State PCS

• 29 Aug 2023

U.P.'s Geetika Shrivastava appointed as Chargé d'Affaires in Pakistan

Why is News?

According to information received from the media on August 28, 2023, the Government of India has appointed Geetika Srivastava, a resident of Uttar Pradesh, as a Charge d'Affaire in Pakistan.

Key Points:   

• According to the information, Geetika Srivastava, a resident of Uttar Pradesh, has been appointed In-charge of the Indian Embassy in Pakistan. She has replaced Dr. Suresh Kumar.
• She has become the first woman officer to be selected for this prestigious role by the Indian Ministry of External Affairs.
• Geetika's appointment comes after Pakistan appointed Saad Wariach as the new In-charge of India. Saad will replace Ijaz Khan in the Pakistan High Commission.
• According to experts, women have played an important role in diplomacy in the history of both India and Pakistan. Over the time, there has been growing recognition of the importance of involving women in diplomatic efforts and negotiations. Also, the appointment of Geetika for a prestigious role among multiple teams could be more effective in addressing the complex relationship between the two sides.
• Geetika will visit Pakistan at a time when tensions between the two countries are at its peak. Geetika is another member of India's top female diplomatic club. Prior to her appointment, Britain's first female High Commissioner to Pakistan also took charge.
• Geetika started her career as a diplomat about 20 years ago. In 2005, she was posted to China as First Secretary (Media, Culture and Visa). She has a good command over Chinese language Mandarin. She has also served as joint Secretary-in-Charge of the Indo-Pacific Division at the Foreign Office. The Indo-Pacific Division of the Ministry of External Affairs looks after India's multilateral diplomacy with ASEAN, IORA, FIPIC and other entities in the Indo-Pacific region.
• Originally from Uttar Pradesh, Geetika has also served as a Regional Passport Officer in Kolkata and director in the IOR Division of the Ministry of External Affairs.
• Relations between India and Pakistan have been tense since 2019. There is no full-time High Commissioner in Pakistan. On August 5, 2019, when India revoked the special status given to Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan called it an illegal move of the Indian government. At the same time, it was decided to reduce diplomatic relations.

3 Teachers of Bihar to get National Teacher Award

Why is News?

According to information received from the media on August 27, 2023, the Central Government has announced the best teachers of the country under the National Teacher Award 2023. Under this, three teachers from Bihar have been included in the list of best teachers in the country.

Key Points:

• More than 100 teachers from all states across the country participated in the presentation for the 2023 National Teacher Awards.
• 50 teachers of the country have been selected for this award by the Department of School Education and Literacy, Ministry of Human Resource Development, Government of India.
• According to the information, a list of 6 teachers from Bihar was sent to the Central Government, in which three teachers were selected as the best teachers.
• Anil Kumar Singh, a teacher of Adarsh Girls Senior Secondary School, Ramgarh, Dwijendra Kumar Suman, a teacher of Middle School Madhuban in Sitamarhi, and Kumari Guddi, a teacher of High School Singhia in Kishanganj, have been selected.
• The selected teachers will be honoured with the National Teachers' Award by President Draupadi Murmu on the occasion of Teachers' Day on September 5.

CM approved various proposals of the Tourism Department

Why is News?

On August 28, 2023, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot gave administrative approval to various proposals received from the Tourism Department in the implementation of the budget announcement to give industry status to tourism in the state. This approval will facilitate the functioning of tourism units.

Key Points:

• With the approval given by the Chief Minister, the entitlement certificate can be issued in favour of the tourism units on the basis of the documents approved earlier as well as other documents.
• Under this, self-declaration of executive director of units of RTDC and RSHC, self-declaration of Director Archaeology and Museum Department for state museum under the state government is proposed.
• Apart from this, it is also proposed to issue entitlement certificate on the basis of self-declaration of the senior-most officer posted in the state of the Ministry related to the State Museum under the Central Government, land allotment order in respect of plots allotted for hotel purposes in REICO industrial areas and land conversion order by the Revenue Department/ District Collector in rural areas.
• According to the approval of the Chief Minister, it will be mandatory to take Business Registration Number (BRN) from all the units. At the same time, hotels with 10 or more rooms, budget hotels and motels will also be included as tourism units.
• Also, a notification issued by the Finance Department in February, 2022, provides for approval from the Union Ministry of Tourism or Department of Tourism regarding the market rates of lands being converted or used for tourism purposes.
• Further, the new clarification will be replaced by provision of EC under RIPS-2022.

