• 18 Jul 2023

2 NH Projects with an investment of over Rs 3,300 crore launched in Lucknow

Why in News?

On July 17, 2023, Union Road, Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari launched two National Highway projects with an investment of over Rs 3,300 crore in Lucknow, the capital of Uttar Pradesh and one of the important cities of the country.

Key Points:

• These projects include the Madianv-IIM Lucknow-Sitapur section on National Highway 24. The newly constructed 4-lane elevated corridor has been completed six months ahead of schedule.
• This will provide better connectivity from Lucknow to Sitapur, relieve heavy traffic jam at Bhitauli Tiraha and Jankipuram Extension and save more than 30 minutes of time and fuel. Pilgrims will also have the facility to visit Chandrika Devi and Naimisharanya.
• Construction of a 4-lane road from Naviganj to Mitrasenpur of the Aligarh-Kanpur section will facilitate traffic to Naviganj, Kannauj, Mitrasenpur and further to Delhi. Economic development will get a boost in the perfume hub of Uttar Pradesh, Kannauj and surrounding areas.
• Small and medium industries will get a boost in areas like Chhibramau, Gursahaiganj, Jalalabad, and Manimau. Farmers of Kannauj will have easy access to Chhibramau, and Naviganj Mandi and direct access to Delhi will be easy.

Rajasthan University Teachers (Temporary Teachers) (Amendment) Bill, 2023 passed by Voice Vote

Why in News?

On July 17, 2023, the Rajasthan Universities Teachers (Appointment of Temporary Teachers) (Amendment) Bill-2023 was passed by voice vote after discussion in the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly. Eligible temporary teachers can be regularised by screening through this bill.

Key Points:

• It is known that earlier in the year 2008, the Teachers (Appointment of Temporary Teachers) Ordinance of Rajasthan Universities was introduced. Later, a bill to replace the ordinance was passed in the Assembly.
• Under this Ordinance and Act, more than 300 teachers working temporarily in the universities were made permanent in the service of the concerned universities after being found eligible through the screening committee.
• It is to be known that before the year 2008, some temporary teachers/yoga instructors working in the university were left out from being covered in the 2008 ordinance. Therefore, the state government has decided to make such teachers and yoga instructors permanent after they are found eligible through the screening committee.
• For this, the Rajasthan Universities Teachers (Appointment of Temporary Teachers) (Amendment) Bill-2023 has been brought by amending the definition of temporary teacher in the Amalgamation Act, 2008 and giving relaxation in the period of 180 days fixed for appointment by the original Act.

Rajiv Gandhi Fintech Digital Institute Bill-2023 passed by Voice Vote

Why in News?

On July 17, 2023, the Rajasthan Assembly passed the Bill by voice vote after a discussion on the Rajiv Gandhi Fintech Digital Institutions Bill-2023.

Key Points:

• Rajasthan Education Minister Dr. B.D. Kalla said in the Assembly that the Rajiv Gandhi Fintech Digital Institute being set up in Jodhpur will set world-class standards in the field of financial technology. This institute is being set up to train the youth of the state in this field.
• This world-class institution will prove to be a new revolution in the digital world. This will create experts in the technical field like Artificial Intelligence, who will be able to get employment opportunities worldwide.
• The institute is being established in the name of Bharat Ratna Late Rajiv Gandhi, the architect of the IT revolution.
• In the current era where cyber crimes are increasing rapidly and people are needing expert advice for tasks like investment and insurance, this institute will create digitally knowledgeable financial technology experts.
• The state government has made a provision of Rs 672.45 crore for the institute from its financial resources, out of which an amount of Rs 130 crore has been spent. For this, 97 bighas of land have been allotted, on which construction work is going on.  
• Diploma, degree courses recognized by UGC and AICTE will be available in the institute. This institute will develop into a Digital State University, where cyber experts and digital experts will be prepared.
• Also, the institute will be developed as per the standards of IIT, AIIMS. The management here will be fully autonomous.
• Earlier, the House rejected the proposal to circulate the bill for public opinion by voice vote.

A grant of Rs 3 crore 37 lakh for the establishment of 11 Millets & Food Processing Units

Why in News?

On July 17, 2023, Rajasthan Agriculture Minister Lalchand Kataria informed the Legislative Assembly that a grant assistance of Rs 3.37 crore has been given for the establishment of 11 millets and food processing units in the state.

