• 20 Dec 2022

Deduction of Marks Under Swachh Survekshan 2023

Why in discussion?

According to the information received from the media on December 19, 2022, in order to get a better ranking in the Swachh Survekshan-2023, all the municipal bodies of Bihar will have to make advertisements in more digital way. Because in Swachh Bharat Mission 2.0 and Swachh Survekshan, if flex, polythene or plastic is used for branding under any circumstances, then 25 marks will be directly deducted.

Key Points

• According to the information, the ranking will deteriorate if plastic flakes and banners are installed. For this, the ministry has issued guidelines to all the municipal bodies of the state.
• After this, at the local level, instead of banners and flags, the Muzaffarpur Municipal Corporation has started giving messages making people aware about cleanliness through LED screens attached to Smart City at various places in the city. After preparing its action plan, the survey has been uploaded on the website of the central government.
• This time, the maximum focus will be on artworks and slogans during the entire competition. According to the theme, this time 48 percent i.e., 4525 marks will be based on service level program alone i.e., segregation, processing and disposal of garbage; 27 percent i.e., 2500 marks will be for certification; and 25 percent i.e., 2475 marks will be for citizen voice.
• The wards will get marks as follows -
  • 25 points for more than 95 percent wide publicity in wards.
  • 20 points for 75 to 90 percent publicity in wards.
  • 15 points for 50 to 74 percent publicity in wards.
  • 10 points for less than 50 percent publicity in wards .

Rajasthan Wins National Award for Digital Innovations

Why in discussion?

On December 19, 2022, digital innovations and public welfare schemes led by Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot received the SKOCH Award at the National Level.

Key Points

• The State Government's Public Welfare Portal and e-Mitra have been given the SKOCH Gold Award for the year 2022 in the e-governance category. Through the Public Welfare Portal, the websites of all departments and districts are created by the state government, so that all the information related to the state government can be available to the common people on a single platform.
• Apart from this, more than 600 services of the state government are being made available online to the general public through e-Mitra.
• In the e-governance category, RajKaj, a digital platform created for state government employees, has been given the SKOCH Silver Award.
• The SKOCH Gold Award has been given to The Rajasthan Housing Board for outstanding work in the housing category. At the same time, Indira Gandhi Matritva Poshan Yojana has been given the SKOCH Silver Award in the Women and Child Development category.
• It is noteworthy that Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot is constantly working towards giving a transparent and accountable good governance to the state through IT.
• On behalf of the state government, IT Commissioner Ashish Gupta, Officer in charge of the Chief Minister's Office (IT) Rajesh Kumar Saini and Project Officer Neha Chaudhary received the award.

National-Level 'SKOCH Award' to Indira Gandhi Matritva Poshan Yojana

Why in discussion?

On December 19, 2022, 'Indira Gandhi Matritva Poshan Yojana', aimed at meeting the nutritional needs of pregnant women in Rajasthan, was awarded the SKOCH Award at the National Level at a function held at The India Habitat Centre in New Delhi.

Key Points

• The second prize (silver medal) was given to this scheme at the prize distribution ceremony. Director of Integrated Child Development Services Ramavatar Meena and Divya Santhanam, representative of IPE Global, which is providing technical support to the scheme, received the award.
• It is noteworthy that in 2020-21, this scheme was started by the state government in 5 tribal districts baran, Banswara, Dungarpur, Pratapgarh and Udaipur, which has been implemented in all 33 districts of the state in the year 2022-23.
• Under this scheme, an amount of six thousand rupees is provided to the pregnant woman on the birth of the second child.
• Indira Gandhi Matritva Poshan Yojana is a completely paperless scheme in which the beneficiary does not have to apply in any way, he is paid online on the basis of data recorded in the Health Department. The scheme aims to benefit about 3.30 lakh women.

Additional Budget for Nirbhaya Fund

Why in discussion?

On December 19, 2022, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot approved a provision for additional budget of Rs 60 crore in the Nirbhaya Fund for 45 POCSO courts running in the state for the safety of women.

Key Points

• The state government is very sensitive about the safety of women in the state and necessary steps are being taken continuously in the state regarding women's safety. In this sequence, additional budget provision has been approved in the Nirbhaya Fund.
• It is noteworthy that under the National Mission (Fast Track Special Courts) Nirbhaya Fund, there are 45 POCSO courts operating in the state, out of which 40 percent is funded by the state government.
• For this fund, the Gehlot government has approved an additional budget provision of Rs 40.27 crore in state fund and Rs 19.73 crore in central share, so that the employees/officers posted in these POCSO courts will get uninterrupted withdrawal of the next month's salary.

Haryana Wins SKOCH Gold Award

Why in discussion?

