Uttarakhand

• 21 Mar 2023

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.