1. Delhi Government launched Mission Kushal Karmi
Tags: State News
Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia has launched Mission Kushal Karmi to help construction workers improve their abilities.
Important facts
The program has been developed by the Delhi Government in association with Delhi University of Skills and Entrepreneurship (DSEU) and Delhi Construction Board.
This program started by Skill University along with Simplex, NAREDCO and India Vision Foundation to make construction workers and masons etc., is very special.
In this, the skill of the workers will be enhanced through a special training program of 15 days each.
Two lakh workers will be given skill training in various fields in a year.
With this effort, along with increasing the skill, the income of the workers will also increase by up to eight thousand rupees. Also, construction companies will get better and smarter workers by getting them to work in a better way, less wastage and there will be huge savings.
4200 will also be given to all the workers after completing the training.
About Delhi
Delhi was accepted as the capital of the Union of India after independence in 1947.
In 1956 it was given the status of a Union Territory.
Under the 69th Constitutional Amendment, 1991, the Union Territory of Delhi was made 'National Capital Territory of Delhi', giving special status to it.
A 70-member assembly and a 7-member council of ministers were also arranged for Delhi.
NCR includes the districts of Uttar Pradesh (8), Haryana (14) and Rajasthan (2) adjoining Delhi.
Lt. Governor- Vinai Kumar Saxena
Chief Minister- Shri Arvind Kejriwal
2. Chhattisgarh govt approves electric vehicle policy to create employment
Tags: State News
Chhattisgarh has become the 21st state in India to ratify its Electric Vehicle Policy.
Important facts
Chhattisgarh EV Policy 2022 was approved during the cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel.
The objective of the policy is not only to increase the number of electric vehicles on the roads, but also to develop the state as an EV manufacturing hub in the coming days.
“Under the policy, the government has set a target of 15 percent new registrations of vehicles for personal use or commercial use as EVs by 2027.”
Chhattisgarh EV policy will be applicable for commercial and non-commercial vehicles.
Full rebate in road tax will be given on all electric vehicles purchased during the first two years from the date of official implementation of this policy.
About Chhattisgarh State
Chhattisgarh is a densely forested state in central India known for its temples and waterfalls.
It is also known as the rice bowl due to its abundant production of paddy.
Chhattisgarh has the world's largest area of kimberlite deposits.
Chhattisgarh accounts for 16 percent of the total mineral production of the country.
It is the second largest state in the country in terms of mineral revenue.
The state of Chhattisgarh was formed on 1 November 2000.
Capital- Raipur
Governor- Anusuiya Uike Baghel
Chief Minister- Bhupesh Baghel
3. 16 killed in cloudburst during Amarnath Yatra
Tags: State News
16 pilgrims lost their lives in flash floods triggered by cloudburst near the holy cave of Amarnath in Ganderbal district of Jammu and Kashmir.
Important facts
The flash flood washed away a part of the camp.
About 50 people are missing at the site of the flood.
The injured were shifted to temporary medical camps set up in Baltal.
The exact location of the cloudburst and flash floods is the Kali Mata Y Junction, which is located in the lower Amarnath cave towards the Baltal base camp.
What is a Cloudburst?
It is a sudden, very heavy rainfall that is usually local in nature and of short duration.
Most cloudbursts occur in connection with thunderstorms.
According to the IMD it is a weather phenomenon with "unexpected rainfall" in excess of 100 mm/h over a geographical area of about 20-30 sq km.
In a cloudburst event, a large amount of water can accumulate at high levels, and if the upward currents weaken, all this water falls to the ground at once.
Cloudburst is a common phenomenon especially in mountainous areas.
About Amarnath Yatra
Amarnath Yatra is an annual pilgrimage to the Amarnath cave temple of Lord Shiva located in the Himalayas.
The cave is located at an altitude of 3,888 meters, about 141 km (88 mi) from Srinagar.
According to religious beliefs, when Lord Shiva decided to tell Parvati the secret of his immortality (Amar Katha), he chose the Amarnath cave deep in the Himalayas in South Kashmir.
