• 19 Jul 2023

NITI Aayog’s report: UP tops among all states in Reducing Poverty

Why in News?

On July 17, 2023, NITI Aayog released the latest Multidimensional Poverty Index-2023 Report on the progress of all states, in which Uttar Pradesh has topped the entire country in terms of reducing the number of poor.

Key Points:

• According to the latest report of the Multidimensional Poverty Index-2023, the percentage of poverty across the country has come down from 24.85 to 14.96 percent. Multilevel poverty also includes standards of education, health and standard of living.
• In Uttar Pradesh, 3 crores 42 lakhs 72 thousand 484 people have come out of multi-level poverty. Due to this, the percentage of poor in the total population in the state has come down from 37.68 to 22.93 in 2019-21 compared to 2015-16.
• After this, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Orissa and Rajasthan have been the major states in removing poverty.

The percentage of poor on multilevel criteria:

Poverty standards	Year 2015-16	Year 2019-21
Nourishment	30.40	18.45
Infant Mortality Rate	3.81	2.20
Maternal Health	25.20	15.97
School Attendance	9.96	7.62
Fuel	34.24	17.95
Defence	31.74	11.91
Potable Water	2.09	0.93
Electricity	18.34	4.98
Home	33.35	19.56
Property	8.86	4.22
Bank Accounts	4.8	2.96

10 districts of Uttar Pradesh with a reduction in poverty:

Districts	Decrease (in %)
Maharajganj	-29.64
Gonda	-29.55
Balrampur	-27.90
Kaushambi	-25.75
Khiri	-25.23
Shravasti	-24.42
Jaunpur	-24.65
Basti	-23.36
Ghazipur	-22.83
Kushinagar	-22.28
Chitrakoot	-21.40

5 Districts of Bihar got 'Bhoomi Samman 2023'

Why in News?

On July 18, 2023, President Smt. Draupadi Murmu presented 'Bhoomi Samman 2023' to Brajesh Mehrotra, Additional Chief Secretary, Land Records Department, Bihar and Collectors of 5 districts for their outstanding performance in the field of land management and administration at a function held at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi.

Key Points:

• President Draupadi Murmu presented awards to secretaries of 9 states and 68 collectors at a felicitation ceremony organised by the Union Ministry of Rural Development.
• The state-level team and district team of Bihar were awarded for their outstanding work in six areas. These include the computerization of land records, digitization of revenue maps of the state, cadastralization of rights records, linkage with maps, computerization of registration department, integration of registration office and land records and creation of modern zonal level modern archives.
• Brajesh Mehrotra, Additional Chief Secretary, Land Records Department of Bihar, Jai Singh, Director Land Records and Measurement Joint Secretary and Anand Shankar, IT Manager were honoured.
• Apart from these, Nalanda, Jehanabad, Lakhisarai, Bhojpur and Kishanganj districts were awarded land honours. Collectors of these districts were awarded platinum certificates for the Platinum Category.
• The Digital India Land Records Management Programme has been run by the Department of Land Resources since 2008-09 with 100 percent central government funding. The main objective of the programme is to develop a modern, comprehensive and transparent land records management system for the convenience of the citizens.
• Under the programme, a monthly grading system has been implemented based on the data recorded on the MISs of the programme to reward the districts that have done well since January 2022. It offers silver grades ranging from 90% to 95%, gold from 95% to 99% and platinum grades at more than 99% work efficiency.

Rajasthan Control of Organized Crime Bill-2023 passed by voice vote

Why in News?

On July 18, 2023, after discussion on the Rajasthan Control of Organized Crime Bill-2023 in the Rajasthan Assembly, the House passed the bill by voice vote.

Key Points:

• This bill has been brought to curb organized crime and to empower the police in the state. The provisions of this Act will prove to be effective in controlling organized crime in the state.
• The Bill provides for the confiscation of assets acquired by offenders, the setting up of special courts and appointment of special public prosecutors for speedy disposal of cases. It also provides for non-bail and anticipatory bail for offenders.
• Parliamentary Affairs Minister Shanti Kumar Dhariwal said that a study of crime trends in the state has revealed that the pattern of crime in the state has changed in the last decade. Criminal gangs have established organized networks with shooters, informers, intelligence informers and arms suppliers.
• These organized gangs are mainly involved in serious crimes like contract killing, threatening businessmen and demanding ransom, and drug trafficking. These gangs also get released from custody for committing offences by taking advantage of the corrective and rehabilitative aspects of law and procedure. For some time now, these criminals have created a scary image in the public. Therefore, this Bill will fulfill the stringent law required to deal effectively with these criminals.
• Under Section 28 of the Act, the High Court has been empowered to make rules in respect of Special Courts. At the same time, under Section 29, the State Government can make rules to implement the purposes of the Act.
• Under Section 5 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, the state government can make laws of special procedure, under which this bill has been brought. Rajasthan is the 4th state in the country to enact such a law. In the past, similar laws have been implemented in Maharashtra, Karnataka and Gujarat.
• Before this, the proposal to circulate the bill to know public opinion was rejected by the House by voice vote.

