05-06.09.21

The Manohar Lal Khattar Government in Haryana has proposed major amendments in the Indian Forest Act, 1927 making forest offences cognizable and non-bailable and giving more powers to forest officers.

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The draft Indian Forest (Haryana Amendment) Act, 2021 released by the also proposed enhancement in the amount of fine and term of imprisonment under various sections in a bid to make it more stringent to deter people from committing forest offences.

Providing more powers to the forest officers for removal of encroachment from forest land in the state, the draft proposes new sub-section under Section 66 which states, Any forest officer, not below the rank of the divisional forest officer, if he has reason to believe that encroachment of the State Government forest land has been made, may evict the encroachment and may use all the powers conferred on an executive magistrate under the Haryana Public Premises and Land (Eviction and Rent Recovery) Act, 1972.

For mutual cooperation on investment promotion and ease of doing business, Punjab and the American Chamber of Commerce in India (AMCHAM India) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU).

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The MoU, signed by Invest Punjab CEO Rajat Agarwal and AMCHAM India program director Rajiv Anand, a first for the US body with any state in the country. It entails the formation of a joint working group (JWG) having members from Invest Punjab and AMCHAM India, to support and develop cooperation, as well as, for enhancing the Ease of Doing Business in Punjab, India and USA.

Sharing details of the investment opportunities in the state for the US companies across multiple sectors, Agarwal highlighted that the state had served as a launchpad to renowned MNCs who looked to start their India operations. Inviting the US enterprises, he said opportunities for investment or collaboration with Punjab-based companies existed in multiple sectors such as Agriculture-notes-for-state-psc-exams”>Agriculture and Food Processing, technical engineering, textile and pharma.

The investor-friendly ecosystem had allowed Punjab to receive more than $12 billion investments that were under various stages of implementation, he added.

He talked about the high impact business reforms such as the Right to Business Act 2020, deemed approvals and central inspection system, amongst others that have been undertaken by the State Government to reduce time and cost incurred by businesses.

Established in 2013, by the state government, the Punjab Bureau of Investment Promotion (Invest Punjab) is a single point of contact for facilitation of investors who are looking to set up a business in Punjab. Invest Punjab has been rated as the top-performing state IPA by the Government of India, said Agarwal.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi attributed the achievement of attaining 100 per cent first-dose vaccination and zero wastage in Himachal to the tireless efforts of the state government and the blessings of the deities in the Dev Bhoomi.

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He said the state should move forward with the mission of chemical-free Himachal in the next 25 years so that it could become an organic state. I have complete faith in the youth of Himachal, Women and men that they will protect our against chemicals, he said.

He lauded the Jal Jeevan Mission which had ensured tap water supply to every Home. There is immense scope for cultivating medicinal herbs, vegetables and fruits in Himachal and women self-help groups can play a major role in this field, he said. He said an Agri Infrastructure Fund for Rs 1,000 crore had been created which could be availed to set up processing units closer to the fields and orchards.

He said Himachal had given first vaccine to its entire eligible Population and shown that the state is atama nirbhar.

TheUttarakhandgovernment has identified 2,600 child and 219 adult beneficiaries of the Mukhyamantri Vatsalya Yojana, launched to help state residents below the age of 21 years who were orphaned during the Covid-19pandemic.

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According to the preliminary data compiled by the , at least 2,600 children (below 18 years of age) have lost both their parents toCovid-19in the state since the outbreak of the pandemic. Besides, 219 others, in the age group of 18-21 years, were orphaned during the pandemic.

The latest data from the state Women Empowerment and child development department reveals that 1,706 children, who were orphaned during the pandemic, are being provided free Education (till Class XII) and are being given a stipend of Rs 3,000 per month under the Mukhyamantri Vatsalya Yojana.

The Central and Uttar Pradesh governments have shown their full commitment to the maintenance and beautification of the state’s heritage sites which lay neglected during the previous regimes.

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The Central government, under its Swadesh Darshan Scheme, has allocated a total of Rs 33.17 crore to improve the , enhance the attraction and ensure tourist security at the heritage sites of Uttar Pradesh, which are known as the land of Lord Ram, Lord Krishna, Buddha, Kabir and Mahavir Jain.

