• 15 Sep 2023

Ayushman Bhava: Launch of the Campaign

Why in News?

On September 13, 2023, President Draupadi Murmu virtually launched the Ayushman Bhava campaign from Rashtrapati Bhavan. Uttar Pradesh Deputy CM Brajesh Pathak launched it in the state.

Key Points

• The most important aspect of this campaign, which will run between September 17 and October 2, is the effort to make villages Ayushman.
• Treatment of each identified patient will be started, which will include testing for everything from TB, cancer to diabetes and hypertension. Hundred percent regular vaccination of village children will be ensured.
• Through Ayushman card, they will get the facility of free treatment up to Rs 5 lakh annually. With the creation of Abha ID, the need for people to keep old records of their treatment and tests will be eliminated.
• Principal Secretary Medical and Health Partha Sarthi Sen Sharma said that apart from diabetes and hypertension, screening of oral, breast and cervical cancer will be done so that treatment of such patients can be started. And out of every thousand people, 30 people will be tested for TB.

Chief Minister Inaugurated Oxygen City Park in Kota

Why in News?

On September 13, 2023, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot inaugurated Oxygen City Park (The Garden of Joy) in Kota district of the state.

Key Points

• On this occasion, the Chief Minister also unveiled the inauguration plaques of the newly constructed Tax Building of the Commercial Tax Department, Kota and the newly constructed head office and new branch building of The Kota Central Co-operative Bank Limited, Kota.
• In this park, the people of Kota as well as the students preparing for various competitive examinations will get a pleasant environment. You will be stress free by roaming here amidst nature and music. Huge fountains have also been built at both the entrances to the park.
• Specialty of Oxygen City Park:
  • This park has been built at a cost of Rs 120 crore. Its construction work took 800 days.
  • The park, developed in an area of 30 hectares, has a 4 km paved track and a 1.25 km jogging track along the canal. There is also a canal of 1.04 km and 12-15 meter width.
  • More than 2 lakh saplings have been planted in the park and an aviary has been constructed for 200 foreign and native birds.
  • 85 percent of the greenery in this park has been developed naturally.
  • Here, 15 meter high gun metal statues (Tree Man, Knowledge is Freedom, Save the Earth) have been made and a 13 by 28 meter glass house has been constructed.
  • There is 1 artificial hill (Art Hill), 3D mapping on 12 x 12 meters and 9 meters high inverted pyramid, 45 x 40 meters Duck Pound at a height of 10 meters, 1 waterfall in 320 meters length, 2 Stone Bridges, 1 Wooden Bridge, 1 Ramp Bridge, Food Zone above the canal in the park, Cafe, City Market, Amphitheatre, Kids Zone, Open gyms have been constructed.

Ladli Behna will get Domestic Gas Connection and Gas Cylinder Refill for Rs 450.

Why In News?

On September 13, 2023, the Madhya Pradesh State Government issued an order regarding providing gas cylinder refill at Rs 450 from September 1, 2023 to those Laadli sisters registered under 'Mukhyamantri Ladli Brahmin Yojana' who have domestic gas connections in their own names. Issuance has determined the process.

