State PCS

• 27 Sep 2023

Uttar Pradesh Got Two Awards in Ayushman Scheme

Why In News?

On the occasion of two-day Arogya Manthan 2023 at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi on September 26, 2023, Union Health and Family Welfare Minister Mansukh Mandaviya presented two awards to Uttar Pradesh under the Ayushman Scheme.

Key Points:

• On behalf of Uttar Pradesh, Partha Sarathi Sen Sharma, Principal Secretary, Department of Medical Health and Family Welfare, and Sangeeta Singh, CEO, State Agency for Comprehensive Health and Integrated Services (SACHIS) received the honour.
• This award has been given to Uttar Pradesh for implementing the Pradhan Mantri Jan-Arogya Yojana (PMJAY) in a better way.
• Uttar Pradesh has received the first Ayushman Award for setting up an inquiry center and starting the green channel payment system, while the second one has been received for generating the maximum number of Abha scans and tokens.
• Through ABHA Scan, i.e., ABHA application, patients simply scan the QR code and get the token number instantly.
• Ashiana's Lok Bandhu Hospital has received the third award in the country under Abha Link in Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission. Dr. Ajay Shankar Tripathi, Medical Superintendent of Lok Bandhu Hospital, received this award.
• The event was organized in the capital Delhi on the completion of five years of PMJAY and two years of Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM).
• Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM)
• Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission is a transformative initiative launched by the Government of India, which aims to harness the power of digital technologies to enhance the delivery of healthcare services to citizens across the country.
• It is a comprehensive program designed to facilitate universal health coverage and improve the overall health care experience for the people of India.

Anant Manohar will be the Chairman of the State Human Rights Commission

Why In News?

In the meeting held on September 26, 2023 to select the post of Chairman of the State Human Rights Commission, retired Patna High Court judge Anant Manohar Badar was unanimously selected.

Key Points:

• Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Legislative Council Chairman Devesh Chandra Thakur, Assembly Speaker Avadh Bihari Chaudhary and Leader of Opposition in the Assembly Vijay Sinha attended the meeting to select the Chairman of the State Human Rights Commission.
• The Chairman of the Legislative Council proposed the name of Anant Manohar Badar. His name was unanimously approved. Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Council Hari Sahani was not present in the meeting, but he had authorized the Leader of Opposition in the Assembly to take the decision.
• Anant Manohar Badar was born on 10 August 1961. He started his career as a lawyer in the year 1985 at the Nagpur Bench of the Bombay High Court. He joined the Maharashtra Judicial Service as District Judge in November 2000. Became Additional Judge of Bombay High Court on March 3, 2014. He was transferred to Kerala and then to Patna High Court in May 2020.

Bihar will Host Five National Games for the First Time

Why In News?

According to information received from the media on September 26, 2023, Bihar will host five national games for the first time in the 67th National Games of the School Games Federation of India.

Key Points:

• It is known that the 67th National School Games of School Games Federation of India is going to start in October 2023, which will continue till February 2024.
• In this, four sports, cricket, athletics, football, weightlifting will be held in different playgrounds of Patna and one Sepak Takraw game will be held in Katihar.
• Athletics Under-14 Boys-Girls in Patna in the fourth week of December, Weightlifting Under-17 Boys-Girls in Patna in the fourth week of December, Football Under-17 Girls Patna in the fourth week of December, Cricket Under-17 Boys Patna in January 2024. Sepak Takraw Under-17 and 19 boys and girls will be held in Katihar in the first week of January 2024.

Rajasthan Sahitya Academy Announced Annual Awards for the Year 2023-24

Why In News?

After the approval of the meeting of the Directors and Saraswati Sabha held at Meera Bhawan of Rajasthan Sahitya Academy, Udaipur on September 26, 2023, Academy President Dr. Dularam Saharan announced the annual awards of the Academy for the year 2023-24.

