• 20 Sep 2022

Nandi Sanctuary to be built in Moradabad Division

Why In News?

• On September 19, 2022, Moradabad Divisional Commissioner of Uttar Pradesh, Anjaney Singh said that an initiative is being taken to create Nandi Sanctuary in Moradabad division to overcome the problem of stray cattle.

Key Points

• Many gaushalas have been built for the maintenance of cows in the state and their system has been improved, but no arrangement could be made to take care of the Nandi's. In order to solve this problem, a plan has been made to establish these sanctuaries.
• The divisional commissioner said that the initiative is being taken in three districts of Moradabad division - Sambhal, Amroha and Bijnor. The work of establishing Nandi Sanctuary has been started here.
• Nandi will be able to roam in these sanctuaries without any fear. For this, Caraunda trees will be planted around here for the time being. After this, many such plants including bamboo will be planted, which will also generate income.
• Nandi sanctuaries will have their own sources of income, so that there should not be any problem in their operation in future. There will also be arrangements for pastures and hay for grazing the rivers.
• After successful operation in all the three districts, the project will be sent to the state government. If all goes well, such sanctuaries will be built in other districts affected by stray cattle in the future.
• By bringing the Nandi's to one place, these Nandi Sanctuaries will become a witness to the fear-free environment for them. Nandi will move between trees and plants and grass. If there is a reservoir for drinking water, these sanctuaries will also be connected to it. Along with this, tube wells will also be arranged.
• For this, the advice and cooperation of the village head of the concerned gram sabha will also be included in it. Additional Commissioner BN Yadav has been entrusted with the responsibility of monitoring the scheme.
• The Divisional Commissioner said that if the experiment of this project is successful, then it will be effective in all the districts of the state. It has been started with this intention.

Ashoka Inscription and Two other Sites in Bihar under Consideration for ASI Notification

Why In News?

• On September 19, 2022, archaeological survey of India (ASI) officials said that two monuments from Bihar — the Ashoka inscription and two ancient mounds — are currently under consideration as per the status of the centrally-protected monuments, which will be decided soon.

Key Points

• The Patna circle of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) had sent these recommendations for notification over a period of 14 years.
• The Ashoka inscription site is in Rohtas district and the recommendation for its ASI notification was sent in 2008, followed by recommendations in 2010 and 2021, as well as listing of two ancient mounds in Bihar as centrally-protected monuments.
• The recommendation for a mound in the Jangalistan region near the Vikramshila site in Bhagalpur district was sent in 2010. It was sent in 2021 to list Raniwas mound in a different part of Bihar.
• At present, 70 sites in Bihar are with the ASI, which works under its Patna circle. It is one of the oldest regional circles in India.
• Sources at the ASI headquarters in Delhi said these recommendations sent by Patna circle are under process. Proposals or recommendations sent in the form of careful documents by the regional circles are examined by a team at the ASI headquarters before taking a final decision. First a provisional notification is issued and then a final gazette notification is issued.
• There are a total of 3,693 heritage sites in India protected by the ASI. Many of these are UNESCO World Heritage Sites, such as the Taj Mahal of Agra, the Red Fort of Delhi, the Qutub Minar and the Tomb of Humayun and the ruins of the ancient Nalanda University in Bihar.
• Officials said the Shiva temple in Gaya was notified by the ASI in 1996, since then no new site in Bihar has been brought under the ASI's purview.

India's First Scientist Memorial to Come Up in Madhya Pradesh

Why In News?

• On September 19, 2022, in the 61st meeting of the Working Committee of the Madhya Pradesh Council of Science and Technology, it was decided that the country's first Scientist Memorial would be established in the ancient city of Ujjain, a pioneer in the spread of science.

