• 23 Aug 2023

CM's Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme

Why in News?

On August 22, 2023, the cabinet under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath approved the proposal to expand the 'Chief Minister's Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme' (Higher Education) to include all graduate pass youth.

Key Points

• Under the scheme, the cabinet has given consent to reimbursement of Rs 1000 in the stipend given by the private establishments to the trainees by the state government.
• In this scheme, the amount of stipend has also been increased to Rs 9 thousand per month. In this, one thousand rupees will be reimbursed by the state government, while the remaining amount will be provided by the central government and entrepreneurs.
• In this amount, 50 percent, i.e. Rs.4500, is given by the Government of India and 50 percent by the respective institutes of Rs.3500. Now the state government will give an additional Rs 1000 to the amount given by the institute.
• The government has made a provision of Rs 100 crore for this in 2023-24 and the education department has been made the nodal department for this.
• Through the proposed scheme, private sector institutions will be encouraged to employ more and more non-technical diploma holder and degree holder youth as trainees.
• Under the scheme, non-technical diploma holders and graduate youth of the state will get employment for one year, while private and government institutions will get skilled personnel.

Agreement between Bihar Tourism Department & Inland Waterways Authority of India

Why in News?

On August 22, 2023, an agreement has been signed with the Tourism Department and the Inland Waterways Authority of India to promote river cruise tourism in Bihar.

Key Points

• Two ships named Ro Pax Vessel with a capacity of 300 tourists each will run in Patna and Bhagalpur. Both the sailing vessels will be new centers of attraction in terms of cruise tourist facilities in the state.
• sailing Vessel MV Swami Paramhans will operate from Digha Ghat to Kangan Ghat in Patna.
• The tourist cruise will visit all the Ghats of Patna from Kanganghat and will also be able to visit Takht Sri Hariminder Sahib, the birthplace of Guru Gobind Singh.
• On the other hand, MV Rajendra Prasad ferry will operate between Vikramshila (Dolphin Century) via Kahalgaon, Sultanganj, Bateshwar place in Bhagalpur.
• This vessel is about 15 km. and it will take a tour of the Ganges Ghats of Patna and Bhagalpur at the speed of every hour. After a successful trial, its commercial program will be inaugurated by the deputy Chief minister in the coming days.
• Bihar Tourism Development Corporation has also issued the list of fare of the vessel. Common people will have to pay Rs 300 to travel by boat for 45 minutes.
• The fare for 1 hour package booking has been fixed at Rs 30000, 2 hours Rs 50000, 4 hours Rs 100000, 6 hours Rs 125000 and 8 hours Rs 150000.

Rajasthan Mission-2030

Why in News?

On August 22, 2023, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot launched the ambitious 'Rajasthan Mission-2030' in the direction of making Rajasthan the leader of India in every field by the year 2030.

