• 20 Aug 2022

Chief Minister Digital Service Scheme

Why In News?

• Recently, a senior official of the Rajasthan government said that three major telecom companies of the country have shown interest in the state's 'Chief Minister Digital Service Scheme' Under this scheme, 1.35 crore women in the state are to be given smartphones.

Key Points

• Three of the four companies that submitted technical bids for the 'Chief Minister Digital Service Scheme' joined in, project in-charge Chhatrapal Singh said. Now a high-level committee will assess the tenders and decide further.
• The process is expected to be completed at the earliest so that this budgetary announcement of Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot can be implemented before the assembly elections next year.
• Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot had announced the 'Chief Minister Digital Service Scheme' in this year's state budget. Under this, women heads of 1.35 crore 'Chiranjeevi families' in the state are to be given smart phones with three years of internet connectivity. The phone will have voice calls and SMS facility in addition to internet for three years.
• The project is worth about Rs.12,000 crore, including mobile phones, three years of internet and other items. The mobile to be given will be able to have two SIMs and the SIM will already be activated in its 'primary slot'. It cannot be changed.
• This mobile will be used by the state government to give benefits of various government schemes to 'Chiranjeevi families'. Along with this, it will be able to publicize its public welfare schemes through this and it will also have data of those who have taken advantage of the schemes.

Jharkhand's private universities to be de-recognised

Why In News?

• Recently, Jharkhand Governor Ramesh Bais has ordered the Higher and Technical Education Department to cancel the recognition of private universities not fulfilling the conditions of UGC guidelines and state government guidelines.

Key Points

• Governor Ramesh Bais has ordered de-recognition of private universities for not submitting the report sought within 15 days in the course of investigation. It has also asked to cancel the recognition of those private universities on the basis of the investigation report which do not fulfill the prescribed conditions.
• It is worth mentioning that the Governor had constituted a committee under the chairmanship of the Director of Higher Education in the last week of June and ordered the department to investigate all private universities in two months.
• Apart from the committee, four sub-committees have been constituted by the department and reports have been sought from 16 private universities for investigation. On this, the Governor directed to take action against the universities which did not give the report within 15 days.
• If a university does not give a report and does not cooperate in the investigation, action can be taken to cancel the recognition by seeking an explanation from the director of the university.
• It is noteworthy that private universities were recognized on the condition that they would build the required land in two years and infrastructure in three years. Many universities did not fulfill these conditions even after the prescribed period. It is also mandatory for private universities to get accreditation from NAAC in five years and audit every year. All these are being checked.

Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel Inaugurated 'Krishna Kunj'

Why In News?

• On the occasion of the birth anniversary of Lord Shri Krishna on August 19, 2022, Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel inaugurated the 'Krishna Kunj' developed at Telibandha in capital Raipur.

Key Points

• It is worth mentioning that as an ambitious scheme of Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel on Janmashtami, 'Krishna Kunj' has been started in the entire state, under which cultural, religious and life-saving trees will be planted at 162 selected places in urban areas of the state.
• 'Krishna Kunj' is being developed in all the urban bodies of the state by planting life-useful trees of cultural importance in a minimum of one acre of land. For this, the urban administration will provide land.
• Its purpose is to conserve the vanishing trees of religious, cultural and environmental importance and to make the coming generation aware of them and their importance.
• In 'Krishna Kunj', trees of religious importance will be planted along with banyan, peepal, amla, kadamba as well as life-saving harra, neem, mango, tamarind, plum, Ganga tamarind, jamun, Ganga ber, mulberry, tendu, chironji, pomegranate, kaitha, neem, gular, palas, guava, sitaphal and bel trees.

Mukhyamantri Udaiyaman Khiladi Yojana

Why In News?

• On August 19, 2022, Uttarakhand Sports Minister Rekha Arya told the media that the 'Mukhyamantri Udaiyaman Khiladi Yojana' will be launched to encourage sportspersons in the age group of 8 to 14 years of the state who have excelled in various sports. Children will be provided Rs. 1500 as sports scholarship.

Key Points

• Sports Minister Rekha Arya said this after a discussion and review meeting with the officials of the Sports Department regarding the preparations for the Upcoming National Sports Day to be held on August 29 at her official residence in Dehradun.
• Minister Rekha Arya told that Chief Minister Pushkar Dhami will launch 'Mukhyamantri Udiyaman Khiladi Yojana' on 29th August, the birthday of great hockey player Major Dhyanchand and on the occasion of National Sports Day.
• About four thousand players from across the state will get the benefit of this scheme. Under this, 150 boys from each district and an equal number of girls will get a scholarship of Rs 1500 per month. Selected beneficiaries will get three months incentive amount checks together.