Rajasthan State PCS

• 20 Jun 2023

Directorate of Handicrafts & Handlooms will open in Jodhpur

Why in News?

On June 19, 2023, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot approved a proposal to open a Directorate of Handicrafts & Handlooms in Jodhpur for the upliftment of artisans and weavers of the state.

Key Points:

• According to the proposal, the Commissioner of Industries & Commerce Department will be the ex-officio director of this Handicrafts and Handloom Directorate. A new post of Additional Director of Industries & Commerce will be created for the Directorate.
• The services of experts will be taken for the work of marketing, e-commerce and design experts of the directorate. Other officers and employees for the directorate will be posted from the Industries & Commerce Department.
• The main task of the Directorate of Handicrafts & Handlooms will be to develop the handicrafts and handloom sector of the state.
• This directorate will work for the upliftment of artisans and weavers of the state, which will result in creation of new employment opportunities in the state as well as increase in exports. Also, the Directorate will carry out various works as per the Handicrafts Policy-2022.
• It is worth mentioning that the Chief Minister had announced the opening of this directorate in Jodhpur at the inauguration ceremony of the Rajasthan International Expo on March 21, 2023.

Rs 13.48 Crore approved for promotion of Religious Tourism

Why in News?

On June 19, 2023, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot approved a financial proposal of Rs 13.48 crore to promote religious tourism at religious places of Nagaur, Jaisalmer and Alwar in the state.

Key Points:

• It is known that the state government is constantly working to promote religious tourism and to develop various facilities for travellers at such places. In Nagaur district, various tourism development works worth Rs 7.74 crore will be carried out at Butati, Ghateshwar Mahadev Temple, Harmal Das Ji Maharaj Temple and Dargah Hazrat Shamsuddin Saman Diwan Baba Badi Khatu.
• The Chief Minister has approved Rs 1.50 crore for the development works in the historical religious tourist spot Shri Kale Dungar Rai Temple complex in Jaisalmer.
• With this amount, various development works including marble tiles, solar power plant, new Dharamshala construction, repair of benches in the temple premises, CC road to reach the temple, upgradation of Jaisalmer-Jethwai-Kale Dungar road will be done in the temple premises.
• The Chief Minister has approved a financial proposal of Rs 4.24 crore for the development work of Mataji Temple at Bansur Fort and Ganga Mata Temple, Tal Vriksha in Alwar district.
• With the approved amount, the repair of stairs in Mataji Temple at Bansur Fort, construction of a new pathway in the fort, construction of steel railings, new halls, stone benches, installation of the solar power plant and various upgradation works in the temple premises will be done.
• Apart from this, various works including the construction of a new Dharamshala in Ganga Mata Temple, Tal Vriksha, solar light, parking in the temple premises, and construction of the boundary wall will be done.
• It is worth mentioning that the Chief Minister had made an announcement in this regard in the budget for the year 2023-24.