• 22 Jul 2022

India Innovation Index, 2021

Why In News?

Bihar has been ranked 15th among 17 major states in the India Innovation Index-2021 released by NITI Aayog Vice Chairman Suman Beri on July 21, 2022.

Key points

• In Niti Ayog's 3rd India Innovation Index, states and union territories were classified into the category of 17 major states, 10 north-eastern and hilly states and 9 union territories and city-states for effective comparison of their performance.
• In the category of 17 major states, Karnataka is at the top spot with 18.01 points, while Telangana (17.66 points) is second and Haryana (16.35 points) is third.
• In the category of major states, Uttar Pradesh is at 7^th position with 14.22 points, Odisha is 16^th with 11.42 points and Chhattisgarh is 17^th (last) with 10.97 points.
• Manipur topped the northeastern and hill states category with 19.37 points. Uttarakhand (17.67 points) is at the second spot in this category, while Nagaland (11.00 points) is at the bottom. On the other hand, in the Union Territories and city-states category, Chandigarh (27.88 points) has got the top position, while Ladakh (5.91 points) has got the last position.
• It may be mentioned that the India Innovation Index prepared by NITI Aayog and the Institute of Competitiveness is a medium for evaluation and development of the country's innovation ecosystem. It puts states and Union Territories in order to showcase their innovation, so that there is healthy competition between them.
• This Innovation Index has been prepared on the lines of the Global Innovation Index. In previous versions, the analysis was done on the basis of 36 indicators, but this time 66 indicators were used. The first and second innovation indices were released in October 2019 and January 2021 respectively.

India Innovation Index, 2021

Why In News?

Uttar Pradesh has been ranked 7th in the category of 17 major states in the India Innovation Index-2021 released by NITI Aayog Vice Chairman Suman Beri on July 21, 2022.

Key points

• In Niti Ayog's 3rd India Innovation Index, states and union territories were classified into the category of 17 major states, 10 north-eastern and hilly states and 9 union territories and city-states for effective comparison of their performance.
• In the category of 17 major states, Karnataka is at the top spot with 18.01 points, while Telangana (17.66 points) is second and Haryana (16.35 points) is third.
• In the category of major states, Uttar Pradesh is at 7^th position with 14.22 points, Odisha is 16th with 11.42 points and Chhattisgarh is 17th (last) with 10.97 points.
• Manipur topped the northeastern and hill states category with 19.37 points. Uttarakhand (17.67 points) is at the second spot in this category, while Nagaland (11.00 points) is at the bottom. On the other hand, in the Union Territories and city-states category, Chandigarh (27.88 points) has got the top position, while Ladakh (5.91 points) has got the last position.
• It may be mentioned that the India Innovation Index prepared by NITI Aayog and the Institute of Competitiveness is a medium for evaluation and development of the country's innovation ecosystem. It puts states and Union Territories in order to showcase their innovation, so that there is healthy competition between them.
• This Innovation Index has been prepared on the lines of the Global Innovation Index. In previous versions, the analysis was done on the basis of 36 indicators, but this time 66 indicators were used. The first and second innovation indices were released in October 2019 and January 2021 respectively.

Para Sports Academy in Jodhpur

Why In News?

On July 21, 2022, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot approved an amount of Rs 14.14 crore for setting up of para sports academy for para sportsmen in Jodhpur. The academy will provide modern facilities for high-tech training and practice to para-sports persons.

Key points

• As per the proposal, the Academy will be set up at Government College of Physical Education campus, Jodhpur and will be operated at Umaid Stadium, Jodhpur till necessary infrastructure is created in the college premises.
• In this academy, 25 talented players (15 shooting and 10 table tennis) from the state of Rajasthan will be selected. Education, medical, training, accommodation, food and other necessary facilities will be provided free of cost by the Rajasthan State Sports Council to the sportspersons.
• In addition, sports training will be provided by the coaches in the morning and evening as per the scheduled time. The players will also be provided education along with sports by getting admission in a nearby school for education.
• With this approval of the Chief Minister, the works related to recurring and non-recurring expenses of the Academy, setting up of performance training centre, procurement of sports equipment and construction of hostel building will be carried out.
• It may be mentioned that the Chief Minister had announced in the budget announcement 2022-23 to set up para sports academies at Jaipur and Jodhpur for para sportspersons. Earlier also, a number of ambitious sports projects have been sanctioned under the Budget Announcement 2020-21 and 2021-22.

Revised Schemes in Jal Jeevan Mission

Why In News?

