Rajasthan

• 25 Jul 2023

Rajasthan Cinema (Regulation) (Amendment) Bill-2023 passed by voice vote

Why in News?

On July 21, 2023, the Rajasthan Assembly passed the Rajasthan Cinema (Regulation) (Amendment) Bill-2023 by voice vote after discussion.

Key Points:

• The Minister said that the Central Government had written a letter on August 10, 2020, under the Ease of Doing Business and reviewed the law and directed to include the provisions of non-criminalization in it.
• In pursuance of this, the Rajasthan Cinema (Regulation) Bill-2023 has been brought by amending the Rajasthan Cinema (Regulation) Act-1952.
• Earlier, the House rejected by voice vote the proposal to circulate the bill for public opinion.

Rajasthan State Avanti Bai Lodhi Board formed

Why in News?

According to the information given by the Rajasthan Information and Public Relations Department on July 24, 2023, the Rajasthan State Avanti Bai Lodhi Board has been constituted to survey the condition of the Lodhi (Lodha) society, provide basic facilities and give suggestions to remove backwardness. The Chief Minister has approved the proposal to this effect.

Key Points:

• The Board will consist of a Chairman, Vice-Chairman and 3 non-official members. Along with this, the Commissioner/Director/Government Secretary or their representatives of the Industries Department, School Education (Primary/Secondary) and Sanskrit Education Department, Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Department, Labour Department, Social Justice and Empowerment Department or their representatives will be official members in the board.
• Deputy Director level officer of the Social Justice and Empowerment Department will act as Secretary on the Board.
• In addition, the Managing Director, Rajasthan State Other Backward Classes Finance and Development Cooperative Corporation Limited or his representative will be a special invitee to the Board.
• Social Justice and Empowerment Department will be the administrative department for the Board.
• It is worth mentioning that an announcement in this regard was made earlier by Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot.
• The purpose of the formation of this board is to propose various schemes for the welfare of the Lodhi (Lodha) society, to coordinate with various departments regarding the various public welfare schemes being run at present, to give suggestions for the educational and economic upgradation of the society and to promote employment. This board will also give suggestions to bring the traditional businesses of the society to a profitable position with the help of new technology.

Rajasthan becomes 1st state to pass bill for welfare of online platform-based Gig Workers

Why in News?

On July 24, 2023, on the initiative of Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, the state assembly has passed the Rajasthan Platform-based Gig Workers (Registration and Welfare) Bill-2023. Rajasthan has become the first state in the country to pass a bill for the welfare of lakhs of gig workers earning their livelihood through online platforms.

Key Points:

• The state government has gifted millions of youths connected as gig workers with online platforms like Ola, Swiggy, Uber, and Zomato. By protecting the interests of these gig workers, social security will now be provided to them.
• Rajasthan Platform-based Gig Workers Welfare Board will be established under the Act to be made through this bill. Along with this, Rajasthan Platform-based Gig Workers Social Security and Welfare Fund will be constituted.
• This board will ensure the registration of platform-based gig workers. Along with monitoring the schemes for social security of registered gig workers, it will give its recommendations to the state government for the administration of such schemes.
• The Board will also ensure that gig workers have access to benefits and better working conditions as per these schemes. The Board will also ensure time-bound redressal of grievances relating to the rights of gig workers and matters relating to the implementation of the provisions of the Act.
• For the registration of gig workers, the aggregator will make the database of gig workers available to the state government within 60 days of the implementation of the act. The state government will publish the register of aggregators on its web portal.
• This act will also enable gig workers to get the benefits of social security schemes of the state government and they will get an opportunity to hear their grievances.
• Gig workers will also have representation on the board so that they will be able to participate in decisions taken for their welfare. Under the Act, a grievance redressal mechanism will be set up for gig workers, before which petitions can be submitted in person or through online mediums.
• In the current economic scenario, there is a huge scope for employment through gig work for the youth with low skills. Gig workers are yet to come under the ambit of labour laws, despite their huge contribution to the economy and employment. In such a situation, they do not get protection like traditional employees. This act will protect the interests of gig workers and provide them with social security.
• It is worth mentioning that Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot had announced the introduction of the Gig Workers Welfare Act and the establishment of the Gig Workers Welfare Board under it to provide social security to gig workers and to protect them from exploitation in the state budget of 2023-24. Along with this, he also announced the formation of the Gig Workers Welfare and Development Fund with an amount of Rs 200 crore.

Rajasthan Sahitya Academy, Udaipur announced the outstanding awards for the years 2019-20, 2020-21 and 2021-22

Why in News?

On July 24, 2023, Rajasthan Sahitya Akademi, Udaipur, an autonomous institution established by the Government of Rajasthan to encourage, honour and promote the literature of the province, announced the outstanding awards for the years 2019-20, 2020-21 and 2021-22.

Key Points:

• These awards have been announced after the approval in the meeting of the Academy Executive chaired by Academy President Dr. Dularam Saharan.
• It is worth mentioning that Chief Minister and Finance Minister Ashok Gehlot and Art, Literature and Culture Minister Dr. BD Kalla had given approval on the demand of Dr. Dularam Saharan, the youth president of the Academy, who took over the charge last August itself, to give the outstanding awards for the period without a chairman. After that approval, applications have been invited in the prescribed procedure and the said awards have been declared after evaluating the entries received.
• This is the first time in the academic history of the country that any academy has announced the outstanding awards of the previous years after the approval of the government, otherwise, the awards of the period remained pending without a chairman.
• Under these awards by Rajasthan Sahitya Academy, along with the symbol, a fixed amount is also given to the respected litterateur.
• Under the existing provisions of the Academy, Rs 75 thousand each is given for Meera Award, Sudhindra Award, Rangeya Raghav Award, Devraj Upadhyay Award, Kanhaiyalal Sahal Award, Devilal Samar Award, Shambhu Dayal Saxena Award and Rs 21 thousand for Pratham Kriti Sumnesh Joshi Award.
• Academy President Dr. Dularam Saharan said that these awards will be presented by organizing a grand ceremony in the month of August itself.