• 21 Feb 2023

'Purvanchal Ki Shaan 2023'

Why in News?

On February 20, 2023, Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak felicitated the personalities who enhanced their glory at the 'Purvanchal Ki Shaan 2023' felicitation ceremony organized by Amar Ujala at a hotel in Lucknow.

Key Points

• Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak said that Uttar Pradesh is constantly setting new dimensions. After the Global Investment Summit, the state is moving towards acquiring first position on the economic front.
• He said that in Uttar Pradesh, Kashi is on one side and Prayagraj Sangam city on the other side. Kabir also reached Purvanchal during last days of his life. The glory of Gorakhnath in Gorakhpur is not hidden from anyone. The state also has its distinct contribution in the freedom struggle.
• Who were honoured -
  • Varanasi - Educationist Prof. Ram Mohan Pathak.
  • Bhadohi - Carpet exporter Imtiaz Ansari.
  • Ghazipur - Sanjay Sherpuria, founder of Youth Rural Entrepreneur Foundation.
  • Mirzapur : Arun Kumar Dubey, CMD of Vidya Sarthak Green City Private Limited, Paritosh Bajaj, Director of Seth Dwarka Prasad Bajaj Education Center and Jai Prakash Maurya, Proprietor of Satyam Enterprises.
  • Jaunpur - Gyan Prakash Singh, Chairman of Modern Veer Rage Security Force India Private Limited, Dr. Kshitij Kumar Sharma Managing Director of Kumud Girish Hospital Pvt. Ltd. and Rajneesh Srivastava, General Surgeon of Isha Hospital.
  • Gorakhpur - Principal of BRD Medical College Dr. Ganesh Kumar, tennis player Sagun Kumari, Nitin Matanhelia of DP Motors.
  • Kushinagar : O.P. Gupta, Managing Director, Geeta International Public School and Laparoscopic Surgeon, Krishna Hospital and Trauma Centre, Dr. Sanjay Gupta.

Pawan Arora Honoured with 'Visionary Leader' and 'Global CSR Excellence and Leadership' Award

Why in News?

On February 20, 2023, Pawan Arora, senior IAS officer from Rajasthan and Commissioner of Rajasthan Housing Board, was honoured with the prestigious 'Visionary Leader' award by the Times Group's World HRD Congress and the 'Global CSR Excellence and Leadership' award by prestigious World Sustainability Organization in Mumbai.

Key Points

• On behalf of Rajasthan Housing Divisional Commissioner Pawan Arora, Additional Chief Engineer Amit Agarwal, Deputy Housing Commissioner JS Bugalia and Dr. Dilip Sharma received the award.
• It is noteworthy that under the leadership of Housing Board Commissioner Pawan Arora, Rajasthan Housing Board has become a case study for management gurus across the country. Many states of the country are preparing to adopt this model.
• In the last four years under the leadership of Housing Commissioner Pawan Arora, the board has received a total of 12 awards. These include prestigious awards like World Book of Records in Home Sales, Skoch Award-2021, Award of Excellence, Honor by National Real Estate Development Council, National Housing Award, IBC and 'Star of Governance-Gold Award'.

CM inaugurates Vyas Medicity

Why in News?

On February 20, 2023, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot inaugurated Vyas Medicity in Jodhpur district of the State.

Key Points

• On this occasion, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot said that all possible steps have been taken in the medical field to realize the concept of a healthy Rajasthan. The state government is committed to provide better health services to the common man.
• The Chief Minister said that the state government has taken full care of development works in every area in Jodhpur. Probably all the prestigious institutions are established in Jodhpur. Prestigious institutions like AIIMS, National Law University, Ayurveda University, Sardar Patel Police University, MBM Engineering University have been established here.
• He said that announcement has also been made to open Marwar Medical University and Mahatma Gandhi Divyang University for Divyangjans in Jodhpur.

49th International Khajuraho Dance Festival-2023

Why in News?

On February 20, 2023, Khajuraho MP and BJP state president Vishnu Dutt Sharma inaugurated the seven-day 49th Khajuraho Dance Festival-2023 at the world famous tourist destination Khajuraho.

