Uttarakhand State PCS

• 31 Oct 2023

Mukhyamantri Matsya Sampada Yojana

Why In News?

On October 30, 2023, the Uttarakhand government approved the launch of 'Mukhyamantri Matsya Sampada Yojana' to promote fisheries in the state.

Key Points:

• It may be noted that 'Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana' is operated by the Central Government. There is no incentive facility to fish farmers according to the hilly areas. In view of this, the state government has approved the launch of 'Mukhyamantri Matsya Sampada Yojana'.
• Under this scheme, fish farmers will get a subsidy of five percent in the interest rate on loans for the construction of ponds, raceways and other infrastructure for fish farming. The state government will give a discount of three percent as an additional interest rate, while two percent will be given from the central scheme.
• The duration of the Chief Minister's Matsya Sampada Yojana will be five years. In this, a target has been set to connect four thousand people with the fish farming business.
• In this scheme, women groups will be linked to fish farming. Also, women groups will get up to 50 percent subsidy for fish farming.
• On the lines of farmers, now fish farmers will also get insurance facility. Fish farmers will be given insurance of one lakh rupees. In this, 90 percent premium will be given by the state government. Trout fish seed will be prepared in the state itself.

Suraj Panwar of Uttarakhand won Gold Medal in Race Walking.

Why In News?

In the 37th National Games held in Goa on October 30, 2023; Suraj Panwar of Uttarakhand won the first gold medal in athletics for the state 20 km (about 12.43 mi) race walking.

Key Points:

• Suraj Panwar completed the 20 km race in one hour and 27 minutes and won the gold medal. With this, Uttarakhand has so far won eight medals, including two gold and one silver, in the National Games.
• According to Uttarakhand Olympic Association General Secretary Dr. DK Singh, Uttarakhand has so far received two gold medals. Earlier, Nikhil Bharti of Rudrapur won the gold medal by defeating the Maharashtra player 41-29 in the final of the Penchak Silat game.
• Uttarakhand's Ankita Dhyani won the bronze medal in the 1500 m (about 4921.26 ft) race of the National Games. He completed the race in four minutes and 16 seconds. Ankita is originally from Meruda village in Jaiharikhal block of Pauri.
• Suraj Panwar had earlier won a silver medal in the 5000 m (about 3.11 mi) walking race of the Youth Olympics held in Argentina in 2018. In 2018, he won silver in the 5000 m (about 3.11 mi) race walking at the Asian Championships held in Thailand, while last year he finished 24th in the 20 km (about 12.43 mi) race walking in Doha.

Chief Minister Inaugurated Vigilance Week

Why In News?

On October 30, 2023, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami launched the 'Oppose Corruption, Be Dedicated to the Nation' programme as part of vigilance week. He also announced the creation of 103 new posts in the Vigilance Department.

Key Points:

• Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said that a team of surveillance and technical experts will be formed to effectively improve the functioning of the Vigilance Department.
• Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said that during the 'Vigilance Awareness Week', awareness campaigns should be conducted regularly through various means for corruption-free Uttarakhand.
• The Chief Minister directed the officers of the Vigilance Department to submit a report twice a month on the action being taken by the department to prevent corruption. Regular monitoring of their departments should be done by all departmental secretaries to root out corruption.
• He said that the number 1064 issued for corruption-free Uttarakhand should also be widely publicized. Any complaint related to corruption should be responded to promptly, prompt action should be taken if the complaint is found to be true.

27 Proposals got Approval in the Cabinet Meeting

Why In News?

On October 30, 2023, 27 out of 30 proposals were approved in the cabinet meeting chaired by Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami. These include a scheme to link 1600 types of herbs with livelihood in 12 thousand van panchayats.

Key Points:

• To keep the climate of the state safe, the state cabinet has approved a plan to promote solar heaters and remove junk vehicles spewing poisonous smoke from the roads.
• If you sell junk vehicles, you will get a discount on buying a new vehicle.
  • Vehicles that are 15 years old will be sold for scrap in the state. This discount will be 15 percent for buying a new vehicle for commercial vehicles and 25 percent for private vehicles.
  • The Cabinet has approved the scrap policy. The central government will also provide a special assistance of Rs 50 crore for the implementation of the policy.
• 50 percent subsidy will be given for installing solar heaters in homes
  • The Cabinet has approved the Solar Water Heater Grant Scheme, in which if domestic consumers install solar heaters in their homes, then the government will give up to 50 percent subsidy for this. At the same time, 30 percent subsidy will be given on commercial use. Also, there will be a discount of Rs 150 per liter in the electricity bill.
  • The scheme was discontinued in 2014.
• More than 6000 employees have a chance to join the old pension
  • About 6000 employees serving in the new pension scheme will get a chance to join the old pension scheme, whose recruitment release and notification was issued before October 1, 2005.
  • The state cabinet has adopted the option given by the central government in March 2023.
• Thousands of check dams to be built in the mountains, authority approves
  • Thousands of check dams will be built in 11 hilly districts of the state for the use of rainwater. This will help prevent damage from rainwater in the low-lying plains.
  • For this, the Cabinet has approved the Ping and River Rejuvenation Authority (SARA) under the Directorate of Water Resources.
• Uniform allowance of 35,000 Class IV employees increased
  • About 35,000 class IV employees posted in the departments of the state except the secretariat will get uniform allowance of Rs 2400 every year. So far, in two years, a uniform allowance of Rs 4000 has been received in pants, shirts and other different items. The Cabinet has approved the proposal.
  • Also, in the typing test for becoming a driver-turned-clerk, a standard of 2400 words has been made in place of 4000 words.
• If you pass 8th standard ITI, then only Hindi exams will have to be given in high school.
  • Students who have passed class 8 in the state who complete the two-year course of ITI will not be required to take the full high school examination. To pass class 10, they only have to pass the Hindi exam.
  • Similarly, class 10 students will be able to pass only Hindi examination after doing ITI and do 12th.
• Rs 628 crore herbal production scheme approved in van panchayats
  • The Cabinet has approved a scheme worth Rs 628 crore in two phases to promote herb production in 12,000 forest panchayats of the state.
  • This scheme will be implemented in 5000 hectares in two phases for 10 years. Under this, emphasis will be laid on increasing the livelihood of local people.
• Other major cabinet decisions
  • Investment process will be easier in tourism policy, single window system implemented
  • Cabinet approves amendment in policy for expansion of industries
  • Powers given to District Magistrate for construction of new cow houses and animal protection
  • IAS, IRS and senior PCS officers to become Additional Tax Commissioner
  • ADB's project for upgradation of powerhouse was approved.
  • Cabinet approves setting up of Rajaji Tiger Conservation Foundation on the lines of Corbett
  • Govt to provide 3 per cent subsidy under Mukhyamantri Matsya Sampada Yojana
  • Prison manual to be made based on model jail manual