Rajasthan State PCS

• 28 Jul 2023

Neota Dam and Kanota Dam will become Eco adventure Tourism Sites

Why in News?

On July 26, 2023, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot approved the proposal to develop Jaipur's Naveta and Kanota dams as eco-adventure tourism sites to promote tourism in the state.

key points

• The state government will spend Rs 6.24 crore on development works at Naveta and Kanota dams.
• Various types of constructions including the construction of a bird watching platform, canopy, and 600-meter-long parapet wall will be done at Kanota Dam in Jaipur at a cost of about Rs 2.48 crore.
• Development works will be done on the Newta Dam at a cost of about Rs 3.75 crore. A road leading to the dam will also be made here.
• It is worth mentioning that the announcement in this regard was made by the Chief Minister in the budget for the year 2023-24.

Rajasthan State Ahilya Bai Holkar Board

Why in News?

On July 26, 2023, according to the information provided by the Rajasthan Information and Public Relations Department, the Rajasthan State Ahilya Bai Holkar Board was constituted by the state government.

key points

• The Rajasthan State Ahilya Bai Holkar Board will be tasked with taking stock of the condition of Gadaria (Gadri), Gayari, Ghosi (Gawala), Purbia (Dhangar, Gadri) castes and prepare an authentic survey report on them, according to an official statement.
• Other suggestions including educational and economic upliftment of the society, promotion of employment, concrete measures against social evils/misdeeds and taking the traditional business forward from present methods will be presented by the board to the state government.
• The Board will consist of a chairman, vice-chairman and five non-official members. Also, the government secretary/commissioner/director / joint director of industries department, school education (primary/secondary) and Sanskrit education department, rural development and Panchayati raj department, labour department, social justice and empowerment department or their representatives will be as official members in the board.
• A Deputy Director level officer of the Social Justice and Empowerment Department will be the Secretary of the Board.
• Apart from these, the Managing Director of Rajasthan State Other Backward Classes Finance and Development Co-operative Corporation Limited or his representative will be a special invitee to the Board.
• The Administrative Department of the Board will be the Social Justice and Empowerment Department.

PM inaugurates 6 EMRS in Rajasthan

Why in News?

On July 27, 2023, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated six Eklavya Model Residential Schools in Rajasthan, two in Udaipur district, two in Banswara, one in Pratapgarh and one in Dungarpur.

Key Points:

• Each school has a capacity of 480 students, of which 240 will be girls. These schools will have separate hostels for boys and girls, accommodation for staff, dining space and playground.
• These schools are being constructed at a cost of Rs 38 crore in plain areas and Rs 48 crore in hilly areas.
• The construction of these schools will benefit 2880 tribal students, half of whom will be girls.

Rajasthan statistics at a glance:
Scheme/start	2013-14	2022-23
Approved school	8	31

• There are 31 EMRSs sanctioned in Rajasthan, including eight in Udaipur, six in Banswara, four in Dungarpur, four in Pratapgarh, two in Alwar, two in Jaipur, one in Tonk, one in Karauli, one in Bara, one in Sirohi, one in Sawai-Madhopur. Out of 31 schools, construction has been completed in 24 schools and 7 schools are under construction, which is likely to be completed by December 2023.

Stats at a Glance - All India
Scheme/start	2013-14	2023-24
Budget Outlay	Rs 278.76 crore (As a constituent under Article 275(1) of the Constitution	Rs 4000 crore (Separate Central Sector Scheme)
Approved School	167	693
Functional School	119	401
Recurring Cost	Rs 42,000 per student per year	Rs 1,09,000 per student per year
Capital Cost	Rs.12.00 crore (Plain Areas) Rs 16 crore (Hilly areas, Northeast, Areas affected with Left Wing Extremism)	Rs 37.80 crore (Plains), Rs 48 crore (Hills, Northeast, Left Wing Extremism)
CBSE Afiliated School	69	277
Enrollment	34365	113275