Key Points:

• Under the annual awards given by the Academy, the highest Meera Award for the year 2023-24 will be given to Jaipur resident Ratankumar Sambhariya for his novel 'Snake'.
• Progressive writer, thinker and former president of the Academy, Ved Vyas will be honored with the highest honor 'Sahitya-Manishi' in the Academy's honor tradition.
• Renowned critic and scholar Dr. Ranjit will be honored with the Academy's Janardanarai Nagar Award.
• In the series of awards of the Academy for the year 2023-24, Sudhindra Award was given to Chetan Audichya of Udaipur for the poetry collection 'Paani', Rangeya Raghav Award was given to Purushottam Pomal of Jalore for the novel 'Pashan Putri Kshatrani Heera-De', Devraj Upadhyay Award Bikaner. The Kanhaiyalal Sahal Award will be given to Jaipur's Raghavendra Rawat for his diary 'Marak Laharon Ke Beech' for critic Harish B Sharma's work 'Prasthan Bindu'.
• Whereas in drama genre, Devilal Samar Award went to Ajmer's Ras Bihari Gaur for his work 'Gandhi Zinda Hai', in children's literature Shambhudayal Saxena Award went to Kota native Chennai resident Rochika Arun Sharma for his short story 'Kitabaon Se Baatein' and the first Kriti Sumnesh Joshi Award will be given to Bilal Pathan of Udaipur for 'Ab Pede Phal Bechenge'.
• Academy Secretary Dr. Basant Singh Solanki said that after the approval of the Director-Saraswati meeting, Academy President Dr. Dula Ram Saharan has also announced the school-college awards.
• The winning students of Chandradev Sharma Award include Damodar Sharma (Ikkis College Gopalyan-Lunkaransar) for poetry, Surendra Singh (Rajasthan University, Jaipur) for story, Amandeep Nirvan (SSS College, Taranagar) for one-act play and the essay will be given to Pawan Kumar Gusain (Ekkis College, Gopalyan).
• Pardeshi Award for poetry was given to Shumbhagi Sharma (Raumavi Bhawanimandi-Jhalawar), Pari Joshi for story (The Scholars Arena, Udaipur), Karuna Ranga for essay (Ikkis Academy for Excellence, Gopalyan) and award for short story will be given to Dropati Jakhar (Ikkasi Academy for Excellence, Gopalyan).
• Sudha Gupta Award for the year 2023-24 will be given to Kaushalya of Twenty-One College Gopalyan for her essay.
• It is noteworthy that the Academy gives seventy-five thousand rupees for the Meera Award, twenty-one thousand rupees for Sumnesh Joshi Award and thirty one thousand rupees for other awards. Whereas the highest Sahitya Manishi award is worth Rs 2.5 lakh and Janardan Rai Nagar Samman is worth Rs 1 lakh.
• The number of school-college awards is five thousand rupees each.

Formal Inauguration of Dol Fair

Why In News?

On September 26, 2023, Baran District Chief of the state Urmila Jain Bhaya, on behalf of the Municipal Council, formally inaugurated the 15-day Dol Fair by cutting the ribbon on the banks of Dol Pond in Baran district.

Key Points:

• State Mines and Cow Husbandry Minister Pramod Jain Bhaya said that the famous Dol Fair of Hadoti is a symbol of the unique heritage and rich culture of the ancestors, it is the moral responsibility of the state to preserve and nurture it.
• To enhance the grandeur of the fair, the state government has done development works worth more than Rs 25 crore, and in the coming days more new works worth Rs 50 crore will be done.
• History of Dol Fair-
• Maharao Surjan Hada of Bundi had handed over the Ranthambore fort to Akbar. At that time two idols of gods were brought from there, one of them was of Ranganath ji and the other of Kalyanraiji. The idol of Ranganath ji was installed in Bundi and the idol of Kalyanraiji was brought to Baran. The then queen of Bundi built his temple here and installed the idol. Since then, the fair started here for the first few days and today it has taken a huge form.

Governor Inaugurated Constitution Park

Why In News?

On September 26, 2023, Governor Kalraj Mishra inaugurated the newly constructed entrance gate, Constitution Garden and Constitution Pillar of Govind Guru Tribal University located in Banswara district.

