• 22 Sep 2023

2956 Child Scientists of Bihar Selected for Inspire Award

Why In News?

According to the information received from the media on September 20, 2023, 2956 child scientists of the state have been selected under the Inspire Award in the academic session 2021-22.

Key Points:

• Selected school children will get a scholarship of Rs 10,000 each, with which they will prepare science models. After this, they will participate in the competition organized at the district level.
• Selected school children will participate in the Inspire Model Competition. The district level exhibition will be held on 26th and 27th September. If selected in this, they will get a chance at the state level on 29-30 September. And the national level model competition will be organized between 9 to 11 October.
• It is known that the Department of Science and Technology organizes an Inspire Award every year to increase scientific thinking among school children. In this, science ideas are sought from students from class 6th to 10th.
• This year, a maximum of 330 students have been selected from Aurangabad and 311 from Vaishali. Only 110 students have been selected from Patna district.
• District-wise selected child scientists: Araria-6, Arwal-3, Aurangabad-330, Banka-152, Begusarai-54, Bhagalpur-165, Bhojpur-28, Buxar-21, Darbhanga-31, Gaya-256, Gopalganj-8, Jamui-30, Jehanabad-49, Kaimur-81, Katihar-63, Khagaria-32, Kishanganj-60, Lakhisarai-10, Madhepura-24, Madhubani-11, Munger-16, Muzaffarpur-113, Nalanda-107, Nawada-38. , West Champaran-51, Patna-110, East Champaran-48, Purnia-162, Rohtas-112, Saharsa-12, Samastipur-148, Saran-128, Sheikhpura-14, Sheohar-12, Sitamarhi-23, Siwan-121. , Supaul-16, Vaishali-311.
• It is noteworthy that 4653 child scientists were selected from the state in the year 2021 and 4032 in 2020.

63 Proposals got Approval in the State Cabinet Meeting

Why In News?

On September 20, 2023, a meeting of the state cabinet was held under the chairmanship of Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, in which 63 proposals were approved.

Key Points:

• In the meeting, the Cabinet has taken an important decision to allot land at concessional rates to more than 200 social institutions for educational upliftment and social and economic development in the state for hostels, old age homes, community centers and other social works. With the approval of this proposal, land can now be allotted to all these institutions at 10 percent of the reserved rate.
• The Cabinet has approved amendments to the Rajasthan Civil Services (Revised Pay) Rules, 2017. With this, all the personnel of Class IV Service, Ministerial Service, Subordinate Service and State Service will be given financial upgradation of promotion post under the ACP scheme on completion of 9, 18, 27 years of satisfactory service.
• Taking a sensitive decision, the Cabinet has approved the proposal to amend various service rules to provide government jobs to boys and girls orphaned due to Covid-19 when they attain adulthood.
  • With this approval, such orphan boys/girls whose biological or adoptive parents have died due to Covid on or before March 31, 2023, will be able to get appointments.
  • Also, such orphan boys/girls, whose mother or father has died in the past and the other has died due to Corona on or before March 31, 2023 and whose age at the time of becoming orphan is not more than 18 years, can also be given appointment on posts up to Pay Matrix L-9 after attaining adulthood.
• Economically Weaker Section (EWS) candidates will now get the same age relaxation as other reserved categories in Rajasthan State Engineering Services. The Cabinet has approved the proposal to implement the provision of Rajasthan State Engineering Services (Direct Recruitment by Combined Competitive Examination) Rules 1991 as per the notification issued on April 16, 2021.
  • It is noteworthy that the said service rule was left out of being included in the notification of April 2021. Now in this service rule, male EWS candidates will get age relaxation of 5 years and female candidates will get 10 years relaxation.
• The Cabinet has approved the proposal for necessary amendments in 'Rajasthan Rural Development State Service Rules-2007' to provide better opportunities for promotion to the officers of Rajasthan Rural Development State Service.
• With this approval, the officers of this service, who are currently working on the post of senior pay series and have completed 10 years of service in Rajasthan Rural Development State Service, will be able to get promotion to the post of selected pay series.
• In order to provide better opportunities for promotion in various state services, the Cabinet has approved the proposal to amend the 'Rajasthan Civil Services (Revised Pay) Rules, 2017'. With this approval, additional promotion opportunities and their pay scales will be available in the departments of Archeology and Museum, Employment, Excise, Forest, Tourism and Industry.
• The Cabinet has approved ‘Rajasthan Green Hydrogen Policy-2023’. The possibilities for investment and employment in the state will increase with the establishment of 2000 KTPA capacity projects by the year 2030 from green hydrogen based projects in the state and construction units of related enterprises.
  • It is noteworthy that Rajasthan ranks first in the country in renewable energy and solar energy capacity installation. Also, favorable conditions exist for green hydrogen in Rajasthan.
• The Cabinet has approved 'Rajasthan Biomass and Waste to Energy Policy-2023' to encourage energy production from biomass and waste and biomass co-firing in thermal power plants.
• This will promote power generation from residual biomass and waste in the state, due to which there will be no need to burn residual biomass in the state and better disposal of solid waste will also be possible.
• In order to announce the budget, the Cabinet has approved the proposal to establish 'Rajasthan State Sports Institute' in Jodhpur. With this, a state-of-the-art sports training center will be established in the state. Players can be given properly organized sports training.
• The Cabinet has approved the proposal to increase the 5 percent surcharge/dividend received by Rajasthan Medical Services Corporation Limited (RMSCL) on purchasing and supplying medicines and equipment to the government to 11 percent.
• With this approval, medical institutions can be constructed in line with the budget announcement as part of the expansion in the work plans of RMSCL.
• The Cabinet has decided to name the Crafts and Soil Art Board as 'Shri Yade Mati Kala Board'. The board will work to enhance the income of pottery artisans by providing technical training and advanced tools, connectting them with fairs and exhibitions and developing basic facilities.
• The Cabinet has also decided to rename Karma Bai Government Industrial Training Institute for Women, Laxmangarh (Sikar) as Karma Bai Government Industrial Training Institute, Laxmangarh (Sikar).

