• 12 Jul 2022

Prayagraj Division of Railway

Why in News?

• Recently, railway officials said that Prayagraj Division of North-Central Railway (NCR) has become the first division in the country, where the maximum speed of 272 of 338 mail-express trains operated has now reached 130 kmph. This figure is the highest among all 68 railway divisions of Indian Railways.

Key Points

• Railway officials claim that before the Kumbh Mela to be held in 2025, the speed of all trains running in Prayagraj division will be 160 kilometers per hour.
• It may be recalled that a few years ago, Prayagraj Division was infamous for the delay of trains due to the slow pace of operation of trains beyond the capacity and improvement of railway infrastructure.
• With the closure of passenger trains in the lockdown during the first wave of Covid, work was done to improve the infrastructure in the three divisions of the NCR. During this time, while on the one hand, the remodelling of Aligarh, Etawah, Khurja, Tundla, Juhi Kanpur Yard etc., on the other hand, automatic signaling work was also done at a fast pace.
• New tracks were laid in place of the old railway tracks. Meanwhile, many trains in the zone were also fitted with Link Hoffman Bush (LHB) coaches. In the financial year 2021-22, automatic signaling in seven sections of Prayagraj division alone and electronic interlocking at 14 stations were completed. It also improved the delay of trains.
• The maximum speed of 520 Mail-Express trains running in Prayagraj division as well as NCR zone has reached 130 kmph. In the first quarter of this financial year, the maximum speed of 14 more trains has increased to 130 kmph.
• 160 kms in Prayagraj division. A wall is also being built on both sides of the railway track from Ghaziabad to Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyay station to run the train at an hourly speed, so that cattle etc. cannot come on the railway track, because of their being hit by the train. The route gets interrupted. This wall will also be completely ready by the year 2024.

New portal of Post Matric Scholarship Launched

Why in News?

• On July 11, 2022, Rajasthan's Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Tikaram Julie launched the new portal of Uttar Matric Scholarship Scheme for the academic year 2022-23.

Key Points

• Speaking on the occasion, he said that many new provisions have been made in the new portal for the convenience of the students. Timely payment of scholarships to the students is the main objective of the New Portal.
• He said that this time the scholarship portal has been opened only in the month of July so that students can apply for scholarship at the time of admission in their college/institution.
• The Government Secretary of the Department, Dr. Samit Sharma informed that the system of automatic verification of only renewal applications of all and private institutions of government institutions has been made effective at the district office by providing for automatic enumeration of the course-wise replenishable amount by way of deletion of fee receipt in the new portal.
• Under the new portal, arrangements have been made for sending/verifying and sanctioning of applications on the basis of course-wise and class-wise fee structure already filled up on the page of the educational institution and accordingly payment of scholarship and Aadhaar biometric attendance.
• This time, for speedy disposal of applications, a warning message will be circulated every 7 days to the students and educational institutions and if the objection is not met, the application will be rejected within 30 days.
• In addition, in the event of human process verification of applications, the time limit for scrutiny of applications at the verification level has been fixed at 10 days and at the District Authority Level up to 10 days.
• From March 2020 onwards, a gap certificate will not be required as the details of the student's previous years' application are displayed to the verifier on the student's application itself.
• This time in the scheme, according to the new guidelines of Scheduled Caste Scholarship, a provision of freeship card has been made on the portal to ensure the scholarship of the student, so that a freeship card is automatically issued by the interested person after entering his details, automatically verifying his eligibility. Will happen.
• Under the new provisions, the student will have an automatic application for scholarship renewal on the basis of attendance or promotion in the next academic session and the database of admissions and examinations of universities/colleges has been digitally linked to the Digi Locker database so that the portal is able to get the necessary information from this database so as to determine the eligibility of the student for acceptance and renewal.

‘Rajasthan Ke Shiksha Mein Badhte Kadam’ Program

Why in News?

• On July 11, 2022, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot launched the remediation program 'Rajasthan Ke Shiksha Mein Badhte Kadam' through virtual medium to compensate the school students of the state for the loss of studies during the Corona period.

