Uttarakhand

• 27 Feb 2023

The Responsibility of Assessing the Energy Needs of Uttarakhand is Now given to the American Organization

Why In News?

According to the information received from the media on February 26, 2023, the Uttarakhand government has entrusted the responsibility of estimating the energy needs by the year 2025 to the American organization Mackenzie.

Key points

• The state government has decided that the energy needs of 2025 also need to be met to make the state better. Therefore, McKenzie has been given the responsibility of assessing the total need for electricity in every region.
• The state government is trying to make the state the best state by 2025. Energy is also an important part of this because hydropower projects are not getting relatively electricity.
• The US institution Mackenzie will report to the government on all aspects of the state, looking at the requirements of electricity. The organization will also suggest how energy needs can be met.
• The government has also decided that all the departments will tell how much electricity will be consumed in the coming time and how much electricity they will save. A meeting has also been held with stakeholders to see what measures can be taken to save electricity.
• The focus of the government is to create options like solar energy in the departments, so that they generate their own electricity and use it themselves.

Preparation to give 50 Percent Subsidy on Schemes to Make Single Women Self-Reliant

Why In News?

On February 26, 2023, Uttarakhand's Women Empowerment and Child Development Minister Rekha Arya said that the state government is preparing to give 50 percent subsidy on schemes up to one lakh rupees to make single women self-reliant. Its proposal is being prepared by the department.

Key points

• Women Empowerment and Child Development Minister Rekha Arya said that it can be announced on Women's Day (March 8).
• To make single women self-reliant, giving 50 percent subsidy on schemes up to one lakh rupees will encourage self-employment in various sectors including animal husbandry, fisheries, computer training, spice industry, millets.
• Rekha Arya said that women of the state up to 45 years of age, whose husband has died or are unmarried and are financially weak. Such women will get its benefit. For this, a condition has also been kept that the monthly income of women should not exceed Rs.6,000.
• According to departmental officials, according to a report of the Social Welfare Department, the number of single women in the state is three and a half lakhs. This also includes women over the age of 45.
• It is known that the number of economically weaker women in the state can be between one and a half to two lakh.

Har-ki-Pauri Corridor on the lines of Kashi Vishwanath

Why In News?

On February 26, 2023, Vinay Shankar Pandey, District Magistrate of Haridwar, the religious city of Uttarakhand state, said that on the lines of Kashi Vishwanath Corridor, Haridwar's Har-ki-Pauri Corridor will also be developed, whose construction work is expected to start in 2024. For this, the Cabinet has given constitutional approval.

Key points

• District Magistrate Vinay Shankar Pandey said that the work of the corridor will run in five different projects.
• He said that RFP (Request for Proposal) has been formed to develop the corridor. The mechanized body is finalising the works of the corridor. Soon a consultant will be appointed to develop the corridor and the design and planning of the corridor will be done by the consultant. After this, the DPR of the corridor will be made.
• Vinay Shankar Pandey told that after the preparation of the DPR of the Har-ki-Pauri corridor and before developing the corridor, discussions will be held with Shriganga Sabhavyapar Mandal, sadhus, akhadas, media and social workers in Haridwar. Work will start after consultation.
• The District Magistrate said that the main purpose of making the corridor is to make Haridwar beautiful, not to devastate the people. Encroachments will be demolished to develop the corridor.
• He said that there are three routes to reach Har-ki-Pauri. People reach Har-ki-Pauri via Bhimgoda, Upper Road and Motibazar. Work will be done to improve both the condition and direction of these routes.
• There are plans to develop Har-ki-Pauri, Kankhal, Satikund, Sanyas Road, Bhupatwala area, Bharat Mata Mandir area, Mansa Devi temple, Chandi Devi temple etc. for the corridor.
• A lot of work will be done in the Har-ki-Pauri area. Electrical and water evacuation will be done underground. Fountains and landscapes will be built in place.