1. GSITI Hyderabad recognized as "Athi Uttam"
Tags: State News
The Geological Survey Training Institute of India (GSITI) located at Hyderabad has been accredited as “Athi Uttam” by the National Accreditation Board for Education and Training (NABET).
An Overview of the News
The accreditation recognizes GSITI's excellent services and high standards in the field of Earth Science training.
The accreditation was granted to GSITI after an on-site assessment conducted by Capacity Building Commission (CBC), NABET and Quality Control of India.
GSITI, established in 1976, functions under the Ministry of Mines and is headquartered in Hyderabad.
The institute consists of six Regional Training Divisions (RTDs) located at Hyderabad, Nagpur, Jaipur, Lucknow, Kolkata and Shillong.
Four Field Training Centers (FTCs) are also established at Chitradurga (Karnataka), Raipur (Chhattisgarh), Jawar (Rajasthan) and Kuju (Jharkhand).
The Institute conducts courses on Remote Sensing sponsored by the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) under the NNRMS programme.
About Telangana
It is a state located in south-central India on the high Deccan Plateau.
Telangana was carved out of the northwestern part of Andhra Pradesh on 2 June 2014 and became the newly formed state of Telangana with Hyderabad as the capital.
Telangana is bordered by Maharashtra to the north, Chhattisgarh to the northeast, Karnataka to the west, and Andhra Pradesh to the east and south.
As of 2019, the state of Telangana is divided into 33 districts.
District - 33
Governor - Tamilisai Soundararajan
Chief Minister - K Chandrasekhar Rao (BRS)
State Legislature - Bicameral
Council - (40 seats)
Legislative Assembly - (119 seats)
Rajya Sabha - 7 seats
Lok Sabha - 17 seats
2. Foundation stone for ten National Highway projects worth over Rs 8000 crore laid in Uttar Pradesh
Tags: State News
Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari laid the foundation stone for ten National Highway projects worth over Rs 8000 crore at Pratapgarh and Deoria in Uttar Pradesh on 12 June 2023.
An Overview of the News:
- The Union Minister laid the foundation stone of 5 NH projects worth Rs 2,200 crore in Pratapgarh region and 5 NH projects worth Rs 6,215 crore in Deoria in the presence of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.
- According to the Union Minister, the 43 km widening of National Highway 330 from Pratapgarh to Sultanpur being constructed at a cost of Rs 1290 crore will reduce the travel time from Prayagraj to Pratapgarh via Ayodhya.
- He said that the construction work of the proposed 14 km bypass in Pratapgarh at a cost of Rs 309 crore would also start soon.
- Road safety work for street lights, bus shelter etc. will be done on National Highway 31 at a cost of Rs 27 crore.
- The construction of Pratapgarh-Musafirkhana section will accelerate the development of cement plant, gas plant, bottling plant and dairy milk factory industries.
- All these projects will encourage investment in Uttar Pradesh and create new employment opportunities.
Uttar Pradesh:
- Capital: Lucknow
- Governor: Anandiben Patel
- Chief Minister: Yogi Adityanath
- Number of seats in the assembly: 403
- Number of Legislative Council seats: 100
- Number of seats in Lok Sabha: 80
- Number of seats in Rajya Sabha: 31
3. ADB gives 130 million dollars to increase horticulture in Himachal Pradesh
Tags: State News
The Government of India on 8 June 2023 signed a $130 million loan agreement with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to enhance the income of Himachal Pradesh farmers.
An Overview of the News:
- This $130 million loan will be used to increase agricultural productivity, improve irrigation facilities and promote horticulture agribusinesses in Himachal Pradesh.
- The agreement was signed by Rajat Kumar Mishra, Additional Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance, on behalf of the Government of India, and Takeo Konishi, Director of ADB's India Resident Mission, on behalf of ADB.
Benefits from the Agreement:
- Improvement of sub-tropical horticulture in southern regions of Himachal Pradesh,
- Crop diversification in rural areas of the state,
- opportunities for climate adaptation and more equitable economic and social development.
- Supporting horticulture value chains will also encourage the contribution of this sub-sector to the development and food security of the country.
- The implementation of this project will help at least 15,000 agricultural families in 7 districts of the state – Bilaspur, Hamirpur, Kangra, Mandi, Sirmaur, Solan and Una – to increase their income and combat the effects of climate change.
- The project will also help create an ecosystem to improve farmers' access to markets for subtropical horticulture.
Himachal Pradesh:
- Capital: Shimla (Summer) Dharamshala (Winter)
- Governor: Shiv Pratap Shukla
- Chief Minister: Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu
Asian Development Bank (ADB):
- ADB was established on December 19, 1966 as a regional development bank.
- Members: 68 countries (India is a founding member)
- Headquarters: Manila, Philippines.
- Objective: To promote social and economic development in Asia.
4. 'Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana' as a ‘God Bharai' ceremony in Rajasthan
Tags: State News
According to Jaskaur Meena, MP from Dausa, Rajasthan, people in Dausa, Rajasthan celebrate 'Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana' as a ‘God Bharai' (Baby Shower) ceremony.
