• 15 Dec 2021

National Energy Conservation Award

Why in News

• Rajasthan Renewable Energy Corporation was awarded the National Energy Conservation Award (Second) in the State Performance Award category at the National Award Ceremony organized on the occasion of National Energy Conservation Day at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi on December 14, 2021.

Key Points

• The award was given by Union Energy Minister RK Singh to Narendra Singh Nirwan, Director (Technical) of Rajasthan Renewable Energy Corporation and Additional Housing Commissioner Vimal Sharma.
• Additional Chief Secretary Mines, Petroleum and Energy and Chairman Akshay Urja Nigam Dr. Subodh Agrawal informed that Rajasthan Renewable Energy Corporation has been given this award in the State Performance category in view of the exemplary achievements of Rajasthan for other states.
• ACS Dr Aggarwal informed that Rajasthan has become a major attraction for investors in renewable energy sector with the implementation of Rajasthan Solar Energy Policy, 2019, Rajasthan Wind and Hybrid Policy, 2019 and Rajasthan Investment Promotion Scheme, 2019.
• In the category of high energy consuming states like Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana in the country's energy sector, it has been selected considering the efficient management of Rajasthan in the field of energy efficiency.
• Earlier, Rajasthan has been selected as the print runner state in the energy efficiency sector released by the central government recently.

Increase in the Rate of Dearness Relief to Pensioners

Why in News

• On December 14, 2021, the Madhya Pradesh government issued an order to increase the rate of dearness relief to the pensioners of the state. This new arrangement will be considered effective from October 1, 2021.

Key Points

• The Madhya Pradesh Finance Department has increased the dearness relief to the pensioners of the state government by 10 percent. Those who were getting pension under the 6th pay scale, their dearness relief has increased by 10 percent to 164 percent. Similarly, those whose pension was getting under the seventh pay scale, their dearness relief will increase by 5 percent to 17 percent.
• Dearness relief on family pension will not be eligible if a person is placed in service on compassionate grounds due to the death of his spouse, but if the spouse is in service at the time of his death, then the husband He/she will be eligible for dearness relief on the family pension payable on account of the death of the wife.
• Dearness relief will also be admissible on the additional pension payable to the pensioners of the age of 80 years or more.
• Employees dismissed or removed from service will also be eligible for this dearness relief on the compassionate allowance accepted.
• Such pensioners, who have got a part of their pension commuted, will be given dearness relief on their basic pension (pre-commutation pension).
• This order will also be applicable to such retired employees of the state government, who have drawn lump sum amounts on civilians in undertakings, self-governing institutions, boards / corporations etc. and who have become eligible for repatriation of one-third of the pension under the Finance Department.

EDII Got the Status of 'Center of Excellence' in Entrepreneurship

Why in News

• On December 14, 2021, Sunil Shukla, Director General, Indian Institute of Entrepreneurship Development (EDII), Ahmedabad informed that EDII has recently received the status of 'Center of Excellence' in Entrepreneurship by the Ministry of Entrepreneurship and Skill Development, Government of India.

Key Points

• The Indian Institute of Entrepreneurship Development, Ahmedabad, has been engaged since 1983 in promoting entrepreneurship at the national and international level through education, research, training and institution building.
• It works through its Central Regional Office in Bhopal for inclusive growth and to create a conducive ecosystem for entrepreneurship in Central India.
• It makes collective efforts to create an environment of interdependence and cooperation between educational institutions, government and industry to promote entrepreneurship education, research. Also, it provides assistance to the MSME sector in Madhya Pradesh and its surrounding areas, especially with the aim of upliftment of rural youth, women, students, artisans, agriculturists etc.
• EDII is engaged in extensive development works in the handicrafts and handloom sectors at several locations in Madhya Pradesh, with a focus on handlooms in Chanderi and Maheshwar, terracotta in Betul and carpets in Gwalior.
• EDII is engaged in developing entrepreneurs from science and technology backgrounds with the support of DST, Government of India and developing the pool of human resources through faculty development programmes.

Run for CG Pride

Why in News

• On December 14, 2021, 'Run for CG Pride' was organized in Raipur, the capital of Chhattisgarh, for the self-respect and pride of Chhattisgarh. Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel flagged off the 'Run for CG Pride' from Gandhi Udyan Chowk.

Key Points

• In the last three years, the Chhattisgarh model of folk art, culture, tradition and development has created a new identity in the country and the world. To celebrate this self-respect and pride, Run for CG Pride was organized in the capital.
• More than 20 thousand runners of every age group including Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel participated in this race organized for the self-respect and pride of Chhattisgarh.
• In the race, in the senior citizen category above 60 years of age, Gujari Lal got the first position. Similarly, in the above 14 years and below 60 years category, Mukesh Kumar stood first in the men's category and Priyanka Sahu stood first in the women's category. Similarly, Karan Sahu got the first position in the boys category below 14 years and Kamini Sahu got the first position in the girls category.
• Out of these, participants in the age group of 14 to 60 years will be given first prize of Rs.21 thousand, second prize of Rs.15 thousand, third prize of Rs.11 thousand and from fourth to tenth position Rs. 21 hundred. On the other hand, in the category of senior citizens and children below 14 years of age, the first prize will be Rs 11,000, the second prize will be Rs 7,000 and the third prize will be Rs 5,000.

Supreme Court's Nod for Chardham Project

Why in News

• On December 14, 2021, the Supreme Court gave permission to the ambitious Chardham project of the Uttarakhand government.

Key Points

• Keeping in view the need of national security, the Supreme Court has given conditional permission to develop 3 national highways of strategic importance (Rishikesh to Mana, Rishikesh to Gangotri and Tanakpur to Pithoragarh) connecting the border with China in the Chardham project in Uttarakhand. .
• The Supreme Court has given permission to the Center to increase the width of the road and build a double lane highway in the all-weather highway project. After getting this permission, India's access to China will become easier under the Chardham project and the Indian Army will be able to reach the borders with China in any weather.
• The central government's Chardham project aims to provide all-weather connectivity to Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, Badrinath. The cost of this 889 km long project is estimated at Rs 12,000 crore. The Central Government, during the hearing of its petition, told the court that these are feeder roads for the border roads leading to the India-China Line of Actual Control.