State PCS

• 13 Nov 2021

Center approves 735 drinking water schemes for Uttar Pradesh

Why in News

On November 12, 2021, the central government approved 735 drinking water supply schemes of the Uttar Pradesh government to provide piped potable water in water-stressed areas like Vindhya and Bundelkhand.

Key Points

• To speed up the implementation of Jal Shakti Mission, the State Level Plan Approval Committee (SLSSC) has approved the proposals of Rs 1,882 crore submitted by the state for provision of tap water connections in rural areas of Uttar Pradesh.
• These schemes will cover a population of about 39 lakhs in 1,262 villages in 33 districts. The committee approved 735 schemes. Under the approval, 4.03 lakh rural families of the state would be given tap water connections.
• Union Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat has assured full assistance to the state to make provision of tap water supply to every rural household by 2024.
• So far, 34 lakh rural households out of 2.64 crore in the state are getting tap water in their homes. The state plans to provide tap water connections to over 78 lakh households in 2021-22.
• The state government will start providing tap water to every household in hundreds of villages in Bundelkhand and Vindhya region from next month. For this, trials are being done in many areas.
• Under the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM), there is a provision to constitute a State Level Plan Approval Committee (SLSSC) for the consideration and approval of the schemes to be made for provision of tap water supply to rural households.
• SLSSC acts as a state level committee to consider water supply schemes/projects with the nominee of National Jal Jeevan Mission (NJJM) of Government of India.

India Today Tourism Awards-2021

Why in News

Rajasthan, which has a special recognition for its art-culture, historical heritage and tourism, was honored with two awards at the India Today Tourism Awards-2021 on November 12, 2021.

Key Points

• Kota's Garadia Mahadev tourist destination has been adjudged the 'Best Iconic Landscape Destination' at the India Today Tourism Awards-2021 ceremony, while the Desert Festival of Jaisalmer has bagged the runner up award for the 'Best Festival Destination'.
• Union Tourism and Culture Minister G. Kishan Reddy handed over these awards. Director Nishant Jain received the award on behalf of Rajasthan Tourism Department.

Daredevil Show of BSFJawans

Why in News

A 52-member BSF team led by Inspector Awadhesh Kumar performed an astonishing DareDevil-Show on a motor-cycle at Motilal Nehru Stadium, Bhopal on the Amrit Mahotsav of Azadi on November 12, 2021.

Key Points

• Home Minister Dr. Narottam Mishra described it as a wonderful and unforgettable moment to witness the daredevil show of the brave team of Border Security Force (BSF) in Bhopal. He honored team leader Awadhesh Kumar in the program.
• The BSF bands also gave mesmerizing performances on patriotic tunes at the function. Inspector General of Police Vivek Johri, DIG BSF Koraput, Commandant 151^st Corps along with other senior officers were present in the ceremony.

Devi Prasad Sharma Award

Why in News

On November 12, 2021, Madhya Pradesh's Minister of State for School Education (Independent Charge) and General Administration Inder Singh Parmar presented the Devi Prasad Sharma Award for the year 2019-20 to Rajkumar Patel, an officer posted in the Department of Public Health Engineering in Mantralaya.

Key Points

• For this award, the fourth class employee of the ministry is selected by the committee on the basis of devotion to work, punctuality, attendance, perseverance and excellence.
• A check of Rs 1 lakh and a certificate was presented as the award. It is to be known that Devi Prasad Sharma State Level Award was started in the year 2017.
• Minister Inder Singh Parmar said that the award scheme will strengthen the commitment towards work and commitment to work on time among all employees and colleagues. There will be a feeling in everyone's mind that the more good work you do, the more respect you will get.
• Additional Chief Secretary (General Administration) Vinod Kumar said that the award inspires and encourages everyone to do their work with engrossment. Receiving prizes develops competition for doing excellent work. With this, everyone tries to contribute their hundred percent in their work.

