State PCS

• 27 Oct 2022

Uttar Pradesh Tops in Country in Vaccination Against Lumpi Virus

Why in News?

• On October 26, 2022, a spokesman of the Uttar Pradesh state government said that Uttar Pradesh has secured the first position in the country by vaccinating 1.50 crore animals in the government campaign to prevent lumpi virus. The recovery rate from lumpi virus in the state is 95 percent.

Key Points

• Gujarat was second only to Uttar Pradesh, the spokesman said. At present, 32 districts of Uttar Pradesh are affected by the lumpi virus. Of these, about 1.05 lakh animals are affected by the lumpy virus.
• This achievement has been achieved in just two months of campaign. On the lines of Corona, a campaign was started to control the deadly disease like lumpy spreading rapidly in animals.
• In view of this, treatment was done by sending veterinarians from house to house, due to which more than 1 lakh animals have been cured of diseases so far. Team-9 was formed by the department, whose senior nodal officers broke the lumpy cycle by conducting operations in the affected Bareilly, Moradabad, Meerut, Saharanpur, Agra and Aligarh divisions.
• The spokesman said that the spread of infection was also prevented by the team of doctors by creating 89 dedicated cow medical sites in 26 districts. The 1.50 crore vaccination target has been met by around 2000 teams, while the target of vaccinating 1.60 crore animals by October 31 has been set.
• Significantly, lumpy skin disease is also called 'Lumpi Skin Disease Virus'. Short is called LSDV. It is an infectious disease, which occurs from one animal to another. Simply, coming in contact with an infected animal can also make another animal sick.
• This disease is caused by a virus called Capripoxvirus. This virus is related to the family of Goat Fox and Sheep Pox viruses. According to experts, this disease is caused by mosquito bites and blood-sucking insects.
• It is known that thousands of cattle have been killed in the cheek of time due to this virus. According to government reports, more than 50,000 cows and buffaloes have died. At the same time, millions of cattle are in the grip of the lumpi virrus. The havoc of the lumpy virus is being seen more in Rajasthan. So far, the antidose of the lampy virus has not been prepared, due to which a large number of cattle have died.

Bihar State Child Labour Commission

Why in News?

• On October 26, 2022, the Bihar government has constituted the Bihar State Child Labour Commission. Chakrapani Himanshu has been given the responsibility of the post of chairman in this commission, while Rajiv Kant Mishra has been made vice-chairman.

Key Points

• The Department of Labour Resources, Government of Bihar has issued a notification for the formation of the Commission.
• The Bihar State Commission for Child Labour is a 22-member commission. Achmit Rishidev (MLA Raniganj), Rekha Devi (MLA Masaurhi) and Anand Shankar Singh (MLA Aurangabad) have been included, while MLCs Saurabh Kumar and Ravindra Prasad Singh have also been included in the members.
• Apart from this, there will be 10 ex-officio members and 5 members of different interests/classes.
• The term of all the members of this commission, including the chairman, vice-chairman, will also be three years.

Master Plan to Preserve Nalanda World Heritage

Why in News?

• Recently, the Bihar government has started work to preserve the Nalanda Mahavihara heritage. The process of preparing a master plan for this is in the final stage.

Key Points

• According to the newly constructed master plan, heavy vehicles will no longer go towards this heritage. Parking lots have been set up around the lake near Nava Nalanda Mahavihara for parking of these vehicles.
• Any kind of construction work has been banned around 300 meters of this mahavihara.
• At the same time, instructions have been given to remove many shops around the heritage and the Youth and Art, Culture and Urban Development Department has made a detailed plan for this.
• On October 17, 2022, the Archaeological Survey of India had expressed concern over the threat to the world heritage status of the ancient Nalanda Mahavihara.
• On May 16, 2016, the remains of Nalanda Mahavihara were included in the Unesco World Heritage list.
• It is known that the master plan of the sites of archaeological importance included in the UNESCO list has to be sent to the World Heritage Center, Paris. If the Unified Master Plan is not sent within the stipulated time frame, the World Heritage Committee takes a negative view of that heritage and can end its World Heritage Status.

