• 21 Mar 2023

20 New Hi-Tech Prisons Will Be Built in Uttar Pradesh

Why In News

According to information received from the media on March 20, 2023, in a high-level meeting, the Uttar Pradesh Prison Administration and Reforms Department informed that in view of the overcrowded number of prisoners in the state's jails, the Uttar Pradesh government has decided to construct new jails in many districts.

Key Points

• For the construction of new jails in the state, 11 such districts of the state have been identified, where there is no jail at present.
• According to the information, new jails will be built in Amethi, Mahoba, Kushinagar, Chandauli, Auraiya, Hathras, Hapur, Sambhal, Amroha, Bhadohi and Shamli.
• Besides, the state government has initiated the process of constructing a central jail and another jail in 9 districts, while the number of barracks is being increased in some jails, official sources said. For this, on the instructions of the government, the government has released a huge budget giving a green signal to the prison department.
• These jails will be built using hi-tech technology in view of the current scenario. Along with this, the target of construction of new jails has been fixed for two to five years.
• It is known that at present, many jails, including the central and district jails of the state, have more prisoners than capacity. In such a situation, there is a need for new jails to provide facilities provided by the prison manual and to protect the human rights of the prisoners.
• At present, the seven central jails have a capacity of 13,669 prisoners, while there are 15,201 prisoners under detention, a ratio of 111 percent, senior officials of the department had said.
• Similarly, 62 district jails have a capacity of 49,107 detainees, against which 95,597 detainees are detained, with a ratio of 194 percent. The two sub-jails have a capacity of 306 detainees, against which 664 detainees are detained, with a ratio of 21.6 percent. The Women's Central Jail has a capacity of 120 detainees against which 148 detainees are detained, with a ratio of 12.3 percent.

Now 'Sweet Revolution' in Bihar

Why In News

According to information received from the media on March 20, 2023, the central government has selected 17 districts of the state to promote sweet revolution (honey production) in Bihar.

Key Points

• They have been selected under the National Bee Keeping and Honey Mission. The first installment of the amount is also being sent to these districts for the implementation of the scheme. The Center has sanctioned 1.30 crore as the first instalment.
• Aurangabad, Bhagalpur, Bhojpur, Darbhanga, East Champaran, West Champaran, Jamui, Kishanganj, Madhubani, Muzaffarpur, Patna, Purnea, Rohtas, Samastipur, Saran, Sitamarhi and Vaishali districts have been selected. Here the central and state government will work jointly for the success of honey mission i.e., Sweet Revolution.
• In beekeeping, priority will be given to women's groups, Jeevika and wage fed in the state. 30 percent of the share will be women. This will also benefit Jeevika Didis. Women's groups, farmer groups, cooperative societies will be encouraged for this by giving grants.
• Apart from promoting beekeeping, women will be given technical support and necessary training. Cultivation of flowering plants will be promoted in the beekeeping area. The amount sanctioned by the central government will be spent in this.
• The annual action plan has been prepared by the state government. The District Horticulture Development Committee has been given the responsibility of selecting the farmers' group.
• The purpose of this scheme is to bring sweet revolution. To achieve the goal of Madhu revolution and beekeeping, honey production and other products will be promoted in a scientific manner. It will also help in providing employment to agricultural and non-agricultural families.
• It is known that honey is produced on a large scale in Bihar. About fifty thousand people of the state are associated with it. Bihar's honey is in high demand not only in the country but also abroad (America, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Morocco). The national beekeeping and city mission will benefit the beekeepers here.

State's First University for Divyangjan will Open in Jamdoli

Why In News

On March 20, 2023, Rajasthan Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Tikaram Jully said that the state assembly has passed the bill to establish Baba Amte Divyang University at Jamdoli in Jaipur for higher education and research for the disabled by voice vote.

