• 20 Jan 2022

Nitin Agarwal Resigns from SP and Vidhansabha

Why in News

• On January 19, 2022, Deputy Speaker of the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly Nitin Agarwal resigned from the House and the membership of the Samajwadi Party.

Key Points

• Samajwadi Party's rebel MLA Nitin Agarwal was elected Deputy Speaker of the Legislative Assembly on October 18, 2021. He was a minister of state during the previous Akhilesh Yadav-led Samajwadi Party government.
• Nitin Agarwal, who was elected to the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly in 2017 on a Samajwadi Party ticket, had joined the ruling party ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.
• It is noteworthy that Speaker Hriday Narayan Dixit had rejected a petition by the Samajwadi Party seeking his disqualification. The Speaker had technically allowed the BJP to justify its decision to field Nitin Agarwal for the deputy speaker's post, traditionally reserved for the single largest opposition party.

Gopal Kumar Gave Bihar the Second Place at the National Level

Why in News

• Gopal Kumar, a 12th student of High School Barbigha in Sheikhpura district of Bihar, gave Bihar the second place in the solo genre of folk songs in the results of the national level art festival competition announced on January 18, 2022. The competition was held online on January 5, 2022.

Key Points

• Prabhakar Trivedi, music teacher of Plus Two High School, Barbigha and Gopal's guru, said that the examination was taken by Bihar Education Project, Patna at the examination center located at Kilkari Bhawan Patna, in which Gopal participated from Bihar's side.
• Gopal has left behind the artists of many states of the country, due to his musical knowledge, has given Bihar the second place in the solo folklore genre.
• Prabhakar Trivedi said that earlier Gopal had given first place to Sheikhpura district in the state level singing competition organized by Bihar Education Project.
• He said that the date of honoring Gopal successfully in the national competition at the national level has not been decided yet.

Animal Husbandry Minister Lays Foundation Stone of Animal Science Center in Jobner

Why in News

• On January 19, 2022, Rajasthan Agriculture and Animal Husbandry Minister Lalchand Kataria laid the foundation stone of the 16th Animal Science Center of the Veterinary University at Jobner (Jaipur).

Key Points

• On this occasion, Minister Kataria said that such techniques should be developed in the field of animal husbandry, which can increase the production capacity of indigenous cattle and other animals and youth can take inspiration from it and adopt it as self-employment.
• The Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Satish K Garg said that through the Animal Science Centers operated under the Veterinary University, the animal owners are made aware of the scientific techniques and innovations of animal husbandry. Skill development of cattle rearers is being done by organizing various training programs.
• The opening of this new animal science center will directly benefit the farmers and livestock owners of this area, which will prove helpful in their economic upliftment.
• It is noteworthy that in view of the animal husbandry development and welfare of animal husbandry in the state, the Chief Minister had announced the opening of Animal Science Center in Jobner in the budget announcement for the year 2021-22. For the implementation of Animal Science Center, financial approval has also been given by the state government for the approval of posts, construction work of the center, purchase of necessary equipment and furniture and office expenses.

Important Decisions of Rajasthan Cabinet

Why in News

• On January 19, 2022, in the cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot through video conference, many important policy decisions were taken along with approval for the formation of Rajasthan State Agro Industries Development Board.

Key Points

• The Cabinet has approved the formation of Rajasthan State Agro Industries Development Board with the objective of increasing the income of farmers by strengthening the agricultural marketing mechanism in the state. This board will give suggestions regarding making concrete policy and its effective implementation to increase the income of farmers. Along with this, a framework will be prepared to connect more and more farmers of the state with agro-processing and value addition.
• It is noteworthy that in order to promote the processing, business and export of agricultural products in the state, the state government had implemented the Agro Processing, Agribusiness and Agriculture Export Policy-2019. After this policy, the formation of this board is another big step in the direction of promoting the export of agricultural commodities produced in the state, such as cumin, coriander, garlic, isabgol, pomegranate, dates, onions etc. and to ensure their international recognition.
• The cabinet has decided to amend the educational qualification for the post of curator in the Department of Archeology and Museums. With this decision, students of history as well as candidates of museology will also get an opportunity to appear in the competitive examination of this post. With this, the work of management of museums can be done with new technology and scientific methods.
• The cabinet approved an amendment in the Rajasthan Ground Water Service Rules, 1969 to fill the posts of Junior Geophysicist in Ground Water Department by 50 percent direct recruitment and 50 percent promotion instead of 75 percent direct recruitment and 25 percent promotion. has given. Along with this, it has also been approved to increase the minimum experience for promotion to five years instead of two years. This will provide equal opportunities for promotion in the department.
• Along with this, the Cabinet has approved amendment in Rule 19 of Rajasthan Medical and Health Subordinate Services Rules, 1965 (as amended). With this, pharmacists working on contract in the cooperative department will get the benefit of bonus marks in recruitment.
• The Cabinet has approved the draft of Vyas Vidyapeeth University, Jodhpur Bill, 2021 to encourage private participation in the field of higher education. After the approval of the cabinet, now this bill will be presented in the assembly and the passage of the bill will pave the way for the establishment of this university.