The tourist attractions being renovated include the invincible Kalinjar Fort located in Banda district that is about 1,500 years old and one of the largest forts in the country; Shaheed Sthal Chauri Chaura (Gorakhpur) built in memory of the martyrs who gave a U-turn to the war of independence; Martyrs Memorial in Meerut built in the memory of martyrs who started the war of independence back in 1857 and Sloam Chaupal in Muzaffarnagar.

Vedanta Ltd has positively impacted the lives of 4.23 crore people across the country through its various social development initiatives, the company announced in its maiden Social Impact CSR report released today. Over the years, Vedanta has built many impactful CSR programs in India and is considered one of the most socially responsible corporations in the country.

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The company spent Rs 331 crores in the last financial year on various CSR activities with focus on pandemic relief works, childrens well-being & Education, Women Empowerment, Health care, https://exam.pscnotes.com/sustainable-Agriculture-notes-for-state-psc-exams”>Agriculture“>Sustainable Agriculture & animal welfare, market linked skilling of youth, Environment protection & restoration, development of community Infrastructure among others.

The comprehensive social impact report lays out Vedantas CSR policy, including the aims and objectives, implementation and audit guidelines as well as the activities being carried out across 56promiment projects across the country in various sectors including education, sustainable livelihoods, health, skilling, Women Empowerment, environment, Sports, water, sanitation and community development.

Earlier this year, Vedanta announced the social development roadmap through the Anil Agarwal Foundation (AAF) and pledged Rs 5,000 crore as part of their Give Back towards its rural upliftment programs.

AAFs Swasth Gaon Abhiyaan, will provide end-to-end healthcare Services across 1,000 villages in 12 states, impacting the lives of more than 2 million people.

Chief minister (CM)Nitish Kumarasked thepanchayati raj department(PRD) to make a foolproof plan for the installation of solar lights across the state.He also directed the officials concerned to initiate the process of opening a manufacturing unit for the production of solar plates and other accessories.

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While watching a virtual presentation on the status of the Mukhyamantri Gramin Solar Street Light Scheme, the CM said a detailed survey should be done to identify all the places where solar lights can be installed.

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel on Sunday announced that an Hindi Medium School of excellence will be opened in each district on the lines of Swami Atmanand Government English Medium School.

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He said that schools in the state named after great personalities will be upgraded into multipurpose schools. He also announced Rs 2 crores for development of Sports grounds at the R.D. Tiwari School.

He made the announcement on the occasion of Teachers Day, after the inauguration of Swami Atmanand R.D. Tiwari Government English Medium School at Amapara in Raipur.

He also felicitated the 20 outstanding teachers for their innovative ways to keep the children engaged with Education during the Covid-19 pandemic.

He presented a Scholarship cheque to children who lost their parents during the pandemic, an official Communication said.

As per Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS-2016-17), in Madhya Pradesh 28.1% of all adults (38.7% of men and 16.8% of women) (15 years and above) use smokeless tobacco. Gutka and Khaini are the most commonly used form of SLT products.

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Smokeless tobacco is a major cause of concern as 50% of the oral cancers in India are linked to them. Madhya Pradesh government needs to develop specific policies to control tobacco epidemic.

This was said in a consultation on Smokeless tobacco and other issues organized by Madhya Pradesh Voluntary Health Association with the support of International Union Against Tuberculosis & Lung Diseases (The Union).

Governing body of Vatan Prem Yojana held its first meeting recently. The Vatan Prem Yojana was launched on August 7, 2021.

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They held the meeting at Gandhinagar under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Vijay Rupani.

Presentation of details of the scheme was put before the chief minister.

Governing body proposed works to the tune of Rs 1,000 crore, which have to be completed by December 2022.

Governing body has formed a project management unit for the smooth implementation of this scheme.

Governing body has made it possible for donors to send their online. Under the scheme, Non-Resident Gujaratis (NRGs) and NRIs can contribute 60 percent of the cost of a village-level project. Remaining 40 percent amount will be borne by the State Government.

Vatan prem Yohana is a repackaged version of Madar-e-Vatan scheme by the state government of Gujarat. Madar-e-Vatan has been renamed due to association of the title with Persian language. In the earlier version of the scheme, contribution of the state government and NRIs was 50:50. Now, it has been changed to 60:10.

The Vatan prem yojana will cover village-level projects such as:

Smart classes in schools and Library

Community hall, Primary Health centre and Anganwadi

CCTV surveillance system,

Water recycling, drainage, sewage treatment and beautification of ponds.

Bus-stand

Solar Energy powered streetlights, etc.