22.12.22

Punjab Governments ‘kilometre scheme’ fails to get response

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The Punjab Governments plan to operate over 200 new buses in the state has failed to take off. Only two persons have evinced interest in operating the buses, though the government has floated tenders twice.

The state-run Pepsu Roadways Transport Corporation (PRTC) had decided to operate buses on 219 routes, under the kilometre scheme, and its tenders were initially floated in July. However, only two operators evinced interest in operating the buses. As a result, the tender for running 217 buses was again floated in September last year. It found no takers.

This has caused the to analyse the reasons for the lack of interest in the scheme, where buses are to be leased from private parties and operated by the state government. It is learnt that the reason is the free bus rides allowed to Women passengers, which has made public transportation in the state economically unviable. The women passengers were allowed free travel on government-run buses by the previous Congress government.

Crime against women in Shimla declines by 32% in five years

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The cases of crime against Women involving kidnapping, molestation, abetment to commit suicide, cruelty and eve-teasing have declined by 31.68 per cent in Shimla district in the past five years.

The data procured from the Police Department reveals that the use of latest technology, advanced methods, intensive surveillance and availability of women personnel deterred criminals and repeat offenders from committing crime against women.

Heinous crimes such as rape and abetment of suicide dropped in the capital city in the past five years. Compared to 40 rape cases in 2019, 38 such cases were reported in 2022. Similarly, while there were six abetment of suicide cases in 2018, only one such case was reported in 2022. The cases of kidnapping, molestation, cruelty to women and eve-teasing also came down.

Our aim is to double Uttarakhands GDP in next 5 years: CM Pushkar Singh Dhami

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The state aims to double its GDP over the course of the next five years, with an annual Growth rate of 15%. of around Rs 25,000 crore will be developed in the next five years. Our vision plan envisions achieving ambitious economic objectives through thrust sectors like tourism, transportation, service sector, Agriculture-notes-for-state-psc-exams”>Agriculture, and pharma. Rail projects like Rishikesh-Karnprayag and Tankpur-Bageshwar will give further boost to the states connectivity as will projects like Char Dham all-weather road and the Delhi-Doon elevated road which will help commuters cover the distance from Dehradun to the national capital in around 2.5 hours.

Uttarakhand is one of the fastest growing states in the country, thanks to a massive growth in capital Investment arising from conducive Industrial Policy and generous tax benefits. The government plans to connect all villages in the state to highways and all-weather roads through link roads, and also increase helicopter connectivity. Development works worth over Rs 1,000 crore are going on at Badrinath and Kedarnath. Better connectivity would automatically improve the states economy. Besides, projects like homestays and sale of locally made products are being encouraged to help those in the hills generate more income.

UP to attract Rs 50K cr investments in solar, bio energy sectors

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The Uttar Pradesh government, riding on the global shift to green energy, is looking to attract private investments of up to Rs 50,000 crore in the solar and bio energy sectors.

The state has set a target to generate 22,000 megawatt (MW) of solar power over the next five years. It would comprise 14,000 MW from solar parks and 6,000 MW through rooftop solar power Plants.

The government is also drafting a green hydrogen policy in line with the Centre. The Asia-Pacific region is expected to be the fastest growing in the global landscape in this decade.

Unveiled in February, Indias green hydrogen policy offers cheaper renewable power and financial waivers for interstate power transmission for 25 years for projects commissioned before June 2025. Incentives include land at cheaper rates in energy parks and dedicated zones for local industries.

Green hydrogen is produced by breaking down water in an electrolyser using . Later, hydrogen can be combined with nitrogen to make green ammonia, thus avoiding planet-warming hydrocarbons. Green ammonia is used to store energy and make fertilisers.

According to reports, the global green hydrogen market was valued at $1.83 billion in 2021, and is estimated at almost $90 billion by 2030, expanding at a compound annual Growth rate (CAGR) of 54 per cent from 2021 to 2030.

Governor calls for rural transformation through technology

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Governor Ramesh Bais on Wednesday called for rural transformation through the use of technology. He said that there is a need to promote the use of advanced technologies to boost Agriculture-notes-for-state-psc-exams”>Agriculture in the villages.

He was addressing the gathering after inaugurating a two-day national interdisciplinary conference, organised under the joint aegis of Karim City College’s Department of Commerce and on Agriculture and Rural Development and their Share and Stake in Economic Growth.

In his thought provoking address, Bais looked closely at many aspects of agriculture and rural development and reminded that there was a time when our villages were self-sufficient. Today the situation is such that milk and vegetables are also coming from the city into the village. The dependence of the village on the city is fatal for the rural economy. We have to pay attention to this as soon as possible. Modern methods of farming have to be taken to the villages. We have to increase productivity and take agricultural products to bigger markets, said Bais.