6 New Offices for Isarda Drinking Water Project

Why in News?

• On October 26, 2022, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot launched the Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project (E.R.C.P.) The Cabinet approved the proposal for setting up of 6 new offices for Isarda Drinking Water Project. These offices will be established in Dausa district.

Key Points

• Under Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project (E.R.C.P.), the Isarda Drinking Water Project is being constructed for drinking water supply in Dausa and Sawai-Madhopur districts.
• The Rs 3651 crore Isarda drinking water project will ensure availability of drinking water in 1256 villages and 6 cities of both the districts.
• The Chief Minister has approved the proposal to create a total of 65 posts including 1 of Additional Chief Engineer, 1 of Superintending Engineer, 6 of Executive Engineer, 14 of Assistant Engineer in 6 new offices.
• The Chief Minister has also sanctioned an amount of Rs 18 lakh for providing furniture and other essential items in the new offices. The said approval will help in effective implementation of Isarda Water Project and uninterrupted drinking water supply to the common man in the area will be ensured on completion of the scheme in a time-bound manner.

Seven-day National Integration and Goodwill Camp of National Youth Plan

Why in News?

• On October 26, 2022, the National Youth Plan (NYP), founded by renowned Gandhian thinker late Dr. S.N. Subbarao (Bhai ji), launched a seven-day National Integration and Goodwill Camp at Durgapura Agricultural Research Centre, Jaipur, Rajasthan.

Key Points

• More than 500 volunteers and well-known Gandhians from all states and union territories of the country are participating in this all-India camp to be held from October 26 to November 1.
• Former Advocate General GS Bapna said that October 27 is the first death anniversary of Subbarao ji. He died in Jaipur on this day last year. Keeping this in mind, this time this camp has been organized in Jaipur.
• Subbarao used to organize camps in every corner of the country throughout his life with the aim of propagating brotherhood, goodwill and love in the country and motivating the youth to fight against communal forces. This camp is being organized to carry forward their work. Volunteers from all the 33 districts of Rajasthan along with all the states of India are participating in it.
• In the memory of late Subbarao, a Rashtriya Ekta Garden will be set up at Durgapura Gaushala, in which all volunteers from all states and union territories of the country will plant one sapling each.
• According to camp convener Hanuman Sahay Sharma, the camp will have lectures by eminent Gandhian thinkers and impart training on personality development. After the all-religion prayer, the youth will be taught the lesson of self-rule.

Digital Libraries to be Set Up in 344 Residential Schools of Rajasthan

Why in News?

• Realizing the importance of digital learning on October 26, 2022, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has given financial approval of Rs 36.56 crore for setting up digital libraries in 344 residential schools of the state.

Key Points

• With this decision of the Chief Minister, digital libraries equipped with state-of-the-art facilities will be established in various residential schools, multipurpose hostels and Kasturba Gandhi Vidyalayas run under tribal regional development department, social justice and empowerment department, minority affairs, school education department etc.
• It is worth mentioning that the Chief Minister has given this approval in compliance with the announcement made during the discussion of the Finance and Appropriation Bill, 2022-23.
• The Chief Minister had announced financial provision to provide digital library and other necessary facilities for classes 9th to 12th in residential educational institutions and selected schools under various departments with a view to providing the benefit of digital learning to the students of low income group.
• Apart from this, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has approved an additional budget of Rs 13.10 crore to set up smart classrooms in 500 madrasas.
• It is noteworthy that the state government has started connecting madrasas of the state with modern technology. Now for better education in madrasas, various facilities like smart classrooms will be provided in them, here students will now get education through smart boards instead of black boards.
• Out of the madrasas registered by the Rajasthan Madarsa Board, 500 madrasas will cost Rs 2.62 lakh per Madarsa to set up smart classrooms.
• It is worth mentioning that the Chief Minister had announced in the budget year 2022-23 to provide smart classroom-like internet facility in registered madrasas in a phased manner. Under this, 500 madrasas will be upgraded in the coming year in the first phase.