Important decision by CM - There will be an increase in the minimum wages by Rs 26 per day

Why is News?

On August 28, 2023, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has approved a proposal to increase the minimum wage rates by Rs 26 per day for each category, taking an important decision to give economic and social support to the workers.

Key Points:

• After the approval of the Chief Minister, now the unskilled worker will get Rs 285 per day or Rs 7410 per month instead of Rs 259, the semi-skilled worker will get Rs 297 per day or Rs 7722 per month instead of Rs 271.
• Apart from this, skilled workers will get wages of Rs 309 per day or Rs 8034 per month instead of Rs 283 and highly skilled workers will get Rs 359 per day or Rs 9334 per month instead of Rs 333.
• Keeping in view the economic interest of workers and labourers, the revised rates have been made effective from January 1, 2023.
• It is to be noted that under the Minimum Wages Act, 1948, a proposal was sent to the Finance Department by the Labour Department to increase the minimum wage rates by Rs 26 per day in accordance with the 687-point increase in the Consumer Price Index from July, 2021 to December, 2022 in 56 employments.   
• The last hike in minimum wage rates at Rs 7 per day was implemented from July 1, 2021.

CM released the book 'Vitta Vyavastha' of the Finance Service Officers Association

Why in News?

On August 28, 2023, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan released the book 'Vitta Vyavastha' published by the Financial Services Officers Association at Samtva Bhawan at CM Residence.

Key Points:

• Union officials informed the Chief Minister that the rules and instructions of the departments of General Administration, Finance, Health, Industries etc. till July 2023 have been compiled and explained in simple language in the book 'Financial System'.
• The book will be helpful in providing adequate reference material for all government officers and employees of the state.
• It will also be easy for the officers-employees to understand the rules and instructions of the Finance Department from the book. Simple interpretation of rules will prove useful in the day-to-day work of state officials and enhance their efficiency and accuracy in their work.
• The book will be helpful in providing adequate reference material for all government officers and employees of the state.
• It will also be easy for the officers-employees to understand the rules and instructions of the Finance Department from the book. Simple interpretation of rules will prove useful in the day-to-day work of state officials and enhance their efficiency and accuracy in their work.

Sanchi Solar City to reduce about 14000 Tonnes of Carbon Emissions

Why in News?

As per information provided by the Department of Public Relations, Madhya Pradesh on August 28, 2023, grid connected plants, rooftop, solar home appliances, solar powered public utilities plants and e-mobility in the country's first solar city Sanchi will reduce carbon emissions by 13,747 tonnes per annum.

Key Points:

• The city of Sanchi, situated 46 kilometers away from Bhopal, which is famous in the country and abroad for the first stupa built by Emperor Ashoka, has now started creating its new identity in solar power generation as well.
• A grid connected plant of 8 MW has been set up at Sanchi. The estimated energy production from these is 147.2 lakh units. This will result in reduction of 12 thousand 656 tonnes of carbon emissions in a year with a saving of Rs 6 crore 3 lakh.
• Rooftop systems of 235 kW have been installed on city buildings, which will generate more than 5 lakh units of energy and save Rs 22 lakh 65 thousand annually & 438 tonnes of carbon emissions.
• Home Appliances – 11 Tons from solar study lamps, lanterns, stand-lamps, 452 Tons from energy efficient appliances like LED bulbs, tubelights and BLDC ceiling fans, 171 Tons from 54.45 kW solar plants installed for public utilities and e-mobility will reduce 19 tons of carbon.
• This reduction will be beneficial for the health of the people along with environmental protection. With this, about 160 lakh units of energy will be saved to the tune of Rs 7 crore 18 lakh.

