Rajasthan

• 28 Aug 2023

Rajasthan Premier League Starts in Jodhpur

Why in News?

On August 27, 2023, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot launched the Rajasthan Premier League (RPL) organized by the Rajasthan Cricket Association at the Barkatullah Khan Stadium in Jodhpur.

Key Points:

• On this occasion, Governor Kalraj Mishra, Rajasthan Assembly Speaker CP Joshi and Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot unveiled the Rajasthan Premier League trophy.
• Addressing the launch ceremony, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot said that Rajasthan Premier League is a historic step in the field of sports. Through RPL, talented cricketers from all over the state will get a suitable platform to showcase their talent.
• The Chief Minister honored the brand ambassador of RPL and former Indian cricket team captain Kapil Dev by presenting him a momento.
• Singer Ravindra Upadhyay sang the theme anthem of RPL along with the captains of all the six teams in the ground.

Rajasthan's Asha Rani Suman & Sheela Asopa Selected for National Teacher Award

Why in News?

According to the information given by the Information and Public Relations Department of Rajasthan on August 27, 2023, two teachers of the state, Asha Rani Suman and Sheela Asopa, have been selected for the National Teacher Award for the year 2023.

Key Points:

• According to the information, Asha Rani Suman is a teacher of Government Higher Primary School Kharkhanda, (Rajgarh) Alwar and Sheela Asopa is a teacher of Government Girls Higher Secondary School, Shyam Sadan, Jodhpur.
• Education Minister Dr. BD Kalla and Minister of State for Education Zahida Khan have congratulated both the teachers while expressing happiness on receiving the National Teachers Award. They said that this glorious achievement of Asha Rani Suman and Sheela Asopa is a matter of pride not only for the teaching community of Rajasthan and the education world, but also for the people of the entire state.
• Both these teachers of the state will be awarded in a special function organized in New Delhi on Teacher's Day (September 5, 2023). They will be given a certificate of merit, an amount of Rs 50,000 and a silver medal under the National Award.

State Animal Welfare Board will be Named after Amrita Devi

Why in News?

On August 26, 2023, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, while addressing the 14th meeting of the State Animal Welfare Board, announced the renaming of the State Animal Welfare Board after Amrita Devi.

Key Points:

• Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot said that commendable decisions are being taken in Rajasthan regarding forest and wildlife conservation. Due to the policies of the state government, today the number of tigers in the state has increased to more than 100.
• He said that due to the efforts of the State Government, the rating of Ranthambore and Sariska Tiger Reserves has improved in the review report released by the National Tiger Conservation Authority in 2022. Of the total 29 conservation reserves in the state, 16 have been created during the tenure of the current government.
• He said that former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi encouraged environmental protection in the country through the Wildlife Protection Act, Project Tiger etc. Kailash Sankhla of Jodhpur was appointed as the first Project Director in Project Tiger.
• Former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi made innovations in this direction like the Environmental Protection Act, Ganga Action Plan and Wasteland Development Board. The previous central government brought the National Green Tribunal Act. In this sequence, the state government is also working to preserve the forests and wildlife of the state.
• He said that out of 6 tiger reserves in the state, 3 were created during the tenure of the present government. More than 10-thousand-hectare grassland is being developed in the state. 741 families have been rehabilitated from various tiger reserves, which has reduced man-wild conflict.
• Under 'Project Godavan', the second generation of children hatched from the eggs of Godavan have also been born through artificial hatching in the Incubation Center.
• Announcing the renaming of the State Animal Welfare Board after Amrita Devi, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot said that Amrita Devi's sacrifice inspires everyone to protect the environment.
• It was informed in the meeting that decisions like arrangement of drinking water supply in the forests by installing solar pumps, construction of corridors for wildlife, formation of 18 new protected areas, establishment of special tiger protection force have been taken. The protected areas have increased from 11243 sq km (about the area of Connecticut) to 13595 sq km as compared to 2018.
• It was informed in the meeting that approvals have been obtained from the National Tiger Conservation Authority for the expansion of the core and buffer areas of Mukundara, Sariska and Ranthambore tiger reserves. Along with this, in-principal approval has been received for the Kumbhalgarh Tiger Reserve.
• Shikhar Agarwal, Additional Chief Secretary, Forest and Environment Department, said that 53 wetlands have been notified by the state government in the last few months. Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Hoff) Munesh Kumar Garg said that there has been an unprecedented increase in the budget allocated to the Forest Department, due to which work is being done in new areas like grassland, wetland etc.
• Chief Animal Warden Arindam Tomar said that translocation of different species is being done after feasibility analysis in different sanctuaries of the state. Their population growth is being monitored by experienced veterinarians. The state is a leader in the country in conservation-breeding of wolves.