On 21^st July, 2022, the Public Health Mechanics Department of Madhya Pradesh approved 25 clusters of water supply schemes revised under the Jal Jeevan Mission amounting to Rs.11,100 crore 72 lakh.

Key points

• Madhya Pradesh Jal Nigam is taking up the construction of these water supply schemes. These schemes will provide water to the rural population of 18 districts of Bhopal, Ujjain, Jabalpur, Indore, Narmadapuram, Sagar and Gwalior divisions from tap connection to every household.
• More than 9 lakh 34 thousand households in 6 thousand 26 villages will get drinking water from the water supply schemes of the mission.
• These schemes are Bhopal, Vidisha, Raisen, Ujjain, Mandsaur, Neemuch, Ratlam, Chhindwara, Mandla, Khargone, Khandwa, Betul, Sagar, Damoh, Tikamgarh, Chhatarpur, Datia and Shivpuri will meet the drinking water needs of more than 71 lakh rural population of the district.
• It may be mentioned that more than 51 lakh 15 thousand rural households have been provided tap water at their homes so far due to the work being done in the Jal Jeevan Mission in the state. There are about 5,300 villages in which tap water has been provided to each family.
• In the Mission, the work of water supply schemes is going on at a large scale to provide water to the rural population of the state through tap connection at their home. Of these, 70 to 90 percent of the works in more than 8,000 villages and 70 per cent of the works of 16,300 villages are nearing completion. From this month onwards, drinking water supply works of more than 6,000 villages are being taken up.

India Innovation Index, 2021

Why In News?

Haryana has joined the top states in the India Innovation Index-2021 released by NITI Aayog on July 21, 2022. In this index, Haryana has secured the third position in the category of 17 major states.

Key points

• Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar said haryana was at the sixth position in the index released in January 2021, but this time haryana has climbed three places to join the top states.
• It may be recalled that the India Innovation Index-2021 was released by Niti Aayog Vice Chairman Suman Beri.
• In Niti Ayog's 3rd India Innovation Index, states and union territories were classified into the category of 17 major states, 10 north-eastern and hilly states and 9 union territories and city-states for effective comparison of their performance.
• In the category of 17 major states, Karnataka is at the top spot with 18.01 points, while Telangana (17.66 points) is second and Haryana (16.35 points) is third. Odisha are 16th with 11.42 points and Chhattisgarh are 17th (last) with 10.97 points.
• Manipur topped the northeastern and hill states category with 19.37 points. Uttarakhand (17.67 points) is at the second spot in this category, while Nagaland (11.00 points) is at the bottom.
• Chandigarh (27.88 marks) has topped the union territories and city-states category. In this category, Delhi (27.00 points) is at the second position, while Ladakh (5.91 points) is at the bottom.
• The India Innovation Index prepared by NITI Aayog and the Institute of Competitiveness is a comprehensive tool for the evaluation and development of the country's innovation ecosystem. It ranks the States and UTs on their innovation performance to create healthy competition between them.
• This Innovation Index has been prepared on the lines of the Global Innovation Index. In previous versions, the analysis was done on the basis of 36 indicators, but this time 66 indicators were used. The first and second innovation indices were released in October 2019 and January 2021 respectively.

Important Decisions Taken in Haryana Cabinet Meeting

Why In News?

The Cabinet meeting chaired by Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on 21st July, 2022 approved the proposal for renewal of block guarantee of Rs.1,000 crore for flotation of debentures/loans by Haryana State Cooperative Agriculture and Rural Development Bank Ltd.

Key points

• Haryana State Cooperative Agriculture and Rural Development Bank Ltd. had submitted a proposal to renew the state government's guarantee of Rs 1,000 crore for floating debentures/loans from NABARD for a period of seven years, i.e., from March 1, 2022 to March 31, 2029.
• Haryana State Cooperative Agriculture and Rural Development Bank Limited was established under the Haryana Cooperative Societies Act, 1984 .
• This cooperative is engaged in providing long term credit investment to the farmers for the development of agriculture and allied activities in the state. For such credit limit/loans, they have to depend on the debentures/loans of NABARD. NABARD provides this facility on government guarantee.
• In addition, the Cabinet meeting also approved the proposal to amend Rule 24 of the Public Servants Conduct Rules, 2016.
• As per the amendment, the term 'insurance policies' has been deleted in the definition of movable assets as described in Rule 24 of the 'Conduct Rules, 2016'. Similarly, the words 'insurance policies' in Annexure-A have been deleted wherever they come up.
• The state government considered the proposal to amend the definition of 'movable property' and decided to amend the definition of 'movable property' as mentioned in Rule 24 of the 'Conduct Rules, 2016'.
• All the items mentioned in the movable asset explanation can be transferred/sold by an employee in the open market, but the 'insurance policies' cannot be sold/transferred to any other person or party. Therefore, it was decided to remove the word 'insurance policies' from the expression of 'movable assets' only.

