1. Assam lifts travel restrictions to Meghalaya, six days after border violence
Tags: State News
The Assam government on 27 November 2022 lifted travel restrictions to Meghalaya, six days after being imposed in the aftermath of violence in a disputed area along the inter-state border.
An advisory was issued by the Assam Police, asking people to avoid travelling to the neighbouring state following the incident on 22 November. Barricades were erected in Jorabat near Guwahati and Cachar district, the two main entry points to Meghalaya.
Violence had broken out at Mukroh village (Meghalaya) near the disputed border between the two states in West Karbi Anglong district in the early hours of 22 November, after a truck allegedly laden with illegally felled timber was intercepted by forest guards from Assam. Five tribal villagers from Meghalaya and a forest guard from Assam were killed due to the clashes.
Border dispute between Assam and Meghalaya
During the British colonial rule, undivided Assam included Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya and Mizoram. In 1972, Meghalaya was formed as per the Assam Reorganisation (Meghalaya) Act of 1969.
Background to the Assam Mizoram Boundary Dispute
- Assam and Mizoram share a 164.6 km long boundary.
- Mizoram was a district of Assam known as Lushai Hills during the British time. In 1972, Meghalaya was formed as per the Assam Reorganisation (Meghalaya) Act of 1969.
- The genesis of the dispute lies in the border demarcation during British times.
- In 1875 a notification was issued that differentiated the Lushai Hills from the plains of Cachar and in 1933 another notification was issued to demarcate the boundary between the Lushai Hills and Manipur.
Different Interpretation of Boundary
- According to Mizoram, the boundary shall be demarcated on the basis of 1875 notification, which is derived from the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation Act, 1873.
- However the Assam government believes that boundary shall be based on the 1933 notification ,
- Mizoram says that when in 1933 the boundary was demarcated, Mizo society was not consulted.
Attempt to resolve the Border Dispute
- To resolve the issue the chief ministers of Meghalaya Conrad Sangma and Himanta Biswa Sarma of Assam held several rounds of talks.
- Twelve disputed areas were identified – three areas contested between West Khasi Hills district in Meghalaya and Kamrup in Assam, two between RiBhoi in Meghalaya and Kamrup-Metro, and one between East Jaintia Hills in Meghalaya and Cachar in Assam.
- A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed on 29 March 2022 between the two chief ministers in the presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah. The MoU stated that out of 36.79 sq km of the disputed area, Assam would get full control of 18.46 sq km and Meghalaya of 18.33 sq km.
- The second phase of talks was supposed to take place by the end of November, but has been disturbed due to the recent clash.
2. Arittapatti village notified as first biodiversity heritage site in Tamil Nadu
Tags: State News
The Tamil Nadu government issued a notification declaring the Arittapatti village near Melur in Madurai district as a biodiversity heritage site under Section 37 of the Biological Diversity Act, 2002.
Important facts
Aritappatti village is known for its rich biological and historical significance.
It houses about 250 bird species, including 3 major raptor species – Lager Falcon, Shaheen Falcon, Bonelli's Eagle, and wildlife such as pangolins, pythons and slender loris.
The 'Arittapatti Biodiversity Heritage Site' is the first of its kind in the state and covers a range of seven barren granite hills in Arittapatti village.
This unique landscape of rocky hills acts as a water body and supports 72 lakes, 200 natural springs and three check dams.
The site also has various megalithic structures, Tamil Brahmi inscriptions, Jain beds and 2200 year old rock-cut temples which add to its historical significance.
As a biodiversity heritage site it will strengthen biodiversity conservation and protect from rapid loss of biodiversity.
About Biodiversity Heritage Site
These are areas that contain unique, vulnerable ecosystems consisting of terrestrial, coastal and inland waters and rich biodiversity of wild species including domesticated species, rare, threatened and keystone species.
It is also rich in different species.
As per Section 37 of the Biological Diversity Act, State Governments are empowered to notify, in the Official Gazette, areas of biodiversity importance as Biodiversity Heritage Sites, in consultation with local bodies.
In addition, till December 2021, a total of 22 Biodiversity Heritage Sites have been notified by 12 State Governments.
159 plants and 175 animals have been notified as threatened species in 18 states and 2 union territories.
India's first Biodiversity Heritage Site was declared in 2007 at Nallur Tamarind Grove in Bengaluru, Karnataka.
Four Biodiversity Hotspots in India
Himalaya,
Indo-Burma,
Sunderland,
Western Ghats
3. Madhya Pradesh becomes the 8th state to notify PESA Rules in scheduled areas of the state
Tags: State News
Madhya Pradesh has become the8th state in India to notify its Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) PESA Rules on the occasion of Janjatiya Gaurav Divas on 15th November, 2022. At the State Level Janjatiya Gaurav Divas Sammelan at Shahdol in Madhya Pradesh, Governor of Madhya Pradesh Mangubhai Patel handed over the first copy of the Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act (PESA Act) Manual to the President of India Smt. Droupadi Murmu.
