19.05.23

Gaps in network, convenient tubewell supply key hurdles

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Punjab governments effort to save groundwater by makingfarmersquit tubewell-based Irrigation in favour of canal water is marred by gaps in the existing Network of irrigation lines. Besides, the farmers reliance on the convenient use of tubewells makes them reluctant to switch over. Canal water usage has picked up in some areas where underground pipes have been laid, instead of temporary concrete irrigation lines.

Despite concerns over depleting groundwater, figures of canal-based irrigation in Malwa region, where there is a sizable network of canals, are not too encouraging. Only 21% water of Bhakra Main Line (BML) canal, 31% of Ghaggar branch and 45% Patiala feeder are being used for irrigation purposes by farmers.

A state-wide drive is underway to restore water courses which had been abandoned or demolished in the past two decades. Concrete and temporary irrigation lines constructed for supplying water to fields from the canal get damaged over time.

Institute of Advanced Study symbol of academic excellence, says Himachal Governor

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Real identity of any institution is neither its building nor its walls, but it always comes from its works. The Indian Institute of Advanced Study (IIAS), Shimla, has carved a distinct identity for itself by its academic and research achievements. The institute has been a symbol of academic excellence and intellectual rigour.

He said, This institute of national importance is realising the dream of former President Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan to restore the ancient tradition of knowledge and Learning in India. It has been at the forefront for promoting interdisciplinary research and critical thinking for a long time. It has been a Catalyst for innovation and played a significant role in shaping the intellectual landscape of our country.

The Governor said this institute was basically devoted to in-depth theoretical research in humanities and social sciences, besides fostering the spirit of curiosity and academic brilliance.

Doon to get country’s 1st Neo Metro, Haridwar Pod taxis

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Uttarakhand Metro Rail Corporation(UKMRC) will construct state-of-the-art rapid transit systems inDehradun,Haridwarand Rishikesh within next four years to ease traffic congestion, its MD Jitendra Tyagi said.

The country’sfirst Neo Metrowill start on two corridors in Dehradun. Also, Haridwar will see the country’s first Pod taxi,” he said, adding that the move will give a major boost to Environment-friendly and cost-effective public transport in the state.

Neo Metro is the rubber tyre-based mass transit system that draws power from an overhead electric conductor. It runs on a dedicated elevated track. Provide on Demand (Pod) taxis are driverless electric vehicles that move on a specially designed track.

In addition, the corporation will complete two ropeways in Haridwar and Rishikesh for better travel experience of tourists coming from all over the world for pilgrimage and spiritual solace.

Govt has stepped up efforts to eradicate TB by 2025: Dy CM

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eputy Chief Minister BrajeshPathak said the was working aggressively to meet Prime MinisterNarendra Modis target of eradicating TB by 2025.

Both the Union and state governments have stepped up their efforts to combat TB and other Health-related problems. To locate TB patients and give them quick treatment, numerous efforts are being run, he said during his visit to Ayushman Bharat Health and Wellness Centre in Kakori.

He said since April 2018, registered TB patients have been receiving a monthly payment of Rs 500 directly into their bank accounts. Till date, a total of Rs 4.20 crore has been distributed to 16.1 lakh patients.
The objective is to provide patients with both treatment and nutritional support, as adequate Nutrition is crucial for eliminating TB, the DyCM said.

According to Pathak, there are roughly 5.2 lakh TB patients inUttar Pradesh, and each year, 8,000 pregnant Women receive a TB diagnosis.

State mulls opening Yoga and AYUSH centres in tourist places

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The State Health Department has sought help from the Centre in opening and AYUSH centers in the famous tourist places Netarhat and Patratu. A video conferencing meeting was held in the chairmanship of Additional Chief Secretary, Health, Family Welfare and Medical Education, Arun Kumar Singh with the Ministry of AYUSH (Central Government).

Additional Chief Secretary, Department of Health, Medical Education and Family Welfare) gave a proposal related to this. In connection with the approval of the Annual Action Plan of Jharkhand State for the financial year 2023-24, under the chairmanship of the Secretary of the Ministry, Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, many important things were discussed in this meeting.

Points were also discussed during this, 18 schemes were approved for Jharkhand AYUSH including four new schemes totalling Rs 159.36 crores. Last year also, 50 bedded Ayush Dhanwantri Hospitals in Ranchi and East Singhbhum districts were set up by the Government of India. Approval was also given for five 10 bedded Ayush Dhanwantri Hospitals in Gumla, Palamu, Deoghar, Dumka and Bokaro districts.

Bihar ranked third best state in water conservation efforts

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Bihar has been rated as the third best state in the country in water conservation by the Union Jalshakti ministry, and will be conferred with the National Water Awards 2022.

The state has been included in the category of the best states for making exemplary performance in water conservation and strengthening, and also for best efforts made towards management of its Resources“>Water Resources.

He said the ‘s ambitious scheme to lift the Ganga flood water from Mokama (Patna) and carry it over 151km through pipeline to provide Safe drinking water to every household in the water-starved Gaya, Bodh Gaya and Rajgir towns in south Bihar has been rated as the use of technology for the conservation and use of floodwater that otherwise used to go in waste every year.

Further, there are seven other schemes and projects aimed at augmenting the Irrigation potential of the state, which were also taken note of by the Union Jalshakti ministry while selecting Bihar for inclusion in the best category states and for giving it the National Water Awards 2022, the minister said.

