1. Karnataka becomes the latest state to join the DBT bandwagon
Tags: State News
The Congress-led government in Karnataka formally approved the implementation of two Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) schemes, Griha Lakshmi and Yuvanidhi.
An Overview of the News
The Griha Lakshmi scheme aims to transfer Rs 2,000 per month to all women heads of households, while Yuva Nidhi provides an unemployment allowance of Rs 3,000 per month for graduates and Rs 1,500 per month for diploma holders.
Griha Lakshmi is inspired by Tamil Nadu's Magalir Urimai Thogai scheme, but differs as it covers all female heads of households, not just eligible women.
Comparison with Telangana and Andhra Pradesh:
Telangana:
Telangana's Rythu Bandhu scheme, launched in 2018, offers investment support of Rs 5,000 per acre per crop season to land-owning farmers.
In ten seasons, the scheme has disbursed a cumulative amount of Rs 65,559 crore to around 65 lakh farmers.
Telangana also implements various welfare schemes under the DBT mode, such as Asara (monthly pension for senior citizens and targeted beneficiaries), Rythu Bima (group life insurance), debt relief for farmers, and Kalyana Lakshmi/Shaadi Mubarak.
Andhra Pradesh:
Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, the Government of Andhra Pradesh has transferred a cumulative amount of Rs 210,177.89 crore to about 7.89 crore beneficiaries in 28 DBT schemes.
Notable DBT schemes in Andhra Pradesh include YSR Pension Kanuka, YSR Aasara, Sunna Vaddi, Cheyutha, Jagannan Ammavodi, Jagannath Vidya Deevena and Dr YSR Aarogyasri.
These schemes benefit different sections of the society and aim to provide assistance to pensioners, women, students, farmers and needy persons.
About Karnataka
It is a state in southwest India and is bordered by Maharashtra to the north, Goa to the northwest, Andhra Pradesh to the east, Tamil Nadu to the southeast, and Kerala to the southwest.
Capital - Bengaluru
Chief Minister - Siddaramaiah
Governor - Thawar Chand Gehlot
Official Animal - Indian Elephant
Official Dance - Yakshagana
2. Odisha becomes the first state to notify a committee for conservation of seeds preserved by tribal farmers
Tags: State News
The Odisha government has established a committee called the Landrace Varietal Release Committee (LVRC) to release traditional millet varieties in accordance with standard operating protocols (SoP) for seed systems.
An overview of the news
Odisha is the first state in India to develop a protocol for releasing indigenous millet varieties conserved by tribal farmers for centuries.
Landraces refer to ecotypes that have been cultivated for a long time in their original habitats.
It is crucial to preserve these landraces before they become extinct.
The initiative aims to preserve traditional landraces, promote agrobiodiversity, and empower custodian farmers in Odisha while supporting sustainable agricultural practices.
Landrace Varietal Release Committee (LVRC)
The objective of the committee is to recognize the efforts of custodian farmers, particularly tribals, in conserving traditional millet landraces.
The LVRC consists of representatives from the Agriculture department, Odisha State Seed and Organic Products Certification Agency, Odisha State Seed Corporation, State Seed Testing Laboratory, Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology, ICAR-IIMR, custodian farmers, Farmers Producer Organisations etc.
The committee will advise the state government on mainstreaming landraces of millets in Odisha, review the implementation of the SoP, and submit periodic reports.
The LVRC will assess and release landraces of millet crops in the state based on their traits and farmer preferences, as well as review seed requirements and plan for different regions of the state.
Participatory varietal trials (PVTs)
Participatory varietal trials (PVTs) conducted under the Odisha Millets Mission (OMM) have shown that certain millet landraces perform better than released varieties under different agricultural practices.
Standard Operating Protocol (SoP)
The working group, in consultation with experts from various institutions, developed a standard operating protocol (SoP) for seed systems for landraces.
The SoP takes into account scientific parameters such as yield, as well as criteria like taste, climate resilience, pest tolerance, and cultural significance.
The comprehensive SoP developed for landrace seed systems in Odisha is not only applicable to millets but can also be contextualized for other crops, including horticulture.
3. Odisha Train Accident
Tags: State News
The death toll of the tragictrain accident in Balasore's Bahanaga station in Odisha has risen to 238, and around 900 are feared critically injured.