An Overview of the News:
- In this ceremony all the pregnant women of the area come together and they are provided with 'nutritional kits' for the health of their babies.
- According to MP Jaskaur Meena, about 3.5 lakh women have benefited from this scheme during 2022-23 only in Rajasthan.
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi has appreciated the new initiative of celebrating 'Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana' as a 'baby shower' ceremony in Dausa, Rajasthan.
- This unique initiative of Dausa will give new energy to 'Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana'. This initiative will ensure the health security of not only the mothers but also the babies.
Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY):
- PMMVY was launched on January 1, 2017 as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme.
- This scheme, run by the Union Ministry of Child Development, was done for the welfare of pregnant and lactating women across the country.
- Under this, cash benefits are provided to pregnant women directly into their bank accounts to meet increased nutritional requirements and partially compensate for wage loss.
- All pregnant women and lactating mothers who are in regular employment under the Central Government or State Governments or Public Undertakings or who are in receipt of similar benefits under any law.
- Under this, five thousand rupees are given to all the eligible beneficiaries in three installments and the remaining amount of one thousand rupees is given after institutional delivery as per the conditions of maternity benefit under Janani Suraksha Yojana.
- Thus on an average a woman is given Rs.6000.
Rajasthan:
- Capital: Jaipur
- Governor: Kalraj Mishra
- Chief Minister: Ashok Gehlot
- Number of seats in the Legislative Assembly: 200
- Number of seats in Lok Sabha: 25
- Number of seats in Rajya Sabha: 10
5. Punjab sets target of sowing paddy in 5 lakh acres of land through DSR method
Tags: State News
The Punjab government recently has set a target of five lakh acres to be sown under direct seeded rice (DSR) method of paddy cultivation this kharif season.
An overview of the news
The DSR target for this season is 2.5 times more than the previous season (2.12 lakh acres).
The state government has identified varieties suitable for different agro-climatic zones of the state and made arrangements for their availability to the farmers.
To encourage farmers to adopt the DSR method, the government has provided subsidy on seed drill, herbicides and weedicides.
The state government has engaged experts from Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) and Agriculture Department to provide technical guidance and monitoring to the farmers.
What is the Direct Seeded Rice (DSR) method?
Direct Seeded Rice (DSR), also known as the 'broadcasting seed technique', is a water-saving method of sowing paddy in agriculture.
In DSR, the paddy seeds are directly drilled into the fields, eliminating the need for transplanting rice seedlings from a nursery to waterlogged fields.
This technique helps in conserving groundwater compared to the traditional method, which requires extensive water for maintaining waterlogged conditions.
Advantages of DSR Method
DSR offers several advantages, such as reduced water consumption, labor, and time required for transplanting.
The technique also minimizes weed growth, as the direct seeding method provides less opportunity for weed establishment.
Implementing DSR requires adequate knowledge and skills in seed selection, sowing depth, and timing to achieve optimal results.
DSR contributes to sustainable agriculture by reducing water usage, conserving natural resources, and improving overall crop productivity.
6. Government of Madhya Pradesh launched Mukhyamantri Ladli Bahna Yojana
Tags: Government Schemes State News
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan launched the 'Mukhya Mantri Ladli Bahna Yojana'.
An Overview of the News
The Ladli Bahna Yojana 2023 was officially inaugurated by CM Chouhan, who took the initiative to deposit the first instalment of Rs 1,000 in the accounts of eligible women beneficiaries.
This scheme was launched in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh with the primary objective of empowering women and providing financial assistance to them.
The chief minister outlined plans to increase the monthly support to Rs 1,200, Rs 1,500, Rs 1,700 and eventually Rs 2,000, thereby increasing the financial assistance provided to beneficiaries.
About Ladli Behna Scheme
It was started on March 15 by Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan.
This scheme provides financial assistance to women in Madhya Pradesh.
Under the scheme, an amount of Rs 12,000 per year ie Rs 1,000 per month is sent directly to the bank accounts of eligible women.
The state government has allocated a budget of Rs 60,000 crore for the implementation of the scheme.
The scheme is open to women belonging to various categories including general, OBC, SC, ST, abandoned, or widowed women.
Eligible women will have to fulfill certain criteria including being economically weak and owning less than five acres of land.
The scheme targets women with an annual income of less than Rs 2.5 lakh.
The age of the woman should be between 23 to 60 years to be eligible for the scheme.
About Madhya Pradesh
It is the second largest state of India by area after Rajasthan.
Forests occupy 25.14 percent of its area.
Governor - Mangubhai Patel
Chief Minister - Shivraj Singh Chouhan
Capital - Bhopal
7. GeM to organise District level Buyer-Seller workshops in Uttar Pradesh
Tags: State News
Government e-Marketplace (GeM), India's premier online procurement platform, is organising Buyer-Seller Workshops in all the 75 districts of Uttar Pradesh from 12th June till 31st August, 2023.
An overview of the news
These workshops aim to enhance the understanding of GeM's functionalities among buyers and sellers in the state, as well as provide a platform to address any queries or concerns they may have.
The Buyer-Seller Workshops are a significant step towards ensuring accessibility and participation from every corner of the state.
