• 16 Jan 2023

Country's First Spinal Injury Rehabilitation Center in BHU

Why In News?

• On January 15, 2023, Prof. Saurabh Singh said that the Union Health Ministry has given in-principle consent to open the country's first spinal injury rehabilitation center at BHU Trauma Center.

Key points

• Prof. Saurabh Singh said that with the opening of the country's first Advanced Care and Rehabilitation Center in BHU Trauma Center, patients suffering from serious diseases of brain, spine and neuro will now get world-class treatment facility in Kashi itself.
• He said that the Spinal Injury Rehabilitation Center will provide facilities for artificial intelligence of brain, spinal, neuro-ophthalmic injury as well as treatment with traditional medicine. Such a treatment facility is currently in Australia.
• It is known that serious people injured in road accidents come to BHU Trauma Center from Varanasi and surrounding districts as well as Bihar, Jharkhand etc. There are many people who have serious injuries in the spinal and brain. Even after treatment, the person is not able to return to normal life.
• According to doctors, such patients are being successfully treated through the Advanced Care Rehabilitation Center in Australia. Now, like Australia, BHU will have the first such centre in the country, where such facilities will be provided.
• The center to be built in the Trauma Center is preparing to give a new life to the patients through robotic surgery, speech therapy and surgery. Modern technology machines will be ordered here. With the help of robotic surgery, at the time of road accidents, the legs and parts of the body where the nerves stop working. It will be corrected with the help of robotic technology.
• Patients with head injuries have problems with not being able to walk and speak properly even after surgery. In the new center, arrangements are being made for occupational therapy, speech therapy for such patients. This makes the treatment of patients easier.
• A total of Rs 200 crore has been prepared for the rehabilitation center. It will also have a 200-bed super-specialty building. The special thing is that there will be facilities for reading, research and evaluation along with treatment. Doctors and paramedical staff will also be given training in the treatment of neuro, spinal injury.
• The center will get these facilities :
  • Paid Unit: People will be able to take advantage of medical facilities from the commercial level. Private hospitals will cost less.
  • Subsidized Unit: Medical facilities will be provided to eligible people at a lower price.
  • Strategic Pharmacy Unit: The pharmacy unit will operate under public private partnership.
  • Strategic Education and Research Unit: Patients suffering from serious diseases of brain, spine and neuro will now get world-class treatment facility in Kashi itself.

Jio True 5G Service Launched in Patna and Muzaffarpur

Why In News?

• On January 14, 2023, Reliance Jio launched its True 5G services in Bihar's capital Patna and Muzaffarpur city.

Key points

• The urban area of Patna from Patna Sahib to Danapur and the urban area of Muzaffarpur will now get coverage of Jio True 5G.
• The company claims that by December 2023, Jio True 5G will be available in every town and every village of Bihar and Jharkhand.
• According to the company, Jio users in Patna and Muzaffarpur are being invited under the Jio Welcome Offer. Invited users will get unlimited data at 1 Gbps speed at no additional cost.
• On the launch, a Jio spokesperson said that we have accelerated the speed of True 5G rollout across the country, because we want every Jio user to benefit from Jio True 5G technology in the year 2023 .
• The cities where True Jio has been launched are among the important tourist, business and industrial centers of the country.
• With the launch of Jio's True 5G services, consumers in the region will not only get the best of the best telecom network but also growth opportunities in the areas of e-governance, education, automation, artificial intelligence, gaming, healthcare, agriculture, IT.

Former DGP Singhal Became the Chairman of the Central Selection Council

Why In News?

• On January 14, 2023, Bihar state government has appointed former DGP SK Singhal as the new chairman of the Central Selection Council. The Home Department issued a notification for this.

Key points

• The extended term of the Council's current chairman KS Dwivedi will end on January 20, 2023. After this, Singhal will take over as the new chairman.
• The government has appointed SK Singhal as the chairman of the selection council for the next three years. On December 19, 2022, SK Singhal retired from the post of DGP.
• It is noteworthy that the current president KS Dwivedi was also given this responsibility by the government after retiring from the post of DPP of Bihar. He was also given a six-month extension.
• Apart from the post of constable in Bihar Police, the Central Selection Council also conducts examinations for appointments in other departments.
• Sanjeev Kumar Singhal is a 1988 batch officer of the Indian Police Service. As the chairman of the Central Selection Council, SK Singhal will continue to get salary and all facilities as per government provisions.

