• 24 Feb 2023

High-Tech Military Hospital will be Built in Uttar Pradesh

Why In News?

According to information received from the media on February 23, 2023, a multi-super specialty military hospital with state-of-the-art facilities will be constructed in Meerut district of Uttar Pradesh and the capital Lucknow.

Key points

• The purpose of constructing the Multi Super Speciality Military Hospital is to provide better medical facilities to the soldiers, military families engaged in the service of the country.
• It is noteworthy that about a decade ago, the Central Command had expressed the need for a military hospital with state-of-the-art facilities in the western Uttar Pradesh sub-area. A proposal was also made for this in the year 2011-2012.
• In 2012-2013, the proposal was first sent to the Central Command and then to the Defence Ministry. Now the Ministry of Defence has approved the construction of a multi-super specialty military hospital with state-of-the-art facilities on defence land in Meerut, along with a state-of-the-art military hospital in the capital Lucknow, which will be the largest military hospital of the Central Command.
• This multi-super speciality military hospital in Meerut will be constructed at a cost of Rs 379 crore. This hospital will have 545 beds.
• The army has already marked the land between Bhagat Chowk to Augharnath Temple in Meerut for the Multi Super Specialty Military Hospital. The board of 'Site for MH' had already been installed on the land proposed by the army. This new military hospital will benefit soldiers, ex-servicemen and their families from 14 districts of western Uttar Pradesh.

Pradeep Jain will be Honored with RDP Award

Why In News?

According to the information received from the media on February 23, 2023, Pradeep Jain of Patna will be honored with the Distinguished Philatelist Award RDP.

Key points

• The award has been announced by the Royal Society of London, the world's most prestigious institution of stamp collectors.
• Pradeep Jain will be given the RDP Award on May 26 in a program organized in the city of Essen, Germany.
• It is noteworthy that only three people from India have received this award after independence, including DN Jatiya in 1983 and Brigadier DM Virk in 1993, while Pradeep Jain will get this award after 30 years.
• The Royal Philatelic Society was founded in 1921 by King George V and has 2360 members. So far only 400 people have received the RDP award from this institution.

Special Campaign for Inspection of Schools Started to Check the Rights and Schemes of Specially Abled Children

Why In News?

Recently, Rajasthan's Special Qualified State Commissioner Umashankar Sharma has started a special campaign to inspect schools to check the legal rights and adherence to schemes of specially abled students. Under his leadership, the campaign started from Udaipur district of the state.

Key points

• State Commissioner Umashankar Sharma said that it started with the inspection of three schools in Udaipur city by a joint team of social justice and empowerment department and child empowerment department of the state.
• The buildings and arrangements of all government and private schools are being inspected. During the inspection, it is being seen how favorable the buildings and arrangements of the schools are for specially abled children.
• Under this, toilets, cafeteria, seating, entrance gate, lift, arrangements, drinking water, emergency evacuation and ramp arrangements 75 parameters including classroom complex of schools are being thoroughly examined. During the inspection, instructions are being issued to the school management to take full care of the specially qualified children.
• Umashankar Sharma said that during the investigation, the admission of specially abled children in schools under the Right to Education Act-2009 is also being examined and schools are being banned from admitting specially abled children under this Act as per rules.
• He said that orders have been given to inspect all the schools by the Chief District Education Officer in Udaipur. According to the order, all PEOs in the district must inspect their subordinate schools. Action will be taken against the school which is not found suitable for the specially qualified children.
• The objective of this campaign is to make all the schools of the state suitable for specially qualified children so that they can also easily get education and become capable citizens.
• The Special Eligible People Commissioner said that for the first time such a campaign has been started in the state, under which efforts are being made to make every school child friendly.

Increased Scope of Employment Guarantee Scheme in Cities

Why In News?

On February 23, 2023, days to provide employment to every hand in cities under the Indira Gandhi Urban Employment Guarantee Scheme Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot approved the proposal to increase employment from 100 days to 125.

