Rajasthan State PCS

• 18 May 2023

'The Golden Globe Tiger Awards' to Rajasthan Housing Board

Why in News?

On 16 May 2023, The jury of the World HRD Council selected two projects of the Rajasthan Housing Board as 'Best Environment-Friendly Projects' and 'Best Innovative Project of the Year' at an event held at Poolman Kuala Lumpur City Center Hotel & Residences in Malaysia. While doing so, the Board has been honoured with 'The Golden Globe Awards for Excellence and Leadership'.

Key Points:

• Housing Commissioner Pawan Arora himself could not attend the felicitation ceremony due to administrative busyness, so the award was received by Chief Engineer Pratham KC Meena, Additional Chief Engineers Sanjay Poonia and Amit Agarwal.
• The World HRD Congress has selected City Park at Mansarovar in the category of 'Best Environment-Friendly Projects' and Coaching Hub at Pratap Nagar in the category of 'Excellence in Innovation'.
• It is worth mentioning that in the last four years under the leadership of Rajasthan Housing Board Commissioner Pawan Arora, the board has received a total of 17 awards. These include the World Book of Records in house sales, Scotch Award-2021, Award of Excellence, Honor by National Real Estate Development Council, National Housing Award, I.B.C. and prestigious awards like 'Star of Governance-Gold Award' and 'Real Estate Conclave' by NAREDCO.

Honorarium of Part-Time Priests Hiked

Why in News?

On 16 May 2023, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has approved the proposal to increase the honorarium of part-time priests of State Direct Charge Temples.

Key Points:

• The Chief Minister has also approved the proposal to increase the honorarium of the part-time priests of the State Direct Charge Temples under the Devasthan Department. With this, the honorarium of priests will increase from Rs.3000 per month to Rs.5000 per month.
• With this decision of the Chief Minister, the priests will get financial support.
• Along with this, a financial provision of Rs 5.93 crore has also been approved for the work related to decoration, painting, repair and upgradation in 593 temples under the Devasthan Department.
• It is worth mentioning that the honorarium of part-time priests of self-sufficient temples has already been increased from Rs.3000 to Rs.5000.
• According to the proposal, Rs 5.93 crore (up to Rs 1 lakh per temple) has been sanctioned for 390 government direct charge temples and 203 government self-sufficient temples. With the said approval, various upgradation works will be done in the temples.
• In view of the faith of the people of the state, the state government is getting the temples decorated, painted and repaired to strengthen them.
• In the budget for the year 2023-24, an announcement was made by the Chief Minister regarding the increase in the honorarium of the priests and the repair and upgradation work of the temples.

Salim Durrani Residential Sports Schools

Why in News?

On May 17, 2023, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot approved a financial proposal to set up Salim Durrani Residential Sports Schools in each division of the state to create an environment of sports in the state and encourage players.

Key Points

• As per the proposal, Salim Durrani residential sports schools will be set up in Bikaner, Kota, Ajmer, Udaipur and Bharatpur divisions of the state for which financial sanction of Rs 69.20 crore has been granted.
• This decision of the Chief Minister will enable players to get suitable playwrights and sports facilities at the division level.
• Notably, the Chief Minister announced the opening of sports schools in each division in the budget year 2023-24 Approval has already been granted to start residential sports schools in Jaipur and Jodhpur divisions of the state.