• 23 Jun 2022

Ten Thousand Crore Rupees Guarantee to Farmers on Wheat-Paddy Purchase

Why in News?

• On June 21, 2022, the state cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar approved the decision to give a guarantee of Rs 10 thousand crore to the farmers of Bihar on the purchase of wheat and paddy.

key Points

• The state government will provide a guarantee of 10,000 crore rupees for procurement of Wheat and Paddy in the financial year 2022-23. This guarantee will be given on borrowing from institutions like commercial banks, NABARD.
• The cabinet has given its approval to give a state guarantee of Rs 10 thousand crore to Bihar State Food and Civil Supplies Corporation as working capital for loans taken at quarterly rate of interest from various financial institutions.
• Thirteen proposals were approved in the meeting. The cabinet gave its approval to spend Rs. 94 crore 5 lakh 54 thousand this year for agricultural mechanization scheme. Under this, the farmers of the state will get up to 80 percent subsidy on various agricultural machines.
• The state government will spend Rs 31 crore for grant on equipment like Happy Seeder, Super Seeder, Straw Baler, Reaper-cum-Binder related to stubble management.

Handicapped will Get a Battery-Powered Tricycle

Why in News?

• On June 21, 2022, in the meeting of the state cabinet chaired by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, it has been decided to give battery-operated tricycles to the differently-abled studying and employed.

Key Points

• The Cabinet has given its approval under the Sambal Scheme run under the CM Divyangjan Sashaktikaran Vidyarthi Yojana.
• The Bihar government will distribute 10,000 battery operated tricycles to differently-abled persons across the state in the current financial year. These tricycles will be distributed to the differently-abled on the basis of 'first come, first served'.
• The Handicapped will have to apply online first for the battery tricycle. After this, the committee headed by the DM will select the eligible beneficiaries. 42 crore has been sanctioned for this scheme.
• Additional Chief Secretary Dr. S. Siddhartha said that differently-abled students pursuing graduation and above will get the benefit of this scheme. Students will be able to travel long distances from their home or hostel and easily go to college-university through a battery-operated tricycle.
• Along with this, the Handicapped associated with employment by staying in Bihar have also been included in this scheme, so that they can feed their families by using the battery tricycle.
• Under this scheme, the beneficiary has to be a resident of Bihar. The condition is that he is studying or doing employment by staying in the state. The annual income of the beneficiary's family should not exceed Rs 2 lakh. 60% of the Handicapped aged 17 years and above will get the benefit.

One Lakh Solar Pumps will be Set up in Rajasthan

Why in News?

• On June 22, 2022, Chief Secretary of Rajasthan Usha Sharma instructed to install 1 lakh solar pumps under the scheme in a review meeting on Solar Agriculture Livelihood Scheme (Sky) under Prime Minister Kusum-Component-C (Feeder Level Solarization).

Key Points

• The Chief Secretary also directed to increase the proposed strength of 33/11 kV GSS beyond 80 to ensure implementation of the scheme.
• In the meeting, Principal Secretary, Department of Energy, Bhaskar Atmaram Sawant said that for the successful implementation of the proposed sky scheme, a portal will be launched soon, through which farmers will be able to register and lease their land for up to 25 years to set up gss.
• He said that through the online portal, interested developers will also be able to select the land and construct solar power plants. A work award of 4.24 MW has been awarded under a pilot project in Tonk, under which 656 farmers will get solar energy.
• The key features of the Sky Scheme are-
  • The farmer will be given attractive lease money for the land.
  • 80,000 per hectare per hectare on land up to Rs.8 lakh (as per DLC rate) to farmers.
  • Lease rent upto Rs.1 lakh 60 thousand per hectare on land above Rs.20 lakh.
  • 5% increase in lease rentals every two years.

Single-Use Plastic Items Banned in State Offices

Why in News?

• Recently, the Rajasthan government has banned the use of single-use plastic items from July 1 in all government offices. Orders in this regard have been issued by the Department of Environment and Climate Change.

Key Points

• Shikhar Agarwal, Principal Secretary, Government of Environment and Climate Change informed that the banned items include all types of plastic carry bags, plastic/thermocol (polystyrene) disposable cutlery, such as bowls, trays, containers, etc., which are used for serving eatables/drinks and artificial flowers, banners, flags, vases and belly bottles.
• The order states that no government office shall use the above single-use plastic items and can use options like compostable plastic, bio-degradable plastic, natural fabrics, recycled paper material etc. which have less impact on environment.
• The department has issued the present order in accordance with the rules imposed earlier. The order states that the Plastic Waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 2016 have been notified for management of plastic in an environment-friendly manner.
• In order to comply with the provisions of these rules, the State Government has issued a notification on 21st July, 2010 to ban plastic carry bags completely in the State.
• The central government issued a notification on August 12, 2021, banning single-use plastic items with effect from July 1, 2022.

Naming Process of Government Schools of Jodhpur and Dungarpur Districts

Why in News?

• On June 21, 2022, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot approved the proposal to name one government school in Jodhpur and Dungarpur districts after the freedom fighters.

Key Points

• Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has approved the proposal to rename the Government Model Higher Secondary School, Gilakaur of Saikala Panchayat Samiti of Jodhpur district after freedom fighter late Mangal Singh.
• Similarly, the Chief Minister also approved the proposal to rename the Government Higher Secondary School, Karawada of Jhoothri Panchayat Samiti in Dungarpur district after freedom fighter late Dhulji Bhai Verma.
• With this decision of the Chief Minister, the younger generation will be able to take inspiration from the sacrifices, struggles and life ideals of the brave fighters who awakened the spirit of freedom.

Karauli District got Second Place in the Country in the Field of MSMEs

Why in News?

