Rajasthan

• 31 Jan 2024

Rajasthan Governor Announces Economic Revival Task Force

Why in News?

On 26 January 2024, Rajasthan Governor Kalraj Mishra announced the formation of an Economic Revival Task Force to prepare a roadmap for strengthening the State’s economy.

Key Points

• The task force would help build a robust economic infrastructure for the future and ensure the State’s sustainable and holistic development.
• According to the Governor, the State government would pave the way for economic growth through the “ease of doing business” model, as it had taken a pledge for socio-economic development of all sections of society by implementing the Antyodaya concept of Jan Sangh leader Deendayal Upadhyaya.

Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya

• Deendayal Upadhyay is an Indian politician born in Mathura, UP in 1916.
• He was one of the most important leaders of the Bharatiya Jana Sangh, the forerunner of the present day Bharatiya Janata Party.
• He is seen to have played a larger role in India’s thought process and political life, transcending party lines.
• Major Schemes on his name:
  • Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana (DAY): For alleviating poverty.
  • Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana (DAY)) Antyodaya Diwas: To diversify the incomes of rural poor families and to cater to the career aspirations of rural youth.
  • Deendayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana: To provide electricity to rural homes.
  • Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya Shramev Jayate Karyakram: To create a conducive environment for industrial development primarily through skill training.
  • Deendayal Upadhyaya Swaniyojan Yojana (DUSY): The rural version of the Start Up India scheme.

Padma Shri for 5 Persons from Rajasthan

Why in News?

Recently, President Droupadi Murmu has approved the conferment of four Padma Shri awards to five persons from Rajasthan.

Key Points

• The awardees included:
  • One award is being awarded to two folk singers, Ali Mohammed and Ghani Mohammed. The duo, known as the Ghani Brothers, have been selected for excellence in folk singing.
  • The others include 93-year-old Dhrupad player Laxman Bhatt Tailang. The veteran has authored several books on Indian classical music and has taught his genre of music to hundreds of students throughout his life.
  • Maya Tandon, another recipient from the state, works in the field of road safety and has trained over 1 lakh persons to help in the rescue of injured victims of road accidents.
  • 81-year-old Janki Lal Bhand, has kept Bahurupiya art alive and has performed it in more than 10 countries. Behrupiya (‘multi-faceted’) is the art of dressing up as and essaying various characters.

Behrupiya

• The word ‘behrupiya’ is a derivative of the Sanskrit word bahu (many) and roop (form).
• Behrupiya are impersonators, mostly known to perform in villages and markets all over India.
• They put on various costumes to play figures from mythology, folklore and traditional stories.
• National Behrupiya Festival was organised by the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA) from 5th-8th October 2018.
• IGNCA is an autonomous institution under the Ministry of Culture.

Rajasthan Launches Drone Survey Against Illegal Mining

Why in News?

Recently, the Rajasthan government has launched a major drive against illegal mining activities by conducting surveys through drones to put a curb on the sources of such activities.

• The highest number of 75 illegal mining cases have been detected in Bhilwara district.

Key Points

• Rajasthan has as many as 81 varieties of minerals in its land, out of which 57 are being commercially exploited.
• The State has the highest number of mining leases in the country, while the government has been taking measures to curb unlicensed and illegal mining by using remote sensing data and geographic information systems.
• According to the officials, the revenue authorities had been involved in the campaign to initiate action under the Rajasthan Tenancy Act, 1955 for cancellation of khatedari (title) rights on the land where illegal mining was taking place.
  • The field officers identify the mining mafia and violators and submit the data online, which is used for initiating further action.

Illegal Mining

• Illegal mining is the extraction of minerals, ores, or other valuable resources from land or water bodies without the necessary permits, licenses, or regulatory approvals from government authorities.
  • It can also involve the violation of environmental, labor, and safety standards.
• Laws Related to Mining in India:
  • The entry at serial No. 23 of List II (State List) to the Constitution of India mandates the state government to own the minerals located within their boundaries.
  • The entry at serial No. 54 of List I (Central List) mandates the central government to own the minerals within the exclusive economic zone of India (EEZ).
  • In pursuance to this Mines & Minerals (Development and Regulation) (MMDR) Act of 1957 was framed.
  • The power to frame policy and legislation relating to minor minerals is entirely delegated to the State Governments while policy and legislation relating to the major minerals are dealt by the Ministry of Mines under the Union Government.