• 16 Aug 2023

9 Heritage Sites of U.P. to get the look of Heritage Hotels

Why is News?

On August 14, 2023, Uttar Pradesh Principal Secretary and Director General of Tourism Mukesh Meshram said that in order to develop the heritage buildings of the state for heritage tourism in collaboration with the private sector, the state government has started preparations to convert nine heritage sites of the state into heritage hotels.

Key Points:

• The state government has prepared to convert Chhatar Manzil, Kothi Gulistan-E-Iram, Kothi Darshan Vilas and Kothi Roshanuddaula in Lucknow, Chunar Fort in Mirzapur, Barua Sagar Fort in Jhansi, Barsana Jal Mahal in Mathura, Shukla Talab in Kanpur and Tikaitrai Baradari in Bithoor as hotels for heritage tourism.
• In line with the government's efforts to develop heritage buildings of the state for heritage tourism in collaboration with the private sector, many renowned hotel groups have shown interest in it.
• The hotel groups that are interested in investing in these heritage buildings include Leela Hotels, Neemrana Hotels, Indian Hotels Company (Taj Hotels), Mahindra Hotels and Resorts, Oberoi Hotels, The MRS Group & Resorts, Lalit Hotels, Hyatt Regency, Sarovar Hotels & Resorts, Accor Group, THF Hotels, Langer Hotels, Royal Orchid Hotels, Ramada Hotels, Clark Hotels etc.
• According to Principal Secretary and Director General Tourism Mukesh Meshram, the successful bidder for the project will be selected on the basis of quality and cost system. Norms and responsibilities for conservation of heritage buildings have also been fixed.
• These include keeping the configuration of the archaeological building intact, not making any changes in the original form, using the building according to its mythological & historical importance, setting up signage by the developer regarding the history of the heritage building, local culture, food, Display of art, dress, cuisine and cultural genres, development of nearby villages by adopting by the selected developer under CSR, along with providing employment to 25 percent local citizens.

National Medal to 21 Policemen of Bihar

Why is News?

On the eve of Independence Day on August 14, 2023, the Union Home Ministry announced awards to be given to police personnel from across the country, including 21 police personnel, including two senior officers of Bihar Police.

Key Points:

• Among the 21 police personnel, two police officers will be awarded police medals for gallantry, two police officers will be awarded President's Police Medal for Distinguished Service and 17 police officers and personnel will be awarded Police Medal for meritorious service.
• These include Director General of Police, Training Preeta Verma and Director General of Police (BSAP) Amarendra Kumar Ambedkar for distinguished service.
• The two police officials who will be awarded the Gallantry Award for gallantry for gunning down Naxals are Superintendent of Police Sushil Kumar (currently Superintendent of Police, Madhubani) and Police Under-Inspector Aniruddh Kumar posted in Lakhisarai.
• Among the 17 police personnel who received the Police Medal for meritorious service are Madhepura Superintendent of Police Rajesh Kumar, Katihar Railway Superintendent of Police Sanjay Bharti, Sonpur Sub-Divisional Police Officer Anjani Kumar, Chhapra Sub-Divisional Police Officer Santosh Kumar, Patna Additional Superintendent of Police Ajay Kumar, Samastipur Sadar Sub-Divisional Police Officer Sanjay Kumar Pandey. Inspector Virendra Kumar Medhavi, Police Inspector Virendra Kumar Medhavi, CID Sub-Inspector Binnur Rajak, Police Under Inspector Ghulam Mustafa in Patna SSP's office, CID Police Under Inspector Md. Istkhar Khan, Havildar Angad Singh Yadav of Dumraon (Buxar), Rahul Kumar, Assistant Sub-Inspector of CID, Indra Kamal Jha, Assistant Sub-Inspector of Prohibition Unit, STF, Patna's Havaldar Vijay Kumar Singh, Nalanda District Force constable Amarendra Kumar Mishra, CID, Constable Rahul Kumar of Patna and Constable Shambhu Kumar of Munger district force.

Inauguration of 'CM Free Annapurna Food Packet Scheme'

Why is News?

On August 15, 2023, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot launched the 'Chief Minister Free Annapurna Food Packet Scheme' in the state on the auspicious occasion of Independence Day at a program organized at Birla Auditorium in Jaipur and also released the poster of the scheme.