Key Points

• Apart from this, the Chief Minister also released the poster and logo of the 'Rajasthan Ke Shiksha Mein Badhte Kadam' program. He also inaugurated the 'Field Orientation' programme for teachers, education officers, parents and children.
• Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister said that in order to meet the long loss caused by the Corona pandemic, a remediation program 'Growing Steps in Education of Rajasthan' is being launched for the students of classes 1 to 8 in the academic session 2022-23, under which the students will be taught in a skill-based, easy and joyful way of teaching in the bridge course conducted.
• It is noteworthy that in order to compensate the educational loss of the young people due to Covid, in the budget of the year 2022-23, 'Bridge Program' was announced with a financial provision of Rs 75 crore.
• Under the 'Rajasthan Ke Shiksha Mein Badhte Kadam' program, the emphasis will be on learning rather than cramming into bridge courses. In the bridge course, for classes 1 to 8, 4 periods will be fixed in the first three months and 2 periods in the remaining entire session.
• Under the scheme, skill based workbooks will be prepared for more than 75 lakh students and proficiency assessment will be done 3 times a year.
• Under this program, proficiency based holistic report cards of the students will be made with regular teacher-parent meetings.
• For effective implementation of this program, capacity building programs of teachers will be conducted and the facility of Teaching Aid App will also be made available to all teachers of classes 3 to 8.

Mineral Development Award

Why in News?

• On July 11, 2022, Madhya Pradesh Mineral Resources and Labour Minister Brijendra Pratap Singh informed that Madhya Pradesh will be awarded at the 6th National Conclave to be held in New Delhi for the policies and outstanding work being adopted by the Central Government for mineral development.

Key Points

• Minister Brijendra Pratap Singh informed that Madhya Pradesh will be given the first and second awards respectively in 2 categories by the central government. An incentive of Rs.2 crore will also be given to the State Government.
• It may be mentioned that after the amendment made by the Central Government to the Central Act since 2015, a transparent process of allocation of blocks of major minerals through auction is being followed.
• The Government of Madhya Pradesh has taken up the auction process by acting expeditiously in this direction and so far the mineral blocks of 52 major minerals have been auctioned. These include blocks of minerals such as Diamond, Limestone, manganese, Bauxite, Iron Ore, Rock Phosphate, etc. Out of these, 27 mineral blocks have been successfully auctioned.
• If the mine becomes operational after the auction, the State Government will have a revenue potential of Rs.47 crore and Rs.219 crore in the next 50 years. The auction of 27 blocks of major minerals in the state in the coming phase is in progress.
• The 6th National Conclave to be held in New Delhi will be inaugurated by Union Minister for Coal and Mines Prahlad Joshi. In this National Conclave, the State Governments are being encouraged to implement the mineral auction process successfully.

94-Year-Old Bhagwani Devi Won 3 Medals Including Gold

Why in News?

• In the World Masters Athletics Championships, 2022 held in Tampere, Finland on July 10, 2022, 94-year-old Bhagwani Devi Dagar of Haryana won 3 medals including Gold.

Key Points

• Bhagwani Devi Dagar won the gold medal in the senior citizen category in the World Masters Athletics Championships in the 100m sprint event with a timing of just 24.74 seconds, while also winning two bronze medals in the shot put.
• It is noteworthy that Bhagwani Devi has won many medals before this as well. He won three gold medals in the National Masters Athletics Championships held in Chennai, after which he was qualified for the World Masters Athletics Championships, 2022.
• The World Masters Athletics Championships were started in 1975 . Players above the age group of 35 years can participate in this championship. Initially, only 5 age groups were included, but now sports events are held in 12 age groups.
• The first age group is above 35 years of age. 2nd above 40 years, 3rd above 45 years, 4th above 50 years, 5th above 55 years, 6th above 60 years, 7th above 65, 8th above 70 years, 9th above 75 years, 10th 80 years Above, 11th is above 85 years and 12th is above 90 years.

The Working of PACS will be computerized

Why in News?

• On July 11, 2022, Haryana Chief Minister, Manohar Lal Khattar, in the state level review meeting of Haryana State Cooperative Apex Bank (HARCO), while deciding to make the working of government departments online, directed to computerize the working of PACS in a phased manner.

Key Points

• In the meeting, the Chief Minister directed the officers to explore the possibility of opening a branch of HARCO Bank in every district of the state. If the rules must be amended for this, then it should be done.
• At present, Harco Bank has only two branches in Chandigarh and Panchkula, while the bank controls the branches of the District Central Co-operative Bank.
• It was informed in the meeting that THE PACS is not directly linked to the Harco Bank. There are about 700 PACS in the state, which remain at the village level.
• TVSN Prasad, Additional Chief Secretary, Finance Department said that the entire work in Kanauli PACS of Panchkula district has been computerized and the process of computerization of 62 other PACS is in progress. This work will be completed by 30th November 2022.
• The Chief Minister said that the salary of the employees of PACS should also be centralized, and arrangements should be made by the government. To end the monopoly on PACS, on the same lines, Village Agricultural Primary Cooperative Societies (VAX) should be formed at the village level by talking to the educated young farmers in the village and their registration should be done under the Co-operative Societies Registration Act and the farmers themselves. Operate these waxes.
• The Chief Minister said that crop loans should be made available to the farmers in three instalments – seeds, tillage and fertilizers for preparing the fields as well as at the time of payment of wages. Debt recovery should be linked to the harvesting season, so that farmers can sell their crops and repay the loan on time. Farmers who pay on time will be given an incentive of one percent.
• In the meeting, the Chief Minister also directed the officers that loans should be made available promptly on the applications approved under 'Mukhyamantri Antyodaya Parivar Utthan Yojana'.