Sanchi Medical Insurance Scheme

Why in News

On November 12, 2021, the Sanchi Medical Assistance Insurance Scheme has been approved by the Madhya Pradesh Co-operative Dairy Federation for the members of milk societies and their families.

Key Points

• In the scheme, there is a provision of sum insured of Rs. 1 lakh for the treatment of common diseases and Rs. 2 lakh for serious diseases per family per year for the milk supplier members and their dependent families.
• The sum insured will be paid by New India Insurance Company. Milk supplier members and 3 families dependent on them will be benefited under the scheme. Relatives include a spouse and 2 children in the age group of 3 months to 25 years.

Service-Cum-Art Exhibition

Why in News

On November 12, 2021, the Jharkhand High Court and the Jharkhand State Legal Services Authority (Jhalsa) organized a one-day state level legal service and art exhibition at the White Hall of the High Court as part of a pan-India legal awareness and outreach campaign.

Key Points

• The exhibition was inaugurated by Justice Sujit Narayan Prasad, Judge of Jharkhand High Court and Chairman of Jharkhand High Court Legal Services Committee.
• The State Legal Services and Exhibition was organized under the direction and guidance of Justice Aparesh Kumar Singh, Chief Justice of Jharkhand High Court and Chief Patron of State Legal Services Authority, Justice Dr. Ravi Ranjan and Judge of Jharkhand High Court and Executive Chairman of Jharkhand State Legal Services Authority.
• Justice Sujit Narayan Prasad said that the main focus of the State Legal Services Authority is to create legal awareness among the marginalized section of the society and help these sections of the society by providing legal aid through a panel of advocates.
• During the COVID pandemic, Jhalsa had also set up a central 'War Room' in the state capital and other units in the districts to help those in distress, primarily those in need of COVID-related assistance.
• Jhalsa Member Secretary Mohammad Shakir said that various helpline numbers of National Legal Aid with graphical representation were also displayed in the exhibition. Along with this, stalls were also set up by Birsa Munda Central Jail, Ranchi, Communication Home, Ranchi, UNICEF, Ranchi, Elder HelpLine, Childline, Ranchi etc.
• In this exhibition, information about the work done in the legal services sector was given to the people through various stalls, along with the distribution of ready-made materials for the knowledge of the law.

National Award for Chhattisgarh for empowerment of persons with disabilities

Why in News

On November 12, 2021, the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities under the Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment announced the winners of the National Awards for Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities for the year 2020. Chhattisgarh received National Award in three categories.

Key Points

• This award will be presented to Chhattisgarh on the occasion of International Day of Disability on 3^rd December in New Delhi.
• The Bell Press, run by the Social Welfare Department in Bilaspur, has been selected in the category of Best Braille Press for the National Award.
• Naya Raipur has been selected in the category of local body for excellent work in creating a barrier-free environment for disabled persons. For this, Atal Nagar Vikas Pradhikaran will be honored with the National Award.
• Similarly, in the category of Best Employer and Placement Officer/Agency for Self Employed with Divyangjan, Nook Tea Cafe Ventures LLP of Samta Colony Raipur has been selected as Best Employer for Private or Non-Government Organization or Office.

National Award for Tourism Sector to Uttarakhand

Why in News

Uttarakhand won the prestigious national level awards in three categories at the India Today Tourism Survey and Awards-2021 on November 12, 2021. In these, the state got the award for Best Wildlife Destination, Best Adventure Destination and Best Spiritual Destination.

Key Points

• Union Tourism Minister G Kishan Reddy presented these awards to Uttarakhand Tourism and Culture Minister Satpal Maharaj.
• India's best tourist destinations were awarded in nine different categories as part of the India Today Tourism Survey and Awards-2021 in New Delhi.
• Uttarakhand's Corbett Tiger Reserve was adjudged the Best Wildlife Destination, Rishikesh the Best Adventure Destination and Kedarnath as the Best Spiritual Destination.