Key Points

• The Social Justice and Empowerment Minister said that land has been identified for this university to be built at a cost of Rs 72 crore.
• He said that Baba Amte Divyang University will be the first university in the state and the third university in the country for the disabled.
• With the establishment of this university, better opportunities for higher studies and research will be provided to the disabled people. The purpose of establishing the university is to make them competent and self-reliant by rehabilitating the disabled people along with teaching, training and research.
• This university will be completely modern, in which wi-fi, smart classroom, modern computer lab, projector etc. will be available. The building of the university will be made completely barrier-free for the convenience of the disabled.
• Minister Tikaram Julie said that B.Ed. Regular courses will also be conducted along with courses on Intellectual Disability, Diploma in Sign Language etc. The course will start from the year 2023-24 and priority will be given to differently abled students for admission in the university.

'Chief Minister's Minority Language Efficiency and Communication Skills Development Scheme'

Why In News

On March 20, 2023, Rajasthan Minority Affairs Minister Shale Mohammed launched the 'Chief Minister's Minority Language Proficiency and Communication Skill Development Scheme' for language proficiency and communication skill development in order to innovate for the inclusive development of minorities of the state.

Key Points

• The objective of 'Chief Minister's Minority Language Proficiency and Communication Skill Development Scheme' is to provide employment to the youth of minority communities by developing their skills in studying Spanish, Persian and, speaking and communicating French other foreign languages, German, Arabic, along with English.
• Along with language knowledge, students enrolled in this scheme will be provided 1500 monthly maximum of Rs a monthly 4500 for stipend of Rs 3 months.
• It may be mentioned that English language training facility is available at all district headquarters by the executive agency. The facility of training of other foreign languages is available at division level.
• The ''Chief Minister's Minority Language Proficiency and Communication Skill Development Scheme' is targeted towards educated youth of higher secondary level of minority community native to Rajasthan, who are between 18 and 35 years of age. For eligibility, the family / guardian must be up to Rs annual income of the beneficiary's 8.00 lakh or less.
• Minority Affairs Minister Shale Mohammed said that the 'Chief Minister Minority Language Proficiency and Communication Skill Development Scheme' is an important step towards empowering and succeeding the youth of minority society in the modern world. By learning a foreign language, they will get better employment opportunities not only in India but also abroad.

Rajasthan MSME Act-2023 Bill Passed

Why In News

On March 20, 2023, Rajasthan Industries Minister Shakuntala Rawat informed that the Rajasthan Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (Facilitation of Establishment and Enforcement) (Amendment) Bill, 2023 has been passed by a voice vote in the state assembly.

Key Points

• Industries Minister Shakuntala Rawat said that Act-2023 Bill, the economic, social nature of the state after the introduction of the Rajasthan MSME will change and the industrial sector will be strengthened at the national and international level.
• The Act seeks to increase the period of exemption from 3 years to 5 years for giving a boost to the economy and obtaining various approvals of the State Government. Under the MSME policy, the way has been opened to set up any inspection or NOC free industry for 5 years.
• He said that to solve any problem related to industries, a state-level one-stop shop is being operated, where top officials of 14 departments sit and solve the problems related to industries immediately.
• Shakuntala Rawat said that Rajasthan is the first unique state in the country which has come up with a new MSME and handicraft policy.
• He informed that many major schemes including Chief Minister's Incentive Scheme, Youth Industry Promotion Scheme, RIPS have been brought to set up industries.
• For the first time in the state, extensive road shows were held at the district level, so that even the smallest entrepreneurs could take advantage of the exemption given to industries.
• It is known that hotels in Rajasthan have also been given the status of industry. Recently, the MoU signed at the national and international level in Invest Rajasthan has been implemented on the ground.

Power Generating Company Made Record of Maximum Thermal Power Generation in History

Why In News

According to the information given by the Madhya Pradesh Public Relations Department on March 20, 2023, the thermal power plants of Madhya Pradesh Power Generating Company Limited produced 26326.7 million units of electricity till March 19 in the financial year 2022-23, the highest thermal power in the history of the power generating company. A new production record has been created.