Key Points:

• The Agriculture Minister said that no application has been made by the farmers from any district for the establishment of Millet Processing Units under the Rajasthan Millets Promotion Mission. As many as 20 applications have been received from private companies for processing units of millets and other food items. Out of these, a grant-in-aid of Rs 3.37 crore has been given for setting up 11 processing units.
• It is worth mentioning that the Rajasthan Millets Promotion Mission has been announced by the Chief Minister in the budget for the year 2022-23.
• Under the mission, provisions have been made to establish the Millets Centre of Excellence under Jodhpur Agricultural University, with a view to provide free seeds of advanced varieties, distribution of micronutrients and bio-insecticide kits at a subsidized rate, grant on establishment of the first 100 processing units of millets, promotion for the modification of Bajra and other millets, encouragement and latest technical information to small and marginal farmers.
• It is known that Ragi, Kangni, Sawan, Cheena, Kodo, and Kutki crops are included under Millets. Public awareness programs have been proposed regarding their nutritional quality.
• State seed-producing organizations like Rajasthan State Seed Corporation Limited and Rajasthan State Oilseed Producer Cooperative Union Limited, do not have the improved seeds of small grains like Ragi, Kangni, Sawan, Cheena, Kodo, Kutki. Seeds have been procured from the Indian Institute of Millet Research, Hyderabad by the state government to develop these seeds in the state itself.

CM hoisted the 135 feet High Tricolour installed at a cost of 46 lakhs in DCRUST

Why in News?

On July 16, 2023, Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal hoisted the 135 feet high Tricolour at Deenbandhu Chhoturam University of Science & Technology (DCRUST) located at Murthal in Sonepat district of the state at a cost of about Rs 46 lakh.

Key Points:

• The Chief Minister also inaugurated the newly constructed Atal Academy and Idea Lab at a cost of Rs 35 crore.
• The Chief Minister said that the tallest national flag has been installed in DCRUST, which is a proud and inspirational project. While passing through here, this flag will also be seen spreading the message of nationalism from the highway. Special arrangements have been made for lights on it so that it will keep shining 24 hours a day. Under the new rule, there will be no need to take it off at night.
• On this occasion, the Chief Minister talked about other projects and said that the Atal Academy and Idea Lab dedicated to science and architecture will promote research. The name of DCRUST itself includes science, which is making progress, especially in the field of science.
• AICTE has been particularly supported in this project. The establishment of Idea Lab will help in developing new ideas and making them useful in lifestyle through science.

CM unveiled the statue of Dada Kushal Singh & Brigadier Hoshiar Singh at Kharkhoda

Why in News?

On July 16, 2023, Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal unveiled the statues of Dada Kushal Singh and Brigadier Hoshiar Singh in the Kharkhoda sub-division of the Sonipat district of the state.

Key Points:

• Speaking at the function, the Chief Minister said that both of them are great personalities of this region and their speciality is their loyalty to the country and religion. Their guru's devotion and sacrifice can never be forgotten.
• It is known that in the year 1675 when Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur ji raised a bugle against Aurangzeb, Dada Kushal Singh sacrificed his head by performing dharma.
• Similarly, Brigadier Hoshiyar Singh, who has been awarded the Army's highest honour 'Param Vir Chakra', participated in the battles of the years 1965 and 1971 and displayed his valour.
• The Chief Minister said Brigadier Hoshiyar Singh had refused to retreat despite the ceasefire. He said that today every tenth person in the country's army is from Haryana, which is the result of the passion of the youth of the state towards patriotism. There are 17 lakh such families in the state who belong to ex-servicemen.
• Keeping true loyalty to the ex-servicemen, the state government has provided jobs to 367 people in the last 8 years from the families of the martyrs in all the battles fought after the 1971 war.
• The families of the martyrs will be given Rs 50 lakh as compensation, Rs 50 lakh to the families of those killed in an IED blast, Rs 15 lakh, Rs 25 lakh and Rs 35 lakh to those injured in any war.
• Apart from these, a monthly pension of Rs 10,000 is also being provided to the families of martyrs in World War II.

Eastern India's largest Open-Air Butterfly Park

Why in News?

On July 16, 2023, Jabbar Singh, director of Bhagwan Birsa Biological Park (Birsa Zoo), informed that Eastern India's largest Open-Air Butterfly Park will soon be opened to the public at Bhagwan Birsa Biological Park (BBBP).

Key Points:

