State PCS

• 14 Nov 2023

Aqua Park in Gorakhpur

Why in News?

As of November 13, 2023, it has been reported by the media that there are plans to establish an Aqua Park in Tal Kandla, Sadar Tehsil, Gorakhpur. The identified land for this ambitious project spans 27 acres and is anticipated to bring substantial advantages to local fish farmers.

Key Points

• The introduction of this aqua park is set to bring numerous advantages to individuals engaged in fisheries. The Aqua Park will facilitate the creation of new fish species, conduct research on fish seeds, and offer various amenities such as a fish seed bank, fish farming, and fish processing, among others.
• In addition to Gorakhpur, an Aqua Park will also be established in Mathura. Initially designated for a police training school in Tal Kandla, Gorakhpur, the site was deemed suitable for an aqua park due to insufficient land and extensive soil filling work.
• It's noteworthy that the Nishad community has a significant population in Gorakhpur and the surrounding areas. The establishment of the Aqua Park in Gorakhpur is expected to boost related businesses and provide substantial benefits to fish farmers in nearby districts.

Free LPG Cylinder Refill Distribution Campaign

Why in News?

Recently, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath launched the free LPG refill distribution campaign to women beneficiaries of Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana in a function organized at Lok Bhavan in Lucknow. During this, he also announced to provide free cooking gas on the occasion of Holi in the month of March.

Key Points

• During the event held at Lok Bhavan, the Chief Minister symbolically presented subsidy checks to 10 beneficiaries. As part of the scheme's inauguration, the subsidy funds for over 54 lakh families were transferred to the accounts of oil companies.
• During the scheme's launch, the Chief Minister, making reference to the public welfare resolution letter, stated that prior to the 2022 assembly elections, the resolution had announced the distribution of free gas cylinders during Diwali and Holi. In line with this commitment, the scheme has now been initiated.
• 1.75 crore families of the state will get the benefit of free LPG cylinder and the state government will spend Rs 2312 crore on subsidy.

Child Helpline 1098 Desk to be open at District Level

Why in News?

According to information received from the media on November 13, 2023, Child Helpline 1098 desks will soon be opened at the district level in the state. The process has been started by the Women and Child Development Department.

Key Points

• There is no separate district level help desk for Child Helpline 1098 across the state. Complaints received for help on the child helpline go to the nodal help desk of Panchkula headquarters, which is then forwarded to the child protection officer of the concerned districts for action.
• This process is not only delayed at times, but it is also not possible to take timely action on most complaints due to lack of adequate staff with the Child Protection Officer. Due to this, the Women and Child Development Department has decided to set up a separate Child Line Help Desk at the district headquarters soon.
• Earlier, the child helpline was operated through NGOs, but now the department has taken it into its own hands. Now the Women and Child Development Department itself will operate child helplines at district headquarters. With the opening of the child helpline 1098 desk at the district level, quick action will be possible on complaints related to children.
• Instead of the Panchkula headquarters, the child helpline desk will receive calls for help from the district headquarters itself. The authorities will be able to take cognizance of these promptly and take effective steps to get them out of that trouble along with relief and rescue of the children.
• New staff will also be appointed separately for the child helpline at the district level. In this, the command of the child helpline will be in the hands of the District Coordinator. At the same time, employees will also be appointed to ten posts including counselors.
• Child Welfare Police Officers have also been appointed in every police station to investigate cases related to child crime and to deal with child sexual abuse cases. The CWPO also works closely with the Child Protection Officer in cases related to child crime.

Junior Women's Hockey World Cup: Three Women Players from Sonipat Selected in the Indian team

Why in News?

Recently, three women players from Sonipat, Preeti, Sakshi Rana and Manju Chaurasia, were selected in the Indian Junior Women's Hockey team announced by Team India for the FIH World Junior Women's Hockey Cup to be held from 29th November to 10th December in Chile's capital Santiago.

Key Points

• It may be noted that while leading the Indian team in the Junior Women's Hockey Asia Cup held in Kakamigahara, Japan from June 2 to 11, Preeti had won the Asia Cup title for the country.
• By winning the Asia Cup, the Indian Junior Women's Hockey team had qualified for the Junior Women's Hockey World Cup.
• The journey of Preeti, resident of Bhagat Singh Colony, Sonipat, has been full of struggle. At the age of 10, Preeti used to go to the hockey field located in the Old Industrial Area with the neighboring girls.
• Brahma Nagar resident Manju Chaurasia watched the hockey film Chak De India in 2010. After which she took up the stick to do something in hockey. Her dream is to win the World Cup for the country in hockey. Presently she is working in Railways.
• It is noteworthy that in the Junior Women's Hockey World Cup, Team India has been placed in Pool C along with Germany, Belgium and Canada. The first match of the Indian team is with Canada on 29 November. After this, the Indian team will compete with European teams Germany and Belgium in the first Pool C matches on 30 November and 2 December

‘Khelo Jharkhand 2023-24’

Why in News?

Recently, the state level Khelo Jharkhand 2023-24 competition was concluded by the School Education and Literacy Department of Jharkhand under the aegis of Jharkhand Education Project Council with the conclusion of the swimming competition at Veer Budhu Bhagat Stadium in Khelgaon, Ranchi.

Key Points

• In this state level Khelo Jharkhand 2023-24 competition, about 15,000 children from all the districts of the state participated in 29 different sports at the state level in the under 14, 17 and 19 age groups of boys and girls.
• Under Khelo Jharkhand 2023-24, the selection of games and players was done at the school level. While 35,000 schools participated at the school level, more than 40 lakh children across all divisions of the state participated in various sports and ensured their participation at the district and state levels.
• Among the various sports played under Khelo Jharkhand 2023-24, more than two thousand children participated at the state level in sports like Kabaddi, Kho-Kho and Athletics.
• Now a 21-day special training camp is being organized for the selected children in all categories.

Announcement of Making Korea-Raigarh a Division

Why in News?

On November 13, 2023, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, while addressing the general meeting at Mauhari Ground in Baikunthpur of Korea District Headquarters, announced the making of Korea and Raigarh as divisions.

Key Points

• Along with announcing the creation of two new divisions in Chhattisgarh, Chief Minister Baghel has also placed a condition on the people of the state. CM has said that if Congress government is formed, two new divisions will be created in the state.
• It may be noted that Congress candidate from Baikunthpur, Ambika Singhdev had demanded from Chief Minister Baghel to make Baikunthpur a division. After this, Bhupesh Baghel has announced two new divisions.
• It is noteworthy that at present there are 5 divisions in the state – Raipur, Bilaspur, Durg, Bastar and Surguja. Raipur (1862) is the oldest division while Durg (2013) is the newest division. Surguja (2008) is the first division formed after the formation of Chhattisgarh state.