State PCS

• 15 Dec 2023

MoU worth Rs 50,530 crore signed in Bihar Business Connect-2023

Why in News?

According to information received from the media on December 14, 2023, during the Global Investor Summit ‘Bihar Business Connect-2023’, Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) worth Rs 50,530 crore was signed with about 300 companies from various sectors.

Key Points:

• During Bihar Business Connect-2023, Adani Enterprises Director Pranab Adani said that it has been decided to invest Rs 8,700 crore in various sectors including cement manufacturing, logistics and agro industry in Bihar. His company has already invested Rs 850 crore here.
• Other MoUs signed during Bihar Business Connect-2023 include MoU worth Rs 7,386.15 crore with Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited, MoU worth Rs 5,230 crore with Patel Agri Industries Private Limited and MoU worth Rs 2,200 crore with Holtec International Inc.
• Apart from this, agreements worth Rs 2,000 crore were signed with Indo European Heart Hospitals and Research Institute Private Limited, Dev India Project worth Rs 1,600 crore, Star Cement worth Rs 1,000 crore, UltraTech Cement worth Rs 1,000 crore, J.K. Lakshmi Cement, Rs 800 crore with Spray Engineering Devices Limited, Rs 674 crore with Varun Beverages and Rs 650 crore with ShreeCement.
• During the program, the Chief Minister inaugurated the Logistics Policy-2023 and also released the coffee table book of the Industries Department.
• It may be noted that on December 14, 2023, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar had inaugurated the Plenary Session of Bihar Business Connect-2023 at Gyan Bhawan located at Samrat Ashoka Convention Centre.

CM Dr. Mohan Yadav got Z+ security

Why in News?

According to information received from the media on December 14, 2023, the new Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, Dr. Mohan Yadav, has been given Z Plus security.

Key Points:

• Under Z Plus security, 36 NSG commandos will be deployed for the security of Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav. Along with this, 2 SP, 2 ASP and 4 DSP, Special Security Force personnel and armed personnel of the state police will be deployed.
• There will be a convoy of 15 to 18 vehicles for CM Dr. Mohan Yadav. This convoy also includes a bulletproof car, in which he will be riding.
• It is worth mentioning that there are mainly 4 types of security categories in India: X, Y, Z and Z Plus. Apart from this, there is also SPG security, which is only for the Prime Minister and his family. Under other security categories, security can be provided to any person on whom the Central or State Governments have threat information.

Narwana's Gabi Sahib temple pond will be made a Historical Heritage

Why in News?

On December 13, 2023, Haryana Deputy Chief Minister Dushyant Chautala said that Gabi Sahib temple pond of Narwana will be made a historical heritage.

Key Points:

• Deputy Chief Minister Dushyant Chautala said that Rs 5 crore 63 lakh will be spent on this. By becoming a heritage site, Narwana Halka will have a distinct identity.
• The Deputy Chief Minister said that till now an amount of Rs 800 crore has been spent by the state government for the development works of Narwana Halke.
• The Deputy Chief Minister said that in every village, gymnasiums, parks, beautification of ponds, primary health centres, panchayat houses, gym equipment for youth, library, village phirni, collective Chaupal, streets and other works have been constructed.
• He said that 1100 libraries have been built in the state, with the construction of these libraries the youth of every village will not only get educated but will also provide them employment opportunities.

First cabinet meeting held under the chairmanship of CM Vishnu Deo Sai

Why in News?

In the first meeting of the cabinet held at Mantralaya Mahanadi Bhawan under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai on December 14, 2023, an important decision was taken for the homeless in the rural areas of the state. Deputy Chief Ministers Arun Sao and Vijay Sharma were present in the meeting.

Key Points:

• It was decided in the cabinet meeting that 18,12,743 needy families in the state will be given immediate approval for housing and necessary funds will be provided.
• It was decided in the meeting that the remaining families (6,99,439) eligible for the permanent waiting list under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana Gramin and the families eligible for the Awas Plus list (8,19,999) would be approved.
• Under the scheme, 2,46,215 houses under construction will also be completed soon.
• Under the Pradhan Mantri Gramin Awas Yojana in the state, a total of 17,65,653 houses and 47,090 other houses to a total of 18,12,743 needy eligible families will be promptly approved & the necessary funds will be made available.

Mini Gas Agency Scheme

Why in News?

According to the information received from the media on December 14, 2023, Uttarakhand Rural Development Department has started 'Mini Gas Agency Scheme' to refill the LPG cylinders in remote hilly areas of the state when they run out.

Key Points:

• After the launch of Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana in the state, gas cylinders have reached every home, but especially in the hilly areas, one still has to wait a long time or go many kilometres to get the cylinder refilled. To overcome this problem, the Rural Development Department has started the Mini Gas Agency Scheme.
• Additional Secretary and Rural Development Department Commissioner Anand Swaroop said that Kimini Gas Agency will be operated by women associated with self-help groups; they have been named 'Eandhan Sakhi'.
• This scheme has been started in four districts as a pilot project. Soon the scheme will start in other districts also. Till now, a total of 61 Fuel Sakhis including 40 women from Uttarkashi, 16 from Tehri and five from Haridwar have been prepared.
• Women will be given training to operate a mini gas agency by HP Company. For this, the government has signed an agreement with HP company. In the coming days, similar agreements will be signed with other oil companies also.
• Five filled gas cylinders will be available at all times in the Mini Gas Agency. Eandhan Sakhi will get a commission of up to Rs 20 on every cylinder from the company. Commission will also be given by the company on burner, stove, its service, gas pipe, giving new connections, DBC connection. One thousand rupees will be given separately for spreading publicity in every village.
• Rural Development Department Commissioner Anand Swaroop said that this scheme has two objectives. First, to increase the income of women of self-help groups and second, to provide gas easily to remote areas.