Key points

• It is noteworthy that under the budget announcement of the Chief Minister for the year 2022-23, Indira Gandhi Urban Employment Guarantee Scheme was implemented on the lines of MNREGA. Last year, a budget of Rs 800 crore was allocated to provide 100 days of employment per family under the scheme.
• Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has agreed to amend the approved guidelines of the scheme. This amendment will be effective from April 1, 2023. Providing 25 days of additional employment to the urban unemployed is expected to cost about Rs.1100 crore.
• It is noteworthy that an announcement in this regard has been made by the Chief Minister in the budget 2023-24. In this scheme, 125 days of employment will be available per family.
• Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot had launched the 18th, from Khania Ki Bawdi in Jaipur, built in 9 the scheme on September 2022 century.
• In the scheme, the needy families can demand employment by making a job card through Jan Aadhar card. This scheme has been launched by the state government against unemployment by providing employment guarantee to the urban unemployed.
• The scheme allows various types of works including environmental protection, water conservation, heritage conservation, sanitation, service, convergence and prevention of property defacement.
• Important points of the plan-
  • More than 4.51 lakh job cards have been made so far.
  • More than 6.94 lakh members have joined the scheme so far.
  • Employment has been demanded by 3.09 lakh families so far.
  • Over 1.13 lakh online muster rolls released.
  • Rs. 259 per day wages of unskilled workers.
  • Rs. 271 per day wages of semi-skilled workers/mats.
  • Rs. 283 per day wages of skilled workers.
  • ages of 18 People between the and 60 can work.
  • Facility of free registration through Jan Aadhaar card through E-Mitra also.

The President Honored Rajasthan's Pantomime Artist Vilas Janve with the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award

Why In News?

On February 23, 2023, President Draupadi Murmu awarded the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award for the year 2021 to Rajasthan's senior artist Vilas Janve at a function held at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi. On this occasion, 128 artists of the country were honored with the Academy Award.

Key points

• As a reward, Vilas Janve was given a copper letter, one lakh rupees and a garment.
• It is noteworthy that 68-year-old Vilas Janve has been associated with pantomime for the last five decades. He has also received senior fellowship in the field of pantomime from the Ministry of Culture in 2001.
• He is the fifth artist in the country to receive this prestigious award in pantomime. Earlier this award Guru Yogesh Dutta of Bengal, Padma Shri Niranjan Goswami, Moinul Haque of Assam and Sapan Nandi of Tripura have got it.
• It is known that Vilas Janve, along with his wife Kiran Janve, has performed in national pantomime festivals since 1998, as well as directed pantomime workshops for art academies and educational institutions in Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Chandigarh, Delhi and Rajasthan.
• Besides assisting his mentor Padmashree Niranjan Goswami in pantomime workshops, he has composed many pantomimes on historical and social themes. He has also demonstrated his art on many forums of the country.
• Janve, who was Program Officer for 28 years at the Western Zone Cultural Center, Udaipur, also worked as a consultant at the CCRT Regional Center, Udaipur. He has also given training in pantomime at the Central Jail, Udaipur.
• Vilas Janve has also innovated by pantomiming the poems of Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore's Nobel Prize composition 'Gitanjali'.

President Draupadi Murmu will Inaugurate the 7th International Dharma-Dhamma Conference

Why In News?

On February 23, 2023, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has said that President Draupadi Murmu 3 Conference in Bhopal on March will inaugurate the 7th International Dharma-Dhamma. Delegates from 16 countries and culture ministers from 6 countries will attend the conference.

Key points

• It is known that the 7th International Dharma-Dhamma Conference will be held from March 3 to 5, 2023 at Kushabhau Thackeray Auditorium in Bhopal.
• There will also be an address by Swami Shri Govinda Dev Giri ji Maharaj of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, in the inaugural session. The book 'The Panorama of Indian Philosophers and Thinkers' will be released by the guests.
• In the second session of the first day, the Culture Ministers of Bhutan in the ministerial session chaired by Ram Madhav, member of the Governing Council of India Foundation, Sri Lanka, Nepal and Indonesia will present their views.
• In this conference, scholars from different states, universities as well as countries like America South Korea Thailand, Spain, Vietnam, Mauritius, Russia, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Nepal, Mongolia, France etc. Researchers will participate.
• It may be noted that the first International Dharma-Dhamma Conference was organized on September 22-23, 2012, at Sanchi University (Madhya Pradesh). At the same time, the 6th International Dharma-Dhamma Conference was organized on November 7-9, 2021, at Nalanda University located in Rajgir, Nalanda district of Bihar.

