State PCS

• 17 Jan 2023

Koel Canal will be Constructed in Bihar at a Cost of Rs 1364 Crore

Why In News?

On January 16, 2023, Umesh Kumar, executive engineer of Bihar's Nabinagar Water Resources Department, said that the way for the reconstruction of North Koel Canal in Bihar has been cleared. DPR has been prepared in this regard.

Key points

• Executive Engineer Umesh Kumar said that Aurangabad's Superintending Engineer Virendra Prasad was made the nodal officer for preparing the DPR.
• He informed that the canal will be reconstructed from 103 RD of Jharkhand and Bihar border to 357.9 RD till the end of the canal located in Gaya district at a cost of Rs 1364 crore.
• He told that from the month of March-April, the work of distributary bridge-culvert and fall to culvert etc. of all divisions will start from North Koel Canal. With the lining and reconstruction of the canal, the farmers of the district will be able to irrigate paddy and rabi crops.

'Har Ghar Panchayat Abhiyan'

Why In News?

On January 15, 2023, Rajasthan Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Tikaram Jully launched the 'Har Ghar Panchayat Abhiyan' from village Poonkhar in Alwar district, taking an innovative initiative for speedy disposal of the grievances of the common people.

Key points

• Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Tikaram Jully said that under the 'Har Ghar Panchayat Abhiyan', every rural area will be visited, every house will be reached and interact with the villagers and the problems of the villagers like electricity, water, electricity, roads etc. will be solved.
• He said that the state government is working on the policy of zero tolerance, under which strict action will be implemented against the officers and employees who are negligent in the work of the common people.
• He informed the villagers by distributing pamphlets and publicity materials of flagship schemes of the state government including pension, Palanhar, MNREGA and called upon the villagers to take advantage of these schemes by remaining aware.
• Minister Tikaram Jully said that all sections of the society can get the benefit of the flagship schemes of the state government. With this objective, 'Har Ghar Panchayat Abhiyan' and Jan Samvad program have been started in Alwar rural area, under which the grievances of the common people will be heard and resolved hand-in-hand by knocking from house to house.

In this way, a campaign to solve the problems by reaching every house has been run for the first time in the state, which is a unique step in itself. With this campaign, the problems of the common people will be solved sitting at home.

India International Science Festival-2022

Why In News?

On January 16, 2023, Dr. Anil Kothari, Director General, Madhya Pradesh Council of Science and Technology (MAPCOST), told that the 18^th International Science Festival will be held in Bhopal from January 21 to 24 for the purpose of creating awareness and dissemination of science among school children and public. The festival will be organized in 2022.

Key points

• The 8^th Science Festival was organized by the Department of Biotechnology, Science and Technology, Ministry of Earth Sciences, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Department of Space, Department of Atomic Energy, Vigyan Bharati (VIBHA) and Maulana Azad National Institute of Technology (MANIT) is being done under the joint aegis.
• Madhya Pradesh Council of Science and Technology (MPCOST), Bhopal is the nodal agency for this science festival.
• More than 8,000 delegates from across the country will participate in this science festival from January 21 to 24. The main theme of this festival being held in the Amrit kaal of independence is 'Country moving towards Amrit kaal with science, technology and innovation'.
• Dr. Anil Kothari, Director General, MAPCOST, said that under this science festival itself, the Run for Science Marathon is being coordinated by the Madhya Pradesh Council of Science and Technology from January 19. The three-and-a-half kilometer marathon will start from TT Nagar Stadium in Bhopal and end at the MANIT Campus.
• He informed that the Science Marathon is being organized for the first time in Bhopal under the 8th India International Science Festival. More than 2 thousand school and college students and common people will participate in the run.

Saraswati Festival-2023

Why In News?

On January 15, 2023, Haryana Saraswati Heritage Development Board Vice Chairman Dhuman Singh Kirmach informed that Saraswati Mahotsav-2023 will be organized in the state on January 25 at Adi Badri in Yamuna Nagar district and on January 26 at Saraswati Tirth of Pehowa in Kurukshetra district.

Key points

• Board Vice Chairman Dhuman Singh Kirmach said that Saraswati Mahotsav-2023 will start with 21 Kundiya Havan Yajna at Adi Badri Saraswati Kund, preparations have been started to make it memorable.
• He said that this festival is organized on Basant Panchami. The festival will begin with the Adi Badri saraswati origin site.
• Dhuman Singh Kirmach told that along with Havan Yajna, a program of reciting verses and mantras, painting and drawing competition of children will also be organized. The theme of this competition will also be based on Saraswati.

Jharkhand's First 'Bartan Bank'

Why In News?

On January 16, 2023, Jharkhand's Gumla District DC Sushant Gaurav and Gumla Municipal Council President Deep Narayan Oraon jointly inaugurated Jharkhand's first 'Bartan bank in the city. Taking a step forward against single-use plastic, Gumla Municipal Council has taken this initiative.