45 New Subjects to be started in 36 schools of the state

Why in News?

On July 18, 2023, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has taken an important decision towards providing better education to the students and approved the proposal to introduce 45 new subjects in 36 schools of the state and create necessary posts for the teaching of these subjects.

Key Points:

• One subject each will be started in 27 out of 36 schools in the state and two subjects each in 9 schools. Of these, 6 in Jaipur, 4 in Alwar, 3 each in Bharatpur, Dausa, Jalore, 2 each in Banswara, Churu, Jhunjhunu, Hanumangarh, Nagaur, 1 each in Ajmer, Bhilwara, Sriganganagar, Karauli, Sikar, Tonk and Udaipur are included.
• For the introduction of new subjects in these schools, one post of school lecturer per subject will be created. In this way, a total of 45 posts will be created.
• Apart from this, Biology subjects will be started in one school each in Alwar and Udaipur. One post of Laboratory Assistant will also be created for these schools.
• It is worth mentioning that the Chief Minister had announced to introduce a new subject in the budget for the year 2023-24.
• With this approval, students will get opportunities to study by choosing their favourite subject near their residence.

President Smt. Murmu presented 'Bhoomi Samman 2023'

Why in News?

On July 18, 2023, President Smt. Draupadi Murmu presented 'Bhoomi Samman- 2023' to Dr. Sanjay Goyal, Secretary, Revenue & Commissioner Land Records of Madhya Pradesh and Collectors of 15 districts for outstanding performance in the field of land management & administration at a function held at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi.

Key Points:

• President Draupadi Murmu gave away awards to secretaries and 68 collectors of nine states at a felicitation ceremony organised by the Union Ministry of Rural Development.
• On behalf of the State Government of Madhya Pradesh, Dr. Sanjay Goyal, Secretary Revenue and Commissioner Land Records and Chandrashekhar Walimbe, Additional Secretary received the award along with their team.
• In the field of Digital India Land Records modernization, Madhya Pradesh has secured the first position in the country in both state and district categories. This is an excellent example of coordination between the state and the central government, where 100% of the amount is provided by the central government, while the program is implemented by the state governments.
• Collectors of 15 districts of the state – Agar Malwa, Alirajpur, Anuppur, Bhopal, Guna, Harda, Indore, Khargone, Neemuch, Sidhi, Singrauli, Tikamgarh, Ujjain, Umaria and Vidisha were honoured with Bhoomi Samman certificates.
• These districts of Madhya Pradesh have been awarded Platinum Grading on 100% achievement in all components of Digital India Land Records Modernization Program. These components are the computerization of land records, digitization of land tax maps, computerization of registration, integration of registration with land records, linkage of land tax maps with land records and modern record rooms.
• The Digital India Land Records Management Programme is being run by the Department of Land Resources since 2008-09 with 100% central government funding. The main objective of the programme is to develop a modern, comprehensive and transparent land records management system for the convenience of the citizens.
• Under the programme, a monthly grading system has been implemented by them based on the data recorded on the MISs of the programme to reward the districts that have done well since January 2022. It offers Silver grades ranging from 90% to 95%, Gold from 95% to 99% and Platinum grades at more than 99% work efficiency.

Notification issued to Promote the use of Renewable Energy in MSMEs

Why in News?

On July 17, 2023, the Haryana government issued a notification to promote the use of renewable energy in micro, small and medium industries in view of the need for green energy and other alternative energy sources to meet the future energy demand globally.

Key Points:

• According to a notification issued by the Department of Industry and Commerce, under the State Renewable Energy Scheme, the MSME industry will have to adopt renewable energy sources, which include industrial application-based renewable energy, solar PV power generation, solar thermal applications (solar hot water generators and hot air generators), biomass gasifiers, biomass plants, up-gradation of biomass-based boilers and other industrial equipment & machinery based on renewable energy.
• The state government will provide interest subsidy at the rate of 5% to such industries on a term loan of up to Rs 10 lakh per annum for 3 years.
• To avail the subsidy, the documents in the prescribed proforma can be uploaded on the website of the department till 3 months before the end of the financial year. The Director General, Micro, Small and Medium Industries, Haryana will be the competent authority to provide these incentives.
• According to the notification, if an applicant is found to be taking the said benefit on the basis of incorrect facts, then he will have to refund the incentive amount with a compound interest rate of 12 percent per annum and legal action will also be taken against him.
• Apart from this, any kind of incentive/assistance grant given by the state government can be denied.
• It is known that the Micro, Small and Medium Industries Policy of Haryana has been notified from 2019 to April 25, 2024.