Key Points

• Presiding over the 61st meeting of the Working Committee, Science and Technology Minister Omprakash Sakhlecha said that the state's science and technology policy would be announced soon and focussed on construction of Science City and Regional Science Center at divisional level while promoting science tourism.
• The Director General of the Council said that there are science memorials in the country, but this is the first case of building a scientist memorial in Ujjain's planetarium. Such a proposal has come up in a competition of young scientists. The Council has agreed to start work on the proposal immediately.
• Similarly, development of science tourism to promote science and technology was also discussed. During the approval of the works of Regional Science Center to be built in Jabalpur and Ujjain, it has been decided that every 300 km. But science centers and regional science centers will be built at the division level.
• It was decided in the meeting that arrangements should be made for drone training in all the districts of the state and instead of the same training in all the districts, training of different techniques of drones should be given. Initially, Rs 10 lakh each has been provided to the districts of the state for drone training.
• Minister Sakhlecha reviewed the action plan to create digital atlases of districts and directed that important products and projects of the district should be included in the atlas of Madhya Pradesh. With this, anyone from the world can know where the product is available. He also instructed to take the cooperation of science students of the college in this work and reward them for encouraging them.
• Minister Sakhlecha said that an advisory board of 15 to 20 renowned scientists and experts of the country should also be formed. This board will share research and technology-based knowledge every two months, which will help in spreading science activities in the state. He said that seminars and webinars should be held twice a month to ensure the benefits of science and technology to young and new entrepreneurs.
• It was decided in the committee that the technique of making fiber from bamboo, banana and coconut will be worked out. In place of traditional furniture, scientific and technology-based changes will be brought in furniture production according to human needs. At the same time, the council will also work on preparing a health database, so that the expenditure on health insurance can be reduced by 50 percent.
• The Council approved the proposal to increase the junior and senior level research fellowships given to young scientists every year. It has been increased by 5 and 10 thousand rupees respectively.
• In the Working Committee, a proposal was agreed to constantly apprise all departments and ministers about various new dimensions of science and technology. It was also decided that separate modules should be made in view of the structure of all the departments.
• In the meeting, the proposal to increase the fellowship of the project staff working in the Council was approved. It was also decided to develop and produce science films at division and district level as well as to make science film festivals.

Haryana's New Initiative to make PMMSY Successful

Why In News?

• On September 19, 2022, Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal announced a new initiative for fish farmers to make the 'Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana' a success in the state.

Key Points

• As a new initiative, the Chief Minister said that under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana, the subsidy coming from the Central Government which comes late, will now be given by the Haryana Government in advance.
• Apart from this, the Chief Minister announced to set up a testing lab related to fisheries in Sirsa itself for the fish farmers of Sirsa district, which will directly benefit the shrimp farmers here. Earlier, fish farmers here had to go to Rohtak and take the facility of lab testing.
• Along with this, Chief Minister Manohar Lal also announced to set up a wholesale fish market in one of the districts of Jhajjar or Gurugram for the purchase and sale of fish, which will benefit the farmers in economic progress.
• The Chief Minister also informed that an aquapark would be constructed at Garwa village in Bhiwani district at a cost of Rs 30 crore. This aqua park will be on 25 acres. In this, new research related to fisheries, new varieties of fisheries, research on seeds will be done. This will directly benefit the fish farmers.

Draft Haryana Ex-Situ Management of Paddy Straw Policy-2022

Why In News?

• On September 19, 2022, Haryana chief secretary Sanjeev Kaushal has prepared a draft Haryana ex-situ management of paddy straw policy-2022 by the New and Renewable Energy Department to completely curb crop residue burning incidents in the state and ensure proper management of stubble.

Key Points

• The final approval to the draft Haryana Ex-Situ Management of Paddy Straw Policy-2022 will be given by Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar.
• The Chief Secretary said that the Haryana Ex-Situ Management of Paddy Straw Policy-2022 aims at stubble-based biomass, power projects, industries, compressed biogas plants, waste-to-energy plants, brick kilns, A conducive environment has to be created to attract investment in packaging materials etc. Along with this, farmers should be encouraged to cut, make and store stubble in their fields and to facilitate it to be sold for use in various projects.
• Through this policy, a link will be established between farmers and industries / gaushalas / users for demand and supply management of crop residue. Also, emphasis will be laid on the use of stubble in power plants, industrial boilers, brick kilns or any other industrial, commercial or institutional establishments.
• Promotion of Research and Development (R&D) in new technologies is also one of the main objectives of this policy.
• Various financial incentives have also been provided in the draft of this policy to promote the use of power projects, CBG plants, ethanol and other biofuels in the state.
• The Chief Secretary said that district wise mapping strategy for stubble demand has also been included in the policy.
• He said that continuous work is being done by the Agriculture Department to make farmers aware and encourage for crop residue management in the state. Baling units (Hay-rake, Shrub Master and Straw Baler) are being provided by the department to farmers under individual category at 50 percent subsidy and for opening customer hiring centers at 80 percent subsidy.

Digital and Azim Premji University to Open in Jharkhand

Why In News?

• On September 19, 2022, Governor Ramesh Bais approved the Kaushal Vidya Entrepreneurship, Digital and Skill Universities Bill, 2022 and the Azim Premji University Bill, 2022, passed by the Jharkhand Legislative Assembly in the monsoon session.