Key points

• Gumla District DC Sushant Gaurav has described this initiative of the Municipal Council as innovative and exemplary, giving a better example of circular economy to 'Bartan Bank’.
• City Council President Deepnarayan Oraon said that most people use cheap means like thermocol Plate and plastic glasses to serve food and water in events like marriage, anniversary and birthday parties. Then after that event, these thermocol and plastic 'Bartan play a big role in polluting the city by becoming polluted garbage.
• In order to beat plastic and thermocol Bartan and to protect the environment, the municipal council administration has opened this utensil bank to provide steel Bartan to the needy citizens of the city.
• Municipal Council Vice President Kaleem Akhtar said that the Municipal Council has purchased a large number of steel plates, glasses, spoons, bowls etc. at its own expense. On the demand of the people, they will be able to use this steel utensil set at the rate of just one rupee or even free of cost if they are very poor . But, people will also have a responsibility not to use thermocol and plastic glasses.
• Executive Officer Sanjay Kumar said that the responsibility of operating this utensil bank has been given to the Women Self Help Group, so that the income of the women group related to the amount coming from the symbolic rent of the Bartan can increase somewhat.
• Sadar SDO Ravi Jain said that it is the responsibility of everyone to keep the city clean and protect the environment and this utensil bank will also play some role in fulfilling this responsibility.
• DC Sushant Gaurav said that a book bank can also be built in Gumla on the lines of toy bank and 'Bartan bank’.

Many Important Decisions were Taken in the Meeting of Chhattisgarh Tribal Advisory Council

Why In News?

Several important decisions were taken in the meeting of Chhattisgarh Tribal Advisory Council held in Raipur under the chairmanship of Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel on January 16, 2023.

Key points

• The meeting recommended the approval of the Reservation (Amendment) Bill for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes Bill-2022 and The Chhattisgarh Educational Institutions (Reservation in Admission) Bill-2022 passed in the Chhattisgarh Assembly.
• Significantly, in the said reservation bill, there is a provision of 32 percent reservation for scheduled tribes category. If it is not approved, various sections as well as scheduled tribe are facing difficulties in recruitment in jobs and admission in educational institutions. In view of this, its approval was recommended in the important meeting organized by the Chhattisgarh Tribal Advisory Council.
• It was also decided in the meeting to send a proposal to the Central Government not to privatize Nagarnar Steel Plant.
• The Chief Minister informed the meeting that prompt action will be taken against those who disturb community harmony in scheduled areas.

Chief Minister Announced to Make Gaurav Gaur-Lata a Tourist Destination

Why In News?

On January 16, 2023, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel announced the development of Gaur-Lata, the highest peak located at the northern end of Balrampur district of the state, as a tourist destination.

Key points

• Chief Minister Mr. Bhupesh Baghel said that Gaur-Lata is an incredible place in terms of tourism. Continuous efforts were being made by the district administration to promote tourism at the local level.
• It is known that 1225 meters high Gaur-Lata is the highest peak of Chhattisgarh and according to the geographical structure, it belongs to Pat Pradesh. This peak shows the amazing beauty of the large forest area located on the border of Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand.
• There are also many caves and natural water bodies on this hill. At present, this place is the first choice for tourism of the local people, but now with the declaration of tourist destination area, this area will emerge better.
• The hill of Gaur-Lata, the highest peak of Chhattisgarh, is currently also famous for trekking for local mountaineers. Here, often administrative teams and local groups climb Gaur-Lata with the message of developing the area. However, due to difficult routes, tourists still stay away from here. Efforts have already been made by Balrampur district administration and local public representatives to ease this difficulty.
• After the announcement of the Chief Minister, Gaur-Lata will now be able to develop as the pride of Balrampur, which will provide new employment opportunities to the local people as well as tourists will also get the love of nature.

India Series Numbers will Start Soon in Uttarakhand

Why In News?

On January 16, 2023, Uttarakhand Transport Secretary Arvind Singh Hyanki said that the transport department in the state is soon going to start Bharat series number for registration of vehicles, which will provide relief to government and private sector employees who are being transferred to more than one state.

Key points

• According to headquarters sources, on the instructions of Transport Secretary Arvind Singh, the Transport Commissioner headquarters is preparing a proposal for Bharat Series Number for registration of vehicles for the Cabinet. The draft of the BS series has also been prepared.
• It is known that the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways launched this scheme in August 2021 .
• Due to the tax amount being higher than normal vehicles in Uttarakhand, the Transport Department had been considering it for a long time.
• Transport Secretary Arvind Singh Hyanki said that employees will not have to register their vehicles afresh if transferred to another state. After a long deliberation, the Transport Department has decided to implement this system.
• Personnel working in the Army, paramilitary forces will be eligible for the Bharat Series number plate. Central and state government employees can also take numbers in this series, who are transferred to other states. Similarly, private companies in which transfers of employees take place from one state to another can also apply for this series.