Key Points:

• Under this scheme, free Annapurna food packets will be distributed every month to more than 1.04 crore families in the state.   
• In order to fulfill the resolution that no one sleeps hungry in the state, 1 kg of chana dal, sugar & iodized salt, one litre of soybean refined edible oil, 100-100 grams of chilli powder & coriander powder and 50 grams of turmeric powder will be available free of cost in this Annapurna food packet to be distributed through POS machines.
• It is known that due to the government of India fixing the limit of maximum beneficiaries in the National Food Security Scheme (NFSA), many needy families are deprived of its benefits. During the Covid pandemic, about 32 lakh NFSA and non-NFSA families were given financial assistance of Rs 5500 after conducting a survey of destitute families.
• The Chief Minister said that non-NFSA families who were given financial assistance in Covid will also be provided free ration kits in the Annapurna Ration Kit Scheme.
• He has also urged the Central Government that instead of extending the period of ration distribution by 6-6 months, it should be implemented regularly.
• The commission received by ration dealers on distribution of Annapurna food packets has been increased from Rs 4 to Rs 10 per packet.
• At the same time, the Chief Minister announced to give commission to ration dealers in the state on the basis of telescopic rate and no fee will be charged from ration dealers without pos machines.

Inauguration of Satellite Hospital Chittorgarh

Why is News?

On August 15, 2023, Rajasthan Heritage Authority Board Chairman, Minister of State Surendra Singh Jadawat and District Collector Piyush Samaria inaugurated the Satellite Hospital in Chittorgarh district.

Key Points:

• Speaking on the occasion, the Minister said that the demand for a satellite hospital in Chittorgarh had been there for a long time, which the Chief Minister immediately approved.
• This satellite hospital will cover about 35 wards of the city. This will reduce the burden on the government hospital.
• The state government has started appointing doctors and paramedical staff in the satellite hospital. Indoor facilities will also be started here soon.
• A police outpost in the satellite hospital premises will also be started soon.

Government servants to get the 4th Pay Scale after 35 years of service

Why is News?

On August 14, 2023, the State Government of Madhya Pradesh has issued orders regarding the payment of fourth time scale pay scale to the members of 'A', 'B', 'C' and 'D' categories of civil services of the state on completion of 35 years of service period from the date of first appointment in the government service.

Key Points:

• According to the order of the state government, such government servants, who have received the benefit of three promotions/promotions/time scale pay scale from the date of appointment by direct recruitment in government service, will be eligible for the fourth time scale pay scale on completion of 35 years of service from 01.07.2023 or later.
• The service period for the fourth time scale pay scale of the State Government servant will be calculated from the date of taking charge of any direct recruitment post under the State Government through a competitive / selection examination.
• In order to get the benefit of a higher pay scale, the government servant will be required to fulfil the qualifications that are prescribed for promotion as per the departmental service recruitment rules.
• Such officers/employees of such cadre of the state government, who have the benefit of the timely pay scale under the specific scheme, will be required to obtain a separate order from the Council of Ministers to get the benefit of the scheme.
• If any cadre is receiving a pay scale equivalent to or higher than the fourth time scale pay scale prescribed as per the Addendum-।, then they will continue to receive the pay scale of the current level received.
• Under the fourth time scale pay scale for the members of the civil services of the state of Madhya Pradesh, the Madhya Pradesh Pay Revision Rules 2017 (as per the seventh pay scale) are Matrix Level Class-A First Class, Class-B Second Class, Class-C Third Class, Executive and Secretarial Services and Class-IV.

Government’s policy on providing govt. jobs to the family members of martyred jawans

Why is News?

On August 15, 2023, Haryana Chief Secretary Sanjeev Kaushal informed that the state government has issued a policy notification to provide government jobs on compassionate basis to the martyred soldiers and family members of the armed police forces who have laid down their lives in the service of the country.