Union Ministry of Mines and Coal Allots Seven Blocks for Mining of Various Minerals in Bihar

Why In News?

• Recently, Union Ministry of Mines and Coal has allotted seven blocks to Bihar State Government for mining of Gluconite (Potash), Chromium, Nickel including Platinum Group of Elements, Magnetite (Iron), Bauxite and Rare Earth metals in Bihar.

Key points

• The mining of these minerals will start this year itself. For this, the proposal for approval of mining in all these will be presented in the meeting of the State Council of Ministers on behalf of the Department of Mines and Geology. In this, guidelines will also be set regarding the income from mineral elements to the state government and the mining agency.
• As soon as the approval of the State Council of Ministers is received, the auction process of the mines present in the four districts will start. It includes Rohtas, Gaya, Aurangabad and Jamui. The government is taking the services of 'SBI Caps' to prepare its report.
• It may be noted that the Department of Mines and Geology has sought a detailed report from SBI Caps-Investment Bank and Project Consultant. After the report is received, the state government will start the process of allowing mining of glauconite and iron ore deposits worth about Rs 20,000 crore on lease basis in all districts.
• Earlier in the survey, about 25 sq. km in Rohtas district. Gluconite was found in the area. In this, 10 sq. km in Nawadih block of the district, eight sq. km in Tipa. And 7 sq. km in Shahpur block. area is included.
• Along with this, Gaya and about eight square kilometers in Danjana and surrounding areas of Madanpur block on the border of Aurangabad district. Nickel and chromium have been found in the area.
• It is notable that Gluconite (Potash) is widely used in medicine and chemical fertilizers. Nickel is used to coat iron and other metals to protect them from rusting. It is an element having ferromagnetism and magnets made from it are used in many industries.
• Apart from this, nickel is added to steel to make it 'stainless' (corrosion-proof), while chromium is used to make alloys. To make steel harder, it is used in tanning. It is also effective in controlling glucose in the human body. It is effective in green tinting of glass, chrome plating and other works. It is used in the oil industry as a catalyst, electrical engineering and as a corrosion inhibitor.

Chief Minister Approved the Format of 'Post Matric Scholarship Scheme'

Why In News?

• On January 14, 2023, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot approved the draft 'Uttar Matric Scholarship Scheme' for Mirasi and Bhishti community.

Key points

• Under this scheme, scholarships will be given by the state government to the students of Mirasi and Bhishti community.
• With this scheme, the youth of Mirasi and Bhishti communities will be able to come forward in the field of education and realize their dreams. At the same time, with the education of the youth, the family will get financial support and social upliftment of the community will also be done.
• According to the draft, students belonging to Mirasi (Dhadhi, Mir, Manganiyar, Damami, Nagarchi, Langa, Rana) and Bhishti community with annual family income up to Rs 2.50 lakh will be eligible under the scheme.
• In this, scholarships ranging from Rs 5000 to Rs 20000 per academic session will be given to 2000 students from class 11 to post-graduate.
• It is noteworthy that in the budget for the financial year 2022-23, the Chief Minister had announced various works for the economic and social upliftment of the Mirasi and Bhishti communities.

The Chief Minister has Given Consent to the 'Gaushala/Animal Shelter Public Participation Scheme'

Why In News?

• On January 15, 2023, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has given consent to 'Gaushala/Animal Shelter Public Participation Scheme' in Gram Panchayats.