HAFED Participates in Food and Beverage Exhibition held in Dubai

Why In News?

According to the information given by the Haryana Information, Public Relations and Languages Department on February 22, 2023, the Haryana State Cooperative Supply and Marketing Federation (HAFED) will participate in the world's largest food and beverages exhibition in Dubai from February 20 to 24 for the first time. Participated in 'Gulfood 2023' Dubai by setting up an exhibition stall.

Key points

• During this time, HAFED Chairman Kailash Bhagat and HAFED Managing Director A. Srinivas and other top officials held a series of meetings with potential buyers to boost basmati rice exports.
• A. Srinivas informed that HAFED has bagged an export order of 85000 MT of Basmati Rice worth about Rs.850 Crores from major importer M/s Saleh A.Babakar Sons Company, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, out of which 33000 MT of export order has been successfully executed Has gone.
• He said HAFED has emerged as a major exporter of basmati rice. For the first time in this exhibition, HAFED has interacted with the exports by setting up its stall.
• Hafed plans to expand its export business to other countries as well, the managing director of HAFED said. HAFED is also conducting commercial procurement of basmati paddy and has procured 2.75 lakh metric tonnes of basmati paddy from farmers during the current financial year.
• Apart from this, HAFED has paid the highest ever price to the farmers for the purchase of Basmati paddy in the mandis during the current year, which has greatly benefited the farmers.
• HAFED is the largest apex cooperative union in the state of Haryana. It came into existence only with the formation of Haryana as a separate state on November 1, 1966. Since then, it has been playing a leading role in serving the farmers of Haryana as well as consumers in India and abroad.

Budget for the Financial Year 2023-2024 Presented in Haryana Vidhan Sabha

Why In News?

On February 23, 2023, Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar as Finance Minister presented the budget for the financial year 2023-2024 in the Haryana Legislative Assembly, which has been described as a historic budget and the biggest budget ever after the formation of Haryana. This budget is Rs 1,83,950 crore.

Key points

• In the budget of the financial year 2023-2024, special focus has been given on the rural economy, in which special provision has been made for electricity, water for irrigation and agriculture, animal husbandry and cooperative sector.
• For the energy sector, a provision of Rs 8,283 crore has been made in the budget, which is 14.9 percent more than the previous year. Apart from this, Panipat Thermal Power Plant is to be phased out in the next 6 years. Instead, the Chief Minister has made a provision of equity of Rs 800 crore for setting up a new 584 MW plant in Yamuna Nagar.
• Rs 5,017 crore has been made to the Public Health Engineering Department and a comprehensive provision has also been made for cooperatives. It is working to provide clean drinking water at 55 liters per person per day in rural areas and 135 liters per person per day in urban and semi-urban areas. Under the Mahagram scheme in the budget, sewerage lines will be laid in 132 big villages in the first phase. 100 km during the next financial year. A target has been set to lay a new sewer line.
• With the financial budget of the year 2023-24, where investment in industries will increase in the state and employment opportunities for the youth will increase, the infrastructure of roads and railways will also be strengthened. Rs 1,442 crore has been allocated to the industry and MSME sector in the budget. 5000 km in the state in the year 2023-24. Improvement of roads, 553.94 km. long roads will be widened and strengthened, and 14 new bypasses will be constructed.
• Coaching will be provided in government colleges to 1000 students who have passed graduation to appear in competitive examinations for jobs in state, central government, other state governments and defence services. Free coaching will be provided to students of families with income up to Rs 1.80 lakh and 50 percent subsidy will be given to students of families with income of Rs 1.80 lakh to Rs 3 lakh.
• A provision of Rs 229 crore has been made for the labour sector in the budget for the year 2023-24. Special attention has been given to the children of laborers in the budget. A provision was also made in the budget that no child till the age of 14 should be deprived of education. At present P.P.P. Based on the data, a survey is being conducted to identify those children who are not going to school.
• After identifying such children of construction workers, creches, play schools and site schools will be opened there. The cost of setting up these schools will be borne by the Haryana Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board. Such children will get assistance for their education till class 12th.
• A budget provision of Rs 5,893 crore has been made for urban development and housing sectors in the state. This is 11.1 percent more than the previous year. In the budget, Rs 500 crore has been allocated for 'Divya Nagar Yojana' and Rs 200 crore for maintenance of sewerage in big cities. An announcement has also been made in the budget to set up 'Sonipat Metropolitan Development Authority'.
• In the year 2023-24, a budget provision of Rs 8,316 crore has been made for agriculture, horticulture, animal husbandry, fisheries and cooperative sectors.
• In the budget of the year 2023-24, a provision of Rs 2047 crore has been made for the Women and Child Development Department, which is 10.3 percent more than the revised estimates of the current year. In the budget, a target has been set to reduce such cases by 50 percent by tracking children facing malnutrition including stunting and wasting through the Child Promotion Portal.
• It is also proposed to add 4000 more play schools in the next two years by converting existing Anganwadi’s and providing training to Anganwadi workers in elementary education.

