1. Kerala launched the Kerala Fibre Optical Network (KFON)
Tags: State News
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The Kerala government June 5 officially launched the Kerala Fibre Optical Network (KFON), one of its flagship projects envisaged during the first term of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.
An overview of the news
Through KFON, Kerala, which is the first state to declare the right to internet as a fundamental right, aims to bridge the digital divide by ensuring high-speed broadband internet access to all households and government offices.
It also aims to promote e-governance and accelerate Kerala's journey towards becoming a knowledge-based economy.
What is Kerala Fibre Optic Network (KFON)?
In the first phase of KFON, the government will provide connectivity to 30,000 government offices and 14,000 BPL households in the state.
Till June 5, connectivity has been provided to 17,412 government offices and 2,105 households and a cable network has been laid to provide connections to 9,000 households.
Kerala Vision Broadband, an initiative of cable TV operators, is providing internet service in many districts of Kerala.
Private service providers will also benefit from KFON's infrastructure as they can use its cable network.
Internet connectivity to the households will be provided by the local ISP/TSP/Cable TV providers.
Stakeholders of KFON
The Rs 1,611-crore KFON project is a joint venture between the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) and the Kerala State IIT Infrastructure Limited.
The project was announced in 2017 but work started in 2019.
The project implementation was done by a consortium led by Central PSU Bharat Electronics Limited.
PricewaterhouseCoopers is the advisor to the project.
Kerala State Information Technology Infrastructure Ltd (KSITIL) would be responsible for the operations and maintenance of the project.
Bharat Electronics (BEL) is the system integrator for the KFON project.
The project is fully funded by Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB).
2. Uttar Pradesh government launches Nand Baba Milk Mission scheme
Tags: Government Schemes State News
In a bid to make Uttar Pradesh a leading state in the field of milk development and milk production, the state government has launched the Nand Baba Milk Mission scheme on 6th June at a cost of Rs 1,000 crore.
An overview of the news
The mission is implemented to facilitate milk producers to sell their milk at reasonable prices in villages through dairy cooperatives.
Under this mission, it is proposed to form a Dairy farmer producer organisation (Dairy FPO) in order to facilitate sale of milk in producers’ villages itself.
There is a plan to set up five dairy FPOs in five districts of the state as a pilot project in the financial year 2023-24, in which women will also play a major role.
Besides the opening of office of the Nand Baba Milk Mission at Gomtinagar, a ‘Dairy Development Portal’ and logo of Nand Baba Mission has also been unveiled by Cabinet Minister, Livestock and Dairy Development Department, Dharampal Singh.
Indian Dairy Sector
India ranks first in milk production and contributes 24% to global milk production.
The top 5 milk producing states are: Uttar Pradesh (14.9%), Rajasthan (14.6%), Madhya Pradesh (8.6%), Gujarat (7.6%) and Andhra Pradesh (7.0%).
Dairy is the single largest agricultural item contributing 5% to the national economy, which has been 6.4% in the last 5 years.
About 8 crore people are directly or indirectly employed in the dairy industry.
Some important facts related to milk and milk products
India is the world's largest milk producer, accounting for 23 percent of global production. It is followed by the United States, China, Pakistan and Brazil.
Uttar Pradesh is the largest milk producing state in India and accounts for more than 17% of the total milk production in India.
The per capita availability of milk in India is 406 grams per day.
Ordinary milk contains85 percent water and the remaining part consists of solid elements ie minerals and fat.
Milk contains protein, calcium and riboflavin (vitamin B-2).
Milk also contains vitamins A, D, K and E including phosphorus, magnesium, iodine and many minerals and fat and energy.
The purity of milk is measured by lactometer.
National Milk Research Institute is located at Karnal (Haryana).
An organic compound called lactose is found in milk.
The pH value of fresh milk is 6. When milk changes into curd, its pH value becomes less than 6.
Lactobacillus bacteria help in curdling of milk.
3. MP Govt to launch CM Learn and Earn scheme
Tags: Government Schemes State News
In Madhya Pradesh, the Chief Minister's Learn and Earn scheme is set to be launched with the aim of providing employable skills to the youth.
