1. 20th anniversary of SWAGAT initiative
Tags: Government Schemes State News
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will attend the 20th anniversary of the State Wide Attention on Grievances by Application of Technology (SWAGAT) initiative in Gujarat on 27th of April via video conferencing.
An overview of the news
The Gujarat government is celebrating SWAGAT week to mark the successful completion of 20 years of this initiative.
ABOUT SWAGAT Initiative
It was started by the Prime Minister in April 2003, when he was the Chief Minister of Gujarat.
The launch of the program was inspired by his belief that the biggest responsibility of a Chief Minister is to solve the problems of the people of his state.
With this resolve, along with harnessing the potential of technology to make life easier, the then CM Modi launched a first of its kind technology-based grievance redressal programme.
The uniqueness of SWAGAT is that it helps the common man to convey his grievances directly to the Chief Minister.
It is held on the fourth Thursday of every month in which the Chief Minister interacts with the citizens for grievance redressal.
It has been helpful in bridging the gap between the people and the government through speedy resolution of grievances.
Proceedings of all applications are available online. More than 99% complaints registered so far have been resolved.
Purpose of the SWAGAT Initiative
The main purpose of this programme was to act as a bridge between the citizens and the government using technology by solving their day-to-day grievances in a quick, efficient and time-bound manner.
Over time, SWAGAT brought about atransformative impact in the lives of people and became an effective tool to solve woes in a paperless, transparent and hassle-free manner.
Components of SWAGAT Initiative
The State SWAGAT
District SWAGAT
Taluka SWAGAT
Gram SWAGAT
2. PM Modi flags off Vande Bharat Express for Kerala
Tags: State News
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 25th April flagged off Kerala’s first Vande Bharat Express between Thiruvananthapuram and Kasargod at Thiruvananthapuram Central Station.
An overview of the news
The train will cover 11 districts of Kerala. Vande Bharat train between Thiruvananthapuram and Kasaragod will cover a distance of approximately 588 kms in approximately eight hours.
It will have stoppages at Kollam, Kottayam, Ernakulam Town, Thrissur, Shoranur, Kozhikode and Kannur.
The Vande Bharat Express will be about an hour faster than the Rajdhani running on the same route.
Prime Minister Modi dedicated to the nation various projects worth more than three thousand two hundred crore rupees.
He also dedicated the Kochi Water Metro to the nation.
The project connects ten islands around Kochi through battery operated electric hybrid boats for seamless connectivity with Kochi city.
He also laid the foundation stone of Digital Science Park in Thiruvananthapuram.
The Digital Science Park is envisaged as a premier research facility for developing digital products and services by industry and business units in collaboration with academia.
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.
3. Shipping and Waterways Minister Sarbananda Sonowal inaugurates National Technology Center
Tags: State News
Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal inaugurated the Discovery Campus of the National Technology Center for Ports, Waterways and Coasts at IITM, Chennai, Tamil Nadu.
An Overview of the News
The centre was created under the Sagarmala scheme of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways to enable research and development for the maritime sector in India.
The centre has world-class capabilities for research and consultancy in all disciplines, including ocean modelling, sediment transport, and port and coastal engineering.
The Chennai facility houses 5 state-of-the-art laboratories, covering every aspect of design and development, simulation, analysis and production of marine and marine solutions, in line with the Atma Nirbhar Bharat vision.
The centre aims to support Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi's Atma Nirbhar Bharat vision to make India a self-reliant country in the maritime sector.
For FY 22-23, 37 projects worth Rs 2,500 crore have been approved under the Sagarmala program for the development of ports and developing coastal areas to support India's economy.
About Tamil Nadu
Formation -1 November 1956
Capital and largest city - Chennai
Largest Metro - Chennai Metropolitan Region
District - 38
Governor - RN Ravi
Chief Minister -M.K. Stalin (DMK)
Legislative Assembly - Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly (234 seats)
Rajya Sabha - 18 seats
Lok Sabha - 39 seats
High Court -Madras High Court
4. Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan launches 'One Panchayat, One Playground' project
Tags: State News Sports News
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan launched the 'One Panchayat, One Playground' project in Kallikkad on 19 April 2023 with the goal of reviving the sports culture in the state.
An Overview of the News
The project aims to establish high-quality playgrounds in every panchayat, a local self-government in India, to promote community gatherings and social interaction.
The playgrounds will be constructed within three years, with 113 panchayats identified for the initial phase of the project.
Each playground is expected to cost around Rs one crore, with the sports department covering half of the cost and the remaining funds raised from various sources such as legislative and local body funds, corporate social responsibility (CSR) and public-private partnerships.