Key points

• The Chief Minister has also approved a financial provision of about Rs 1377 crore for site construction and operation in 1500 gram panchayats in the first phase of this scheme.
• Under this scheme, cow shelters will be set up at a cost of Rs 1 crore each in the Gram Panchayats where competent executive agency (Gram Panchayat / Voluntary Organization) will be available to operate cow shelters / animal shelters.
• Under this, sites will be constructed in 200 Gram Panchayats in the year 2022-23 and 1300 Gram Panchayats in 2023-24. In this, the state government will bear 90 percent and the executive agency will bear 10 percent of the amount.
• A total of Rs 1377 crore has been approved by the Chief Minister for construction and operation of sites including Rs 183.60 crore in the year 2022-23 and Rs 1193.40 crore for the year 2023-24.
• This decision will provide a permanent shelter for stray and destitute animals. Farmers will also get relief from the problem of stray animals.
• It is noteworthy that in the budget for the year 2022-23, it was announced to operate cow shelters / animal shelters in Gram Panchayats.
• Continuous decisions are being taken by the state government in the interest of cattle farmers. Grants are being given to cow shelters operating in the state for 9 months in a year. Nandishalas are being opened. Cattle farmers are also getting a subsidy on milk at the rate of Rs 5 per liter.

Agreement Signed with REC to Provide Assistance of 1000 Crores to Rewa Ultra Mega Solar Limited

Why In News?

• On January 14, 2023, an agreement was signed to provide financial assistance of Rs 1000 crore by Rural Electrification Corporation (REC) for renewable energy project to Rewa Ultra Mega Solar Limited.

Key points

• REC has also committed an amount of Rs 5000 crore to MP Discom to further strengthen distribution reforms. An MoU has been signed for this at the Global Investors Summit 2023.
• Apart from this, REC has also signed a financial assistance agreement of Rs 15,086 crore with Madhya Pradesh Power Management Company Limited.
• As per the agreement with RUMSL, REC has earmarked assistance of Rs 1000 crore for renewable energy projects covering infrastructure including development of renewable energy parks and projects, power distribution.
• Rewa Ultra Mega Solar Limited has been nominated as a solar park developer by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy for developing large scale solar parks in Madhya Pradesh.
• This project has been considered as an important step to achieve the renewable energy goals of the state. The state aims to produce 20 percent of its electricity needed through renewable sources by FY 2024, 30 percent by FY27 and 50 percent by FY20.
• In addition, REC has also prepared a financing scheme for select state-owned power distribution companies in partnership with the World Bank. This will provide a total amount of financial assistance of USD 1 billion as a part of the REC-World Bank program.

Under the Chief Minister's Relief Fund, Financial Assistance will be Provided to Patients for 25 Serious Diseases.

Why In News?

• On January 15, 2023, a spokesperson of the Haryana Health Department informed that the state government has amended the 'Chief Minister's Relief Fund Scheme' to ensure that poor persons get immediate benefit for treatment . Now instead of treating 3 diseases, financial assistance is being provided to the victim for the treatment of about 25 diseases.

Key points

• A health department spokesperson said that for financial assistance, the applicants can avail the benefit of the facility through Saral portal. The amount of financial assistance received from the Chief Minister's Relief Fund will be directly transferred to the bank account of the applicant or beneficiary.
• He said that applicants can apply on Saral portal through their PPP i.e. Family Identity Card ID. To complete this process, applicants can apply for financial assistance on medical grounds from the Chief Minister's Relief Fund (CMRF) by uploading their medical bill, OPD bill etc. and other related documents.
• Under the changes made in the Chief Minister's Relief Fund Scheme, if any disease is not being covered in the 'Ayushman Bharat Jan Arogya Yojana', then the beneficiaries of Ayushman Yojana will also get the benefit under this scheme.
• A district-level committee has been constituted for financial assistance under the Chief Minister's Relief Fund, in which the concerned MP, concerned MLA, Deputy Commissioner, Civil Surgeon, President of Municipal Council and Municipalities, Chairman of District Council, Chairman of Panchayat Samiti have been made members and Municipal Commissioner has been made nodal officer.
• The spokesman said that when the applicant makes his application through Saral portal to get financial assistance, after that the application will be sent to the MP, MLA, Chairman Zila Parishad, Chairman Block Committee, Mayor, MC Chairman of the concerned area and these public representatives will send their recommendations to the Deputy Commissioner's Office within five days. After that, the application will be sent by the Deputy Commissioner's office to the concerned Tahsildar for verification of the applicant's movable and immovable property and verification of medical documents to the Civil Surgeon.
• He said that in order to take advantage of the scheme, a time limit of four days has been fixed for verification of property and five days for verification work related to civil surgeon's office.
• The reports received from the above two departments will be sent to the Member Secretary of the Committee with the recommendation of the Deputy Commissioner, which they will send to the Senior Accounts Officer. After this, the approved amount will be sent directly to the beneficiary's account.