Key Points

• Kaushal Vidya Entrepreneurship, Digital and Skill University will be run in collaboration with the State Government and Prejha Foundation (Pan IT Alumni Rich for Jharkhand Foundation). Its headquarter will be in Khunti.
• Initially eight polytechnic institutes will be attached to this university. From here other academic courses like certificate, diploma, graduation, post-graduation etc. will run.
• As a private university, the headquarters of Azim Premji University will be in Ranchi. The state government is providing land in Itki. Professional courses like engineering, medical, management etc. will start from this university.
• The chancellor of the digital university will be the governor, while the president will be the head of the university. They will be appointed by the nodal agency for three years on the recommendation of the selection committee. The vice-chancellor will be appointed for three years on the recommendation of the selection committee by the chairman, while in other universities, the vice-chancellor is appointed by the governor--chancellor. Apart from this, vice-chancellor, pro-vice chancellor, registrar, chief finance and accounts officer, dean etc. will be appointed in the university.
• Azim Premji University will be the 16thprivate university in Jharkhand. In this, five percent seats will be reserved for students from economically weaker sections, while 25 percent seats will be reserved for students from Jharkhand, the university will not get any grant-in-aid or other financial assistance from the state government or the central government. VC, PROVC, Registrar, Teachers will be appointed.
• Objective of Digital University:
  • Providing career-oriented education and skills to students wishing to enter entrepreneurship directly or startup.
  • To provide life-long training opportunities to students through various courses through online education and other means.
  • To create an option based credit system for competency based skills and vocational education.
  • To provide practical, professional and skill based training focused teaching in line with the market and industry.

More than 50 Percent Reservation Declared Unconstitutional in HC

Why In News?

• On September 19, 2022, the Division Bench of the Chief Justice of Chhattisgarh High Court set aside the notification of the state government to increase the reservation limit to 58%, calling it unconstitutional.

Key Points

• After this decision of the High Court, the state government will now be able to give only 50% reservation on government appointments, admission in professional colleges.
• The High Court, while pronouncing its order, accepted that the notification of the state government has created an unconstitutional situation. A reservation of more than 50% is not justified and justified under any circumstances.
• It is noteworthy that the previous BJP government had amended the reservation rules in the year 2012 itself. Reservation percentage of SC category was reduced from 16 to 12%. Similarly, the number of Scheduled Tribes increased from 20% to 32%. The quota for Other Backward Classes remained intact at 14%. By doing this the percentage of total reservations increased from 50 to 58. This was contrary to the directions and legal provisions of the Supreme Court.
• While the high court's latest decision on reservation has dealt a major blow to the ongoing preparations for 27 percent OBC reservation by the state government, the 32% reservation for STs has been abolished and the government has been directed to make a law within the 50% limit.

110-metre Span Double Lane Motor Bridge over Kali river between India and Nepal

Why In News?

• On September 19, 2022, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami laid the foundation stone of the proposed 110 meter span double lane motor bridge over Kali river between India-Nepal at Malla Charchhum, Dharchula.

Key Points

• At the same time when Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami laid the foundation stone of the proposed motor bridge at Charchhum, at the same time, Nepal's Commerce Minister Dilendra Prasad Badu also laid the foundation stone.
• Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said that this bridge would be ready within a year. This bridge will be built at a cost of 32 crore 98 lakh 40 thousand rupees.
• Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said that this bridge will be the second motor bridge in Uttarakhand after Gadatta post between India and Nepal to be built at Chhachhum. All types of vehicles, small and big, can ply on this bridge.
• With the construction of this bridge, the traffic between India and Nepal will be easy. This will increase trade relations between India and Nepal. Local people will benefit by increasing tourism and trade in the area.

Vehicles Coming to Uttarakhand from Other States to Attract 1% Green Cess

Why In News?

• On September 19, 2022, Uttarakhand Transport Minister Chandan Ramdas told the media that the government would impose green cess on vehicles coming to Uttarakhand from other states. A proposal is being prepared for this, which will be brought in the cabinet meeting soon.

Key Points

• Transport Minister Chandan Ramdas said that one percent green cess will be levied on vehicles coming to Uttarakhand from other states. This cess will be used for road safety works. This will increase revenue, which will strengthen road safety.
• The transport department collects entry tax from commercial vehicles coming from outside, but now one percent green cess will be charged from commercial and private vehicles. For this, the Transport Department is preparing software.
• He said that the green cess will be such that it does not put too much burden on the public. This cess will be levied on all vehicles coming from other states except two-wheelers and tractors.
• This green cess will be levied based on high security number plates of vehicles. For this, Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras have been installed at all check posts. With the help of these cameras, the tax of every vehicle entering the border of Uttarakhand can be checked. Based on this, recovery will be made. Wide publicity will also be done for Green Cess.