• 11 Dec 2023

CM attended the 26th Eastern Regional Council meeting

Why in News?

On December 10, 2023, the 26^th Eastern Regional Council meeting was held under the chairmanship of Union Home Minister Amit Shah at 'Samvad' located at the Chief Minister's Secretariat in Patna, Bihar, in which Chief Minister Nitish Kumar attended and also hosted the meeting.

Key Points:

• This was the 5^th meeting of the Eastern Regional Council in Patna on the instructions of the Central Government. Earlier meetings had taken place in 1958, 1963, 1985 and 2015.
• Ministers and senior officials of Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha & West Bengal attended the meeting.
• It may be noted that the Chief Minister had participated in the meeting of the Eastern Regional Council held in Orissa on February 28, 2020.
• In the meeting, the Chief Minister said that the State Government has carried out caste based census using its resources and released its data, according to which the total population of Bihar is 13.7 lakh 25 thousand 310 out of which 53 lakh 72 thousand 22 people are living outside Bihar. 12 crore 53 lakh 53 thousand are living in the state.
• In the caste based census, the backward class population was found to be 27.12 percent, extreme backward class was 36.01 percent, scheduled caste was 19.65 percent, scheduled tribe was 1.68 percent and general category was 15.52 percent.
• The Chief Minister said that the reservation limit in the state has been increased from 50 to 65 percent. A law has been passed for this. 10 percent reservation is already available for economically weaker people of general category. All together the total reservation has reached 75 percent.
• The Chief Minister said that poor families are found in all castes, out of which 25.09 percent of general category, 33.16 percent of backward class, 33.58 percent of extremely backward class, 42.93 percent of scheduled caste and 42.70 percent of scheduled tribe people are poor. The total number of poor families in all categories is 94 lakh.
• The Chief Minister said that in order to advance the poor families, a scheme has been made to provide assistance of up to Rs 2 lakh for employment to one of its members.
• For families who do not have houses, the amount for purchasing land has been increased from Rs 60 thousand to Rs 1 lakh. Rs 1 lakh 20 thousand will be given to build a house.
• From the year 2018, under the 'Sustainable Livelihood Scheme', the assistance amount of Rs 1 lakh being given to extremely poor families for employment has been increased to Rs 2 lakh.

'Lab Day' was organised in Government Schools of the state on 'No Bag Day'

Why in News?

On December 9, 2023, 'Lab Day' was organised by the School Education Department of Rajasthan in the government schools of the state under the activity of 'No Bag Day'.

Key Points:

• Various activities were organised under 'Lab Day' by the School Education Department to improve the learning process of students through systematic, regular, smooth and effective operation of laboratories in schools.
• On this occasion, the state, division, district and block level officials of the department inspected the physics, chemistry, geography, biology, computer lab, home science & vocational education labs of the school.
• On this occasion, the labs were organised very well as per the instructions given by the department. Labeling of chemical substances was done. Students showed special interest in doing chemistry and physics experiments. On this occasion, project work and science projects were demonstrated by the students.
• Government Secretary Naveen Jain said that the purpose of celebrating 'Lab Day' on the occasion of No Bag Day is to increase effective teaching and learning opportunities for students through laboratories run in government higher secondary schools of the state.

Alwar's Gaurav Yadav received IMA's most Prestigious Award 'Sword of Honor'

Why in News?

On December 9, 2023, in the passing out parade at the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Dehradun, Gaurav Yadav from Alwar district of Rajasthan received IMA's most prestigious award 'Sword of Honor' and was also the gold medal winner.

Key Points:

• It may be noted that 343 young cadets passed out from the Indian Military Academy (IMA) and joined the mainstream of the army to serve the country. Along with this, 29 cadets overseas also passed out.
• Gaurav Yadav got the gold medal for standing 1st in the order of merit in the passing out parade. Saurav Badhani of Chamoli, Uttarakhand got the silver medal for standing 2^nd in the Order of Merit and Alok Singh of Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh got the bronze medal for standing 3^rd.
• It is worth mentioning that Gaurav Yadav of Alwar's father Balwant Singh Yadav is a farmer and mother Kamlesh Yadav is a housewife. Gaurav studied from Kerala Public School. His brother Vineet Kumar is serving as a Naik in the Army.
• Gaurav said that he appeared for the NDA exam five times. He failed four times, but passed NDA the fifth time. He received the President's Gold Medal last year in the 143^rd course of the academy.

