• 19 Jan 2022

Virtual Launch of 29th State Level Children's Science Congress

Why in News

• On January 18, 2022, Rajasthan's Minister of State for Science and Technology Zahida Khan virtually inaugurated the 29th State Level Children's Science Congress. Along with this, he also unveiled the logo of Virtual Space and Science Club and Rajasthan Science Literature Festival to be held on 28 February.

Key Points

• On this occasion, Zahida Khan said that in compliance of Budget 2020-21, Science and Space Club and Asteroid Search Campaign has been started by the department for scientific activities among the students of class 6 to 12. Along with this, State IPR policy has also been issued to promote scientific technology and encourage scientific research in the state.
• Through various programs of the State Level Children's Science Congress, projects based on science are presented by the children at the district and state level, due to which the hidden scientist in the children gets a medium of expression.
• Giving information about this state-level Children's Science Congress program, Secretary, Department of Science and Technology, Mugdha Sinha said that two categories of entries have been made by the department for the children in the age group of 10 to 14 and 14 to 17 years. Under the programme, 87 were selected out of a total of 811 entries received at the district level. Today 30 entries will be selected by the judges and sent for award at the national level.
• He said that the Asteroid Search Campaign run by the department has been praised across the country. Due to the continuous innovations made by the department in the field of science, the flag of science will be raised in the state and children will be able to inculcate the importance of science.

Approval of Assistance Scheme for Victims of Domestic Violence

Why in News

• On January 18, 2022, in the meeting of the Council of Ministers chaired by Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, approval was given to the assistance scheme for girls and women suffering from domestic violence.

Key Points

• In this scheme, a provision has been made to provide assistance of Rs 2 lakh to the victim of domestic violence with less than 40 percent disability in any part of the body and Rs 4 lakh for disability caused by more than 40 percent injury. Along with this, there is also a provision for the provision of the actual cost of transportation for the movement of the court etc. to the destination (including the period of the case pending in the court).
• The cabinet decided to make arrangements for the treatment of gas victims and their children, up to Rs 5 lakh per family per family per year by making Ayushman card under the Ayushman 'Niramayam' Madhya Pradesh scheme, according to the rates of package amount in the hospitals identified in the NHPS scheme.
• The Government of India will also be taken to consider them eligible as above. Until the approval is received from the Government of India, 100 percent reimbursement of the expenditure on these beneficiaries under the Ayushman 'Niramayam' Madhya Pradesh scheme will be done by the Public Health and Family Welfare Department of the state government.
• Expenditure outside the limits of Ayushman 'Niramayam' Madhya Pradesh scheme will be reimbursed by the Bhopal Gas Tragedy Relief and Rehabilitation Department. For this, the Director, Bhopal Gas Relief and Rehabilitation, Bhopal has been authorized.

Important decisions of the Council of Ministers under the chairmanship of the Chief Minister

Why in News

• In the meeting of the Council of Ministers held under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on January 18, 2022, many important decisions were taken including amending the lien rights of the holders in the government land of urban areas.

Key Points

• The cabinet decided to amend the circular issued on September 24, 2020, regarding the lien of holders in government land in urban areas. According to the amendment, if there is a mixed use (residential and commercial/commercial) of the same plot, then for such a plot the premium and annual land rent for the part of the residential use will be calculated according to the residential purpose.
• On the same plot, for commercial/commercial share, 120 percent premium of the rate fixed for residential purpose and annual land rent will be determined according to residential purpose. Also, where two separate plots are to be used by a family, one for residential and the other for commercial purpose, two separate leases shall be granted in such cases. In such cases, the family will be deemed to have been given one time benefit under the circular.
• The cabinet made other provisions for the consideration of the Madhya Pradesh State General Welfare Commission. In this, the commission will identify the beneficiaries for the welfare of the general category people, consider the points related to the overall welfare of the general category, make new action plans for the state government in the direction of the welfare of the general category people in the state, in the old programs. Making necessary changes and making suggestions on incidental matters.
• It was decided by the cabinet to give additional 5 percent marks to the candidates of different categories in the examinations obtained by the Professional Examination Board and to fix the maximum age limit of 55 years in view of the service rendered by the candidates of these categories. The different categories of candidates include Ex-Servicemen, Surplus Employees, Disabled and Dead Soldiers in Indo-Pak conflict etc.
• In view of the need of Jumbo Oxygen Cylinder in the possible third wave of COVID-19 pandemic, the Council of Ministers to M/s Shaba Cylinder Pvt Ltd, Ujjain to manufacture 07 cubic meter D type gas cylinders in the industrial area with a view to develop the manufacturing capacity of the product at the local level. Decision was taken to allot 50 thousand square feet of land located at Maksi Road, Ujjain directly.
• The cabinet approved the decision of formation of SPV MP State Assets Management Company (MPSAMC) in Madhya Pradesh Public Asset Management Department.
• The cabinet decided to change the name of 'Vimukt, Nomadic and Semi-nomadic Tribal Welfare Department' to 'Nomadic and Ardh Nomadic Tribes Department'.

