State PCS

• 14 Aug 2023

U.P. to get national award for E-Governance in Health Services

Why is News?

According to information received from media sources on August 13, 2023, the Uttar Pradesh government will be honoured by the Central Government for E-Governance in Health Services.   

Key Points:

• The Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances, Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Government of India has selected National Health Mission-Uttar Pradesh (NHM-UP) for the Silver Award for 'Maa Newborn Tracking Application' (MANTRA), a project initiative for 'Delivery Point Health Facilities'.
• ट्रॉफी और प्रमाण-पत्र 24-25 अगस्त 2023 को इंदौर (म प्र) में प्रस्तावित ई-गवर्नेंस (एनसीईजी) पर 26वें ई-गवर्नेंस राष्ट्रीय सम्मेलन के दौरान प्रदान किये जाएंगे। The trophies and certificates will be presented during the 26th National Conference on E-Governance (NCEG) proposed to be held at Indore (MP) on August 24-25, 2023.
• This award is being given to NHM-UP under Category-1 for E-Governance Plan 2023 under 'Government Process Re-Engineering for Digital Transformation'.   
• The recognition of the MANTRA App as a tool for E-Governance by the Government of India is a big achievement for the state, as UP is the first state to promote online MIS for the labour room.
• Under the Silver Award, NHM-UP will be awarded a cash prize of Rs 5 lakh along with a certificate and trophy for this project. Also, each team member (4 people including the project head) will also be given a certificate and trophy.   
• Through the MANTRA app launched by the Health Department, all the information about how much delivery took place at which centre and delivery facilities is easily available.
• Other information related to the birth, vaccination and delivery of the newborn baby is made available by the nurse & the ward boy online through this app. Apart from this, the health-related statistics of pregnant women have also become digital. While admitting a pregnant woman, the time of admission, her health condition and the treatment being given are fed by the staff nurse.
• This has made it easier to track the mother and baby. Online monitoring has improved the quality of institutional deliveries and improved mother-newborn health statistics. Digitization of delivery centres has also been done with the aim to improve maternal and newborn health.

A New IT Hub to be built in Lucknow

Why is News?

On August 13, 2023, officials of the Uttar Pradesh state government have confirmed that preparations have started to build the state's new IT hub in the state capital Lucknow.

Key Points:

• The Uttar Pradesh Rajkiya Nirman Nigam (UPRNN) has already prepared a blueprint to set up an IT hub on 40 acres of land in the Nadarganj industrial area of Amausi on Kanpur Road.
• The IT hub will be divided into three parts, which include IT Park, Business Park and International Incubation Facility Centre. The proposed IT hub will be one of the largest IT hubs in the country.
• According to the blueprint of the IT hub, the IT park is to be constructed on 11.47 acres, while the business park will be developed on 7.4 acres. At the same time, an International Incubation Facility Centre will be built on 6.9 acres. Also, 8.7 acres of land will be developed as a green area for environmental protection.
• In addition, a network of roads will be built in 5.8 acres to ensure connectivity between buildings built in the IT hub.
• According to the blueprint, an IT park, business park and international incubation facility centre will be built in the six-storey building, including basement and ground.
• These 3 buildings will also have their own parking facility. The hydraulic parking system will be used in their basement parking.
• According to the proposal, the IT hub will be set up as a large incubator in the country with six important wings including women entrepreneur hub, skill and knowledge academy, prototyping centre, research and innovation circle, emerging tech wing and U hub innovation hub.
• All these wings are planned to be developed on 5 acres of land. It will have many such features, which will attract people.

Beginning of Rajasthan State Mahavriksh Competition

Why is News?

On August 11, 2023, the Rajasthan State Biodiversity Board has launched the Rajasthan State Mahavriksha Competition with an aim to promote conservation of local trees.