• The park is built on a vast land of 19 acres in the premises of BBBP just opposite the aquarium. The Bhagwan Birsa Biological Park is about 25 km from Ranchi city, which is also known as Birsa Zoo.
• The development work of the first phase of this park, which has been created to provide entertainment as well as educational value to butterfly lovers, is almost complete. The estimated cost of this park is 2 crore rupees.
• The development works in the first phase include a butterfly conservatory, apart from habitat development such as planting of pollen plants, construction of a walkway to the butterfly park, a pond and an entrance gate. Right now some improvements and other works are going on in the park. More features will be added to the park in the coming phases. It will be opened for public viewing in a month or two.
• Jabbar Singh informed that the park has been developed in a lush green area, which will help in making the visitors aware of the importance of butterflies in ecology. Butterflies have an important role in promoting awareness of the growing need for biodiversity in terrestrial ecosystems. The presence of a good number of butterflies is an indicator of a good natural environment.
• According to wildlife experts, urban areas like Ranchi, Dhanbad and Jamshedpur are polluted by the increasing number of vehicles and industries. The need of the hour is to have thematic parks like the butterfly or ecological parks to reduce the impact of disturbance. The existence of butterflies in the environment as pollinators of plants, food sources for other animals and also plays an important role in scientific discoveries.
• Director Jabbar Singh said that more than 75 species of butterflies are found in Jharkhand. A conducive environment will be created in the park so that butterflies can grow naturally. A covered conservatory has been built in an area of 900 square meters to protect them from birds and any other prey.
• The zoo authority will try to keep most of the species found in Jharkhand such as Twin Coasters, Sergeants, Bush browns, Baronet, Plain Tigers, Lemon Pansy, Common Sailor and others in the park.
• Significantly, the first phase of the park took about six years to complete. The foundation stone of the park was laid by the then chief minister Raghubar Das on June 29, 2017. However, work on the project began three years later in 2020. The implementation of the project was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Spread over an area of 104 hectares in Ranchi's Ormanjhi area, the organic park houses around 1,450 animals of 83 species of mammals, reptiles and birds.

CM inaugurated the Chhattisgarh Olympics by Flagging off the Cart Race

Why in News?

On 17 July 2023, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel inaugurated the Chhattisgarh Olympics by flagging off the Gedi race on the occasion of 'Hareli Parv' at Gram Panchayat Nawagaon in Raipur.

Key Points:

• Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel launched the mascot of Chhattisgarh Olympics 'Bachru' during the 'Hareli' program organized at Chief Minister's residence in Raipur. Wearing the number 36 jersey and Sohai garland around his neck, Bachru has become the identity of Chhattisgarh Olympics as well as displaying Chhattisgarh culture.
• Significantly, this is the second year of Chhattisgarhi Olympics being organized and keeping in view its popularity, for the first time this year sports like rope jumping and wrestling have also been included in it. This time the Chhattisgarh Olympics will be held in 6 phases with 16 traditional events.
• More than 30 lakh women and men participants in three different age groups will take part in the Chhattisgarh Olympics and showcase their talent.
• Traditional sports competitions of Chhattisgarh will be held in two categories, team and single. Sports disciplines like Gilli Danda, Pittool, Sankhali, Langdi Run, Kabaddi, Kho-Kho, Tug of War and Banti (Kancha) have been included in the team category in Chhattisgarh Olympics. And the sports of single category include Billas, Fugdi, Cart Race, Bhanwara, 100 meter race, long jump, rope jump and wrestling.
• Chhattisgarh Olympics was first organized in rural and urban areas at the Rajiv Yuva Mitan club level competition started from July 17, which will continue till July 22 with knockout method.
• And the second level is the zone, in which 8 Rajiv Yuva Mitan Clubs will be merged to form one club. It will be organized from July 26 to July 31. The development block and urban cluster level will be organized from August 7 to August 21.
• The district level event will be held from 25 August to 04 September. The divisional level competition will be held from 10th September to 20th September and finally the state level sports competitions will be held from 25th September to 27th September.
• The age group is divided into three categories in the Chhattisgarh Olympics. In this, the first category will include participants till the age of 18 years, the second category till the age limit of 18-40 years and the third category will include participants above 40 years of age. Participants in both male and female categories will be able to participate in this competition.
• Certificates and prize money will be given to the winning participants at the block and urban cluster level to the winning participants at the state level in the Chhattisgarh Olympics. The winning players coming first at the development block and urban cluster level will be given Rs 1000, Rs 750 for the second place and Rs 500 for the third place and certificates.
• Similarly, at the district level, the winning participants will be given an amount of Rs 2000, Rs 1500 for the second and Rs 1000 for the third place, along with certificates.
• At the divisional level, the winning contestants will be given Rs 3000 for coming first, Rs 2500 for second and Rs 2000 and certificates for third place players.
• In the final event of Olympics at the state level, Rs 5000 will be given to the participants coming first, Rs 4500 for second and Rs 4000 for third place players and certificates.
• It is known that in the last Olympics, unprecedented enthusiasm was seen in the entire state. From children to elders, women and children participated enthusiastically in this competition. A good atmosphere was created in every village towards traditional sports.
• It is noteworthy that the first Tihar (festival) of Chhattisgarh associated with folk culture is Hareli, which is celebrated with great pomp across the state. On this day farmers worship the agricultural equipment used in farming. In Hareli, everyone from children to elders enjoy the ride.

Harela Parv-2023

Why in News?