An overview of the news
Several carriages from the Shalimar-Chennai Coromandel Express derailed in Balasore district on 2nd June night, hit a stationary goods train and several of its coaches ended up on the opposite track.
Another train, the Howrah Superfast Express going from Yesvantpur to Howrah collided with the overturned bogies.
The force with which the trains collided resulted in the shattering of several coaches.
Fatal train accidents in india
Year 2014: On May 26, Gorakhdham Express going towards Gorakhpur collided with a stopped goods train near Khalilabad station in Sant Kabir Nagar, Uttar Pradesh, killing 25 people and injuring more than 50.
2016: On 20 November, the Indore-Patna Express derailed near Pukhrayan in Kanpur, killing at least 150 passengers and injuring over 150.
2017: On August 18, the Puri-Haridwar Utkal Express derailed in Muzaffarnagar, killing 23 people and injuring around 60 others.
Year 2022: On 13 January, 12 coaches of the Bikaner-Guwahati Express derailed in Alipurduar area of West Bengal, killing 9 people and injuring 36 others.
4. Araku coffee and black pepper get organic certification
Tags: State News
Araku Valley coffee and black pepper from Andhra Pradesh have received organic certification.
An Overview of the News
The organic certification was granted by the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), a central government sector organisation.
Tribal Cooperative Societies Girijan Sahakari Nigam gets organic certification for coffee.
Organic certification was provided to over 1300 tribal farmers from Gondiparla, Lambasingi and Kappalu clusters in Chintapalli division of Visakha Agency.
The organic certification covers coffee and pepper crops grown in about 21,104 acres of land.
The process of obtaining an NPOP certificate started four years back.
Organic certification will enable tribal farmers to command higher prices for their coffee and black pepper.
About APEDA
It is an Indian apex-export trade promotion active government body.
It is a premier organisation promoting the export of fresh vegetables and fruits.
It works under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
It acts as the apex body for promotion and development of export trade of agricultural and processed food products.
It establishes and enforces quality standards, packaging requirements and other specifications for agricultural exports.
Establishment - 13 February 1986
5. 'Mo Ghara' housing scheme launched by Odisha
Tags: Government Schemes State News
The Odisha government launched the 'Mo Ghara' (My Home) housing scheme on May 29, 2023.
An Overview of the News
The scheme provides credit-linked financial assistance to economically and socially weaker families and the scheme is fully funded from the state budget.
Applications for the loan will open from June 15, 2023 and the scheme covers families who were earlier excluded from the housing schemes.
Beneficiaries can avail housing loans up to Rs.3 lakh.
The state government waives off registration fee, stamp duty and processing fee for bank loan approval.
The 'Mo Ghara' housing scheme is in addition to the Biju Pakka Ghar Yojana (BPGY) and Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Gramin.
About Odisha
Capital - Bhubaneswar
Governor - Ganeshi Lal
Chief Minister - Naveen Patnaik
6. Ahmednagar to be named after Ahilyabai Holkar
Tags: State News
Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde announced that Ahmednagar district will be named after warrior queen Ahilyabai Holkar.
An Overview of the News
The announcement was made during a program organised at the birthplace of Ahilyabai Holkar on her 297th birth anniversary at Chondi village in Ahmednagar district.
Ahilyabai Holkar, born in 1725, was a famous ruler of the Indore kingdom, known for her wisdom and compassion.
Earlier, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde had announced on May 28 that the Bandra-Versova sea-link bridge would be named 'Veer Savarkar Setu'.
About Maharashtra
It is a state located in the western part of India and covers a significant part of the Deccan Plateau.
Chief Minister - Eknath Shinde
Deputy Chief Minister -Devendra Fadnavis
Governor - Ramesh Bais
Official Animal -Indian giant squirrel
Official Bird - Yellow-footed Green Pigeon
Official Dance - Lavani
7. Justice Augustine George Masih sworn in as Chief Justice of Rajasthan High Court
Tags: Person in news State News
Justice Augustine George Masih was sworn in as the Chief Justice of the Rajasthan High Court on May 30, 2023.
An Overview of the News
Governor Kalraj Mishra administered the oath of office at a function held at Raj Bhavan.
Justice Masih's appointment as Chief Justice comes after the previous Chief Justice, Justice Pankaj Mithal, was appointed as a Supreme Court judge in February 2023.
Prior to his appointment as the Chief Justice, Justice MM Srivastava was serving as the Acting Chief Justice of the Rajasthan High Court.
