State PCS

• 17 Aug 2023

World Class Convention Centre to be built in Agra

Why is News?

On August 16, 2023, Agra Development Authority (ADA) Vice President Charchit Gaur told that a world-class convention centre will be built for Rs 140 crore to promote tourism at Etmadpur Madra, located on the Inner Ring Road in Agra.

Key Points:

• Gaur said that in-principle approval has been received for the DPR of this convention centre, which will be taken in size in 7.4418 hectares. The ADA made a presentation in front of Additional Chief Secretary Urban Housing Nitin Ramesh Gokarn in Lucknow.
• The Vice Chairman of Agra Development Authority said that ADA has acquired land on 7.4418 hectares of land in Etmadpur Madra. A proposal was sent for the DPR of the convention centre. It has been approved. Now work will be done on the action plan to prepare it.
• This convention centre will have a grand auditorium, meeting & conference hall, stage & hotel, where tourists will get world-class facilities.

2 Rail Projects related to Bihar got approval

Why is News?

On August 16, 2023, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved a total of 7 projects of the Ministry of Railways at an estimated cost of about Rs 32,500 crore with 100 percent funding from the Central Government, including 2 projects in Bihar.

Key Points:  

• The proposals for these multi-tracking projects will facilitate ease of operation and reduce congestion, thereby enabling necessary infrastructure development on the congested sections of Indian Railways.
• These projects covering 35 districts of 9 States, namely Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Odisha, Jharkhand and West Bengal will augment the existing network of Indian Railways by 2339 km. Apart from this, employment of 7.06 crore man-days will be available to the people of the states.
• These are essential routes for transportation of various commodities like foodgrains, fertilizers, coal, cement, fly-ash, iron and finished steel, clinker, crude oil, limestone, edible oil etc. The capacity addition works will result in transportation of additional 200 MTPA (million tonnes per annum) of freight. Being an environment-friendly and energy efficient mode of transport, railways will help achieve climate goals and reduce the country's logistics costs.
• 89.264 km of existing Gorakhpur Cantonment (Valmiki Nagar single line section) in Uttar Pradesh and 6.676 km of Bihar (West Champaran) will be doubled.
• An 854-metre-long bridge will also be built over the Gandak river on the same route. This track with 12 stations will pass through the Nepal border. After the doubling of this track, 15 additional freight trains will be run on this route.
• The length of the Son Nagar-Andal multi-tracking project will be 375 km. It is an extension of the Ludhiana-Sonnagar section, which includes 132.57 km in Bihar (Gaya, Aurangabad), 201.608 km in Jharkhand (Dhanbad, Giridih, Hazaribagh, Koderma) and 40.35 km in West Bengal (West Burdwan).
• These projects are the result of PM-Gati Shakti National Master Plan for Multi-Modal Connectivity, which has been made possible by integrated planning. These will provide seamless connectivity for the movement of people, goods and services.
• These projects are in line with the Prime Minister's vision of New India, which will make the people of the region 'self-reliant' by creating a multi-tasking workforce in the region and increase their employment/self-employment opportunities.

7 Proposals approved in the 5th meeting of the Board of Investment

Why is News?

On August 16, 2023, in the fifth meeting of the Board of Investment held in Jaipur, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot approved giving customized packages to 7 projects to encourage investment of Rs 24 thousand 681 crore in the state.

Key Points:

• Employment opportunities will be created for more than 10,000 people with the proposals approved in the meeting.
• In the meeting, the proposals regarding package, concession, exemption and other facilities for the enterprises were approved by the board. The approved proposals are mainly related to solar cells and modules, auto components, juice and dairy products, and cement sectors.
• It is worth mentioning that the chief minister is the chairman of this board, constituted to provide speedy approval and permission to investment proposals under the One Stop Shop system, while the Industries Minister is its vice-chairman.
• On this occasion, the Chief Minister said that many important policies and programs have been implemented by the state government in the last four and a half years to increase investment in the state.
• Various facilities are being provided to entrepreneurs and investors in Rajasthan through MSME Policy, Rajasthan Investment Promotion Scheme (RIPS-2019), RIPS 2022, Rajasthan Industrial Development Policy-2019, One Stop Shop System and Single Window System. This has increased investment and employment in the state.
• He said that the state government has resolved to include Rajasthan in the leading states under Mission 2030 and industrial development and increase in investment have an important role in this. By the year 2030, the state government aims to increase the state's GDP by about two and a half times to Rs 35.71 lakh crore.
• It is known that in the year 2018-19, the state's GDP was around Rs 9 lakh 11 thousand crore, which has now increased to around Rs 14.14 lakh crore.
• It is known that the state has immense possibilities for solar energy. Solar parks are being set up for this. Possibilities should also be explored to set up production units of components to be installed in the solar park in the state. With this, the revenue of the state will increase, employment will increase and modules and components will be easily available to the units setting up solar parks.
• The following proposals were approved in the meeting:
  • Project of Kamlesh Metacast Pvt Ltd: It will consist of 1.65 MTPA clinker, 2.2 MTPA cement and a 35 MW captive solar plant. Its investment amount is Rs 1715 crore. Under this, 825 people will get employment. For this, the place has been selected in Pindwara of Sirohi district.
  • Project of Hindustan Zinc Fertilizer Pvt Ltd: It will have a 0.51 MTPA Fertilizer Complex [Di-Ammonium Phosphate (DAP), & NPK]. Its investment amount is Rs 1655 crore. Under this, 820 people will get employment. For this, the place has been selected in the Gangrar of Chittorgarh district.
  • Project of Vari Energies Limited: It will consist of ingots, wafers, solar cells and solar modules (12 GW capacity in two phases). Its investment amount is Rs 15,750 crore. Under this, 3800 people will get employment. For this, the place has been selected in the Kankani industrial area of Jodhpur district.
  • Project of JSW Renewable Technologies Limited: It will consist of ingots, wafers, solar cells and solar modules (1 GW capacity). Its investment amount is Rs 1674 crore. Under this, in 1880 people will get employment. For this, the place has been selected in Barmer.
  • Project of Baxi Group: It will involve auto components. Its investment amount is Rs 1005 crore. Under this, 2000 people will get employment. For this, the place has been selected in Bhiwadi and Neemrana industrial areas.
  • Kandhari Global Beverages Pvt Ltd's project: It will include an integrated ultra mega facility for Coca-Cola brand juices, and dairy products. Its investment amount is Rs 1010 crore. Under this, 805 people will get employment. For this, the place has been selected in Bundi district.
  • Project of Shree Cement Limited: It is an integrated project of 3 MTPA Clinker, 4.4 MTPA Cement Plant. The investment amount in this is Rs 1872 crore. Under this, 500 people will get employment. For this, the place has been selected in Jaitaran of Beawar district.

Narmadapuram Circle 1st in reducing Gross Technical & Commercial Losses the most

Why is News?

On August 16, 2023, The Central Region Power Distribution Company has awarded a citation and medal to the Narmadapuram circle of the company for the highest reduction in Gross Technical and Commercial Losses (AT&C) in the company's jurisdiction.

Key Points:

• The award was given to BBS Parihar, General Manager, Narmadapuram Circle, by Ganesh Shankar Mishra, Managing Director of the company, in a program held at the company headquarters.
• It is worth mentioning that every year the Central Region Power Distribution Company awards the circle/division which has reduced the gross technical and commercial losses in the LT category in the company's jurisdiction.
• In the same sequence, with the special efforts made by the Transmission Maintenance Circle, Narmadapuram, the first position has been obtained by reducing the AT&C loss by 18.65 percent in the year 2022-23 as compared to 23.18 percent in the last year 2021-22 and reducing the company area by 4.53 percent.
• Similarly, with the special efforts of the Sohagpur division, the AT&C loss has been achieved by reducing the AT&C loss by 17.77 per cent in the year 2022-23 as compared to 27.42 per cent in the last year 2021-22 and reducing the maximum reduction by about 9.64 per cent, in all the divisions of the company's jurisdiction.

Shatrujit Kapoor became the new DGP of Haryana

Why is News?

According to information received from the media on August 16, 2023, Shatrujit Kapoor has become the new DGP of Haryana. He reached the police headquarters in Sector 6, Panchkula and took charge. He will remain in this post for 2 years.