Key Points

• All consumers having gas connections under Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana and those Laadli Behna registered under Mukhyamantri Ladli Brahmin Yojana in non-Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana category, who have domestic gas connections in their own names, will be eligible for this.
• The grant amount for gas cylinder refill will be payable to eligible connection holders from September 1, 2023. The outstanding amount will be deposited in the accounts of eligible Ladli Behna.
• grant amount
  • Eligible consumers will get subsidy on maximum one refill per month.
  • Eligible consumers will have to purchase refill from the oil company at the prescribed retail selling rate.
  • After reducing the entire grant given by the Government of India and the retail selling rate (Rs. 450) determined by the State Government, the remaining amount will be transferred to the Aadhaar linked bank account of the eligible consumers in the form of State Grant.
  • If there is a change in the retail selling rate of domestic LPG refill, the state subsidy will also change.
• Such sisters, who already have gas connections, will be registered on the portal of Mukhyamantri Ladli Brahmin Yojana. Such sisters can also be beneficiaries of Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana. The registration work will be done at all those centers where registration of Mukhyamantri Ladli Brahmin Yojana is done.
• Gas connection consumer number and LPG connection ID will be required for registration. Registration of Mukhyamantri Ladli Brahmin Yojana: The work of identification of beneficiaries under the ID scheme will also be done by the government on the basis of data received from all the oil companies.
• Information about beneficiaries automatically registered by the government will be displayed on the portal from September 25, 2023 and will be updated from time to time.
• How will the grant be calculated?
  • For the connection holders of Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana, the oil company will make available to the department every month the data of gas connection numbers of the consumers having connections of Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana and the refill received by them on a monthly basis.
  • The department will calculate the grant payable for providing refill to the consumers receiving gas refill for an amount of Rs 450. After calculating the grant amount, the total amount will be paid by the department into the bank account of the concerned oil company.
  • The subsidy amount will be paid by the oil company into the consumer's Aadhaar linked bank account. Beneficiary wise grant payment information will be made available to the department by the oil company.
  • The grant amount will also be transferred through the same process to the consumers having connections of Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana who refill gas cylinders from July 4, 2023 to August 3, 2023.
  • For non-Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana connection holders, ID data of Ladli Behna registered under Mukhyamantri Ladli Brahmin Yojana, having domestic gas connections under Non-Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana, will be made available to the oil company.
  • The data of gas connections released by the oil company under the non-Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana will be matched with the data of Ladli Bahna registered under the Mukhyamantri Ladli Behna Yojana and information about their gas connection number, refill received and the amount paid by the oil company will be made available to the department. The grant payable will be calculated by the department based on the above data.
  • The department will pay the amount of subsidy payable by the department to the non-PMUY gas connection holders registered under Ladli Brahmin Yojana on getting refill in their Aadhaar linked bank accounts. This arrangement can be changed as per requirement.
  • Under the non-Prime Minister Ujjwala Scheme for refilling gas cylinders from July 4, 2023 to August 3, 2023, the grant amount will also be transferred to the Ladli Behna registered under the Mukhyamantri Ladli Brahmin Yojana, having domestic gas connections, through the same process.
• Grievance Redressal Mechanism
  • An online application will be created by the department to register and resolve the difficulties and problems faced in payment of state grant to the eligible beneficiaries under the scheme.
  • Arrangements will be made by the department to resolve the complaints received on this application.
• state level monitoring
  • Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Protection Department will be the nodal department for the implementation of the scheme. The scheme will be monitored at the field level by the departmental staff under the direction of the Collector. For monitoring at the state level, a committee will be formed under the chairmanship of the Principal Secretary, Food, in which oil company officials will also be included.
  • In the work of registration of beneficiaries, cooperation of the staff of Panchayat and Rural Development Department and Urban Administration and Development Department will be obtained.
  • Information about the arrangement for providing refill for Rs 450 to consumers having gas connections will be given through various mediums at every level. Information about grants payable to eligible beneficiaries will be displayed at every gas agency, local bodies and fair price shops.
  • Based on the database received from the oil company, the grant will be paid to the eligible beneficiaries as per the described procedure, even if they have not been registered separately. Discrepancy in the beneficiary database, if any, will be resolved appropriately and the grant will be paid to the eligible beneficiary.

Famous Medical Research Journal ‘The Lancet’ will now be Published in Hindi in Madhya Pradesh.

Why In News?

On the occasion of Hindi Diwas on September 14, 2023, Medical Education Minister of Madhya Pradesh Vishwas Kailash Sarang announced that the world famous medical journal ‘The Lancet’ will soon be published in Hindi also.