Chief Minister Dedicated Poetry Works of Famous Writer Sharda Mittal

Why In News?

On February 23, 2023, Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal inaugurated the poetry works of famous writer Sharda Mittal 'Anubandh Abhivyakti Ke' and 'Bonsai Nahi... Bargad Hoon Main'.

Key points

• It is worth mentioning that along with Doha edition of the book of writer Sharda Mittal, three singles and 10 books have been published.
• He has recently received the 'Bhasha Sahodari Ratna Samman' at the 9th World Hindi Convention held in Mauritius.

Flute Player Pandit Chetan Joshi honored with Sangeet Natya Akademi Award

Why In News?

On February 23, 2023, the country's President Draupadi Murmu honored Pandit Chetan Joshi, a famous flute player from Bokaro district of Jharkhand, with the Sangeet Natya Akademi Award-2019 in New Delhi.

Key points

• Pandit Chetan Joshi is counted among the well-known flute players of Indian classical music. Bokaro has been his workplace for 25 years. He has received this award for his contribution to the music world.
• Pandit Chetan Joshi's career as a flute player started in 1987 as a music teacher at Shri Guru Gobind Singh Vidyalaya in Sector 5. In 1988, he came to Delhi Public School, Sector-4, for music teaching work. He served in various capacities at DPS Bokaro till January 2012 he, after which 2012 and has been living in Greater Noida since has been engaged in the promotion of Indian classical music and flute.
• Pandit Joshi developed a unique style of playing flute and this became his identity. The method of playing three and a half weeks in the same flute developed by him has been published in many research papers so far.
• Pandit Chetan Joshi has also received the state's highest art honor State Cultural Award-2006 from the Government of Jharkhand. He has also received Surmani Bismillah Samman, Saraswathi Samman, Maharaj Swathi Thirunal Award, Swara Samaj Sewa Award, Kala Ratna Samman, Sangeet Gaurav Award, Sangeet Bharati Award, Tejaswi Samman.

Dr. Mamta Chandrakar honored with Sangeet Natak Akademi Award

Why In News?

On February 23, 2023, at a function held in New Delhi, President Draupadi Murmu, renowned folk singer of Chhattisgarh, honored with Padma Shri and Dr. Mokshada (Mamta) Chandrakar, Vice-Chancellor of Indira Kala Sangeet Vishwavidyalaya, Khairagarh, honored with Sangeet Natak Akademi Award.