On December 19, 2022, at a function held at India Habitat Centre in New Delhi, the Department of Agriculture and Horticulture of Haryana received the SKOCH Gold Award for its remarkable achievements in Soil Health Card and Crop Cluster Development Programme.

Key Points

• This award was given by Dr. K.K. Sharma, Additional Chief Secretary, Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Department, Haryana. Sumita Mishra and Director General of Horticulture Department Arjun Saini received the award.
• Haryana, which is the second largest contributor of food grains to the national pool, has taken several policy initiatives to promote diversification and agri-business in the field of horticulture. The state has mapped around 400 horticultural crop clusters and formed 700 Farmer Producer Organizations.
• In order to strengthen backward and forward linkages in clusters, the state has launched an ambitious scheme 'Crop Cluster Development Programme (CCDP)' with an outlay of Rs 510.35 crore for setting up on-farm integrated pack-houses through FPOs. So far, 33 integrated pack-houses have been set up in the state and 35 are in progress. A total of 100 such integrated pack houses are targeted to be set up by the end of the current financial year.
• Further, in order to ensure final value chain for farmers and agricultural produce, 37 companies in the agriculture sector have executed 54 MoUs with 34 FPOs for trading and marketing of FPOs with buy-back mechanism to promote agri-business activities.
• CCDP was launched to address a number of issues including collection of produce such as cluster formation, farmers' groups and pack-houses, collection centers, grading-packing and standards such as market linkages.
• In addition, it also aims to resolve sanitary and phytosanitary measures, including pesticide residues, and microbiological contamination including pests, diseases, aflatoxins and heavy metals.
• Under the 'Har Khet-Swasth Khet' campaign, around 75 lakh soil samples will be collected and tested in 3-4 years and Soil Health Cards (SHCs) for each acre will be distributed to farmers, a state government spokesperson said.
• In order to increase people's participation and awareness about soil testing, the work of collecting soil samples and distribution of soil health cards is being done through Farmer Helpers (local villagers) and science students of Government Colleges, Government Senior Secondary School under the 'Earn While You Learn' program.
• Farmer assistants and science students are also provided an incentive of Rs 40 per soil sample. They were trained by the department to collect soil samples. With this strategy, the state has collected 30 lakh soil samples in the year 2022-23, which is eight times more than the previous years (2015-2020).
• The spokesman said that the state of Haryana has an extensive network of soil testing laboratories where farmers have easy access to soil testing. There is availability of soil testing laboratory within a radius of 20-25 km.
• Prior to the year 2020-21, the department had 35 static soil testing laboratories, which could test 7.4 lakh soil samples annually. During the years 2021-22 and 2022-23, the department has created 60 new STLs (13 stable + 47 mini).
• At present, the department has a total of 95 (48 static+47 mini) soil testing laboratories which can test 30 lakh soil samples annually.

25 Airports Across the Country, Including Ranchi, to be Leased out

Why in discussion?

On December 19, 2022, Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation V.K. Singh informed that private sector companies are operating airports in major cities of the country. Airports in 25 other cities of the country, including Ranchi, have been selected for leasing out between 2022 and 2025 under the National Monetization Pipeline (NMP).

Key Points

• According to the Union Minister of Civil Aviation- Patna, Ranchi, Bhubaneswar, Varanasi, Amritsar, Trichy, Indore, Raipur, Calicut, Coimbatore, Nagpur, Madurai, Surat, Jodhpur, Chennai, Vijayawada, Vadodara, Bhopal, Tirupati, Hubli, Imphal, Agartala, Udaipur, Dehradun and Rajahmundry have been selected for leasing in the country.
• The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has leased eight airports for long-term operations under PPP model. The ministry believes that in public interest, it is being leased out to the private sector so that modern airports can be built in the country.
• V.K. Singh said that airports have emerged as the center of economic activity. Airport infrastructure in the country is being developed with the revenue earned from leasing out airports. At the same time, the central government has approved the construction of 21 green field airports in the country, out of which 10 greenfield airports have started.

Jharkhand Receives Digital India Award for the First Time

Why in discussion?

On December 19, 2022, the Ministry of Information and Technology, Government of India has selected the concept of DEGS Computer Basic Training Centre run by Koderma District Administration of Jharkhand for the Digital India Award.

