at support price.
• Apart from this, Amla fruit (raw), Rangini Lakh Beehan (with live lac insect), Kusumi Lakh Beehan (with live lac insect), Broom Kanta (grass), Belphal (raw), Jamun fruit (raw), Sawai Grass, Patal Kumhra Kand (Dry), Safed Musli Kand (Dry), Tikhur Kand (Raw), Ashwagandha Root (Dry) are also being purchased at support price.

Chardham Project

Why in News

• On February 9, 2022, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari said that the Chardham All Weather Road project worth Rs 12,500 crore would be completed by December this year.

Key Points

• The approximately 889 km long Chardham project aims to improve connectivity to Chardham pilgrimage centers (Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri, Yamunotri) in the Himalayas, making travel to these centers safer, faster and more convenient.
• It is being implemented by Uttarakhand State Public Works Department (PWD), Border Roads Organization (BRO) and National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL).
• Along with this, the Tanakpur-Pithoragarh highway and its part up to Lipulekh will also be completed by December 2022, which will facilitate the journey of Kailash-Mansarovar.
• It is noteworthy that in view of the environmental challenges in the context of this project, a petition was filed against it in the Supreme Court, but in the year 2021, keeping in mind the need for national security, the Supreme Court allowed China's border in the Chardham project in Uttarakhand. Conditional permission has been given to develop three connecting national highways of strategic importance (Rishikesh to Mana, Rishikesh to Gangotri and Tanakpur to Pithoragarh).