• There are currently 8,925 students studying and when all the construction works of schools are completed 14,880 students will get education in these schools.
• The major tribes benefiting from EMRS include Bhil, Gameti, Garasia, Mina, and Sahariya.
• Old schools are being upgraded at a cost of Rs 5 crore. Also, funds are being given for road construction and drinking water under the Jal Jeevan Mission.
• 740 Eklavya Residential Model Schools are being set up under the visionary leadership of the Prime Minister. These Eklavya residential model schools are being set up in each tribal block which has 50 per cent or more than 20,000 Scheduled Tribe population.
• The cost of construction of EMRS has increased from Rs 20 crore to Rs 24 crore in plain areas and from Rs 38 crore to Rs 48 crore in hilly areas for 452 new schools in 2021-22. More than 38,000 teachers will be recruited in a phased manner over the next 3 years.
• It is known that in the year 2013-14, 167 schools were approved, which has increased to 693 today and in 2013-14, 119 schools were functional, while at present 401 schools are functional. Construction has been completed in 110 schools in the last 5 years.

PM lays foundation stone of Various Development Projects

Why in News?

On July 27, 2023, Prime Minister Narendra Modi dedicated more than 1.25 lakh PM Kisan Samridhi Kendras in Sikar, Rajasthan, laying the foundation stone of various development projects and dedicating it to the nation.

Key Points:

• In a significant move to benefit farmers, the Prime Minister dedicated to the nation over 1.25 lakh PM Kisan Samridhi Kendras (PMKSKs). PMKSKs are being developed to provide one-stop solutions for the needs of all farmers.
  • From information on agricultural inputs (fertilizers, seeds, equipment) to information about various government schemes ranging from soil, seeds and testing facilities for fertilizers, PMKSK is envisaged to create a reliable support system for farmers in the country.
  • These will also ensure regular capacity building of fertilizer retailers at block/district level outlets.
• The Prime Minister launched a new variety of Urea Gold, which is coated with sulphur. The introduction of sulphur-coated urea will overcome the lack of sulfur in the soil.
  • This innovative fertilizer is more economical and efficient than neem-coated urea, improves nitrogen use efficiency in plants, reduces fertilizer consumption and enhances crop quality.
• During the event, the Prime Minister launched the linking of 1600 Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) with the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC). ONDC empowers FPOs with direct access to digital marketing, online payments, business-to-business (B2B) and business-to-consumer transactions and encourages local value addition, catalyzing the growth of logistics in rural areas.
• At the event, the Prime Minister released the 14th instalment of about Rs 17,000 crore under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) to over 8.5 crore beneficiaries through direct benefit transfer.
• The Prime Minister inaugurated five new medical colleges in Chittorgarh, Dholpur, Sirohi, Sikar and Sriganganagar and laid the foundation stone for seven medical colleges in Baran, Bundi, Karauli, Jhunjhunu, Sawai Madhopur, Jaisalmer and Tonk.
  • The medical colleges are being set up under a centrally sponsored scheme for the establishment of new medical colleges attached to existing district/referral hospitals.
  • The five medical colleges inaugurated by the Prime Minister have been developed at a cumulative cost of over Rs 1400 crore, while the seven medical colleges whose foundation stones were laid will be built at a cumulative cost of Rs 2275 crore.
  • Till 2014, there were only 10 medical colleges in Rajasthan. Through the dedicated efforts of the central government, the number of medical colleges in the state has gone up to 35 which is a 250 percent increase.
  • With the establishment of these 12 new medical colleges, the number of MBBS seats in the state will increase from 1750 seats in 2013-14 to 6275, an increase of 258 per cent.
• The Prime Minister also inaugurated six Eklavya Model Residential Schools in Udaipur, Banswara, Pratapgarh and Dungarpur districts, which will benefit the tribal population living in these districts. He also inaugurated Kendriya Vidyalaya, Tinwari in Jodhpur during the event.