Formation of state level Steering Committee under the chairmanship of Chief Secretary

Why in News?

On December 8, 2023, the Madhya Pradesh State Government constituted a State Level Steering Committee under the chairmanship of the Chief Secretary to provide direction and guidance & monitor the organisation of Vikas Bharat Sankalp Yatra in the state.

Key Points:

• The committee will comprise of Additional Chief Secretary, Principal Secretary, Secretary, Public Health & Family Welfare, Panchayat & Rural Development, Farmers Welfare & Agriculture Development, Urban Development & Housing, Public Health & Engineering, School Education, Women & Child Development, Food & Civil Supplies, Revenue, Social Justice and Empowerment Welfare, Tribal Caste Welfare.
• The Agriculture Commissioner has been made the nodal officer. The committee will take all necessary decisions on various aspects related to organizing the Vikas Bharat Sankalp Yatra.
• Seven core groups have also been formed for continuous monitoring of Vikas Bharat Sankalp Yatra and resolution of problems arising at the field level.
• Additional Chief Secretary, Panchayat & Rural Development, Farmers Welfare & Agriculture, Principal Secretary Urban Development & Housing, Revenue, Secretary, Social Justice & Empowerment Welfare, Commissioner Health, Commissioner Agriculture, Core Groups will review the progress and submit necessary reports to the State Level Steering Committee.

GOC Sudarshan Chakra Corps flags off Southern Star Electric Vehicle (EV) Rally

Why in News?

In keeping with the spirit of the Indian Army celebrating the 263^th Army Service Corps Day on December 8, 2023, GOC Sudarshan Chakra Corps flagged off the Southern Star Electric Vehicle (EV) rally from Dronacharya, Bhopal.

Key Points:

• The rally, in partnership with indigenous electric car manufacturers Mahindra & Mahindra and Praveg, aims to spread awareness about the adoption of green technologies.
• The rally has been aptly themed ‘Olive Green Goes Green’. The rally will cover a distance of 800 km, passing through the cities of Sagar, Jhansi, Gwalior, Agra and Mathura.
• The rally members will also interact with school children, veterans and army officers at various military posts to create awareness on Indian contemporary issues. Agniveer will highlight the Army's initiatives including Enrollment Scheme, Make in India, Gram Seva Desh Seva & Promotion of Foodgrains, Swachh Bharat, Green India and Veterans We Care.
• On the occasion, GOC Sudarshan Chakra Corps planted a sapling and handed over saplings to the OIC rally which is planned to be planted in various Army posts on the way to the final destination of New Delhi. The EV rally will finally be flagged off by DGST in New Delhi.

Gurugram Metro Rail Limited launched for Cyber City connectivity to Millennium City Center

Why in News?

On December 7, 2023, Haryana Chief Secretary Sanjeev Kaushal, who is also the Chairman of Haryana Mass Rapid Transport Corporation, informed that Gurugram Metro Rail Limited has been launched to implement metro connectivity from Millennium City Center to Cyber City Gurugram project.

Key Points:

• A circular dynamic corridor will be built connecting the Millennium City Center to Subhash Chowk, Railway Station, Rejangla Chowk to Cyber City in a full circle. It will be handled by the new company (Gurugram Metro Rail Limited), which will be headed by the Union Urban Development Secretary. In this, there will be a 50 percent joint venture between the Government of India and the Government of Haryana.
• All upcoming projects will be implemented by the new company, while the existing Rapid Metro project will be handled by HMRTC.
• The project, estimated to cost Rs 5452.72 crore, will span 28.50 km with 27 stations. The processes of pre-construction activities including its geotechnical investigation and design consultation have already been initiated.
• There has been an increase of 35.54 percent in the ridership of Rapid Metro Gurugram as compared to the last year period and this number has reached 80,13,765 passengers, whereas in the last year this number was 59,12,457.
• The metro connectivity project from Vatika Chowk to Panchgaon envisages a 30 km corridor, for which M/s RITES has been appointed as the consultant.
• After the announcement by Chief Minister Manohar Lal, the expansion of metro connectivity from Ballabgarh to Palwal has started. Technical feasibility study of the temporary corridor with a length of 25 km and 10 proposed stations is being done, which will make this extension an important link in enhancing regional connectivity.