The ice lingam, representing Lord Shiva is formed by a trickle of water from a cleft in the roof of the cave.
Shiva Lingam takes its full shape every year in May after which it starts melting.
Other pilgrimage sites in Jammu and Kashmir
Vaishno Devi Mandir
It is a very popular Hindu temple dedicated to the Hindu Goddess.
It is located in the Trikuta Mountains of Jammu and Kashmir.
It is situated at an altitude of 5200 feet above sea level.
Shankracharya Temple
It is situated on the Zabarwan Mountain in Srinagar.
The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva.
It is located about 1100 feet above the plains.
It is said that the great saint Shankaracharya stayed there during his visit to Kashmir.
Raghunath Temple
It is one of the largest temples in North India and is located in Jammu.
It was built by Maharaja Gulab Singh (founder of the state of Jammu and Kashmir) and his son Ranbir Singh.
The temple has many idols of Hindu gods and goddesses, but its main deity is Lord Rama.
4. Home Minister Amit Shah chair Northern Zonal Council meeting in Jaipur
Tags: State News
Union Home Minister Amit Shah chaired the 30th meeting of the Northern Zonal Council held in Jaipur on July 9, where security, road, transport, industry, water, electricity and other issues of common interest were discussed.
Important facts
Chief Ministers, Governors and Lieutenant Governors of 8 states/union territories including Rajasthan attended the meeting.
Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot delivered the welcome address.
The meeting was held in Jaipur after 25 years.
The Modi government has been holding regular meetings of regional councils as part of its overall strategy to strengthen and promote cooperative and competitive federalism in the country.
In the last eight years, the number of meetings of the Regional Councils and its Standing Committees has tripled.
About Zonal Councils
In 1956 first Prime Minister of India, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru give the idea of creation of Zonal Councils.
There are five Zonal Councils in India which were established in 1957 under Section 15-22 of the States Reorganization Act, 1956.
A Standing Committee is constituted by each Zonal Council consisting of the Chief Secretaries of their respective Zonal Councils of the Member States.
These Standing Committees meet from time to time to resolve the issues.
Chairman - The Union Home Minister is the Chairman of each of these Councils
Vice-chairman - Chief Minister of the host state
Five Zonal Councils
The Northern Zonal Council - States of Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Punjab, Rajasthan, National Capital Territory of Delhi and Union Territory of Chandigarh are included.
The Central Zonal Council - States of Chhattisgarh, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh are included.
The Eastern Zonal Council - States of Bihar, Jharkhand, Orissa, Sikkim and West Bengal are included.
The Western Zonal Council - States of Goa, Gujarat, Maharashtra and the Union Territories of Daman & Diu and Dadra & Nagar Haveli are included.
The Southern Zonal Council - States of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and the Union Territory of Puducherry are included.
Objectives of the Zonal Councils
National integration
Enabling Centre and States to collaborate and exchange ideas and experiences
Stopping the growth of regionalism, linguism and specific tendencies
To establish an environment of cooperation among the states for successful and speedy execution of development projects
Significance of Zonal Councils
Zonal councils provide a forum for discussion on issues affecting one or more states or issues between the Centre and the states.
It helps in developing a coordinated approach through deliberation and exchange of views among the states on important issues of social and economic development.
They provide a forum for resolving disputes between the Centre and the states.
Kindly also see 11 June 2022 post
5. Home Minister unveils Statue of Peace of Swami Ramanujacharya in Srinagar
Tags: State News
The Union Home Minister Amit Shah unveiled the statue of Swami Ramanujacharya “Statue of Peace” in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir through video conference on July 07, 2022.
About Swami Ramanujacharya
Swami Ramanujacharya was a Vedic philosopher and social reformer.
He travelled across India and emphasised the principles of equality and social justice.
His teachings inspired the saints of the Bhakti movement and his disciple Ramananda started the Bhakti movement.