Key Points

• This is the highest ever power generation by the company's thermal stations in a single financial year. Earlier, 26295.86 million units of electricity was generated by the power generating company Thermal Power Stations in the financial year 2018-19.
• The specific oil consumption of the company's thermal power units was 0.69 ml per unit till February 23, which is the lowest ever. The heat rate of thermal power units till the month of February were 2486 Kcal per unit, which is the lowest so far.
• The company's 12 thermal power units have set a record of being continuously responsible for 2022-23 in the financial year 100 days or more.

The State Government Renamed the Pandit Lakhmi Chand State Performing and Visual Arts University

Why In News

The Pandit Lakhmi Chand State University of Performing and Visual Arts, Rohtak (Amendment) Bill, 2023 was passed in the budget session of the Haryana Legislative Assembly on March 20, 2023. According to the passed bill, now the word Dada will be used in place of Pandit in front of the name of Pandit Lakhmi Chand State University of Performing and Visual Arts, Rohtak.

Key Points

• Rohtak-based Pandit Lakhmi Chand State University of Performing and Visual Arts will now be known as Dada Lakhmi Chand State University of Performing and Visual Arts.
• Similarly, the Haryana Urban Area Development and Regulation (Amendment) Bill, 2023 was passed in the Assembly. In order the Transferable Development Rights (TDR) management system, some amendments have been made in the to streamline the online operation of 1975 Act.
• Clause (n-2) of section 2 has been amended to make it possible to sell and transfer TDR certificates through sale, trade, auction mechanism and to rectify the inadvertent restriction on the geographical location of the buyer.
• In addition, the Haryana School Education (Amendment) Bill, 2023 was introduced in the House. The Bill will be discussed in detail in the House.
• Pandit Lakhmi Chand State University of Performing and Visual Arts, Rohtak came into existence on August 5, 2014, through Haryana Act No. 24 by integrating four government technical institutions, namely State Institute of Fine Arts (SIFA), State Institute of Design (SID), State Film and Television Institute (SIFT) and State Institute of Urban Planning and Architecture (SIUPA).
• The University was established, fine arts, film and television, to focus on new fronts of design urban planning and architecture, as well as to facilitate and encourage study and research in emerging areas of higher education and to achieve excellence in these and related fields.
• These four institutes 240 students with an annual intake capacity of were started in the year 2011 and were affiliated to Maharishi Dayanand University, Rohtak. The state government was providing 100 percent grant assistance to these institutions.
• In view of Pandit Lakhmi Chand's popularity as Dada Lakhmi Chand, now the government has decided to rename the university as Dada Lakhmi Chand State University of Performance and Visual Arts, Rohtak.

State Level Conference of the Management Committee Members of Excellent School in Ranchi

Why In News

On March 20, 2023, a state-level conference of the management committee members of the excellent school organized by the Jharkhand Education Project Council was organized at Tana Bhagat Stadium Khelgaon, Ranchi, Jharkhand.

Key Points

• On this occasion, Chief Minister Hemant Soren said that for the first time in the history of Jharkhand, such an event has been organized to improve the education system here.
• He said that the state government has taken a pledge to provide quality education to the students, government schools, in the first phase this system will be implemented in more than studying in children have started getting education on the lines of CBSE in 80 excellent schools and in the coming time 4000 government schools.
• The Chief Minister said that the children of the state who want to go ahead with school education and study in engineering, medical and other streams, the state government will bear all the expenses of their education by giving them financial help.
• He said that for the first time in the country, this state has provided 100% scholarship to its children to study abroad for higher education. Some children who went abroad to study abroad at the expense of the state government are doing well by returning to the state with degrees, while some children have even got jobs abroad.
• School of Excellence Important things related to:
  • The physical structure of 80 excellent schools of the state has been constructed according to the ideal standard and requirement of the school.
  • Library arrangements have been made in 80 excellent schools of the state with modern and all necessary arrangements. Useful books, daily newspapers, books of competitive examinations as well as newspapers have been arranged for the students.
  • Science labs are being established in 80 excellent schools of the state to develop interest in science among students and to further scientific thinking among them.
  • Smart classes have been arranged along with ICT lab in 80 excellent schools of the state. Through this, students are getting computer education every day and at the same time getting subject-wise special information through e-Cantt.
  • Vocational education in various trades has been started in 80 excellent schools of the state. Its main objective is to further their skills according to their interest in the students so that in the future they can easily pursue their livelihood.
  • Principals of 80 schools of excellence Indian Institute of Management, Ranchi and are being trained through 15 teachers have also been trained from Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad.