Key Points:

• The Governor also unveiled the statue of Govind Guru along with the foundation stone of the academic building of the university.
• On this occasion, he said that Govind Guru Tribal University will work for fundamental research on their nature concerns related to tribal traditions and culture.
• It is known that Govind Guru was not an individual but an institution. He was such a great man who pioneered the era, who sounded the trumpet of revolution of social awareness in his time. Govind Guru also contributed to religious awakening and freedom struggle with the establishment of 'Bhagat Panth'.
• With the construction of the Constitution Garden, the young generation of the country will connect with the constitutional culture and this Constitution Garden will continue to remind the new generation of the rights and duties given by the Constitution.

Important Decisions of the Council of Ministers under the Chairmanship of the Chief Minister

Why In News?

In the meeting of the Council of Ministers held under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on September 26, 2023, many other important decisions were taken along with the approval of ‘Mukhyamantri Sambal Khiladi Protsahan Yojana’ and ‘Kayakalp Second Phase Scheme’ for three years.

Key Points:

• The Council of Ministers has approved that the monthly honorarium given to senior and elderly journalists of Madhya Pradesh will be increased from Rs 10 thousand to Rs 20 thousand.
  • On the death of a journalist who has received Samman Nidhi, his wife/husband will be given a lump sum amount of Rs 8 lakh.
  • For the treatment of journalists themselves or their dependents, the provision of financial assistance for common diseases will be increased from Rs 20 thousand to Rs 40 thousand and for serious diseases from Rs 50 thousand to Rs 1 lakh.
  • The condition regarding income tax has also been removed.
  • It is noteworthy that keeping in mind the overall welfare and interests of journalists and media representatives working in print media, electronic media and social, digital media, who act as the fourth pillar of democracy, the Chief Minister on September 7, 2023, issued a 'Journalist' Various announcements were made during the 'Samagam'.
• The Council of Ministers approved the new scheme 'Housing Loan and Education Loan Interest Subsidy Scheme 2023' by revising the interest subsidy scheme on housing loans to preferential journalists in Madhya Pradesh, which was earlier implemented in Madhya Pradesh.
• In the new scheme, the maximum loan amount limit has been increased from Rs 25 lakh to Rs 30 lakh. Apart from this, it has also been decided to bear a 5% interest subsidy for 5 years by the state government on the interest payable on the loan taken from the bank for the education of sons/daughters of journalists recognized under the scheme.
• The Council of Ministers also decided that under the 'Health and Accident Group Insurance Scheme for Madhya Pradesh Communication Representatives', the premium amount will be taken from journalists this year also as per the weighted premium rate for the year 2022-23.
• The amount of premium increased by the insurance company will be paid by the state government.
• According to the new provision in this scheme, the state government will bear the entire insurance premium of journalists above 65 years of age and their spouses.
• The Council of Ministers has approved the new capital scheme ‘Kayakalp Second Phase (Master Plan Roads) Scheme’ for three years for master plan roads in the state with special central assistance (Urban Improvement Programme).
• A provision of Rs 1200 crore has been made in the plan for the year 2023-24. The scheme will be implemented by the urban body, development authority, smart city and MP UDC.
• The Council of Ministers approved the implementation of Jal Jeevan Mission by the Public Health Engineering Department.
• To make investment in the IT, ITES and ESDM sector more attractive in the state, the Council of Ministers approved a new policy 'Madhya Pradesh IT, ITES and ESDM Investment Promotion 2023' in place of Investment Policy 2016.
• The Department of Science and Technology has been authorized to issue rules and guidelines for implementation and to make general amendments in the rules and guidelines, remove inconsistencies and explain the provisions.
• With the effectiveness of the new policy, investment possibilities in the state will expand and interested companies will be attracted to invest.
• The Council of Ministers has approved the creation of two new tehsils Ponda and Katangi in Jabalpur, new tehsil Devtalab in district Mauganj and new tehsil Pichor in district Gwalior. Also, approval has been given for the formation of a new sub-division, Porsa, in district Morena.
• For the promotion of women's football, the Council of Ministers has approved Rs 97 crore 3 lakh for running the 'Patron State Programme'.
• For the implementation of the scheme, approval has been given to arrange for football coaches and management from the National Football Federation and to arrange for other support staff etc. from a private agency on an outsourced basis.
• The Council of Ministers approved the 'Chief Minister Sambal Khiladi Protsahan Yojana' under the Labor Department. According to the scheme, 50 thousand rupees will be provided to the members of Sambal Parivar for participating in sports competitions at the national level and 25 thousand rupees will be provided for participating in sports competitions at the state level.
• The Council of Ministers has given post-facto approval to the proposal sent to the Government of India for the construction of a textile park in the state. Approval has been given for the establishment of PM Mitra Park in village Bhainsola, District Dhar, approved by the Government of India.
• MOU executed on May 21, 2023, between the Government of India and the state government for the establishment of the park. Post-facto approval has been given.
• As per the conditions contained in the approval of PM Mitra Park Bhainsola Tehsil Badnawar District Dhar, approval has been given for the formation of SPV, in which the share of the Government of India will be 49 percent and the share of the State Government will be 51 percent. Approval has been given to provide the amount of state government's share in SPV from the departmental budget.
• Providing road, electricity and water facilities to the proposed park and approval to provide leveled, encroachment free land to the master developer through SP PV and the estimated expenditure of Rs 163 crore to be incurred in the construction of the said facility will be borne by the state government from the departmental budget. Approval has been given to do so.
• Electricity distribution license for PM Mitra Park has been approved by the Government of India. SPV has been given permission to purchase power from MPPMCL at Average Power Purchase Cost (APPC) for power supply in PM Mitra Park Bhainsola Tehsil Badnawar District Dhar. It has been approved to provide facilities and assistance to the units to be established in the park as per the prevailing industrial promotion policy.
• The Council of Ministers has approved the overtime pay scale for gazetted officers of Madhya Pradesh State Police Service.
• It was decided by the Council of Ministers that the remuneration of village Kotwars of Madhya Pradesh was increased by 25%.
• In compliance with the announcements made by the Chief Minister in the context of effective implementation of the National Education Policy 2020 and better educational environment in colleges, the Council of Ministers has approved the proposal regarding guest scholars working in the department.

