• 26 Feb 2022

100 APHCs of the State Will Become Model Hospitals

Why in the News

• Recently, the Health Department, Government of Bihar has decided to make 100 additional Primary Health Centers (APHCs) as model hospitals, taking initiative to improve health facilities in remote rural areas in the state.

Key points

• By making 100 APHCs as model hospitals in the financial year 2022-23, people will get the facility of diagnosis of serious diseases and initial treatment of all diseases.
• In these 100 APHCs, arrangements will be made for strengthening the infrastructure, construction of rooms as per requirement, testing equipment etc. under the National Health Mission.
• The State Health Committee has expressed the need to develop APHC as a model hospital under the proposed plan budget proposal for the year 2022-23 before the Union Ministry of Family and Health Welfare, Government of India. Implementation will start after the Central Government approves this proposal and allocates the amount.
• Health Sub Centers and APHCs are being upgraded and converted into Health and Wellness Centers. At the same time, by strengthening the infrastructure in the model APHC, facilities for initial treatment will be provided to the patients there.
• One doctor, two ANMs will be deployed in APHC. Along with this, all facilities related to non-communicable diseases, diabetes, blood pressure and other diseases, telemedicine facilities including vaccination facility will also be made available in these hospitals.
• Apart from this, other facilities will also be available along with pregnancy and childbirth care, newborn and child health care, child and adolescent health care, family planning, contraceptive services, communicable disease management, non-communicable diseases screening and referral and follow-up arrangements.

Bihar Economic Survey 2021-22

Why in News

• Recently, Bihar's Deputy Chief Minister Tarkishore Prasad presented the state's 16th Economic Survey 2021-22 on the floor of the House on the first day of the budget session of the Bihar Legislative Assembly.

Key Points

• According to the Economic Survey, Bihar's Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) grew by 2.5 percent in 2020-21 and the growth rate is better than the national average, despite the effect of the 'lockdown' imposed to prevent the Covid-19 epidemic.
• According to the survey, the per capita income in Bihar stood at Rs 50,555 during 2020-21 at the current market price as compared to the per capita income of India at Rs 86,659.
• During the last five years 2016-17 to 2020-21, Bihar grew at the highest rate of 2.3 per cent in primary sector, 4.8 per cent in secondary sector and 8.5 per cent in tertiary sector.
• Agriculture and allied sectors have grown at the rate of 2.1 percent in the state during the last five years 2016-17 to 2020-21.
• The total expenditure of the state government in 2020-21 increased by 13.4 percent over the previous year to Rs 1,65,696 crore, which includes Rs 26,203 crore as capital expenditure and Rs 1,39,493 crore as revenue expenditure.
• Agriculture and allied sectors have grown at the rate of 2.1 per cent during the last five years. The growth rate of livestock and fisheries was 10 percent and 7 percent respectively.
• The urbanization of the state has increased very rapidly in the last ten years. According to the 2011 census, the level of urbanization in Bihar was just 11.3 percent, which has increased to 15.3 percent at present.
• In the year 2011, Bihar had only 3.1 percent of the total urban population of the country. The state government has expressed hope that the level of urbanization in Bihar will be very high in the next decade in view of the urban economy growing at a high rate.
• Like the economic disparity among the districts of Bihar, the survey has also pointed out a great disparity in urbanization. Patna district has the highest level of urbanization (44.3 percent), apart from this, only two districts- Munger (28.3 percent) and Nalanda (26.2 percent) have more than 25 percent urbanization.
• According to the figures for the year 2019-20, Patna district tops in terms of per capita income with Rs 131.1 thousand. Begusarai district is at the second place, whose per capita income is Rs 51.4 thousand. In terms of per capita income, they are followed by Munger (44.3 thousand), Bhagalpur (41.8 thousand), Rohtas (35.8 thousand), Muzaffarpur (34.8 thousand), Aurangabad (32 thousand), Gaya (31.9 thousand), Bhojpur (31.6 thousand) and Vaishali (Rs 30.9 thousand).
• The districts with low per capita income are Sheohar (Rs 19.6 thousand), Araria (20.6 thousand), Sitamarhi (22.1 thousand), East Champaran (22.3 thousand), Madhubani (22.6 thousand), Supaul (22.9 thousand), Kishanganj (23.2 thousand) and Nawada (Rs 23.4 thousand).

Launch of the Booklet 'Our Teacher Our Inspiration'

Why in the News

• On February 25, 2022, Dhanaraju S, Director of State Education Center of Madhya Pradesh, virtually launched the third and fourth editions of the booklet 'Our teacher, our inspiration source', prepared in collaboration with the organization 'People', from the EDUSAT video conferencing room of the center.