Key Points:

• Under this policy, defence officers, armed forces or central armed police forces by the Ministry of Home Affairs will be provided government jobs as per the compassionate policy to soldiers who are martyred in conflict, IED blasts, terrorist or militant attacks, border skirmishes during any operation or operation in a specified area.
• Apart from this, government jobs will be provided to the dependents of soldiers who have been martyred in incidents such as MT cardiac arrest, exceptional courage and duty in air accidents and natural disasters and in the discharge of duties in the UN Peacekeeping Force.
• The Chief Secretary informed that earlier as per the previous policies of May 30, 2014 and September 28, 2018, government jobs were given only to the dependents of those martyrs who were killed in border clashes, terrorist attacks or riots and who were declared martyrs by the Ministry of Defence or Ministry of Home Affairs.
• The definition of eligible family members has also been enhanced in the new compassionate policy.
• The new policy aims to help the family by providing a job through compassionate appointment to one of the eligible members of the state-based family of soldiers killed in combat of the armed forces and central armed police forces.
• If there is a husband or wife in the family of the casualty for compassionate appointment and they do not want an appointment, then the benefit will be given to one of the married or unmarried children. This includes legally adopted children. Provided that the child was adopted by the martyred soldier while he was alive.
• If the martyr soldier was unmarried, then only with the consent of his parents, unmarried or married brother or unmarried sister or for whom consent is given by parents, brothers and unmarried sisters, will be given the benefit of this policy.

CM announces 'Abua Awas Yojana'

Why is News?

On the occasion of Independence Day on August 15, 2023, Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren announced a new scheme 'Abua Awas Yojana' for the needy people of the state at a state function at Morhabadi Maidan.

Key Points:

• Under this scheme, the state government will provide housing to the needy people from its own fund by spending more than Rs 15,000 crore in the next two years.
• Under the scheme, 3-room houses will be provided to the poor, deprived, labourers, farmers, tribals, backward and Dalits.   
• On this occasion, Chief Minister Hemant Soren said that 'Mukhyamantri Sarathi Yojana' has been started in 80 divisions of the state for skill development of youth. The provisions of the 'Chief Minister's Employment Generation Scheme' have been relaxed.
• He said that 35 lakh beneficiaries are being given pensions under various heads and Rs 1,400 crore has been spent on giving pensions till July 2023.
• He informed that in the financial year 2022-23, 33 lakh students have been given pre-matric scholarships, on which Rs 724 crore has been spent, while 2.50 lakh students have been given post-matric scholarships, on which Rs 315 crore has been spent. The government is also building modern multi-storey hostels for students, which will be equipped with modern libraries.
• Referring to the farmers, the Chief Minister said that the state government was running a total of 88 schemes for the benefit of farmers, including 'Birsa Sinchai Koop Yojana'. Under this, one lakh wells will be dug by November 15, 2024.
• Apart from this, work on the 'Son-Kanhar Pipeline Scheme' is also underway and 'Masalia Raneshwar Mega Lift Scheme' is being run to address water and irrigation issues in Garhwa and Dumka districts.
• Chief Minister Hemant Soren said that the Jharkhand government is committed to provide clean drinking water to 61 lakh rural families by 2024 under the Jal Jeevan Mission.

CM’s many Important Gifts to the people of the state on Independence Day

Why is News?

On August 15, 2023, on the occasion of Independence Day, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel gave many important gifts to the people of the state while making several important announcements at a function organized at the Police Parade Ground in the capital Raipur.

Key Points:

• Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel announced to give 'Chhattisgarh Sahitya Akademi Samman' in three categories to litterateurs to further strengthen the literary environment of the state.
• First - for literature written in Chhattisgarhi and other dialects like Gondi, Halbi, Sargujia, Kurukh etc.
• Second - for poetry written in Hindi.
• Third – This honor will be given for prose written in Hindi.
• 5 lakh cash and citation will be given to the respected litterateurs in each category.
• The Chief Minister said that those accused of molestation, rape etc. with girls and women will be banned from government jobs.
• In the state level competition of Chhattisgarhia Olympics, the participants who get first place in the age group of 18 to 40 years in the sports of long jump, 100 meters race and wrestling will be declared as outstanding players. This provision will be implemented from this year itself.
• Looking at the positive results of giving agriculture status to fish farming and lac farming, Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel has now announced to give agriculture status to silkworm farming and beekeeping in Chhattisgarh.
• In Chhattisgarh, with the aim of encouraging poultry farming, creating new employment and self-employment opportunities, the Chief Minister has announced the launch of 'Chhattisgarh Poultry Farming Promotion Scheme'. Under this scheme, instead of subsidy and commercial rate, electricity will be made available to poultry farmers at a subsidized rate.
• Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel said that students of class 11th and 12th of government schools of remote areas of the state can also prepare better for competitive examinations of engineering and medical, for this free online coaching from renowned coaching institutes of the country has been arranged. Going to make arrangements soon. For this, online coaching classes will be arranged in all block headquarters.
• Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, Government Lochan Prasad Pandey College, Sarangarh, operated in the newly created District Sarangarh-Bilaigarh Headquarters, Dr. Bhanwar Singh Porte College, operated in District Gaurela-Pendra-Marwahi Headquarters, Kranti Kumar Indian College Shakti, operated in District Shakti Headquarters and District Mohla-Manpur Government LCS operated at Ambagarh Chowki. Announced to provide post graduate school status to College Ambagarh Chowki.
• In view of the role of modern technology in building new Chhattisgarh, the Chief Minister announced to include information about state-of-the-art technology like Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Internet of Things in the curriculum of school children from the next academic session.
• The Chief Minister announced to provide free transport facility through bus to the students studying in government colleges for commuting from home to college and from college to home.
• Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel said that from the next academic session, Chhattisgarhi language and the local dialect in tribal areas will be included as a subject in the syllabus from class one to class five in the areas of the state where Chhattisgarhi language is spoken.
• Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel announced a 20 percent increase in the honorarium of urban sanitation sisters in view of their excellent work. Due to the excellent work done by the cleanliness sisters, the state has achieved the distinction of being the cleanest state in the country thrice in a row.
• In view of the excellent work done by the community organizers working in the field of urban livelihood, the Chief Minister has announced a 20 percent increase in their honorarium.
• Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel announced the launch of 'Mukhyamantri Nirman Shramik Pension Sahayata Yojana' for the hardworking construction workers. Construction laborers who have completed 60 years of age and have been registered for 10 years will be given a monthly pension of Rs 1500 per month for the rest of their lives.
• The Chief Minister has announced to increase the one-time contract salary of contract training officers working in industrial training institutes from Rs 25,780 to Rs 32,740 per month and to increase the maximum payment limit of guest lecturers from Rs 13,000 to Rs 15,000 per month.
• The Chief Minister has announced an increase of Rs 500 per month in the honorarium of part-time sweepers and cooks associated with the mid-day meal program, who have contributed significantly to the education facilities in Chhattisgarh.

CM rewarded 3 Gauthans for their Excellent Work

Why is News?

On August 15, 2023, Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh Bhupesh Baghel awarded three Gothans being operated under 'Suraji Gaon Yojana' in the state for their excellent work in the main function of Independence Day organized at the Police Parade Ground in the capital Raipur.

Key Points:

• On this occasion, the Chief Minister honoured the chairmen of Gauthan Management Committee with shawls, shriphal, citation and insignia.
• The awardees include Village Amlidih of Rajnandgaon district, Village Chandkhuri of Durg district and Village Hirri Gauthan Management Committees of Saranggarh-Bilaigarh district.
• It is worth mentioning that under the Suraji Village Scheme, various types of economic activities including vermicompost manufacturing, fisheries, poultry farming, vegetable production are being conducted by self-help groups in Gauthans along with day-care of pushes in the gauthans built in the village.
• These Gaushalas are being run through management, Gauthan Samiti and Gram Panchayat.

CM rewarded police officers for their Excellent Services

Why is News?

On August 15, 2023, Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh Bhupesh Baghel awarded Police Medal for Gallantry to 07 officers of the Police Department, Indian Police Medal to 11 officers, Home Guard and Civil Defense to 02 officers in the main function of Independence Day organized at the Police Parade Ground in the capital Raipur. Awarded the Meritorious Service Medal and one the President's Vishisht Seva Medal.

Key Points:

• Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel presented Police Gallantry Medal, Indian Police Medal for Meritorious Service, Home Guard and Civil Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Guru Ghasidas Award, Governor's Award, Rani Subran Kunwar Award, Chief Minister's Award, Veer Narayan Singh Award and Police Officers of Police Department. Awarded to the officers selected for the Director General Award.
• The officers of Chhattisgarh who were awarded the Police Gallantry Medal by the Chief Minister included Reserve Inspector Vaibhav Mishra, Superintendent of Police Dr. Abhishek Pallav, Inspector Ashwani Sinha, Inspector Yashwant Shyam, Assistant Sub-Inspector Usaru Ram Korram, Inspector Uttam Kumar and Assistant Platoon Commander Shaheed Krishnapal Singh Kushwaha. name is included.
• In the ceremony, Inspector General of Police Ajay Kumar Yadav, Inspector General of Police Badri Narayan Meena, Superintendent of Police Jhadu Ram Thakur, Superintendent of Police Pankaj Chandra, Additional Superintendent of Police Anant Kumar Sahu, Inspector Kamleshwar Singh, Company Commander Arjun Singh Thakur, Platoon Commander Harihar Prasad Garg, Platoon Commander Sanjay Kumar Dubey, Head Constable Balbir Singh, Inspector General of Police Sundar Lal Pattilingam were awarded the Indian Police Medal.
• Similarly, Home Guard and Civil Defence Meritorious Service Medal was awarded to Nayak Nagarsena Shashibhushan Soni and Kanhaiyalal Sahu.
• Guru Ghasidas Award was given to Principal Constable Suresh Banjare, Governor's Award Principal Constable Anju Singh, Chief Minister's Award Principal Constable Sandeep Deshmukh, Rani Subaran Kunwar Award Sub-Inspector Sarita Tiwari, Veer Narayan Singh Award Inspector Surendra Kumar Chaturvedi and Director General of Police Award Sub Inspector Nita Rajput.

CM made 13 Big Announcements on the Occasion of Independence Day

Why is News?

On August 15, 2023, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami made 13 major announcements for the state in a program organized at Parade Ground in Dehradun on the occasion of 77th Independence Day.

Key Points:

• On this occasion, the Chief Minister also honored the families of the freedom fighters.
• Announcements made by the Chief Minister:
• A 'Mineral Processing Portal' will be created for the general public to get building construction materials directly to their homes through online booking throughout the year. This will stop the black marketing of minerals on one hand and on the other hand people will be able to get cheap minerals easily.
• For the safety of pregnant women in remote areas, 'Mukhyamantri Jachcha-Bachha Suraksha Yojana' will be started. Under this, a system will be developed for airlifting pregnant women in adverse circumstances. A plan is being made to link this system with 108 ambulance services.
• In government schools, books of their subjects will be made available free of cost to the students of classes 1 to 12 in both Hindi and English mediums.
• Cases against youths involved in the Agniveer scheme protests, who are preparing for various competitive exams or studying in schools and colleges, will be withdrawn.
• Major intersections and roads in the state will be named after freedom fighters, martyrs, litterateurs and great personalities of the state.
• 'Mukhyamantri Ekal Mahila Swarozgar Yojana' will be started in the state to encourage single, destitute, abandoned and widowed women to create employment at their place of residence and to strengthen their economic condition.
• With the aim of developing the cities of the hilly region, under the Mukhyamantri Parvatiya Nagar Vikas Yojana, one city each in both the mandals will be developed as a model city.
• To ensure proper education and balanced nutrition for the working class children, the number of mobile schools and mobile Anganwadi centers will be increased.
• A detailed action plan will be prepared to give Haripur its historical and mythological form to the ancient city situated on the banks of river Yamuna in Vikas Nagar area.
• For the promotion of tribal culture in the state, the National Tribal Cultural Program competition will be organized soon.
• A request will be made to the Central Government to increase the number of Eklavya schools in tribal areas of frontier villages.
• Appointment will be provided on the basis of the waiting list on the vacant posts due to the successful candidates in more than one competitive examination. This waiting list will be valid for a certain period of time and will remain effective.
• Unity Mall will be established to promote cottage industries and self-employment in the state and to sell their products.

Policemen honoured with 'Chief Minister's Meritorious Service Medal'

Why is News?

On August 15, 2023, on the occasion of Independence Day, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami honored four police officers of the state police with the 'Chief Minister Meritorious Service Medal' at the main event organized at the parade ground in Dehradun.

Key Points:

• Apart from these, the Chief Minister gave the Meritorious Service Medal to one officer and the Meritorious Service Medal to one and honored the police officers with medals.
• Chief Minister's Meritorious Service Medal for Distinguished Work:
• Bhadane Visakha Ashok, SP Rudraprayag
• Rekha Yadav, SP Crime, Haridwar
• Amit Srivastava, Second Assistant Governor
• Sarita Dobal, SP City Dehradun
• Service Honor Marks on the basis of service for meritorious service:
• Harish Verma, Deputy Commandant, 46th Battalion PAC
• Meritorious Service Medal for Distinguished Service:
• Renu Lohani, ASP, Vigilance