State PCS

• 11 Jun 2022

Agra Cantt Station gets Green Rating

Why in News?

• Recently, Prashakti Srivastava, Commercial Manager, Agra Railway Division, said that Agra Cantt station, DRM office and railway hospital have been given green rating by IGBC in terms of greenery, garbage management and cleanliness.

Key Points

• Efforts are underway to make Agra Cantt station premises green for the last two years. The food for the loco pilots and guards is prepared at the biogas plant in the mess of the running room of the station. The waste collected from the station is used here. Similarly, a biogas plant is also operating in Yamuna Rest House of railway officials. Solar power is also produced at the station.
• From the station premises to the DRM office, 1588.40 kW of electricity is generated from the solar panels, which fulfills the needs of the station and other premises.
• More than 1,000 rail Neer and other water bottles are consumed at the station every day. Bottle crush machines are installed to destroy them.
• From Officers Colony of Railways to DRM Office and other premises have been covered with greenery. In the year 2021-22, 1.5 lakh saplings were planted. A large number of these have now flourished. At present, a target has been set to plant 100 saplings in the station premises only. It is the responsibility of the station superintendent to look after it.
• The STP operates at platform number six at the station. It is used in washing tracks by treating water.
• The coaches of the trains are washed from the coach washing plant near the ward at the station. The washing water is not allowed to be wasted. It is passed on to many channels and given to plants.
• Railways have tied up with the Municipal Corporation for the management of the garbage. After sorting out the garbage, the work of its disposal is done by the municipal team.

Bihar Ranks Fourth in the Country in Fish Production

Why in News?

• On June 10, 2022, Bihar's Minister for Energy and Planning Development and Vice-Chairman of planning council Bijendra Prasad Yadav informed that Bihar has reached the fourth position across the country in fish production.

Key Points

• In 2007-08, the state used to produce 2.88 lakh tonnes of fish annually, which has increased to 7.62 lakh tonnes in 2020-21.
• Similarly, milk production in the state has also doubled. Milk production in 2007-08 was 57.7 lakh tonnes, which increased to 115.2 lakh tonnes in 2020-21.
• It may be mentioned that since 2008, the State has achieved a steady increase in the record production of milk, egg and fish with the implementation of the agriculture roadmap.
• Secretary, Department of Animal and Fisheries Resources, Dr. N. Sarwan Kumar said that before the first agriculture roadmap, the state's annual meat production in the financial year 2007-08 was 1.80 lakh tonnes, which increased to 3.86 lakh tonnes in 2020-21.
• Sarwan Kumar said that the scheme of door step delivery will be implemented soon to provide veterinary services to the doorsteps of cattle herders in the state. It has been sanctioned.
• The target is to set up 7,000 new milk societies by 2024-25 to ensure access of milk societies to all villages. Against this, 1639 new committees have been set up till May this year. 600 Sudha's outlets will be set up in all the blocks.

No Payment in Gram Panchayats without Digital Signature

Why in News?

• Recently, while attacking corruption, the government has now implemented dongles in the village panchayats of Champaran district. Under this, it is necessary to make 'digital signatures' of the heads and secretaries of all the gram panchayats.

Key Points

• Giving this information on June 10, 2022, BDO Pankaj Kumar of West Champaran of Bihar state said that the state government has made digital signature certificate necessary for withdrawal of funds of 15^th Finance Commission.
• Now without a digital signature, the amount of state finance and 15th finance will not be able to be paid. These steps have been taken by the government regarding the corruption in the withdrawal of financial funds.
• Account operations of a dozen Gram Panchayats have been suspended for not creating digital signatures.
• The BDO said that in the light of the instructions of the Ministry of Panchayati Raj, Government of India, instructions have been given for DSC registration, vendor agency, registration, accounting and other technical work under the process of onboarding on the Gram Swaraj Portal, so that public representatives should be aware of it. in order to accelerate the development plans.

37 Residential Schools in Rajasthan get Eat-Right-School Certificates

Why in News?

• Recently, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India has issued certificates recognizing 37 residential schools in Rajasthan as Eat-Right-Schools.

Key Points

• For the first time in the country, 37 government residential schools in Rajasthan have received this certificate together in such a large number.
• These schools have received these certificates on the basis of fulfilling all the standards of high quality, hygienic and nutritious food.
• Kasturba Gandhi Girls Residential School, Nachana (Jaisalmer), Moongra (Barmer), Nithar (Bharatpur), Bhinmal (Jalore), Kuchaman (Nagaur), Needach (Rajsamand), Nandishma (Udaipur), Bauraj (Jaipur), Khaitrli (Pali), Tibbi (Hanumangarh), Dausa, Baunli (Sawaimadhopur), Todarai Singh (Tonk), Gharsana (Ganganagar), Pogal (Bikaner), Jawal (Sirohi), Dungarpur, Rajgarh (Churu), Mandad (Sirohi), Hasai (Dholpur), Ajmer, Shahbad (Baran), Chaksu (Jaipur) and Chaumala (Jhalawar) have got the status of Eat-Right-School.
• Similarly, Mahatma Gandhi Government School Khairoda (Udaipur), Charbhuja (Rajsamand), Government Higher Secondary School Baskripal Nagar (Alwar), Rajpurbara (Alwar), Barnala (Sawai Madhopur), Nahargarh (Chittorgarh) and Anuppura Jalsu (Jaipur) were bricked-Right-School status.
• Apart from these, Government Girls Higher Secondary School, Jaitaran (Pali), Sariri Asind (Bhilwara), Jayal (Nagaur), Narolidang (Karauli), Moulasar (Nagaur) and Khodawara Etawa (Kota) have got the status of Eat-Right schools.