It will empower the Gram Sabhas to take decisions on the rules and regulations with regard to all natural resources in the forest areas. The PESA Act will give more constitutional rights to the tribal people to reap the benefits of natural resources from the forest areas where they live.
In India Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Telangana have notified their State PESA Rules under their respective State Panchayati Raj Acts. Chhattisgarh had notified their PESA Rules on 8th August, 2022.
Scheduled Areas in India
The constitution has made special provision for the administration of areas which are mainly populated by the Scheduled Tribes.
The constitution under article 244(1) makes special provision for the administration of certain areas called Scheduled Areas in states other than Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram and Tripura. These Scheduled areas are mentioned in Schedule 5 of the constitutions.
The Tribal areas under the state of Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Meghalaya and provisions regarding administration are mentioned in Schedule 6 of the constitution.
Presently, 10 states Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Rajasthan and Telangana, have Fifth Schedule Areas in their respective States.
Panchayats (Extension to the Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996” (PESA)
To bring the people residing in Fifth Schedule Areas in the mainstream, the Parliament, in terms of Article 243M(4)(b) of the Constitution, has enacted “the Provisions of the Panchayats (Extension to the Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996” (PESA) to extend Part IX of the Constitution, relating to Panchayats, to the Fifth Schedule areas, with certain modifications and exceptions. States, having Fifth Schedule Areas, have been empowered to frame Panchayat laws and rules for these areas.
All the states in the 5th Schedule have framed their state PESA rules under their respective State Panchayati Raj Acts, except Jharkhand and Odisha.
Panchayats are mentioned in the State list of the seventh schedule and the state government has the power to make rules law on it.
However, to bring uniformity in the Panchayats across the country and provide a framework, the Parliament passed the 73rdConstitutional amendment act 1992 which gave a constitutional status to the Panchayati raj institutions in India. However the power to frame the rules for their panchayat system is with the state government.
4. Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar launches Har Ghar Gangajal project in Rajgir
Tags: Government Schemes State News
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on 27 November launched the Har Ghar Gangajal project (First phase) in Rajgir.
Important facts
This is a unique and ambitious initiative to make Ganga water available through taps in the dry areas of the state.
The scheme will help to harvest the excess water of the Ganga during the monsoon season.
The water will be stored in reservoirs in Rajgir and Gaya before being channelled to three treatment-and-purification plants, from where it will be supplied to the public.
Har Ghar Gangajal is part of the Bihar government’s Jal, Jeevan, Hariyali scheme.
Under the scheme about 7.5-lakh households of Rajgir (Nalanda), Gaya and Bodhgaya will start getting piped Ganga water.
The second phase will start in 2023 and will cover Nawada district as well.
A Rs 4,000-crore scheme has harnessed flood water from the Ganges to take it to reservoirs in Gaya and Rajgir.
This is the first time in India that flood water harvesting has been done for the purpose of drinking water.
5. Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan attend Manipur's Sangai Festival as a chief guest
Tags: Festivals Person in news State News
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan attended Manipur's Sangai festival as a chief guest on 27 November 2022 under the 'Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat' initiative of the Government of India. Manipur’s biggest festival Sangai is being held from 21 -30 November 2022.Under the 'Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat' Manipur and Madhya Pradesh are partner states.
Artist of Madhya Pradesh will perform traditional dance form of Manipur’s like Mao tribe’s Naurata dance, Thai dance troupes etc. Before this, Imphal had participated in the Lokrang Mahotsav of Bhopal and now Bhopal is participating in Sangai Mahotsav of Imphal.
The theme of this festival is the 'Festival of Oneness.' Sangai is the state animal of Manipur, which is found only in Manipur.
Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat
The Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat programme was launched by the Prime Minister Modi on 31st October, 2015 on the occasion of the 140th birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
- The Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat programme is a unique initiative by the Government to promote the spirit of national integration and to strengthen the fabric of emotional bonds between the people of our country.
- Every State and UT in the country would be paired with another State/UT for a time period, during which they would carry out a structured engagement with one another in the spheres of language, literature, cuisine, festivals, cultural events, tourism etc.
6. Union Minister Dr Sanjeev Balyan inaugurates Animal Quarantine Certification Services in Bengaluru
Tags: place in news National State News
The Union Minister of State, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal husbandry & dairying, Dr Sanjeev Kumar Balyan inaugurated the Animal Quarantine Certification Services (AQCS) at Hessarghata, Bengaluru as part of the National Milk Day celebration 2022.
There are six AQCS in the countries under the Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries, Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare. These six AQCS are near International Airports in the city of New Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bangalore, and Hyderabad.