Key Points

• Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot said at the inauguration ceremony of the mission at Birla Auditorium in Jaipur that every person's participation will be ensured in speeding up the state's progress 10 times.
• The state government will take advice and suggestions from 1 crore people for Rajasthan of their dreams. Based on these, the 'Vision-2030 Document' will be prepared and released.
• The Chief Minister interacted with experts, officials, non-governmental organizations, youth, women, students and the public in the programme. Everyone gave their expectations, ideas and suggestions for the progress of the state.
• Girls have made Rajasthan a leader in terms of women/girls' safety, expansion of Udaan Yojana, self-reliant economy, promotion of e-marketing, career-oriented training in schools and colleges, making maximum attendance of students mandatory in higher education, UPSC Many suggestions were given including the release of calendar of RPSC, promotion of agri-tourism, agri-farming.
• People's representatives, officers and common people from all 50 districts joined the VC. During this, the Chief Minister also announced the upgradation of Udaipur's Government Meera Kanya Mahavidyalaya to post-graduation.
• In the journey of vision document, suggestions and ideas will be taken through website mission 2030.rajasthan.gov.in, toll free number, video messages, contests, essay competitions. The Chief Minister himself will also interact with various stakeholders and experts. Programs will also be held at divisional and district level. Departmental officers will also have to give suggestions.
• Face to face surveys will be done by Rajiv Gandhi Yuva Mitra and Mahatma Gandhi Preraks. After this, first the departmental document will be issued, then the vision-2030 document of the state will be presented in front of the country under the leadership of Chief Minister Rajasthan Economic Reform Advisory Council. Wide public participation will be ensured in this.
• Planning Minister Mamta Bhupesh said in the program that participation of every person in Mission-2030 will be ensured. He said that at present the state has become a model state of the country with its welfare schemes and this progress will continue.
• Chief Secretary Usha Sharma said that Rajasthan has become the first state in various sectors including providing health insurance, opening maximum number of new medical sub-centres, PHC, CHC, medical colleges, new colleges, starting peace and non-violence department first in the country, OPS restoration, giving social security pension , solar energy, milk, wool, cereals, oilseeds, pulses, millet, gram production, giving maximum employment in Mahatma Gandhi NREGA, best in tourism sector, solving public shortage-prosecution, RTH, implementation of Gig Workers Welfare Act, Udaan scheme , Indira Rasoi Yojana, providing gas cylinders for Rs.500 etc
• Also, the state ranks second in the country in GDP growth rate of 11.04 percent. He said that with sensitive, transparent and accountable good governance, the state has created a unique identity by establishing new dimensions of development.

Ravindra Manch of Jaipur will become a Multicultural Center

Why in News?

On August 22, 2023, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot approved the financial proposal to develop Jaipur's Rabindra Manch, the heart of cultural activities, as a multicultural center and to modernize the Jaipur Kathak Center.

Key Points:

• Rs 4 crore will be spent by the state government for the beautification, strengthening and modernization of both the centres.
• Development work will be done on Rabindra Manch at a cost of Rs 3 crore, while Jaipur Kathak Kendra, the head of Kathak dance style, will be modernized at a cost of Rs 1 crore.
• It is worth mentioning that the Chief Minister had made an announcement in this regard in the budget for the year 2023-24.

Important Decisions of the Council of Ministers Headed by CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan

Why in News?

On August 22, 2023, a meeting of the Council of Ministers was held under the chairmanship of Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan at Chief Minister's residence 'Samatva Bhawan', in which many important decisions were taken.

Key Points:

• Approval has been given by the Council of Ministers to increase the allowances given to the officers and employees of the Police Department.
• The cabinet has given approval to increase the rate of dearness relief payable to state government pensioners/family pensioners from July 01, 2023 (payment month is August 2023). As per the decision of the Council of Ministers, the rate of dearness relief has been increased to 42% under the seventh pay scale and 221% under the sixth pay scale. With this decision, an estimated additional expenditure of Rs 410 crore is possible on the government.
• The cabinet has approved the creation of a new subdivision Amla in district Betul.
• The cabinet has decided to increase the honorarium of district panchayat members and district panchayat members. It has been decided to increase the honorarium of district panchayat members from Rs 4,500 to Rs 13,500 and that of district panchayat members from Rs 1,500 to Rs 4,500.
• It was decided by the Cabinet that procurement of gram, masur, mustard and summer moong & urad from registered farmers under the Rabi year 2022-23 (Marketing year 2023-24) and under the Government of Indias Price Support Scheme in the next two years by the State Cooperative Marketing Federation Ltd.
• Further, under price Support Scheme in Rabi Year 2021-22 (Rabi Marketing Year 2022-23) the Government of India has accorded ex-post facto approval for procurement of 8 lakh 71 thousand 100 MT of gram and 1 lakh 67 thousand 130 MT of masur and 8 lakh 1 thousand 662.86 MT of gram within the targeted procurement target of 3 lakh 48 thousand 935 MT for mustard.

Approval of 'Madhya Pradesh Naxalite Surrender, Rehabilitation Cum Relief Policy 2023'

Why in News?

On August 22, 2023, the 'Madhya Pradesh Naxalite Surrender, Rehabilitation Cum Relief Policy 2023' has been approved by the Council of Ministers with an aim to provide gainful employment and entrepreneurial opportunities to the surrendered Naxalites in a meeting of the Council of Ministers chaired by the Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh Shivraj Singh Chouhan.