The seven schemes concerned are Goraul irrigation scheme in Darbhanga, Balughat barrage-cum-irrigation scheme in Madhubani, Bihul irrigation scheme in Madhubani, Malai barrage on Kond river in Rohtas district to provide irrigation water to Buxar and Bhojpur districts, Jaitpura pump canal scheme in Kaimur district, Mohane river scheme in Gaya, and Uderasthan barrage scheme near Biharsharif in Nalanda district.

Include 76% quota bill in 9th schedule: Baghel writes to PM

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Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging him to include the states amended provisions, which provide 76% reservation to different communitie, in the 9th schedule of the Constitution.
In the letter, the Chief Minister stated that inclusion of the amended provisions of reservation in the 9th schedule of the Constitution would ensurejusticefor the deprived and marginalized sections of the Society, considering the special circumstances of the state. He has requested the Prime Minister to direct all concerned officials to take necessary action in this regard.

The reservation (Amendment) Bill passed by the Chhattisgarh Legislative Assembly in December 2022 provides for 13% reservation for Scheduled Castes, 32% for Scheduled Tribes, 27% for Other Backward Classes, and 4% for Economically Weaker Sections in the state.

The Chief Minister has also highlighted that 32% of Chhattisgarh’s total Population consists of Scheduled Tribes, 13% are Scheduled Castes, and 42% are from Other Backward Classes. Moreover, 44% of the state’s land is covered with forests, and a large part of the state is covered by inaccessible mountainous regions. These factors contribute to the state’s unique situation and the need for special provisions for reservation.

Baghel pointed out that reservations for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Other Backward Classes were provisioned at 12%, 32%, and 14% (total 58%) respectively since 2013, which was annulled by the Chhattisgarh in 2022. In December 2022, the state assembly unanimously passed a bill based on the population of different categories to increase the reservation Percentage for SC, ST and Other Backward Classes, and EWS people to 13%, 32%, 27%, and 4%, respectively. This bill is currently pending with the Governor for his assent.

MP bags Best State award for work management

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Madhya Pradesh has been selected by the Union Ministry of Jal Shakti for the first place in the best state category in the National Water Award, 2022, for its excellent work in management conservation and augmentation of water resouras. The award ceremony will be held soon, in which the state will be honoured with trophy and citation.

Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has congratulated all the citizens, public representatives and officers of Madhya Pradesh for this achievement. The CM said that under the Leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, today India is the leader of the world in moving ahead towards development in harmony with the Environment. Protection, augmentation and proper management of water resouras is an important component of environmental protection. It is a matter of great pride that the entire Madhya Pradesh is making united efforts in this direction, this honour is a proof of this thinking of Madhya Pradesh. Chouhan has expressed gratitude towards Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat.

It is notable that in the best state category efforts and accomplishments in various components achievements of Jal Jeevan Mission and Jal Shakti Abhiyan, efforts for conservation and promotion of Resources“>Water Resources, water policy, use of https://exam.pscnotes.com/micro-Irrigation“>Micro Irrigation technology in place of traditional methods of irrigation, implementation of new micro irrigation projects, efficiency of water use, restoration of water structures, treatment and reuse of sewage and industrial waste water etc. are the areas that are evaluated

Under the 4th National Water Awards, states, organisations and individuals etc. in 11 different categories – Best State, Best District, Best Gram Panchayat, Best Urban Local Body, Best Media (Print & Electronic), Best School, Best Institution for Campus Use in the category of RWA/Religious/Higher Educational Institution, Best Industry, Best NGO, Best Water User Association and Best Industry for CSR activity being awarded.

The Integrated National Water Awards has been envisaged to motivate and encourage stakeholders and people to adopt a holistic approach towards water-resource management. The awards also strive to create awareness among the public towards the importance of water and motivate them to adopt best practices in effective water management.

The first National Water Award was presented by the Ministry of Jal Shakti in 2018. Jal Shakti Abhiyan and Jal Jeevan Mission were launched in 2019 to convert the water movement into a people’s movement, in which many recharge structures were built and crores of people participated in it.

AI to be part of governance in Gujarat

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TheGujaratgovernment is set to use (AI) in administrative Governance to ensure effective delivery of welfare schemes and efficiency in government functioning.

Gujarat has been at the forefront in adopting technology for governance and AI will become part of the state’s administration. AI is a broad discipline of computer science that allows applications of technology for tasks that require human intelligence, such as visual perception, speech recognition, decision-making and translation between languages.

The State Government has always been keen to adopt new technologies in governance and AI will become a part of administrative governance in Gujarat.

Rajasthan Exports Promotion Council collaborates with FORTI to explore scope for exports in East Africa

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Rajasthans exports surged 36% from around Rs 49,000 crore in 2020-21 to Rs 72,000 crore in 2021-22, but the states contribution to the countrys share improved negligibly from 2.28% to 2.29%. Its position in the pecking order among the states improved by two notches, from 13th to 11th.

While the data does not capture indirect exports like manufacturers from the state supplying to exporters based out of Delhi, Mumbai, Gujarat and other places, the feels that there is lot of room to improve the situation. Launching the drive Be Exporters and creating Rajasthan Exports Promotion Council (REPC) and identifying potential products are some of the initiatives undertaken in past 18 months.
Now, REPC has joined hands with the Federation of Rajasthan Trade and Industry (FORTI) to expand the export basket.FORTIis taking a business delegation of 150 entrepreneurs to Kenya that has huge export potential.