Names Finalised for Dronacharya, Khel Ratna and Lifetime Achievement Awards in Uttarakhand

Why In News

On March 20, 2023, Uttarakhand Sports Director Jitendra Kumar Sonkar told that for the years 2019-20, 2020-21 and 2021-22, three sports coaches of the state will be awarded the Devbhoomi Uttarakhand Dronacharya Award and three players will be awarded the Devbhoomi Uttarakhand Khel Ratna Award. Has been selected for other awards.

Key Points

• Sports Director Jitendra Kumar Sonkar said that the names for the awards will be announced after the approval of the government's high-power committee and sports minister.
• Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami will award more than 200 players and coaches in a program organized by the Sports Department at Parade Ground on March 24. These players who perform better in national competitions will be rewarded.
• It is known that the players of the state have proved their mettle in various sports including hockey, cricket field to badminton in the country and around the world, but for the last four years, due to Kovid and many other reasons, the players and sports coaches of the state could not get awards. Were. Although applications were sought from time to time by the department, but the names of players and sports coaches could not be finalized.
• According to sports department officials, the department has received eight applications for the Dronacharya Award and 11 applications for the Khel Ratna Award, while six applications have been received for the Lifetime Achievement Award.
• The wait for Dronacharya, Khel Ratna and Lifetime Achievement Award for sportspersons and sports coaches is about to end, but players will have to wait for Himalaya Putra Award. Despite the mandate in the year 2022, the department has not yet sought applications for this.

Uttarakhand Cabinet Approved Excise Policy 2023-24

Why In News

On March 20, 2023, in the cabinet meeting chaired by Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, the Uttarakhand government approved the Excise Policy 2023-24 for the state.

Key Points

• In the new excise policy, a provision has been made that the licenses of those selling liquor at a price higher than the maximum retail price (MRP) will be suspended. If there is a complaint of recovery of more than MRP of a shop five times, then its license will be suspended.
• It was decided in the meeting that instead of glass, the pots of country liquor will now be available in tetra packs so that adulteration can be prevented.
• The government has increased the licence fee for departmental stores from Rs 8 lakh in mountains and Rs 15 lakh in plain districts.
• There has been no increase in the fee of bar restaurants in the new excise policy. They will be able to get liquor from the nearest liquor contract only. Prices of sea imported liquor have also been controlled.
• Departmental stores in the state will now be able to take liquor from liquor contracts located in their district, which will curb their arbitrariness.
• In the new policy, a provision has been made to waive the revenue of the shops which are closed during a divine disaster or sit-in protest based on the report of the District Magistrate.
• After the new policy, country and foreign liquor will become cheaper in the state. To curb the smuggling of liquor from Uttar Pradesh and to earn more revenue, the difference between the prices of liquor in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand has been reduced from Rs 150 to Rs 20.
• After the approval of the new excise policy, the price of domestic and foreign liquor will be cheaper by Rs 100 to Rs 300 from April 1.
• Under the Excise Policy 2023-24, Rs 3 per bottle will be charged as cess, which will be earmarked for cow protection, sports and women's welfare in the state.
• Excise revenue target for the year 2023-24 has been kept at Rs 4000 crore.