Key Points

• The Digital India Award will be received by Koderma DC Aditya Ranjan. According to Koderma DC, the honor will be conferred by the President in a program to be organized in Delhi on January 7, 2023.
• According to the information, the Ministry of Information and Technology, Government of India had invited applications for the Digital India Award in 2022, for which thousands of nominations were received. More than 100 projects were shortlisted in the first round of this award given in seven different categories. After this, everyone gave their presentation before a jury of nine members which included Secretary IT, two additional secretaries, professors of IIT Delhi etc.
• It is noteworthy that Koderma DC Aditya Ranjan had also put forward the plan of basic training center before the jury in Delhi on December 8, 2022, after which the final selection has now been done.
• Koderma has been selected for gold in the Digital Initiative at Grass Root level. In this category, Madhya Pradesh has got platinum for e-discussion app and Kerala has got silver for Shreyashree portal.
• It is known that on the initiative of the district administration in Koderma district, the DEGS Computer Center has been started in the recent year. At present, it is being operated in Koderma, Jhumritalaiyya, Satgawan, Domchanch, Chandwara and Jayanagar except Markacho Block. Apart from more than nine thousand children in these centres, certificates have also been given to ANNMs, Sahiyas, public representatives etc. after imparting computer training.
• Aditya Ranjan said that even at present, hundreds of trainees are undergoing computer training in these centers. Apart from six centers, there is a plan to open two more centers. One centre will be opened at Girls High School, Koderma and the other at JJ College, Jhumritalaiyya.

Chhattisgarh Wins National Silver SKOCH Award for 'Mor Mayaru Guruji' Program

Why in discussion?

On December 19, 2022, the 'Mor Mayaru Guruji' program of Chhattisgarh State Commission for Protection of Child Rights was awarded silver SKOCH Award at the national level by The SKOCH Foundation at a program organized at India Habitat Center, New Delhi.

Key Points

• The award was received by Women and Child Development Minister Anila Bhediya and Commission Chairperson Tejkunwar Netam.
• Chhattisgarh Housing Board and Forest Department Balod also received awards in this honor ceremony.
• Anila Bhediya said that this program has been started with the aim of making the teachers behave with the children after understanding the mentality of the children.
• It is noteworthy that the National SKOCH Award is a very prestigious honor which is received only after passing the step-by-step process of 7 steps. This award has been given for the innovation of 'Mor Mayaru Guruji' program in the field of child protection in the category of Women and Child Development.
• It is worth mentioning that through the 'Mor Mayaru Guruji' program of The Chhattisgarh State Commission for Protection of Child Rights, teachers are given training in an interesting way through sports and other activities to protect child rights.
• The Commission has so far trained about 2000 teachers at various district and state levels in this programme and plans to expand it to the district level in future.
• This program has been designed in an interesting way. Its duration has been kept only 2 to 3 hours, so that teachers can easily accept it.
• The Commission believes that the relationship between a teacher and a child lasts from 5 years to 12 years and in the meantime the personality of the teacher has a profound impact on the children. Keeping this in mind, all these topics have been included in the Mor Mayaru Guruji program, including child rights, what to emphasize and what shortcomings to be corrected while interacting with children and teaching.

Book: 'Back from the Brink' Released

Why in discussion?

On December 19, 2022, Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel and Forest Minister Mohammad Akbar released a special book 'Back from the Brink' written by the Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) on the conservation of wild buffaloes, the state animal of Chhattisgarh, at a meeting of the Chhattisgarh State Wildlife Board .

Key Points

• For the last 17 years, WTI has been working with Chhattisgarh Forest Department on conservation and promotion of forest buffaloes. The book details the various aspects of the project that has been going on for the last two decades as well as a detailed description of the goal of conservation.
• India accounts for more than 80 percent of the globally endangered wild buffalo (Bubalus arnee). In Chhattisgarh, the number of forest buffaloes in hard ground has come down to less than 50. The number of forest buffaloes in the wetlands of Assam is close to 4000.
• According to Vivek Menon, founder and executive director of Wildlife Trust of India, when WTI started functioning in the state in 2005, there were only six forest buffaloes left in Udanti Sanctuary along with one female wild buffalo. This meant that there was a serious threat of extinction of the isolated populations of central India.
• This report chronicles 15 years of conservation work with endangered wild buffaloes. The conservation of Chhattisgarh's State Animal requires global attention as well as the cooperation of the Central and State government.
• According to Dr. Rajendra Mishra, Deputy Director and Central Zone Head, Wildlife Trust of India, there were a maximum of 11 wild buffaloes in Udanti Sanctuary during the project period. The Forest Department also succeeded in shifting two forest buffaloes (male and female) from Manas National Park in Assam to Baranwapara Wildlife Sanctuary in the year 2020 with the technical support of WTI.
• The book states that the wild buffaloes of Udanti share a haplotype with wild buffaloes of Assam state and even Maharashtra and hence can be used to increase the population of wild buffaloes in Udanti. However, the shrinking forests and grasslands in the Udanti-Sitanadi Tiger Reserve can pose a serious threat to protect wild buffaloes.
• Through three consecutive years of public awareness campaigns, WTI has disseminated conservation and promotion of wild buffaloes to about 4000 students, 3000 villagers and 12 public service departments, whose impact has reached all sections of the society.