On July 17, 2023, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami inaugurated the Harela festival organized by the Forest Department at Maharana Pratap Sports College, International Cricket Stadium in Raipur, Dehradun.

Key Points:

• On this occasion, the Chief Minister also honoured schools and van panchayats who have made commendable efforts towards environmental protection.
• Forest Minister Subodh Uniyal said that a target has been set to plant eight lakh saplings in the state this year on the occasion of Harela festival. This campaign will run till August 15.
• He said that apart from planting saplings, special attention should also be paid towards their conservation. The Forest Inspector of the sector in which the success rate of trees will be the highest, will be honored.
• Chief Conservator of Forests Anoop Malik said that on August 15, 75-75 saplings would be planted in 1750 villages. He appealed to all the residents of the state to work unitedly for the protection of the environment and plant saplings and post selfies with plants, so that we can tell our future generations what contribution we have made towards environmental protection.
• In the program, the Chief Minister said that Uttarakhand is a naturally rich state. The Harela festival here is a symbol of happiness, prosperity, peace, environment and nature conservation. This festival is a festival of social harmony and also an indicator of season change. Harela is one such festival, which deepens our closeness to nature.
• The Chief Minister said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the central government has laid great emphasis on the circular economy as the circular economy has a big role to play in the field of water conservation. When treated water is reused, fresh water is conserved and the entire ecosystem is greatly benefited.

Himalayan Thermal Energy will generate Electricity in Uttarakhand

Why in News?

On July 17, 2023, according to information received from the media, Uttarakhand will soon generate electricity from the heat of the Himalayas. For this, for the first time work will be started on power generation from geothermal energy.

Key Points:

• The state government and Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited (ONGC) will soon sign an MoU to generate electricity from the heat of the Himalayas. Soon a team of experts from ONGC, Geological Survey of India and Iceland Geo Survey will come to explore the possibilities of geothermal energy at different places in the state.
• It is known that there is a possibility of large-scale geothermal energy in the Himalayan regions of Uttarakhand. This has also come to the fore in earlier studies.
• It is noteworthy that last month, ONGC has signed an MoU with a scientific and research organization called Iceland GeoSurvey to set up a geothermal energy project in Ladakh.
• Meanwhile, ONGC Director (Expansion) Sushma Rawat, considering it a good way to meet energy needs, said that its possibilities would be seen in other states of the country. In this sequence, the Government of Uttarakhand is now going to start work on GeoThermal Energy in the state in association with ONGC.
• It is known that in the year 2008, a research paper of Prof. Kailash Bhardwaj and Prof. SC Tiwari of Garhwal University was published. In this, immense possibilities of Geothermal energy were expressed in the mountainous regions of Uttarakhand.
• He said in his research that in the womb of the Himalayas, energy is hidden from 121 to 371 degree Celsius, which can be used in electricity generation.
• In his research, he has mentioned three drills in the 3 kilometres upstream area of Dhauliganga near Tapovan Geothermal Spring, from where springs of hot water of temperature 65-90 degree Celsius were coming out. A geothermal spring near Yamunotri was also found to have 88-90 Degree Celsius hot water.
• Scientists said that geothermal areas of Badrinath, Gaurikund and Tapovan can be developed.
• The Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology did a major study on Geothermal Springs in Himachal and Uttarakhand in the year 2020. Wadia director Kalachand Sai told how 40 hot water springs have been identified in Uttarakhand and 35 in Himachal Pradesh, which In the future, it can prove to be very effective in terms of energy production.
• It is worth mentioning that hydropower projects in the state have been pending for a long time. Now the state government is working on its options so that in the future electricity can be produced according to the needs of the state.
• The state government will generate electricity from coal in Odisha. For this, a joint venture of UJVNL-THDC is being formed. On the other hand, a pumped storage policy is being formulated in the state for generating electricity from rainwater. Jindal Group has completed surveys for this in four districts of Dehradun, Nainital, Almora and Champawat in the state.
• The possibilities of generating 10,600 MW of electricity in the country from geothermal energy were estimated 15 years ago. 129 MW in Kenya, 7 MW in Ethiopia, and 56 MW in Papua New Guinea can be seen as examples. Today 20 countries of the world including America (3676 MW) are producing electricity from geothermal energy.
• This is how electricity is generated from geothermal energy: Drilling is done in the geothermal area. Here electricity is generated by running a turbine with the steam of hot springs. The water produced from this steam is again sent by drilling inside the ground.
• Presently 1396.1 MW of hydro-power projects are running under Uttarakhand Jal Vidyut Nigam (UJVN). Construction work is underway on 440.5 MW hydropower projects. Apart from this, about 60 projects of solar energy are going on. Relative to this the demand for electricity is many times higher.