• 10 Jun 2024

Demand for Restoration of Old Pension Scheme

Why in News?

Recently, during a gathering of the Pension Bahali Sangarsh Samiti in Kaithal, it was decided to hold a large demonstration in Panchkula on 1^st September 2024 to demand for the restoration of the Old Pension Scheme (OPS).

Key Points

• Before the rally, the association has decided to hold “OPS sankalp sammelan and aakrosh march” in every district of the state, starting from 1^st July 2024.
• Old Pension Scheme:
  • The scheme guarantees a lifelong income after retirement.
  • Under the old scheme, employees get a pension under a predetermined formula which is equivalent to 50% of the last drawn salary. They also get the benefit of the revision of Dearness Relief (DR), twice a year. The payout is fixed and there was no deduction from the salary. Moreover, under the OPS, there was the provision of the General Provident Fund (GPF).
    • GPF is available only for all the government employees in India. Basically, it allows all the government employees to contribute a certain percentage of their salary to the GPF and the total amount that is accumulated throughout the employment term is paid to the employee at the time of retirement.
  • The Government bears the expenditure incurred on the pension. The scheme was discontinued in 2004.

Recruitment in Haryana to be Initiated Soon

Why in News?

Recently, Haryana Chief Minister announced that the government will soon initiate the recruitment process to fill 50,000 vacant posts in the state.

Key Points

• This will be done as part of the government's ongoing efforts to provide employment opportunities and support the aspirations of the youth.
  • He stressed on the continuation of the "transparent" recruitment system for government jobs.
• He asserted that the state government is committed to safeguarding the interests of candidates and soon present this matter to the Supreme Court and strongly advocate for it to ensure justice for the youth.
  • On May 31, 2024, the Haryana High Court ruled that the socioeconomic criteria established by the Haryana government for awarding additional marks to certain classes of candidates in state government jobs were unconstitutional.

Earthquake in Sikar

Why in News?

According to the National Center for Seismology (NCS), recently a 3.9 magnitude earthquake occurred in Rajasthan's Sikar city.

Key Points

• The earthquake occurred at a depth of 5km, at 27.41 N latitude and 75.06 E longitude.
• National Centre for Seismology (NCS):
  • This is the agency responsible for monitoring and reporting the seismic activity in India and its neighbourhood.
  • It operates a network of seismological observatories across the country, and provides real-time data and information on earthquakes and tsunamis.
  • It also maintains a website and a mobile app, called BhooKamp, to provide earthquake alerts and updates to the public.

Hike in Kisan Samman Nidhi Assistance to Farmers

Why in News?

The Rajasthan government announced an increase in the annual honorarium paid to farmers under the Union government’s Kisan Samman Nidhi.

• The amount given to each farm household has been enhanced from ₹6,000 to ₹8,000 per year.

Key Points

• Overall, 5.7 million farmers in Rajasthan are receiving assistance through the Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme, initiated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2019.
• The state's interim budget has allocated Rs. 1,400 crore to increase the financial aid.

Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN)

• About:
  • It was launched on 24^th February, 2019 to supplement financial needs of land holding farmers.
• Financial Benefits:
  • Financial benefit of Rs 6000/- per year in three equal installments, every four months is transferred into the bank accounts of farmers’ families across the country through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mode.
• Scope of the Scheme:
  • The scheme was initially meant for Small and Marginal Farmers (SMFs) having landholding upto 2 hectares but scope of the scheme was extended to cover all landholding farmers.
• Funding and Implementation:
  • It is a Central Sector Scheme with 100% funding from the Government of India.
  • It is being implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.
• Objectives:
  • To supplement the financial needs of the Small and Marginal Farmers in procuring various inputs to ensure proper crop health and appropriate yields, commensurate with the anticipated farm income at the end of each crop cycle.
  • To protect them from falling in the clutches of moneylenders for meeting such expenses and ensure their continuance in the farming activities.
• PM-KISAN Mobile App:
  • It was developed and designed by the National Informatics Centre in collaboration with the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.
• Physical Verification Module:
  • A mandatory physical verification of 5% beneficiary every year is being done as per the provisions laid down in the scheme.

New Ramsar Sites in Bihar

Why in News?

According to the officials, two of Bihar’s wetlands have been added to the global list of wetlands of international importance under the Ramsar Convention.

• This brings the total number of such wetlands in India to 82.

Key Points

• The Nagi and Nakti bird sanctuaries in Bihar's Jamui district are now part of the Ramsar Convention.
  • Both the bird sanctuaries are built on human-made wetlands primarily developed for irrigation through the construction of the Nakti Dam.
  • Both sanctuaries were designated as Bird Sanctuaries in 1984 due to their importance as wintering habitats for migratory species.
  • This includes one of the largest congregations of red-crested pochard (Netta rufina) and bar-headed geese (Anser indicus) on the Indo-Gangetic plain.
  • The catchment area features dry deciduous forests surrounded by hills.
• Flora and Fauna:
  • These wetlands provide habitats for over 150 species of birds, mammals, fish, aquatic plants, reptiles, and amphibians.
  • They host globally threatened species such as the endangered Indian elephant and the vulnerable native catfish.
  • According to the Asiatic Waterbird Census 2023, the Nakti Bird Sanctuary reported 7,844 birds, the highest in the survey, followed by the Nagi Bird Sanctuary with 6,938 birds.
• These sites were declared as Wetlands of International importance on the occasion of World Environment Day on 5th June.

Red-Crested Pochard

• The red-crested pochard (Netta rufina) is a large diving duck.
• Its breeding habitat is lowland marshes and lakes in southern Europe and it extends from the steppe and semi-desert areas on the Black Sea to Central Asia and Mongolia, wintering in the Indian Subcontinent and Africa.
• Conservation Status:
  • IUCN Red List- Least Concern
  • CITES- Appendix II

Development of Maharana Pratap Tourist Circuit

Why in News?

Rajasthan Chief Minister announced a Rs100 crore investment to develop the Maharana Pratap Tourist Circuit during the inauguration of Maharana Pratap Jayanti celebrations in Udaipur.

Key Points

• He emphasized the global significance of the 16^th century king as a source of inspiration for youth worldwide.
  • The Chief Minister emphasized Maharana Pratap's exceptional bravery, courage, and patriotism, extending beyond his legacy.
• The Rajasthan government is also working to implement people-friendly innovations in medical science and AI-based technologies to improve health facilities for locals and tourists.

Maharana Pratap

• Rana Pratap Singh, also known as Maharana Pratap, was born on 9^th May 1540 in Kumbhalgarh, Rajasthan.
  • He was the 13th King of Mewar and was the eldest son of Udai Singh II
  • Maharana Udai Singh II ruled the kingdom of Mewar, with his capital at Chittor.
    • Udai Singh II was also a founder of the city of Udaipur (Rajasthan).
• Battle of Haldighati:
  • The Battle of Haldighati was fought in 1576 between Rana Pratap Singh of Mewar and Raja Man Singh of Amber who was the general of the Mughal emperor Akbar.
  • Maharana Pratap fought a brave war but was defeated by Mughal forces.
  • It is said that Maharana Pratap’s loyal horse named Chetak, gave up his life as the Maharana was leaving the battlefield.
• Reconquest:
  • After 1579, the Mughal pressure relaxed over Mewar and Pratap recovered Western Mewar including Kumbhalgarh, Udaipur and Gogunda.
  • During this period, he also built a new capital, Chavand, near modern Dungarpur.
• Death:
  • He died on 19^th January 1597. He was succeeded by his son Amar Singh, who submitted in 1614 to Emperor Jahāngīr, son of Akbar.