DC Rate Implemented in Haryana for 80 years ends, Corporation Wage Rate Applicable

Why in News

• On January 19, 2022, Haryana Chief Secretary Sanjeev Kaushal wrote a letter to all Administrative Secretaries, Heads of Departments, Corporations, Boards and all DCs directing that the State Government has decided to implement the Corporation Wage Rate by abolishing the DC rate applicable for 80 years.

Key Points

• It has been said in the letter that the government has withdrawn the orders related to the DC rate. It is worth mentioning that earlier, the DC rates were fixed by the respective District Deputy Commissioners for the contract employees in different departments of Haryana. With the passage of time, the DC rates of different districts had varied greatly.
• Different rates have been fixed for different four categories of contract employees. These rates will be deemed to be applicable from January 1, 2022. Provision has also been made to revise these rates every year.
• It is noteworthy that many MLAs in the assembly had raised the demand for equalization of DC rate. In view of this, Haryana Kaushal Rojgar Nigam has been formed by the Haryana Government for contract jobs. Now employees will be kept under this and they will be known as Corporation Wage Board.
• The educational qualification for the employees has been fixed from class X to graduation. These include 10th class for level 1, non technical for level 2, ITI and technical qualification for level 3 and bachelor's degree for level 4. In addition, 10 to 20 percent additional amount will be given to experienced employees.
• The districts are divided into three categories-
  
  • Category 1. Gurugram, Faridabad, Panchkula, Sonipat, Delhi and Chandigarh.
  • Category 2. Panipat, Jhajjar, Palwal, Karnal, Ambala, Hisar, Rohtak, Rewari, Kurukshetra, Kaithal, Yamunanagar, Bhiwani, Jind.
  • Category 3. Mahendragarh, Fatehabad, Sirsa, Nuh, Charkhi Dadri.
• Different rates have been fixed for different four levels of contract employees of all the three categories of districts-
  
  • Category 1. Rs.17520 (Level-1), Rs.20590 (Level-2), Rs.21200 (Level-3), Rs.22420 (Level-4).
  • Category 2. Rs.15450 (Level-1), Rs.18510 (Level-2), Rs.19120 (Level-3), Rs.20350 (Level-4).
  • Category 3. Rs.14330 (Level-1), Rs.17390 (Level-2), Rs.18000 (Level-3), Rs.19230 (Level-4).

CM Launches App for Subsidized Petrol in the State

Why in News

• On January 19, 2022, Chief Minister Hemant Soren launched the CMSUPPORTS app for registration of poor people covered by the National Food Security Scheme or Jharkhand State Food Security Scheme for their two-wheelers under the 'Petrol Subsidy Scheme'. Now ration card holders will be able to take advantage of the scheme by registering on the app or http://jsfss.jharkhand.gov.in.

