1. Uttar Pradesh government exempts Electric Vehicles buyers in state from tax, registration fees
Tags: State News
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has decided to waive off road tax and registration fee on the purchase of Electric Vehicles (EVs) for three years from October 14, 2022, to promote electric vehicles.
An overview of the news
According to the Uttar Pradesh Electric Vehicle Manufacturing and Mobility Policy 2022, 100 percent tax exemption will be given on electric vehicles (EVs) sold and registered in Uttar Pradesh from October 14, 2022 to October 13, 2025.
The government will provide benefits to electric vehicle buyers if the purchased electric vehicles are manufactured in the state itself.
On behalf of the government, orders have been given to the RTOs of all the districts to ensure compliance of the instructions with immediate effect.
These electric vehicles would all be automobiles that are powered by batteries, ultracapacitors, or fuel cells.
These include all two-wheelers, three-wheelers and four-wheelers, Strong Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV), Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV), Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) and Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV).
As per the policy, a subsidy of 15 percent will also be given on the factory price of electric vehicles to be purchased in the state.
What are Electric Vehicles?
Electric Vehicles are vehicles that are partially or fully powered on electric power.
They have low running costs and are also very environmentally friendly as they use little or no fossil fuels (petrol or diesel).
These vehicles can solve the problems of increasing pollution, global warming, depleting natural resources etc.
2. Madhya Pradesh govt launches Ladli Bahna scheme
Tags: Government Schemes State News
Madhya Pradesh Government on 5 March launched Ladli Bahna scheme under which each woman will be given one thousand rupees per month.
An overview of the news
Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan inaugurated the process of filling application forms of Ladli Bahna Yojana in the presence of about one lakh women at Bhopal's Jamboree Maidan.
This scheme is being launched with the aim of increasing the economic independence of women in the state, improving their health and nutritional status and increasing their influence on family decisions.
Under the scheme, Rs 1,000 per month will be deposited in the accounts of the native women of the state in the age group of 23 to 60 years.
Applications for the scheme will be filled from March 15 to April 30 and the disbursement of funds will start from June 10.
3. Mauganj became the 53rd district of Madhya Pradesh
Tags: State News
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan announced on March 4 to make Tehsil Mauganj of Rewa district the 53rd district of the state.
An overview of the news
The purpose of this move of the government is to end the discontent against the government regarding the lack of adequate representation for the politically important Vindhya region in the state cabinet.
Mauganj district, bordering Uttar Pradesh, will have four tehsils - Mauganj, Hanumana, Naigarhi and Devtalab with a population of more than six lakhs.
There was a long pending demand to make Mauganj a district.
In a function, the Chief Minister transferred an amount of Rs 605 crore as assistance to the bank accounts of 27,310 beneficiaries under the Sambal scheme.
He announced that “On August 15, the national flag will be hoisted at the new Mauganj district headquarters.
Apart from this, the Chief Minister laid the foundation stone of projects worth more than Rs 738 crore, many of which are in Mauganj.
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. Hekani Jakhalu became the first female MLA of Nagaland Assembly
Tags: State News
On March 2, Hakani Jakhalu of the Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) became the first female MLA to be elected to the Nagaland Legislative Assembly.
An overview of the news
Jakhu won the Dimapur III seat by defeating Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) leader Azheto Jhimomi by 1,536 votes.
Another NDPP female candidate, Salhunuonu Cruce defeated her independent rival by just seven votes in the Western Angami constituency. Both became the first female MLA from Nagaland.
About Hekani Jakhalu
She studied in Lady Shri Ram College for Women and Law Faculty of Delhi University and has done LLM from the University of San Francisco.
He later worked in a law firm in Delhi.
In 2005, she returned to Nagaland to start an NGO called Youthnet, with "Youth Empowerment".
In 2019, she won the Nari Shakti Puruskar from the Ministry of Child and Women Development.
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.
5. Gold mines found in three districts of Odisha
Tags: State News
Odisha Steel and Mines Minister Prafulla Kumar Malik has informed the state assembly that gold mines have been discovered at different places in three districts of the state.