Key points

• President Draupadi Murmu presented Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowships (Akademi Ratna) and Sangeet Natak Akademi Awards (Akademi Puraskar) for the years 2019, 2020 and 2021 in New Delhi.
• It is known that the General Council of Sangeet Natak Akademi, National Academy of Music, Dance and Drama, New Delhi, in its meeting held in New Delhi on 6-8 November 2022, has unanimously nominated ten (10) eminent personalities in the field of performing arts as Academy Awards. Elected as Fellow.
• Fellowship of the Academy is a most prestigious and rare honour, limited to 40 at any given time. With the selection of these ten (10) Fellows, the Sangeet Natak Akademi now has 39 Fellows.
• The General Council has recommended Academy Awards for the years 2019, 2020 and 2021 for overall contribution/scholarship in music, dance, theatre, traditional/folk/tribal music/dance/theatre, puppetry and performing arts for musical drama. One hundred and twenty-eight (128) artists were selected. These one hundred and twenty-eight (128) artists include three joint awards.
• Mamta Chandrakar Khairagarh, who has performed her art in the country and abroad, has been awarded the 2019 Sangeet Natak Akademi Award. Mamta Chandrakar has been awarded the honorary degree of D.Litt by Indira Kala Sangeet Vishwavidyalaya. She was decorated with the Padma Shri in the field of arts by the Government of India in 2016 and the Chhattisgarh Ratna in 2013.
• The Sangeet Natak Akademi is India's national academy for music, dance and drama. In 1952, by a resolution of the (then) Ministry of Education, Government of India, Dr. P.V. Rajamannar was appointed as its first chairman.
• It is currently an autonomous body of the Ministry of Culture, Government of India and is fully funded by the Government for the implementation of its schemes and programmes.
• The Academy establishes institutions and projects of national importance in the field of performing arts. Some important institutions are:
• National School of Drama, New Delhi in 1959.
• Jawaharlal Nehru Manipur Dance Academy, Imphal- 1954.
• Kathak Kendra (National Institute of Kathak Dance), New Delhi- 1964.
• National projects in support of Kutiyathem (Sanskrit theater of Kerala), Chhau dance of Eastern India, Sattriya tradition of Assam etc.
• Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship (Akademi Ratna):
  • Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship is the highest honor conferred by the Sangeet Natak Akademi without distinction of nationality, race, caste, religion, creed or gender.
  • Fellowship of the Academy is the most prestigious and rarest honour, which can be awarded to a maximum of 40 people at a time.
  • The honor of Akademi Fellow carries a cash award of Rs.3,00,000/- along with a copper plate and angavastram.
• Sangeet Natak Akademi Awards (Academy Awards):
  • Awards are given to artists in the field of music, dance, theatre, traditional/folk/tribal music/dance/theatre, puppetry and performing arts etc. for overall contribution/scholarship.
  • The Akademi Award consists of a Tamrapatra and Angavastram along with a cash prize of Rs.1,00,000/-.

Biswabhusan Harichandan takes Oath as the Governor of Chhattisgarh

Why In News?

On February 23, 2023, Biswabhusan Harichandan took oath of office as the ninth Governor of Chhattisgarh at a ceremony held at the Durbar Hall of Raj Bhavan. He was administered the oath by Justice Arup Kumar Goswami, Chief Justice of the High Court, Bilaspur.

Key points

• Biswabhushan Harichandan has served as the governor of the neighboring state of Andhra Pradesh before being appointed as the governor of Chhattisgarh. He succeeds Anusuiya Uikey, who was recently appointed as the Governor of Manipur.
• Hailing from Odisha, 84-year-old Harichandan has been a five-time MLA and four-time minister from Bhubaneswar and Chilka assembly constituencies of Odisha. He started his political journey in 1971 with Jansangh. After this, he remained the Andhra General Secretary of the Jana Sangh till the Janata Party was formed in 1977.
• Harichandan was also a national executive member of the Jana Sangh. He was also the state president of BJP from 1980 to 1988. He was also the leader of the BJP Legislature Party in the Odisha Legislative Assembly for 13 years between 1996 and 2009. He also served as a cabinet minister in the BJP and BJD governments of Andhra Pradesh in 2004.

State's Second Millet Cafe Started in Korba

Why In News?