MoU between Jan Abhiyan Parishad and Isha Foundation

Why in News?

• On June 10, 2022, in the presence of Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Sadhguru Vasudev Jaggi, an MoU was signed between the state government and Isha Foundation to save the soil.

Key Points

• Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister said that the message of saving soil of Sadguru Vasudev Jaggi would be taken to every village and block of the state. The state government will work in this direction in collaboration with the Isha Foundation.
• To save soil, public awareness activities will be run by Madhya Pradesh Jan-Abhiyan Parishad in the Save Soil campaign. To save the soil, the roadmap prepared by the state government and Isha Foundation will be implemented jointly by Jan Abhiyan Parishad and Isha Foundation.

Manju Sandhu to Stake in Junior World Rankings

Why in News?

• Recently, 18-year-old wrestler Manju Sandhu from Kauthkalan in Hisar district of Haryana has been selected for the junior world rankings to be held in Italy.

Key Points

• Manju Sandhu in the Junior World Rankings to be held in Italy from June 22 to June 30, 2022 in 72 kg. Will play in weight category.
• It is worth mentioning that Manju won the gold medal in the Junior Ranking National from May 26 to May 29 in Ranchi. Apart from this, on June 2 in Lucknow, she came first in the trials for the Junior Asia Championships. On the basis of these two, Manju has been selected for the Junior World Ranking.
• It is noteworthy that Manju Sandhu won the gold medal in the Khelo India held in Poona in 2018-19 and the gold medal in the Khelo India held in Guwahati in 2019-20.
• Manju has been training under wrestling coach Sanjay Malik at the Asian Sports School in Umra for the past five years.

Jharkhand's Minority School Employees to get Benefit of Contributory Pension Scheme

Why in News?

• Recently, the Department of School Education and Literacy, Jharkhand has announced the benefit of contributory pension scheme to the employees of minority schools.

Key Points

• Employees of 836 elementary aided (including minorities) and 134 secondary minority schools in Jharkhand will get the benefit of contributory pension scheme.
• Under this, those employees of these schools who are employed on or after December 1, 2004 will get the benefit of contributory pension scheme.
• It is worth mentioning that the Department of School Education and Literacy has taken this decision in the light of the order passed by the Jharkhand High Court in the case of Jharkhand State Secondary Teachers Association vs State Government. In this, the High Court had ordered the state government to take necessary decisions on the presentation of the petitioner.
• The announcement issued by the department regarding the benefit of contributory pension scheme to these schools has said that since they have been appointed through the School Management Committee, the committee will have to be registered with the Central Record Keeping Agency 'National Security Depository Limited'. At the same time, each personnel will have to take permanent retirement account number along with the contribution.
• Ten percent of the basic salary and admissible living allowance of the employees will be deducted from the amount, which will be deposited in the NPS account as employer contribution.

Guru Sushant Mohapatra honoured with 'Guru Brahma Award'

Why in News?

• On June 10, 2022, in a program organized in Jagannathpuri, Odisha, Guru Sushant Mohapatra, the leading artist who prepared the mask of Seraikela Chhau dance form of Jharkhand state, was given 'Guru Brahma Award'.

Key Points

• In the International Mega Dance Festival 'Apsara-2022' organized by the Cultural Development Foundation of Odisha, Dr. Tirupati Panigrahi, Chairman, Hitech Group, honored Mohapatra by giving him an angavastra and a citation.
• The exhibition of Chhau Masks created by Guru Sushant Mohapatra has been held in the country and abroad, the Saraikela style Chhau mask prepared by him has been exhibited not only in the country, but also in New York, Berlin, Vienna in the US, as well as in mumbai, kolkata and other big cities including the capital of the country Delhi.
• The mask, produced by Guru Sushant Mohapatra, has also been presented to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
• It is known that in the year 1925 , his elder father, Prashna Kumar Mohapatra, had prepared the first modern mask for the Saraikela Style Chhau.
• Sushant Mohapatra started manufacturing the mask at the age of 8 with the inspiration of his elder father (Guru Prasanna Mohapatra). After this the practice of this mask started increasing and now this Seraikela style of mask has become the hallmark of Chhau dance.

Integrated De-addiction and Rehabilitation Centre Launched

Why in News?

• On June 10, 2022, Chhattisgarh's Minister for Women and Child Development and Social Welfare, Anila Bhedia launched the Integrated De-addiction and Rehabilitation Centre under Municipality Balod.

