• 25 Oct 2022

Centre approves Terai elephant sanctuary

Why in news?

• According to the information given by the Uttar Pradesh Forest Department on October 23, 2022, the Union Ministry of Forest and Environment has given its approval to the Terai Elephant Reserve (TER), which covers 3,049 sq km including Dudhwa Tiger Reserve and Pilibhit Tiger Reserve located in Lakhimpur and Pilibhit districts. will be developed in the area.

Imp points

• According to the UTTAR Pradesh forest department, the department had prepared the proposal in April and forwarded it to the Centre on October 11, 2022. After getting approval from the Union Ministry of Forest and Environment for TER, a notification will be issued by the state government soon.
• With the terai elephant reserve coming into existence in Uttar Pradesh, Dudhwa Tiger Reserve will be the only national park in Uttar Pradesh that will protect and conserve four iconic wild animal species — Tiger, One-horned Rhinoceros, Asian Elephant and Swamp deer.
• Apart from Dudhwa and Pilibhit Tiger Reserves, the elephant reserve will include Kishanpur Wildlife Sanctuary, Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary, Dudhwa buffer zone and parts of South Kheri forest division.
• The establishment of the Terai Elephant Sanctuary will be a milestone in terms of wildlife conservation, especially for Asian elephants, as it is located on the Indo-Nepal border, where cross-border movement of elephants is a routine routine.
• The Centre will provide all financial and technical assistance under project Elephant, which will help in handling human-elephant conflicts. The establishment of an elephant sanctuary at Dudhwa will help in adopting an elephant-centric approach towards their conservation.
• Also, the financial and technical assistance received under Project Hathi will be used in managing the elephants present in dudhwa's camp and incidents of human-elephant conflict, which are currently dependent on the state, will be controlled more effectively.
• The Dudhwa Tiger Reserve has attracted wild elephants through various domestic and cross-border corridors for decades, including Basanta-Dudhwa, Laljhari (Nepal)-Sathiyana and Shuklaphanta (Nepal)-Dhaka-Pilibhit-Dudhwa buffer zone corridors. The Terai Elephant Reserve under Project Elephant will help revive or restore these corridors, which have been defunct.

Uttarakhand ranks first in North India Geographical Indication

Why in news?

• On October 24, 2022, Sudhir Chandra Nautiyal, Director of Industries, Uttarakhand, informed that Uttarakhand has secured the first position in the North India Geographical Indication held in Varanasi from October 16 to 21 in collaboration with the Ministry of Commerce and Industry and the Government of Uttar Pradesh.

Imp points

• Seven GI-registered products were exhibited by Uttarakhand at the North India Geographical Indication Festival. Among these GI products, Berinag tea, aipan and pura products were the center of attraction.
• The state's director of industries said that gi registered Kumaon Chura Oil, Munsiyari Rajma, Bhotia Dan, Aipan, Ringal Craft, Copper Products and Thulma, among other products, were displayed by the state.
• He pointed out that geographical indication gives legal protection to products with a region characteristic.
• The North India GI Festival has been organised in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh from October 16 to 21, in which 100 GI products were exhibited by 11 states of the north.

8th Oraon appointed brand ambassador of Kishori Samridhi Yojana

Why in news?

• On October 23, 2022, the Gumla district administration has appointed Under-17 Indian women's football team captain and Gumla's daughter Viii Oraon as the brand ambassador of 'Savitribai Phule Kishori Samridhi Yojana' and footballer Sudha Ankita Tirkey was also felicitated by the district administration.

