RAJASTHAN

Rajasthanhas the biggest gender divide of 23.2% in terms of Literacy rate across the country, making it one of the most gender unequal states.

TheNational Statistical Office(NSO) report released in January says the literacy rate among males in the survey year (2017 and 2018) was 80.08%, while for females it was 57.6%. The literacy rate of females in the state is the second-worst in the country.

The census data of 2001 and 2011 says literacy levels in the state have jumped from 60.40% to 66.11%.

Women have registered a major jump from 43.90% to 52.12% while men have recorded a slight rise from 75.70% to 79.19% in the same duration.

The 2011 Census figures say female literacy was worst inJaloreandSirohiwith 38.47% and 39.73%, respectively. The worst performing block for the same reason was Kotra inTonkwith a 16.49% literacy rate of females.

The states rural development and department has identified 2.59 lakh ineligible beneficiaries underPradhan MantriAwaasYojana-Grameen(PMAY-G) in the state. After removal of the ineligible beneficiaries from theAwaas Pluslist, currently, there are 13.37 lakh eligible beneficiaries in the state.

According to data from the department, of the total 15.90 lakh families registered on Awaas Plus app,names of 2.06 lakh ineligible beneficiaries were rejected via system directly and the rest 52,527 ineligible beneficiaries were rejected by districts because of technical and clerical errors.Rajasthanhas got a fresh target from government of India to build 3.97 lakh houses under the scheme in 2021-22. In line with the schemes focus, the states/UTs are required to earmark at least 60% of the targets for SCs and STs subject to their availability in the permanent waiting list (PWL).

To cater to the housing needs of the minorities, as far as possible,15% of the total targets under the scheme is to be earmarked for them.

RajasthanState Minorities Commission chairperson Rafiq Khan during a review meeting instructed officials to prepare an action plan and ensure proper implementation of 15-point programmes for minorities in the district.

He also emphasised the need to increase the number ofAnganwadicenters in densely populated areas of the minority community for the natural development of children and ensure the participation of Women from the minority community in the category of Anganwadi workers,ASHASahayoginis, and Sahayikas.

Reaching out to their roots, the Rajasthani diaspora responded to the Covid crisis their state was facing with Oxygen Plants, concentrators, tankers and ventilators worth of over Rs 32 crore. Settled in Dubai, America, Canada, Germany, Egypt, Uganda, Australia and other countries, the non-resident Rajasthanis (NRRs) made contributions throughRajasthan Foundation,Jaipur Citizen Forumand Rotary Club.

Doctors ofRajasthanInternational (DORI) organisation have also developed a telemedicine platform and 112 specialist doctors provided medical counselling in remote areas of the state through thedigitalplatform WonderX free of cost. Theappwas launched by the chief minister.

The inaugural edition of thePremier Handball Leagueis set to be held from June 8 to 25 at the Sawai Mansingh Indoor Stadium.

The league will feature six teams –Rajasthan Patriots,Garvit Gujarat,Maharashtra Ironmen, Golden Eagles Uttar Pradesh, Talons and Delhi Panzers.

Rajasthan governments newbillto control the menace of organised crime is aimed at keeping fledgling criminal gangs in check before they morph into syndicates. TheRajasthan Organised Crime Control(ROCC) Bill, akin to Maharashtra Control of Organized Crime Act (MACOCA), gives investigation agencies wide range of powers to tackle organised gangs.

The bill has included under its ambit people against whom more than one charge-sheet has been presented in the court in the last 10 years, and the court has taken cognisance of it.

Also, action could be taken against a person who, as a member of an organised crime gang, commits an offense which is punishable for a period of three years or more.

As per the bill the organized crime includes violence, intimidation, and coercion by a person, as a member of an organised gang for the purpose of obtaining an economic gain or any other benefit. Action will be taken against the gang of two or more persons by whom organized crime is committed.

Like MACOCA, the bill has provisions for the attachment of properties of the accused.

Rajasthanhas achieved a milestone in Covid vaccination by administering 10 crore doses to beneficiaries.

The state has become seventh in the country for administering more than 10 crore doses. The other six states, which have already achieved the feat, are Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh and Nadu.

Out of 33 districts in the state, 20 have achieved 100% target of vaccinating 18+ Population with first dose. So far, 5.06 crore doses have been administered as first dose in 18+ population, while 4.26 crore people have received first and second dose as well, they are fully vaccinated now. The Percentage of 18+ population, who are fully vaccinated, has increased to 84.1%, while the 98.4% target of vaccinating 18+ population has been achieved.

Meena said that Rajasthan is placed at good position in Covid vaccination comparing it with other states as it is at the seventh place in vaccinating highest number of Covid doses. In Pratapgarh, the 100% target of vaccinating the 18+ beneficiaries with first and second dose has been achieved.

The will be introducing a new transfer policy, under which thetransfersin alldepartmentswill be done in a time-bound manner and it will abolish the desire system.

The Administrative Reforms department (ARD) has sought suggestions from all government departments to prepare a draft of the policy. Once transferred to a new place/department, anemployeecannot seek a transfer for two years.

Under the new transfer policy, transfers will be made time-bound and the entire process will be become online. This is a big policy change that we are going to introduce. It will be a transparent process under which all the departments will list out vacancies in respective departments. The employees working under all departments can apply for transfers up to a certain time-period, mentioning apostingof their choice.

A fixed time-period for transfers will also be worked out, for example, it could be held from April 1 to June 30. In that case, the departments will have to put up the number of vacancies on their websites or notice board by March 15. The employees will have to submit their applications by March 31.

A complaint with regard to a transfer will be resolved within 45 days of submitting an application, provided the employee joins the new post. With one year left of retirement, the person will not be transferred.

The policy is not likely to be applicable to the employees of the secretariat, Governors secretariat, assembly secretariat, Police department, Home DEFENCE and home guard employees with uniform. Presently, transfer policy exists inUttarPradesh,Punjab,Haryana,GujaratandHimachal Pradesh.

The ministry of railways sanctioned Rs 968.92 crore for the broad gauge conversion of 82.52km RAILWAY track between Nathdwara and Devgarh Madariya inRajsamanddistrict.

The sanction is for the first phase of track conversion. In the first phase, Nathdwara will be connected to Devgarh and in the second phase of track conversion Devgarh will be connected to Bur.

With this conversion, the Mewar region, which is known for its historic and spiritual sites, as well as the marble , will benefit lakhs of people, including pilgrims and tourists.

The Health department is planning to declare cancer as a notifiable disease in the state. Since it is not a notifiable disease currently, the actual burden of the ailment is not known.

In 2018, the had declared seasonal influenza (H1N1), also known as swine flu, dengue and malaria as notifiable diseases.

Under a notifiable disease, diagnostic labs and hospitals are bound to provide details of each and every case to the health department. It will help in identifying the geographical areas from where cases are being reported in increased numbers.