Key Points:

• It is worth mentioning that Shatrujit Kapoor is a 1990 batch IPS. He has replaced P.K. Aggarwal, who retired on August 15.
• Apart from Shatrujit Kapoor, R.C. Mishra and Md. Aqueel were also in the race for the post of DGP, but they got the post as per the choice of the state government.
• It is known that in the panel meeting by UPSC on August 10, 3 names were approved for DGP, in which the names of Shatrujit Kapoor, Mohammad Aqueel and R.C. Mishra were approved for DGP.
• It is worth mentioning that after P.K. Aggarwal who retired in Haryana's DGP panel, the senior most is 1989 batch IPS officer Mohammad Aqueel. He is currently in charge of DG Jail. He will retire on December 31, 2025.
• RC Mishra is a 1990 batch IPS officer at number two. He currently holds the command of the Police Housing Corporation. He will retire in June 2024.
• Shatrujit Kapoor is the third senior 1990 batch IPS who is the DG of Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB). He will retire on October 31, 2026.

Misal Bandobast now on mobile: Online Portal of Raipur district started

Why is News?

On August 16, 2023, the Raipur district administration has started the district's Misal Bandobast online portal. Through this portal, people can now easily see the records of their lands on their mobiles and download them.

Key Points:

• Raipur District Collector Dr. Sarveshwar Bhure told that for many of their documentary needs, people need the old Misal settlement records of the year 1929-1945 and they have to visit the office for this, but now this record is available on the online portal. People can now watch and download it on their mobiles only. Prints of downloaded documents can also be taken out.
• The link to the Misal Settlement Record Portal is https://revenue.cg.nic.in/missal/ in which the general public can easily get their records for the year 1929-1945 through their computer or mobile through 'Record Search' village-wise and 'Record Search' name-wise in the system provided.
• To check the Misal Settlement record online, first of all, visit the official website https://revenue.cg.nic-in/missal/. On the home page, select the information asked, such as District, Tehsil, Revenue Number, P.H.No., Village and Record.
• By entering all the asked information and clicking on Search, the sample settlement record list opens on the screen. Find the name on the opened page and ‘select’ will be written next to it, click there. Beneficiaries can also download the list and can also take out the printout by going to the print option.

44 Policemen received the President's Police Medal & Service Medal

Why is News?

On the occasion of Independence Day on August 15, 2023, Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren presented the President's Police Medal & Service Medal for Gallantry to 44 police officers & personnel of the state at a ceremony held at Morhabadi in the capital Ranchi.

Key Points:

• These 44 police officers have been awarded the President's Medal for Gallantry, Distinguished Service and Meritorious Service.
• All these medals, which were earlier given by the President on the occasion of Republic Day celebrations, have now been distributed.
• Officers who have received the President's Police Medal are:
• Manish Chandra Lal (SDPO Gumla), Suresh Ram (Inspector, ACB), Rohit Kumar Rajak (Constable, Hazaribagh), Hiralal Thakur (Constable, Hazaribagh), Aniruddha Kumar Ojha (Constable, Hazaribagh) and Yashwant Mahto (Constable, Hazaribagh) for the year 2021 , Hazaribagh) are included.
• For the year 2022, Rishabh Kumar Jha (currently SP Rail Jamshedpur, then SDPO Torpa) and CRPF Deputy Commandant Anurag Raj (then ASP Campaign, Khunti) are included.
• President's Police Medal for Distinguished Service:
• Paras Nath Ojha (ATS, Ranchi)
• Police Medal for Meritorious Service:
• For the year 2021, Saket Kumar Singh (then IG Operations Jharkhand Police, currently on central deputation), Kailash Prasad (Constable, IRB-5 Gumla), Driver Constable Satyendra Nath (STF, Ranchi), Constable Ramjanam Prasad (JAPTC, Padma) are included.
• Apart from these, Havildar Til Prasad Jayasi (ZAP-1, Ranchi), ASI Manoj Kumar Das (Bokaro), ASI Sunil Kumar Rai (Latehar), Havildar Nandji Yadav (STF, Ranchi), DSP Sanchaman Tamang (Special Branch), Inspector Imtiyaz Ahsan (ACB Ranchi) are also included.

