State PCS

• 20 Jul 2022

Bihar Industrial Area Development Authority

Why in News?

• In a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on July 19, 2022 it was decided to give a discount of 20 to 80 percent on the lease amount of land of Bihar Industrial Area Development Authority (BIADA). This will boost industrial development in Bihar and increase investment.

Key Points

• Additional Chief Secretary of Bihar Cabinet Department S. Siddhartha said after the meeting that BIADA gives land to entrepreneurs on lease for 90 years to set up industries. At present, the rate of land is on the basis of MVR.
• Now the state government will give a discount of 20 to 80 percent on land lease in 54 industrial areas of Bihar. The government's move will enable entrepreneurs to get land at a cheaper rate to set up industries. This will promote industrialization in the state and there will be economic development with the inflow of investment.
• At present, 74 industrial zones of BIADA are functioning in the State. 2900 acres of land of closed sugar mills has been transferred to BIADA for development as an industrial area.
• According to the information, the districts where Bida's land MVR has been given 80 percent discount are Gopalganj's Hathua Phase I and II, Siwan's New Siwan Phase I and II, Aurangabad, Rohtas's Bikramganj area, Buxar's Dumraon, Gaya. Guraru of the district, Jamalpur and Munger area of Munger district, Ramnagar of West Champaran, Jhanjharpur of Madhubani, Udakishunganj and Murliganj of Madhepura, Saharsa area of Saharsa district and Biharsharif area of Nalanda district are included.
• Similarly, the districts where the MVR of BIADA land has been relaxed by up to 60 percent include Bettiah in West Champaran, Dehri in Rohtas, Bihiya in Bhojpur, Jehanabad, Bihta, Siwan, Sakri in Madhubani district, Sitamarhi, Dharampur in Darbhanga, Katihar and Khagra area of Kishanganj.
• Apart from this, up to 40 percent discount will be available in Burari of Bhagalpur, Banmankhi of Purnia, Purnia City, Donar and Bela of Darbhanga, Raxaul of East Champaran, Hajipur of Vaishali, Barun and Aurangabad, Buxar and Lakhisarai.
• Maranga of Purnia, Forbesganj of Araria, Lohat Phase I, 2 and 3 of Madhubani, Sugauli, Muzaffarpur and Korra of East Champaran, Goraul Phase 1 and 2 of Vaishali, Hajipur, Fatuha of Patna District, Patliputra, Nawanagar of Buxar, of Nawada Warsliganj, Sitakund in Munger district and Khagaria Industrial Center in Khagaria district will get 20 percent discount.

Bihar Government will Give Diesel Subsidy to Farmers

Why in News?

• On July 19, 2022, the cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar approved the proposal of the state government to give diesel subsidy to the farmers of the state.

Key Points

• In the financial year 2022-23, a total of Rs.29.95 crore has been sanctioned in advance from Bihar State Contingency Fund. The farmers will get a grant of Rs.60 per litre of diesel.
• One acre consumes 10 litres of diesel for irrigating kharif crops. On this basis, farmers will be paid at the rate of Rs.600 per acre. The grant amount will be limited to a maximum of five acres.
• 1200 per acre for saving the birch and two irrigations of Jute and a maximum of Rs.1800 per acre for a maximum of Rs.1800/- per acre for a maximum of 3 irrigations for a field for Paddy, Maize, Kharif crops for Pulses, Oilseeds, Seasonal Vegetables, Medicinal, Aromatic plants.

Kalbelia Craft Revival

Why in News?

• The Kalbelia Crafts Revival Project Exhibition was launched at the India International Center in New Delhi on July 19, 2022 in an effort to uplift the Kalbelia community of Rajasthan.

Key Points

• The Kalbelia Crafts Revival Project Exhibition will prove to be an important medium for promoting handicraft products made by women from the Kalbelia community, especially the Kalbelia Quilts and Gudadi at the national and international level.
• It is worth mentioning that the Kalbelia community of Rajasthan is known all over the world for its art, but due to the limited resources of their employment and economic constraints, their art and crafts have to face a lot of difficulties in reaching the market.
• Dr. Madan Meena, the curator of the exhibition, said that the project was conceptualized from the time of Kovid, when many families of Kalbelia in Rajasthan returned to their native village due to the lockdown. The work of Kalbelia artists also stalled due to the slowness of tourism. In such a situation, Kalbelia Craft Revival Project was envisaged by Kota Heritage Society to provide them alternative livelihood opportunity within their village.
• It was initially sponsored by the NIFT-Jodhpur Centre and the Indian Institute of Crafts and Design, Jaipur to provide internships to its students. Currently, The Kalbelia women of Bundi and Jaipur are working in this project.
• The objective of the project is to preserve the tradition of quilting of the Kalbelia community and to provide them with better livelihood opportunities within their villages for the maintenance of their community and their crafts.
• Dr. Madan Meena informed that Kalbelia women associated with this project are given Rs 300 per woman per day for making various artistic products. This money is raised from various sources and also money is received from sponsorship, which is being used to take this project forward.
• The Kalbelia women who participated in the project include Mewa Sapera from Jaipur, Meera Bai from Bundi, Lad Bai, Rekha Bai, Natti Bai and Bania Bai.
• Mewa Sapera, an internationally acclaimed Kalbelia singer from Jaipur and has showcased her art in different parts of the world, said that Kalbelia quilts and her quality reflect the richness, skill and talent of the women of the house. A family keeps heaps of quilts, which are taken out during the guests' visit. These quilts are part of gifting to daughters.
• He said that in their spare time, women from the Kalbelia community always make quilts for their collection. A quilt or Gudadi takes two to three months to complete.