Butterfly Festival to be Held on the Occasion of Madhya Pradesh Foundation Day

Why in News?

• On October 26, 2022, the Deputy Director of Satpura Tiger Reserve Sohagpur informed that on the occasion of Madhya Pradesh Foundation Day, Under 'One District One Product', Satpura Tiger Reserve Narmadapuram will celebrate Butterfly Festival at Panarpani Garden Pachmarhi and Parsapani Narmadapuram from November 1 to 6.

Key Points

• The Deputy Director informed that along with tourists, children selected and awarded for the period from November 1 to 6 and children who have secured first, second and third positions in various programs of Anubhuti program will be taken on a tour of Satpura Tiger Reserve.
• Children will be given field visits by guides and naturologists regarding the habitat, life cycle and other information related to butterfly.
• Through these activities, sensitivity to butterfly will be transmitted in children.

Agreement for Availability of Wheat Variety WH1270

Why in News?

• On October 26, 2022, Vice-Chancellor of Haryana Agricultural University (HAU), Hisar, Prof. Mr. B.R. Kamboj said that the University has tied up with nine major seed companies in the private sector, promoting technical commercialization under public private partnership to provide plenty of seeds in the next season.

Key Points

• Vice-Chancellor Prof. BR Kamboj said that in view of the yield and immunity of this variety, its demand is continuously increasing in other states as well. In view of this, the university has tied up with these private sector seed companies to provide plenty of seeds in the next season.
• The University has identified Uttam Seeds (Hisar), Model Agritech India Private Limited (Karnal), Kurukshetra Agritech Private Limited (Indri), Shiv Ganga Hybrid Seeds Private Limited (Hisar), Haryana Seeds Company (Karnal) for seed production and marketing of WH 1270 . Quality Hybrid Seeds Company (Hisar), Cultivator Seeds Vidisha (Madhya Pradesh), Unnat Seed Company (Sirsa) and Shaktivardhaka Hybrid Seeds Private Limited (Hisar) have been tied up.
• It is known that the wheat variety WH 1270 developed by the university has been notified for early sowing cultivation in the irrigated area of the north-western plains of the country. It covers parts of Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Rajasthan, western Uttar Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand.
• According to the recommendations of the university, if proper fertilizer and water are given by sowing this variety, then its average yield can be 75.8 quintals per hectare and the maximum yield can be taken up to 91.5 quintals per hectare. The special thing about this variety is that it is resistant to the main diseases of wheat yellow rust and brown rust.

Jharkhand's Prajwal Pandey in UK PM Rishi Sunak's Core Team

Why in News?

• Rishi Sunak took charge as the first British Prime Minister of Indian origin on October 25, 2022. Rishi Sunak has announced his core team, which also includes Prajwal Pandey, a resident of Sindri (Dhanbad) in Jharkhand.

Key Points

• Prajwal Pandey is the grandson of Bagish Dutt Pandey, a retired PDIL employee from Sindri. Prajwal's parents Rajesh Pandey (software engineer) and Manisha Pandey lived in Sindri.
• When Prajwal was invited by his party to join the main campaign team when Rishi Sunak stood for the prime minister's post in August 2022, Prajwal worked with several senior policy advisors in Rishi Sunak's team.
• Prajwal Pandey joined the Uk's Conservative Party as a member in 2019 at the age of just 16.
• Earlier, he was elected an elected member of the UK Youth Parliament in 2019 and gave his first speech in the British Parliament as a Member of The Youth Parliament.

Khunti's Hockey Turf Ground Gets FIH Field Certificate

Why in News?