Key Points:

• On this occasion, Medical Education Minister Sarang along with Fiona Makelew, Deputy Publishing Head of 'The Lancet' and Shankar Kaul, Head of Elsevier Publications India, told that 'Hindi Chikitsa Cell Mandar' is the journal which is doing the work of transliterating the English books of MBBS into Hindi. Will edit the Hindi translation work.
• For this, an authorized MOU will be signed soon, which will be for the next three years (2024-27), the proceedings of which are in progress.
• It is known that 'The Lancet' is the world's most prominent and most influential research journal.
• As a result of the discussions held over the past several days regarding the Hindi translation of this journal, now the Medical Education Department of Madhya Pradesh and 'The Lancet' - Regional Health South East Asia will also translate it into Hindi language.
• ‘The Lancet’ is published in English as well as Spanish and Portuguese. Now Hindi will be the fourth language of the world in which it will be published.
• With the availability of 'The Lancet'- Regional Health South East Asia Journal in Hindi, medical students and doctors will be able to get research content in the local language in the field of research.
• The work of transliteration of this journal will be done by the doctors of Hindi Cell Medical Education Department.
• It is noteworthy that the Medical Education Department of Madhya Pradesh has started medical education in Hindi for the first time in the country.

Chhattisgarh Sanskrit Vidyamandalam gets Recognition from National Institute of Open Schooling

Why in News?

On September 13, 2023, President of Chhattisgarh Sanskrit Vidyamandalam, Suresh Kumar Sharma said that Chhattisgarh Sanskrit Vidyamandalam has got recognition from the National Institute of Open Schooling.

Key Points

• President of Chhattisgarh Sanskrit Vidyamandalam, Suresh Kumar Sharma said that the National Institute of Open Schooling has included Chhattisgarh Sanskrit Vidyamandalam in the authorized list of Secondary and Senior Secondary Education Board. It has been approved by the competent authority of National Institute of Open Schooling.
• By getting recognition at the national level, students studying from Chhattisgarh Sanskrit Vidyamandalam will get the opportunity to get recruited in government jobs at the national level and to study further in the field of Sanskrit.
• It is known that Chhattisgarh State Government had formed Chhattisgarh Sanskrit Board, now known as Chhattisgarh Sanskrit Vidyamandalam in 2003 for the prestige of Sanskrit education and language.

Narayanpur District of Chhattisgarh Received a Certificate from the Union Ministry of Jal Shakti for its Excellent Performance in Jal Jeevan Survekshan 2023.

Why In News?

On September 14, 2023, the Central Jal Shakti, Drinking Water and Sanitation Department honored Narayanpur district of Chhattisgarh with a citation for its excellent work in the Jal Jeevan Survekshan 2023 under the Aspirational District.

Key Points

• It is noteworthy that providing pure drinking water to every villager in Narayanpur district, which has very difficult settlements, was a challenging task. For taking it forward successfully, the Central Government honored Narayanpur district under the Aspirational District.
• The aquatic life survey was conducted by the central government from October 1, 2022 to June 30, 2023. In this, the work of Narayanpur district under the aspirational districts was found to be excellent.
• For this district, Jal Jeevan Mission had set a target of providing pure drinking water to 30 thousand 322 families. In this, tap connections have been provided to 18 thousand 72 houses. There are 14 villages where 100% families have been given connections.
• In the present situation, the state is achieving an average of 7000 domestic connections every day and 60 percent of the families have been given domestic connections. Till now, Har Ghar Jal certification for every household has been done in a total of 422 villages of the state.
• It is noteworthy that there are two development blocks in Narayanpur district, Orchha and Narayanpur. Most of the area of Orchha development block comes under Abujhmad, which is spread over an area of about 4 thousand square kilometers and is surrounded by mountains and dense forests. Survey of these areas has not been done yet.
• It is noteworthy that under Jal Jeevan Mission in the state, running water has been provided in total 43 thousand 974 schools (86.78 percent), 41 thousand 719 Anganwadi centers (83.39 percent) and 5246 health centers (97.86 percent) of the state. Running water facility has been provided in 100 percent i.e. 2470 ashram shalas of the state.
• The target of providing more than 70 percent household connections has been achieved in 7 districts of the state – Dhamtari, Raipur, Durg, Rajnandgaon, Mungeli, Janjgir-Champa and Sakti districts.
• Certification has been done by celebrating har ghar Jal Utsav in 6 villages in Narayanpur district. Under the efforts to provide water to every house in Narayanpur district, work is on completion in villages like Udidgaon, Gulumkodo, Kokodi, Kundla, Khadkagaon, Guria and Palli etc. in the inner villages of development block Orchha.

