• 29 Feb 2024

Madhya Pradesh to Develop Sites Associated with Lord Krishna

Why in News?

After announcing plans to develop the 'Ram Van Gaman Path', the Madhya Pradesh government will also develop places in the state associated with Lord Krishna.

• 'Ram Van Gaman Path' is the route believed to be taken by Lord Ram when he headed for exile in the forest.

Key Points

• The Chief Minister told officials of the Tourism and Culture Department that necessary arrangements should also be made for pilgrims at the places visited by Lord Krishna in the state.
  • Lord Krishna went to Ujjain in the state from Mathura and stayed at sage Sandipani's Ashram where he learned various arts and studied the Vedas.
  • Narayan Dham at Amjhera in Dhar district and the Mahidpur tehsil of Ujjain district also have special religious significance.
    • Amjhera has many ancient temples of Shaiva and Vaishnava sects and is associated with Lord Krishna and Rukmani.
    • Narayan Dham has the only temple in the world where Lord Krishna is seen with his friend Sudama.
• Better facilities and infrastructure will increase the flow of tourists and devotees to these places.
• International Gita and Ramayana Mahotsav (festival) can be held in the near future by involving the common people, and manufacturing of miniature statues of gods and goddesses should be encouraged for helping the local economy.

CAG Flags Faults in Madhya Pradesh PM Awas Yojana

Why in News?

The Comptroller and Auditor General of India has flagged irregularities in the implementation of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana – Gramin (PMAY-G) in Madhya Pradesh.

Key Points

• The public housing programme was introduced by the Centre in 2016 as an instrument of poverty alleviation. Its aim was to provide pucca houses with basic amenities to those living in kutcha and dilapidated houses in rural areas by 2022.
  • In the Interim Budget 2024, the Ministry of Finance announced the construction of 2 crore additional houses over the next 5 years under the PMAY-G.
• The CAG report looks into the scheme’s implementation from 2016-21, when 26,28,525 houses were sanctioned and Rs 24,723 crore was paid to beneficiaries.
• The report states that:
  • Out of the sanctioned houses, 82.35% were completed.
  • Though the scheme mandates that households with a vehicle or fishing boat be excluded, 2,037 beneficiaries had two/three/four wheeler before sanction of a house in the 10 audited districts.
  • PMAY-G assistance of Rs 15.66 crore to 1,555 out of 2,037 ineligible beneficiaries.
  • Houses were sanctioned twice to the same beneficiary in 64 cases. In 98 cases, one house was sanctioned to the actual beneficiary and another to his/her family members who were not identified for the scheme.
  • There is no system to alert in the portal to identify duplication of beneficiaries.
  • Out of a total 18,935 sanctioned cases, 8,226 beneficiaries superseded the more deprived beneficiaries in the priority list.
  • The report also noticed delays in disbursing installments to beneficiaries which led to a delay in constructing the homes.
  • In 90 cases PMAY-G house was sanctioned to minors and benefit was provided to their relatives.
  • Awaas Soft data was scrutinized as names of the beneficiaries were not mentioned in 1,246 instances and in 950 cases, the benefit was released.
    • Awaas Soft, a web-based transactional electronic service delivery platform, used in implementation and monitoring of the scheme.
  • The framework of the scheme stipulates that “allotment of house shall be made jointly in the name of husband and wife except in the case of a widow/unmarried/separated person” was also violated.

Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana – Gramin (PMAY-G)

• To achieve the objective of “Housing for All” by 2022, the erstwhile rural housing scheme Indira Awaas Yojana (IAY) was restructured to Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana-Gramin (PMAY-G) with effect from 1^st April, 2016.
• The Ministry Involved is the Ministry of Rural development.
• It aims to help rural people Below the Poverty Line (BPL) in construction of dwelling units and upgradation of existing unserviceable kutcha houses by providing assistance in the form of a full grant.
• Beneficiaries include the people belonging to SCs/STs, freed bonded labourers and non-SC/ST categories, widows or next-of-kin of defence personnel killed in action, ex servicemen and retired members of the paramilitary forces, disabled persons and minorities.
• The cost of unit assistance is shared between Central and State Governments in the ratio 60:40 in plain areas and 90:10 for North Eastern and hilly states.

Comptroller and Auditor General of India

• Article 148 provides for an independent office of the CAG. It is the supreme audit institution of India.
  • Other Provisions Related to CAG Include: Articles 149-151 (Duties & Powers, Form of Accounts of the Union and the States and Audit Reports), Article 279 (calculation of net proceeds, etc.) and Third Schedule (Oath or Affirmation) and Sixth Schedule (Administration of Tribal Areas in the States of Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram).
• Guardian of the public purse and controls the entire financial system of the country at both the levels–the Centre and the state.
• Appointed by the President of India for a period of six years or upto the age of 65 years, whichever is earlier.
• CAG can be removed by the President on the basis of a resolution passed to that effect by both the Houses of Parliament with special majority, either on the ground of proved misbehavior or incapacity.

Uttar Pradesh to Soon Have 21 Airports

Why in News?

Recently, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister announced that emphasising the rapid pace of the aviation sector, UP is all set to become the first state in India to have 21 airports.

Key Points

• According to the Union Minister of Civil Aviation, the state has seen rapid growth of aviation infrastructure in the past 9 years.
  • Uttar Pradesh had only 6 airports in 2014, and now the state has 10 airports including the newly inaugurated airport in Ayodhya.
  • UP will have 5 more airports, one airport each in Azamgarh, Aligarh, Moradabad, Shravasti, and Chitrakoot.
• Under the state budget 2024-25, the Uttar Pradesh government allocated Rs 1,150 crore for the upcoming Noida International Airport in Jewar of Gautam Buddha Nagar district.
• The proposed funds align with the objectives of the Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS-UDAN) of the Government of India and the Uttar Pradesh Civil Aviation Promotion Policy.

Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS-UDAN)

• The scheme was launched by the Ministry of Civil Aviation for regional airport development and regional connectivity enhancement.
• It is a part of the National Civil Aviation Policy 2016.
• The scheme is applicable for a period of 10 years.
• Objectives:
  • Improve the air connectivity to remote and regional areas of India.
  • Development of remote areas and enhancing trade and commerce and tourism expansion.
  • Enable common people to access air travel with affordable rates.
  • Employment creation in the aviation sector.

Uttar Pradesh Civil Aviation Promotion Policy

• The Civil Aviation Promotion Policy of Uttar Pradesh was launched in 2017.
• It intends to provide the necessary direction for the growth of this sector in the state.
• To improve the air connectivity through development of new routes under RCS by providing incentives and also to facilitate inter-connectivity of non-RCS airports of U.P.
• To give a boost to agro-exports, other perishable goods, manufacturing and e-commerce businesses in UP by supporting the development of air cargo hubs and fulfillment centers.
• To facilitate the growth of Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facilities in the state.

UP to Help India Become Self-Reliant in Defence Production

Why in News?

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister inaugurated the Ammunition Manufacturing Complex of Adani Group in the Defence Corridor at Sadh in Kanpur.

Key Points

• He pointed out that all six nodes of the defence corridor are actively contributing to India’s self-reliance in defence manufacturing.
• IIT Kanpur and IIT BHU have been designated as Centres of Excellence for the Defence Manufacturing Corridor in UP.
• The CM also announced that after 46 years of the establishment of Noida, the state government is going to establish a new industrial city in the form of Bundelkhand Industrial Development Authority (BIDA).

Defence Industrial Corridor of UP

• It is an aspirational project that intends to reduce foreign dependency of the Indian Aerospace & Defence Sector.
• It includes 6 nodes – Aligarh, Agra, Kanpur, Chitrakoot, Jhansi and Lucknow.
• The Uttar Pradesh Expressways Industrial Development Authority (UPEIDA) is the nodal agency to execute this project in conjunction with various other state agencies.
• It aims to bring up the state as one of the largest & advanced Defence manufacturing hubs and put it on the world map.

Defence Corridors

• A defence corridor refers to a route or a path along which domestic productions of defence equipment by public sector, private sector and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) are lined up to enhance the operational capability of the defence forces.
• It will help in making the nation self-reliant in the field of defense production and promoting 'Make in India', which will reduce our imports and promote the export of these items to other countries.
• It will provide a fillip to the defence manufacturing ecosystem through synergistic development of technologies, promote the growth of private domestic manufacturers, including MSMEs and Start-Ups.

Early Bloom of Uttarakhand's State Tree Points to Climate Crisis

Why in News?

Buransh, Uttarakhand's state tree, has blossomed earlier than expected, raising concerns among scientists and environmentalists.

Key Points

• The tree, scientifically known as Rhododendron, is known for its vibrant display of red flowers that dominate Uttarakhand hills as it bursts out from the woody bushes of the tree.
• According to scientists at ICAR-Central Soil Salinity Research Institute, this is pseudo-flowering or forced flowering due to climatic shifts.
  • Normally, these flowers are seen to blossom during March and April across the mid-altitude terrain.
• The untimely blossoming has raised concerns regarding potential reductions in the medicinal potency of the flower.
  • Renowned for its abundance of potassium, calcium, iron, and vitamin C, this flower is also ingested as an appetizer to alleviate mountain sickness and seasonal ailments.
  • It is recognised for its effectiveness in mitigating excessive bleeding during menstruation in women.
  • The flower possesses medicinal properties beneficial for the heart, liver, skin allergies, and antiviral purposes.
• According to the Meteorologists global warming is changing the usual weather patterns, causing unusual temperatures and less rain.
• The usual winter disturbances that bring cold weather here have been weak, happening less often and not as strong.
  • Due to this, there was not enough rain in December and January in the hilly areas. Both the highest and lowest temperatures were higher than usual.
  • As the world warms, scientists are concerned that more such changes in the flora and fauna are expected.

The Central Soil Salinity Research Institute (CSSRI)

• It is an autonomous institute of higher learning, established under the umbrella of Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) by the Ministry of Agriculture, for advanced research in the field of soil sciences.
• The institute is located in Karnal, Haryana. It was established in 1969.

Bihar Small Entrepreneur Scheme 2024

Why in News?

Recently, the Bihar government, under ‘Bihar Small Entrepreneur Scheme 2024’ granted financial assistance of Rs 2 lakh per family to almost 94 lakh families.

Key Points

• The Chief Minister initiated the Bihar Small Entrepreneur Scheme to assist financially struggling families in starting their own businesses.
• Under the scheme 50 beneficiaries were selected through a computer randomisation system.
• According to the officials, 2.76 crore people in the state participated in a caste-based census, with 94 lakh families earning less than Rs 6000 per month.

Bihar Small Entrepreneur Scheme

• Launched in 2024, the scheme offers financial support of Rs 2 lakh per person for self-employment and entrepreneurship.
• Under the scheme, investors can fund small-scale/cottage industries. Such as handicrafts, textiles, service sectors, and electrical items, under the scheme.
• In the event of an unnatural or accidental death, workers employed in unorganized sectors will now receive compensation of Rs. 2 lakhs (previously Rs. 1 lakh) and Rs. 1 lakh (previously Rs. 75,000).