An overview of the news
Chief Minister's Learn and Earn scheme in Madhya Pradesh focuses on providing training, financial support, and employment opportunities to the youth.
By identifying numerous work areas and involving various industries, the scheme aims to equip the young workforce with the necessary skills to enhance their employability and contribute to the state's development.
Salient Features of the Scheme
Work Areas Identification
A total of 703 work areas have been identified for training purposes under this scheme.
These work areas cover a wide range of industries and sectors, ensuring diverse opportunities for skill development.
Allowance Provision
A significant aspect of the Learn and Earn scheme is that it not only focuses on skill acquisition but also provides financial support to the youth.
Participants in the scheme will receive a monthly allowance ranging from Rs 8,000 to 10,000.
This allowance aims to assist the youth in meeting their financial needs while they learn and work.
Government's Commitment
Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has expressed the government's continuous efforts to bridge the gap between youth and employment.
The Learn and Earn scheme is a proactive measure taken by the government to address the issue of unemployment by equipping young individuals with necessary skills.
Training Opportunities
The scheme targets the training of at least one lakh youth.
To facilitate this, the registration process will commence for establishments providing training to the youth, starting today.
Simultaneously, registration for the youth interested in acquiring work-related skills will commence from 15th June.
The selected youth will commence their work from 1st August, thereby creating a structured timeline for skill development and subsequent employment.
Madhya Pradesh
In terms of area, it is the second largest state of India after Rajasthan.
According to the Indian Forest Status Report-2021, Madhya Pradesh has the maximum forest cover in the country in terms of area.
25.14% of its area is covered by forests.
Governor - Mangubhai Patel
Chief Minister - Shivraj Singh Chouhan
Capital -Bhopal
4. KFON internet connectivity launched by Kerala government
Tags: State News
The Pinarayi Vijayan-led Kerala government officially launched the Kerala Fiber Optical Network (KFON) on 5 June.
An Overview of the News
Kerala is the first state to declare the right to internet as a fundamental right.
The main objective of KFON is to bridge the digital divide and ensure high-speed broadband internet access to all households and government offices in Kerala.
KFON uses fibre optic technology to provide fast and reliable internet connection.
The Government of Kerala aims to bridge the digital divide and promote digital inclusion through the implementation of KFON.
The initiative aims to create a robust digital infrastructure that fosters innovation, economic growth and social development.
By providing high-speed internet connectivity, KFON strives to ensure a level playing field for all citizens in accessing digital services.
Kerala Fiber Optical Network (KFON)
It is an optical fibre cable network spanning 30,000 km with 375 Points-of-Presence (PoPs) across Kerala.
The KFON infrastructure is shared with cable operators and all service providers.
KFON services will be provided through local ISPs, Telecom Service Providers (TSPs) and Cable TV providers.
About Kerala
Capital - Thiruvananthapuram
Official Bird - Great Hornbill
Governor - Arif Mohammad Khan
Chief Minister - Pinarayi Vijayan
Origin of rivers in Kerala
Periyar River
Bharathapuzha River
Pamba River
Chaliyar River
Chalakudy River
India's longest lake - Vembanad, Kerala
5. UP govt launches 'Elder Line' service to give shelter to elderly homeless
Tags: Government Schemes State News
The 'Elder Line' 14567 service was recently launched by the Uttar Pradesh Social Welfare Department.
An overview of the news
The initiative is the brainchild of Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Social Welfare Aseem Arun, who earlier headed the emergency helpline 112.
Objective of the initiative
The objective of the helpline is to rescue destitute old persons and provide them shelter in old age homes.
'Elder Line' 14567 service has been activated, actively responding to distress related to older persons.
Reporting destitute elderly
Citizens can report about destitute elderly persons on roadsides, bus stations, railway stations, or similar places.
The team of the Social Welfare Department immediately responds to the reports and ensures that the elderly person is shifted safely to the old age home with dignity.