State Council of Ministers approved the Composite Excise Policy 2022-23 and Heritage Liquor Policy 2022

Why in News

• On January 18, 2022, under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, the State Council of Ministers approved the Composite Excise Policy 2022-23 and Heritage Liquor Policy 2022. With this, there will be effective control on the manufacture, transportation, storage and sale of illegal and non-standard liquor.

Key Points

• The following provisions have been made under the new excise system-
  
  • By bringing down the retail sale rates of liquor by about 20 percent, it can be brought to a practical level.
  • Country/foreign liquor shops of all the districts can be executed on the lines of small individual groups.
  • All liquor shops will be composite shops, so that conditions for selling illegal liquor will not be created.
  • The high level district committee of the collector and the legislators of the districts will have the right to change the location geographically according to the local requirements of their district according to the liquor shops.
  • There will be no duty on wine made in the state using grapes produced by the farmers of the state.
  • In the country liquor supply system, district wise tenders can be called among the servants of the state. This year the rate of tetra packing can also be called.
  • An E-excise system will be implemented to prevent loss of revenue. In this, track and trace of liquor, scanning of QR codes, and testing of validity will be easy.
• The following provisions have been made under the Heritage Liquor Policy-
  
  • Permission has been given for a pilot project of liquor made from Mahua flower. After that it will be presented before the sub-committee of the cabinet.
  • In the year 2022-23, the approval of the new bar license will be done from the collector level as per the parameters set by the government.
  • Bar licenses can be given at concessional rates, on the basis of simple procedures/parameters, to the units operated by Eco-Tourism Board, temporary nature of Tourism Development Corporation at important places from the point of view of tourism.
  • Foreign liquor sales counters can be opened at all airports.
  • Licenses can be issued to operate wine counters on fixed license fees in selected super markets in Indore, Bhopal, Jabalpur, Gwalior.
  • Permission will be given to open micro beverages in Indore and Bhopal, but no objection certificate from Environment, Electricity Departments and Municipal Corporation will be required.
  • The process of importing liquor will be simplified.
  • Home bar license can be given, for which an annual license fee of Rs 50,000 will be charged. It will be eligible for those whose gross personal income is minimum one crore rupees.

Haryana Revokes 'No Detention Policy' for Conducting Board Exams for Classes V, VIII

Why in News

• On January 18, 2022, the Haryana government issued a notification to amend the Haryana Children's Right to Free and Compulsory Education Rules, 2011 to abolish the 'No Detention Policy' and introduce two-class board examinations.

Key Points

• Under the new rules called Haryana Children's Right to Free and Compulsory Education (Amendment) Rules, 2022, the state will now conduct a regular examination at the end of classes V and VIII. Board exams in class V and VIII will be started from this academic year.
• Students who fail in this exam and those who fail in re-examination will be put back in the same class.
• The no-detention policy under RTE 2009 had banned the practice of repeating low-performing children in primary school from classes I to VIII to ensure that students do not drop out.
• Now the amendment in RTE allows the Haryana government to authorize any other agency having specialization in conducting regular examination in class V and VIII or in conducting such examination at the end of each academic year in government and recognized private schools of the state. .
• The amended rules stipulate that if a child fails in the regular examination in class V or VIII, as the case may be, he shall be given additional instructions and reappointed within a period of two months from the date of declaration of result. If he fails in the regular examination of class V or class VIII even after additional instructions and opportunity for re-examination, he will be put back in the said class.
• A certificate of completion of classes V and VIII shall be issued by the educational authority or the agency authorized to conduct such examination within one month of the completion of the regular examination of these classes.
• It is noteworthy that the central government had repealed the no-detention policy for classes V and VIII after the passage of amendments to the Right to Education Act in Parliament in 2019.

Startups in Haryana Exempted from 75% Reservation Law

Why in News

• On January 18, 2022, Haryana Deputy Chief Minister Dushyant Chautala said that under the 'Haryana State Employment of Local Candidates Act, 2020', new startups and new IT / ITeS companies will be given exemption for two years. Apart from this, short-term (45 days) work will also be exempted from this law, which gives 75 percent reservation to the youth of Haryana in the private sector.