Chhattisgarh to Increase Tiger Population

Why in discussion?

On December 19, 2022, the Chhattisgarh State Wildlife Board meeting held under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel approved several other proposals including bringing tigers from Madhya Pradesh to increase the number of tigers in Chhattisgarh.

Key Points

• According to this proposal, tigers brought from Madhya Pradesh will be released to the Sudden Tiger Reserve. Along with this, tigers will be released in Baranwapara sanctuary due to favorable conditions for tigers.
• In the meeting of the Chhattisgarh State Wildlife Board, several proposals were approved for protection and conservation of wild animals, prevention of wild animal-human conflict.
• A proposal to increase the number of tigers in Chhattisgarh was made by the Global Tiger Forum (GTF), whose implementation was approved in the meeting. Under whichtigers will be brought from Madhya Pradesh to the Sudden Tiger Reserve.
• Officials said that water sources, pastures have been developed for wild animals in Achanakmar Taigar Reserve, so that the number of herbivorous wild animals can increase.
• In the board meeting, in-principle approval was also given to the proposal to release tigers to restore tigers in Barnawapara Sanctuary in Balodabazar district .
• Tigers were found in Barnawapara Sanctuary till the year 2010 . Under the Tiger Re-Introduction and Tiger Recovery Plan, habitat suitability report will be prepared from renowned wildlife institutes, after which the work of tiger restoration in this sanctuary will be started after getting approval from the National Tiger Conservation Authority, New Delhi.
• Officials informed the meeting that the herbivorous wild animals have been brought from various breeding centers and other places and released into the natural habitat of protected areas of the state.
• It was also informed in the meeting that due to the provision of pasture, water etc. for elephants in the forest areas of Chhattisgarh, the incidents of elephant human conflict have been significantly reduced. About 11,314 hectares of pastures have been developed. About 80 thousandhectares of edible grass species have been planted.
• About 64 forest areas of Keshkal and Kanker forest divisions in The Danti-Sitanadi Tiger Reserve and Idravati-U Danti-Sitanadi-Sunabeda marked by wildlife institute of India Dehradun for construction of raipur-Vishakhap dameconomic corridor proposed under Bharat Mala project Permission was given for the construction of the proposed economic corridor in about 3.5 km highway passing through 7 forest chambers of the Tiger Corridor.
• The proposal will be sent to the National Board for Wildlife. In this way, permission was given to construct a new bridge over chintavagu river on Bhopalpattam to Jagdalpur National Highway. The proposal will also be sent to the National Board for Wildlife for approval. The construction of this new bridge and approach road falls under the buffer zone of 1.177 hectarearea of The IndiraVati Tiger Reserve.
• The meeting also approved proposals for laying optical fibre cables and installing mobile towers to facilitate better communication in forest areas. This will strengthen the forest animal protection system. At the same time, pds system, paddy purchase, old age pension, banking and online education will be easier in the villages of forest areas.
• In the meeting, permission was also given for artificial insemination in forest buffaloes. According to the proposal, semen extraction will be carried out under the supervision of experts from Wildlife Trust of India and LaCONES, CCMB Hyderabad and veterinarians posted in the Forest Department and this will be used for artificial insemination of female forest buffaloes.

Atal Nirmal Nagar Award

Why in discussion?

On December 19, 2022, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami awarded the Atal Nirmal Nagar Award to nirmal nagars who performed well in swachh survekshan-2022 at Mukhya Sevak Sadan in Dehradun.

Key Points

• Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami gave away the Atal Nirmal Award to nine bodies of the state and Swachh Gaurav Samman to five nationally awarded bodies on the occasion.
• The Chief Minister announced that the amount of Atal Nirmal Nagar Award will be increased from One Crore to Two Crore Rupees. Cantonment areas will also be included in this as per rules.
• He also announced that after the allotment of houses under the PM Awas Yojana (Urban), an incentive of Five thousand rupees will also be given to the beneficiaries to buy household items.
• He said that environmental friends working during the Chardham Yatra in Kedarnath, Badrinath, Gangotri will get additional honorarium for food, warm uniforms. At the same time, one percent of the funds will be provided from the State Finance Commission for payment of pension dues of employees of the civic centralized service.
• Dehradun Municipal Corporation, Muni Ki Reti Municipality and Nandprayag Nagar Panchayat were awarded first prize for their performance in cleanliness survey.
• Apart from this, Municipal Corporation Haridwar, Cantonment Board Landour, Municipality Ramnagar, Doiwala and Narendranagar were given swachhata gaurav samman.
• On this occasion, the Chief Minister also launched the logo of Doon Cantt Swachhta Chaupal.