State PCS

• 21 Apr 2023

State's 1st Women's University to be built in Gorakhpur

Why in News?

On 20 April 2023, Ravi Kumar NG, Divisional Commissioner Gorakhpur informed that the state's first Women's University will be set up in Gorakhpur under CSR. All the facilities of the International level will be available here.

Key Points

• Under CSR, the proposed women's university will be constructed in the Gorakhpur district at a cost of about Rs 700 crore.
• This university will have arrangements from primary to higher education. A consultancy firm has been given the responsibility to assess the facilities required for the upliftment of the girl child.
• The decision to establish the state's first women's university in Gorakhpur has been taken by the real estate company Shobha Developer, for which company officials had also visited Gorakhpur.
• 100 acre of land will be provided by the district administration for this women's university and it will also be operated by the company.
• It is known that there are already 4 universities operating in Gorakhpur, which include Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gorakhpur University, Madan Mohan Malviya University of Technology, Ayush University and Mahayogi Gorakhnath University. With the formation of a women's university, there will be 5 universities in Gorakhpur.
• The company's focus is on the upliftment of women intending to set up a women's university in Gorakhpur. There is a great need for facilities for the advancement of women in Eastern Uttar Pradesh. This university will prove to be very effective in removing the backwardness of Purvanchal.

Rajasthan Housing Board to be honored with 'Times Real Estate Conclave' Awards

Why in News?

According to the information provided by the Rajasthan Information and Public Relations Department on 20 April 2023, the Rajasthan Housing Board will be honored with the 'Times Real Estate Conclave' awards by a central government agency named National Real Estate Development Council (NAREDCO).

Key Points

• For doing excellent work in the field of real estate, the Rajasthan Housing Board will be honored with this award at a felicitation ceremony to be held in Gurugram on April 26.
• Union Urban and Housing Minister Hardeep Singh Puri will be the chief guest of the program and Anand Kumar, chairman of Delhi RERA, will be the guest of honour.
• It is worth mentioning that in the last four years under the leadership of Housing Commissioner Pawan Arora, the board has received a total of 14 awards. These include prestigious awards like the World Book of Records in House Sales, Skoch Award-2021, Award of Excellence, Honor by National Real Estate Development Council, National Housing Award, IBC and 'Star of Governance-Gold Award'.

Inauguration of National Health Fair at JECC

Why in News?

On 20 April 2023, Rajasthan's Minister of State for AYUSH Dr. Subhash Garg inaugurated the National Health Fair under the joint aegis of the Union Ministry of AYUSH, State AYUSH Department and PHD Chamber of Commerce at Jaipur Exhibition and Convention Center (JECC) in Sitapura.

Key Points

• Minister of State for AYUSH Dr. Subhash Garg said that to realize the concept of 'Nirogi Rajasthan', the state government is continuously promoting Ayurveda and the Indian system of medicine in the state, as a result of which people's inclination towards the AYUSH system has increased and it is emerging as a strong alternative to allopathy. This is an exemplary initiative of the state government in front of other states.
• Referring to the achievements of Rajasthan in the field of AYUSH, the Minister of State for AYUSH said that Jodhpur in Rajasthan has the country's 2nd Ayurveda University. At the time of the Covid pandemic, the decoction developed by the Department of AYUSH has proved effective in the whole country and the world.
• Various AYUSH equipment and medicines have been displayed through about 100 stalls in the National Health Fair organized till April 23, through which visitors will be made aware.
• AYUSH industry exhibition, free OPD, medicine distribution, treatment and consultation as well as Ayurveda, Homeo, Unani, Yoga and Naturopathy methods are being displayed in Arogya Mela.
• Various sessions will be organized during the 4 days of the fair. These sessions will prove to be effective in getting rid of health problems arising due to unhealthy lifestyles.

Transgender Community included in Backward Class in the state

Why in News?

On 19 April 2023, the state government issued a notification to include the transgender community in the list of Madhya Pradesh state’s Backward Classes.