Key Points:

• Through the competition, the common people can win cash prizes by nominating a living big tree. The last date for receipt of nominations is September 15, 2023.
• Board Member Secretary Rajiv Chaturvedi said that efforts are being made to find large trees of different species through the competition. For this, entries of locally and culturally valuable tree species have been invited by the general public.
• It lists 113 species of trees including Peepal, Banyan, Rohini, Mango, Chironji, Sitaphal, Dates, Kaira, Kalpa Tree, Amla, Shisham, Googgal, Akashneem, Rohida, Mulberry, Beelpatra, Kadamb, Teak, Amaltas, Tamarind, Neem, Khejri.
• The general public can send the entries offline with photos of the big old tree of these species. Online entries can be sent by e-mail to the applicant at [e-mail] or by WhatsApp at 6350697765.
• The committee constituted by the Board will select the big tree and prizes will be given to the winners.
• Out of the listed species, the largest tree at the state level will be awarded Rs 1500, the largest tree at the district level will be given Rs 1500, the largest tree covered with canopy in terms of area will get Rs 3000 and the best ten trees with different and special morphological characteristics will be given Rs 1500 per tree.
• Also, an amount of Rs 11,000 will be given to the department, NGO, agency or BMC under a special award to spread awareness about this program.

Posting of Collector & SP of Newly Formed Mauganj district

Why is News?

On August 13, 2023, the State Government of Madhya Pradesh has appointed Ajay Srivastava as the first District Magistrate (Collector) and Virendra Jain as the First Superintendent of Police (SP) of the newly formed district Mauganj.

Key Points:

• It is worth mentioning that Ajay Srivastava, a 2013 batch IAS officer, who was discharging government responsibilities in the post of Additional Commissioner, Tribal Development and Managing Director, Madhya Pradesh Scheduled Tribes Finance and Development Corporation Bhopal (Additional Charge), will now serve as the first Collector of the newly formed district.
• Earlier, the state government had issued an order to appoint Sonia Meena as district Mauganj Collector, which was later revoked.
• Similarly, Virendra Jain IPS (DD-96) has been transferred as Superintendent of Police (SP) of mauganj district. Virendra Jain is currently posted in the Senani 8th Corps Visbal in Chhindwara.
• It is known that on March 4, 2023, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan announced to make Mauganj a new district. Mauganj has officially become the 53rd district of Madhya Pradesh.
• Mauganj has been carved out of Rewa and its district headquarters will be located in Mauganj town. Also, the national flag will be hoisted at mauganj district headquarters on August 15.
• Mauganj district has been formed under sub-section of section 13 of the Madhya Pradesh Land Revenue Code, 1959 (No. 20 of 1959). A gazette has been published regarding this change.
• Initially, three tehsils of Rewa district - Mauganj, Naigarhi and Hanumana will be part of Mauganj district. Later, Devtalab will also be included in it.

Balaghat gets Scotch Order of Merit Award

Why is News?

On August 12, 2023, the One Stop Centre at Balaghat of the Women and Child Development Department of Madhya Pradesh has been awarded the Order of Merit-2023 of the SKOCH Award for its superior performance.

Key Points:

• Balaghat One Stop Centre has been providing integrated support and co-operation to women and girls affected by all types of violence in the district since 2018.
• Along with this, immediate emergency and non-emergency facilities are being provided to the victim woman and girl. These include psychological counseling, FIR, police medical, legal and judicial support, etc.
• With the efforts of the district administration, the second one-stop centre is being operated in Baihar tehsil of Balaghat district so that women from remote areas can also get the benefit of Sakhi Centre.
• Established since 2003, the SKOCH Prize is the country's highest civilian honour conferred by an independent organisation.
• It recognizes people, projects and institutions who go the extra mile to make the country better.
• Nominations were received from all over the country for this award. Out of this, this selection has been done after presentation and evaluation in 3 stages.
• This one-stop centre has been operated under the guidance of Collector Dr. Girish Kumar Mishra and District Program Officer Vandana Dhumketi.

P.M. laid the foundation stone of Sant Ravidas Temple

Why is News?

On August 12, 2023, Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone of the memorial and temple of Sant Shiromani Sri Ravidas ji on 11 acres of land in Bartuma Sagar at a cost of about Rs 100 crore.