More than Rs 1,457.13 crore spent under Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in Haryana in the last 3 years

Why in News?

According to information received by Haryana's Directorate of Information, Public Relations and Languages on December 7, 2023, Haryana has spent more than Rs 1,457.13 crore in the last three years under Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). This also includes a significant allocation of Rs 538.85 crore for education.

Key Points:

• This involves identifying and facilitating priority areas for each sector through the use of CSR funds.
• Two categories have been highlighted based on the CSR projects and initiatives & their execution, time frame for completion. Category 1 consists of projects that can be implemented within the current financial year (till March 31, 2024).
• Category 2 includes projects that can be executed within one to two years and will be implemented in phases.
• Haryana State CSR Trust (HSCSRT) has a dedicated web portal where all government departments and districts can submit their potential CSR projects. These submissions are visible to HSCSRT, government departments and corporate partners, who can also propose their potential projects via email to HSCSRT.
• The CSR areas identified include eliminating hunger, poverty & malnutrition, promoting health care, preventive health & hygiene, providing sanitation & safe drinking water, empowerment through education, vocational skills and livelihoods.

Ranchi ranks 2nd in the ranking of Smart Cities of the Country

Why in News?

According to information received from the Information and Public Relations Department of Jharkhand on December 7, 2023, Jharkhand's capital Ranchi has secured 2nd place in the entire country in the live ranking based on the evaluation of the development work taking place in 100 smart cities of the country.

Key Points:

• In this ranking, Ranchi has got 324.48 points out of a total 350 points. Whereas Surat, the city of Gujarat which got 1st place, has got 335.79 marks.
• Jharkhand has got the 1st position in the country in the ranking of the respective states released by the Center on the basis of development in smart city cities. In the states category, Jharkhand has got 324.48 marks out of 350 marks.
• The work of development of infrastructure in the Smart City of Ranchi being developed in Dhurwa area of Ranchi is almost completed. At the same time, e-auction of many big plots of residential, mixed use, institutional, health sector & public semi-public nature has also been completed in three phases and the work of auction of the fourth phase is under process.
• It is worth mentioning that the Command and Control Center developed under Ranchi Smart City has been completed in 2021 itself and this scheme is fully functional. Under this, the city residents are getting benefits from works like traffic management and monitoring in Ranchi.
• At the same time, a list of about three thousand traffic rule violators is being provided to Ranchi Police every day from the Command and Control Center so that their e-challan can be issued.
• Apart from this, the work of the state funded Urban Civic Tower project in the Smart City is in its final stages. At the same time, the work of Ranchi Smart City ABD Area being built on 656 acres of land is also almost completed.
• The criteria set by the government for ranking are as follows-
  • Points awarded on completion of development works being done under the plans of Smart City Mission.
  • Mark obtained on completion of ongoing schemes under NanSCM
  • Fund Utilisation.
  • Last month's expenditure.
  • Steps taken for India Cycle for Change and Transport for All.
  • Internships were provided to children studying in various fields under Tulip.
  • City level advisory form meetings etc.

Vishnu Deo Sai will be the 4th CM of Chhattisgarh

Why in News?

On December 10, 2023, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) elected state tribal leader and Kunkuri MLA Vishnu Deo Sai as the Chief Minister of the state. He will be the 4th Chief Minister of the state and the 1st tribal Chief Minister.

Key Points:

• Vishnu Deo Sai was elected the leader of the legislative party in the legislative party meeting held at the BJP state office in Raipur. Along with this, he reached Raj Bhavan and presented his claim to form the government before the Governor. He will take oath as Chief Minister on December 13.
• Vishnu Deo Sai is elected from Kunkuri assembly of Chhattisgarh. The tribal community has the highest population in the state. He comes from this community. He will be the 1^st tribal Chief Minister of the state. He will be the 1st tribal Chief Minister even from BJP. However, the 1^st Chief Minister of the state, Ajit Jogi, is also considered to be the 1^st Chief Minister of the state to come from the tribal community, but the case related to his caste is currently pending in the court.
• It is worth mentioning that Vishnu Deo Sai has been MP four times, MLA twice, Union Minister of State and BJP State President twice.
• He started his political journey in 1989. At first he served as a village Panch. Bharatiya Janata Party gave him MLA ticket from Tapkara assembly constituency in the year 1990, in which he won. After this, he was elected MP from Raigarh Lok Sabha constituency for three consecutive times from 1999 to 2014.