Justice Masih was sworn in as an Additional Judge of the Punjab and Haryana High Court on July 10, 2008 and became a permanent Judge on January 14, 2011.
Recently, Justice Prashant Kumar Mishra and senior advocate KV Vishwanathan were also sworn in as judges of the Supreme Court.
About Rajasthan
It is a state in northern India and is the largest Indian state by area and the seventh largest by population.
It is bordered by five other Indian states: Punjab to the north; Haryana and Uttar Pradesh in the northeast; Madhya Pradesh in the southeast; and Gujarat in the southwest.
Rajasthan is also home to three national tiger reserves, Ranthambore National Park in Sawai Madhopur, Sariska Tiger Reserve in Alwar and Mukundra Hills Tiger Reserve in Kota.
The state was formed on 30 March 1949 when Rajputana was merged with the Dominion of India.
Capital- Jaipur
District - 33 (7 Circle)
Governor - Kalraj Mishra
Chief Minister - Ashok Gehlot (INC)
State Legislature - Unicameral
Legislative Assembly - Rajasthan Legislative Assembly (200 seats)
8. Maharashtra's Bandra-Versova sea bridge to be named after Veer Savarkar
Tags: State News
Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has announced that the Bandra-Versova sea route in Mumbai will be renamed as 'Veer Savarkar Bandra-Versova Sagari Setu'.
An Overview of the News
The announcement was made during an event organised in Mumbai on May 28, 2023, to commemorate the 140th birth anniversary of Swatantra Veer Vinayak Damodar Savarkar.
As part of the announcement, Maharashtra will also introduce the 'Veer Savarkar Shaurya Puraskar' award to honour individuals who have made notable contributions to the state, similar to the gallantry awards given by the central government.
Veer Savarkar, born on May 28, 1883 in Bhagur, Nashik, Maharashtra, was a prominent politician, activist and writer.
While imprisoned in Ratnagiri, Savarkar developed the ideology of Hindutva, a Hindu nationalist movement in 1922.
Veer Savarkar died on February 26, 1966.
About Maharashtra
It is a state located in the western part of India and covers a significant part of the Deccan Plateau.
Chief Minister - Eknath Shinde
Governor - Ramesh Bais
Official Animal - Indian giant squirrel
Official Bird - Yellow-footed Green Pigeon
Official Dance - Lavani
9. J&K govt makes 'life saving jackets' mandatory for Shikara boats in Dal and Nigeen Lakes
Tags: State News
The Jammu and Kashmirgovernment has announced making 'life jackets' mandatory for shikara boats in Dal and Nigeen lakes, besides other water bodies in the region.
An overview of the news
These instructions have been issued to ensure the safety of tourists riding shikaras in Dal and Nigeen lakes and other water bodies and to prevent any untoward incident due to inclement weather conditions or any other reasons.
Ordered that as per the guidelines of J&K Tourism Policy, every Shikara boat registered under J&K Tourism Trade Act, 1978 shall maintain availability of minimum three life saving jackets of recommended quality and specifications in the boat at all times .
Failure to do so will result in cancellation of registration under the said Act.
Life saving jackets are designed to stay afloat in water. This helps prevent the risk of drowning.
10. PM Modi flags off Assam’s first Vande Bharat Express
Tags: State News
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Northeast's first and India's 18th Vande Bharat Express on 29 May, connecting Guwahati to New Jalpaiguri in West Bengal.
An overview of the news
The Prime Minister also dedicated to the nation the newly electrified sections of New Bongaigaon-Dudhnoi-Mendipathar and Guwahati-Chaparmukh.
He also inaugurated the new DEMU/MEMU (workshop for trains) shed at Lumding.
This new service will cover the distance of 411 km between Guwahati and New Jalpaiguri in 5 hrs 30 mins.
The Vande Bharat Express train service will operate six days a week.
About Vande Bharat Express Train
The first Vande Bharat Express was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 15 February 2019.
These trains have a self-propelled engine which can save diesel and reduce electricity usage by up to 30%.
The first Vande Bharat Express was manufactured by Integral Coach Factory (ICF), Chennai.
It was manufactured under the ‘Make in India’ programme, at a cost of about Rs 100 crore.
These trains can achieve a maximum speed of 160 kmph.
In the Union Budget for 2022-2023 the government has proposed the development and manufacture of 400 new Vande Bharat trains in the next three years.