Key Points:

• On this occasion, he also unveiled a plaque and inspected the replica of the temple.
• With this, the Samarasta Yatra started from five places of the state also concluded.
• It is worth mentioning that in February, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan had announced the construction of a memorial and temple in a grand and divine form of Shri Sant Ravidas Ji, the pioneer of harmony.
• After the foundation stone laid by the Prime Minister, a grand temple will now be built here. This temple will be built in 10000 square feet in Nagar style. An interpretation museum will also be built here.
• Along with culture and creativity, a museum showcasing the personality of Sant Ravidas will also come up in this complex.
• There will be four galleries in the museum, which will also have details of Bhakti Marg, contribution to Nirgun panth, philosophy of Sant Ji and his literature, harmony.
• Apart from this, Sangat Hall, Jal Kund, Bhakta Niwas will also be built, which will be equipped with spiritual and modern facilities. Followers and scholars of Sant Ravidas from all over the country and abroad will come to the Bhakta Niwas, who will get inspiration from the life of Sant Ji.
• According to vastu and configuration, the temple of Sant Ravidas ji will also be a spiritual art museum, which will be an unprecedented place of reverence, faith and devotion. Philosophers and scholars and curious people will also come from india and abroad. The personality and philosophy of Sant Ravidas ji will be an inspiration for the whole world.
• It is noteworthy that from July 25, 2023, a yatra was taken out simultaneously from five different places (Neemuch, Mandav district Dhar, Sheopur, Balaghat and Singrauli) for the construction of sant Ravidas ji's temple in Sagar district. The journey concluded peacefully.
• Earlier, the yatra reached Sagar with soil from every village of the state and symbolic water from 313 rivers of all development blocks. Sant Ravidas Temple Construction Yatra passed through the districts of the state. Along with the main yatras, kalash yatra was also taken out by 1661 sub-pilgrims. There were 352 public interactions during the yatra. More than 25 lakh people participated in 5 routes of the yatra.
• In Madhya Pradesh, 10 chariots focused on the personality and work of Sant Ravidas ji continued to run during the Samarasta Yatra which reached Sagar by collecting soil from 20 thousand 641 villages and symbolic water of 313 rivers.

43 Prisoners of the state to be Released on Independence Day

Why is News?

On August 10, 2023, an official spokesperson of Haryana informed that the state government has decided to release 43 prisoners on August 15, 2023, on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of Independence, giving special remission.

Key Points:

• Seven prisoners aged 60 years and above, who have completed 50 per cent of their actual sentence without remission, will be released.
• Similarly, the sentence of convicted prisoners who have completed two-thirds or 66 per cent of the sentence without remission from the actual sentence period has also been reduced. 33 such prisoners will be released on the occasion of Independence Day by giving the benefit of remission.
• An official spokesman said that there are 3 such convicted prisoners who have completed their sentence but are not able to pay the fine due to being poor, they will also be released on August 15, 2023, by giving the benefit of special remission.
• The said prisoners must deposit the amount of fine imposed by any court, if they do not deposit this fine amount before August 15, they will not be released.

CM inaugurated the logo of the state level program under Drug Free Campaign

Why is News?

On August 10, 2023, Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal inaugurated the poster (logo) of the state-level program under the drug-free campaign launched by the state government.

Key Points:

• On this occasion, the Chief Minister informed that the State Task Force will soon be formed at the state level and district level under the anti-drug campaign. Saints, social organizations, police, intellectual class as well as people willing to work in the eradication of drugs will also be included in this.
• It is worth mentioning that the state level drug de-addiction campaign was started by the state government on June 26, 2023, the drug de-addiction day.
• The state government will provide full cooperation to the social organizations for smooth conduct of any kind of activities in the state for de-addiction.
• In this episode, the Chief Minister inaugurated the poster (logo) and praised the efforts of Vishwa Shiksha Niketan and Sunrise Global Foundation and Karuna Welfare Trust for the activities being conducted with the aim of keeping the youth away from drugs.
• President of Vishwa Shiksha Niketan, Dr. Sadhvi Amrita Didi, Chief Executive Officer of Sunrise Global Foundation, Dhanendra Vashishtha told that for social awareness to root out drug addiction, Nukkad Natak (stage) competition (school and college) will be organized across the state.
• The competition will be concluded on Vivekananda Jayanti, National Youth Day on January 12, 2024 under the leadership of the Chief Minister.