Key Points

• The 49th Khajuraho Dance Festival under Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav will continue till February 26 on the huge Muktakashi stage inside the Western Temple Group Complex between the Kandariya Mahadev Temple of Chandel period and Devi Jagdamba Temple.
• It is worth mentioning that the Department of Culture, Government of Madhya Pradesh organizes Khajuraho Dance Festival every year in the world heritage tourist city Khajuraho through Ustad Alauddin Khan Academy of Music and Arts, Madhya Pradesh Sanskriti Parishad, Bhopal.
• It is the country's premier festival focusing on Indian classical dance forms, which is renowned nationally and internationally. Famous artists of the country and the world present their dance performances in this ceremony.
• Khajuraho Dance Festival was started in 1975 and since then it has been successfully organized by Ustad Alauddin Khan Music and Arts Academy under the Department of Culture, Government of Madhya Pradesh. Since then, this dance ceremony has been held in the courtyard of well-known temples of Khajuraho.
• So far, young and senior artists of all the major classical dance styles of India like Bharatnatyam, Odissi, Kathak, Mohiniyattem, Kuchipudi, Kathakali, Yakshagana, Manipuri etc. have spread their aura in the Khajuraho Dance Festival.
• Through the festival, efforts have been made to innovate while maintaining the dignity of classical dance.
• At the inauguration of the festival, MP Vishnu Dutt Sharma also presented Madhya Pradesh State Rupankar Kala Puraskar 2023 to 10 artists.
  • The Devkrishna Jatashankar Joshi Award for the year 2022-23 in the State Rupankar Kala Puraskar has been given to Amit Kumar Sinha of Jabalpur for the artwork 'The Shining Maker'.
  • Mukund Sakharam Bhand Award to Ms. Samiksha Rathore of Bhopal for 'Shirshak Viheen',
  • Syed Haider Raza Award to Popil Manna of Bhopal for 'Depth of Fairnation'
  • Dattatray Damodar Devlalikar Award to Prem Kumar Singh of Dhar for 'Untitled 1'
  • Jagdish Swaminathan Award to Man Singh Vyam of Bhopal for 'Zindagi Ek Safar'
  • Vishnu Chinchalkar Award to Upendra Upadhyay of Indore for 'Semal Ki Bahar'
  • Narayan Shridhar Bendre Award to Om Prakash Mahour of Gwalior for 'Rango ka Bachpan'
  • Raghunath Krishnarao Phadke Award to Girish B. Urkude for 'Untitled 2',
  • Ram Manohar Sinha Award to Ms. Shivani Dubey of Bhopal for 'History 6'
  • Laxmishankar Rajput Award was presented to Ms. Anjali Raut of Jabalpur for 'Printed Queen 1' .
  • The artists were given a cash prize of Rs 51,000 and certificates. The award winning works of all the artists will be displayed in the State Rupankar Kala Puraskar exhibition.

Development Core Group Constituted Under the Chairmanship of Chief Secretary

Why in News?

On February 20, 2023, the state government constituted a Development Core Group under the chairmanship of the Chief Secretary to effectively control Naxal activities in the state, development works in Naxal affected areas, review of various development schemes run by the Central and State Government and recommend approval of necessary schemes/ programs for people-oriented development.

Key Points

• The Development Core Group, constituted under the chairmanship of the Chief Secretary, will meet twice a year.
• The committee includes Director General of Police, Additional Chief Secretary/ Chief Secretary Forest, Water Resources, Energy, Home, Finance, Public Works, Tribal Welfare, Public Health Engineering, Food and Women and Child Development, Public Health and Family Welfare, School Education, Additional Director General of Police Gupt Varta, Additional Director General of Police ANO will be the members.
• Additional Chief Secretary will be the Member Secretary of Panchayat and Rural Development Core Group.

Foot Massage Device designed by a Researcher at Central University ofr2 Haryana, gets Patent.

Why in News?

On February 20, 2023, Dr. Ajay Pal, in-charge of the Department of Yoga, Haryana Central University, said that Pradeep Kumar, a researcher of the department, has obtained a patent for the design of an instrument related to Indian acupressure therapy. In this, a foot massager device has been developed, which is going to give agility to those who work continuously by sitting.

