Haryana

• 23 Oct 2023

15 Khelo India Centers Inaugurated in Haryana

why in discussion

A total of 15 Khelo India Centers (KICs) were launched in Haryana on October 20, 2023 by Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khater in the virtual presence of Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports (MYAS) Anurag Singh Thakur.

Key Points:

• Youth Affairs and Sports Minister Anurag Singh Thakur, while addressing the event virtually, said that the Government of India has already notified 1000 Khelo India Centers (KIC) across the country.
• He said that these 15 Khelo India centers started in Haryana will help in preparing future champions. These centers will include 15 former champion athletes, who will train the next generation of athletes who are eager to win medals.
• Through the 'Khelo India' scheme, while the Government of India has provided support to the athletes in the best possible way, the Chief Minister of Haryana is also playing a commendable role in motivating the athletes through financial and job related assistance.
• At KIC, former champion athletes become coaches and mentors of youth, run sports training centers autonomously and earn their livelihood. Under the 'Khelo India' scheme, initial and annual financial assistance is also provided to these former champions as well as these centers for sports training, coaching and operations.
• Mini Khelo India Centres help in strengthening the sports ecosystem at the grassroots level by enhancing the utilization of existing sports infrastructure available in schools, organizations and other eligible agencies at the block or district level.

Haryana Government makes Record Increase in Monthly Pension of Journalists

Why In News?

On October 19, 2023, Dr. Amit Agarwal, Director General, Information, Public Relations and Languages Department, Haryana, during a meeting with the members of the Press Council of India (PCI) informed that the state government has increased the monthly pension being given to journalists from Rs 10,000 to Rs 15,000, which is the highest in the country.

Key Points:

• Haryana Government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Manohar Lal, is continuously implementing unique and pioneering schemes for the welfare of journalists. In this series, recently the monthly pension given to journalists has been increased from Rs 10,000 to Rs 15,000.
• Additionally, under the Haryana Media Personnel Welfare Fund Administration Scheme, financial assistance amounting to Rs 161.74 lakh has so far been provided to their dependents or legal heirs in cases of critical needs such as illness, death, accident or other unexpected emergencies.
• Dr. Amit Aggarwal said that keeping in mind the welfare of journalists, the Haryana government is also implementing a term/group insurance scheme of Rs 10 lakh for 1,269 accredited journalists in the state. This insurance scheme provides the necessary financial security to journalists.
• It may be noted that the Journalists Welfare Fund has been established in the state, under which financial assistance is provided for the treatment of serious illnesses.