• 23 May 2023

Uttar Pradesh to become India's Top Sugar Producing State

Why in News?

On 21 May 2023, Uttar Pradesh's Sugarcane Development and Sugar Mills Minister Laxmi Narayan Chaudhary informed that Uttar Pradesh has once again become India's top sugar producing state. The state has surpassed Maharashtra in sugar production.

Key points:

• In 2022, Maharashtra had overtaken Uttar Pradesh to become India's top sugar producing state in sugar production. In the year 2021-22, 138 lakh tonnes of sugar were produced by Maharashtra while the total sugar produced by Uttar Pradesh was 105 lakh tonnes.
• In the current season 2022-2023, a total of 107.29 lakh tonnes of sugar has been produced in Uttar Pradesh, while Maharashtra produced 105.30 lakh tonnes. A total of 2,348 lakh tonnes of sugarcane was produced in the state, while 1,413 lakh tonnes was produced in Maharashtra.
• In the 2022-2023 season, the total sugarcane crushing of sugar mills in Uttar Pradesh was 1,084.57 lakh tonnes, while in Maharashtra it was 1,053 lakh tonnes.
• There are a total of 157 sugar mills in Uttar Pradesh, of which 118 are operational, while in Maharashtra, 210 of the 246 mills are operational.
• In the current season, sugarcane was cultivated in 28.53 lakh hectares in Uttar Pradesh, which is more than any state in the country. In Maharashtra, half of it was cultivated in 14.87 lakh hectares.
• Minister Laxmi Narayan Chaudhary said that during 2022-23, Rs 28,494 crore was provided to farmers. Out of this, 80 sugar mills have been fully paid within a week. A total of Rs 2.11 lakh crore has been paid to sugar mills in the last six years.

Bihar Registration Rules-2023

Why in News?

On 22 May 2023, Vinod Singh Gunjyal, Secretary--Registration Commissioner of Bihar's Prohibition Excise & Registration Department informed that the Prohibition Excise & Registration Department has notified the Bihar Registration Rules-2023 approved by the Cabinet.

Key points:

• Now the registration of documents will be approved only on the typed copy of the draft model deed approved by the department in the registration offices of the state. Through the model deed, documents can be registered by the party without any external cooperation.
• The registration offices have registered more than 1.82 lakh documents through model deeds from 1 April 2023 to 20 May 2023. For the convenience of the public, the format of 25 types of model deeds is available on the departmental website.
• The departmental secretary said that in the first 50 days of 2023-24, the registration offices have earned revenue of Rs 853.82 crore. This is 13.55 percent of the annual revenue target of Rs 6300 crore. In the same period last year, the revenue was around Rs 800 crore.

Chief Minister Inaugurated the State Level Art Festival

Why in News?

On 22 May 2023, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot inaugurated the state-level art festival organized at the Bhartiya Lok Kala Mandal campus under the joint aegis of Manikya Lal Verma Primitive Caste Research & Training Institute and Bhartiya Lok Kala Mandal.

Key points

• The Chief Minister visited the art exhibition of tribal students set up in the Lok Kala Mandal campus and inquired from the artists about the paintings along with different artifacts made by the tribal students & called upon them to further hone their art skills.
• It is worth mentioning that the art festival is being organized with the aim of bringing tribal students forward in the creativity of tradition, culture & art skills along with studies.
• During this time, not only various colourful activities will be organized, but students will also be given training in painting, Mandana, and handicrafts by renowned artists of tribal class for the promotion of art.
• An exhibition of paintings and handicrafts prepared by students and artists will also be organized. The art festival will conclude on May 24.

Chief Minister Announced Formation of 'Jugal Kishore Sarkar Lok' on Panna Gaurav Diwas

Why in News?

On 22 May 2023, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan announced the creation of 'Jugal Kishore Sarkar Lok' in Panna, on the lines of Ujjain's 'Mahakal Lok' on the occasion of Panna Gaurav Diwas on the birth anniversary of Bundel Kesari Maharaja Chhatrasal.