Jamnalal Bajaj Auditorium

Why in News?

• On July 19, 2022, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot laid the foundation stone of Jamnalal Bajaj Auditorium to be built in Sikar through video conferencing from the Chief Minister's residence.

Key Points

• Significantly, the state budget has made a provision for construction of auditoriums in 17 districts.
• The auditorium, which is going to be built at a cost of Rs.30 crores, is spread over 3 hectares and has a seating capacity of 800 people.
• The auditorium will have art galleries, libraries, 22 guest rooms, 2 banquet halls, multipurpose halls, conference rooms and offices as per local architecture. It will have all audio-video and live programs in line with modern technology.
• On this occasion, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot said that Jamnalal Bajaj, born in Sikar's Kashi Ka Vaas village, had an important contribution in the freedom movement.
• Impressed by Gandhiji's values, Jamnalal Bajaj started living in the ashram with his wife and children and went to jail in the freedom movement. In Wardha, he had entered the Laxminarayan temple for Harijans for the prevention of untouchability.

Utsav Portal

Why in News?

• Recently, Rajasthan has been chosen as the best state in the list released by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India on the 'Utsav Portal'. In this list, Kerala has got second place, Uttar Pradesh has got third and Andaman and Nicobar has got fourth place.

Key Points

• Rajasthan has got the first position on the basis of outstanding performance. Rajasthan has uploaded all the information related to maximum 22 fairs and festivals on the Festival Portal website.
• Rajasthan is known in the country and the world for its rich cultural, historical heritage, religious places, famous temples, ancient forts, palaces, delicious cuisine and natural beauty.
• In Rajasthan, apart from live darshan links of several religious places like Shri Govind Devji and Moti Dungri Ganesh Temple (Jaipur), Pushkar Mela (Ajmer), Mewar Utsav (Udaipur), Teej Utsav (Jaipur), Kumbhalgarh Utsav (Rajsamand), Braj Holi Festival (Jaipur) Information of several fairs and festivals like Bharatpur), Gangaur Utsav (Jaipur), Maru Mahotsav (Jaisalmer) have been recorded on the portal.
• It is worth mentioning that the Utsav portal website is a digital initiative. It was launched by the Union Ministry of Tourism in the year 2021 at the time of corona epidemic to bring the tourist places of the country on the global stage and to help the tourists.
• Its purpose is to popularize the famous tourist places of different states of the country and the world, live telecast of worship, aarti in fairs, festivals and major temples, so that people can enjoy them sitting at home. Also, they should be able to prepare the upcoming itinerary easily.
• Complete information related to tourism is easily available on the Utsav portal. Official social media links, official websites, brochures and contact details of the organizing committee and easy access to the destination by air, rail and road are being provided on the portal. This is helping the tourists in planning to reach the tourist destinations.
• Live Darshan of various religious temples, tourist places, events, fairs and festivals are given on the website. The website is constantly being updated keeping in mind the convenience of the tourists. New information related to all upcoming fairs and festivals in the tourism sector is being updated rapidly on the website.

Center of Excellence for Breed Improvement of Animals

Why in News?

• On July 19, 2022, Haryana's Agriculture and Farmers Welfare and Animal Husbandry and Dairying Minister J.P. Dalal told the media that a Center of Excellence would be set up in Hisar with the help of Brazil to make the farmers of Haryana self-reliant and to improve the breed of animals.

Key Points

• Minister J.P. Dalal said that a Center of Excellence would be set up in Haryana in collaboration with Embrapa, Brazil for the development of indigenous breed of cows. Gir germplasm (semen/embryos) will be imported from Brazilian Association of Zebu Breeders (ABCZ).
• In addition, the possibilities of exporting quality Murrah germplasm to Alta Genetics, a genomics company from Brazil, will be explored.
• Members of the Indo-Brazilian Chamber of Commerce have been invited to explore business opportunities in the agriculture sector in Haryana. There will also be joint research and exchange of technologies like Embryo Transfer Technology (ETT) and In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF) besides further strengthening the mutually beneficial relationship in the field of dairy development and improvement of indigenous cattle breeds in the state.
• The Minister said that a centre will also be opened in the state by a Canadian company to increase the amount of protein in the animal feed, under which a delegation of this company will visit Haryana soon and then a Memorandum of Understanding will be signed.
• Giving information about his visit to Brazil, Minister J.P. Dalal told that in the year 1911, the Raja of Bhavnagar had donated Gir breed cows to Brazil and after that Brazil worked in the breed improvement of these cows.
• It is worth noting that the Girlando breed has been developed by improving the Gir cow breed in Brazil, which gives an average of 15 liters of milk, in which 99 percent of the genetics are found from the Gir cow of India.