Maharaja Agrasen Airport will become Integrated Aviation Hub

Why In News?

On September 21, 2023, Haryana Deputy Chief Minister Dushyant Chautala said in a meeting with officials of Civil Aviation and other related departments that Maharaja Agrasen Airport will be developed as an Integrated Aviation Hub.

Key Points:

• In the meeting, Deputy Chief Minister Dushyant Chautala said that a Manufacturing Hub (IMC) will be built on 3200 acres in Hisar.
• The new terminal building of Hisar Airport will be ready by the year 2026. The capacity of this terminal building will be 2.1 million passengers per year.
• The Airport Authority of India has prepared its tender, which will be issued on December 1, 2023. Training facilities for 100 to 200 pilots will also be available here.
• In the meeting, Deputy Chief Minister Dushyant Chautala also informed that Flipkart company will build Asia's largest warehouse in Patli Hazipur of Gurugram district. This warehouse will be seven storeys in 140 acres.

Official Website of Mauganj District Launched

Why In News?

On September 20, 2023, Ajay Srivastava, Collector of the newly formed Mauganj district, launched the official website of the district during the TL meeting. Through this website, complete information related to Mauganj district will be easily available.

Key Points:

• It is known that Mauganj has come into existence as a new district from August 15, 2023 after being separated from Rewa district, the official website of which has been launched by Collector Ajay Srivastava.
• This website has been created by Manish Patel, District Informatics Officer of Rewa NIC.
• This website contains all the important information related to Mauganj district. The website contains information about history, information about officials, contact details, tourist areas of the district, accommodation facilities, major festivals, major cuisines. In this, information of district panchayats, information of tehsils, population and map have also been recorded.
• The website also has Twitter and Facebook links of Jan Sampark Mauganj through which news of the district can be seen. Quick contacts, links to important websites, all helpline numbers, district profiles and links to Collector's Facebook and x (earlier Twitter) accounts are also available on the website.

‘Hamari Gomata Hamara Dayitva’

Why In News?

In the meeting held under the chairmanship of Jharkhand Go Seva President Rajiv Ranjan Prasad at Nepal House on September 20, 2023, many other resolutions along with the ‘Hamari Gomata Hamara Dayitva’ scheme were passed.

Key Points:

• Chairman Rajiv Ranjan Prasad said that this scheme will soon be started in Jharkhand. Future programs for cow conservation and promotion and self-reliance of cow sheds were also discussed in the meeting.
• Common people will be connected with this scheme. This will be implemented in the form of adoption of cattle reared in cow shelters. The donation coming under this head will be deposited in the Gaushala account.
• It was decided in the meeting that through the commissioners of all the districts, the concerned cattle land will be identified and put in the restricted list and the said land will be used as a cow sanctuary and a separate Vrishamshala Nandishala will be built in the cow shed.
• It has been decided to increase the rate of cow meal from Rs 100 to Rs 150 and self-employment will be generated from products made from cow dung.

UNICEF Praised the Health Programs of Chhattisgarh

Why In News?

On September 19, 2023, representatives from UNICEF South Asia, including UNICEF India, visited Kondagaon district and praised the innovative plans being made in the district to fight mental health and malnutrition.

Key Points:

• UNICEF India Chief Health Officer Luigi D'aquino along with representatives from UNICEF South Asia Regional Organization René Ehonu Akpini from West Africa, Gunter Bussery from Belgium, Chol Thabo Ayule, UNICEF Chhattisgarh Chief Job Zachariah, UNICEF Chhattisgarh Health Specialist Gajendra Singh observed the programs run by UNICEF in Kondagaon.
• Programs like ‘Maya Mandai’, ‘Anemia Free Kondagaon’ campaign and ‘Yuvodaya Kondanar Champs’ were especially praised by the team. Also, the contribution of the volunteers was appreciated.
• On this occasion, the UNICEF team discussed with the youth and villagers about village health hygiene 'Maya Mandai', nutrition day and anemia free Kondagaon in Bandhapara and Nakapara Anganwadi centers under Keshkal development block.
• He took information from Anganwadi workers, Mitanins and ANMs about the work of vaccination and anemia free Kondagaon. While participating in various programs, he danced to the tune of Bastaria Halbi songs with children and Yuvodaya volunteers.
• During this, he learned about the implementation of the schemes at the ground level. Also discussed the awareness being spread about mental health by volunteers in schools and their contribution to the community.

Champawat and Pithoragarh Districts Included in 'Swadesh Darshan Yojana 2.0'

Why In News?

According to information received from the media on September 19, 2023, two border districts of Uttarakhand – Champawat and Pithoragarh districts have been included in ‘Swadesh Darshan Yojana 2.0’.

Key Points:

• It is known that the objective of this scheme of the Central Government is to promote tourism activities and develop these areas along with basic facilities.
• Under the plan, Abbott Mount, Kolidhek Lake, Tea Garden, Chuka and Rajbunga Fort located at the district headquarters of Champawat in the state will be included in the first phase.
• The representatives from the authorized Delight company of the Government of India were provided necessary facilities in the five tourist destinations, such as pathways, café construction, library, parking, museum, buildings built in local style, outlets for sale of local products, yoga and meditation center, small gym. Instructions have been given to include necessary works like children's entertainment resources, construction of toilets, light and sound system, construction of benches, arrangement of solid waste management, construction of adventure park in the DPR.