Imp points

• After the arrival of Indian Football Under-17 team captain Eighth Oraon and player Sudha Ankita Tirkey in Gumla, Deputy Commissioner Sushant Gaurav honored both the players by organizing a felicitation ceremony in his meeting room.
• Gumla DC Sushant Gaurav said that Ashtam Oraon has been made the brand ambassador for better publicity and awareness of Kishori Samridhi Yojana.
• On being made the brand ambassador, Eighth Oraon said that it will be his effort to promote the Kishori Samridhi Yojana better so that the girls of Gumla district can get the benefit of this scheme.
• It is known that 60 km from Gumla district. Eighth Oraon of Banari Gorratoli village in Bishunpur block, located far away, is the captain of the girls' women's football team in the FIFA U-17 World Cup.
• It is worth mentioning that the Hemant government of Jharkhand has started 'Savitribai Phule Kishori Samridhi Yojana' in the state with the aim of emphasizing on girl education, ending child marriage and women empowerment. Under this scheme, adolescent girls have to be enabled to take independent decisions regarding their lives.
• Under the 'Savitribai Phule Kishori Samridhi Yojana', the state government is giving assistance of Rs 40,000 to adolescent girls for good education. Under this, rs 2500 will be given to girl students in class 8, Rs 2500 in class 9, Rs 5000 in class 10, Rs 5000-5000 in class 11th and 12th and Rs 20,000 to adolescent girls on completion of 18 to 19 years. In this way, a total of 40 thousand rupees will be given to the adolescent girls.

Mediclaim to get cashless treatment in Uttar Pradesh's super specialty block

Why in news?

• On October 24, 2022, nodal officer, GSVM Super Specialty PGI, Uttar Pradesh, Dr Manish Singh said that patients will now get cashless treatment from mediclaim in super specialty blocks created in 6 medical colleges including GSVM PGI in the state. For this, the state government has also approved.

Imp points

• Nodal Officer Dr Manish Singh said that the super specialty blocks will be run on the model of Maulana Azad Medical College New Delhi. For this, the blue print of Maulana Azad Medical College is also being studied.
• TPA blocks will also be created to treat mediclaim patients in super specialty blocks, so that patients do not have to run for mediclaim.
• It is known that the super specialty block has been built under the Prime Minister's Health Protection Scheme.
• Six medical colleges have been set up in Kanpur, Agra, Meerut, Prayagraj and Jhansi, Gorakhpur. GSVM super specialty GPI has been completed in Meerut, Kanpur and Gorakhpur and super specialty treatment of patients has also started here.
• Dr. Manish Singh said that so far everything in the state is being operated with the resources of medical colleges. But in the coming one month, they will be run as a society.
• It is known that till now these medical colleges were being prepared to run on the model of KGMU-SGPGI in the state, but now they will be run by the state government on maulana azad medical college model.
• The OPD of Neuro Surgery, Neurology, Gastro, Nepro has started in GSVM PGI and in a few days, the OPD of Gastro Surgery, Euro and indoor will also be started here.
• For the next five years, the maintenance work of PGI has been entrusted to the construction agency HIDES.

Haryana's industrial units using natural gas to get 50% VAT exemption

Why in news?

• On October 22, 2022, a meeting of the Standing Finance Committee was held under the chairmanship of Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal in which it has been decided that those industrial units in the state will get 50 percent exemption in Value Added Tax (VAT), which will meet their energy requirement with natural gas instead of diesel-powered generator sets.

Why in news?

• This scheme will be applicable to the entire industries including MSMEs and will be effective for 2 years from the date of its notification.
• The use of diesel-powered generator sets is prohibited in the National Capital Region. Now the industries which meet their energy requirement with CNG, PNG will get 50 percent exemption in VAT.
• Similarly, the committee also approved a subsidy of Rs 164.66 crore per year to electric vehicle manufacturers under various heads under the Haryana Electric Vehicle (EV) Policy 2022.
• It was informed in the meeting that the objective of ev policy is to preserve the environment, reduce carbon footprint, make Haryana an EV manufacturing hub, ensure skill development in EV sector, encourage EV vehicles to grow, provide EV charging infrastructure and encourage R&D in EV technology.
• The policy encourages new manufacturing in EV technology and also encourages existing automobile manufacturers to diversify the EV manufacturing sector.
• The policy covers various financial incentives to EV manufacturers by giving them fixed capital investment (FCI), total SGST, incentives on stamp duty, employment generation etc.
• The policy encourages R&D in educational or research institutions. By 2030, efforts will be made to convert the bus fleet owned by Haryana state transport undertakings into 100 per cent electric buses or fuel cell vehicles or other non-fossil fuel based technologies.
• Further, the government has set phased targets for Gurugram and Faridabad cities to adopt charging infrastructure to achieve 100 per cent electric vehicles (EVs), e-mobility in Model Electric Mobility (EM) cities.