Agriculture Minister Inaugurates 24×7 Pet Clinic

Why in News?

• On July 19, 2022, Jharkhand's Agriculture Animal Husbandry and Cooperation Minister Badal Patralekh inaugurated the newly constructed Directorate of Animal Husbandry Building, Auditorium, 24×7 Pet Clinic under Hesag, Hatia.

Key Points

• Minister Badal Patralekha also inaugurated a workshop to apprise the cattle herders, public representatives, etc., about the activities of animal husbandry.
• In the program, Badal also released a booklet of rules and regulations related to animal husbandry for the state's cattle rearers, such as guidelines for poultry, goat rearing, swine rearing and State Animal Welfare Board.
• He said that the service of pet clinic has been started at District Animal Husbandry Office, Ranchi to provide 24×7 medical facilities to the cattle owners. Soon a model animal hospital will also be opened in the capital Ranchi, in which all types of facilities will be available to the cattle owners and 24×7 veterinary facilities will be made available in all the districts of the state.
• On this occasion, Minister Badal distributed assets under the schemes of Poultry and Duck to some selected beneficiaries. In the last one year, he distributed appointment letters to the employees appointed through compassionately.

FGR Portal to be Launched in Chhattisgarh

Why in News?

• Recently, in view of the farmer-friendly policies and programs of the Government of Chhattisgarh, it has been decided by the Union Ministry of Agriculture to launch 'Farmer Grievance Redressal Portal' (FGR) as a pilot project in Chhattisgarh. This portal will be launched on July 21, 2022, through video conferencing.

Key Points

• The Commissioner of Agricultural Production of the State of Chhattisgarh has been directed by the Union Agriculture Ministry to ensure online participation of farmer representatives, farmers and office bearers of Panchayats including officials of the Agriculture Department and to apprise them of the short code 14447 .
• It may be recalled that the Union Agriculture Ministry has prepared a Farmers Grievance Redressal Portal (FGR) to address the grievances of farmers across the country related to farming, especially crop insurance.
• The portal is currently being implemented in Chhattisgarh as a pilot project by the central government, the result of which will be implemented later across the country.
• Chhattisgarh was selected by the Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India because of the better performance of the state in the implementation of Prime Minister's crop insurance and being the leading state in the payment of insurance claim amount in the country.
• The Union Agriculture Ministry is going to launch the beta version of FGR from Chhattisgarh in view of the remarkable results of the Integrated Kisan Portal designed for registration of farmers in Chhattisgarh, Rajiv Gandhi Nyaya Yojana, Chief Minister's Tree Plantation Promotion Scheme etc.
• Through the FGR portal, farmers will be able to find solutions to their problems related to farming, especially crop insurance. The problems and complaints reported by the farmers through telephone or mobile will be registered online in this portal, the diagnosis of which will be reported online by them.

Formation of NRI Cell

Why in News?

• Recently, NRI cell has been formed by the Government of Chhattisgarh to unite the non-resident Indians of Chhattisgarh residing in different countries and to preserve the art, culture and literature of the state.

Key Points

• Indian-origin Korba resident Pallav Shah has been nominated as the coordinator of the NRI cell. He is currently residing in Boston (MA), USA.
• Along with preserving Chhattisgarhi art-culture and literature through NRI cell, its wide publicity and to maintain lively contact with non-resident Indians and to receive suggestions and information from such non-resident Indians for the progress of the state and their implementation.

Beyond the Misty Veil, Temple Tales of Uttarakhand

Why in News?

• On July 19, 2022, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami released the book 'Beyond the Misty Veil, Temple Tales of Uttarakhand' in English on the temples of Uttarakhand by Aradhana Johri (Retd. IAS) at Mukhya Sevak Sadan, Dehradun.

Key Points

• Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, while congratulating the author of the book, Aradhana Johri, said that the book will be known as an authentic introduction to the divine temples of Uttarakhand in the country and abroad. People will get the best information from this book.
• The Chief Minister said that this book, based on the mythological temples of Devbhoomi Uttarakhand, informs about the culture and mythology of the country.
• This book will give a boost to religious tourism in Uttarakhand and people will get to know about the countless temples and folk tales associated with them.
• The author of the book, Aradhana Johri has been the DM of Nainital. During posting in Nainital, she herself went to the temples and tried to give all the information there in the book. The 300-page book has been researched for three years.