An overview of the news:
Surveys by Odisha's Directorate of Mines and Geological Survey of India (GSI) have confirmed gold deposits in three districts including Deogarh, Keonjhar and Mayurbhanj.
These gold deposits have been found at four places in Keonjhar district, four places in Mayurbhanj district and one place in Deogarh district.
It is noteworthy that after the confirmation of lithium reserves in Jammu and Kashmir last month, now the indication of gold reserves in Odisha is an important achievement for the country.
Surveys were done in these areas of Odisha in the 1970s and 80s. The survey campaign was conducted by the Directorate of Mines and Geology and the GSI. At that time the report of this survey was not made public.
According to State Mining Minister Prafulla Kumar Malik, GSI had again conducted surveys in these three districts in the last two years.
Major minerals found in Odisha:
Major mining centres of iron ore:- Gurumahishani, Sulaipat, Badam Pahari (Mayurbhanj district), Keonir and Bonai (Sundergarh).
Major mining centres of Manganese:- Keonjhar, Sundergarh, Bonai, Kalahandi, Koraput
Major mining centres of bauxite:- Kalahandi, Raigarh, Kandhamal and Koraput districts.
Two huge deposits of high grade bauxite have been found in Bolangir and Sambalpur in Odisha.
Panchapattamalli (Koraput district) and Gandhamardan (border area of Bolangir and Bargarh district) areas of Odisha are famous for bauxite production.
Major mining centres of dolomite:- Sundergarh, Sambalpur, Koraput, Birmitrapur. It is a mixture of limestone and magnesium.
Odisha:
Capital: Bhubaneswar
Governor: Ganeshi Lal
Chief Minister: Naveen Patnaik
6. Ministry of Tourism organises first snow-marathon in Jammu
Tags: State News
Union Ministry of Tourism in association with Real Sports India in collaboration with local administration, Amazing Bhaderwah Tourism Association (ABTA) organised Snow-Marathon at Bhaderwah, Jammu on 26th February, 2023.
An overview of the news:
The first ever Grand Snow Marathon event was organised to mark the completion of 75 years of India's Independence, G-20 India Presidency, Dekho Apna Desh, Youth Tourism Club and Fit India Movement.
Its objective is to inculcate the spirit of sportsmanship for thrilling sports like snow marathons among travellers and adventure enthusiasts across the country.
Apart from the marathon, several school children, teachers and school/college management were also invited as spectators.
School/college teachers/spokespersons were also informed about formation of youth tourism clubs and promotion of tourism through active participation of youth.
130 runners from across the country participated in the marathon. The marathon started from Guldanda. Runners were given the option of running for distances of 5 km, 10 km and 25 km.
Jammu and Kashmir:
Capital: Srinagar
Administrator: Manoj Sinha (Lieutenant Governor)
Lok Sabha Seats: 5
Assembly seats: 83 (recommended by the Delimitation Commission to be increased to 90 and provision of 24 seats has been made for Pakistan Occupied Kashmir which is currently vacant);
7. Prime Minister inaugurated Shivamogga Airport
Tags: State News
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 27 February 2023 launched the newly built Shivamogga airport along with various development projects worth over Rs 3,600 crore in Shivamogga, Karnataka.
An overview of the news:
The Prime Minister also laid the foundation stone for two rail projects, the Shivamogga-Shikaripura-Ranebennur New Railway Line and the Koteganguru Railway Coaching Depot and several road development projects worth over Rs 215 crore.
The Prime Minister also inaugurated multi-village schemes worth over Rs 950 crore under the Jal Jeevan Mission and 44 smart city projects worth over Rs 895 crore in Shivamogga city.
Shivamogga Airport:
Shivamogga Airport has been developed at a cost of about Rs 450 crore.
The passenger terminal building of this airport is spread over 4340 square metres which is capable of handling 300 passengers per hour.
There were only 74 airports in the whole country till the year 2014, while today the number of airports has doubled (148) after the inauguration of Shivamogga Airport.
The Shivamogga airport is designed in the shape of a lotus flower and has been constructed at a cost of Rs 450 crore.
It is suitable for A-320 type aircraft. This airport is spread over 758 acres of land.
Night landing facility is also available at this airport which will start after some time.
