• 16 Dec 2023

Dr. Sonia Trikha becomes member of Haryana Public Service Commission

Why in News?

On December 12, 2023, Haryana Governor Bandaru Dattatreya administered the oath of office, allegiance and secrecy to Dr. Sonia Trikha as a member of the Haryana Public Service Commission at Raj Bhavan.

Key Points:

• Dr. Sonia had taken voluntary retirement from the post of Director General of Health Services, Government of Haryana on December 11, 2023.
• Dr. Sonia had led the state's health care efforts as Director General Health Services, Government of Haryana from April 2022, overseeing primary and secondary level public sector facilities.
• Dr. Sonia obtained MBBS with Gold Medal Distinction in 1991 and MD in Obstetrics/Gynecology in 1995 from Lady Hardinge Medical College, University of Delhi.
• Dr. Sonia obtained a Post Graduate Diploma in Health and Hospital Management from Indira Gandhi National Open University in 2009 and an MSc in Public Health from a renowned institute like London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine in 2013.
• Dr. Sonia worked as an Urban Primary Health Care Specialist at the Asian Development Bank (ADB) in New Delhi from October 2014 to October 2015.
• Dr. Sonia was previously working as an HIV and AIDS specialist in UNICEF's Delhi office from February 2010 to February 2012.

Information given by 'Bihaan' in the national workshop on improving food, nutrition, health and hygiene

Why in News?

On December 14, 2023, Padmini Bhoi Sahu, Director of the State Rural Livelihood Mission, gave information in the national workshop organised in New Delhi regarding the improvement in the level of food, nutrition, health and hygiene in rural areas by the State Rural Livelihood Mission (Bihan) in Chhattisgarh.

Key Points:

• It may be noted that in Chhattisgarh, State Rural Livelihood Mission (BIHAN), UNICEF and PCI. The work being done in partnership with FNHW is improving the level of Food, Nutrition, Health and Wash in rural areas.
• Padmini Bhoi Sahu, Director of the State Rural Livelihood Mission, informed the World Bank, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Vedanta, Tata Trust, Jindal and S.W. The Foundation was invited to visit Chhattisgarh to witness the FNHW work and participate in the development of the community by partnering with the National Rural Livelihood Mission.
• Chhattisgarh State Rural Livelihood Mission (BIHAN), with the participation of women from self-help groups of the state, is working with UNICEF and PWD to improve the food, nutrition, health and hygiene of pregnant women, children up to two years of age and their mothers, adolescent girls, lactating mothers C.I. Work is being done with the organisation on behaviour change and gender integration under the Food, Nutrition, Health and WASH (FNHW) strategy.
• These strategies, run under the name of ‘Swabhiman Yojana’ in Bastar district, are being expanded in 31 districts under the name of Samriddh Bihaan.

Players who perform better in state level competition will get direct entry in national games

Why in News?

In the meeting held on December 14, 2023 regarding the state level competition, Special Principal Secretary Amit Sinha said that the players who perform excellently in the state level competition to be held before the National Games in the state next year will get direct entry in the National Games. Whether they are affiliated with any association or not.

Key Points:

• Special Principal Secretary Amit Sinha said that as per the rules, players will get a chance to participate in state level competitions through the Federation. If a player performs brilliantly, he will get direct entry into the national games.
• Those who are champions will get a chance in the state level competition to be held before the National Games. Along with this, players who perform better in the state level competition will be selected.
• Players who have stood first, second, third & fourth in various competitions will also be selected and given an opportunity to play.
• The Special Principal Secretary said that Uttarakhand is hosting the National Games, in view of which any player from the state who plays better will be able to participate in the competition.
• According to department officials, the State Olympic Games will be held in January and February. These games will be organised in various districts including Dehradun. Players will be selected on this basis.

Asian Development Bank approved a loan of $200 million to strengthen the state's electricity system & power transmission network

Why in News?

On December 14, 2023, the Asian Development Bank in New Delhi signed a loan agreement with the government approving a loan of $ 200 million (about Rs 1660 crore) for strengthening the electricity system and power transmission network in Uttarakhand.

Key Points:

• The loan MoU was signed by Juhi Mukherjee, Joint Secretary, Department of Economics, Ministry of Finance and Hoyun Jeong, Deputy Resident Mission Director of ADB in India, in New Delhi.
• Juhi Mukherjee, Joint Secretary of Economic Department, said that this will facilitate in strengthening the infrastructure of the power system of Uttarakhand, development of network capabilities of the power system, renovation of load centres and seamless integration of energy. Electricity will be available 24 hours to the residents of the state.
• ADB Deputy Resident Director Hoyun Jeong said that under this plan, 537 km underground cable system, modernization of power network, capacity development of substations and power distribution process will also be made more effective.
• Under the MoU, Power Transmission Corporation of Uttarakhand Limited (Pitkul) will strengthen the power transmission network with an investment of about Rs 850 crore. At the same time, Uttarakhand Power Corporation Limited (UPCL) will underground the power line of Dehradun city for about Rs 750 crore.
• Apart from 11 KV, UPCL will also underground 33 KV power lines at some places and 537 km of main roads and associated supporting roads. At the same time, along with building new sub-stations, Pitkul will also build power lines.