Lack of quality playgrounds in about 450 local bodies across the state is a major issue that the 'One Panchayat, One Playground' project aims to address.
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. 12-hour duty bill passed in Tamil Nadu assembly
Tags: State News
The Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly passed the Factories (Amendment) Act 2023 on 21 April.
An overview of the news
The Bill seeks to increase the daily work shift of factory workers from the current 8 hours to 12 hours, meaning they can choose to work four days a week.
'The rest three days will be paid leave and the existing rules on leave, overtime, pay etc. will not change.
The revised 12 hours of daily work has not been extended to all companies and factories, but will be implemented 'only where workers prefer it'.
The Bill will have no impact on the current 48-hour work-week.
The law was passed amid strong opposition from various opposition political parties.
In May 2020, 10 states – Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Goa, Uttarakhand, Assam, Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh – had amended labor laws to propose 12-hour working hours during the pandemic.
TheUttar Pradesh government had also issued an order increasing the daily working hours from 8 hours to 12, but withdrew it in May 2020.
About Tamil Nadu State
The state was formed on 26 January 1950 but its boundaries were redrawn on 14 January 1969.
Tamil Nadu is located at the mouth of the Arabian Sea, the Bay of Bengal and the Indian Ocean.
Bharatanatyam is a very popular and famous dance form of Tamil Nadu.
Tamil Nadu is the largest producer of bananas and flowers, the second largest producer of mango, rubber, groundnut, coconut and the third largest producer of coffee.
Governor- Ravindra Narayan Ravi
Chief Minister- M.K.Stalin
Assembly seats 235 seats
Rajya Sabha Seats -18
Lok Sabha seats- 39
6. L Murugan becomes 1st Union Minister to visit India’s first village
Tags: State News
Union Minister of State in the Ministry of Fisheries and Animal Husbandry L Murugan on 22nd April became the first central minister to visit India’s first village Avangkhu, a village along the India-Myanmar border in Nagaland’s Phek district.
An overview of the news
The Union Minister visited the International Trade Center at Awangkhu, Phek.
He recalled the Centre’s commitment towards developing the north-east, including the border areas of the region.
Highlighting India’s seriousness towards the Act East Policy, the Minister announced that the two lane road upto Avangkhu border has already been sanctioned and work will start soon.
He hoped that the International Trade Center at Awangkhu would witness an increase in business activities due to increase in trade volume and better connectivity.
On the development of piggery in the state, Dr. Murugan said that the National Livestock Mission (NLM) is supporting the entrepreneurs of the state and strengthening the agriculture infrastructure and technology.
He also announced that a grant of Rs 14.99 lakh has been allocated to Phek district for screening children's films in the district.
About Nagaland
Nagaland is a state located in Northeast India, bordering Myanmar.
Formation - 1 December 1963
Capital - Kohima (Executive Branch)
Language - English
River - Longleng, Peren, Varkha, Kiphire, Mokokchung, Phek, Zunheboto, Kohima, Mon, Tuensang
Festivals - Hornbill Festival, The Motsu Mong Festival
National Park - Intanki National Park
Wildlife Sanctuaries - Fakim Wildlife Sanctuary, Puli Baij Wildlife Sanctuary, Rangapahar Reserve Forest
Chief Minister - Neiphiu Rio
Governor - La Ganesan
Official Bird - Blyth's Tragopan
Official Animal - Gayal
Official Flower - Rhododendron Arboreum
Legislative Assembly - 60 seats
Rajya Sabha - 1 seat
Lok Sabha - 1 seat
Largest city - Dimapur
District - 16
7. Maharashtra government announces 4% reservation for employees with disabilities in promotions
Tags: State News
Maharashtra government announced 4% reservation for employees with disabilities in promotions and this reservation will be applicable to cadres where recruitment through direct service is less than 75%.
An Overview of the News
The dues of non-teaching staff in non-agriculture universities will be paid in five instalments over the next five years as per the 7th Pay Commission.
A Department of Disabilities was set up in December 2022to safeguard the interests and welfare of persons with disabilities, making Maharashtra the first state in the country to have a dedicated department for the purpose.
Women belonging to open and backward categories are not required to produce non-creamy layer certificates for the reserved posts.
Under the Mukhyamantri Saur Krishi Feeder Yojana, 30 percent of agriculture feeders will be covered under solar power and the initiative aims to ensure reliable and sustainable power supply for agriculture pumps.
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
8. Karnataka got national award for Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana
Tags: Awards State News
Karnataka received the National Award for Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana and the award was accepted by Shivayogi Kalasad, Secretary, Department of Agriculture, Govt.