Key Points:

• Madhya Pradesh Naxalite Surrender, Rehabilitation cum Relief Policy has been prepared keeping in view the present security scenario arising in the state.
• The main objective of this policy is to include those who voluntarily surrender themselves to the mainstream by renouncing the path of violence.
• Madhya Pradesh in the Naxalite Surrender, Rehabilitation-cum-Relief Policy 2023, Naxalite/Naxalite and self-surrender have been defined clearly and comprehensively. Certain criteria have been set for the determination of a self-surrender.
• Provision has been made for a state-level inquiry committee to give benefits to self-surrenders. (The earlier policy does not have the concept of a state level inquiry committee to give benefits to surrenderers.)
• To facilitate the self-surrender process, the circle of competent authorities has been widened, such as voluntarily surrendering to any police officer, executive magistrate, officer not below the rank of assistant constable of the Central Armed Police Forces (where the Central Armed Police Forces are deployed). or surrender himself before an officer nominated by the State Government. (In the previous policy, the Superintendent of Police has been prescribed as the medium for surrender.)
• The process after the Naxalites surrender has been clearly mentioned.
• There is a clear classification of grace amount on surrender by self-surrender with weapons.
• If the self-surrender has surrendered with weapons (if the weapon is in working condition), then in such a situation there is a provision to classify the weapons in 07 categories and approve the ex-gratia amount from 20 thousand to 4 lakh 50 thousand rupees. (There is no clear description of ex-gratia on this subject in the earlier policy.)
• A clear provision has been made for a grant of Rs 1 lakh 50 thousand for the construction of a house for self-surrender. (In the earlier policy provision has been made to provide grant amount in Indira Awas Yojana.)
• A provision of Rs 50,000 incentive has been made for the self-surrender for marriage. (There was no such provision in the earlier policy.)
• A clear provision has been made to provide unconditional incentive or prize money of Rs 5 lakh to the self-surrender. (In the previous policy, there is a provision to give the announced reward amount on the basis of cooperation in the anti-Naxal campaign of self-surrenders.)
• A clear provision of Rs 20 lakh grant amount has been made for self-surrender for the purchase of immovable property/land. (The grant amount is not provisioned in the former policy, only provision has been made for allotment of land to the surrendered Naxalites who fall below the poverty line.)
• A provision of Rs 1 lakh 50 thousand has been made for the education of self-surrenders. (Grant amount is not provisioned in earlier policy, unclear provisions have been made in government schemes.)
• On the basis of the utility of the self-surrender, a provision has been made to provide a government job in the police department, if the secret soldier or with his help is successful in the anti-Naxal campaign. (In the former policy, there is a provision to consider him for appointment if he is eligible to be appointed in government service, otherwise there is a provision to give him appointment as home guard according to his eligibility.)
• There is a clear and extensive mention regarding the Naxalite victim's family and physical disability.
• The amount of ex-gratia has been increased in case of death of a person/security personnel in violence. There is a provision of Rs 15 lakh for the common citizen and Rs 20 lakh for the security personnel. (In the earlier policy, there is a provision to provide Rs 1 lakh to the common man and Rs 2 lakh to the security personnel.)
• There is a provision to provide ex-gratia amount of Rs 4 lakh in case of physical disability of a person/security personnel in Naxal violence. (In the earlier policy, there is a provision to provide Rs 50,000 to the permanently disabled and Rs 10,000 to the seriously injured.)
• A clear provision has been made to take the dependents of the deceased in government service. (In the previous policy, if no member of the deceased is in government service and there is a provision to consider appointment on eligibility.)
• In case of damage to immovable property, a provision has been made for relief amount, such as Rs 1.50 thousand will be paid in case of complete house demolition and in case of partial damage, a maximum of Rs 50 thousand will be paid. (In the earlier policy, there is a provision of compensation of Rs. 5000 for kutcha houses and Rs. 15000 for pucca houses in case of damage.) The time-limit and process for the rehabilitation of Naxalites have been clearly mentioned.