Science Centre Inaugurated in MPCST

Why In News?

On September 26, 2023, Madhya Pradesh Science and Technology Minister Omprakash Sakhalecha inaugurated the Science Centre at Madhya Pradesh Council of Science and Technology (MPCST).

Key Points:

• Science and Technology Minister Omprakash Sakhalecha said that the basic function of MPCST is to increase interest in science among the public. He said that science is complex, but to understand it easily, it is very important to go towards experimental science and this science center has been built keeping this in mind.
• It is noteworthy that Madhya Pradesh Science and Technology Council, under the Department of Science and Technology, has established this science center in collaboration with IIT Gandhinagar and IIT Indore.
• Under the Science Centre, science, technology, mathematics and technology based workshops and shows as well as daily participatory science-based capacity building and other programs will be organized for teachers and students.
• Dr. Anil Kothari, Director General of MPCST, said that the Science Center at MPCST has been created with the aim of generating interest and future scientists along with doing it yourself as per the need of today through Creative Learning Centre. This will not only increase logic and reasoning in children, but will also contribute significantly to increasing science tourism.
• Through this centre, we will be able to run capacity building programs for students and teachers, there will be daily scientific shows for the public, scientific orientation, construction of various scientific galleries and all this will be free of cost.

State's First Bio-Technology Park in Amlibhat and Barkheda of Jawad.

Why In News?

On September 26, 2023, Madhya Pradesh's Science and Technology and MSME Minister Omprakash Sakhalecha said that the first bio-technology park of the state will take shape in Amlibhat and Barkheda villages of Javad in Neemuch district. Recently the Madhya Pradesh Cabinet has approved it.