Key Points

• Through DBT, the Chief Minister will launch the scheme from Dumka on January 26, 2022 and benefit the eligible beneficiaries of the scheme.
• Through the scheme from January 26, 2022, a subsidy of Rs 25 per liter for a maximum of 10 liters of petrol per month to the beneficiaries covered by the ration card for their two-wheeler, i.e. Rs 250 per month will be transferred to their bank account through DBT.
• The eligibility criteria of the scheme include –
  
  • Applicant should be a ration card holder under National Food Security Act or Jharkhand State Food Security Act.
  • The verified Aadhaar number of all the family members should be mentioned in the ration card.
  • The bank account number and mobile number linked with Aadhaar of the applicant should be updated.
  • The registration of the vehicle of the applicant should be in the name of the applicant.
  • Applicants should have a valid driving license.
  • Applicant's two wheeler should be registered in Jharkhand state.
• The applicant will have to enter his ration card and Aadhaar number by visiting the CMSUPPORT app or http://jsfss.jharkhand.gov.in, after which an OTP will be sent to his Aadhaar linked mobile number.
• The ration card number of the applicant will be the last eight digit password of the login and the Aadhaar of the head of the family.
• After OTP verification the applicant will enter the vehicle number and driving license number while selecting the name in the ration card. The vehicle number will be sent to the DTOs login, which will be verified by the DTO. After verification the list will go to the login of the District Supply Officer.

Agriculture Minister Launched 'Kisan Call Center'

Why in News

• On January 19, 2022, with the aim of making the farmers aware of the problems and suggestions of the state's farmers, Badal Patralekh, the state agriculture minister, launched the 'Kisan Call Center' in online mode at Nepal House.

Key Points

• On the occasion, Badal also launched a song prepared by the Department of Agriculture to inspire people for 'BlockChain Technology' and COVID-19 vaccination.
• Speaking on the occasion, the Minister said that the State Government is sensitive towards the problems of the farmers and also wants to be aware of their suggestions. Keeping this objective in mind, the government has started 'Kisan Call Center', which will be operated by the Directorate of Agriculture.
• Farmers of the state can register their problems and suggestions from anywhere in this Kisan Call Center, whose toll free number is 1800-123-1136.
• Efforts will be made to solve their problems from block level to headquarter level and action will be taken on the farmers after getting their suggestions. Along with this, the officials will also monitor it continuously.
• In the Kisan Call Center, farmers will be given answers according to their language, so that farmers do not face any problem in communication.
• Tracking of seeds can be done through the new technology 'Blockchain Technology', so that the seeds given to the farmers can be tracked till the field.
• These two new technologies introduced by the Agriculture Department will bring transparency in the works and the farmers of the state will also get the benefit of it. Also, its result will be seen in production.

The Governor signed the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertising and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Supply and Distribution) (Chhattisgarh Amendment) Bill

Why in News

• On January 19, 2022, Chhattisgarh Governor Anusuiya Uikey signed a bill introduced to amend the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Supply and Distribution) Act, 2003. Now this bill will be sent for the assent of the President.

Key Points

• Amendments have been made in sections 3, 4, 12, 13, 21 and 27 of this Act. Accordingly, by amending section 4, sections 4-A and 4-B have been added.
• Section 4-A 'Prohibition of hookah bars' - Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act, no person, himself or on behalf of any other person, shall open any hookah bar or operate a hookah bar or any Will not give hookah to the customers at the location.
• According to section 4-B, 'Prohibition of smoking by means of hookah in hookah bar - No person shall smoke by means of hookah or nargil (gadgad) in any community hookah bar'.
• By amending section 13, new section 13-A has been added. According to section 13-A 'Power to confiscate in case of hookah bars- If any police officer/excise officer, authorized by the State Government and not below the rank of sub-inspector, has reason that the provisions of section 4-A have been or is being contravened, he may confiscate any material or article used as the subject or instrument of a hookah bar.'
• New section 21-A and 21-B have been added by amending section 21 of the principal act. Section 21-A - Punishment for operating hookah bar - Whoever contravenes the provisions of section 4-A, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to three years, but which shall not be less than one year, and shall be punishable with fine which may extend to fifty thousand rupees but which shall not be less than ten thousand rupees.
• Similarly, according to 21-B, the punishment for smoking by means of hookah in a hookah bar - Whoever contravenes the provisions of section 4-B, shall be punished with fine which may extend to five thousand rupees, but which may extend to one thousand rupees. shall be punished with a fine of not less than one thousand rupees.
• By amending section 27, new section 27-A has been added. According to section 27-A, "Offense under section 4-A to be cognizable and non-bailable - Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act, offense committed under section 4-A shall be cognizable and non-bailable."