Key Points

• This booklet has been prepared by the State Education Center in collaboration with the partner organization 'People' to share the new educational information, academic experiences and ideas received by the teachers with other teachers and to inspire their efforts. It is Based on the training programs available on the Diksha portal.
• At present, 4 editions have been prepared under the booklet 'Our teacher, our inspiration source', in which the thoughts, academic efforts of 235 teachers of the state have been compiled.
• In view of the professional up-gradation of teachers by the School Education Department, CM Rise Teacher Professional Upgradation Program is being conducted. A total of 49 quality digital trainings have been conducted on DIKSHA portal of Government of India to continuously strengthen the knowledge, skills and attitudes of teachers as an important component of the programme.
• It provides training to teachers on difficult concepts and subject wise learning methods in an interesting and enjoyable manner at their own pace through digital mediums.

Catering Services in Civil Hospitals

Why in News

• On February 24, 2022, Haryana Health Minister, Anil Vij, while presiding over the meeting of the officers of the Health Department, directed the officers to provide catering services in 31 civil hospitals with more than 100 beds capacity in the state, so that patients can be provided with food within the hospitals.

Key Points

• In the meeting, the Health Minister also directed the officers to increase the number of private rooms in the civil hospitals of the state and make arrangements for imparting various types of training to the paramedical staff and doctors of the health department.
• The Health Minister said that efforts are on to make the civil hospitals of Haryana air conditioned and instructions have been given to the officers to increase the number of oxygenated beds in the hospitals.
• Civil hospitals equipped with state-of-the-art technology will be prepared in Gurugram, Hisar and Karnal, on which action is going on.
• No citizen of the state has to go outside the state for treatment, for this high quality health facilities will be made available to the citizens in the state.

Website and Mobile Application of Haryana Sanskrit Academy and Punjabi Sahitya Akademi

Why in News

• On February 24, 2022, Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar launched the website and mobile application of Haryana Sanskrit Academy and Punjabi Sahitya Akademi on the occasion of Haryana Sahitya Parv at Tagore Theatre.

Key Points

• On this occasion, the Chief Minister honored 138 litterateurs of Sanskrit, Hindi, Punjabi and Urdu languages. These honors were given under Haryana Sanskrit Academy, Haryana Granth Academy, Haryana Punjabi Sahitya Akademi, Haryana Urdu Academy. It is noteworthy that the Chief Minister is the President of all the four academies.
• Lifelong Sahitya Sadhna Samman was awarded to Dr. Kamal Kishore Goenka for the year 2017 and Dr. Suresh Gautam for the year 2018, Madhav Kaushik for 2019 and Gyanprakash Vivek for the year 2020.
• Dr. Himmat Singh Sinha Nazim for the Fakhre Haryana Samman for the year 2019, Dr. Kumar Panipati for the year 2020 was given an amount of Rs 5 lakh each and a citation.
• Similarly, Mahakavi Surdas Lifetime Sahitya Samman for the year 2017, Dr. Puran Chand Sharma, for 2018, Madhukant, Dr. Santram Deshwal, Dr. Sudarshan Ratnakar and Mrs. Chandrakanta for the
• year 2019, Dr. Subhash Rastogi for the year 2020 5-5. Each of them was presented with 5 Lakhs rupees and a citation.
• The Chief Minister said that litterateurs of all languages are equal, so the prize money given by the government should also be equal.
• He said that a uniform formula should be made regarding the prize money of the literary academies of Haryana. Till now, the four literary academies of Haryana are giving different prize money in the field of literature.

Micro ATMs

Why in News

• The state government will install 'Micro ATMs' in about 9,500 depots of the state, so that the people of the village can also deposit and withdraw money as per their need. Not only this, they will also be able to check their balance in the bank through this 'Micro ATM'.

Key Points

• Deputy Chief Minister Dushyant Chautala gave this information after presiding over the meeting of the officers of Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department.
• The Deputy Chief Minister said that it is the effort of the state government to make such arrangements in the state, so that the poor people who take ration through ration depots can pay their ration through a POS machine and withdraw extra money like an ATM.
• In the first phase, 'Micro ATMs' will be installed at the depots in Gurugram, Faridabad, Hisar, Karnal and Panchkula on a pilot basis, so that apart from the ration card holders, people from nearby areas will be able to withdraw and deposit money.
• With this step of the state government, where people will get convenience, depot-holders will also get commission in return for helping the bank, which will increase their income.
• Dushyant Chautala said that the Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department has about 9,500 depots in the state, through which the ration is provided to BPL families at affordable rates.
• In order to bring transparency, in the interest of the poor, the state government had first started the work of distribution of ration through 'POS' machines, now 'Micro ATMs' will be installed through these depots and people will get the facility to transfer money at the local level. Depot-holders will first be given training to operate the above machines.

First Organic Product Marketing Center

Why in News

• On February 25, 2022, Jharkhand's Agriculture Animal Husbandry and Cooperation Minister Badal Patralekh inaugurated the state's first organic produce marketing center at Krishi Bhawan.