President Draupadi Murmu awarded 'Bhoomi Samman 2023' to 9 Districts of Jharkhand

Why in News?

On July 18, 2023, President Smt. Draupadi Murmu honoured nine districts of Jharkhand with 'Bhoomi Samman- 2023' for better digitization of the right of record of land-related documents in a program organized at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi.

Key Points:

• President Smt. Draupadi Murmu presented awards to 9 state secretaries and 68 collectors under the Digital India Land Records Modernization Program (DILRMP) at a felicitation function organized by the Union Ministry of Rural Development.
• 9 districts of Jharkhand were selected for Bhoomi Samman 2023. Under this, Gumla, Lohardaga, Simdega, Chatra, Giridih, Khunti, Seraikela-Kharsawan, West Singhbhum and Dumka districts have got this honour.
• The award was received by the concerned Additional Collector and other Revenue Officers from the hands of the President on behalf of the district team under the leadership of the DCs of these districts. On the other hand, the award was received on behalf of the state by Uma Shankar Singh, Director of Land Acquisition, Land Records and Measurement and Shahab Siddiqui, Joint Inspector General of Registration under the leadership of Amitabh Kaushal, Secretary, Department of Revenue, Registration and Land Reforms.
• Gumla DC Sushant Gaurav was honoured with Bhoomi Samman. Digitization of more than 99 percent right off records like sale deeds, Khatian and other land-related documents has been done in the district. This year was the second golden opportunity for Gumla district when the district got the award at the national level. Prior to this, Gumla district has also received the country's prestigious PM Award.
• Seraikela-Kharsawan Deputy Commissioner Arva Rajkamal was awarded the Bhoomi Samman 2023. In the district too, all land-related work has been done online, due to which the Deputy Commissioner and the team were awarded Bhoomi Samman-2023 Platinum Certificate for their excellent performance in the campaign for land record reform.
• Apart from this, the President awarded the Bhoomi Samman 2023 Platinum Certificate to Khunti Deputy Commissioner Shashi Ranjan and the team for their excellent performance in the campaign for land record reform. Khunti has been awarded on six different points.
• Dr. Waghmare Prasad Krishna, DC of Lohardaga district was awarded Bhoomi Samman 2023 for achieving 100% completion in Digital India Land Records Modernization Program (DILRMP).
• It is worth mentioning that under the Digital India Land Records Modernization Program (DILRMP), Bhoomi Samman is given to those who have done excellent work in the field of modernization, proper conservation and efficient management of land records. Under this, the process of digitization of land records is going on in 766 districts of 28 states or union territories of the country. Platinum grading certificate is given to the outstanding districts as Bhoomi Samman.
• It is known that the Digital India Land Records Management Program has been run by the Department of Land Resources from the year 2008-9 with 100 percent funding from the Central Government. The main objective of this program is to develop a modern, detailed and transparent land records management system for the convenience of the citizens.
• Monthly grading system has been implemented on the basis of the data entered by them on the MIS of the program to reward the districts doing good work under the program from January 2022 onwards. It offers Silver from 90% to 95%, Gold from 95% to 99% and Platinum grade at work efficiency above 99%.

Chhattisgarh Received Bhoomi Samman from the President Mrs. Murmu

Why in News?

On July 18, 2023, Chhattisgarh was honoured with Bhoomi Samman at the hands of President Mrs. Draupadi Murmu in a program organized at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi. Along with this, two districts of the state, Surguja and Bemetara, were also awarded Bhoomi Samman Platinum Certificate for land management and administration.

Key Points:

• The state and two districts have received this award for better implementation of the existing four components of the Digital India Land Records Modernization Program (DILRMP).
• Secretary Revenue Department Neelam Namdev Ekka, Inspector General Registration and Superintendent Kiran Kaushal, Director Land Records Ramesh Sharma received Bhoomi Samman at the hands of the President for the digitization and management of land records at the state level.
• Similarly, Bhoomi Samman Platinum Certificate was also awarded to Bemetara Collector PS Elma and Surguja Collector Kundan Kumar for the digitization and management of land records at the district level.
• It is worth mentioning that under DILRMP, 95 percent works related to land management have been completed in the state. Similarly, the digitization of land records of four components related to land management, coordination of registration office with tehsil office, a modern record room and survey-reserve work has been completed 100 percent in Sarguja and Bemetara districts of the state. These districts are among the top districts in the country in land management.
• With the digitization of all land-related records, people are getting real-time information related to their land. This information can be viewed from mobile from anywhere and at any time through the internet. With the digitization of land records and its management, land-related information is now easily accessible to people. People do not have to visit government offices to get land-related records.
• Due to easy availability of all the records to the people, there has been a reduction in the cases of fraud related to the land. There has also been a reduction in the number of cases in the land related courts. With the computerization of land records, documents have been easily available for such certificates, which require information about land records. With this, people are getting income, caste and residence certificates easily. The purpose of this whole system is also to ensure the right of record to the citizen.