Chhattisgarh ranks 5th in fish seed production and 6th in fish production in the country

Why is News?

According to the information given by the Chhattisgarh Public Relations Department on August 16, 2023, the state has become self-sufficient in fish seed production and is at the 5th position in the field of fish seed production & 6th in the field of fish production in the whole country.

Key Points:

• Due to the status of agriculture to fisheries by the Government of Chhattisgarh, interest-free loans and other facilities to fish farmers have reduced the cost of fisheries & increased the income of fishermen.
• More than 2 lakh hectare water area is available for fish farming in the state. For fish seed production, 86 hatcheries, 59 fish seed farms, 647 hectare culture ponds are available, where 330 crore fish seed fry of advanced species are being produced.
• The requirement of the state is 143 crores. The remaining 187 crore fish seeds are being exported to other states.
• At the time of formation of Chhattisgarh state only 93 thousand metric ton fish was produced, at present about 6 lakh metric ton fish production has started. This increase in fish production is six and a half times.
• In the field of fisheries, Chhattisgarh has also received the award for the best inland state in the country at the national level.
• A total of 4021 cages have been installed in 19 irrigation reservoirs and two mines of the state. Cultivation of fishes like pangasius, monosex tilapia and through cage culture in reservoirs has helped in obtaining more fish production in limited water resources.
• The average fish production per hectare is 4017 kg in rural ponds and 240 kg in irrigation reservoirs in the state, which is more than the country's average production.
• Cluster based farming of fish farming is being developed in Koylibeda block of Kanker district, where more than 3000 farmers are getting benefitted.
• One thousand cages have been installed in the Bango irrigation dam. Till a few years ago, the members of the displaced fishermen cooperative society of the drowning area of this dam had to work hard to earn income in fisheries. Despite this, he had to face financial problems.
• When Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel came to village Satrenga of this area, he understood the needs of the fisheries groups and announced to provide 1000 cages to the fishermen groups.
• After the Chief Minister's announcement, the work of installation of 100 cages in village Satrenga, 100 in village Garhupora & 800 cages in Niumkachhar was completed in Bango irrigation reservoir with the help of the District Mineral Institute Trust Korba and departmental cooperation and 200 members of the displaced fishermen cooperative society around Bango irrigation reservoir were linked to the business of fish farming to make them self-sufficient. As a result, the income of fishermen groups has increased a lot as compared to before and they are moving forward in the path of self-reliance.
• Each beneficiary is allotted 5-5 cages, fish production is being done by accumulating 5000 tilapia monosex / pangasius fish seeds in each cage and about 2000 kg from each cage. Fish production is being achieved.
• In the year 2022-23, their economic and social condition is improving with the production of fish from the cage allotted to each beneficiary.

SI Bhagwan Singh of Uttarakhand got Union Home Minister's Medal

Why is News?

On August 15, 2023, on the occasion of Independence Day, the Sub-Inspector of Uttarakhand Police Bhagwan Singh Mehar was awarded the Union Home Minister's Medal for awarding the death penalty to honour killings.

Key Points:

• He was given this medal in the Medal for Excellence in Investigation category of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India.
• It is known that on May 18, 2018, two real brothers Kuldeep & Arun and cousin Rahul had brutally murdered their sister Preeti by cutting them with an axe & shovel after going against their relatives in Khanpur, Haridwar.
• In this regard, on the Tahrir of Brijmohan, the husband of the deceased, an indictment was registered in the police station Khanpur, which was discussed by the sub-inspector Bhagwan Singh Mahar, who was then posted as the head of the police station, Khanpur.
• Sub-Inspector Bhagwan Singh Mahar, while discussing at a quick pace, the charge sheet against the accused was sent to the Hon'ble Court on August 13, 2018.
• On the basis of the evidence collected by them, the witnesses presented on time, scientific evidence and solid pleading, the accused Kuldeep, Arun and Rahul were sentenced to death by the Honorable Additional Sessions Judge, Laksar, Haridwar for the crime of the rarest of the rare category of section 302 Bhadvi and was punished with a fine.