World Athletics Championships 2023: Haryana's Neeraj Chopra becomes the 1st Indian World Champion

Why in News?

On August 28, 2023 Neeraj Chopra of Haryana's Panipat district with a best throw of 88.17m became the first Indian athlete to win a gold medal at the Senior World Championships in the men's javelin throw event at the World Athletics Championships 2023 held in Budapest, Hungary.

Key Points:

• Notably, Neeraj Chopra was already the first Indian track and field athlete to win a gold medal at the Olympics (Tokyo 2020), Diamond League title (2022) and Junior World Championships (2016).
• Neeraj Chopra, who holds the national record of 89.94m in men's javelin throw, had won a silver medal at the World Championships in Oregon last year. It was India's first silver medal at a global track and field event and the country's second after Anju Bobby George won a bronze in the women's long jump at Paris 2003.
• Reigning Commonwealth Games champion Arshad Nadeem of Pakistan won the silver with a season's best throw of 87.82m, while Jakub Wadlejch of the Czech Republic won the bronze with a throw of 86.67m.
• The other two Indian athletes also put up impressive performances in the 12-man javelin throw final in Budapest. Kishore Jena finished fifth with a personal best throw of 84.77m, while DP Manu finished sixth with a throw of 84.14m.

Principal of Swami Atmanand Govt. Excellent English Medium School Dr. Brijesh Pandey selected for National Teacher Award

Why in News?

According to the information given by the Chhattisgarh Public Relations Department on August 28, 2023, Dr. Brijesh Pandey, Principal of Swami Atmanand Government Excellent English Medium School Bramhapara, Ambikapur, has been selected for the National Teacher Award-2023.

Key Points:

• President Draupadi Murmu will confer the National Teacher Award on Principal Dr. Pandey at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi on September 5, on the occasion of Teacher's Day.
• Dr. Brijesh Pandey, who was selected for the National Teacher Award, made an important contribution in taking the child scientists forward along with arousing interest towards science. Under his guidance, the model of many child scientists has been displayed at the national level.
• Dr. Brijesh Pandey has also been honored with the Governor's Award in the year 2018. He has played an important role in determining the activity book for the children of primary education.
• Congratulating Dr. Brijesh Pandey, Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel and School Education Minister Ravindra Choubey said that Swami Atmanand excellent English medium schools have been established in the state to provide quality English medium education to the children. The selection of Dr. Brijesh Pandey for the National Award will inspire teachers and principals of other schools.

Health fair will be held in all blocks of Jharkhand

Why in News?

According to the information received from the media on August 28, 2023, the Health Department of Jharkhand will organize a health fair in all 263 blocks of the state. It will be organized from September 14 to 18 keeping in mind the socio-cultural system, disease spread of that area.

Key Points:

• The state nodal officer of the National Health Mission said that health services will be provided on a large scale in the fair, especially for the tribal areas.
• This program will be done under Ayushman Bharat, Health and Wellness Centre, Pradhan Mantri Jan-Arogya Yojana program. For this, an amount of one lakh has been approved for each block.
• During this, doctors as well as trained medical staff will check the health of the people and treat them. Treatment facilities related to Ayurveda, Yoga, Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy will also be available in the fair under AYUSH.
• General medicine, child health, kangaroo mother care, vaccination, family planning, ENT check-up, bad effects of smoking, cancer control, TB, malaria check-up and information will be given in the health fair. Also, many diseases will be screened and oral health check-up will be done.
• People will be made digital health IDs including Ayushman cards by setting up stalls in the fair. It includes all types of health activities like check-up, treatment and distribution of free medicine.
• In this, apart from mother-child health programs, information will be given about the prevention and health awareness of communicable & non-communicable diseases.