National e-Vidhan Application (NIVA)

Why In News?

On July 21, 2022, Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar inaugurated a two-day workshop on National e-Vidhan Application (NEIVA) organized by the Haryana Assembly in Panchkula.

Key points

• Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar said that the upcoming assembly session will get a glimpse of e-Vidhan Sabha. The tablet screen will be seen in front of the MLAs in the Assembly.
• He said that the e-Vidhan Sabha will also prove to be useful as an environment, this arrangement will make the Assembly paperless. This will save paper and save trees.
• The Chief Minister said that through the National e-Vidhan Application (NIVA), not only the Assembly of Haryana, but also the functioning of the Lok Sabha as well as the Assemblies of other states can be seen. At the same time, you will also be able to compare the functioning of other assemblies.
• Bills, notifications, question-and-answers etc. to be introduced in the Assembly will be present on the screen of all tablets.

India Innovation Index, 2021

Why In News?

Jharkhand has been ranked 10^th in the category of 17 major states in the India Innovation Index-2021 released by NITI Aayog Vice Chairman Suman Beri on July 21, 2022.

Key points

• In Niti Ayog's 3rd India Innovation Index, states and union territories were classified into the category of 17 major states, 10 north-eastern and hilly states and 9 union territories and city-states for effective comparison of their performance.
• In the category of 17 major states, Karnataka is at the top spot with 18.01 points, while Telangana (17.66 points) is second and Haryana (16.35 points) is third. Jharkhand (13.10 points) is at the 10thposition. Odisha are 16th with 11.42 points and Chhattisgarh are 17th (last) with 10.97 points.
• Manipur topped the northeastern and hill states category with 19.37 points. Uttarakhand (17.67 points) is at the second spot in this category, while Nagaland (11.00 points) is at the bottom.
• Chandigarh (27.88 marks) has topped the union territories and city-states category. In this category, Delhi (27.00 points) is at the second position, while Ladakh (5.91 points) is at the bottom.
• According to the report, the percentage of schools in Jharkhand has improved by about 50 percentage points. THE ICT labs in schools have increased from 23 percent to 73 percent. Enrollment in PhD has also increased. However, the student-teacher ratio with slight improvement is 60:1.
• The state's FDI inflows as a percentage of GSDP have also come down from around 8 percent to 5.5 percent. Regarding Jharkhand, the report says that being an important industrial state, Jharkhand has the potential to go up in the rankings in innovation.
• It may be mentioned that the India Innovation Index prepared by NITI Aayog and the Institute of Competitiveness is a medium for evaluation and development of the country's innovation ecosystem. This puts the states and union territories in the order of their innovation performance, so that there is healthy competition between them.
• This Innovation Index has been prepared on the lines of the Global Innovation Index. In previous versions, the analysis was done on the basis of 36 indicators, but this time 66 indicators were used. The first and second innovation indices were released in October 2019 and January 2021 respectively.

Task Force Constituted for Environmental and Climate Awareness and Protection in All Universities of the State

Why In News?

Recently, on the directions of Governor Anusuiya Uikey, a letter has been sent to all the universities by the Raj Bhavan Secretariat for setting up of a Task Force for awareness and conservation of environment and climate in all government and private universities of the state.

Key points

• It may be mentioned that this letter has been issued to all the universities by the Raj Bhavan Secretariat in pursuance of the instructions received at the Governor's Conference held at Rashtrapati Bhavan in November 2021 in New Delhi.
• As per the instructions received in the Governor's Conference, a task force will be set up in all the universities to engage the students to keep the country's environment clean by 2030 and to achieve the goals of renewable energy for the economic development of the country.
• In this regard, all the universities have been directed to constitute a Task Force at the earliest and to send the report of the work done by the Task Force to the Raj Bhavan Secretariat, Raipur within the time-frame in each month.
• Further, on the directions of Governor Anusuiya Uikey, a letter has been sent by Raj Bhavan Secretariat for organizing cleanliness and tree plantation programme in all the universities and colleges affiliated to them in the State.
• It may be noted that cleanliness and tree plantation programme is to be organized with an aim to keep all the universities and their affiliated college premises in the state green and clean and to create awareness about environment protection among students.

