12.04.23
PM Modi to launch development projects in Assam
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will launch development projects, including an Aiims and three medical colleges, worth around Rs 14,300 crore, during a visit to Assam on Friday. Among other projects, Modi will lay the foundation stone of a bridge on the Brahmaputra river connecting Palashbari and Sualkuchi and also launch the beautification exercise of Rang Ghar, Sivasag
He will also lay the foundation stone of Assam Advanced Health Care Innovation Institute (AAHII) and launch ‘Aapke Dwar Ayushman’ campaign by distributing Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) cards to eligible beneficiaries.
Centre promotes Puri as Liberation Destination
The Union Ministry of Tourism, inter-alia, promotes tourist destinations of India, including the Saptha Moksha Puri (Seven Liberation destinations), viz., Ayodhya, Mathura, Maya (Haridwar), Kashi (Varanasi), Kanchi Avantika (Ujjain), Puri (Odisha) and Dwaravati (Dwaraka, Gujarat), in a holistic manner.
The Ministry undertakes promotional campaigns in domestic and global markets through electronic, print and digital media to promote the various tourist destinations and products of the country. Further promotions are also undertaken through the official web-site as well as through Social Media handles of the Ministry.
Besides, the Ministry provides financial assistance under the National Mission on Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD) scheme with an objective of integrated development of identified pilgrimage and heritage destinations in consultation with the respective State Governments.
The Swadesh Darshan Scheme has been revamped to SD 2.0 for development of sustainable and responsible tourist destinations and Dwarka has been selected for development under SD 2.0.
Tamil Nadu needs to tweak its maternity policy
The signing of the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) by more than 120 countries in 1979 was a move to change that.
India too has made some moves in that direction. In 1993, a provision was introduced in the Indian Administrative Service (Probation Service) 1954, stating that maternity leave during probation period shall not affect seniority.
States such asKeralahave tweaked rules in favour of women. As per Rule 6(g) of the Kerala state subordinate service rules, 1958, for instance, a woman on maternity leave during her probation is declared to be on duty.
In 2000, theSupreme Courtdirected theNew Delhi Corporationnot to deny maternity leave to muster roll women employees. Based on the judgment, in 2011, theMaduraibench of the Madras in the L Kannaki vs Secretary to government animal husbandry and Fisheries department, directed the state authority not to deny maternity leave and EMPLOYMENT to a woman casual labourer and to regularise her service.
CBSE approves 5 years as minimum age for admission to Class I in Kerala
TheCentral Board of Secondary Education(CBSE) has approved the request ofCBSEschools inKeralato set 5 years as the minimum age criterion for admission to Class I in the state. There was confusion among parents as central rules mandated 6 years for admission.
The uncertainty over the age criterion was confusing as many schools have either already completed or are in the final stage of Class I admissions.
Earlier, Kerala CBSE schools management association had submitted a memorandum to the and the CBSE not to make 6 years the minimum age for Class I admission this year.
The association said that those completing UKG this year are only 5 years old and they will lose a year if the minimum age is raised to 6.
Draft curriculum for kids aged 3-8 bats for inclusive education
The recently released draftKarnatakaCurriculum Framework for the foundational stage (3-8 years) has called for a detailed individualised Education plan for children with special needs.
According to data with the School Achievement Tracking System for 2021, as many as 96,020 children with various forms of disability are enrolled in Karnataka schools. This includes those with visual impairment (14,047), hearing impairment (10,652), speech and language disability (10,024), locomotor impairment, intellectual disability (18,524), and multiple disabilities (10,054).
The draft framework says since the most optimal time to identify delay or disability in a child is at the foundational level, it is crucial that a child be enrolled in preschool. However, teachers or anganwadi workers are not authorised or equipped to make a diagnosis. Instead, they should play a role in early identification recognising symptoms of delay and disability in a non-judgmental manner and refer the parents to seek medical diagnosis.
Telangana agriculture exports jump by 40%, pegged at Rs 10,000 crore
In a positive sign for ‘s efforts in the Agriculture-notes-for-state-psc-exams”>Agriculture sector,Telanganahas witnessed almost 40% increase in agriculture exports between 2020 and 2022. While agriculture exports stood at Rs 6,337 crore in 2020-21, it rose substantially to about Rs 10,000 crore in 2021- 22.
According to the data recently released by the central government, Telangana and Maharashtra are two states which have shown marked Growth in agriculture exports. In just five years, from 2017-18 to 2021-22, it has increased from Rs 5,000 crore to Rs 10,000 crore in Telangana.
Telangana’s top exports include Cotton, spices, Cereals and meat. According to experts, the exports from Telangana have improved due to innovative methods, increased use of technology and cold storage facilities.
New AP industrial policy focuses on low-risk business
Industries minister Gudivada Amarnath on Monday released the government’s new Industrial Policy to attract more investments into the state.
The new policy focuses on low-cost, low-risk businesses. More funds will be allotted to enhance start-up culture and development of Micro, Small and Medium enterprises (MSME) parks in the state. As per the new policy, the 96 clearances mandatory for setting up new industries would be issued in 21 days. To meet this objective, the government unveiled YSR AP One App and its office will be in Visakhapatnam, said the minister.
He said the new industrial policy showcased the state’s financial Growth.
The new policy has accorded Industry status. An iconic tower, I Space, will be constructed to encourage innovation sector. The walk-to-work in IT sector will bring in other industries, said the minister.
Goa CM Pramod Sawant to review implementation of budget monthly
Goa chief ministerPramod Sawant said that the state would reduce borrowing from the current financial year.
He also said that he will review the implementation of the schemes and programmes announced in the budget 2023-24 every month.
Sawant, who held a meeting to streamline the action plan to implement the budget provision, directed the secretaries to submit the exact date and month for the implementation of schemes, reforms, and the laying of foundation stones as announced in the financial statement for 20232024.
He directed the secretaries to prioritise the implementation of the schemes and programmes provided in the budget within deadlines.
Nadu
Tamil Nadu: Digital house scheme launched
As part of the efforts to makeTamil Naduassembly paperless, speaker M Appavu on Wednesday launched the ‘digital house’scheme.
Under the scheme, an e-book app has been developed and uploaded in the tab kept in front of each MLA. The ID and password to access the e-books have also been provided to the MLAs.
The past few days, technicians from Parliament and assembly provided training to MLAs. Also, underNational eVidhanapplication (NEVA) the details of the ministers and MLAs who speak during the Question Hour were displayed in the four giant screens kept inside the assembly. The new measures were welcomed even byopposition party MLAs.
Maharashtra cabinet clears sand mining policy; no more auctions, price capped for a year
The state cabinet has cleared a newsand mining policyto crack down on the illegal extraction of sand. The policy bans auctions, introduces tendering for sand extraction and caps sand price at Rs 133 per metric ton on a pilot basis for a year to make it more affordable.
The policy, which had been announced in the state assembly.
The price of sand will be capped at Rs 600 per brass (Rs 133 per metric ton). “This will make sand more affordable to the public for construction,” said revenue minister Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil.
The government will stop auctions for the extraction of sand. Instead, it will float tenders for sand extraction, transport and construction of sand depots. Once the sand is extracted, it will be sold by the government through its depots through an online process. Hence, the government will be involved in the sale of sand.
A committee will be formed under the tehsildar to monitor sand extraction near rivers. Committees will also be formed at the taluka-level and district-level.