Key Points

• Research scholar Pradeep Kumar said that this device works without electricity. This device made of wood will be very light and beautiful as well as easy to keep in any place.
• Pradeep Kumar said that the device prepared on the principle of acupressure is completely made of wood. Also, no kind of electricity will be used in it. Any employee will be able to use it sitting in the office and there will be no effect on the work.
• According to acupressure therapy, there are some important acupressure points in the soles and sides of the foot, which, if pressed or massaged together, can achieve the desired benefits.
• When these acupressure points come under pressure together they improve blood circulation as well as relieve pain. This foot massager is also useful in increasing the efficiency of employees with two to three minutes of exercise.

‘Chhattisgarh SDG District Progress Report’ and Online Monitoring Tool 'SDG Dashboard’

Why in News?

On February 20, 2023, Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel released the 'Chhattisgarh SDG District Progress Report 2021' prepared by the State Planning Commission for monitoring sustainable development goals and also launched an online monitoring tool 'SDG Dashboard' in a virtual meeting held at his residence.

Key Points

• On this occasion, Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel said that the state of Chhattisgarh is committed to achieve the SDG target in a time-bound manner. The resolution of 'Antyodaya' is also included in the objectives of the 'Public Declaration' as per the SDG target.
• The Chief Minister said that 'Score' and 'Ranking' have been provided to each district in the 'Chhattisgarh SDG District Progress Report 2021' prepared by the State Planning Commission and 'SDG Dashboard' prepared for online monitoring.
• Score and Ranking will act as a guiding light for the districts to achieve the target set by 2030 and will also help all collectors to identify the areas identified as growth bottlenecks and take evidence-based decisions.
• This report and dashboard will enable each district and department to play a decisive role in ensuring multifaceted development of its stakeholders by identifying their local implementation commitment.
• All the District Collectors will ensure effective monitoring of related schemes and data collection and reporting system and ensure every effort to achieve the target set by 2030.
• Ajay Singh, Deputy Chairman of State Planning Commission said that the state government has constituted a 'District Level SDG Implementation and Monitoring Committee' under the chairmanship of the District Collector. The committee consists of convenor, chief executive officer, district panchayat and co-convenor, district planning and statistics officer.
• The report provides 'score' and 'ranking' to the districts based on the progress achieved in a total of 82 indicators related to social, economic, environmental and other aspects.
• Responsible departments and district level officials have been mapped for each SDG indicator, as well as schemes related to each target have also been identified.
• The districts are divided into four categories based on the 'score' earned by them - Achiever (100 points), Front Runner (65-99 points), Performer (50-64 points), Aspirant (less than 50 points) )
• According to the report, as of 2021, eight districts (Dhamtari, Rajnandgaon, Balod, Durg, Bemetara, Gariaband, Mahasamund and Raipur) Runner category and remaining are Performer category. Dhamtari District has secured the first rank by scoring 72 marks.
• Chief Secretary Amitabh Jain said that the development agenda of the state government is mainly intertwined with the SDGs. The reports and dashboards provide data-based evidence for appropriate decision-making by the concerned departments towards achieving the SDG goals.
• The District Collector and the District Planning and Statistics Officer have been informed about how the District Indicator Framework can be used to achieve the SDG goals. SDG related 'Hindi booklet' has also been issued for better dissemination at the district level.

CM Transfers Rs 8.63 crore to Beneficiaries of Godhan Nyay Yojana

Why in News?

On February 20, 2023, Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel released an amount of Rs 8.63 crore online to cattle rearing villagers, women groups associated with gauthans and gauthan committees under the Godhan Nyay Yojana through a virtual program held at his residence office .