FGR Portal started as a pilot project

Why In News?

On July 21, 2022, the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana and the Weather Based Crop Insurance were prepared for online hearing and redressal of grievances of farmers regarding the Grievance Redressal of Farmers (F.G.R.) The portal was launched in the state of Chhattisgarh as a pilot project through video conferencing.

Key points

• Ritesh Chauhan, Joint Secretary and Chief Executive Officer, Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, Government of India, Chief Executive Officer C.S.C. Dr. Dinesh Kumar Tyagi launched the beta version of the FGR portal in Chhattisgarh through video conferencing.
• After the utility and evaluation of this portal in the diagnosis of complaints, it will be implemented in all the states of the country. With the launch of this portal, farmers will no longer have to make rounds of any office or official for redressal of crop insurance related grievances, nor will they have to submit an application in writing.
• Farmers can call the toll-free number 14447 to lodge their complaint, which will be promptly diagnosed. Farmers will also be able to get information about the diagnosis of their grievances through the portal.
• It has been launched as a pilot project in the state of Chhattisgarh, the first in the country. The State of Chhattisgarh has been selected as a pilot project of this portal in view of the remarkable achievements made in the implementation of Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana in the State.
• It is worth mentioning that the State of Chhattisgarh is one of the leading states in the country in the implementation of crop insurance. Chhattisgarh is the first state in the country to pay its farmers the crop insurance claim amount of Rabi season 2022, the first in the country. In the year 2021-22 , 5 lakh 66 thousand farmers were paid an insurance claim amount of Rs.10.63 crore.

India Innovation Index, 2021

Why In News?

Uttarakhand has been ranked second in the category of 10 north-eastern and hill states in the India Innovation Index-2021 released by NITI Aayog Vice Chairman Suman Beri on July 21, 2022.

Key points

• In Niti Ayog's 3rd India Innovation Index, states and union territories were classified into the category of 17 major states, 10 north-eastern and hilly states and 9 union territories and city-states for effective comparison of their performance.
• In the category of 17 major states, Karnataka is at the top spot with 18.01 points, while Telangana (17.66 points) is second and Haryana (16.35 points) is third. Odisha are 16th with 11.42 points and Chhattisgarh are 17th (last) with 10.97 points.
• Manipur topped the northeastern and hill states category with 19.37 points. Uttarakhand (17.67 points) is at the second spot in this category, while Nagaland (11.00 points) is at the bottom.
• Chandigarh (27.88 marks) has topped the union territories and city-states category. In this category, Delhi (27.00 points) is at the second position, while Ladakh (5.91 points) is at the bottom.
• It may be mentioned that the India Innovation Index prepared by NITI Aayog and the Institute of Competitiveness is a medium for evaluation and development of the country's innovation ecosystem. This puts the states and union territories in the order of their innovation performance, so that there is healthy competition between them.
• This Innovation Index has been prepared on the lines of the Global Innovation Index. In previous versions, the analysis was done on the basis of 36 indicators, but this time 66 indicators were used. The first and second innovation indices were released in October 2019 and January 2021 respectively.

Palace on Wheels

Why In News?

On July 21, 2022, Dharmendra Rathore, chairman of the Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation, said that the 'Palace on Wheels' train, the identity of Rajasthan, will soon be seen running on the tracks and tourists will get an opportunity to visit it.

Key points

• Dharmendra Rathore said this while chairing the 188th meeting of the Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation Governing Board.
• He said that 'Palace on Wheels' is very famous in the country and abroad. Efforts are being made by the corporation to start the train again. He reviewed the progress of providing Palace on Wheels on O&M model and provided necessary directions.
• He said that the state government has given industry status to tourism in the budget 2022-23. This will help in the establishment of tourism units in the state, as well as the already running tourism units will also get benefit. This will not only boost tourism, but will also provide employment opportunities including investment in the state.
• He said that efforts are also being made to develop heritage rail network between Marwar Junction to Kamli Ghat.
• This royal train operated by Indian Railways and Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation (RTDS) was stopped due to Corona epidemic. This royal train is equipped with all state-of-the-art facilities.
• This train, full of royal facilities, runs from September to April. departs from New Delhi on its eight-day journey. Total 3,000 km. In the journey, the train comes back to Delhi via Pink City Jaipur, Sawai Madhopur, Chittorgarh, Udaipur, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Bharatpur, Agra.
• It is worth noting that this luxury train 'Palace on Wheels', which is touring Rajasthan by the world's well-known tourism magazine 'Conde Nast', has been given the status of the world's second luxury travel train.