New Industrial Policy Implemented in the State: Entrepreneurs will Now get Subsidy in Instalments, Not One Time

Why in News?

On September 13, 2023, Nainital District Industries General Manager of Uttarakhand, S.K. Pant said that a new industrial policy has been implemented in the state, under which instead of a one-time subsidy on completion of the project, it will now be distributed in installments.

Key Points

• In the new policy, the slabs have been changed and divided into four categories instead of five. A and B categories include hilly districts and C and D categories include most of the plain areas.
• To promote micro, small and medium industries, capital subsidy and interest have also been increased in the scheme.
• It is known that in a major change in the new policy made in August, subsidy on investment up to Rs 1 crore will be given in two installments within two years in micro category industries. Investments ranging from Rs 1 crore to Rs 50 crore will get subsidy in five installments within five years.
• The new rule also states that investors in primary and very primary category manufacturing enterprises of natural fibre, products marked in one district or two products, manufacturing enterprises of GI tagged products and food processing enterprises will also get additional capital support as per the rules.
• Apart from this, Scheduled Caste, Tribe and women entrepreneurs have been included in the very priority category for encouragement. Under this, additional subsidy will be given up to a maximum limit of Rs 10 lakh for investments of Rs 1 crore, Rs 15 lakh for investments between Rs 1 to Rs 10 crore and Rs 20 lakh for investments of Rs 10-50 crore.
• It is known that in the previous industrial policy, a subsidy up to Rs 40 lakh, i.e. up to 40 percent, was being given in A category (capital investment). There was a provision of subsidy up to Rs 35 lakh in B category, Rs 30 lakh in C category and Rs 15 lakh in D category.
• In the new policy of MSME, a rule has been made to give 50 percent subsidy to those investing up to Rs 1 crore in A category. Apart from 50 percent profit on investment between Rs 1 to 5 crore, there will be an additional profit of 25 percent on investment above that, the maximum limit of which has been kept at Rs 1.50 crore. In this category, the limit of subsidy has been kept at a maximum of Rs 2.5 crore for investments of Rs 5-10 crore and a maximum of Rs 4 crore for investments of Rs 10 to 50 crore.
• Similarly, 40 percent subsidy will be available on investment up to Rs 1 crore in B category, 30 percent subsidy on investment up to Rs 1 crore in C category and Rs 20 lakh on investment up to Rs 1 crore in D category. On top of this, there is a provision for additional subsidy on investment also.

Young Women will Take Responsibility of Cow Protection in Uttarakhand

Why In News?

In the joint meeting held on September 14, 2023 by the Uttarakhand Public Works, Panchayati Raj, Urban Development and Animal Husbandry Department regarding the construction and operation of Gaushala, Kanji House for destitute cattle, instructions have been given that the responsibility for the safety of cattle in the hilly areas will be taken by the youth-Women.

Key Points

• It was decided in this meeting that only after the verification of the new NGOs, they will be allowed to establish and operate Gosadans in the hilly areas, in which participation of women and youth self-help groups will be ensured.
• If there is space in the already running Gausadans, Animal Husbandry, Urban Development and Panchayati Raj departments will run a campaign in mutual coordination and take all the destitute cows here within a month.
• This action will be taken first in the Gosadan operated in Khatima Nagar located in Udham Singh Nagar district.
• Cow shelters will be built near the forests for the destitute cattle and enclosures will be built after contacting the forest department. Roster wise duty of veterinary officers will be imposed on Gausadans. The budget for the establishment of new Gausadans will be given by the District Magistrate at the district level.
• Daily progress report of establishment and operation of Gosadans will have to be updated in the WhatsApp group. For monitoring, remote sensing cameras will have to be installed in all Gosadans. Whichever cow will be brought to these Gausadans, their picture will have to be shared in the WhatsApp group.
• The Head of the Department of Animal Husbandry, Urban Development and Panchayati Raj Department will be nominated as the nodal officer for their operation.