Key Points

• So far, Rs 412.19 crore has been paid to the beneficiaries of this scheme. With this, a total of 105 lakh 63 thousand quintals of cow dung has been purchased since the launch of this scheme. In lieu of this, an amount of Rs 211.25 crore has been provided so far after payment of Rs 4.76 crore to cow dung sellers .
• Out of the total amount being transferred, Rs 4.76 crore was paid for the purchase of cow dung. Out of this, an amount of Rs 2.06 crore has been paid by the Agriculture Department and an amount of Rs 2.70 crore has been paid by the self-reliant gauthans.
• Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister said that a total of 10,732 gauthans have been sanctioned in the state, out of which 9,720 have been constructed and are operational , construction of remaining gauthans is going on rapidly.
• The Chief Minister said that in the last one year, the number of cattle farmers benefited from the Godhan Nyay Yojana has increased by 59 percent and the purchase of cow dung has increased by 85 percent. 3 lakh 28 thousand rural cattle rearers have benefited from the scheme.
• So far, 5064 gauthans have become self-relient in the state, who have started purchasing cow dung from their own deposited capital. So far, cow dung worth of Rs 43.19 crore has been purchased and paid by self-sufficient cow shelters.
• The Chief Minister said that 45 units have been approved in 21 districts for making paint from cow dung, out of which 13 units have been started. The remaining 32 units are being constructed at a rapid pace. So far, 30 thousand 218 liters of paint has been produced. Out of these, 14 thousand 358 liters of paint has been sold. This has earned an income of Rs 29,16,300.
• He said that cow urine is being procured in 99 gauthans. So far, 01 lakh 33 thousand 484 liters of cow urine has been procured. Its price is 05 lakh 37 thousand 936 rupees. So far, the income from the manufacture and sale of Brahmastra pest controller and Jivammrit growth enhancers from cow urine has been Rs 28,96,845 .
• It is noteworthy that under the Godhan Nyaya Yojana, the share of self-supporting Gauthans has been 60 to 70 percent in the amount being paid for the purchase of cow dung for the past several fortnights. In today's situation, more than 50 percent Gothans have become self-supporting, who along with the purchase of cow dung and cow urine from their own funds, are spending other expenses of the Gothans from their own capital.

Decisions of the Council of Ministers meeting

Why in News?

Several important decisions were taken in the meeting of the Council of Ministers held under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel at his residence office on February 20, 2023.

Key Points

• In the meeting of the Council of Ministers, taking a major decision in the interest of the unemployed, the Government of Chhattisgarh took an important decision to provide unemployment allowance to the unemployed youth of the state.
• The draft of the Chhattisgarh Appropriation Bill-2023 was approved regarding the presentation of the third supplementary estimate year 2022-2023 and the budget estimate year 2023-2024 in the Legislative Assembly.
• The draft Chhattisgarh Legislative Assembly Members Salary, Allowances, Pension (Amendment) Bill-2023 was approved.
• Industrial Training Institute Upgradation Scheme was approved in partnership with Tata Technologies Limited. Under this, a total of Rs 1216.80 crore will be spent on the development of 36 ITIs in Chhattisgarh. With this, other short term courses including Mechanic, Electric Vehicle, Basic Designer and Virtual Verifier (Mechanical), Manufacturing Process Control and Automation, Advanced CNC Machining, Industrial Robotics and Digital Manufacturing and Artisan Using Advanced Tools will also be conducted in ITI institutions.
• The twenty-first annual report of the Chhattisgarh Public Service Commission (for the period from April 1, 2021, to March 31, 2022) was authorized to be tabled in the Legislative Assembly and the General Administration Department was authorized for further action.
• The proposal for formation of Chhattisgarh State Innovation Commission was approved. The State Innovation Commission will suggest ways to promote innovation in public welfare schemes, increase efficiency in administrative services, suggestions for implementation of the manifesto and other important points given from time to time.
• The Hon'ble Governor's address was approved for the 16th session of Chhattisgarh's fifth Vidhansabha March-2023.
• Under the Godhan Nyaya Yojana, as the percentage of conversion from cow dung to vermi compost per kilogram has increased from 40 to 33, it has been decided to pay the cost of additional cow dung used in the production of vermi compost from the amount of reimbursement cess of one rupee.
• It was decided to exempt the Public Health and Family Welfare and Medical Education Department from the Chhattisgarh Store Purchase Rules in relation to purchase/procurement from a single source.
• It was decided to create the post of Commissioner Medical Education under the Department of Medical Education.
• It was decided to purchase chana under the subsidy scheme of Rs 8000 per tonne from the buffer stock of government of India for distribution of gram to Antyodaya and priority families of Scheduled Area and Mada area under Public Distribution System.
• Under the Industrial Policy 2019-24 , it was decided to implement a special incentive policy for closed and sick industries in Chhattisgarh. This will be applicable to industries that have been closed and sick after November 1, 2019. This policy will be applicable only to manufacturing industries.
• It was decided to implement the Chhattisgarh State Logistics Policy 2022 to develop the state of Chhattisgarh as a logistics and warehousing hub.
• It has been decided to include widows, widowers, abandoned and unmarried men and women in the state-promoted Chief Minister--Prime Minister's Housing Scheme and the date of registration for housing has been extended till March 31, 2024.
• The draft Chhattisgarh Municipal Corporation Act 1956 (Amendment) Bill and Chhattisgarh Municipalities Act 1961 (Amendment) Bill 2023 were approved.