Key Points

• In the de-addiction centre, counselling is provided to eliminate addiction, get rid of addiction and stay away from it. This will now help the affected people a lot in getting rid of drugs.
• People coming to the de-addiction and rehabilitation centre will get a variety of facilities free of cost, including counselling to stay away from drug abuse, accommodation, free health check-ups, yoga, meditation, music, exercise, indoor and other types of facilities.
• Apart from this, Anila Bhedia also inaugurated the District Disabled Rehabilitation Centre at the Social Welfare Department office premises at Village Jhalmala in Balod district.
• Due to the availability of rehabilitation center facility for the disabled in Balod district, the needy here will not have to go out to any other district, they will get facilities in the district itself. This will greatly facilitate the differently abled people of the district.
• Minister Bhendia benefitted the differently-abled by providing checks of incentive amount and accessories under various schemes.

Coal Mine Project in Hasdeo Arand Forest Area Banned

Why in News?

• Recently, the Chhattisgarh government has put on hold three upcoming coal mine projects allotted to Rajasthan Rajya Vidyut Utpadan Nigam Limited (RRVUNL) in Hasdeo Arand forest area of Surguja division.

Key Points

• It is worth mentioning that the state government has taken this decision due to strong opposition from the local people and workers against these projects.
• Confirming the suspension of mining projects, Surguja District Magistrate Sanjeev Jha informed that three upcoming projects- Parsa, Parsa East and Kante Basan (PEKB) Phase II and Kante Extension Coal Mine, which are in various stages before the mine commences, has been put on hold till further orders.
• All the three mines have been allotted to RRVUNL and Adani Group is associated as MDO (Mine Developer and Operator). Work will continue in the mines where work is going on in the area.
• Locals claim that the coal mine will cause huge damage to biodiversity and environment. Mining in the ecologically sensitive Hasdeo Arand forest area will not only displace the tribals, but also increase the man-elephant conflict in the area.
• It is noteworthy that the state government had recently given final approval for the Parsa mine and PEKB's second phase coal mining projects on the request of the Rajasthan government.

Centre Approves Investment for Jamrani Project

Why in News?

• On June 10, 2022, Investment approval was given to the ambitious Jamrani Dam project of Uttarakhand in a meeting on investment approval proposals held under the chairmanship of Water Resources Secretary in New Delhi.

Key Points

• Officials of NITI Aayog and Central Water Commission attended the meeting. It considered proposals for investment clearance for projects in West Bengal, Maharashtra, Uttarakhand and Manipur.
• Under the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana, Jamrani Dam Multipurpose Project worth Rs. 2584.10 crore was approved in the meeting. The approval is given on 90:10 (Centre : State) basis.
• The project aims to generate 63 million units of electricity and will provide additional irrigation facilities for 57,065 hectares of land.
• This project will also provide 42 MCM of drinking water to Haldwani city by the year 2055. The government has set a target to complete the project by the year 2027.
• It is worth mentioning that the construction of a multipurpose Jamrani dam project is proposed on the Gola river in Nainital district of Uttarakhand state. Construction of Gola Barrage in the first phase of the project, 244 km. Reconstruction of canal and construction of Damuva and Amritpuri colonies have been completed. The main dam will be constructed in the second phase.

Many Important Decisions Taken in the Cabinet Meeting

Why in News?

• On June 10, 2022, several important decisions were taken in the meeting of the State Council of Ministers chaired by Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami at the Secretariat. A total of 23 points were considered in the meeting.

Key Points

• The cabinet gave its approval to outsource the Sitar Ganj sugar mill to be operated through public-private partnership method in future.
• The Council of Ministers approved the presentation of the state's annual budget in the Assembly.
• Apart from this, the amount of one-time grant given to the gallantry award winners was also increased, which are as follows-
  • One-time grant for Param Vir Chakra recipients increased from Rs. 30 lakh to Rs. 50 lakh.
  • For Ashok Chakra recipients increased from Rs. 30 lakh to Rs. 50 lakh.
  • For Mahavir Chakra recipients increased from Rs. 20 lakh to Rs. 35 lakh.
  • For Kirti Chakra winners increased from Rs. 20 lakh to Rs. 35 lakh.
  • For Vir Chakra and Shaurya Chakra increased from Rs. 15 lakh to Rs. 25 lakh.
  • For Army Gallantry Medal increased from Rs. 7 lakh to Rs. 15 lakh.
  • For Mention in Dispatch increased from Rs. 3 lakh to Rs. 10 lakh.
• The cabinet has also given its approval to the companion service manual of the Irrigation Department. Apart from this, it also gave its approval to introduce the Uttarakhand Zamindari Abolition and Land Reform Act Amendment Bill, 2022 and the Uttarakhand Fire and Emergency Services Fire Prevention and Fire Safety Amendment Bill, 2022 in the Vidhan Sabha.
• The Council of Ministers approved the introduction of the relevant Bill in the Legislative Assembly regarding amendment to the University of Petroleum and Energy Studies Act, 2003.
• The cabinet also directed the one-time settlement scheme for compounding of nursing homes, clinics, childcare centers, nursery schools etc. from single residential-commercial buildings should be completed within the stipulated time frame.