Key Points

• The Transgender (Kinnar) community has been added under the Madhya Pradesh State Backward Classes Commission Act-1995.
• It is known that on April 11, the cabinet headed by Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan approved the proposal of the Backward Classes and Minorities Welfare Department to include the Kinnar (transgender) community, which is running away from the mainstream of development, in the list of backward classes.
• The decision of the state government to include Transgenders (Kinnar) in the OBC category has been taken in compliance with a Supreme Court decision. The Supreme Court had ruled that they are considered backwards in terms of education, socially and economically.
• According to the Social Justice Department, there is no certified number of Eunuchs/Transgenders in the state. While the Economic and Statistics Department has registered the number of eunuchs as about 6 thousand, in which improvement has also been done in some districts.
• There are 1432 eunuchs registered in the records of the Election Commission in the state. A maximum of 176 eunuchs are in Bhopal, while 75 are registered in Ujjain, and 102 in Indore.
• It is worth mentioning that on 24 February 2023, the state government issued an order under the Madhya Pradesh Transgender (Protection of Rights) Rules-2021 (Transgender Protection of Rights Rules-2021) and created a separate category for the transgender community in direct recruitment in jobs. Along with this, now the option of transgender along with male and female has also become available in the application form for government jobs.

Union Home Minister Trophy will be given to 2 training institutes of the MP Police

Why in News?

According to the information given by the Madhya Pradesh Public Relations Department on 19 April 2023, 2 training institutes of Madhya Pradesh Police- Police Academy Bhori and Police Training School Pachmarhi have been selected for the year 2021-22 for the Union Home Minister Trophy, given annually to the best police training institutions.

Key Points

• Along with the trophy and certificate, a cash amount of Rs 2 lakh will also be given to the training institutes awarded by the Union Home Ministry at the Union Home Minister Trophy at the investiture ceremony in New Delhi.
• Smt Nimisha Pandey on behalf of Police Training School Pachmarhi and Malay Jain on behalf of Madhya Pradesh Police Academy Bhori, Bhopal will receive this honour.
• The best training centre for constables, Police Training School Pachmarhi and the best training academy for Deputy Superintendents of Police, Madhya Pradesh Police Academy Bhori have been selected for West Zone.
• The Central Police Police has been a pioneer in giving benefits of training to the police participants of the country by incorporating innovation and modern technology in the training. To connect training experts, MoUs and exchange of expertise with universities & research institutes of India and abroad have yielded excellent results.
• It is worth mentioning that the assessment of excellent training in the police training institutes of the country is done on the standards set by the Bureau of Police Research and Development.
• In this, keeping the training institutes of constables in one category and the training institutes of sub-inspectors and deputy superintendents of police in different categories, better training methods, proper maintenance of resources and the selection of the training institute, which exhibits excellent training potential throughout the year, is done by a committee constituted at the national level.

Tejaswi program to be started to develop Entrepreneurial Confidence & Skills in students

Why in News?

On 20 April 2023, a multilateral MoU was signed for the implementation of the Tejaswi program prepared by the Department of School Education in the Ministry to develop entrepreneurial confidence and skills among students.

Key Points

• A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed by the Commissioner of Public Instruction, the State Open School & Associate organization, the Udyam Learning Foundation and The Education Alliance.
• It is worth mentioning that under the Tejasvi program, students will be provided information about new industries and self-business from school time itself. A separate curriculum has also been developed for this.
• Based on this curriculum, special classes of 40-40 minutes will be conducted three days a week in the schools.
• Along with this, experience-based training programs and project work based on various innovative businesses will also be conducted. The necessary amount for this will also be made available by the government under the programme so that school students will be motivated to self-employment and the establishment of new enterprises.
• On this occasion, Rashmi Arun Shami, Principal Secretary, School Education said that the Tejasvi program is being started to develop the abilities and professional attitude of the students to face the challenges right from the school level.
• He said that this program is currently being started on an experimental basis for the students of classes IX and XI of the government schools of Bhopal and Indore, the two metropolitan cities of the state, which can be operated in the entire state among the students of class 9 to 12 in future.
• Commissioner of Public Instruction Anubha Srivastava said that the objective of this program is to inculcate entrepreneurial confidence and 21st-century skills in the students so that they are better prepared for the challenges of life.
• He told that under the 'Tejaswi MP Programme', about 44,780 students of class 9th in 301 government schools of Bhopal & Indore and 22,738 students of class 11th of 176 schools of these two cities will be benefited under 'Tejaswi MP Social and Business Innovation Challenge Programme'.

'Haryana Rental Government Property Disposal Policy 2023' notified

Why in News?

