• 11 Jan 2024

Uttar Pradesh to Enter USD 1 Trillion Club

Why in News?

According to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Uttar Pradesh has emerged as the second largest economy in the country and the state was on course to achieve the USD 1 trillion economy target.

Key Points

• Due to the planned efforts of the last six and a half years, UP’s economy is in the best condition today.
• The state’s total Gross State Domestic Product, which stood at ₹16.45 lakh crore in 2021-22, has now surged to over ₹22.58 lakh crore in 2022-23.
  • With a 9.2% contribution to the national income, UP has emerged as the second-largest economy in the country, playing a pivotal role as the growth engine of the country.
  • UP’s growth rate in current and constant prices in 2021-22 was 20.1% and 9.8% against the country’s growth rate of 18.4% and 9.1% respectively.
  • Similarly, in 2022-23, the national growth rate of constant prices was recorded at 7.2%, against the state’s growth rate of 9.8% while the state’s growth rate of current prices was recorded at 14.3% during the period.
• Digital technology has been incorporated to improve the primary segment of the economy, with initiatives such as digital crop surveys being successfully implemented.
  • The area of cultivation and production of sugarcane increased by 26.8% in 2021-22, while horticultural crop production saw a substantial rise of 31.9%.
  • State-sponsored schemes aimed at achieving self-sufficiency in pulses and oilseeds in UP are yielding favorable results. However, there is a need to further enhance crop diversification and improve supply chain management.
• The state has secured the top position in milk production. Additionally, it ranks third in terms of progress in egg production achieving an annual growth rate of 12.80%.
• UP achieved rapid growth in the tertiary sector with growth in the hotels/restaurants, transport, communication, real estate, professional services, public services, defense, and other services. There has been an unprecedented development in services related to the tourism sector.
  • According to the Government of India report in 2023, UP got the distinction of having the highest number of tourist arrivals in 2022. In the financial year 2022-23, the state welcomed over 31.8 crore tourists, with Varanasi, Mathura, and Ayodhya emerging as major centers.
    • In addition to catering to domestic tourists, it is imperative to develop a comprehensive action plan to attract foreign tourists and for this, potential countries need to be identified and proper policies formulated.
• The principal secretary, planning department and representatives from the financial consulting company Deloitte presented detailed information about the current economic environment of the state. They elaborated on the present situation and potential future outcomes, industry expectations, and other relevant details sector-wise.
• To reach the USD 1 trillion target by 2027 it is imperative that all departments escalate their efforts. Enhanced planning and coordination are essential.

Note

• In recent years, the top five states in terms of Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP), or the five largest state economies of the country, have set their own targets to contribute to India’s ambitious economic growth plan. Though UP has been the first to announce its mission, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Gujarat also aim to double or triple their economies to meet their respective GSDP goals with their own deadlines.

Efforts to Control Road Accidents

Why in News?

According to Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, effective efforts should be made to control road accidents. Road safety audits should be conducted regularly at accident-prone spots.

Key Points

• The remaining work of crash barriers on all the identified routes of the state should be completed with full quality before the Chardham Yatra.
• Road safety audits should be conducted regularly at black spots (accident prone spots).
• Dormitories should also be arranged for the drivers in the areas where parking of vehicles has been arranged near the tourist places of the state.
• Strict action should be taken as per rules against those driving without license, driving under the influence of alcohol and violating other traffic rules.
• To make people aware of road safety, short films should be made and publicized on a wide scale.
• Information about road safety awareness should also be included in the school curriculum.
• To take effective action to stop encroachment on the roadsides police, municipal corporations, Mussoorie Dehradun Development Authority (MDDA) and district administration should take continuous action.

Cooking Oil for Sita Rasoi in Ayodhya

Why in News?

Recently, Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma sent 2,100 cooking oil drums and a ‘Ram Durbar’ procession, to ‘Sita Rasoi’ (Sita’s kitchen) in Ayodhya.

• The oil will be used for cooking the food to be served to the devotees attending the consecration ceremony at the Ram temple on January 22 and afterwards.