Purpose and scope of the AQCS
The purpose and scope of setting up of Quarantine Stations is to prevent the spread of dangerous exotic diseases into the country through imported livestock and livestock products.
There are many infectious diseases of livestock which are prevalent in other countries but not present in India. It is therefore necessary that such exotic diseases do not gain entry into our country through movement of livestock and livestock products from across the borders.
Thus there is a need to check the imported animals including pets like dogs and cats to be sure that they don't carry any such dangerous pathogens. Hence Quarantine stations are set up where they can be checked before being released in India.
To deal with this problem the Government of India initiated a central sector scheme namely “Animal Quarantine & Certification Services” (AQCS) during the Fourth Five Year Plan (1969-70).
7. Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik announces Rs 146 crore winter aid for needy
Tags: State News
The Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has announced a winter assistance of Rs 146 crore to the needy to protect themselves from the coming winter.
Nearly 48 lakh beneficiaries of the Madhu Babu Pension Yojana and National Pension System will get Rs 300 each to buy blankets. The government will credit the amount into the beneficiaries account by 1 December 2022.
Madhu Babu Pension Yojana is a social security scheme launched by the Odisha government in 2008. Under the scheme Old and aged persons of 60 years of age and above, widows, Persons affected by Hansen’s diseases/ Leprosy with visible signs of deformity irrespective of age, unmarried women over thirty years of age ,Persons with Disabilities & AIDs patients are provided Rs 300 per month.
Odisha
The State of Orissa was founded on 1 April 1936 after it was separated from the Bengal presidency.
1 April is celebrated as Utkal Dibas or Odisha divas in Odisha.
Odisha was earlier called as Orissa. Its name was changed to Odisha in 2011.
Chilka Lake in Odisha is the largest brackish lake in India and the second largest lake in India after Vembanad Lake, Kerala.
The famous Hirakud dam is on Mahanadi River in Odisha.
Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary in Odisha is the largest nesting place of Olive Ridley turtles in the world.
Governor of Odisha: Ganeshi Lal
Capital: Its capital was at Cuttack but it was shifted to Bhubaneswar on 19 August 1949.
8. Telangana will have first integrated rocket facility in nation
Tags: State News
Telangana IT and Industries Minister K. T. Rama Rao announced on November 25 that the country's first integrated rocket design, manufacturing and testing center 'Skyroot' would be set up in the state.
Important facts
Rama Rao, who was the chief guest at an event organized at T-Hub in Hyderabad to celebrate the successful launch of 'Skyroot' Aerospace's Vikram-S rocket, expressed happiness that the facility would be set up in Telangana.
Hyderabad-based startup T-Hub launched India's first private rocket on 18 November.
He pointed out that the state government had already developed a Space Tech Policy.
Only a few companies in the world have mastered rocket science and achieved success on the first try.
About Telangana
Chief Minister - K. Chandrashekar Rao
Governor - Tamilisai Soundararajan
Capital - Hyderabad
9. UP Government approves creation of Police Commissionerates system in Agra, Ghaziabad and Prayagraj
Tags: State News
The Uttar Pradesh Cabinet in a meeting chaired by the Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on 25 November 2022 has approved the setting up of a police Commissionerates in the districts of Agra, Ghaziabad and Prayagraj.
Giving this information the state Urban Development Minister Arvind Sharma said that this decision has been taken due to the increase in population, importance of these districts and to provide better policing and maintain law and order. He said that these districts will be declared metropolitan areas to set up the Commissionerates system.
In the police Commissionerates system a commissioner of police heads the district police department or commissionerate, which is also vested with powers of an executive magistrate under the various acts.
The state will have a commissionerate system of policing in seven districts out of the total 75 districts now.
Earlier, it was implemented in Kanpur Nagar and Varanasi in March 2021, and in Lucknow and Gautam Buddha Nagar, where Noida is located, in January 2020.
10. Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar Inaugurates 63rd STPI at Davanagere, Karnataka
Tags: place in news Science and Technology Person in news State News
The Minister of State for Electronics & Information Technology and Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, Rajeev Chandrasekhar inaugurated a Digital India Startup hub at the Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) centre at Davanagere, Karnataka on 25 November 2022.
This is the 63rd STPI centre in the country and the fifth in Karnataka.
The minister said that India has the fastest growing innovation system with more than 80,000 Startups and over 107 Unicorns, the Minister said the world today looks at India with awe and respect.
Software Technology Park of India (STPI)
It was set up in 1991 by the under Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY).
It was set up to promote Software to promote the development and export of software and software services including Information Technology (I.T.) Enabled Services / Bio-IT.
It aims to be the largest technology Startup ecosystem in the country and to transform the country into a software product nation.
The total export from STPI in 2020-21was Rs. 4, 96,313 crores, which is around 50% of the national software exports and 2.3% of India’s GDP in 2020-21.
Director General of STPI : Arvind Kumar
