27-28.02.22

ASHA workers to be covered under AB-PMJAY

by

Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar today granted formal administrative approval to cover ASHA (Accredited Social Health Activist) workers under Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY).

State Health Minister Anil Vij said the CM had declared at a meeting held on July 27, 2021, that Nambardars, chowkidars, ASHA, anganwari and MGNREGA workers, street vendors, rickshaw-wallahs and auto drivers will also be covered under the Ayushman Bharat scheme.

Vij said the National Health Mission, Haryana, had allocated Rs248.11 lakh to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, to implement this project (Project Implementation Plan 2022-23) to cover ASHA workers in the Ayushman Bharat scheme, for which the proposal had already been sent to the Centre.

8.82 lakh unemployed in Himachal Pradesh, job creation a challenge for govt in poll year

by

As per the figures cited by the Industries and Labour Department, the number of youth registered in EMPLOYMENT exchanges across the state stands at 8,82,269. In reality, the count would be much higher as there would be many who havent got themselves enrolled for jobs. The Congress puts the figure at 14 lakh. Successive governments, both of the BJP and Congress, have tried to provide succour to the huge contingent of unemployed youth by announcing an Unemployment allowance. It was the late Virbhadra Singh who first announced unemployment allowance of Rs 1,000 and Rs 1,500 for the differently abled, subject to certain eligibility criteria, just before the 2017 Assembly poll. The BJP government too continued with the practice. It has provided this allowance to 76,855 youth in the last three years, indicating that the benefit goes to just a small segment. With limited job avenues in the government sector and the near-absence of in most parts of the state, barring the border districts of Kangra, Solan, Una and Sirmour, unemployment remains the most crucial issue. The outbreak of Covid pandemic hasmade the situation more grim. Thousands of youth have returned Home from other states. There is no denying that it is next to impossible for the State Government to provide jobs to all. Efforts have been made to attract big Investment. Over 40 industrial units have closed down while many others have been compelled to put on hold their expansion plans over the last two years.

The tourism sector which could have helped provide jobs is probably the worst-hit with people avoiding holidays and only undertaking compulsory travel. As such, the jobless educated youth of the state is staring at limited avenues in Himachal and not seeing a change in the situation in the immediate future.

NFDB to help Govt to promote fish production in State

by

National Development Board (NFDB), Chief Executive, Dr C Suvarna was on a visit to Jharkhand to inquire about the progress of Blue Revolution and Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) in Jharkhand and technical changes taking place in fisheries here. She said during the meeting that the Board will provide full support to the fish farmers of the State.

The Chief Executive said that the NFDB is always ready to help the State with technical assistance; the farmers here can be further promoted. Apart from this, she also said that behind this achievement of fish farming in Jharkhand, the guidelines of the officials and the hard work of the fish farmers here are also hidden.

On the second day of Jharkhand tour, Suvarna visited the retail fish market built in Deoghar district and Amit Kumar’s recirculatory aquaculture system under Blue Revolution Scheme in the presence of Director Fisheries, HN Dwivedi and Jharkhand and District Fisheries Officer, Deoghar, Prashant Kumar. Along with this, under construction of selected beneficiary Pradeep Gupta under PMSSY, a recirculatory aquaculture system of Rs 7.50 lakh, biofloc pond under construction of Kaushalya Devi was also inspected. During the excursion, the work of fish-cum-duck rearing was also seen. Discussions on fisheries development were also held with Manjunath Bhajantri, Deputy Commissioner, Deoghar. In order to return to Ranchi, fish seed hatcheries and fish feed sites under construction in Giridih district were also seen under the PMMSY.

Bihar government zeroes in on six sutras for development

by

Deputy CM cum finance ministerTarkishore Prasadsaid that the government has zeroed in on six sutras to revive the states economy in 2022-23, after it was severely hit by the lockdown arising from the coronavirus pandemic that brought down theGSDPGrowth rate to 2.5% in 2020-21.

The six sutras include carrying out vigorous activities in Agriculture-notes-for-state-psc-exams”>Agriculture and allied (fishery, and Dairy) areas, as well as in Health, industries (ethanol production and others), Education, Infrastructure development in the rural and urban areas and social welfare.
In tune with the same, the nine departments of the state are the highest grossers in the scheme outlay (Plan Fund). They are education, rural development, social welfare, rural works, health, road construction, urban development and housing, and Resources“>Water Resources departments.

The scheme outlay, excluding committed expenditure, for the education department is Rs 22,198.38 crore, that is 22.20% of the total scheme outlay, followed by Rs13,193.19 crore (15.19%) for rural development, Rs8,191.79 crore (8.19%) for social welfare, Rs 7,950.27 crore (7.95%) for rural works and Rs 7,035.56 (7.04%) for the health department.