Key Points:

• Science and Technology and MSME Minister Om Prakash Sakhlecha said that this park, to be built at a cost of about Rs 50 crore in about 40 acres of land, will not only be a major center of development with research but will also be a driver of millions of jobs through transfer of technology for industries.
• Minister Sakhlecha described the park as a gift for Neemuch as well as industries, new entrepreneurs etc. of the entire state and said that the park is being set up under the scheme of the Department of Biotechnology, Government of India.
• This 9th park in the country will provide research-based development technology. This biotech park will also play an important role in the commercialization of biotechnologies.
• The main objective of setting up the park is to promote innovative research and development activities in biotechnology, for which 8 high-level laboratories will be set up. These include phytopharmaceutical and drug discovery laboratory, herbal formulation, plant tissue culture, quality control and quality assurance, microbial biotechnology, molecular biology, bioinformatics and fortified food laboratory.
• The park will prepare incubators, entrepreneurs and innovations of the state for start-ups, so that they will be able to start business in the biotech sector through incubation centers and parks.
• The Biotech Park will be a great platform to promote biotech entrepreneurs, mainly micro and medium scale biotech entrepreneurs, in which parks and biotech incubation centers can start biotech start-ups and entrepreneurs' biotech product companies through the partnership of public enterprises. Skill training will also be provided under the park, and it will also provide many employment opportunities.

Aqua Park and Research Centre will be built in Bhadbhada at a Cost of Rs 25 crore.

Why In News?

On September 26, 2023, Madhya Pradesh Water Resources, Fishermen Welfare and Fisheries Development Minister Tulsiram Silavat performed the Bhoomi Pujan of the Aqua Park and Research Center to be built on about 4 acres of land at a cost of Rs 25 crore in Bhadbhada Fisheries Area, Bhopal.

Key Points:

• With the financial support of the Centre, Aqua Park is being established with the aim of showcasing aquatic creatures, studying their life and promoting tourism related to it.
• On this occasion, Minister Tulsiram Silavat said that Madhya Pradesh is a leader in fisheries and is first in the country in making credit cards for fishermen. Balaghat district of the state is the first in the country in fish production.
• Minister Silawat said that there is a plan to build buildings in all the districts including Bhopal for the fishermen to stay and have food.

Parminder Won Bronze Medal in Rowing in Asian Games

Why In News?

In the 19th Asian Games-2023 held in China on September 25, 2023, young player Parminder Singh from Shahpur village of Yamuna Nagar, Haryana won the bronze medal in rowing quadruple scull.

Key Points:

• Parminder Singh's team covered 2 km. Won the bronze medal by crossing the distance. Satnam Singh of Bathinda, Punjab had participated along with Parminder Singh in the double scull of rowing.
• At the same time, in quadruple scull, Parminder Singh, Satnam Singh of Mansa, Punjab, Zakir Khan of Bharatpur, Rajasthan, Sukhmeet Singh of Mansa, Punjab won the 2 km final. Won the bronze medal by covering the distance in 6:08.61 time.
• It is known that player Parminder Singh has previously been a basketball player. During this period, he represented this sport for about three years.
• It is noteworthy that Parminder Singh has acquired the mastery of rowing from his father and coach Arjun Awardee Inderpal Singh.
• It is known that Parminder Singh won silver medal in single scull of Asia Championship and gold medal in double scull of national competition two years ago.
• Apart from this, he has won gold, silver and bronze medals in many national and international competitions including seven gold medals in the National Championship, gold medal in Asian and national level in Rowing Ergometer.

Jharkhand Wins Subroto Cup Football International Tournament for the Second Consecutive year

Why In News? 

Jharkhand won for the second consecutive year in the Under-17 girls category in the 62nd Subroto Cup International Football Tournament held in New Delhi on September 26, 2023.

Key Points:  

• Jharkhand players won the title by defeating Haryana 3-0 in the final match.
• The team from St. Patrick's School, Gumla based residential center from Jharkhand was representing the state in the tournament.
• In this tournament, the Jharkhand team defeated Delhi 23-0 in the first match, Gujarat 9-1 in the second match, Kerala 7-0 in the third match, Tripura 5-0 in the quarter finals in the fourth match, NCC in the semi-finals. Defeated 2-0.
• The Jharkhand team created a new history by scoring a total of 49 goals in 6 matches.