Key Points

• The programme was organised jointly by Dharma Yatra Mahasangh-Rajasthan and Shri Shyam Bhajan Sandhya Parivar Seva Samiti.
• The Jaipur Greater Municipal Corporation declared a holiday on January 22 to enable its staff to celebrate Ram temple’s consecration at their home.
  • The meat shops in the city would remain closed, five lakh oil lamps would be lit, and prizes given for the best decoration in the markets in the city on the day of the consecration.

Haryana Felicitates Arjuna Awardees

Why in News?

Recently, Haryana Chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar honored the state players awarded with the Arjuna Award and their coach at Haryana Bhavan in New Delhi.

Key Points

• The Chief minister congratulated Wrestlers Sunil Kumar, Antim Panghal and Golfer Diksha Dagar who were honored with the Arjuna Award in the National Sports Awards 2023.
• The athletes praised Haryana's sports policy stating that it has boosted the morale of athletes, and the youth are now more inclined towards sports due to this Pro-player Policy.
• According to the Chief minister, a foundational framework for sports will be developed from village to village in Haryana so that the youth can be nurtured from childhood.
• Plans are also underway to establish specialized high-power performance centers to train youth in popular sports. Sports equipment will be made available through gram panchayat.

Arjuna Award

• It was instituted in 1961 by the Government of India to recognise outstanding achievement in national sports events.
• It is given for good performance over a period of previous four years and showing qualities of leadership, sportsmanship and a sense of discipline.
• The award carries a cash prize of Rs 15 lakh, a bronze statue of Arjuna and a scroll of honor.
• In 2023, 26 athletes won the Arjuna Award from Droupadi Murmu, the President of India.
• The list mostly features athletes from the Asian Games 2023 where India made history by winning over 100 medals in a single edition of the event.

Sedition Charges

Why in News?

Recently, the Punjab & Haryana High Court issued a notice to the Haryana government regarding a revision petition filed against a Sessions Court order framing charges against the petitioner under Section 124A IPC (Sedition). The charges were related to allegations that he used 'filthy language' against India and raised an anti-national slogan.

• After the video of the alleged incident, the police registered the First Information Report (FIR) under Sections 153A,124A, 504 Indian Penal Code (IPC) and arrested accused for creating "animosity among several groups".

Key Points

• Section 124A IPC defines sedition as an offence committed when "any person by words, either spoken or written, or by signs, or by visible representation, or otherwise, brings or attempts to bring into hatred or contempt, or excites or attempts to excite disaffection towards the government established by law in India".
  • Disaffection includes disloyalty and all feelings of enmity. However, comments without exciting or attempting to excite hatred, contempt or disaffection, will not constitute an offence under this section.
  • The Supreme Court in Balwant Singh v. State of Punjab (1995), reiterated that the real intent of the speech must be taken into account before labeling it seditious.
• It is a Non-Bailable Offence. Punishment under Section 124A ranges from imprisonment up to three years to a life term, to which a fine may be added.
  • A person charged under this law is barred from a government job.
  • They have to live without their passport and must produce themselves in the court at all times as and when required.

Indian Penal Code (IPC)

• It is the official criminal code of India drafted in 1860 in the wake of the first law commission established in 1834 under the Charter Act of 1833.
• In line, the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) provides procedures for administering criminal law in India. It was enacted in 1973 and became effective on 1 April 1974.

Chhattisgarh Launches Shri Ram Lala Darshan Scheme

Why in News?

Recently, the Chhattisgarh government has decided to launch the 'Shri Ramlala Darshan scheme,' a pilgrimage to the newly built Ram temple in Ayodhya.

• Approximately 20,000 pilgrims will be taken for the Shri Ram lala Darshan annually.

Key Points

• The Chhattisgarh Tourism Board and the Budget Tourism Department will facilitate the implementation of this scheme.
• The eligibility for the pilgrimage will be for Chhattisgarh natives aged 18 to 75 who are found fit in the health examination conducted by the district medical board.
  • The pilgrimage distance is approximately 900 kilometers, and transportation will be facilitated in collaboration with the Indian Railways Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC).
  • Beneficiaries will be brought to and taken back from the railway station to their residences by the respective district administration.
• A committee, under the chairmanship of the collector in each district, will be formed for the implementation of this scheme.
• The cabinet also decided to appoint prominent lawyer Praful Bharat as the new advocate general of the state.