Among others, Rs4,420.99 crore (4.42%) has been earmarked for road construction, Rs4,055.10 crore (4.06%) for urban development and housing, Rs 3,232.63 crore (3.23%) for water resources development and Rs 2,781.99 crore (2.78%) for agriculture-related activities.

Drive to improve academic standards after ASER red flag on kids performance

by

A campaign has been launched inChhattisgarhto improve the academic stanadards of students in the schools of the state. The move comes after an Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) indicated that prolonged lockdown of schools have affected performance of students.

The result of this external assessment will be used to assess the performance grading of block education officers. A weekly review will be arranged at various levels during the campaign. The officers in-charge from the state and district level will regularly review the implementation of this programme in their district and development block.

The academic monitoring system will be strictly enforced and the entire focus of the inspection will be to improve the achievement of children. For this, it will be necessary to inspect the schools at different levels according to the prescribed quota and improve work.

Anaemia in women: Survey paints a grim picture in Madhya Pradesh

by

More than half of all districts inMadhya Pradeshhave reported prevalence ofanaemiain non-pregnant reproductive age females that was more than the states Average of 52%.
The National Family and Health survey-5 details showed that 29 of 52 districts had reported more than 52.4% prevalence of anaemia in non-pregnant reproductive age (15-49 years) females.

Of those 29, the districts like Bhind, Morena, Khandwa, Gwalior, Sheopur, Dindori, Alirajpur, Chhatarpur,Harda, Rewa, Balaghat, Mandla andSeonihad over 60% anaemia prevalence in non-pregnant Women, showed NFHS-5 figures.

Bhind had a maximum 70% anaemic woman, showed NFHS-5 figures. Anaemia in pregnant women could cause complications including premature delivery, reducing physical capacity and in non-pregnant women reduces their work capacity.

Feb GST collection surges 8% in state

by

Increased inflationary pressure, improved industrial production, revival in demand and in turn consumption kept tax collection buoyant in February. According to the data byUnion ministry of finance, the goods and Services tax (GST) collection inGujaratstood at Rs 8,873 crore in February 2022, up 8% year-on-year against Rs 8,221 crore in the corresponding month last year.

players and tax professionals attribute the spike in tax collection to Inflation and cost pressures in addition to streamlining of business procurement cycles.

According to data by state commercial tax department, total collection of state goods and services tax (SGST), stood at Rs 3,007.46 crore with anIGSTsettlement of Rs 1,179.74 crore, amounting to a total of Rs 4,187.20 crore in February as compared to Rs 4,365.79 crore in January
Net VAT collection in Gujarat stood at Rs 2,592.28 crore in February as compared to Rs 2,622.4 crore in January.

National Food Security Act: Rajasthan govt may open portal for new registration from April

by

The states food and civil supplies department may open the portal for adding more beneficiaries under the National Act (NFSA) from April this year.
To start new registration of NFSA beneficiaries with urban areas, where the number of beneficiaries is very low, the department has sent the file to the chief ministers office (CMO) after being approved by the food ministerPratap Singh Khachariyawas.

CMAshok Gehlothad announced during his budget speech that 10 lakh new beneficiaries would be added to the NFSA list in the next financial year.

In urban areas like Jaipur, where the Percentage of beneficiaries is around 20-25%, new beneficiaries could be added on a priority basis, Agarwal had said. Gehlot had written to Prime MinisterNarendra Modiurging him to increase the limit on the number of NFSA beneficiaries, which was earlier, determined based on the 2011 census – on the basis of the current Population (2021) in the state.

PM CARE for Children Scheme Extended

by

The PM Cares for children Scheme has been extended by the Ministry of Women and Child Development of the govt of India till February 28, 2022.

Highlights

The PM Cares for children Scheme has been extended by the Ministry of women and Child Development of the govt of India till February 28, 2022.

Previously, the Scheme was applicable till New Year’s Eve, 2021.

During this reference, a letter has been written to all Principal Secretaries/ Secretaries, Women and Child Development, Social & Empowerment Departments of all States and UTs, with a replica to all or any District Magistrates/District Collectors.

To be eligible for the Scheme, the kid must be under 18 at the time of their parent’s death to be considered eligible for payments under this plan.

Fresh Fruits Exports From India

by

Fresh fruits export from India has witnessed immense Growth in the past year.

Highlights

In April-January 2021-22, guava exports have risen to USD 2.09 million against USD 0.58 million recorded in April-January 2013-14.

Paneer (Indian cottage cheese) and Curd (yogurt) exports have also increased to USD 30 million in AprilJanuary 2021-22 from USD 10 million in AprilJanuary 2013-14.

Pomegranates, Grapes, Bananas, Mangoes, and Oranges are the foremost fruits exported from the country.

In vegetables, Mixed Vegetables, Onions, Tomatoes, Potatoes, and Green Chilly take the leading share of exports from India.