3 Inspectors of Chhattisgarh will get Union Home Minister Medal

Why is News?

According to the information given by the Public Relations Department of Chhattisgarh on August 12, 2023, three police officers of the state have been announced to be given the Union Home Minister's Medal for the year 2023 for excellence in investigation.

Key Points:

• On this occasion, Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel said that police personnel are getting better facilities in Chhattisgarh. Police personnel in the state are being trained to prevent cyber crimes along with modern training.
• Along with the new police station, women's cell, accommodation and other facilities are being provided to the policemen in these police stations, due to which the police personnel are getting ease in discharging their duties.
• Policemen selected for the Union Home Minister Medal include Sub-Inspector Ms. Neeta Rajput, Sub-Inspector Ashirwad Rahatgaonkar, Inspector Naveen Borkar.

Deepak Sharma & Gajyatra Team honoured with 'Gaj Gaurav' National Award

Why is News?

On August 12, 2023, on the occasion of World Elephant Day, Forest Guard Deepak Sharma posted in General Forest Division Mahasamund and the team of Gajyatra were honored with the Gaj Gaurav Award at a nationwide function organized in Bhubaneswar, Odisha.

Key Points:

• Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India Bhupendra Yadav, Union Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Ashwini Kumar Choubey and Forest, Environment and Climate Change Minister of Odisha Pradeep Kumar Amat, forest guard Deepak Sharma and the team of Gaijatra Honored with Gaurav Award.
• Divisional Officer Pankaj Rajput said that according to the intention of the Forest Minister to stop the human-elephant conflict, the Gaijatra was started on October 8, 2021, on the instructions of the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests.
• Villagers are being made aware through Gaijatra every day in 3 phases by telling them the measures to stay safe from elephants, so far about 70 thousand people have been made aware through Gaijatra.
• In the elephant-affected areas of the district, Sirpur and elephant movement areas, Mohandi, Arand, Bagbahra, Koma, Kona, Bakma, Khatti, Tumgaon, the arrival of elephants has decreased. Earlier, the village used to become deserted as soon as the elephant knocked in the area. People used different measures to drive away the elephant.
• Elephants were driven away by burning fireworks, chillies, torches and risked their lives. This made the elephants aggressive, due to which the villagers, the elephants were becoming victims of violence. Seeing all this, the Gaijatra program was started.
• Forest guard Deepak along with the team went from village to village setting up chaupals, showing the film in the projector and discussing with the people, explaining the behavior and safety measures of elephants to the villagers.
• A successful attempt has been made by the Gaijatra team to sensitize the villagers towards elephants through songs and stories in their normal language and style and the details of the compensation provided by the government were explained to the villagers in detail and the elephant-human conflict was described as amicable. Due to which violence has decreased and incidents of people getting injured and causing loss of people have become zero.
• Deepak Sharma and team have been awarded the Gaj Gaurav Award at the national level by the Department of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India for the commendable work of Gaj Yatra and Mahasamund Forest Division alone has been honored for the All India Gaj Gaurav Award.

5 Years of Garhbo Nava Chhattisgarh: Good Plans, Better Index

Why is News?

According to the information given by the Public Relations Department of Chhattisgarh on August 12, 2023, in the last five years, due to the public welfare schemes of the state government and their better implementation, the health and social situation in Chhattisgarh has improved on a large scale.

