• 29 Oct 2024

Rajya Vishisht Yojana

Why in News?

Recently, Haryana introduced the Rajya Vishisht Yojana to tackle stubble burning, aiming to protect air quality during the harvest season.

Key Points

• Rajya Vishisht Yojana:
  • Haryana’s Rajya Vishisht Yojana focuses on reducing stubble burning through incentives and resources for farmers, primarily targeting areas where paddy harvesting leads to stubble residue.
• Subsidies and Resources:
  • The government provides subsidies on equipment for crop residue management, such as Happy Seeders and Super SMS systems, to promote eco-friendly disposal methods.
• Penalties and Rewards:
  • Strict fines for stubble burning violations are enforced, alongside incentives for farmers who comply, aiming to balance punitive and supportive measures.
• Environmental Goals:
  • The initiative aligns with national environmental goals by promoting sustainable agricultural practices, reducing air pollution, and mitigating respiratory health risks.

Alternatives to Stubble Burning

• PUSA Decomposers: The decomposers are in the form of capsules made by extracting fungi strains that help the paddy straw to decompose at a much faster rate.
• Happy Seeder: It is a tractor-mounted device offering an eco-friendly alternative to stubble burning.
  • It works by cutting and lifting rice straw, simultaneously sowing wheat into the exposed soil and depositing the straw over the sown area as protective mulch.
• Palletisation: Paddy straw, when dried and transformed into pellets, becomes a viable alternative fuel source.
  • When mixed with coal, these pellets can be utilized in thermal power plants and industries, potentially saving coal usage and lowering carbon emissions.

Grand Acharyakulam for Vedic Learning

Why in News?

Recently, Haryana's Chief Minister announced plans to create a prestigious Acharyakulam, or traditional school, to preserve Vedic culture and ancient Indian education.

Key Points

• Institution Focus:
  • The Acharyakulam aims to revive Vedic teachings, Sanskrit, and Indian traditions, promoting cultural heritage among students.
• Facilities and Infrastructure:
  • It will be set to feature advanced educational amenities while adhering to traditional gurukul values, it will provide students with holistic learning environments.
• Government Support:
  • The state government emphasizes the importance of integrating modern education with ancient wisdom, aligning with broader initiatives to preserve Indian culture.

Vedic Period (1500-600 BC)

• In terms of literature, as well as social and cultural evolution, Vedic texts reflect two stages of development.
• The Rigvedic period, also known as the Early Vedic period, corresponds to the time when the Rigvedic hymns were composed, which was between 1500 BC and 1000 BC.
• The later stage, known as the Later Vedic period, is placed between 1000 BC and 600 BC.

Bihar Business Connect 2024

Why in News?

Recently, the Bihar government hosted the Bihar Business Connect 2024 investor summit to showcase the state's growing economic and business potential.

Key Points

• Objective:
  • The summit aimed to attract investments across sectors, including manufacturing, infrastructure, agriculture, and technology, showcasing Bihar's conducive environment for business growth.
• Government Initiatives:
  • Key policies and reforms focused on improving ease of doing business, along with tax incentives, infrastructure upgrades, and skill development programs to create a favorable climate for investors.
• Networking Platform:
  • The event provided a platform for networking among industry leaders, government officials, and global investors, enhancing collaboration opportunities in Bihar's economy.
• Sectoral Focus:
  • Emphasis on sectors like renewable energy, IT, tourism, and agri-business aligns with the state’s plans to diversify its economic landscape.

Cabinet Doubles OBC Reservation in Local Bodies

Why in News?

Recently, the Chhattisgarh government increased OBC reservations, aimed at boosting representation across the state.

Key Points

• Increased OBC Reservation:
  • The government has doubled OBC reservations in panchayat and urban bodies from 25% to 50%, covering roles like district panchayat chairpersons and municipal mayors, while ensuring reservation aligns with population ratios.
• Exclusion Criteria:
  • This reservation does not apply to bodies with 50% or more SC/ST reservations.

Constitutional Provisions Governing Reservation in India

• Part XVI deals with reservation of SC and ST in Central and State legislatures.
• Article 15(4) and 16(4) of the Constitution enabled the State and Central Governments to reserve seats in government services for the members of the SC and ST.
• The Constitution was amended by the Constitution (77th Amendment) Act, 1995 and a new clause (4A) was inserted in Article 16 to enable the government to provide reservation in promotion.
• Later, clause (4A) was modified by the Constitution (85th Amendment) Act, 2001 to provide consequential seniority to SC and ST candidates promoted by giving reservation.
• Constitutional 81^st Amendment Act, 2000 inserted Article 16 (4 B) which enables the state to fill the unfilled vacancies of a year which are reserved for SCs/STs in the succeeding year, thereby nullifying the ceiling of fifty percent reservation on total number of vacancies of that year.
• Article 330 and 332 provides for specific representation through reservation of seats for SCs and STs in the Parliament and in the State Legislative Assemblies respectively.
• Article 243D provides reservation of seats for SCs and STs in every Panchayat.
• Article 233T provides reservation of seats for SCs and STs in every Municipality.
• Article 335 of the constitution says that the claims of STs and STs shall be taken into consideration constituently with the maintenance of efficacy of the administration.