Chief Minister Inaugurated the State's First Sugarcane based Ethanol Plant

Why In News?

On September 26, 2023, Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel inaugurated the state's first sugarcane-based ethanol plant costing Rs 141 crore through video conferencing from his residence office.

Key Points:

• The state government has established the state's largest and first sugarcane-based ethanol plant in Kabirdham district. For the establishment of an ethanol plant, construction has been done on 35 acres of vacant plot of Bhoramdev Cooperative Sugar Factory.
• Ethanol plants based on agriculture is among the priority schemes of Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel. Regarding the establishment of the country's first ethanol plant established through PPP model, the contract has been signed between Bhoramdev Cooperative Sugar Factory and NKJ Biofuel Limited, a subsidiary of Chhattisgarh Distillery Limited.
• The establishment of the ethanol plant will generate direct and indirect employment opportunities in the area and will strengthen the basis of economic prosperity in the area. Timely payment of sugarcane prices to farmers will be ensured.
• Bhupendra Thakur, MD of Bhoramdev Cooperative Sugar Factory, said that the ethanol plant is built on hybrid technology, in which ethanol will be made directly from sugarcane juice during the sugarcane crushing season and from molasses during the off season.
• Due to diverting of sugarcane juice into ethanol, more juice will be required and to fulfill it, maximum sugarcane will be purchased from farmers. The construction of the ethanol plant will ensure timely payment of sugarcane prices to the farmers.
• Keeping in mind the economic environment, PPP has been implemented to ensure economic and technical participation of the private sector in developing the economy of the state. Model has been selected.
• In compliance with the decision of the State Government, PPP in Bhoramdev Cooperative Sugar Factory is in the first phase. Ethanol plants have been established from the model.
• Being the first example from PPP model in the country for setting up of ethanol plant of minimum 80 kpd capacity at Bhoramdeo Cooperative Sugar Factory Kawardha, the tender at the national level was successfully completed through a transparent process taking into account the subtle aspects of the process for investor selection.

Three Police Officers of Chhattisgarh Honoured with FICCI Award

Why In News?

According to the information given by the Public Relations Department on September 26, 2023, three police officers of Chhattisgarh have been honored with the Smart Policing Award-2022 by the country's prestigious Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) organization.

Key Points:

• It is noteworthy that the country's prestigious Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) has been honoring the police officers of the state for their good work and best practices for the last several years.
• In this series, on September 15, 2023, in New Delhi, three police officers of the state IPS Dr. Abhishek Pallav, IPS Mayank Gurjar and IPS Pooja Aggarwal have been honored with this prestigious award.
• In the Community Policing category, Dr. Abhishek Pallav (IPS), the then Superintendent of Police of Dantewada, who is currently the Superintendent of Police of District Kabirdham, was honored for the ‘Lone Varratu’ campaign conducted in District Dantewada.
• ‘Lone Varratu’ campaign means ‘Come back home’. This campaign was launched for those Naxalites who intended to leave the path of red terror and join the mainstream of society. Under this campaign many Naxalites left the path of terrorism.
• In the surveillance and monitoring category, the then City Superintendent of Police, Rajnandgaon and current City Superintendent of Police, Azad Chowk, Raipur Mayank Gurjar (IPS) have been honored for the 'Trinetram' campaign run in Rajnandgaon district.
• ‘Trinetram’ campaign is a surveillance and monitoring campaign, under which CCTV surveillance was increased in Rajnandgaon city. This helped the police to solve many cases and crack down on criminals.
• Pooja Aggarwal, Assistant Inspector General of Police, CID, Police Headquarters, has been honored with the FICCI Smart Policing Award-2022 for the state level ‘Abhivyakti’ Program in the Women Safety category.
• Through Abhivyakti Abhiyaan, an effort to provide security to women through mobile phones was started.

Assembly Deputy Speaker Inaugurated Natural Cow Dung Paint Unit in Adega RIPA

Why In News?