On 20 April 2023, the Haryana government notified the 'Haryana Rental Government Property Disposal Policy 2023' to sell the properties (shops/houses) of government departments, boards, corporations and authorities occupied by the individual or private entities through rent or lease for the last 20 years or more

Key Points

• Giving this information, Chief Secretary Sanjeev Kaushal said that this policy will apply to all such properties up to 100 square yards per beneficiary/per plot, which were given on lease or rent before 01 June 2001.
• The Chief Secretary informed that this is a 'one-time policy' under which the people covered will have to apply within 3 months of the notification of the policy.
• This policy will not be applicable in the land of Tourism, Transport and Health & Family welfare departments. Apart from this, this policy will also not apply to Shamlat land, Panchayat land, Panchayat Samiti and Zilla Parishad land.
• Under specific departmental Acts and statutory rules namely Haryana Displaced Property (Management and Disposal) Rules 2011, Haryana Panchayati Raj Act 1994, Haryana Panchayati Raj Rules 1995, Haryana Village Shamlat Land (Regulation) Act 1961, Haryana Village Shamlat (Regulation) Rules 1964 and land governed under the Displaced Properties (Management and Disposal) Act 2008 will also be excluded from this policy.
• This policy will cover those properties, which are owned or managed by a government entity, and which are occupied based on rent or lease money or license fee or Tehbazari fee, vacant land, shop/different floor of shops (if any), houses and its separate floors (if any), industry and vacant land due or receivable from the government institution.
• In the case of such properties, from which the government institutions are getting lease rent of 8% and above of the annual collector rate value, then the competent authority will not be allowed to sell that property.
• Concession on base rate depending on the period of possession-
  • The property which is occupied by a person for more than 20 years but less than 25 years, will be charged 80% of the circle rate.
  • Occupancy for 30 years or more but less than 35 years will be charged at 75% of the circle rate.
  • In addition, those with an occupation period of 35 years or more but less than 40 years will have to pay 65% of the circle rate.
  • Occupants for 40 years or more but less than 45 years will be charged 60% of the circle rate and 55% of the circle rate for 45 years or more but less than 50 years.
  • Those who have possessions for 50 years or more will be charged 50% of the circle rate.
• Monitoring and implementation of the policy will be done through the portal prepared for this by the Urban Local Bodies Department.

CCTNS will be shifted to Meghraj Cloud in the state

Why in News?

On 20 April 2023, Haryana State Crime Records Bureau Director OP Singh informed that the process of successfully migrating the Crime and Criminal Tracking Network and Systems (CCTNS) in Haryana to Meghraj Cloud has been started.

Key Points

• State Crime Records Bureau Director O P Singh IPS said that CCTNS is an online platform that brings together various parts of the criminal justice system on a single portal for information sharing, data analysis and crime prevention.
• Meghraj Cloud provides a scalable and flexible infrastructure that can handle the growing volume of data and users on CCTNS, ensuring smooth operations even during peak periods.
• With the help of cloud-based architecture, available information will be easily and quickly available on a single platform.  
• Meghraj Cloud provides state-of-the-art security measures, including data encryption, multi-factor authentication, and regular security audits, ensuring the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of critical information related to criminal records, investigations, and prosecutions.
• The scalability and flexibility of Meghraj Cloud also enable efficient operations of the users. This cloud-based architecture allows for easy integration with the use of other applications, allowing different law enforcement agencies to interact and exchange data with each other.
• The reason for the state police's decision to transfer to Meghraj is also its low cost. The use of Meghraj Cloud eliminates the need for investment in hardware, software and maintenance, resulting in cost savings for the State Government.
• The cloud's pay-as-you-go pricing model allows for low-cost management and resource utilization, leading to cost savings in the long run. A contract has been signed with a Pune-based company for this project.
• The computing resources of Meghraj Cloud and the best system performance of the data centre ensure easy availability of CCTNS. This enables the State Police to access critical information in near real-time, leading to a quicker response to crimes.
• Meghraj provides a cloud disaster recovery mechanism, thereby ensuring the availability of data even in case of unforeseen events. This feature of the CCTNS system helps in quick recovery from any disruption and ensures uninterrupted services to the citizens.
• It is known that options are available for common citizens to register complaints online on CCTNS, get information about crime and criminals, verify employment, tenant, servant etc., and get information related to police.
• With the migration of CCTNS to Meghraj Cloud, the State Police can take advantage of advanced technologies and cloud-based infrastructure. It is known that with the CCTNS system, the work of writing by hand on the register of the police station is reduced and all the work is done in Hindi and other languages. Apart from this, it is easy to get information from Forensic Science and Finger Print Bureau etc. from different districts. 
• State Police has decided to provide internet speed of 10 Mbps in all police stations. CCTNS system is integrated with the Jail, Prosecution Department, Court and Forensic Department.
• State Crime Records Bureau is responsible for updating crime data in CCTNS in the state on the standard of the National Crime Records Bureau. Work is being done based on 'One State, One Data'. At present, by the year 2022, about 50 thousand accused have been arrested and their data has also been uploaded by the State Crime Records Bureau.
• Apart from this, due to coordination with ICJS, the state police has got success in many cases in matching the data of abandoned vehicles and wanted criminals.