Key Points

• The Deputy Chief Minister said that a provision has been made to impose a fine of Rs 50,000 to Rs 2 lakh on industries which do not provide employment to employable local candidates.
• The law reserves 75 per cent of the jobs in the private sector in the state, which only pays less than Rs 30,000 per month to local people.
• Giving details of the exemption given in the Act, the Deputy Chief Minister said that under the Haryana State Employment Local Candidates Act, 2020, in addition to sowing, harvesting of crops, primary works related to fruits, vegetables, tea leaves, coffee, animals etc. have also been exempted.
• He said that exemption has also been given to domestic servants and those industries for which skilled labor is not available.
• It is noteworthy that the state government had implemented this law giving 75 percent reservation to Haryanvi youth in the private sector in the state from the midnight of January 15, 2022, which will be applicable in industries with more than 10 employees.

Ranchi MP Started Computer Bank for Rural Students

Why in News

• Recently, BJP MP from Ranchi, Sanjay Seth has started a computer bank on the lines of book bank to make rural students computer literate.

Key Points

• The MP said that he is collecting old computers and laptops, which people do not use. The collected unused computers and laptops will be made available to the rural students so that they too can become computer literate.
• He said that in times of pandemic when most of the educational institutions are closed and have moved to online mode of education, these computers will be very helpful for the students to continue their studies.
• This laptop will be given to such schools in rural areas, where children are taking computer education, but they do not have a computer. The MP has urged people from all sections of the society to help in these efforts.
• He said that with the advancement of technology people are not using old computers. These computers that are functional but not in use can be very useful for students who are interested in learning computers.
• It is noteworthy that a few months before the launch of the computer bank, the MP had launched a book bank for the rural underprivileged students at his office in Argora. The book bank houses books on various subjects donated from different areas in and around Ranchi, mostly school and intermediate level books.

CM Inaugurates State-of-the-art Prime Scan Ecosystem of Machines at Bokaro Hospital

Why in News

• On January 18, 2022, Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren inaugurated the state-of-the-art Prime Scan Ecosystem of Machines at Dental Hospital, Bokaro through virtual medium.

Key Points

• The Chief Minister said that it is a matter of pride to have this state-of-the-art machine in the field of dentistry in a state like Jharkhand. With this all the diseases related to teeth will be completely cured. People here will not have to go to big hospitals of big cities for dental diseases.
• On this occasion, the operators of the hospital told that for the first time in Jharkhand and Bihar, the facility of this state-of-the-art Prime Scan Ecosystem of Machine is going to be available to the people. Effective and precise treatment of teeth can be done through this machine.
• Apart from this, where earlier the treatment of teeth used to take several days, now through this machine, complete treatment of diseases related to teeth can be done in very less time. People will not have to make frequent visits to doctors and hospitals for dental treatment.

ESL CEO Inaugurates Safety Park

Why in News

• On January 18, 2022, the CEO of Vedanta ESL Steel Limited, N.L. Watte inaugurated a newly constructed 'Safety Park' at the Industrial Complex of ESL with an aim to raise awareness about safety amongst the employees. This includes a variety of safety equipment models.

Key Points

• Speaking on the occasion, Vette said that ESL always aims to fulfill its business goals by providing a safe and clean environment to its employees and contributing to the welfare of the society and inclusive growth of the country.
• He said that with the help of this safety park, we can fulfill our goal of 'Zero Damage' by making our employees aware of all types of safety.
• ESL aims to improve safety and environment in the coming days. Safety training has been made mandatory for all new employees and business partners. AI based cameras and sensor devices have been installed for vigilance at important places.
• Health risks of employees and business partners are being monitored, PPE bank has been set up to issue PPE to employees and business partners.

Governor Released a Documentary Focused on Raj Bhavan Chhattisgarh

Why in News

• On January 18, 2022, Chhattisgarh Governor Anusuiya Uikey released a documentary focused on Raj Bhavan Chhattisgarh in a program organized in the conference hall of Raj Bhavan.

Key Points

• This documentary has been produced by the Public Relations Department. Appreciating the documentary, the Governor said that in this documentary an interesting presentation of all the parts of Raj Bhavan has been made. Through this documentary, the general public will get detailed information about Raj Bhavan.
• This documentary describes the journey of Raj Bhavan from the construction of Raj Bhavan till now.
• In this detailed information has been given about all the governors, the infrastructure of different parts of Raj Bhavan - Raj Bhavan, Secretariat, Durbar Hall etc.
• In this, both the gardens of Raj Bhavan, the species of trees and plants in them have been told in detail. Along with this, information has been given about the specialties of the Durbar Hall of Raj Bhavan and the special and very special programs organized here.