On February 23, 2023, Korba District Collector Sanjeev Jha and Mayor Raj Kishore Prasad inaugurated the district's first and state's second millet cafe in front of Smriti Udyan in Niharika, Korba city in the presence of public representatives and citizens.

Key points

• On this occasion, Mayor Rajkishore Prasad said that the year 2023 is being celebrated as International Millets Year all over the world. In this episode, the first millets cafe of the district has also started in Korba. In this cafe, people will be able to relish the health-rich dishes of millets.
• Collector Sanjeev Jha said that as per the intention of Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, the first Millets Cafe has been inaugurated in Korba district. This cafe is the second millet cafe in the state after Raigad district.
• In this millet's cafe, traditional dishes of Chhattisgarh along with kodo, kutki, ragi and other small grain crops like idli, dosa, poha, upma, bhajiya kheer, halwa, cookies, mold will be available to the people.
• Korba's first Millets Cafe has been started with the initiative and cooperation of the district administration. It will be run by Nav Jagriti Mahila Self Help Group. This will promote women self-employment and entrepreneurship. This will also benefit the farmers.
• It is noteworthy that the year 2023 has been declared as the International Year of Millets to promote the production of millets and to create public awareness about the nutrients obtained from them. Kodo, Kutki and Ragi are mainly cultivated under millets. Due to the encouragement being given to its production, the enthusiasm of the farmers has also increased.

State's First Ethanol Plant is taking Shape at Kokodi in Kondagaon

Why In News?

According to the information given by the Chhattisgarh Public Relations Department on February 23, 2023, the state's first ethanol plant based on maize processing at Kokodi in Kondagaon district is now taking concrete shape. The maize processing plant has been targeted to be completed by June 2023.

Key points

• According to the information, this first plant is being set up in the field of cooperatives in Kondagaon district with the help of the state government at a cost of Rs 140 crore. Kondagaon district in Chhattisgarh state has the highest production of maize.
• This plant will prove beneficial not only in Kondagaon but also for the farmers of Chhattisgarh. The maize processing plant being built on 14 acres of government land in village Kokodi will be operated by Maa Danteshwari Maize Processing and Marketing Cooperative Society.
• The plant will process 200 metric tons of maize per day, which will produce 80 thousand liters of ethanol. With the installation of this plant, a new environment will be created for private investors to set up other ancillary industries.
• Ethanol produced at the plant will be sold to Indian Oil Corporation, which will be sold mixed with petrol. This will also save foreign exchange as well as farmers will get a fair price for maize.
• The maize processing plant will open the door to economic prosperity of the maize producing farmers of the district. This will directly benefit more than 45 thousand farmers. Along with this, maize of maize producing farmers of other nearby districts will be processed. More than 200 people of the area will get direct employment in the maize processing plant.
• Maize production in Kondagaon district has received a major boost in both kharif and rabi seasons in the last three-four years. Encouraged by the establishment of the plant, farmers are increasing the area of maize year after year. At present, 3 lakh 48 thousand 127 metric tonnes of maize are produced every year in Kondagaon district.
• The processing plant for ethanol production from maize was found to be fizzy by the State Project Finance Committee. Farmers of about Rs 140 crore in the construction of this plant being built at a cost have contributed a share capital of Rs 7.06 crore. Similarly, Rs 21.19 crore has been given by the Mandi Board, Rs by the state government 35.32 crore from the cooperative society's own fund and Rs 2.10 crore. The remaining Rs 75 crore has been raised through bank loans.
• In Kondagaon district, 47 procurement centres have been set up for procurement of maize at support price. Maize is produced on a large scale in Kondagaon Makdi, Farasgaon, Baderajpur development block of the district. The work of maize procurement is being done by Chhattisgarh Civil Supplies Corporation.
• Maize producing farmers are also being given input subsidy at the rate of Rs 9000 per acre by the state government under the Rajiv Gandhi Kisan Nyay Yojana.
• One lakh 24 thousand 188 tonnes of maize are produced in Kharif season and 2 lakh 23 thousand 929 tonnes in Rabi season in Kondagaon district. About 65 thousand farmers of the district are associated with maize production.
• It is worth mentioning that in the industry policy of Chhattisgarh government, establishment of agriculture and forest produce based industries has been kept in special priority category.

