• 14 Dec 2023

'New star classification system' for classification of hotels and resorts

Why in News?

According to information received from the media on December 13, 2023, to promote the tourism industry in Uttar Pradesh, the Uttar Pradesh Tourism Department has launched a 'new star classification system' for approving star classification of operational hotels and resorts in the state.

Key Points:

• The objective of the new classification system is to provide availability of more hotel rooms in the state, improve the hospitality industry with better facilities, and provide subsidies and incentives to hotels and resorts at par with the industry.
• The ‘new star classification system’ will classify hotels based on their quality, services and overall facilities and guest experience, thereby boosting tourism.
• The new revised classification system includes five different categories – Platinum, Diamond, Gold, Silver and Bronze. These categories correspond to the traditional star ratings of the hotel industry prescribed by the Ministry of Tourism with 5-star, 4-star, 3-star, 2-star and one star classification respectively.
• This revised system will simplify the selection process for tourists and encourage higher service standards among hotels.
• Hotels recognized under this system will be eligible for various incentives and will get industry standard subsidies and tax benefits.
• Uttar Pradesh State Tourism Development Corporation (UPSTDC) will be the nodal agency for the implementation of the New Star Hotel Classification System in the state.

Chief Minister laid the foundation stone of developmental works of Punauradham complex

Why in News?

On December 13, 2023, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar laid the foundation stone of the development works of the Punaura Dham Temple (birthplace of Maa Janaki) complex under Sitamarhi district of Bihar.

Key Points:

• Punaura Dham is one of the important places associated with the Ramayana circuit in Bihar. Approximately Rs 72.74 crore will be spent on the development works to be done in the Punaura Dham temple complex.
• For its development, a covered circumambulation path will be constructed around the Punaura Dham temple, which will incorporate excellent architecture using sandstone.
• In this complex, facilities like parking for vehicles, cafeteria for visitors, kiosks etc. will be constructed in the Janaki Mahotsav grounds for the convenience of tourists.
• Shanti Mandap will be constructed near Sita Vatika for meditation. There is also a provision for 3D animation showing the life story of Goddess Sita, which will be a major centre of attraction for the tourists.

Dr. Ramakrishna Kusmaria takes charge as Chairman of State Backward Classes Commission

Why in News?

On December 13, 2023, Dr. Ramakrishna Kusmaria reached the Madhya Pradesh State Backward Classes Commission located in Shyamala Hills, Bhopal and assumed the charge of the post of Chairman.

Key Points:

• Dr. Ramakrishna Kusmaria was appointed Chairman of the Madhya Pradesh State Backward Classes Commission by the state government. After assuming charge, Dr. Kusmaria obtained information about the activities of the Commission.
• Madhya Pradesh State Backward Classes Commission mainly works as a welfare watchdog for the backward classes in the state. Along with this, the Commission sends recommendations to the state government for adding and deleting castes in the lists of socially and educationally backward castes of the state.
• After assuming charge, Dr. Kusmaria said that he will soon visit the districts and review the schemes related to the welfare of backward classes. Along with this, they will discuss with the local public representatives belonging to the backward classes and understand their problems and get suggestions.

Decisions of the Council of Ministers under the chairmanship of CM Dr. Mohan Yadav

Why in News?

In the Cabinet meeting chaired by the new Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, Dr. Mohan Yadav on December 12, 2023 several other important decisions were taken along with the Cabinet decision on upgradation of colleges in the State as 'PM College of Excellence'.

Key Points:

• The Council of Ministers took a decision regarding upgrading the leading/marked colleges running at all the district headquarters of the state as 'PM College of Excellence'.
  • At present a total of 570 government colleges are operating in the state. By increasing the facilities in all the faculties in the leading/identified colleges running at the district headquarters of the state, the colleges will be upgraded as 'PM College of Excellence'.
• It was decided by the Council of Ministers to upload the degree/marksheet of students in government/private universities run under the Higher Education Department in DigiLocker.
  • There are 16 government and 53 private universities operating under the Higher Education Department. Till now, most of the degree/mark lists of students of 09 government universities and 5 private universities from the year 2019-20 to 2021-22 have been registered in DigiLocker.
• The Council of Ministers has decided to implement the cyber tehsil system in all 55 districts of Madhya Pradesh from January 1, 2024.
  • The faceless system of application, name transfer and correction of records has been implemented in the state from June 2022. It has been named ‘Cyber Tehsil’.
  • In this, after registration, the undisputed transfer in favor of the buyer is done automatically through a faceless paperless online process within 14 days without any application and without visiting the tehsil & the buyer's name also appears in the Khasra and the map.
  • At present this system is applicable in 442 tehsils of 12 districts of the state. Through this, more than 16 thousand cases have been resolved so far.
• The Cabinet decided to increase the tendu leaf collection rate from Rs 3,000 per bag to Rs 4,000 per bag. With this, more than 35 lakh tendu leaf collectors will get additional remuneration of Rs 162 crore.
  • It is worth mentioning that the tendu leaf collection rate was Rs 1250 per bag in the year 2017, which was increased to Rs 3 thousand per bag in the year 2023.
• A decision was taken by the Council of Ministers regarding the ban on playing loudspeakers illegally and beyond the prescribed limits at religious places & other places.
• A decision was taken by the Council of Ministers regarding the cancellation of the bail obtained by the Honourable Court for serious crimes and habitual criminals in previous crimes as per the provisions of Section 437, 438, 439 of CrPC.
• The Cabinet decided to ban illegal buying and selling of meat, fish etc. in the open without licence in the urban areas of the state.

Operation Akraman conducted by Haryana Police in the State

Why in News?

On December 12, 2023, Haryana Home Minister Anil Vij said that Operation Akraman was conducted by Haryana Police in the state on December 10, 2023.

Key Points:

• Under this operation, a total of 1390 teams along with 7079 police personnel have been deployed and a total of 653 FIRs have been registered against the violators.
• The Home Minister said that out of total 653 FIRs, 50 FIRs have been registered under IPC and 385 FIRs under Excise Act & a total of 1103 accused have been arrested.
• 131 FIRs were registered under the Gambling Act, 42 FIRs under the NDPS Act and 56 FIRs under the Arms Act.

Agreement signed between Kurukshetra University & Rekhi Foundation

Why in News?

On December 12, 2023, Kurukshetra University (KU) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Rekhi Foundation under the chairmanship of the university's Vice-Chancellor, Professor Somnath Sachdeva.

Key Points:

• The successful establishment and functioning of the ‘Centre of Excellence in Happiness’ in Kurukshetra University will pave the way for setting up this centre in various educational institutions of the state also.
• Vice Chancellor Prof. Somnath said that setting up a Happiness Center in Kurukshetra University will promote excellence in academic fields including research and training to teachers & students.
• The faculty members of Rekhi Foundation will provide their services in online and offline teaching to the faculty of universities, colleges & institutes to teach value added courses.
• Apart from this, a web page related to Rekhi Center of Excellence for the Science of Happiness course will be created and Mind Lab will also be set up in the Department of Psychology, Kurukshetra University.
• It may be noted that Rekhi Foundation for Happiness is a non-profit trust started in the year 2016 by Dr. Satinder Singh Rekhi and his wife Harpreet Rekhi. The foundation aims to expand the practice and knowledge of ‘Happiness science & Positive psychology’ through the establishment of happiness centres in various universities.

Vishnu Dev Sai took the Oath of Office & Secrecy of the CM of Chhattisgarh

Why in News?

Governor Vishwa Bhushan Harichandan administered the oath of office and secrecy to the new Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh, Vishnu Dev Sai, in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the swearing-in ceremony held at the Science College grounds in the capital Raipur on December 13, 2023.

Key Points:

• Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha were present at the swearing-in ceremony.
• On this occasion, Governor Vishwa Bhushan Harichandan administered the oath of office and secrecy to Arun Sao and Vijay Sharma as Deputy Chief Ministers of Chhattisgarh.
• Deputy Chief Minister Arun Sao became MP for the 1^st time in the year 2019 by winning the Lok Sabha elections. This time he had won from Lormi assembly. Till now he was holding the responsibility of BJP state president.
• 2^nd Deputy Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh Vijay Sharma has won from Kabirdham Assembly seat in the Assembly Elections 2023.