Increase Bihar’s greencover to 17%, says CM Nitish Kumar

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Chief ministerNitish Kumar asked the officials concerned to work for increasing the state’s green cover from existing 15% to 17%.

The state was left with just 9% of green cover after its bifurcation. “Massive plantation drives launched in 2012 saw the plantation of as many as 22 crore saplings in coming years. The state’s green cover has now reached 15%.

The CM looked very anguished over the increasing trend of stubble burning across the state and asked the officials to launch extensive campaigns to put a check on it.

37L treated under Urban Slum Healthcare Scheme

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More than 37 lakh people have got free treatment under the Chief Minister Urban Slum Health Scheme in Chhattisgarh. The scheme aims to make healthcare accessible and affordable for people living in urban slums.

An official communiqu on Monday said that under the scheme, facilities including doctor’s consultation, medical tests and medicines were provided in all urban areas across the state through 120 well-equipped mobile medical units.

Apart from providing the facility of medical tests to nearly 8.32 lakh people, free medicines were distributed to 30.94 lakh patients. The beneficiaries include about 2.59 lakh laborers.

Under the scheme, run by the Urban Administration and Development Department, 49,192 camps have been organized in the slums of 169 urban bodies.

The first phase of the scheme was started on November 1, 2020 with 60 mobile medical units to provide health facilities in slums in 14 areas.

Keeping in view thesuccess of this scheme, its scope was expanded to all urban bodies of the state on March 31, 2022.

Virtual review of schemes and development works in Agar-Malwa

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Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has said that every possible effort is being made to provide better life to the people of the state and provide all opportunities for development. The meaning of https://exam.pscnotes.com/good-Governance“>Good Governance is to ensure quality implementation of public welfare schemes and development activities within the time limit.

Those involved in Corruption in government work will not be spared. Strict action should be taken by adopting a policy of zero Tolerance towards drug peddlars and persons involved in anti-social activities. Those guilty of destroying young generation through drugs should not be spared. Chief Minister Chouhan was conducting a virtual review of public welfare schemes, development activities along with law and order in Agar-Malwa district. Chief Minister Chouhan also gave necessary instructions to the District officers.

Chief Minister Chouhan congratulated the District officers for the remarkable achievement against the target in Pradhan Mantri Awas Rural and Awas Plus Rural. He expressed concern over 59 percent progress in Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana Urban. He inquired about the non-commencement of the construction work even after receiving the housing installment.

Chief Minister Chouhan instructed to redress the complaint regarding quality of pipeline in Susner City under Jal Jeevan Mission. Instructions were given to develop Amrit Sarovar as per the concept of Prime Minister Modi. Instructions were also given to the collector to check the supply and distribution system of rice in ration distribution. Chief Minister Chouhan also inquired about the progress of construction of indoor stadium in Agar, widening of Ujjain-Jhalawar highway and Ujjain-Kota road.

It was told that 94 percent of the 18,008 houses sanctioned under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana Rural have been completed. Out of 13,087 houses approved in Awas Plus Rural, 5,328 houses have been completed. More than 50 thousand connections have been given under Jal Jeevan Mission.

The work of distribution of letters of approval of 93 thousand applications received under the Mukhya Mantri Janseva Abhiyan is in process. Construction of 50 out of 96 Amrit Sarovar sanctioned in the district has been completed. The rest will be completed by March. Special attention is being paid to timely operation of school Education and Health institutions.

Thermal plants yet to provide fly ash free of cost to NHAI

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The thermal power Plants in the state are in no mood to provide fly ash free of cost to theNational Highways Authority of India(NHAI) so that the toxic residue piling up after the burning of coal is safely disposed of and is utilised in the construction of roads, as per the ministry of Environment, forest, and https://exam.pscnotes.com/Climate-change”>Climate Change (MoEF & CC) directions.

The NHAI continues to struggle as plants have failed to adhere to the mandatory provision of providing fly ash for the construction of roads within a 300-km radius of coal-based thermal power plants to ensure safe and sustainable disposal of the toxic material.

Environmentalists alleged that operators of the plants are forging the figures as there is a big gap in generation and stock at the dyke. This way they sell the fly ash in open market.

TheNational Commission for Indian System of Medicine (NCISM)and the Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS), the two prominent institutions under the Ministry of Ayush, Government of India for regulating medical education and conducting scientific research respectively, have launchedSMART (Scope for Mainstreaming Ayurveda Research in Teaching Professionals).Theprogram aimed to boost scientific research in priority healthcare research areas through Ayurveda colleges and hospitals.

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The proposed initiative is conceptualised with an objective to identify, support and promote innovative research ideas in healthcare research areas including Osteoarthritis, Iron Deficiency Anaemia, Chronic Bronchitis, Dyslipidemia, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Obesity, Diabetes Mellitus, Psoriasis, Generalised Anxiety Disorder, Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).