• 17 Nov 2023

The Process of Converting 9 Historical Heritage Sites into Adaptive Reuse Assets Including Luxury Hotels

Why in News?

• According to the information received from the media on November 16, 2023, in order to make Uttar Pradesh the country's favorite destination in terms of tourism, the process of converting selected historical heritage sites of the state into adaptive reuse assets including luxury hotels has been started.

Key Points

• The process of determining the agencies to carry out this work has also started. These historical heritage sites will be rejuvenated with a total investment of Rs 490 crore by the Uttar Pradesh Tourism Department.
• According to the action plan, Chhatarmanjil of Lucknow, Chunar Fort of Mirzapur and Barua Sagar Fort of Jhansi will be rejuvenated with an investment of Rs 100 crore.
• Similarly, Lucknow's Kothi Gulistan-e-Iram, Kothi Darshan Vilas and Kothi Roshan-ud-Daula will be rejuvenated with an investment of Rs 50 crore each.
• In the state, there is a plan to convert Jal Mahal located in Barsana of Mathura, Shukla Talab of Kanpur Dehat and Tikait Rai Baradari of Kanpur Nagar into adaptive reuse assets through an investment of Rs 30 crore each.
• Apart from this, the Uttar Pradesh Tourism Department has also started the process of lease based Private Sector Participation (PSP) for the development of 10 Rahi Tourist Bungalows in the state. This includes Deva Sharif of Barabanki, Hargaon of Sitapur, Kandhla of Shamli, Soron of Etah, Khurja of Bulandshahr, Munshiganj of Amethi, Patna Bird Sanctuary of Etah, Kachla of Badaun, Chunar of Mirzapur and BhupiaMau of Pratapgarh.
• It may be noted that the State Government has taken an important initiative to restore the heritage properties to their ancient glory through private sector investment. In this sequence, the process of converting these places into wellness centers, heritage hotels, luxury resorts, museums, boutique restaurants, marriage destinations and wedding venues, adventure tourism spots, homestays, theme parks and other tourist and guest units has been started.

Funds Released for the First instalment of ‘Mukhyamantri Udyami Yojana’

Why in News?

• On November 16, 2023, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar released the amount for the first installment to the beneficiaries under 'Mukhyamantri Udyami Yojana' in a program organized at Bapu Auditorium, Patna.

Key Points

• The first installment has been released to the beneficiaries trained for 2023-24 under the ‘Mukhyamantri Udyami Yojana’. Four lakh rupees each were sent as the first installment.
• It may be noted that Bihar Mukhyamantri Udyami Yojana has been started by the Industries Department of Bihar Government to promote new enterprises in the state. The name of this scheme is Mukhyamantri Udyami Anudan Yojana.
• Under this scheme, the government provides loans up to Rs 10 lakh to people for industry, on which 50% subsidy is also given. Also, an amount of Rs 25 thousand is made available for training. People have to repay the loan in seven years.
• Under ‘Mukhyamantri Udyami Yojana’, Rs 4 lakh is given in the first installment, Rs 4 lakh in the second installment and Rs 2 lakh in the third installment.

Madhubani Tops and Nalanda is at the Bottom in Providing Benefits of Departmental Schemes to the People

Why in News?

• On November 15, 2023, the Department of Labor Resources released the ranking of Districts across the state. In this, Madhubani district is at the top in providing the benefits of departmental schemes to the people while Nalanda district is at the bottom.

Key Points

• In this ranking of the Labor Resources Department, Darbhanga is at second place and Samastipur district is at third place.
• The sequential ranking of the districts is- Madhubani, Darbhanga, Samastipur, Sitamarhi, Bhabua, Sheikhpura, Purnia, Saran, Jamui, Begusarai, Aurangabad, Buxar, Khagaria, East Champaran, Sheohar, Arwal, Vaishali, Rohtas, Kishanganj, Munger, Siwan, Jehanabad, Nawada, Araria, Supaul, West Champaran, Katihar, Madhepura, Muzaffarpur, Gopalganj, Gaya, Saharsa, Patna, Bhagalpur, Bhojpur, Lakhisarai, Banka, Nalanda.
• The department has been making monthly rankings of the districts for the last three months, but for the first time in October, the rankings have been put in the public domain. Now the department has decided that continuously, an explanation will be sought from the labor officers of the district which has a poor ranking.
• According to officials, the districts have been selected on nine parameters of the department's schemes.
  • 20 marks for doing the license and registration process online
  • 15 marks for activities related to building construction
  • 15 marks for completing the work of all laborers related to building construction online
  • 10 marks for implementation of schemes related to unorganized sector workers
  • 10 marks for activities related to child labor
  • 10 points for monitoring labor enforcement office
  • 10 points for tax collection
  • 5 points for rehabilitation of released child laborers
  • 5 points for migrant workers

For the First Time in the State, Youth got the Responsibility of Handling Polling Booths

Why in News?

• According to the information received from the media on November 16, 2023, Madhya Pradesh Election Commission has given the responsibility of managing polling booths to the youth for the first time in the state.

Key Points

• The Election Commission has created 371 polling stations where the responsibility of conducting elections will rest with officers/employees below 30 years of age.
• Apart from this, 5 thousand 160 pink booths have been made by the Election Commission. The responsibility of these polling stations will be completely handled by women polling personnel.
• Similarly, keeping in mind the empowerment of the disabled, they have also been given the responsibility of 183 polling stations. Apart from this, there are also 3 thousand model polling stations and 60 green polling stations.
• Green polling stations have been created for the first time in the state. These centers are in Jabalpur and Balaghat districts. Their specialty is that plastic or any material that harms the environment has not been used in these polling stations.