Cm approves formation of various boards in Rajasthan

Why in news?

• On October 23, 2022, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot approved the proposal to constitute Rajasthan Leather Crafts Arts Development Board, Rajasthan State Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Board and Rajasthan State Rajak Kalyan Board for the overall development and economic upliftment of every section of the state.

Imp points

• With the approval of Rajasthan Leather Crafts Development Board, the standard of living of the people related to the leather business will increase and their economic development will be ensured.
• The formation of this board will ensure effective participation of the people associated with this business in the industrial development of the state. Also, marketing centers will be developed for marketing of all infrastructure facilities such as roads, water, electricity, medical, education, products at their workplace and development site.
• Arrangements can also be made to provide skill training to the people associated with this business through reputed institutions in the country for modern technology-based leather dyeing and other products. Through the board, schemes will be made for the social security of the people associated with this business and they will be implemented in a time-bound manner.
• Proper financial support and finance from banks will also be arranged for the development of people associated with this business. The board can also do the work of keeping the government procurement of leather products free from the tender process. Apart from cooperation in the purchase of leather products and technical technology, footwear manufacturing and leather products will be encouraged.
• Work related to implementation of government schemes and their financial management will be done at the district/state level. Leather artisans registered in Rajasthan will be able to take advantage of the schemes by registering with the board.
• With the formation of Rajasthan State Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Board, the social and educational level of various sections of horticulture society like Kachhi, Kushwaha, Mali, Saini etc. will increase. Various schemes will be proposed by the Board for their economic growth and necessary basic facilities will be provided.
• With the formation of this board, various development and welfare related schemes will be prepared for the horticulture society and along with promoting the art and culture of these sections, their traditional business will also be brought to a more profitable position.
• After taking stock of the situation of various sections of the Rajak society, the Rajasthan State Rajak Kalyan Board has been constituted with the aim of providing basic facilities to these sections on the basis of authentic survey reports and to identify their problems and give suggestions to overcome them.
• The administrative department of Rajasthan Leather Crafts Development Board will be the Department of Industries and Commerce and Rajasthan State Rajak Kalyan Board and Rajasthan State Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Board will be formed under the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment.
• With the formation of these boards, new schemes can be made for the upliftment of different sections of the state and necessary steps will be taken for their upliftment. With this, the backwardness of every class will end and every class will be able to raise its head and earn a living.

Kurukshetra Darshan Mobile App

Why in news?

• On October 23, 2022, a spokesperson of the Haryana government informed that all the important aspects of the upcoming Solar Eclipse Mela-2022 will be able to see on the Kurukshetra Darshan mobile app of the Kurukshetra administration.