An Overview of the News
Karnataka was recognized as the leading state in implementing the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) scheme during a national conference in Chhattisgarh.
According to agriculture department officials, an amount of Rs 687.4 crore has been settled for 5.66 lakh farmers with pending claims since 2018.
In Karnataka, the PMFBY scheme is being implemented through a state designed and developed portal called 'SANRAKSHAN' created in collaboration with the National Informatics Center (NIC).
Enrollment of farmers for the PMFBY scheme in Karnataka was 16.15 lakh in 2021, to increase to 23.86 lakh in 2022, showing an increase of 47.74% in enrollment over the previous year.
The increase in enrollment was attributed to the Information, Education and Communication (IEC) campaigns conducted across the state.
lakh, which shows an increase of 47.74% in enrollment as compared to the previous year. The increase in enrollment was attributed to the Information, Education and Communication (IEC) campaigns conducted across the state.
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.
The state has a varied landscape, with the Arabian Sea to its west and the Western Ghatsto its east.
Bengaluru, the capital of Karnataka, is known as the "Silicon Valley of India" and is a major centre of technology and innovation.
Chief Minister - Basavaraj Bommai
Governor - Thawar Chand Gehlot
Recent Awards
Maratha Udyog Ratna 2023 Award - Nilesh Sambre
Malcolm Adiseshiah Award 2023 - Utsa Patnaik
Business Leader of the Decade - Kumar Mangalam Birla
Pravasi Bhartiya Samman -Raj Subramaniam
9. NMC approves Nagaland to set up its first medical college
Tags: State News
The National Medical Commission (NMC) approved the setting up of the Nagaland Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, which will become the first medical college in the northeastern state of Nagaland.
An Overview of the News
The academic session of the medical college will start from 2023-24.
The medical college will have a capacity of 100 seats for MBBS students and 85 seats will be reserved for Nagaland origin students, while the remaining 15 seats will be open for applicants from other states.
Minister of Health and Family Welfare - P. Paiwang Konyak
Health and Family Welfare Commissioner and Secretary - Y Kikheto Sema
About Nagaland
Nagaland is a state located in Northeast India, bordering Myanmar.
Formation - 1 December 1963
Capital - Kohima (Executive Branch)
Language - English
River - Longleng, Peren, Varkha, Kiphire, Mokokchung, Phek, Zunheboto, Kohima, Mon, Tuensang
Festivals - Hornbill Festival, The Motsu Mong Festival
National Park - Intanki National Park
Wildlife Sanctuaries - Fakim Wildlife Sanctuary, Puli Baij Wildlife Sanctuary, Rangapahar Reserve Forest
Chief Minister - Neiphiu Rio
Governor - La Ganesan
Official Bird - Blyth's Tragopan
Official Animal - Gayal
Official Flower - Rhododendron Arboreum
Legislative Assembly - 60 seats
Rajya Sabha - 1 seat
Lok Sabha - 1 seat
Largest city - Dimapur
District - 16
10. Construction of multi-purpose indoor stadium started in Shillong
Tags: Sports State News Sports News
Presently the construction of Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium at Polo in Shillong started and it is the largest stadium of its kind in the North Eastern region.
An Overview of the News
It will be a multi-purpose indoor stadium which will provide state-of-the-art facilities for various disciplines such as basketball, squash, badminton, table tennis, volleyball and many more.
The Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium at Polo Ground in Shillong is being renovated, upgraded and expanded to include a football field with natural grass turf and a state-of-the-art facility to host track and field events.
The stadium is being constructed to high-quality standards, ensuring it will be fit to host international sporting events.
About Meghalaya
It is a state located in Northeast India.
It was formed on January 21, 1972 by carving out two districts from the state of Assam: United Khasi Hills and Jaintia Hills and Garo Hills.
Shillong is the capital and largest city of Meghalaya.
Meghalaya is home to several indigenous tribes including the Khasis, Garos and Jaintias, each with their own distinct culture, traditions and languages.
Governor - Fagu Chauhan
Chief Minister - Conrad Sangma (NPP)
Official language - English
Legislative Assembly - Meghalaya Legislative Assembly (60 seats)
Rajya Sabha - 1 seat
Lok Sabha - 2 seats
Lake - Umiam Lake
River - Kopili
Festival - Nongkrem Dance, Wangala Festival, Ahiya
National Parks - Balpakram National Park, Nokrek National Park
Wildlife Sanctuaries - Baghmara Pitcher Plant Wildlife Sanctuary, Nongkhyllem Wildlife Sanctuary, Siju Bird Sanctuary