Key points

• Describing Panna as a holy religious city at the Gaurav Diwas function held at Chhatrasal Stadium, the Chief Minister said that all the four temple complexes would be included in Jugal Kishore Sarkar Lok. Jugal Kishore will be made with public suggestions and advice.
• The Chief Minister announced to install his statue at Dharmasagar Pond with an aim to make people take inspiration from Maharaja Chhatrasal and follow his ideals.
• On the occasion of Gaurav Diwas, the Chief Minister laid the foundation stone and dedicated various construction works worth Rs 178.51 crore for the development of the Panna district.
• On the demand of public representatives, the Chief Minister said that when the decision to open medical colleges in cities/ districts with a population of up to 10 lakh will be taken, then Panna will also be included in it.
• He said that in the year 2018, there was a demand for an agricultural college, later it was shifted elsewhere by the then government, which has now been brought back to Panna.
• Maharaja Chhatrasal Bundela (May 4, 1649 – December 20, 1731) was a great warrior of the Middle Ages of India. He defeated Mughal ruler Aurangzeb in battle and established his independent Hindu kingdom in Bundelkhand and attained the title of 'Maharaja'.
• Maharaja Chhatrasal was born in a Rajput family and was a descendant of Rudra Pratap Singh of Orchha. He was a great hero, organizer, skilled and majestic king of his time. His life turned out to be a struggle against the rule of the Mughals and for establishing the independence of Bundelkhand.

First 220 KV level power transformer in the state electrified with HMI technology

Why in News?

On 22 May 2023, Atul Joshi, Chief Engineer of MP Transco (Madhya Pradesh Power Transmission Company) informed that the company has innovated for the first time in the state with a power transformer of 160 MVA capacity at 220 KV voltage level. It is energized remotely with the help of (Human Machine Interface) technology.

Key points

• This advanced technology has so far been successfully used in new132 kV voltage level substations and 132 kV lines at MP Transco, which have been remotely energized.
• This is the first time a hyper-sensitive device like 160 MVA has been remotely energized using this technology at a 220 kV voltage level.
• The new 160 MVA capacity power transformer installed at a cost of about Rs 6.50 crore at 220 KV sub-station at Jabalpur Nayagaon has been energized using this technology.
• With the electrification of this transformer, the transmission capacity of the Mahakaushalion has increased significantly. Madhya Pradesh Power Transmission Company transmits power from its 58 sub-stations in 8 districts of Mahakaushal region, including two sub-stations of 400 kV and 47 substations of 132KV.
• These include 400 kV side 830 MVA. 220 kV side 3660 MVA and 132 kV side 4607 MVA thus having a total transformation capacity of 9097 MVA.
• Narsinghpur, Damoh, Seoni, Mandla, Dindori and Katni districts of Mahakaushal region will now get additional power of about 50 MW from Jabalpur if needed. It is noteworthy that in this sub-station of Jabalpur, apart from Amarkantak, Birsinghpur, Bargi power generation stations, electricity is transmitted from the power grid.
• Human machine interface technology involves controlling devices remotely using human and computer machines. This technology is used with the help of ADMS in the 3 SCADA Control Center operating in the state of MP Transco.
• It is known that MP Transco has made many innovations in its system in the past as well. These include the implementation of a cyber security system in the first state load dispatch system in the country, implementation of SCADA system, drone patrolling of transmission lines, plan to remotely operate 400 KV sub-stations.

State Government to provide facilities to working women

Why in News?

On 21 May 2023, the Haryana government has taken an important step to provide facilities to the working women of the state under the state government's scheme by changing the rules, under which now working women will get five thousand rupees even if they have a second child.