The works of mediaeval saint poets Annamacharya, Bhakta Ramdas, Tyagraj, Kabir and Mirabai were influenced by his philosophy.
Ramanuja was an advocate of social equality among all classes of people centuries ago and encouraged the opening of temple doors to all irrespective of caste or status in society, at a time when people of various castes was not allowed to enter temples.
He took education to those who were deprived of it.
His greatest contribution is the promotion of the concept of 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam', which is often translated as 'the whole universe is one family'.
6. Chhattisgarh gets Centre’s nod for World Bank funded school project
Tags: State News
The Chhattisgarh government has received in-principle approval from the Centre for a $300 million (approximately ₹2,100 crore) school education project, funded by the World Bank to the state government.
What is the proposal?
A World Bank team will visit Chhattisgarh later this month for the first phase of talks.
The discussion on this proposal started two months ago, and was then sent to the Centre after the approval of the state finance department.
The World Bank will lend the Chhattisgarh government $300 million over a five-year period at interest far below market rates and repay it over a period of 20 years.
After assessment by the World Bank team, a Detailed Project Report (DPR) will be prepared, which will be placed before the World Bank Board and the Centre for final approval.
The DPR will also have a detailed plan of how the money will be spent.
What is an in-principle nod?
This means that the Centre has no objection to the state borrowing from an external financial institution like the World Bank.
It is not a final nod, but it paves the way for the state to move forward with subsequent discussions.
Similarly, the World Bank has also given in-principle approval that it is ready to fund the project.
World Bank's association with India’s school education
The World Bank has been associated with India’s school education system since 1994.
The World Bank signed a $500 million Strengthening Teaching-Learning and Results for States Program (STARS) with India in 2021 to improve the quality and governance of school education in six Indian states.
However, Chhattisgarh is not included in that list.
7. 100 students of Sikkim College infected after coming in contact with Nairobi flies
Tags: State News
Around 100 students of an engineering college in East Sikkim suffered severe skin infections after coming into contact with Nairobi flies.
About Nairobi flies
These flies are native to Nairobi, the capital of Kenya in East Africa, and are therefore called Nairobi flies.
These flies are like dragon bugs.
They belong to two species, Paederus eximius and Paederus sabaeus.
They are orange and black in color, and thrive in areas of high rainfall.
Like most insects, they are attracted to bright light.
Effect of Nairobi flies on humans
Farm pests are the primary food source of Nairobi flies, so these insects are beneficial to humans.
Since they are attracted to bright lights, it is not rare for them to find their way into human habitats.
Unlike most insects, Nairobi flies do not bite, but when they do bite, they release a fluid called Pederin that causes chemical burns on the skin.
This chemical can cause unusual burns or sores on the skin.
Within a day or two, pinhead-sized blisters appear, which are filled with a yellowish fluid.
Even though the skin may heal in a week or two, the affected area may become infected for other reasons.
Outbreaks of the disease
Outbreaks have been seen in Kenya and other parts of East Africa.
Outside Africa, there have been outbreaks in the past in India, Japan, Israel and Paraguay.
Protection against Nairobi flies
Prevent it from coming near you.
Sleeping under a mosquito net can help.
The fly should not be distracted, crushed or touched to reduce the chances of releasing the toxin.
Any area where flies sit should be washed with soap and water.
8. Anthrax Outbreak In Kerala’s Athirappilly Forest
Tags: State News
Kerala Health Minister Veena George recently confirmed the outbreak of anthrax after several carcasses of wild boar were found at Athirapally in Thrissur district.
Important facts
Anthrax is a serious infectious disease caused by bacteria.
It is commonly found in the southern states of India. It is found less in the northern states.
The disease has been reported in Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Jammu and Kashmir, Assam, Orissa and Karnataka.
Anthrax
Anthrax is also called Woolsorter's disease or malignant pustules.
It is a rare but serious disease caused by a rod-shaped bacteria called Bacillus anthracis.
These bacteria are naturally found in the soil.
According to WHO, anthrax is a disease of herbivores that affects wild and domestic animals.