Launch of 'Mukhyamantri Seekho-Kamao' Scheme

Why in News?

On August 22, 2023, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan launched the 'Mukhyamantri Seekho-Kamao' Scheme in Bhopal.

Key Points:

• Under this scheme, 8000 to 10000 rupees will be given as stipend instead of teaching work to the youth. After learning the job, they can start their own self-employment. Along with this, permanent jobs will also be available in industries.
• It is worth mentioning that the registration of training companies was started from June 7, 2023, under the 'Mukhyamantri Seekho-Kamao' scheme. So far 16,744 companies have been registered. So far 70, 386 posts have been published.
• Along with this, the registration of youth in this scheme started from July 4, 2023. In this, 8, 71,330 youths have been registered so far and 15,092 contracts have been created so far.
• In this scheme, training will be provided in more than 700 courses in 46 sectors.
• Mukhyamantri Seekho Kamao is a 'Learn and Earn' program in which youth will get job oriented skill training.
• Students will get an opportunity to gain hands-on experience and develop their skills by being in the field.
• Along with the training, a monthly stipend will also be given, so that they can bear their expenses during the training.
  • 8000 rupees for 12th pass
  • 8500 rupees for ITI passed
  • 9000 rupees for Diploma pass
  • 10000 rupees for graduation or higher educational qualification
• Benefits to the candidates in this scheme
• Industry-oriented training.
• Training through the latest technology and latest process.
• Stipend during vocational training.
• State Council for Vocational Training (SCVT) certification by Madhya Pradesh State Skill Development and Employment Generation Board (MPSSDEGB).
• To acquire the ability to get regular employment.
• Benefits to industries -
• Through this scheme, industries will get an opportunity to upgrade the skills of the youth as per their requirements.
• During the training, the training provider establishments will be able to test the students and after training, they will be able to give jobs to these students in their institute.
• Thus, the industries will be helped to get skilled and experienced manpower.
• It would cost industries less to train employees, as the students would already have some skills and experience.
• 75% stipend will be saved per month on a student-candidate.
• A student-candidate will save up to a maximum of Rs 9,000 per month.
• The APF, Bonus and Industrial Dispute Act will not apply to the student-candidate.

Women's Asian Hockey Champions organized for the 1st time in the country, Jharkhand gets the host

Why in News?

On August 22, 2023, the Jharkhand Asian Women's Hockey Champions Trophy 2023 has been officially announced.

Key Points:

• Ranchi, the capital of Jharkhand, which has been recognized as the nursery of hockey players, is going to host the Asian Women's Hockey Champions Trophy. This match should be held for the first time in the country.
• State Sports Minister Hafiz Al Hasan and Hockey India President Dilip Tirkey unveiled the logo & announced the dates.
• A total of 21 matches will be played in this tournament. In this tournament, which will be played from 27 October to 5 November, 3 matches will be organized every day. All the matches will be played at Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh Stadium, Morabadi, Ranchi.
• Six top teams of Asia including India are participating in this Champions Trophy. Apart from India, it has teams from China, Korea, Japan, Malaysia and Thailand.
• No fee has been kept by the Jharkhand government for this match, while Asunta Lakra, former captain of the Indian hockey team of Jharkhand, has described this event as a milestone for hockey.

Ambikapur got the Gift of Indoor Stadium and Digital Library

Why in News?

During the interaction with the youth at the PG College Hockey Stadium in Ambikapur on August 22, 2023, Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel announced the construction of indoor stadium for sports lovers at Ambikapur at a cost of Rs 100 crore.

Key Points:

• In this program, Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel also announced to start a residential college at the state level for deaf-mute children on the demand of Tamanna Singh, a disabled student of K.R. Technical College. Till now, only school facility is available for such children.
• Announcements made by Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel in the meet program-
• A huge indoor stadium will be built at the divisional headquarters Ambikapur, which will be like the indoor stadium in Raipur. Amount of Rs. 100 crores has been announced for this.
• Announced digital library in Ambikapur like Nalanda campus of capital Raipur.
• Government B.Ed colleges will be opened in all the districts of Surguja division.
• Announced the opening of Yeshu Sports Academy at District Headquarters Surajpur.
• Law college announced in Manendragarh-Chirmiri-Bharatpur district.