Goalkeeper Shreya Hooda Selected in Asian Games Football Team

Why In News?

According to information received from the media on September 14, 2023, Shreya Hooda, resident of Sonipat district of Haryana, has been selected in the Indian women's football team for the Asian Games to be held in Hangzhou, China from September 23 to October 8.

Key Points:

• Shreya Hooda's family originally belongs to village Asan in Rohtak district of the state.
• It is known that Shreya started practicing 11 years ago. She became a part of the Indian team in the year 2022.
• It is known that Shreya Hooda started playing under football coach Anil Dhull in the year 2012.
• Apart from playing for the country in Under-14 and Under-16 teams, Shreya represented the state thrice in School Nationals and won three gold and two silver medals.
• It is noteworthy that she has also won a gold medal for the team in Khelo India Youth Games. Apart from being in the Indian team that won the AFC Women's Club Championship, she played in a goalless draw against Jordan at the Petra Stadium in Amman in March this year.
• In July 2023, he was named in the 34-member Indian squad for the AFC Olympic Qualifiers Round 2 to be played in October. Now he has been selected in the Asian Games team.
• Shreya has been selected for the post of junior trainer in the sports department this year. His appointment is in Sonipat only.

Governor Launches 'Ayushman Bhava' Campaign

Why in News?

On September 13, 2023, the country's President Draupadi Murmu launched the visionary health program 'Ayushman Bhava' campaign online to make access to health services accessible across the country. Through this virtual program, Jharkhand Governor CP Radhakrishnan launched this campaign at Audrey House in the capital Ranchi.

Key Points

• The ‘Ayushman Bhava’ program is a comprehensive initiative to ensure effective implementation of various health schemes run at the national level to reach every beneficiary.
• The objective of this campaign is to ensure access to health services to the people.
• This initiative is an effort to take health benefits to the people at the last resort through awareness campaigns, medical camps and inclusive strategies. With this campaign, even the marginalized people will be able to get quality health care. It will also promote equity in health services.
• It is known that 'Pradhanmantri Jan Arogya Yojana' launched by the Prime Minister is the world's largest health protection scheme, which provides medical coverage up to Rs 5 lakh.
• Under this scheme, a campaign is being started from September 17, 2023, through which Ayushman cards will be given to all the remaining eligible beneficiaries under the PM-JAY scheme. It will be ensured that no beneficiary is left out.
• On this occasion, Health Minister Banna Gupta said that till now 1 crore 22 lakh people have got the benefit of Ayushman Yojana, but the target of the state government is to provide the benefit of this scheme to 2 crore 69 lakh people.
• The Health Minister said that the Ayushman Bhava campaign is a wonderful initiative of the government. This campaign will run from September 17 to October 2, 2023.
• Under this program, lakhs of families will get necessary medical facilities. With this, people will also get insurance coverage for treatment. Its objective is to save families from the burden of heavy medical expenses.
• Additional Chief Secretary of Health Department, Arun Kumar Singh gave detailed information about 'Ayushman Bhava'. ‘Ayushman Aapke Dwar 3.0’, Ayushman Sabha, Ayushman Fair and Ayushman Gram are the main pillars of the programme.
• Ayushman Mela will be organized by Ayushman Bharat at Health and Wellness Centers (AB-HWC).
• At the same time, Ayushman Sabha, a village-level campaign will be run under the leadership of Village Health, Sanitation and Nutrition Committee to ensure the benefits of all the health schemes of the Central and State Governments to the beneficiaries.
• Apart from this it will focus on awareness about the importance of Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY), Health Insurance Scheme Card and Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA) number.
• These Gram Sabhas will also help in creating awareness about child health issues, vaccination, nutrition and anemia. This will promote social accountability of health.
• The fourth pillar, Ayushman Gram, is envisaged to cover 100% coverage of PMJAY card distribution, ABHA ID generation, vaccination coverage and testing of Non-communicable diseases.
• Villages that successfully complete all the health schemes will be awarded the title of ‘Ayushman Gram’ and given a certificate.
• In the program, institutions performing excellently in the field of health, people donating blood more than five times and excellent performance in HWC were honored.