It is a zoonotic disease; Thus, it is transferable from animals to humans.
When wild and domestic animals come in contact with contaminated soil, water, they can become infected.
Anthrax infection in humans
Humans become infected with anthrax disease directly or indirectly from animals or animal products.
Humans can become infected when they enter the body through eating contaminated food, drinking contaminated water, breathing or scratching the skin.
Symptoms of anthrax
The first sign is the sudden death of one or two animals within a herd of livestock species such as cattle, sheep or goats.
Symptoms of high fever may be seen.
Swelling, and sudden death with the absence of blood clots are common symptoms in wildlife.
9. Assam Cabinet approves ‘indigenous’ status for five Muslim communities
Tags: State News
The Assam government has decided to grant 'swadeshi' status to five Assamese-speaking Muslim communities in the state. Now the identity of these communities will be different from the Bengali speaking Muslims.
These Assamese Muslim communities includes Goria, Moria, Deshi, Jolah and Syed.
This step has been taken in line with the recommendation of sub-groups/committees constituted by the State Government.
This group has often expressed the need for a separate identity.
The decision has been taken following the recommendations of a panel constituted by the Assam government last year to discuss socio-economic issues related to the Assamese Muslim community of the state.
The panel was constituted in July last year after Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma's meeting with Assamese Muslims from different regions.
Why was this decision taken?
This step has been taken to identify the 'illegal infiltrators' in Assam.
This will help in identifying the origin of Assam i.e. Indian Muslims.
Bangladeshi infiltrators can be driven out of the country after Indian Muslims are identified.
Infiltration has been a major issue in Assam and other states of the Northeast.
The most affected by these infiltrators has been in Assam.
The move will ensure their development in health, cultural identity, education, financial inclusion, skill development and women empowerment.
Muslims population in Assam
Muslims constitute 34% of Assam's 3.12 crore population, of whom 4% are indigenous Assamese Muslims and the rest are mostly Bengali-speaking Muslims.
10. 'Nari Ko Naman' scheme launched by Himachal Pradesh government for women
Tags: Government Schemes State News
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur launched the “Nari Ko Naman” scheme for the women of the state.
This scheme has been started in line with the announcement made before the state assembly elections.
Under the scheme, the Himachal Pradesh government has announced a 50% discount on ticket prices to women in state government buses.
The Himachal Pradesh government will spend Rs 60 crore annually to provide a 50% discount on ticket prices to women in the state.
According to an estimate, 1.25 lakh women travel in HRTC buses daily.
Minimum fare reduction / other announcements
Apart from giving concessions to women in tickets to women, the government also announced reduction of minimum fare in HRTC buses from Rs 7 to Rs 5.
In addition, 25 posts of women drivers will be filled in HRTC 'Ride with Pride' taxis.
In HRTC, 265 posts of Motor Mechanic, Electrician etc. will also be recruited.
About Himachal Pradesh
It was made the eighteenth state of India on 25 January 1971 under the Himachal Pradesh State Act, 1971.
Himachal Pradesh is also called the Land of Gods.
Himachal Pradesh is part of the Shivalik range of the Himalaya Mountains.
Major rivers and dams- Sutlej (Bhakra Dam, Gobind Sagar Reservoir, Koldam Dam), Vyas (Pandoh Dam, Maharana Pratap Sagar Reservoir), Ravi (Chamera Dam), Parvati
Major Lakes- Renuka, Revalsar, Khajjiar, Dal, Beas Kund, Dasaur, Brighu, Parashar, Mani Mahesh, Chander Tal, Suraj Tal, Kareri, Sarolsar, Govind Sagar, Nako Lake
National Parks- Great Himalayan National Park, Pin Valley National Park, Khirganga, Inderkilla and Simbalbara National Parks
Capital- Shimla
Governor- Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar
Chief Minister- Jai Ram Thakur
Legislative Assembly seats- 68
Rajya Sabha seats- 3
Lok Sabha seats - 4