Key Points

• To promote organic farming in the state, along with attestation centers in all the districts of the state, a lab will also be set up for certification of organic products.
• 58 lakh Birsa farmers of the state will be linked with organic farming. Soon these farmers will also be given a unique card.
• There are many such organic products, which if certified, will get a good price in the market and the income of the farmers will also increase.
• There is a great demand for agricultural products grown in pure method without toxic chemicals in the state. In order to promote the organic products of the state, the Organic Product Marketing Center will prove to be a milestone, from where certified vegetables, pulses, oilseeds and spices grown by organic method can be sold.
• Under Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana in the state, organic FPO Neem Flower Farmer Producer Company Limited has been formed in Anagada block in collaboration with OFAZ and SFAC of Government of India.

Tifra Flyover Bridge

Why in News

• On February 25, 2022, Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel inaugurated the Tifra Flyover Bridge constructed at a cost of more than Rs. 107 crore rupees.

Key Points

• With the construction of a new flyover bridge at Tifra on Bilaspur-Raipur road, Maharana Pratap Chowk and Tifra end will get rid of jams. This bridge connecting Raipur road with Bilaspur city will bring relief to the residents as well as all the passers-by who use NH 130 for traffic.
• The Tifra Flyover Bridge has been constructed by the Urban Administration and Development Department in a length of 1620 meters from Tifra end to Late Jamuna Prasad Verma College.
• Apart from this, the Chief Minister gave the gift of Vyapar Vihar Smart Road and Planetarium to Bilaspur. In a program organized at Lal Bahadur Shastri Maidan in Bilaspur, the Chief Minister inaugurated 97 development works costing about Rs.353 crore 56 lakh for Bilaspur city and Bilaspur district.
• In Bilaspur city from Maharana Pratap Chowk to Tarbahar Chowk, a smart road equipped with systematic and modern facilities has been constructed by Bilaspur Smart City Limited at a cost of about Rs 26 crore 83 lakh.
• Due to being the largest commercial center of the Administrative Division, there is always heavy vehicular traffic on this route, but in the past there was always the problem of traffic due to the chaotic route of this route. With the creation of a four-lane smart road, business transport in Vyapar Vihar will be smooth and easy.
• Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Planetarium has been constructed by Bilaspur Smart City Limited in three and a half acres at a cost of Rs.6 crore 77 lakh. In this planetarium, citizens will get important information about science and astronomy along with observing the celestial view during the day itself.
• Four key single technology projector has been installed for the visitors in this planetarium with a seating capacity of two hundred people, apart from this, oxygen has also been constructed in the planetarium complex. Keeping in mind the facilities for the visitors to reach the Planetarium, the approach road has also been constructed by Bilaspur Smart City Limited.

Scientific Use of Cow Urine in Agriculture

Why in News

• On February 25, 2022, Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel directed the Chief Secretary of the state to prepare an action plan for scientific and systematic use of cow urine in agriculture in Chhattisgarh, which is rapidly moving towards organic and regenerative farming.

Key Points

• The Chief Minister has asked the Chief Secretary to prepare an action plan regarding the possibilities of scientific use of cow urine in two weeks after discussing with agricultural scientists, farmers using cow urine instead of chemical fertilizers and pesticides and experts of Kamdhenu University.
• In view of the large-scale use of vermicompost and super compost in the state and its positive results, cow urine is being seen as an alternative to chemical fertilizers and toxic pesticides.
• Due to the continuous use of chemical fertilizers and toxic pesticides, the fertility of the soil is continuously decreasing. The excessive use of chemicals in agriculture is also affecting the health of the general public. Starting the use of Vermicompost and Super Compost manufactured in Gothans of the state has shown positive results and Chhattisgarh is moving towards organic and regenerative farming.
• Similarly, there is immense potential for the use of 'cow urine' as an alternative to the use of toxic chemicals in agriculture. There are examples of successful use of cow urine in some places of the state itself.
• Before promoting the use of cow urine on a large scale, the research done so far in this direction in the country should also be compiled.

MoU between Chhattisgarh Culture Department and ICCR

Why in News

• The Culture Department of Chhattisgarh has signed an MoU with the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR). After the MoU, Chhattisgarhi artists will also be given a chance to perform in the programs being held in the country and the world, which will be important in cultural exchange of the state with the country and the world.

Key Points

• The Indian Council of Cultural Relations is an organization of the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India. This organization works to promote the culture of India at the world level. Under this, programs related to art, culture are organized in other countries of the world.
• Director of Chhattisgarh Culture Department, Vivek Acharya said that any information regarding presentation of cultural programs from abroad will now be informed to the state as well.
• Artists of the state will be sent for presentation by the Culture Department. This will give an important opportunity to the artists of Chhattisgarh to perform abroad, as well as the world will be able to see our rich cultural heritage. Through this, the artists of the state will also get an opportunity to know the foreign culture.
• It is noteworthy that so far 2 thousand 25 artists and 443 art teams of the state are registered in the Chinchari portal of the Culture Department.