CM Launches 3 New E-governance Initiatives Including Pro-Active Divyang Pension Service

Why in News?

On April 19, 2023, Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal started 3 new initiatives, taking a step forward in the direction of good governance through e-governance. These include 'Pro-Active Divyang Pension Service'', 'Tau Se Poocho' WhatsApp bot and 'Portal' for online room booking of PWD (B&R) rest houses.

Key Points

• Addressing the press conference, the Chief Minister said that these three IT initiatives would prove to be a milestone in the state government's vision of paperless and transparent governance. These initiatives will make the beneficiaries more digitally empowered.
• Pro-Active Divyang Pension Service-
  • Pro-Active Divyang Pension Service has been started to provide benefits of Automated Pension to Persons with Disabilities (PWD).
  • The relevant data of PwDs verified as more than 60 per cent PwD in the Parivar Informatics Data Repository will be certified by the Haryana Family Identification Authority every month.
  • The data of all such Divyang found eligible after verification will be shared with the service department as per the eligibility criteria prescribed by the scheme. The District Officer of the Service Department will go to these citizens to get their consent for starting the pension. Pension will be started next months for all the disabled who have given consent.
• 'Tau Se Poocho' WhatsApp Bot
  • Along with the web-based chat-bot solution created by the Haryana Family Identity Authority; the 'Tau Se Poocho' WhatsApp bot will respond to citizens' queries quickly.
  • It will be easily accessible to everyone, and citizens will be able to communicate easily on WhatsApp sitting at their homes.
  • Technologies like artificial intelligence, machine learning and natural language processing have been added to this integrated digital platform.
  • This platform will save the time of the citizens as well as the government. An analytical study of the queries received will certainly prove helpful in the process of redressal of grievances.
  • Citizens can ask questions about the status of various data fields as well as services like income, marriage, public distribution system, ration card, caste, pension and grievances.
  • The integrated Tau and WhatsApp bot will answer relevant queries related to the Family Identification Number. Families can interact with the integrated Tau Ask & WhatsApp bot for advice on the application process, documents required, eligibility, government regulations and benefits of various programmers.
• 'Portal' for online room booking of PWD (B&R) rest houses-
  • Government officials, as well as private people, can also book rooms online in rest houses from the portal developed for booking rooms in rest houses of the Public Works Department (Building and Roads).
  • Through this portal, applicants can now check room availability, book rooms, pay the booking amount online, and cancel bookings. For this, the applicant will have to pay the entire amount online at the time of booking.
  • IDBI Bank with the portal. The bank's payment gateway services have been added. If the booking is cancelled within 24 hours of check-in, 20 percent of the booking amount will be deducted. No refund will be given if the booking is cancelled less than 24 hours after check-in.
  • Through this portal, private individuals can also book rooms online in these rest houses. There are some conditions for this, in which 25 percent of the vacant rooms can be booked 15 days (about 2 weeks) before booking.
  • You can book 50 percent of the vacant rooms up to 7 days before booking and 75 percent of the vacant rooms up to 3 days before booking. But rooms will not be booked for private people 3 days before the date of booking.

Chief Minister Chhattisgarhi Parv Samman Nidhi' Scheme for the Non-Scheduled Areas launched

Why in News?

On April 20, 2023, Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel virtually launched the 'Chief Minister Chhattisgarhi Parv Samman Nidhi' scheme intending to preserve the Teej festival, culture and tradition of the rural areas of the community development block of the state.