• On October 26, 2022, the hockey turf ground constructed at Birsa College in Khunti, Jharkhand has received the FIH Field Certificate.

Key Points

• It is known that this certificate is given after examining all the quality of the ground, so that the ground can meet the criteria of various facilities, safety of players, available resources and organizing international level matches. Fih Field Certificate is allowed to be granted only after these things are confirmed.
• After getting this certificate, now the talented players of the district will be able to improve their talent by practicing in the international level field.
• The blue astroturf laid on this ground has been sourced from Vietnam, which has cost about Rs 8 crore.
• In addition to the ground, hostel, gallery, four high mask layouts have been installed, which can also allow matches at night.
• On the instructions of the Chief Minister, work is being done to promote sports and sportspersons continuously in the state. Under this, the capacity of the players is also being increased and they are also being made compatible to play in international level stadiums.
• For this, priority is being given to the construction of international level hockey turf grounds in various districts. At present, the construction work of hockey turf field in Simdega, Chaibasa and other districts is in progress.
• So far, the country has got three Olympians from Khunti, including Jaipal Singh Munda, Manohar Topno and Nikki Pradhan.

Two Coffer Dams to Come up Before Jamrani Dam

Why in News?

• According to media information received on October 24, 2022, two coffer dams and two tunnels will be built before the construction of the multi-purpose Jamrani dam. Through two tunnels of 600 meters, the water of the Gaula river will be transported from one end to the other.

Key Points

• Approval from the Finance Ministry for Jamrani Dam is awaited. The irrigation department has invited advance tenders for the construction of the dam. Works like coffer dam, tunnel, approach road etc. will be done at a cost of Rs 1828 crore.
• It is known that the construction of multi-purpose Jamrani dam project on Gola river in Nainital district of Uttarakhand is proposed. Construction of Gola Barrage in the first phase of the project, 244 km. Reconstruction of the canal and construction of Damuwa and Amritpuri colony have been completed. In the second phase, the construction of the main dam is being considered.
• Concretisation work is to be done within a radius of 20 lakh cubic meters in jamrani dam area. For this, two diversion tunnels and two coffer dams are to be built. The water of the river will be transported from one end to the other through two tunnels of 600 meters. The irrigation department has prepared this complete blueprint. This tunnel will pass through the middle of the hill.
• It is worth mentioning that coffer dam is such a permanent structure, which is built to make a large aquatic area waterless, so that construction work can be done there. Through this, the flow of the river is diverted alternately through the tunnel. Usually two coffer dams are built- upstream and downstream coffer dams. These dams are built when the structure is to be constructed in the river bed. After completion of the construction of the dam and related structures the downstream coffer is removed and the upstream coffer dam is filled with water.

Proposal to Rename Lansdowne as 'Kalo ka danda'

Why in News?

• Recently, the 132-year-old Lansdowne Cantonment in Uttarakhand's Pauri district has sent a proposal to the Ministry of Defense to name Lansdowne as ' Kalo ka danda /Kalaun Ka Danda (mountain surrounded by dark clouds)'.

Key Points

• The Army Headquarters of the Ministry of Defence has sought proposals from sub-area Uttarakhand to change the names of roads, schools, institutions, cities and suburbs of cantonment areas during the British era.
• The Defence Ministry has also asked them to suggest what names can be placed in place of british-era names. Under this, Lansdowne Cantonment has sent a proposal to name it 'Kalo Ka Danda'. Earlier it was called 'Kalaun Ka Danda'. The locals have been demanding its name for years. Several letters have also been sent to the Defence Ministry in this regard.
• The Garhwal Regiment was established in 1886. On May 5, 1887, the platoon of the first Garhwal Regiment formed in Almora under the leadership of author Colonel Merwing reached Lansdowne on November 4, 1887. At that time Lansdowne was called 'Kalo Ka Danda'. On September 21, 1890, it was named Lansdowne after the then Viceroy Lord Lansdowne.