Availability of Old Age Homes
Uttar Pradesh currently has 75 old age homes, one in each district.
These homes accommodate both male and female residents, providing them with necessary amenities and care.
Facilities and Services
Inmates of the old age homes receive free food, healthcare facilities, and entertainment options.
Health check-ups are conducted every 15 days by doctors from the Chief Medical Officer's office.
Each old age home is equipped with an ambulance to address emergency medical needs.
Enriching Lives
Old age homes organize outings and recreational activities for the residents.
Trips to places like Akshardham temple in Delhi are arranged, providing a refreshing experience for the elderly.
Such initiatives enhance their quality of life and create opportunities for enjoyment.
Benefits and Allowances
The state government has increased the breakfast allowance for elderly individuals in old age homes from Rs 75 to Rs 114 per day.
Inmates also receive an annual amount of Rs 2,500 for new clothes, Rs 200 per month for additional medicines, and Rs 150 for entertainment purposes.
Pension Scheme Integration
The social welfare department plans to link the over 6,000 elderly individuals residing in old age homes to the 'Rashtriya Vridhavastha Pension' scheme.
This integration aims to provide additional financial support to the elderly, offering them some extra pocket money.
6. SBI launches Project Kuber in Bengaluru
Tags: Economy/Finance State News
State Bank of India (SBI), Bengaluru Circle, recently launched 'Project Kuber' to meet the banking needs of its customers.
Project Kuber' aims to facilitate, and cater to various banking requirements of customers in Bengaluru Circle.
Transaction Banking Hubs
The project includes the establishment of four Transaction Banking Hubs and one Corporate Salary Package Hub.
These hubs will focus on increasing SBI's market share in liability products.
Nand Kishore, the Chief General Manager of SBI, Bengaluru Circle, inaugurated the hub on 3rd June.
They are located at SBI Administrative Building on KG Road and Sampige Road in Malleswaram.
The Transaction Banking Hubs will provide a range of services to both corporate and non-corporate clients.
These services include account opening, onboarding on SBI's digital platforms, and catering to payment and collection-related requirements.
The hubs will serve as a one-stop destination for digital banking services such as Yono Business, e-Payments, Cash Management Products, and more.
7. India's first carbon neutral village to be developed in Bhiwandi taluka of Thane district
Tags: State News
Union Minister of State, Kapil Patil, recently announced the development of India's first carbon-neutral village in Bhiwandi Taluka, located in Thane district.
An overview of the news
The government is actively working towards developing a carbon-neutral village in Bhiwandi Taluka, Thane district.
This initiative aims to minimize carbon emissions and promote sustainable practices for a cleaner and greener environment.
Along with the carbon-neutral village, 121 tribal villages are being developed as model villages.
These model villages serve as examples for sustainable development, showcasing effective infrastructure, amenities, and improved living conditions.
In the Bhiwandi Lok Sabha Constituency, around 1,75,000 farmers are benefiting from the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Yojana.
This scheme provides financial support to farmers, enhancing their livelihoods and promoting agricultural growth.
Development Projects
Several significant development projects have been completed in the Bhiwandi Lok Sabha Constituency, including the Thane-Bhiwandi-Kalyan Metro, Kalyan-Murbad Railway, Eight-Layer Majivada-Vadape Bypass, Shahapur-Khopoli Highway, among others.
These projects have been instrumental in driving progress and enhancing connectivity in the region.
8. Ahmednagar renamed Ahilyadevi Holkar Nagar
Tags: State News
Mumbai Chief Minister Eknath Shinde announced the renaming of Ahmednagar district in western Maharashtra to Ahilya Nagar, in honor of Ahilya Devi Holkar, an eminent ruler of the Malwa kingdom during the 18th century.
An overview of the news
The announcement was made during a ceremony commemorating Ahilya Devi's 298th birth anniversary in Ahmednagar.
The decision came in the wake of a controversy surrounding the temporary removal of statues of Ahilya Devi and social reformer Savitribai Phule from Maharashtra Sadan.