Regularization of Unauthorized Development (Amendment) Bill, 2022

Why in News?

• On July 11, 2022, the Governor of Chhattisgarh, Ms. Anusuiya Uikey signed the Chhattisgarh Regularization of Unauthorized Development Act, 2022 Bill presented for amendment in the Chhattisgarh Regularization of Unauthorized Development Act, 2002.

Key Points

• As per the Bill, the Chhattisgarh Regularization of Unauthorized Development Act, 2002 (No. 21. 2002) of clause (five) of sub-section (2) of section 4 of the original Act, in sub-section (1) of section 6 of the original Act, sub-section (1) of section 7 of the original Act, section of the original Act Sub-section (2) of 9 and sub-section (3) of Section 9 of the original Act have been amended.
• The Bill replaces clause (five) of sub-section (2) of Section 4 of the original Act of the Chhattisgarh Unauthorized Development Regularization act, 2002 as officer-in-charge of the district/Joint Director/Deputy Director/Assistant Director of the Department of Urban and Village Investment.
• Clause (4)(a) of the Act provides for imposition of additional penalty of 5% of the collector's guideline rate currently in force for land in that area for change of use of land other than the prescribed purpose.
• The Act provides that if unauthorized development has been done on a plot/site reserved for the prescribed parking, regularization will be allowed only after the additional amount earmarked for lack of parking has been paid by the applicant.
• The Act states that such unauthorized development/construction, which came into existence before 1st January, 2011, whose building permission/development permit is sanctioned, or such unauthorized building for which property tax is being paid at the rate fixed by the government in the local body concerned, in such buildings, if the Chhattisgarh Land Development Rules, If parking is not available as per the development plan of 1984 or the city concerned, then on payment of additional penalty for parking as follows, regularization of the building may be carried out as follows:
  • Fifty thousand rupees for each car space in case of 25% reduction in parking,
  • One lakh rupees for each car space above 25% and up to 50%,
  • Rs 2 lakh for each car space above 50% and up to 100%,
• Similarly, on payment of additional penalty amount for parking in such buildings which came into existence on or after January 1, 2011, the regularization of the building can be done in such a way that if there is a reduction of 25% in parking space, 50 thousand rupees for each car space, 25 A provision of one lakh rupees has been made for each car space above and up to 50 percent.
• Clause (iv) states that compoundable parking shall be calculated in such a way that the minimum area available for parking in residential area up to 500 square meters will be zero on per car space (ECS) basis, whereas the area above 500 square meters will be zero. The minimum area available for parking shall be 50% on Per Car Space (ECS) basis. The minimum area available for parking in non-residential areas will be zero on per car space (ECS) basis, whereas in case of more than 500 areas, the minimum area available for parking will be 50 percent on per car space (ECS) basis.
• The provision says that (c) In each case of unauthorized development of such non-profit making social institutions which have not been set up for the purpose of profit making, penalty shall be payable at the rate of 50% of the estimated amount.
• As per the provision laid down in Rule 39 of the Chhattisgarh Land Development Rules, 1984, due to non-availability of width of the route, regularization may be carried out in case any public interest is not affected in the activities existing at the site.
• Further, clause (3) of sub-section (1) of section 7 of the original Act has been omitted. In sub-section (2) of Section 9 of the original Act, in place of the words 'in the period of pendency of the appeal, the appellant shall deposit the amount of monthly rent of unauthorized development, as may be prescribed by the authority, regularly', in place of the words '' The amount of monthly fare of unauthorized development by the appellant, which shall be payable for a period not exceeding one year, as may be prescribed by the Authority, shall be deposited regularly during the pendency of the appeal. This provision has been replaced by 'Will be effective on all pending and new cases'.
• In section 9 of the principal Act, for the proviso to sub-section (3), the following shall be substituted "Provided that during the pendency of the appeal, the appellant shall pay the amount of monthly rent for unauthorized development as may be determined by the authority under this Act." shall make deposits regularly for a period not exceeding one year, if prescribed. It will be effective on all pending and new cases.

Release of Published Booklet on Activities of Gothans

Why in News?

• On July 11, 2022, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel released a booklet published at his residence office on the activities of Gothans built in the border villages of the state.