CM inaugurates e-Library

Why in News?

On February 20, 2023, Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel inaugurated the e-library of Chhattisgarh Swami Vivekananda Technical University Bhilai in a virtual program held at his residence office.

Key Points

• Through the e-library, 27,000 students studying in pharmacy, diploma, engineering and management institutes of 33 districts from Surguja to Bastar will be able to get online books facility on their mobile and laptop.
• Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister said that these books would be available on the mobile and laptop of the students for the next 7 years through the e-library created by Chhattisgarh Swami Vivekananda Technical University Bhilai.
• In the next 4 years, about 60,000 students will be able to take advantage of this facility anytime on their mobile and laptop.
• The Chief Minister said that this effort of the university will help in the studies of the students of the state and motivate them to perform better.

Indo-Uzbekistan Joint Military Exercise ‘DUSTLIK’ Begins in Pithoragarh

Why in News?

On February 20, 2023, the 4th edition of joint military exercise ‘DUSTLIK’ between the Indian Army and Uzbekistan Army commenced today in Foreign Training Node, Pithoragarh (Uttarakhand).

Key Points

• 45 Soldiers each from Uzbekistan and Indian Army are participating in this exercise which is aimed at promoting positive relations between both the armies. The Indian Army contingent comprises of troops from an Infantry Battalion from the Garhwal Rifles Regiment.
• The first edition of the exercise was held in Uzbekistan in November 2019 .
• The 14 days long joint exercise would focus on joint counter-terrorist operations in mountainous and semi-urban scenario under UN mandate and will include field training exercises, combat discussions, lectures, demonstrations and culminate with a validation exercise.
• Both sides will jointly train, plan and execute a series of tactical drills for neutralisation of likely threats, while learning to exploit new generation equipment and technology for conducting joint operations.
• The bonhomie, espirit-de-corps and goodwill generated during the exercise will go a long way in further strengthening the bonds between both armies by enabling understanding of each other’s organisation and methodology of conducting various operations.

State Government Approves Four New Policies

Why in News?

On February 20, 2023, Uttarakhand Industries Minister Chandan Ram Das told in a review meeting of departmental schemes in the Vidhan Sabha office in Dehradun that the role of MSMEs is important in providing employment in the state. In view of this, the state government has approved four new policies.

Key Points

• In this meeting, the Minister of Industries told that the government will give exemption on capital investment within 10 years to the industries with investment of more than 200 crores in the state.
• Apart from this, a budget provision of Rs 40 crore will be made for startup schemes. The government will provide all possible help to the new entrepreneurs.
• Under Mukhyamantri Swarozgar Yojana, Mudra and Swanidhi Yojana, Mukhyamantri Nano Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Rojgar Srujan Yojana, the target of providing 100 per cent employment was achieved.
• Industries Minister Chandan Ram Das instructed the officers to revise the standards of the Chief Minister's Nano Self Employment Scheme. To create a private industrial sector, the investor should have his own land, in which the government will give grants to develop infrastructure.
• He said that grants will be given for the construction of logistics park, warehouse, cold store, truck terminal in the private industrial area.
• Financial assistance will be given by the government to restart 350 plastic industries in the state and do new business as a plastic alternative.
• It is known that due to the ban on single-use plastic, 350 plastic industries manufacturing in Uttarakhand were closed.