Key points

• An official spokesman said that the Women and Child Development Department has launched 'Mukhyamantri Matritva Sahayata Yojana' to compensate for the loss during labour during pregnancy and to ensure nutrition in lactating women.
• Under this scheme, scheduled caste and scheduled tribe women who gave birth to a boy as a second child after March 8 last year will be able to take advantage of this scheme. Orders in this regard have been issued by the Women and Child Development Department.
• Now more than 40 percent disabled women including MNREGA job card, e-labour card, BPL ration card, Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana and Kisan Samman Nidhi beneficiary women will also be eligible to take advantage of this scheme.
• To take advantage of the scheme, the annual income of the concerned woman's family should not be more than Rs 8 lakh. Aadhaar card is mandatory for this scheme.
• Women employees posted in central, or state government jobs and public undertakings will not be eligible to take advantage of this scheme. To avail the aid, it is necessary to register the child at least once after registration of pregnancy, as well as to register the child & get the BCG, OPV, DPT and Hepatitis B vaccines.
• To take advantage of the 'Chief Minister Maternity Assistance Scheme', applications can be made through Anganwadi Workers or ASHA.
• It is known that the 'Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana' is already being run for working women launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, under which an assistance of five thousand rupees was given in three instalments. Now the government has decided to change the rules and give the assistance amount in two instalments.

Haryana’s monthly Agriculture special magazine 'Shri Anna' released

Why in News?

To celebrate the International Year of Nutrition Grains 2023 on 21 May 2023, Prof. B.R. Kamboj, Vice Chancellor of Chaudhary Charan Singh Agricultural University, Haryana released the 'Shri Anna' agriculture special Hindi magazine of ‘Haryana Kheti’.

Key points

• The Vice Chancellor said that in this special issue, the production, importance, maintenance, value-addition, food making of nutritious cereal crops such as jowar, bajra, ragi, kangni, samvak, small kangni and kutki etc. Special information related to making delicious dishes and health is given in the form of articles given by experts, which aims to make all readers aware of nutritious grains & their benefits.
• It is known that the country is leading the International Year of Millets on India's call to promote food security and nutrition in the world. With a production of over 18 million tonnes, India is poised to become a global hub for coarse cereals.
• Ragi (finger millet) is the best source of calcium & potassium, while chena (proso millet) & kutki (little millet) are rich in vitamin B6, phosphorus, fibre and amino acids.
• Kangni (Foxtail millet) is one of the ancient crops and is rich in beta-carotene, vitamins & minerals. This is especially beneficial for children and pregnant women.
• Kodo millet is rich in medicinal properties which calms phlegm & bile defects and is beneficial due to its anti-bacterial including anti-inflammatory properties. It is also used to purify blood and to keep the nervous system strong.
• Apart from these, samvak and small kangni are also nutritious & rich in medicinal properties.

Chief Minister Launches Community Policing & Outreach Program Haryana Uday

Why in News?

On 21 May 2023, Haryana Chief Minister, Mr. Manohar Lal launched the community policing outreach programme Haryana Uday from the Gurugram district of the state, another innovative initiative towards public welfare. The programme will be implemented across the state from 1 June 2023.

Key points

• Community Policing & Outreach Programme Haryana UDAY Programme aims to strengthen community relations and promote better relations between district administration, law enforcement agencies & public.
• The Chief Minister also released the calendar of Haryana Uday Programme and said that by actively participating in this outreach programme, we can create a safer and more inclusive society, which will be responsive to the needs of its residents.
• As people's representatives of their district, everyone needs to work together and communicate with the public towards creating a safe, harmonious society. To achieve these goals, district deputy commissioners, commissioners of police and superintendents of police will launch community policing & outreach programs.
• Under Haryana UDAY, under the calendar of Chief Minister's Outreach Program, during the month of June, Strong/ Fitman Haryana, 3-day Women's Market in Gurugram and Yoga practice programs will be organized on 21 June on International Yoga Day.
• Apart from this, sports competitions for the age group of 60 years & above and 3-day Women's Market will be organized in Faridabad during the month of July.
• Under the Community Policing & Outreach Programme, each District Deputy Commissioner will start outreach programmes in their respective districts from 1 June 2023.
• These programs include village public dialogue/area public dialogue, cleaning of ponds with public participation, music, art & poetry competitions in sports leagues of schools/ Mohalla's, plantation campaign, night stay program in villages once a week by IAS & HCS officers of the district, Youth Parliament / Village Parliament, Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, Various programs like adoption of government schools for cleanliness and improvement of the health of students are included.
• Community Policing Programme will be launched by The Commissioner of Police/Superintendent of Police in their respective districts from 1 June 2023.
• Under the Community Policing Program, programs like Raahgiri, Cyclothon, sports competitions in villages, awareness campaign for drug/drug abuse, care of elderly people and police school etc. will be organized.
• Collective participation will be ensured in this comprehensive community policing & outreach programme. It will be an important medium to promote engagement, partnership and cooperation among many individuals.
• The Chief Minister will review the six-monthly report of the programme along with a presentation from all the districts and the best three Deputy Commissioners/Commissioners of Police/Superintendents of Police will be awarded.