Ranchi Meteorological Center Declared Best Meteorological Center of India

Why In News?

• Ranchi Weather Station has been adjudged the best weather station in India at the 148th Foundation Day celebrations of the India Meteorological Department (IMD) at 'Vrishti Auditorium' of Mausam Bhawan in New Delhi on January 15, 2023.

Key points

• Abhishek Anand, head of the Ranchi-based weather station, received the award for the best weather station in the country.
• During the program organized by the India Meteorological Department, Doppler Weather Radars of Surkanda ji, Murari Devi, Jot and Banihal Top were also inaugurated. Apart from this, many publications were also released.

Cosmo Expo - 2023 Trade & Build Fair

Why In News?

• Raipur: Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel on Saturday inaugurated the ‘Cosmo Expo-2023 Trade and Build Fair' in raipur.

Key points

• The ‘Cosmo Expo-2023 Trade and Build Fair' was inaugurated on January 13, 2023 by Rotary Club of Raipur Cosmopolitan at Shri Ram Business Park on Vidhan Sabha Road. Around 350 stalls have been set up at the event, which runs till January 16.
• Significantly, The Cosmo Expo Trade and Build Fair has now become the largest trade fair in Central India. About 350 stalls of government and private sector are included in this expo.
• The stalls set up at Cosmo Expo include almost all sectors related to industry and trade, mainly real estate, building construction, automobiles, electronics design, technology innovation, manufacturing service, bank and finance, travels and tourism, education, health care , lifestyle and general stalls. There are stalls of government departments and private groups.
• An exhibition based on the flagship schemes of the state government has also been set up at the venue by the Public Relations Department. Important schemes like Suraji Gaon Yojana, Justice ' Rajiv Gandhi Rural Landless Agricultural Labourer Justice Scheme, Rajiv Gandhi Kisan Nyay Yojana, Rajiv Yuva Mitan Club, purchase of forest produce, and Godhan Nyay Yojana have been presented in an attractive manner.
• Information about these schemes is also being given through LED screens and pamphlets and brochures related to the schemes are also being distributed to the people coming here. Programs based on Chhattisgarhi traditional songs and music are also being presented in the stall.
• The food court stall has been operated this time by Raipur Foody Lovers, for whom there is a separate large dome where 45 stalls have been set up. Here people will get an opportunity to enjoy Chhattisgarhi cuisine along with the dishes of different states of the country.

Jio True 5G Launched in Raipur, Durg and Bhilai

Why In News?

• On January 14, 2023, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel launched Jio true 5G service at a function at his residence office. With this launch, Jio True 5G services started in 3 cities of Chhattisgarh, capital Raipur, Durg and Bhilai.

Key points

• On this occasion, Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel said that with the launch of Jio True 5G service in Chhattisgarh, sectors like e-governance, agriculture, energy, education, manufacturing, logistics, health, people-based tourism, empowerment of self-help groups, IT and SME business new opportunities for development will open.
• The Chief Minister said that the use of mobile sector 5G will help patients a lot in the golden period. 5G will be very useful in agriculture, health, education and various sectors.

The Chief Minister Inaugurated the Three-Day Tatapani Festival

Why In News?

• On January 14, 2023, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel inaugurated the historic three-day Tatapani Festival of Balrampur district on the occasion of Makar Sankranti.