Key Points

• Alok Chandrakar is the editor of this booklet.
• The booklet covers activities undertaken for conservation and promotion of animals in the Gothas as well as provision of livestock fodder and water there, income-oriented activities of women self-help groups.
• The Change in the standard of living of the villagers of Gothan and Godhan Nyaya yojana, bordering villages from the state, has also been mentioned in the booklet.
• Clippings of news related to Gothas have also been included in this booklet.

Rare Species of Algae Found in Badrinath

Why in News?

• Recently, the Department of Botany and Microbiology (Botany and Microbiology) of HNB Garhwal (Central) University has discovered a rare species of micro-algae in Narad Kund of Badrinath.

Key Points

• This algae has so far been found only in two countries including the state of Gujarat in India. This species was earlier observed in Gujarat in the year 1980. It was also seen in the US in 1966 and Bangladesh in 1987.
• This microalgae called Pseudobohlinia can become the best alternative to Bio-diesel (biofuel).
• Preeti Singh, who is doing research under the direction of Dr. Dhananjay Kumar, Assistant Professor, Department of Botany and Microbiology, Garhwal University, has discovered this rare species of micro-algae as well as analysed its productivity.
• Preeti Singh had taken samples of algae from the wall of Narad Kund located under Taptakund in Badrinath. The hot water of the hot pool falls in this pool. The temperature of the water is 30 to 40 degrees Celsius.
• After taking samples from the wall, they produced it in the department's laboratory. In the study that lasted for a year, they found four microalgae species along with normal algae. Three of these were seen in other places, but one species was found to be completely different.
• Preeti Singh said that not much was known about this algae . A fork-like shape was observed on the outer surface of this algae of about 5 micrometers. This algae spreads rapidly and also contains a good amount of lipids (fats).
• After the discovery of microalgae of rare species, its usefulness in making bio-diesel was researched. In some places in India, bio-diesel making work from algae is going on. Researchers at the University's Algal Lab conducted a comparative study of lipids in about 109 species of algae. Generally, algae contain 25 to 30% lipids. At the same time, Pseudobohlinia found the highest 33% lipids under normal circumstances. The amount of lipids increased significantly when a favorable environment was found, which is much better for making bio-diesel. Lipids are the major source of bio-diesel.
• It is worth mentioning that in view of the limited quantity of petroleum fuel, emphasis is being given to bio-diesel as an alternative . Under the biofuel policy of the central government, the target is to add up to 20 percent of bio-diesel to petroleum fuels, but this target is not being met. If the government insists on the production of microalgae, species like Pseudobohlinia could become a better option.

‘Maa Varahi Bagwal Mela' Declared as State Fair

Why in News?

• On July 11, 2022, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami declared the famous Devidhura 'Maa Varahi Bagwal Mela' of Champawat as a state fair. He has ordered the Chief Secretary to issue the GO immediately.

Key Points

• It is worth mentioning that some time ago in Champawat, the Chief Minister had announced to give the status of a state fair to the fair. For the first time since the declaration of the State Fair, the fair will be held under the aegis of the State Government this year. At present , the fair is organized at the level of district panchayat.
• The famous Bagwal fair, which is held on the day of Rakshabandhan, is also called 'Pathar Maar' fair at 'Maa Varahi Temple' in the famous Devidhura of Champawat district. Lakhs of devotees from all over the country and abroad reach Devidhura to see this fair.
• It is believed that this game of Bagwal in Devidhura has been going on since the mythological period. Some consider it to be a traditional festival from the Katyur regime, while others associate it with Kali Kumaon.
• According to the popular beliefs, in the mythological period, there was a custom of offering male sacrifices by the people of Char Kham to celebrate their aaradhya Varahi Devi. To please Mother Varahi, a male sacrifice was performed every year from the people of the four Khams. It is said that one year old Chamiyal Kham's turn was the turn of the male sacrifice of the family. Only the old lady and her grandson were alive in the family. The woman praised Mother Varahi for protecting her grandson. Mother Varahi gave darshan to the old lady and gave instructions to play bugle in the temple premises between the four holes, since then the practice of bagging started.
• Bagwal fair is held every year on the day of Ashadhi Kauthik (Rakshabandhan) in Kholikhand Dubachaud of Maa Varahi Dham temple in Devidhura of Pati block of Champawat district. Starting from stone, this Bagwal fair has been played with flowers for the past few years. In addition to the four Khams (Chamyal, Gaharwal, Lamgadiya and Walig) warriors of seven thoks take part in the Bagwal fair in the presence of lakhs of people.
• Bagwal Varahi is played in the courtyard of the temple, Kholikhand. It is played by young men and elders of all four places. The battles of Lamgadiya and Walig Kham are on one side, while on the other side the Ranbankures of Gahadwal and Chamyal Kham are standing.