Imp points

• All the important information related to the solar eclipse fair has been uploaded on this mobile app. On this app, how to reach Kurukshetra, history of Kurukshetra, tourist places and complete history of pilgrimages of 48 kos will be seen.
• It is noteworthy that in the Solar Eclipse Fair-2022, lakhs of people of the country and the state have reached Kurukshetra to bathe in Brahmasarovar, Sannihit Sarovar as well as nearby lakes.
• Kurukshetra Darshan Mobile App has been prepared by the administration for the importance of this solar eclipse and the reverence of the people and the convenience of devotees coming from far and wide.
• This mobile app has also been linked to Kurukshetra NIC Inn. After visiting this site, kurukshetra darshan mobile app can be seen. This app is an Android app.
• The complete details of all the tourist places of Kurukshetra can be read and seen on the Kurukshetra Darshan mobile app. Details of all the routes and resources to kurukshetra have also been recorded on this app. Apart from this, details of 48 Kos pilgrims located in Karnal, Kurukshetra, Kaithal, Jind and Panipat districts will also be available on the app.
• Information centers, women helpline numbers, control rooms, health services as well as all important telephone numbers have also been marked on this app. Along with this, information about all the ghats located on Brahmasarovar during the solar eclipse fair has also been uploaded along with the map. The schedule of International Gita Mahotsav-2022 and other information have also been put on this mobile app.

Rajasthan Contractual Hiring to Civil Posts Rules, 2022

Why in news?

• On October 22, 2022, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot approved the proposal to implement the 'Rajasthan Contractual Hiring to Civil Post Rules, 2022' in the state. These rules will be applicable to contractual workers working in various departments of the state.

Imp points

• More than 1 lakh 10 thousand contract workers of the state will be benefited by bringing them under the purview of these rules.
• It is noteworthy that these contract workers continued to play an important role in the implementation of various public welfare and social security related schemes of the centrally promoted and state governments, but their social security was not taken care of. Even in many states, their honorarium was not increased.
• A total of 41423 contractual workers including education workers of education department, para teachers, gram panchayat assistant, English medium teachers, rajivika of rural development and panchayati raj department and 18326 of MNREGA, 5697 madrasa para teachers of minority department, 44833 contractual workers of medical and health department and medical education department will benefit from these rules.
• With the implementation of the Rajasthan Contractual Hiring to Civil Post Rules, 2022, the recruitment of contractual workers will be done in a transparent manner and reservation will also be taken care of in it. Also, the contractual workers who will work for 5 years, in the future, when those posts are regularized, they can be screened from the same contractual workers and made permanent.
• It has also been taken care of in the rules that which post should be considered equivalent to which permanent post, on this basis, honorarium has been fixed for these contract workers and provision of special pay protection has also been kept. These personnel will be given OPS if regularised. The benefit of will also be given.
• Several committees were formed from time to time to regularise contractual workers, but their problems could not be resolved permanently.
• It is to be noted that Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot had announced to create a department-wise cadre of contractual workers in the budget for the year 2021-22 and increase their honorarium by 20 percent in the budget for the year 2022-23.

Rajiv Gandhi Kisan Beej Uphaar Yojana Rabi 2022-23

Why in news?

• Rajiv Gandhi Kisan Beej Uphaar Yojana Rabi 2022-23' has been implemented by Rajasthan State Seed Corporation on October 22, 2022.

Imp points

• Rajasthan State Seed Corporation Chairman Dheeraj Gurjar said that rajiv Gandhi Kisan Beej Uphaar Yojana Rabi 2022-23 is being implemented by Rajasthan State Seed Corporation with the aim of providing high quality seeds of newly developed varieties of improved varieties to the farmers at reasonable rates and to increase the use of certified seeds.
• The corporation is producing high quality certified seeds for the farmers and making them available up to the village level at a reasonable price. The corporation is mainly producing seeds of moong, urad, guar, soyabean, groundnut, jowar, bajra in Kharif and wheat, gram, mustard and barley crops in Rabi.
• This scheme will be implemented in all the districts of the state and a total amount of Rs 4.00 crore will be spent on this scheme.
• Under this scheme, 51 gifts will be provided to the farmers in each district through lottery.
• In each district, the first gift tractor-1, second gift battery operated Napsec sprayer machine 20 and third gift Kisan Torch 30 will be selected through lottery and gifts will be distributed to the farmers.
• It is noteworthy that with the implementation of an important scheme like Gift on seed purchase for farmers by Rajasthan State Seed Corporation, interest in the use of certified seeds will increase among the farmers and farmers will be able to earn more production and more income by making more and more use of certified seeds.