• Recently, Karauli district of Rajasthan has been ranked second in the category of 'Aspirational District' in the National MSME Award-2022.

Key Points

• Giving this information through a letter to the Karauli District Collector, Deputy Director General of the Union Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, D.P. Srivastava said that this award will be given to the district for making excellent contribution in the development and promotion of MSME sector.
• He said that the award under the Amrit Mahotsav of Azadi will soon be held at a function.
• Sirohi, Dholpur, Jaisalmer and Karauli districts of the state have been selected under the 'Aspirational District' programme, out of which Karauli district has secured the second position for its best work.
• The 'Aspirational Districts' programme is an ambitious scheme of the Government of India, through which the progressive districts of the country are honoured for their outstanding work in a particular region.
• It may be recalled that the National MSME Awards were instituted in 1983 to honour outstanding performers in the fields of entrepreneurship (manufacturing and services), product quality, innovation, export and manufacturing techniques .
• National Award winners have the right to use the award insignia in their letter heads and their employees may wear a label, pin, tie or other distinctive badge bearing this insignia.

Shailendra and Tushar Won Gold and Silver Medals Respectively

Why in News?

• Bhopal's powerlifters Shailendra Sevatia and Tushar Kadam won gold and silver medals by performing brilliantly in the Senior Asian Powerlifting Competition held in Coimbatore from June 17 to 21, 2022.

Key Points

• In the 74 kg weight class of the competition, Shailendra Sevatia won the squat event with 280 kg. , 185 kg in benchpress and 275 kg in deadlift. Thus, he lifted a total weight of 740 kg to give the country a gold medal.
• Similarly, 66 kg of the competition. In the weight category, Bhopal's power lifter Tushar Kadam won 240 kg in squat, 155 kg in bench press. and 230 kg in the deadskit event, thus making a total of 625 kg. Won silver medal for the country by lifting weights.

Five Laboratories Set up for Quality Testing of 'Chhattisgarh Herbals'

Why in News?

• Recently, 5 Quality Testing Laboratories have been set up in the state to ensure the quality of products to be produced under the 'Chhattisgarh Herbals' brand.

Key Points

• It may be mentioned that it was launched at a recent event organized by Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel. The operation of these laboratories will be carried out by the Chhattisgarh State Small Forest Produce Association.
• At the forest circle level, these laboratories set up at Raipur, Ambikapur, Jagdalpur, Kanker and Bilaspur will primarily issue quality certificates of the products after testing. This will further boost the sale of Chhattisgarh herbals products in the country and outside the country.
• As per the protocol laid down in the laboratory, 65 minor forest produce and 59 medicinal, 46 food, 7 cosmetic and 22 other products will be tested. These will test the products of all district unions and Van-Dhan Development Centres falling under the respective circle.
• It is worth mentioning that 8,011 self-help group members are working in the processing of minor forest produce in the state. For marketing of the products produced by them, it is necessary that their quality and components are tested in recognized laboratories from time to time.
• Keeping in view that there were not enough laboratories in Chhattisgarh for testing of minor forest produce, herbal products and herbal medicines, these laboratories have been set up.

Uttarakhand State Science and Technology Congress

Why in News?

• On June 22, 2022, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami inaugurated the 15th and 16th Uttarakhand State Science and Technology Congress organized in the Graphic Era.

Key Points

• On this occasion, the Chief Minister also released a book based on the Uttarakhand State Science and Technology Congress and the valuable products of Uttarakhand.
• It is worth noting that last year the Science Congress could not be organized due to Corona epidemic, so the 15th and 16th Science Congress was jointly organized by UCOST.
• Calling upon the scientists and research scholars present in the program, the Chief Minister said that through this program, make resolve a power and move forward with the motto of 'resolve without choice'.
• He said suggestions from all scientists and researchers in the field of 'Science and Technology' are invited to make Uttarakhand a leading state by 2025.

Ropeway Projects in Uttarakhand

Why in News?

• Kedarnath, Hemkund Sahib and Chandidevi ropeway projects were approved in the 17^th meeting of Uttarakhand State Wildlife Board chaired by Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on June 21, 2022.

Key Points

• The meeting approved the approval of these three important ropeway projects as well as the referral of them to the National Wildlife Board.
• In this, Kedarnath is 13 km from Sonprayag. Under the ropeway project, 26.43 hectares of forest land is to be transferred, while about 12.5 km from Govindghat to Hemkund. 27.4782 hectare forest land is to be transferred for ropeway project and 0.29 hectare forest land is to be transferred for ropeway project from Har Ki Pauri to Chandidevi in Haridwar.
• In the meeting, approval was given to transfer 7.20 hectares and 3.4214 hectares of forest land respectively for the construction of operational track from Rocky Nav to Muligala and from Sumama Y Junction to Thangla-II falling under protected forest area in Uttarkashi district.
• The meeting also approved land transfer for four motorways to be constructed under Almora district. A proposal for transfer of forest land to 48.895 hectares for the Ring Road to be constructed in Haridwar and 400.89 hectares for the Jamrani Dam Multipurpose Project will also be sent to the National Wildlife Board after approval.
• At the same time, the proposals for Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, Power, Hydro, Sub-Mineral Chugan, Industrial Development were approved after discussion.
• It was also decided in the meeting that a Centre of Excellence for Human-Wildlife Conflict Mitigation and a Centre of Excellence for Wildlife Health Will be set up in the state. Apart from this, primary response teams will be formed in collaboration with local communities, who will work on forest and wildlife conservation as well as prevention of forests.
• Guidelines will be made regarding the behaviour of tourists in tiger reserves, protected areas and other tourist forest areas so that sanitation and waste management can be carried out in a better manner.