On September 26, 2023, Chhattisgarh Assembly Deputy Speaker Santram Netam inaugurated the natural cow dung paint unit in Mahatma Gandhi Rural Industrial Park of Gram Panchayat Adega under the ambitious scheme of Chhattisgarh Government in Kondagaon district.

Key Points:

• On this occasion, Assembly Vice Speaker Santram Netam also presented a check of Rs. 01 lakh to the women's group manufacturing cow dung paint.
• Addressing the program, the Deputy Speaker of the Assembly said that as per the intention of Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, the cow dung paint unit has been started with the aim of making women living in rural areas economically capable and self-reliant.
• He said that the women of the group will get full benefits from the production and sale of cow dung paint, and the income from this will make the women financially strong.

Important Decisions of the Council of Ministers under the Chairmanship of the Chief Minister

Why In News?

Many important decisions were taken in the meeting of the Council of Ministers held under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel at his residence office on September 26, 2023.

Key Points:

• In the meeting of the Council of Ministers, the policy for procurement and custom milling of paddy and maize at support price in the Kharif marketing year 2023-24 was decided.
• Under this, paddy and maize will be procured as per the support price declared by the Government of India. Kharif paddy will be purchased from farmers in cash and linking at support price from November 1, 2023, to January 31, 2024.
• Similarly, Kharif maize will be procured from November 1, 2023, to February 28, 2024.
• As per the announcement of the Chief Minister, the purchase of paddy from farmers will be maximum 20 quintals per acre and maize 10 quintals per acre including licking.
• It was decided to extend the validity of the government guarantee (amount of Rs. 14 thousand 700 crore) for paddy procurement to Chhattisgarh State Cooperative Marketing Federation Limited for the Kharif marketing year 2023-24 by one year till October 31, 2024.
• Consent was given to supply Fortified Rice Kernel (FRK) through the National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India (NAFED) for the fortification of rice obtained from custom milling of paddy procured in the Kharif marketing year 2023-24.
• Approval was given to relax the minimum qualifying service of 5 years by 4 months for promotion from the post of Scientific Officer (Physics Gazetted, Second Class) to Senior Scientific Officer (Physics Gazetted First Class) under State Forensic Science Laboratory, Raipur.
• The draft of amendment in Revenue Book Circular Volume 6 Number 4 was approved.
• It was decided to provide relaxation in the criteria prescribed for making Gram Panchayat Ghumka, District Rajnandgaon a Nagar Panchayat.
• It was decided to provide relaxation in the prescribed criteria for making Gram Panchayat Portha, District-Sakti a Nagar Panchayat.
• It was decided to appoint Sudeep Thakur as Director (Contract) in Chhattisgarh State Hindi Granth Academy.
• It was decided to provide 100 percent grant to Shri Rameshwar Gahira Guru Prachya Sanskrit Mahavidyalaya, Shri Kot, District-Balrampur-Ramanujganj under the provision of Chhattisgarh Non-Government Colleges and Institutions (Establishment and Regulation) Act, 2006.

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Signs MoU worth Rs 2000 Crore with French Company for Ropeway Construction

Why In News?

Before the Global Investors Conference on September 25, 2023, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami signed an MoU of Rs. 2000 crore with Poma, the world leader in ropeway construction, for the construction of rope-way cable car in Uttarakhand with French company Poma.

Key Points:

• Through the first international level road show being organized in London, the state government will encourage investors to invest in tourism, food processing and education sectors in the state.
• In road shows at national and international level, the state government will encourage investors on the financial facilities and investment possibilities provided in industrial policies.
• The state government has set a target of investment of Rs 2.50 lakh crore in the global investors conference proposed in December.
• The state government is looking for such avenues for investment in which the balance between development and environment is maintained. In such a situation, options like a ropeway will provide convenience to the tourists in Uttarakhand. On the other hand, as the livelihood opportunities of the local people will increase, it will also prove to be better from the environmental point of view.
• It is known that after London, international road shows will be held in Singapore, Taiwan and Dubai in the month of October.