Rajasthan

• 16 Jun 2022

Amendment in Senior Citizen Pilgrimage Scheme, 2022

Why in News?

• On June 15, 2022, the Government of Rajasthan has issued a revised order to read the age of senior citizen as 70 years or above instead of 65 years under the Senior Citizen Tirth Yatra Scheme, 2022.

Key Points

• Under this scheme, 18,000 senior citizens will be given pilgrimage by rail route and 2,000 senior citizens by air. In all, under the Senior Citizen Pilgrimage Scheme, 20,000 senior citizens will visit pilgrimage sites across the country free of cost this time.
• The person eligible for the journey must be a native of Rajasthan and above the age of 60 years. The age will be calculated as the base on April 1, 2022, i.e. he is born before April 1, 1962.
• As per the order of the Government, the Commissioner, Department of Devasthan shall have the power to allow the interested eligible persons who had applied in the event of vacancies during rail and air travel.
• The online application process for the pilgrimage will begin in the second week of June, which will continue till June, 30.
• Senior citizens will now be able to take a helper along with them during the pilgrimage in the pilgrimage scheme, elderly people above 70 years of age and persons with disabilities above 60 years of age.

Formation of Three Water Distribution Committees

Why in News?

• On June 15, 2022, the Government of Rajasthan, by issuing a notification, constituted three water distribution committees comprising water user associations under the jurisdiction of Executive Engineer Water Courses Section-II, Indira Gandhi Canal Project, Jaisalmer and marked their areas.

Key Points

• According to the notification, Aasutar Water Distribution Committee, Aasutar Distributors of Ramgarh Tehsil of Jaisalmer district, Water Users Sangam first, second, third, fourth; Aasutar Minor Water Users Sangam 1^st, 2^nd, 3^rd, 4^th, 5^th; Bandi Minor Water Users Association I, II; Bhakri Minor Water Users' Association; Ghotaru Minor Water Users Sangam I, II, III, IV; Ramoz Minor Water Users' Association; Cheetah Minor Water Users Association and Doyata Minor Water Users Association will be the first, second, third.
• Similarly, Dattatreya Minor Water Users Sangam, Dattatreya Sub Minor Water Users Sangam of Ramgarh Tehsil under Mir Ka Tar Water Distribution Committee; Meer Ka Tar Distributorship Water User Sangam; GDM-5 Water Users Association; Manuhar Minor Water User Association; GDM-6 Water User Association; Navatala Distributary Water Users Sangam; GDM-7 Water Users Association and SS Minor Water Users Association.
• GDM-8 Water Users Sangam of Ramgarh Tehsil under Dhanana Jal Distribution Committee; Rablau Distributary Water Users' Sangam; GDM-9 Water User Association; Bhuwana Distributary Water Users Sangam; Dhanana Distributary Water Users Sangam I, II, III; Sankhla Minor Water Users Association; Dhanana Minor Water User Sangam I, II; Dhanana Sub Minor Water Users' Association; Gurukanya Minor and Sub Minor Water Users Sangam and GDM-10 Water Users Sangam have been included.
• It is noteworthy that about 60 thousand 146 hectares of irrigated area will be benefited from the water user associations included under these three water distribution societies.

Preparing for Prospecting in Bhilwara, Chittorgarh and Rajsamand

Why in News?

• On June 15, 2022, Additional Chief Secretary, Mines Department of Rajasthan State Dr. Subodh Agrawal informed that places have been identified for the work of exploration of Copper, Gold, Lead, Zinc and Silver at three places of the state.

Key Points

• The discovery of minerals in Bhilwara, Chittorgarh and Rajsamand districts of the State will be carried out by Rajasthan State Mineral Exploration Trust (RSMET) in financial collaboration with National Mineral Exploration Trust (NMET).
• Copper and gold in about 700 hectares at Devtalai in Bhilwara; Copper in about 500 hectares at Bhagal in Chittorgarh; Lead and zinc in 600 hectares in Amargarh, Bhilwara; Five plots will be set up for mining by exploring copper in 200 hectares at Karauli in Rajsamand and about 3500 hectares in Sindesar in Rajsamand.
• He said that this fund will also encourage innovations and also ensure participation of students from universities and technical institutions in the survey work so that the students get the opportunity to study practically.
• He said that efforts will be made to get RSMET the status of National Exploration Agency so that RSMET can become a national identity as an expert body in mineral exploration and mining.
• Director of Mines K.B. Pandya informed that through RSMET, structural tools are being provided to the departmental laboratory and the drilling wing. This will give further impetus to mining exploration work in the state.