Two Hospitals of Chhattisgarh got NQAS Certificate under 'Muskan' Program

Why In News?

On February 23, 2023, the National Quality Assurance Standard (NQAS) by the Union Ministry of Health to Durg District Hospital and Patan Community Health Center for providing excellent health care and better treatment to children and new-borns under the 'Smile' program. Certificate has been provided.

Key points

• The Union Health Ministry team had inspected the District Hospital Durg in December last year and the Community Health Center Patan in January this year and examined the quality of services available for children and new-borns in these two hospitals. The team had also taken feedback from those undergoing treatment there in this regard.
• District Hospital Durg scored 97 per cent and Community Health Centre Patan scored 84 percent in the evaluation of the Union Health Ministry team.
• The team conducted tests of paediatric OPD, paediatric ward, SNCU and NRC (Nutrition Rehabilitation Centre) at Durg District Hospital. At the same time, he inspected the paediatric OPD and NBSU (Newborn Stabilization Unit) at Patan Community Health Center and evaluated it.
• It is noteworthy that national quality assurance standard certification of hospitals is done on the basis of 12 standards. Hospital services and satisfaction levels are tested on several parameters by a team of experts before providing national quality assurance standard certificates.
• For this, the organization evaluates the quality of parameters like service delivery, patient satisfaction, clinical services, inputs, infection control, support services, quality management, outputs. Only those hospitals which pass the evaluation are issued a quality certificate by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

CREDA Signed MoU with International Organization NRDC.

Why In News?

On February 23, 2023, the Chhattisgarh State Renewable Energy Development Agency (CREDA) signed an agreement (MoU) between the Global Head of US-based NRDC and Administrative Staff College of India (ASCI) in Delhi.

Key points

• CREDA has entered into an MoU with ASCI to share technology related to energy efficiency and cool roof in the buildings constructed in the state and to build efficiency in this field of the concerned departments, institutes, technical persons, real estate companies etc. of the state.
• Chief Executive Officer Alok Katiyar has signed the agreement on behalf of the Chhattisgarh State Renewable Energy Development Agency (CREDA). Under this, technical assistance and advice will be given to improve and increase the speed of energy efficiency in the buildings of Chhattisgarh, for which no funds will have to be provided.
• For this purpose, activities like workshop, seminar, training, visit of subject experts, etc. will be organized by NRDC. NRDC will work to implement Energy Efficiency Building Code (ECBC) and Cool Roof Program in Chhattisgarh and provide technical facilities and demonstrations.
• Energy efficient commercial buildings will be constructed in the state under Chhattisgarh ECBC (CGECBC). For this purpose, for the design and construction of energy efficient buildings complying with the CGECBC code and the approval process for building construction, as well as third party verification of the compliance of the Chhattisgarh ECBC during construction and after construction. By imparting training to assessor units, this capacity can be created in the state itself.
• Administrative Staff College of India (ASCI) located in Hyderabad, which has done a great job of capacity building in the field of energy efficient buildings in Telangana and other states of the country. With their cooperation, this capacity building will be possible in Chhattisgarh as well. With this, the technical staff available in the state itself can be trained. In the coming time, this will create new possibilities of employment in the state.
• The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) is a United States-based non-profit international environmental advocacy group headquartered in New York. The organization, founded in 1970, has more than three million members, including nationwide online activities and nearly 700 lawyers, scientists and other policy experts.
• NRDC is an international organization engaged in the field of climate change on the issues of environment, natural resources and energy conservation.

Environmental Approval for Five Years Mining Work in Four Rivers of Uttarakhand

Why In News?

According to information received from media sources on February 23, 2023, on the request of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests has approved renovation of four major rivers of Uttarakhand for the next five years.