GyroCopter Safari will start soon in Uttarakhand

Why in News?

On December 10, 2023, Manish Saini, CEO of Rajas Aero Sports and Adventure Limited (RAAAPL) said that GyroCopter Safari will be launched in Uttarakhand soon.

Key Points:

• Manish Saini said that RAAAPL had started Air Safari in Rishikesh in 2013-14. This was India's first air safari.
• He informed that Gyrocopter service is also being started in the state this month, which will be the first Gyrocopter safari in India and South Asia.
• It is worth mentioning that Rajas Aerosports and Adventure Limited (RAAAPL) is a private limited Indian non-government company, which was incorporated in India on May 30, 2013 & its registered office is in Pauri Garhwal, Uttarakhand.
• It is engaged in the business of providing corporate arts entertainment and entertainment services. Presently Rajas Aerosports is operating Himalayan Darshan helicopter service from George Everest, Mussoorie.

10 private universities, 3 new medical colleges will open in the State

Why in News?

On December 9, 2023, Uttarakhand Education Minister Dr. Dhan Singh Rawat, while addressing investors at the Global Investors Conference, said that 10 new private universities and 3 new medical colleges will be opened in Uttarakhand.

Key Points:

• The Education Minister said that the government will provide all basic facilities for new schools and universities. Investors in the state have to select land for schools and universities themselves. The government will provide facilities of electricity, water and roads. A 25 percent subsidy will also be given.
• He asked investors to invest in the hill districts like Pithoragarh, Almora, Pauri etc.
• He said that the target of the state government is that by 2024, five lakh children from other states should come to study in Uttarakhand, while one lakh foreign children should come and study here.
• It may be noted that in the Global Investors Conference, an agreement was signed for investment of Rs 9000 crore in education and secondary education. This included about 17 private higher educational institutions and 4 secondary schools.
• The MoU was signed between Apollo Group, Sabarmati Institute Gujarat, Saloni University, Doon Modern Education Society, New Foundation, Shivalik Hill Foundation, DIT University, Gondwana Research Foundation, Right Park Foundation, Green Field School, Jan Kalyan Education, Guru Nanak Trust Roorkee, Uttarakhand Uthan Samiti etc.

IMA Passing Out Parade 2023: 343 Cadets from India & 29 from Overseas passed out

Why in News?

343 Indian cadets and 29 foreign cadets from 12 from overseas passed out in the passing out parade at the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Dehradun on December 9, 2023. Sri Lanka's Chief of Defense Staff General Shavendra Silva took the salute at the parade.

Key Points:

• In the passing out parade at the Indian Military Academy (IMA), 372 cadets from India and abroad joined the main stream of their armies by becoming officers. Of these, the Indian Army got 343 officers.
• Since the establishment of IMA, 65,234 local and foreign cadets have passed out from here & become military officers in the army of their respective countries. These also include 2,914 military officers from the armies of 34 overseas.
• It is worth mentioning that a large number of young officers from Uttarakhand come out in the passing out parade (POP) held in IMM. Despite being much smaller in population than other states, Uttarakhand ranks 1st in the country in producing officers.
• This time Uttar Pradesh has become the state giving the maximum number of cadets in POP. 68 cadets from Uttar Pradesh will pass out and become officers. At the same time, Uttarakhand is in 2nd place this time. 42 cadets from Uttarakhand passed out.
• Last time cadets from 20 states participated in POP, but this time cadets from 27 states participated in POP.
• The following cadets received various awards/medals in the passing out parade-
  • Sword of Honor and Gold Medal- Gaurav Yadav (Avalar, Rajasthan)
  • Silver Medal- Saurabh Badhani (Gwaldam Chamoli, Uttarakhand)
  • Bronze Medal- Alok Singh (Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh)
  • Silver Medal (TGC)- Ajay Pant (Ranikhet Almora, Uttarakhand)
  • Best Foreign Cadet- Shailesh Bhatta (Nepal) Chief of Army Staff Banner, Kohima Company
• Other countries including India got officers - India-343, Bhutan-9, Maldives-4, Sri Lanka-4, Mauritius-3, Nepal-2, Myanmar-1, Bangladesh-1, Tajikistan-1, Uzbekistan-1, Sudan- 1, Turkmenistan-1, Kyrgyzstan-1.