Key Points:

• According to the National Family Health Survey 5, the neonatal mortality rate has decreased from 42.1 percent to 32.4 percent during this period.
• There has also been a significant reduction in the infant mortality rate. It has come down from 54.0 percent to 44.3 percent. There has also been a decrease in the number of deaths of children under the age of five. It has come down from 64.3 percent to 50.4 percent.
• The Health and Family Welfare Department made a special strategy for all high-risk pregnant women in the state, so that every mother and both remain healthy in the state. The result of these efforts is that there has been a significant increase in institutional deliveries in the state.
• Massive work is being done to minimize infant mortality in the state. Sick Newborn Care Units have been set up in 14 medical colleges, 26 district hospitals of the state, which are regularly monitored by the experts of AIIMS Raipur itself. The number of families covered under the health insurance scheme has increased from 68.5 percent to 71.4 percent.
• The state government has done better work to provide clean drinking water to the homes, due to which people are also getting pure drinking water. As a result, the availability of drinking water has increased from 96.3 percent to 98.8 percent.
• There has been an increase in the population of households using improved sanitation facilities, which has increased from 34.8 percent to 76.8 percent. The number of households using healthy fuel for cooking has increased from 22.8 percent to 33.0 percent.
• The women of Chhattisgarh have also started using modern technology. In today's present environment, everyone has started using the internet, mobile, laptop, computer etc. other means of communication. Women are leading the way in terms of internet access. Now 26.7 percent of women have started using the Internet, while 56.3 percent of men use the Internet.
• In the modern environment, all women want to be self-reliant. Women want to get married only after seeking employment after pursuing higher education, due to which now women are getting married above 24 years of age.

CM inaugurates Rajak Gudi, Urban Industrial Park at Narayya Talab

Why is News?

On August 12, 2023, Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel inaugurated the newly constructed Rajak Gudi (Urban Industrial Park) near Narayya Talab located in Tikrapara, capital Raipur.

Key Points:

• Modern facilities will be available to the Rajak community, traditionally engaged in washing and pressing of clothes, in the hi-tech Rajak Gudi, built in about 3500 square feet by Raipur Smart City Limited at a cost of Rs 69 lakh.
• Manual as well as automatic electrical washing machine has been installed in Rajak Gudi, in which 25-25 kg. K2 Cloth Extractor Machine, 60kg 1 washer of capacity and 50 kg. 1 dryer machine of capacity has been installed.
• Water tanks have also been made for washing clothes and there is also a separate arrangement for ironing clothes.
• Along with the traditional business of the families of Dhobi community, arrangements have been made for their employment generation in this park, under which training will also be given to these families to make soap and detergent for washing clothes.
• About 100 families of Dhobi community, who are doing traditional business by joining this pond, will get the benefit of this employment-oriented scheme.

The State Planning Commission to make a Decentralized Annual District Plan

Why is News?

According to the information given by the Chhattisgarh Public Relations Department on August 11, 2023, the State Planning Commission will prepare a decentralized district plan 2024-25 to make the state's socio-economic development overall inclusive and to speed up the expected progress.

Key Points:

• According to the information, the State Planning Commission has been given the responsibility of giving appropriate suggestions for the purpose of taking the plans prepared by the local citizens to the government on the basis of local needs.
• The Planning Commission has been entrusted with the responsibility of ranking local needs, planning, reviewing and prioritizing resource distribution at the district level.
• For this, the district progress report prepared by the State Planning Commission has been made the basis. Along with this, provision has also been made at the government level to make these schemes ambitious.
• To make socio-economic development of the state effectively inclusive, information about the progress made in the state in the field of agricultural technology, information technology, digitalization, weather information technology, biotechnology and new technology related to the public will be included.
• Similarly, in order to take the benefits of the state's progress to the remote areas in an inclusive and effective manner, there was a need to activate the concerned implementing institutions and departments of the districts and new guidelines for effective utilization of resources.
• For this, detailed guidelines have been issued by the Chhattisgarh State Planning Commission under the guidance of Ajay Singh, Deputy Chairman of the State Planning Commission, in coordination with the Urban Administration Development Department and Panchayat and Rural Development Department.