Uttarakhand Ranks 1st among the Himalayan States in the Export Preparedness Index released by NITI Aayog.

Why in News?

On July 17, 2023, NITI Aayog Vice Chairman Suman Berry released the third edition of the report titled 'Export Preparedness Index (EPI) 2022' for the States/UTs of the country, in which Uttarakhand has retained its first position among the Himalayan states.

Key Points:

• EPI 2022 report to assist in decision-making with sector-specific insights, identify strengths, address gaps and empower state governments to drive growth at scale across India's States and Union Territories (UTs) has been advocated.
• The report presents a comprehensive analysis of India's export turnover during FY 2021-22, including sector-specific as well as district-level commodity export trends.
• The EPI 2022 report evaluates the performance of states across four pillars – Policy, Business Environment, Export Ecosystem and Export Performance.
• The index uses 56 indicators to provide an overall picture of the export preparedness of states and UTs, both at the state and district levels, in terms of exports.
• A brief description of the four pillars in the index is as follows -
• The Policy pillar assesses States and Union Territories based on their export policy ecosystem and the institutional structure built around it at the State and District levels.
• The Business Environment assesses the existing business environment in the State/UT including infrastructural facilities supporting the business, State/UT transport connectivity.
• The export ecosystem takes into account the export infrastructure in the state along with the research and development activities prevalent in the state to promote innovation and business support to exporters.
• Export performance is an output-based indicator, which measures the export growth of a state over the previous year and its export-oriented activities and presence in the global market.
• These pillars are further based on ten sub-pillars – Export Promotion Policy, Institutional Framework, Business Environment, Infrastructural Facilities, Transport Connectivity, Export Facilities, Trade Support, R&D Infrastructure, Diversification in Exports and Steps to Promote Growth Are included.
• The EPI Report 2022 observed that most of the 'coastal states' have performed well. Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Gujarat have been at the forefront of export preparedness among all categories of states across the country.
• Uttarakhand has made a quantum jump in the Export Readiness Index. In this index ranking, the state has improved to 9th position in the country, while Uttarakhand was ranked 19th in the country in the Export Preparedness Index 2021 ranking.
• On the other hand, in the Himalayan states, after Uttarakhand, Himachal is in second place and Manipur is in third place.
• It is known that the state has also implemented a new export and logistics policy. In addition, two products have been selected in each district to increase exports.
• The infrastructure and facilities for exports are also being strengthened at the district level, which has helped Uttarakhand to rank ninth in the country in the index ranking, while Tamil Nadu ranks first and Madhya Pradesh ranks second.
• The Chief Minister said that the State Government has made several reforms to promote exports. World class Integrated Industrial Estate has been developed in the state. There are Integrated Container Depots at Pantnagar and Kashipur and Multi Modal Logistics Park at Pantnagar.
• Efforts are being made to make Dehradun and Pantnagar airports of the state as international level airports. To promote air travel, turbo fuel has been reduced by 18 percent.
• Aroma Park, Electronics Manufacturing Cluster, Pharma City-II, and Plastic Park are being developed in the state.
• Pharma, automobile, dairy products, vegetable products, honey, food items, mineral products, chemical products, plastic, rubber, wood products, textiles, transport-related products, and defence equipment are mainly exported from the state.
• In the state, pickles in Almora, natural fibres, copper craft, organic wool in Bageshwar, iron utensils in Champawat, dairy products, apples in Uttarkashi, fish and herbs in Chamoli, maize products in Dehradun, pharma, sugarcane products in Haridwar, automobiles, Pharma, Aipen craft in Nainital, wood craft in Pauri, multi-grain, carpet in Pithoragarh, honey, herbs, spices in Tehri, bakery production in Udham Singh Nagar, export of rice, mentha in Rudraprayag will be increased.

Year-wise export status in the state:

Year	Exports (Rs. in crore)
2014-15	8509
2015-16	7350
2016-17	6011
2017-18	10837
2018-19	16285
2019-20	16971