Key Points

• To preserve and promote the Teej festivals, culture and tradition of rural areas, this scheme has been started along the lines of the 'Mukhyamantri Adivasi Parab Samman Nidhi' scheme.
• It is known that earlier, Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel had launched the 'Mukhyamantri Adivasi Parab Samman Nidhi' scheme at a trust conference held on April 13 at Bastar division headquarters Jagdalpur in the special hospitality of Priyanka Gandhi.
• 'Mukhyamantri Chhattisgarhi Parv Samman Nidhi Yojana' will be implemented in 6 thousand 111-gram panchayats of 61 development blocks of community areas of non-scheduled areas of the state.
• The unit of this scheme will be the Gram Panchayat. In this scheme, every gram panchayat will be given an amount of Rs 10,000 in two instalments to celebrate the Teej festival.
• Local festivals, festivals, fairs and fairs have special significance in the villages of the community areas. Funds will be provided to each Gram Panchayat to preserve all such festivals, festivals, and cultural traditions.
• A gram panchayat-level governing body committee will be formed for the implementation of the scheme. In this, the Sarpanch (president), priest, baiga member, 2 elderly members of the village, two women members of the village, village kotwar, patel member and village secretary have been included.
• On the occasion of the launch of the scheme, the Chief Minister released a total amount of Rs 3 crore 5 lakh 55 thousand rupees to all 6 thousand 111-gram panchayats as the first instalment of the scheme.
• The Chief Minister also released a total amount of Rs 1 crore 89 lakh 65 thousand rupees as the first instalment to 03 thousand 793-gram panchayats of the remaining 14 scheduled areas including Surguja division of the Scheduled Area under the 'Chief Minister Tribal Parab Samman Nidhi'. With this, this scheme has been implemented in the entire state.
• It is worth mentioning that while launching the 'Mukhyamantri Adivasi Parab Samman Nidhi Yojana' at the Bharosa Sammelan held in Bastar on April 13, Chief Minister Mr. Baghel had released a grant amount of Rs. 5-5 thousand as the first instalment of the scheme to 1840-gram panchayats of Bastar division.

The CM transferred an amount of Rs 4.40 Crore Online to the Beneficiaries of 'Godhan Nyaya Yojana'

Why in News?

On April 20, 2023, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel transferred an amount of Rs 4.40 crore online to cattle-rearing villagers, women groups and Gauthan committees under 'Godhan Nyay Yojana' in a virtual program organized at his residence office.

Key Points

• From April 1 to April 15, the Chief Minister transferred online a dividend amount of Rs 2.59 crore to the cattle-rearing villagers, farmers, and landless in lieu of a total of 1.30 lakh quintals of cow dung, Rs 1.06 crore to Gouthan committees and Rs 75 lakh to women groups.
• Out of the Rs 2.59 crore transferred to cow dung sellers, Rs 1.24 crore has been paid by the agriculture department and Rs 1.67 crore by self-sufficient gaushalas.
• Under the Godhan Nyay Yojana, about Rs 439.73 crore has been paid to the beneficiaries in the state so far.
• Till April 15, 2023, 112.34 lakh quintals of cow dung have been procured in the state. After today's transfer of money from cow dung sellers, a payment of Rs 224.68 crore has been made in lieu of the cow dung purchased. At the same time, an amount of Rs 192.65 crore has been given to Gauthan Societies and Women Self-Help Groups after a payment of Rs 1.81 crore was made today.
• It is worth mentioning that 10 thousand 6 hundred 90 Gouthans have been approved in 11 thousand panchayats of the state, out of which more than 10 thousand Gouthans have been completed. Out of these gaushalas, 5,398 Gouthans have become self-sufficient, through which assistance of Rs 50.82 crore has been given to buy cow dung.
• Cow dung paint-making units have been approved in 49 gaushalas of the state, out of which 34 units have been set up. Paint is being produced in 32 units. 87 thousand 8 hundred 27 litres of paint have been produced from these units and an income of 97.08 lakh rupees has been earned from the sale of 47 thousand 5 hundred 47 litres (about 12.42 gal) of paint.
• Water has been provided in 20.20 lakh quintals of para and 7 thousand 8 hundred 59 gaushalas in 33 districts of the state.

Uttarakhand Food Lab gets New Hallmark

Why in News?

On April 20, 2023, State Food and Drug Analysis Laboratory Commissioner R.S Kathait informed that the Government of India has given NABL (National Accreditation for Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories) certificate to Rudrapur-based Food and Drug Analysis Laboratory for oil, fat, spices and pulses after milk products.

Key Points

• Now the test report of these food items from the State Food and Drug Analysis Laboratory at Rudrapur will also be valid internationally. Adulterants will also not be able to challenge the food lab report in court.
• The State Food and Drug Analysis Laboratory in Rudrapur, set up in 2010, received the NABL certificate in 2018 only for testing reports of milk products. Due to this, adulteration in other food items did not stop. The problem of adulteration in oil, spices, fats and pulses is high in the state.
• Nishant Tyagi, in charge of the state food and drug analysis laboratory, said the food lab had received a hallmark for NABL certification in the milk test report. Now the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India has also given a NABL certificate for oil, fat, spices and pulses.
• He said that till now the adulterants used to escape despite registering a case by taking advantage of not having an NABL certificate due to failure of food samples, but now the adulterers will not be able to challenge the report of the food lab in the court.
• It is known that the food lab located in Rudrapur tests food samples from all 13 districts of the state. The lab currently can test 3000 food items a year.