Rajasthan

• 12 Apr 2023

2000 Tax Mitras will be Appointed in the State

Why in News?

On 10 April 2023, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot approved the proposal related to planning qualifications and fee fixation. To facilitate the applicants in the application process, the state government will appoint 2000 tax friends in the state.

Key Points

• Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has also approved the development of an Artificial Intelligence-based 'e-tax officer software platform' to provide the first-level facility of self-tax scrutiny to businessmen.
• After the Chief Minister's approval, it will now be easier to deposit Goods and Services Tax (GST) and Value Added Tax (VAT).
• The minimum educational qualification for Tax Mitra is graduation in commerce. Preference will be given to experienced applicants including CA, CS, and ICWA. The age limit has been fixed from 21 to 40 years.
• Tax Mitra will charge a fee for various tax-related application processes. This fee has also been fixed. In this, a fee of Rs 50 to Rs 400 has been kept for other works including GST, VAT application, amendment, ITC, e-way bill, subsidy application, and MSME application.
• It is noteworthy that the announcement in this regard was made by the Chief Minister in the budget for the year 2023-24 for ease of GST and VAT application procedures.

Approval for opening 203 new Sub-Health Centers in the state

Why in News?

On 10 April 2023, approval was issued by the Rajasthan Finance Department for opening 203 new sub-health centres in the state. With the opening of new sub-health centres, nearby citizens will be able to get the benefit of medical facilities close to their homes.

Key Points

• It is known that in the implementation of Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot's budget announcement for 2022-23, approval has been issued to open 203 new sub-health centres including posts.
• 203 new sub-health centres are being opened in the state to expand medical facilities in remote rural areas of the state to provide medical facilities to the common man in the village itself.
• Apart from sanctioning Rs.30 lakh each for the construction work of each sub-health centre, 203 new posts of one female health worker have also been approved in each sub-health centre.

Grant of 1000 Crore rupees will be given for Protected Cultivation in the state

Why in News?

On 11 April 2023, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot approved a proposal to give a grant of Rs 1,000 crore to 60,000 farmers in two years to promote protected cultivation in the state.

Key Points

• This amount will be given for greenhouse, shade net house, low tunnel, and plastic mulching and this will give strength to the farmers.
• In the financial year 2023-24, a grant of Rs 501 crore will be given to 30 thousand farmers. In this Rs 444.43 crore will be borne from the Farmers Welfare Fund. In addition, Rs 56 crore (state share 22.75 crores) will be borne from the National Horticulture Mission/National Agricultural Development Scheme.
• In the financial year 2024-25 also, 30 thousand farmers will get a grant of Rs 500 crore. In this, a 25 percent additional subsidy will also be given to the farmers of notified tribal areas and all small/marginal farmers.

Rajasthan ranks 1st in State Energy Efficiency Index 2021-22

Why in News?

On 10 April 2023, the Union Minister for Power and New & Renewable Energy, R.K. Singh released the State Energy Efficiency Index (SEEI) 2021-22 report during the RPM (Review, Planning and Monitoring) meeting of States and State Utility Companies in New Delhi, in which Rajasthan topped the category along with four other states (> 60 marks).

Key Points

• Developed by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), in association with the Alliance for an Energy-Efficient Economy (AEEE), the index assesses the annual progress of states and union territories in energy efficiency implementation for the financial years 2020-21 and 2021-22.
• SEEI 2021-22 has an updated framework of 50 indicators aligned with national priorities. Program-specific indicators have been included this year to monitor the outcomes and impacts of state-level energy efficiency initiatives.
• In the SEEI 2021-22, 5 states - Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Rajasthan and Telangana are in the frontrunner category (>60 points), while 4 states - Assam, Haryana, Maharashtra and Punjab are in the achievers' category (50-60 marks).
• Besides Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Assam and Chandigarh are the top-performing states in their respective state groups.
• Telangana and Andhra Pradesh have registered the most improvements since the last index.
• State Energy Efficiency Index (SEI):
  • The State Energy Efficiency Index (SEEI) monitors the progress of states of India in managing their energy footprint including operating energy efficiency policies & programs at the state and local levels.
  • SEEI improves data collection, enables cross-state collaboration and develops energy efficiency program ideas.
  • It helps states identify areas for improvement, learn from best practices and adopt an economy-friendly approach to energy efficiency implementation.
  • By prioritizing energy efficiency, it aims to drive carbon reduction efforts and achieve a more sustainable future.
  • The index is designed to help monitor progress toward state goals related to energy savings and emissions reductions.
• Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE):
  • It is a statutory body under the Ministry of Power established by the Government of India on 1 March 2002 under the provisions of the Energy Conservation Act, 2001.
  • The mission of BEE is to assist in developing policies and strategies with an emphasis on self-regulation and market principles under the provisions of the Energy Conservation Act, 2001. Its primary objective is to reduce the energy intensity of the Indian economy.
  • To carry out the functions assigned under the Energy Conservation Act, BEE coordinates with designated consumers, designated agencies and other organizations, where it identifies, accredits and utilizes existing resources & infrastructure.
  • The Energy Conservation Act provides the mandate for regulatory and promotional functions.