Union Coal Secretary Inaugurates SECL's 'Chhal' Rail Siding

Why in News?

On 20 May 2023, Union Coal Ministry Secretary Amrit Lal Meena during his two-day visit to Chhattisgarh inaugurated the 'Chhal' rail siding at SECL, Raigarh region and took stock of the progress of two rail corridors being developed on special purpose vehicle (SPV) model in the state.

Key points

• Coal Secretary Amrit Lal Meena reviewed the rail projects of Chhattisgarh East Railway Limited (CERL) and Chhattisgarh East Western Railway Limited (CEWRL) with officials of Southeast Central Railway (SECR) at SECL headquarters in Bilaspur.
• On the second day of his visit to Chhattisgarh, the Coal Secretary inaugurated the bark siding and flagged off the rail rakes. He also inspected the railway line being constructed from Gevra Road to Pendra Road under Chhattisgarh East West Railway Limited (CEWRL) project at Korba Coalfields of SECL.
• The bark siding has been constructed under Chhattisgarh East Railway Limited's (CERL) Phase One project and will connect the bark mine of Raigarh region directly by rail & coal will be dispatched directly by rail from here.
• The Chhattisgarh East Railway Limited (CERL) Phase 1 project, being built at a cost of over Rs 3,000 crore, aims to connect the Mand-Raigarh coalfields by rail.
• Under this 24 km long project, 74 km long mail line from Kharsia to Dharam Jaigarh has been commissioned. It also includes spur lines from Gharghoda to Pelma and feeder lines from Chhaal, Baroda and Durgapur.
• Mand-Raigarh coalfields are second only to Korba coalfields in terms of coal reserves and as coal production increases, these rail projects will play an important role in sending more and more coal in the coming time.
• This project will play an important role in the transportation of coal from SECL's mega projects operating in Korba coalfield. The project is 191 km long which includes 135.3 km of main line.
• The projects include Gevra Road, Surkachar, Deepka, Katghora Road, Bijhara, Putua, Mateen, Sendurgarh, Puteipakhana, Bhadi, Dhangawan and Pendra Road stations. Passenger amenities will also be developed along the railway line in the entire corridor at these stations.
• The total cost of the CEWRL project is about Rs 4970 crore and land acquisition & forest clearance for its main line has been completed. The project is likely to be completed by December next year.
• SECL's Geva mega project has recently become the first mine in the country to achieve 50 million tonnes of coal production. It is currently being expanded to achieve 70 million tonnes of production which will make it the largest coal producing mine in Asia.

Amar Ujala First Honor

Why in News?

On 22 May 2023, at the Prathama Samman ceremony organized by Amar Ujala & Devbhoomi Uttarakhand University, Assembly Speaker Ritu Khanduri Bhushan and Women & Child Development Minister Rekha Arya presented the Prathama 2023 Samman to 26 women who gave a new direction to the society.

Key points

• Among the women who received the Prathama Award were the vice-chancellor of the university, director of AIIMS, professor, doctor, film actress, scientist, social worker, environmentalist, sportsperson, woman entrepreneur & the first woman cab driver.
• Speaking on the occasion, Assembly Speaker Ritu Khanduri Bhushan and Women & Child Development Minister Rekha Arya paid respect to the women by saying that this is a good beginning. These women are not only making their valuable contribution to the society but are also becoming an inspiration for thousands & millions of daughters.
• Women bodybuilder Pratibha Thapliyal, cab driver Imrana, international para badminton player Neerja Goyal were also felicitated on the occasion.
• The event was organised in association with RBS Developer, Nilaya Heights & Nilaya Hills, L.G. Electronics India Pvt Ltd, Treat Milk Rusk & Namkeen.