CM inaugurated Kauhi Lift Irrigation Scheme, irrigation will be done in 2500 Hectares

Why in News?

On August 28, 2023, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel inaugurated the Kauhi Lift Irrigation Scheme built at a cost of Rs 7 crore at Kauhi in Patan of Durg district. With this irrigation will be possible in 2500 hectare.

Key Points:

• Farmers of villages Kauhi, Borenda, Jarvay, Kesra, Khamharia, Danganiya, Tarrighat, Sonpur and Sipkona will get the benefit of irrigation from Kauhi lift irrigation scheme.
• It is worth mentioning that on the occasion of his first visit to Kauhi, the Chief Minister had announced to update the old lift irrigation scheme here.
• Under the scheme, the radius of the intake well, which was earlier 6 metres, has been increased to 12 metres. At the same time, five VT pumps of 150 H.P. each have been installed, due to which the capacity of lift irrigation has increased manifold.
• The lining work of the entire canal system has also been done. Due to increase in the capacity of Kauhi Lift Irrigation Scheme, relief has come to hundreds of farmers of this area.

MBBS Students will get the option of Studying in Hindi from this Year in Uttarakhand

Why in News?

On August 28, 2023, Prof. (Dr.) Hem Chandra, Vice-Chancellor of Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna (HNB) Medical Education University, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, told the media during the convocation ceremony that from this year onwards, students taking MBBS admission will also be given the option to study in Hindi. For this, HNB Medical University has submitted its report to the government.

Key Points:

• For the first time in the state, the Vice-Chancellor of HNB Medical University Prof. gave the students the option of studying MBBS in Hindi from this session. A committee has been formed under the patronage of Hemchandra.
• The Vice-Chancellor of the University said that the students will be given the option of studying in Hindi along with the colloquial language Hindi, like liver has been written as liver.
• Teachers will also be given separate training to teach this course in Hindi and now students of Hindi and English medium will sit together and attend classes.
• It is known that HNB Medical University, once running in two rooms on Haridwar Road, is now operating on 92 bighas of land in East Hopetown, Selaqui.
• The government has signed MoU for employment in three countries for 5000 nursing pass students of the state.
• Nursing recruitment on three thousand posts is going to be completed soon. Now the government is also creating a separate cadre of specialist doctors.
• Uttarakhand, which is going to start MBBS in Hindi, now has 16 rites in MBBS course (Garbhadhan, Punsavan, Simantonnayan, Jatakarma, Namkaran, Niskraman, Annaprashan, Chudakarana, Vidyarambh, Karnavedha, Yagyopaveet, Vedarambh, Keshant, Samavartan, Vivah and Antyeshti Sanskar) will also be included in a committee to be formed soon for this.

Uttarakhand Health Minister Made Many Important Announcements for Medical Students

Why in News?

On August 28, 2023, at the convocation ceremony of Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna (HNB) University of Medical Education, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, State Health Minister Dr. Dhan Singh Rawat announced that poor meritorious students of the state will now be able to study MBBS, MD, MS. For this, the state government will pay half the fees.

Key Points:

• The Health Minister has also made several other announcements at the University convocation-
• The state government will soon launch an insurance scheme for students studying in medical colleges. To promote research, an incentive scheme will be implemented like higher education.
• Haridwar Medical College will start from next year. Rudrapur Medical College will start in the year 2026 and Pithoragarh Medical College in 2027.
• The government has signed MoU for employment in three countries for 5000 nursing pass students of the state.
• Nursing recruitment on three thousand posts is going to be completed soon. Now the government is also creating a separate cadre of specialist doctors.
• Uttarakhand, which is going to start MBBS in Hindi, now has 16 rites in MBBS course (Garbhadhan, Punsavan, Simantonnayan, Jatkarma, Namkaran, Niskraman, Annaprashan, Chudakarma, Vidyarambh, Karnavedha, Yagyopaveet, Vedarambh, Keshant, Samavartan, Vivah and Antyeshti Sanskar) will also be included in A committee will be formed soon for this.