About Ahilya Devi Holkar
Born on May 31, 1725, in the village of Chondi in Jamkhed, Ahmednagar, Maharani Ahilya Devi Holkar is recognized as one of the most accomplished female rulers in Indian history.
As a prominent ruler of the Malwa kingdom and a member of the Maratha Holkar clan, she championed the principles of dharma and promoted industrialization during the 18th century.
She encouraged trade and commerce, improved infrastructure, and supported the growth of industries.
Her efforts played a crucial role in fostering economic development and prosperity in the region.
As a tribute to her legacy, Indore's domestic airport has already been named Devi Ahilyabai Holkar Airport, and the Indore university has been renamed Devi Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya.
9. Two-day lavender festival inaugurated in Bhaderwah
Tags: State News
Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh inaugurated the two-day lavender festival at Bhaderwah in Jammu on 4th June.
An overview of the news
He said Bhaderwah has emerged as the Lavender capital of India and Agri StartUp destination.
CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Jammu organized the event as part of its 'One Week One Laboratory' campaign.
Dr Jitendra Singh described Bhaderwah as the birthplace of India's 'Purple Revolution' and a destination for agri-startups.
CSIR-Aroma Mission
This is a flagship project of CSIR, under which lavender cultivation is being promoted in the temperate regions of Jammu and Kashmir region.
The objective of this project is to increase the income of small and marginal farmers and to develop agri-based startups.
The project is being directly monitored by the Union Minister of State for Science & Technology (Independent Charge) Dr. Jitendra Singh.
Under his directions, lavender cultivation is being promoted at CSIR-IIIM Bhaderwah and other parts of J&K.
A specific species of lavender, RRL-12
CSIR-IIIM has developed its own unique species of lavender (RRL-12) and cultivation technology of lavender.
This species of lavender has proved very suitable for lavender cultivation in rainfed temperate regions of India.
CSIR-IIIM initiated lavender cultivation under CSIR-Aroma Mission and provided more than 30 lakh lavender plants free of cost to the farmers of different districts of J&K.
What is lavender cultivation?
Lavender is a popular aromatic herb known for its beautiful flowers and soothing fragrance.
It is widely cultivated for various purposes, including ornamental, culinary, and therapeutic uses.
It belongs to the Lamiaceae family.
Lavender flowers are used to flavor various dishes, desserts and beverages.
It is also a popular ingredient in teas and herbal infusions.
Lavender oil is widely used in aromatherapy, perfumes, soaps, candles, and cosmetics.
Some popular lavender varieties include English lavender, French lavender and Spanish lavender.
10. J&K’s Kishtwar will become north India’s major ‘power hub’
Tags: State News
Union Minister of State for Personnel, Jitendra Singh, announced that Jammu and Kashmir's Kishtwar will become North India's major "power hub" generating approximately 6,000 MW of power upon the completion of ongoing power projects.
An overview of the news
The minister held a meeting to review the progress of various hydroelectric power projects in the Kishtwar and Doda districts of Jammu and Kashmir.
NHPC chairman Rajiv Vishnoi, Deputy Commissioner Kishtwar Devansh Yadav, and officials provided updates on the projects during the meeting.
The surplus power generated in Kishtwar will not only be utilized within the Union Territory but can also be availed by other states.
He assured 100% reservation for locals in unskilled jobs and pledged to prioritize local talent for skilled manpower requirements in these projects.
Singh highlighted the improvement in connectivity, stating that road travel time from Jammu to Kishtwar has reduced from over seven hours in 2014 to less than five hours currently.
Kishtwar has been included in the aviation map of India and a sanctioned airport under the Centre's UDAAN scheme.
Modi government aims to bring underdeveloped regions like Kishtwar, northeastern states, and hilly areas at par with more developed regions of the country.
Jammu and Kashmir
Jammu and Kashmir was a state of India till August 2019, which was bifurcated on 31 August 2019 to form two union territories named Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.
Capital- Srinagar (May–October), Jammu (November–April)
Lieutenant Governor -Manoj Sinha
Legislative Council - 36 seats
Legislative Assembly -89 seats