GeM believes in empowering buyers and sellers in the remotest districts of Uttar Pradesh by providing them with the necessary knowledge and resources to leverage the benefits of the platform effectively.
These workshops will serve as a platform to address queries, provide guidance, and discuss any issues faced by the users at the district level.
During the workshops, participants will receive comprehensive training on GeM's features, registration processes, and various aspects of online procurement.
GeM experts will be available to provide hands-on assistance and address specific concerns faced by buyers and sellers.
About Government-e-Marketplace (GeM) platform
Launch - 9 August 2016
Purpose - to bring transparency and efficiency in the government buying process
Nodal Ministry - Ministry of Commerce and Industry
GeM works on inclusion, transparency and efficiency.
Who registered on GeM - Artisans, weavers, SHGs, startups, women entrepreneurs & MSMEs are registered on GeM.
The portal is open for - all government buyers, Central and State Ministries, departments, public sector enterprises, autonomous institutions, local bodies, etc
Private buyers cannot buy on the platform but private people can sell products to government bodies by the portal.
8. Gauhati HC quashed Nagaland govt’s notification banning dog meat’s sale
Tags: State News
The Kohima bench of the Gauhati High Courtrecently quashed the 2020 order of the Nagaland government that banned the sale and trade of dog meat in markets and restaurants.
An overview of the news
The High Court has observed in its order that the State or its executive officers cannot interfere with the rights of others unless they refer to a specific rule of law, which authorizes them to do so.
The High Court observed that dog meat appears to be an accepted food among the Nagas even in modern times.
Justice Marly Wankung gave this decision after hearing the petition of three persons.
This petition was filed under Article 226 of the Constitution for issuance of appropriate writ for violation of fundamental rights of the petitioners and principles of natural justice.
The Nagaland government had banned the sale, trade and import of dog meat on July 4, 2020, after photographs of disabled dogs tied in sacks were circulated on social media.
Nagaland State
Nagaland was formally recognized as a separate state on December 1, 1963, with Kohima declared as its capital.
It is bounded by Arunachal Pradesh in the northeast, Manipur in the south and Assam in the west and northwest and Myanmar (Burma) in the east.
Mithun (Gyal) is the state animal of Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh.
Blyth's Tragopan is the state bird of Nagaland.
The Konyaks are the largest tribe, followed by the Aos, Tangkhul, Semas and Angami.
Other tribes include the Lotha, Sangtam, Phom, Chang, Khim Hungama, Yimchungar, Zeliang, Chakhesang (chokri) and Rengma.
9. Haryana CM to launch integrated Water Resources Action Plan-2023-25
Tags: State News
Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal will inaugurate the integrated Water Resources Action Plan-2023-25 under the Amrit Jal Kranti initiative.
An overview of the news
This plan, aimed at conserving water resources, represents a significant and proactive step in addressing water conservation in the state.
Water conservation seminar
Under the leadership of the Chief Minister, a two-day water conservation seminar was conducted in Panchkula on April 26-27.
The seminar witnessed the participation of various departments from Haryana, along with experts from India and abroad, who shared their research and insights on water conservation.
Taking into account the suggestions and inputs received during the water conservation seminar, all the departments have collaborated to prepare an action plan for water conservation.
This plan reflects the collective efforts and expertise of multiple departments in tackling the challenges related to water resources.
Previous Initiatives by the Chief Minister
Chief Minister Manohar Lal has been actively involved in initiatives promoting water conservation.
Under his guidance, the successful implementation of the Mera Pani-Meri Virasat Yojana has garnered recognition and appreciation from other states.
These initiatives have delivered significant outcomes in the realm of water conservation.
10. Kerala’s FarmersFZ start-up chosen for UN’s Accelerator Programme
Tags: State News
Farmers Fresh Zone (FarmersFZ), a Kerala-based startup, has achieved recognition by being chosen for the United Nations' 'Accelerator Programme.'
An overview of the news
This program, organized by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the UN, aims to support and develop agri-food startups worldwide.
Inclusion in the List of 12 Agri-Food Startups
FarmersFZ has been included in a select list of 12 agri-food startups worldwide, curated by the UN body.
The Kochi-based multichannel marketplace platform, operating under the Kerala Startup Mission (KSUM), aims to contribute to the achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Kerala Startup Mission (KSUM)
FarmersFZ operates under the Kerala Startup Mission (KSUM), which serves as the nodal agency for entrepreneurship development and incubation activities in the state of Kerala, India.
KSUM promotes and supports startup initiatives across various sectors, including agriculture and food technology.
Participation in the UN Event
Pradeep P.S., the CEO of FarmersFZ, will attend the UN event in Rome next month.
This event, known as the 'UN Food Systems Summit Stocktaking Moment,' will take place at the premises of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) from July 24 to 26, 2023.
The program provides an opportunity for FarmersFZ to showcase its model to countries from different continents.
FarmersFZ's Mission
FarmersFZ acts as a bridge between rural farmers and urban consumers, offering healthy, premium-quality, and pesticide-free vegetables within 24 hours of harvest.
The platform connects over three lakh consumers and 2,000 farmers in Kerala, facilitating direct farm-to-table delivery.