Key points

• On this occasion, the Chief Minister laid the foundation stone and inaugurated development works worth Rs 976.47 crore. These include the foundation stone of 284 development works and dedication of 446 development works in Ramanujganj assembly constituency, foundation stone of 777 development works in Samri assembly constituency and dedication of 16 development works and foundation stone of 46 development works and dedication of 138 development works in Pratappur assembly constituency.
• Along with this, the Chief Minister laid the foundation stone of 20 announcements and 03 instructions made during the meeting program and inaugurated two works of the Electricity Department in Samri Assembly constituency.
• Chief Minister Mr. Bhupesh Baghel attended the marriage ceremony of 501 couples under the Mass Girl Marriage Scheme and blessed the newly married couples.
• Known as a religious belief and underground hot water source, Tatapani has a huge fair on Makar Sankranti festival like every year. The three-day Tatapani Festival is organized every year by the district administration to honor the faith and faith of the people.
• It is noteworthy that Tatapani is located 12 km from district headquarters Balrampur on the Ambikapur-Ramanujganj National Highway. There are 8 to 10 hot pools of natural water here. Apart from this, there is a huge statue of Shiva here. It has been built by the district administration.
• In the local language, Tata means warm. That is why this place was named Tatapani. The water coming out of the hot water tank located here is so hot that even rice, eggs and potatoes can be boiled.
• Scientists believe that the amount of sulfur in this area is high. For this reason, the water coming out of here is hot. It is believed that bathing in these water pools cures many skin diseases.
• The fair has been organized on the occasion of Makar Sankranti every year for more than 50 years on the occasion of Makar Sankranti in Tatapani.
• After Balrampur district came into existence, the administration has given Tatapani mela the form of a festival. A several feet high shiva statue has been installed while retaining the original form of the years-old Tatapani. Just below this, the form of 12 Jyotirlingas is displayed.

Chief Minister Inaugurated the State's First Martyr's Park in Balrampur

Why In News?

• On January 15, 2023, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel inaugurated the state's first Shaheed Park in Balrampur.

Key points

• The state's first Shaheed Park in Balrampur has been constructed at a cost of about 40 lakh rupees. The municipality was made the nodal agency for its construction.
• Martyr head constable Lazarus Minj, Martyr constable Mahesh Ram Pankra, martyr constable Anil Khalko, martyr sub-inspector Nabor Kujur, Martyr head constable Manajrul Haque, Martyr sub-inspector Masih Bhushan Lakda, Martyr head constable Ramsay Ram were included in this park established at Shaheed Chowk in Balrampur. Statues have been installed.
• Bio-data of immortal martyrs has also been engraved under their statues, so that everyone can know about their incredible contribution.

'Queue Management System'

Why In News?

• On January 14, 2023, Uttarakhand Tourism Secretary Sachin Kurve said that the state government is preparing a 'queue management system' for the first time to rid devotees of devotees going to visit Char Dham's from standing in queues for hours.

Key points

• Tourism Secretary Sachin Kurve said that a 'queue management system' is being created for darshan in Char Dham's, in which registration of devotees will be mandatory.
• Apart from this, devotees will be given a token number on arrival in the Dham, in which the time for darshan will be fixed. With this arrangement, devotees will not have to stand in line for several hours.
• It is known that this arrangement is being implemented this time in view of the crowd of devotees in Badrinath, Kedarnath Dham last year.
• It is noteworthy that with the date of opening of the doors of Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri Dham, the Tourism Department will start registration for the Chardham Yatra. For this, the department has completed all the preparations for registration. Registration is being started two months in advance so that the crowd of devotees does not increase in char Dhams.

Carrying Capacity of All Hill Towns of Uttarakhand will be Surveyed

Why In News?

• On January 14, 2023, the Uttarakhand Cabinet, taking a lesson from the Joshimath disaster, decided to conduct a scientific and technical survey of the carrying capacity of all the hill cities of the state.

Key points

• It is noteworthy that population and haphazard construction work are increasing the pressure in mountain cities beyond capacity. One of the reasons behind the Joshimath landslide is also being attributed to over-construction of the city's load carrying capacity.
• In the meeting of the state cabinet, it was decided that the responsibility of conducting a survey of the holding capacity of all the cities of the hilly areas has been entrusted to the Disaster Management Department. For this, the cooperation of other departments including Urban Development, Panchayati Raj will be taken. Technical agencies will be selected for the survey.
• Among the major hill towns of the state, Mussoorie, Nainital, Karnaprayag, Rudraprayag, Devprayag, Uttarkashi, Ukhimath, New Tehri, Guptkashi, Almora, Pithoragarh, Bageshwar, Ranikhet are under increasing pressure. In the first phase, the state government can conduct a survey of these hill cities.
• Under this, in the first phase, approval has also been given to conduct surveys in municipal corporation, municipality, Nagar Panchayat areas.
• Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said that construction will be banned in cities where the load carrying capacity is found to be high. The Joshimath disaster is definitely alerting us to the future.