8. Ellora -Ajanta International Festival 2023 begins in Maharashtra
Tags: Festivals State News
After a gap of seven years, the three-day Ellora-Ajanta International Festival began on February 25 at the historic Sonari Palace, located on the campus of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University.
An overview of the news
Soneri Mahal is decorated with attractive replicas of Ellora and Ajanta. It reflects the rich tradition of Aurangabad.
The program started with Kathak dance by Mayur Vaidya and Mrinmoyee Deshpande.
Sitar player Ustad Sujat Hussain, tabla player Amit Choubey and Mukesh Jadhav performed.
Drum player Padamshri Shiv Mani, Sitar player Ravi Chari, Piano player Sangeet Haldipur, Khanjira player Selva Ganesh, bass guitar player Sheldon DeSilva and Aditi Bhagwat will also perform on kathak dance.
Union Minister of State for Finance Dr. Bhagwat Karad inaugurated this festival.
About Ellora -Ajanta International Festival
Ellora Ajanta Festival An annual festival, where singers and dancers from across the country gather to showcase their talents.
Indian classical art forms, especially Kathak and Odissi are performed by popular artistes.
Earlier, all the shows were held at Ellora, in recent times the venue has been changed to Soneri Mahal in Aurangabad.
The festival is not only for the dance shows but also serves as a platform for many local artists to promote their handicrafts and other amazing art pieces created by them.
The festival showcases the rich history of India and its cultural traditions to the world in the best possible way.
Other Festivals of Maharashtra
Gudi Padwa
This festival is generally celebrated by Maharashtrians as Hindu New Year celebrations.
Pola Festival
It is a harvest festival and is celebrated all over the state of Maharashtra, especially in the rural areas.
Elephanta Festival
Elephanta festival is held every year in February. Elephanta is a small island near Mumbai.
Kalidas Mahotsav
The Kalidas Samaroh is held annually in the month of November in Nagpur's Ramtek area, in honour of the famous Sanskrit poet and dramatist Kalidas.
9. Kerala to become first State to use robotics tech extensively for manhole cleaning
Tags: State News
The Kerala government on 24 February launched robotic scavenger, Bandicoot, to clean sewages in temple town of Guruvayur, becoming the first state in the country to use robotic technology to clean all its commissioned manholes.
An overview of the news
Water Resources Minister Roshi Augustine launched Bandicoot under Guruvayur sewerage project in Thrissur district by Kerala Water Authority.
Now Kerala has become the first state in the country to have robotic scavengers to clean manholes.
The robotic TRON unit, a key component of the Bandicoot, enters the manhole and removes sewage using robotic hands that resemble human limbs.
The machine has waterproof, HD vision cameras and sensors that can detect harmful gases inside.
Bandicoot, developed by Kerala-based Genrobotics, recently won the 'Kerala Pride' award at the Huddle Global 2022 Conclave organised by the Kerala Startup Mission (KSUM).
Bandicoot will clean all existing sewerage and drains in Kerala.
Bandicoot robots are currently deployed in some cities across 17 states and three union territories of India.
10. Churchgate Railway Station in Mumbai will now be known as First Indian RBI Governor CD Deshmukh
Tags: State News
Recently Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has passed a resolution to rename the Churchgate railway station in Mumbai after CD Deshmukh, the first governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
An overview of the news
The name of the station will be 'Chintamanrao Deshmukh Station'.
Who is CD Deshmukh?
CD Deshmukh, a famous economist, was born on 14 January 1896 in a Marathi family in Raigad district of Maharashtra.
After studying in England, he joined thecivil service and became the first Indian governor of the RBI in 1943 under the British Raj.
Later, as the Union Finance Minister from 1950 to 1956, CD Deshmukh contributed to the economic development of the country.
One of Deshmukh's notable achievements as governor was the establishment of the Industrial Finance Corporation of India (IFCI) in 1948.
IFCI was established to provide long-term finance to industrial projects, which was vital to the development of India's industrial sector.
He also played a major role in setting up the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) after World War II.
He represented India at the Bretton Woods Conference in 1944, where the IMF and the IBRD were established.
He was knighted by the British government in 1944 and awarded the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian award, in 1959.