MICE Center to be Built in Jodhpur

Why in News?

According to the information given by the Information and Public Relations Department of Rajasthan on August 26, 2023, MICE center will also be constructed in Jodhpur district, famous for hosting national & international events.

Key Points:

• MICE (Meeting Incentive Conference and Exhibition) centers will play an important role in promoting art and business tourism in the state.
• Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has given financial sanction of Rs 25 crore for the construction of the center. This decision has been taken in the commitment to become Sirmour in the tourism sector. This will give impetus to MICE tourism.
• At present, the MICE center will be constructed on 5,650 square meters out of the total 65,000 square meters of land allotted to the Women's Polytechnic College campus by the Jodhpur Development Authority. Exhibition Hall, Central Block (G+2) will be constructed here in the first phase.
• This block will have various functions including registration and information center, administration block, VIP lounge, meeting space for trade and business center, parking area.

Seven Panoramas will be Built in the State

Why in News?

On August 26, 2023, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot gave financial approval of Rs 35 crore for making panoramas at 7 places in the state.

Key Points:

• The state government is taking important decisions to take the glorious history of the state to the younger generation. Panoramas are being constructed in different districts. In this sequence, the Chief Minister has given financial approval of Rs 35 crore for making panorama at 7 places.
• With the approval of the Chief Minister, Prithviraj Chauhan Panorama will be made in Ajmer, Indira Mahashakti Bharat Panorama in Pokaran of Jaisalmer, Maharaja Surajmal Panorama in Deeg of Bharatpur, Panorama of freedom fighters in Jaipur.The Chief Minister has given in-principle consent of Rs 23 crore for their work.
• Along with this, a panorama of Bagdawat Sawai Bhoj in Bhilwara's Asind, Kaila Devi Panorama in Karauli, Veeramdev Kanhaddev Chauhan in Jalore will also be prepared. Financial approval of Rs 12 crore has been given by Chief Minister Gehlot. This amount will be spent from the tourism development fund through the tourism department.
• Through these panoramas, the general public will get information about the unforgettable sacrifice, sacrifice, courage, self-respect and social concerns of their inspirations. These panoramas will prove to be a source of inspiration for future generations.

CM approved the Draft of 'Rajasthan Part Time Contractual Hiring Rules-2023'

Why in News?

On August 25, 2023, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot approved the draft of 'Rajasthan Part Time Contractual Hiring Rules-2023'. Under these rules, a retirement assistance package of Rs 2-3 lakh will be ensured for the honorarium workers.

Key Points:

• It is worth mentioning that the state government is constantly taking important decisions to ensure social security of part-time honorarium workers in the state. In this sequence, the Chief Minister has approved this draft.
• Retirement benefits will be given to the part time workers coming in the rules after completion of prescribed service period, in the event of termination of service, death or retirement after getting the consent of the Cabinet to the draft.
• 2 lakh on completion of 10 years of service, 2.50 lakh on completion of 15 years of service, 2.75 lakh on completion of 20 years of service and 3 lakh on completion of 25 years of service by the personnel is proposed. Similarly, an amount of Rs 3 lakh is proposed to be given on the retirement of the personnel (irrespective of the time period).
• It is worth mentioning that in the budget year 2023-24, the Rajasthan Part Time Contractual Hiring Rules-2023 has been made with a view to provide proper protection and financial support to honorarium workers working on part time basis, such as Anganwadi workers, helpers, cooks, farrash etc. was announced.