Rajasthan State PCS

• 26 Jul 2022

MoU for the First Women's Fund Financial Institution

Why in News?

On July 25, 2022, an MoU was signed between Rajasthan Rural Livelihood Development Council and Streenidhi Telangana in the presence of Minister of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Ramesh Chand Meena for setting up the state's first and the country's third 'Women's Financial Institution' in Rajasthan.

Key Points

• The MoU was signed at the Indira Gandhi Institute of Panchayati Raj by State Mission Director Manju Rajpal on behalf of Rajivika and G. Vidyasagar Reddy, MD, Streenidhi on behalf of Telangana.
• The 'Rajasthan Mahila Nidhi' in the state is being set up through Rajivika as a state-level cooperative financial institution on the lines of the Stree Nidhi model successfully operated in the state of Telangana. Rajivika's cluster level federation will be its members.
• Rajasthan Mahila Nidhi will be started in 15 districts in the first year of implementation, out of which it is being started in 6 districts namely Karauli, Alwar, Kota, Dungarpur, Rajsamand and Jodhpur.
• A total grant of Rs.50 crore (Rs.25 crore in the first year) will be given by the State Government in two years for setting up of Rajasthan Mahila Nidhi and proposals for grant of Rs.110 crore from the Government of India have been sent to the Central Government.
• For the operation of this fund, in a phased manner, Rajivika is contributing Rs.10 lakh per cluster level association share capital from 561 promoted cluster level federations.
• Through the Women's Fund, loans up to Rs.40,000/- can be disbursed in 48 hours and above within a time frame of 15 days.
• Speaking on the occasion, Rural Development Minister Ramesh Chand Meena said that after the setting up of the Women's Fund, the economic empowerment of women of Rajivika's Self Help Groups will get a boost and it will be convenient for them to get loans for their enterprise. The number of loan applications pending in banks will also come down.
• The Rajasthan Mahila Nidhi will act as a supplementary financial institution with formal banks. The fund will be operated by the women of SHGs for the women of SHGs only.
• It may be mentioned that an announcement was made by Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot in the Budget for the year 2022-23 regarding setting up of women-run banks.

'Rajasthan Out of Turn Appointment to Sports Medal Winners Rules, 2017' approved

Why in News?

On July 25, 2022, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot approved the amendment to the 'Rajasthan Out of Turn Appointment to Sports Medal Winners Rules, 2017'.

Key Points

• After this amendment, the officers and employees appointed in the Central Government or any other State, who are natives of Rajasthan, will be given appointment in the State on equal pay while protecting the pay on winning the medal.
• With this decision taken by the State Government towards upgradation of sports and sportspersons in the state, the medal winning sportspersons will be able to practice better while working in their home state at the same salary and further refine their sports talent.
• In May 2022, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot had approved the proposal to appoint 65 medal-winning sportspersons at the state's national level out of turn. The medal winners were allotted portfolios proportionately as per their first preference under the 'Rajasthan Out of Turn Appointment to Sports Medal Winners Rules, 2017'.

'Door-to-Door Drug Scheme'

Why in News?

On July 25, 2022, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot approved a proposal to extend the 'Ghar-Ghar Aushadhi Yojana' to a new form. This will lead to intensive tree plantation drives across the state under the concept of 'Green Rajasthan- Swasth Rajasthan'.

Key Points

• In the tree plantation programme, 5 crore saplings will be prepared for the year 2022-23 at a cost of Rs.42 crore. Out of these , provision has been made to provide 3 crore saplings to the public as per the demand.
• The saplings will be distributed to the people of the state at the rate fixed by the government on the basis of Janadhar card. The saplings will be available to the public from government nurseries and in case of distance problems, distribution can also be done from other places.
• One crore saplings prepared for transit/oran/pasture will be provided to 10,000 Gram Panchayats of the State for plantation at community level.
• Each Gram Panchayat will provide one thousand saplings every year in the area. Similarly, about one crore saplings will be planted every year in 200 large urban areas.
• Under the new scheme, 5 crore saplings will be prepared for the year 2023-24 at a cost of Rs.42 crore and an additional budget of Rs.21 crore will be provided for the plants planted in 2022-23 . Thus, the total expenditure in this scheme will be Rs.105 crores.

Anti Narcotics Task Force will be Formed in the state

Why in News?

On July 25, 2022, Rajasthan Chief Secretary Usha Sharma said that an Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) will be set up soon to control drugs in the state. This task force will specifically control the drug trade.

Key Points

• The Chief Secretary said this while chairing the 4th State Level Encord (NARCO Coordination) meeting organized by the Narcotics Control Bureau, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India at the Government Secretariat.
• In the meeting, Chief Secretary Usha Sharma directed the Home Department to prepare a state level awareness strategy at the earliest to create awareness about drugs and take effective steps to control the increasing medicinal addiction among the youth.
• He said that under the Amrit Mahotsav of Independence, an oath should be taken not to take drugs in programmes organized for school children in the state from August 12 to 15 and this pledge should be made part of the proposed rural Olympics in the state at the end of August, in which a large number of youth will participate.