Key points

• In Uttarakhand, environmental approval has been received for mining work for the next five years in the four major rivers of Kumaon division, Gaula, Sharda, Dabka and Kosi. This will not only provide mining material from the rivers, but also provide employment to 50,000 local people and laborers associated with this business.
• Significantly, when Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami was in Delhi recently, he had raised this issue with the Union Minister. According to the Chief Minister, it is very important for the development of very important infrastructure like civil construction works, expansion of road and rail network, which is necessary religiously and strategically. Availability of RBM will be ensured from these rivers.
• Gaula River
  • The Gaula River, known as the Gold Mine in Kumaon, is a Himalayan River that flows through India. The source of this river is Paharpani and the end point is Kichha. The length of this river is about 103 km.
  • The Gaula River originates from the Sattal Lake in Uttarakhand. It flows through Kathgodam, Haldwani and Shahi. It then merges with the Ramganga River, a tributary of the Ganga.
  • The Gaula catchment has been affected by several landslides as a result of soil erosion and deforestation. Also, there has been a decrease in the water of the springs and overall rainfall over the years, which has reduced its flow. After hitting the ground near Haldwani, the Gaula riverbed is facing soil erosion due to excessive excavation.
• Sharda River
  • Sharda River is a Himalayan River also known as 'Kali River', ‘Kutiyangdi’ or 'Mahakali River'. It flows through Uttarakhand.
  • The traditional source of the Sharda River is Limpiyadhura in the Pithoragarh district of Uttarakhand, at an altitude of 3,600 m (about 11,800 ft) above sea level.
  • The length of this river is 252 km, and the basin area is 18,140 so km. Kali River is the mainstream of Mahakali River.
• Koshi River
  • Koshi River, also known as Kosi or Kaushiki, is one of the major and holy rivers of North India. This river is mentioned by the name of Kaushiki in the Manaskhand of Skandpuran.
  • It is an important river of the Kumaon region of Uttarakhand. It is a tributary of Ramganga. Kair and Sheesham forests are found on the banks of the river.
  • The length of Koshi river is 168 km and its drainage area is spread over an area of about 346 sq km.
• Dabka River
  • Dabka River is a stream in Uttarakhand and its height is 1,100 meters.
  • Flowing east of the Kosi River, this river emerges from the west of a place called Garampani in Nainital and flows out of the state near Bajpur, flowing through Nainital and Udham Singh Nagar.

Contract Signed for Construction of Yamunotri Ropeway

Why In News?

On February 23, 2023, in the presence of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami and Tourism Minister Satpal Maharaj, a contract was signed between the tourism department of the state and the private construction company 'SRM Engineering and FIL Industry Private Limited' for the Yamunotri ropeway project.

Key points

• Proposed 3.38 km from Jankichatti (Kharsali) to Yamunotri Dham. Clearance has already been received from the Forest Ministry for the construction of long ropeway. The ropeway will be operated on PPP mode. About 167 crore rupees will be spent on this ropeway.
• Due to the construction of this ropeway, the devotees going to Yamunotri Dham will get six km. You will not have to climb on foot. You can reach Yamunotri in just 15 to 20 minutes by ropeway. It takes about three hours for the devotees to reach Yamunotri Dham situated at a height of about 11 thousand feet through the Jankichatti (Kharsali) pedestrian route.
• On this occasion, the Chief Minister said that after the completion of the rope-way project, Yamunotri Dham will be connected to its winter residence Kharsali, and the devotees will be able to reach Maa Yamuna easily and take advantage of pollution-free natural beauty. Along with providing facilities to the devotees, the employment resources of the people will increase at the local level as well.
• State Tourism Secretary Sachin Kurve said that this 3.38 km long ropeway to be built on PPP mode will be of monocable detachable type, which will be constructed according to European standards on the lines of France and Switzerland.
• The tourism secretary said that the passenger capacity of this ropeway would be to carry about 500 people in an hour while eight passengers would be able to go in one coach at a time. The lower terminal of the ropeway will be built on 1.787 hectares of land at Kharsali while the upper terminal will be built on 0.99 hectares of land at Yamunotri.