The first Swami Atmanand Government English Medium College of Surguja Division was inaugurated

Why in News?

On August 22, 2023, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel inaugurated the first Swami Atmanand Government English Medium Adarsh College of Surguja division.

Key Points:

• A total of 10 English medium Swami Atmanand Adarsh Mahavidyalaya's are being opened in Chhattisgarh, out of which the renovation work of Swami Atmanand English Medium Adarsh Mahavidyalaya building at Keshavpur in Ambikapur was inaugurated.
• It is known that the total admission capacity of the government college is 1000, in which about 610 students have taken admission.
• After the announcement of Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, while upgrading the Government Science College, renovation and construction works were done to expand the facilities. The college is equipped with modern technology, smart classrooms, state-of-the-art library, laboratory, additional rooms and other facilities for the students.
• Renovation and construction works have been done in the college at a total cost of Rs 2.54 crore.

Mukhyamantri Sashakt Bahna Utsav Yojna

Why in News?

On August 22, 2023, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami gave approval to women groups to start the 'Mukhyamantri Sashakt Bahna Utsav Yojana'.

Key Points:

• The objective of the 'Mukhyamantri Sashakt Bahna Utsav Yojana' is to provide a wide market to the products made by women's groups.
• For this, efforts will be made to provide proper opportunities for marketing to women groups by organizing an exhibition of local products made by women groups in every development block at a public place.
• By getting the market at the block level for the material produced by women's groups, where they will get a platform to sell their products, on the other hand, the products will also get a new identity.
• At present, more than 37 thousand women (about twice the seating capacity of Madison Square Garden) groups are working in the state, through which various products are manufactured. However, many times they also have to face difficulties due to non-availability of the right market.
• This scheme will be operated by the Women Empowerment & Child Development Department.

Draft of UCC ready, will be implemented soon

Why in News?

On August 22, 2023, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said the media that the draft of the committee constituted to implement the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in the state has been prepared. After getting the government, it will be presented in the assembly session.

Key Points:

• Once approved in the assembly, Uttarakhand will become the first state in the country to implement Uniform Civil Code.
• Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said that there will be no harm to any particular community in the Uniform Civil Code.
• It is known that the draft committee constituted under the chairmanship of retired Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai has prepared the draft after talking to the major stakeholders of every class, every community and every caste in the state. The committee has taken suggestions and views of more than two lakh people in a year and a half.

Smart Snake-Trapping Device

Why in News?

According to information received from the media on August 22, 2023, research students at the University of Petroleum and Energy Studies (UPES), Dehradun, Uttarakhand, have developed a snake-catching device, which will catch a snake without harming anyone in the blink of an eye.

Key Points:

• The project, named Smart Snake-Trapping Device, has been approved by the Department of Science and Technology of the Central Government. Now permission has been sought from the university to test the device at the Wildlife Institute of India and the Forest Research Institute.
• The project, named Smart Snake-Trapping Device, has been approved by the Department of Science and Technology of the Central Government. Now permission has been sought from the university to test the device at the Wildlife Institute of India and the Forest Research Institute.
• Dr. Neelu Jyoti Ahuja told that the development of this device can be used in reducing the cases of snakebite death and in the development of anti-venom drugs.
• This device is specially designed for safe handling of snakes. It is equipped with an artificial prey, microcontroller, camera with GSM module and image processing algorithm, which can catch snakes in a very safe way, whereas till now snake stick etc. are used with traditional methods to catch snakes.
• He informed that permission has been sought from the Uttarakhand Forest Department for testing the device at Wildlife Institute of India and Forest Research Institute, Dehradun, so that the testing of the device can be completed.
• In this regard, Chief Wildlife Warden Dr. Sameer Sinha said that the letter received from the institute has been sent to the government for permission.
• It is worth mentioning that under Indian Wildlife (Conservation), it is necessary to take the permission of the state government for research etc. on any wildlife. In this sequence, a letter has been sent to the government through the Chief Wildlife Warden on behalf of the university.