Mubarik Khatri wins Master Artisan of the Year award

Why in news?

• Madhya Pradesh craftsman Mubarik Khatri was conferred the title of 'Master Artisan of the Year' at the International Craft Awards-2021 felicitation ceremony held in Delhi on October 22, 2022. He was given this award for his exceptional craftsmanship and significant contribution to his traditional craft - Bagh Print.

Imp points

• The award is given by the Shilp Gram Sangathan, The Shilp Gram is the national unit of the Vishwa Shilp Parishad. The award ceremony was held in Delhi in the presence of chief guests- Saad Al Qaddumi (President-World Crafts Council) and Prasoon Joshi (Head of Censor Board India).
• Nominations were received from about 40 countries for the International Crafts Award, with Mubarik Khatri, the only craftsman from Madhya Pradesh, selected for 2021.
• Mubarik worked on the revival of his traditional craft of bagh block print. Mubarik Khatri has also been selected for the National Handicrafts Award for the year 2017 for his modern innovations and contribution to the craft of the garden, which will be presented to him by the Hon'ble President of India in the coming days.
• Mubarik Khatri has preserved his traditional art with dedication and devotion and has trained hundreds of tribal youth and provided them with employment means to earn a livelihood.
• Craftsman Mubarik Khatri has presented his modern innovations at several national and international exhibitions.

Haryana government devises a new mechanism to provide education and employment to children

Why in news?

• On October 23, 2022, a spokesperson of the Haryana government said that the state government has devised a new mechanism from providing education to providing employment opportunities to children.

Imp points

• Under this, the data of citizens collected in the family identity card has been divided into 6 classes according to the age group.
• Each category has been entrusted to a department. Each department will provide benefits of all the schemes and services like education, health and employment etc. according to the age group as well as keep a complete record of them.
• The state government has prepared this mechanism to ensure all-round development and welfare of every citizen with emphasis on education, health, security, self-respect and self-reliance.
• According to the action plan, the responsibility of children up to the age of 6 years has been entrusted to the Women and Child Development Department. The department will pay special attention to the elementary education and nutrition of these children.
• Also, the department will also keep tracking of every child whether that child is going home, anganwadi or school till the age of 6 years and whether he is getting the necessary nutritious food.
• Apart from this, the state government is also constantly emphasizing on setting up crutches for the day-care of children.
• If children get good nutrition and education in the beginning, then their foundation will be strong and they will move forward in a positive direction in life.
• School education is more important than elementary education. Therefore, with the vision that no child should be deprived of education, now the School Education Department will take care of children in the age group of 6 years to 18 years.
• As per the instructions of Chief Minister Manohar Lal, the School Education Department is preparing a dropout policy to reduce the dropout rate, under which the department will provide education to every child as well as keep special tracking of the children dropping out of school, so that the dropout rate can be reduced.
• The department will have data of each child whether he is studying in school or ITI or any other institution.
• With this strategy, the state government will have complete information about each child and if for any reason a child is dropped out of the educational institution, then the government will try to bring that child back to the educational institution.
• At the same time, after getting education, there is a big problem of employment in front of the youth. The state government has now entrusted the responsibility to the departments to help the youth in this direction.
• Children in the age group of 18 years to 24 years have been entrusted with the responsibility of the Higher Education Department and the employment department has been entrusted with the responsibility of the age group above 25 years. These departments will also emphasize on the employment of the youth as well as their skill development.
• By providing skill training along with education, the department will not only make the youth employable, but will also be a coordinator in providing employment to the youth in the private sector by establishing contact with industrial units.
• For all these activities, the family identity card authority will send data to these departments every month.
• It is noteworthy that the data of 70 lakh families and 2.80 crore members of the state has been updated on the Family Identity Card portal. Verification of caste, date of birth, income of maximum families has been completed.