1. Rajasthan Assembly passed the 'Rajasthan Minimum Guaranteed Income Bill, 2023'
Tags: State News
The Rajasthan Assembly passed the 'Rajasthan Minimum Guaranteed Income Bill, 2023', which aims to guarantee wages or pension to every adult in the state.
An Overview of the News
The bill provides guaranteed employment of 125 days per year and a minimum monthly pension of Rs 1,000 to all households, including in urban and rural areas.
Both urban and rural households, regardless of their background, would benefit from employment guarantee and pension provisions.
There will be an annual automatic increase of 15 per cent in the minimum pension amount due to inflation and cost of living.
The bill is considered historic and matchless, as it addresses poverty and enhances social security measures for the state's population.
The beneficiaries of the bill will also get additional benefits like free medical treatment, accident insurance, free electricity and subsidised gas cylinders, which will further improve their financial condition.
About Rajasthan
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)
Rajya Sabha - 10 seats
Lok Sabha - 25 seats
2. Senior Congress leader Oommen Chandi passed away
Tags: State News
Former Chief Minister of Kerala and senior Congress leader Oommen Chandy passed away on 18 July 2023 at the age of 79.
An Overview of the news:
- Oman Chandi's son has given this information through a Facebook post. Chandy had been ill for some time and was undergoing treatment in Bengaluru.
Political journey of Chandi:
- Chandi contributed significantly to the regional and national politics of Kerala for more than 5 decades.
- Chandy was elected to the Kerala Legislative Assembly at the age of 27 and won 11 consecutive elections.
- He was also the Chief Minister of Kerala from 2004–2006 and 2011–2016.
- Chandy served as a cabinet minister in the Government of Kerala four times.
- Chandy had also served as the Leader of the Opposition in the Kerala Legislative Assembly for four terms.
Kerala:
- Capital: Thiruvananthapuram
- Governor: Arif Mo Khan
- Chief Minister: Pinarayi Vijayan
3. PM Mitra Park inaugurated in Amravati, Maharashtra
Tags: State News
16 July 2023 Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde virtually inaugurated the PM Mega Integrated Textile Region and Apparel Park (PM Mitra Park) in Amravati.
An Overview of the News
The inauguration ceremony was attended by Union Textiles Minister Piyush Goyal, Minister of State for Textiles Darshana Jardosh, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and other officials.
Memorandum of Understanding and Investor Cooperation:
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for PM Mitra Park was signed between the Government of India and the Government of Maharashtra during the event.
MoUs were also signed with interested investors in PM Mitra Park.
Declaration and objectives of PM Mitra Park:
The Government of India had earlier announced the selection of seven sites for setting up PM Mitra Parks in the textile industry.
The parks aim to develop high-quality industrial infrastructure that will attract significant investment, including foreign direct investment (FDI), and promote innovation and job creation in the textile sector.
Inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 5F vision (i.e. from Farm to Fiber to Factory to Fashion to Abode), PM Mitra Park is a major step towards realising the government's vision of making India a global hub for textile manufacturing and exports.
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
4. Inauguration of two National Highway projects in Lucknow
Tags: State News
Union Road, Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari inaugurated two National Highway projects in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh with an investment of over Rs 3,300 crore.
An Overview of the News
Project 1 - Madiav-IIM Lucknow-Sitapur section
The inaugural project focuses on the Madiav-I.I.M. section of the Lucknow-Sitapur National Highway 24.
The project aims to provide better connectivity from Lucknow to Sitapur.
This will provide relief from heavy traffic jams at Bhitauli Tiraha and Jankipuram Extension.
Passengers are expected to save more than 30 minutes in travel time and fuel.
This project will facilitate the pilgrims going to Chandrika Devi and Naimisharanya.
Project 2 - Naviganj to Mitrasenpur on Aligarh-Kanpur section
The second project involves the construction of a 4-lane road from Naviganj to Mitrasenpur on the Aligarh-Kanpur section.
The construction of the road will boost economic development in the perfume hub of Uttar Pradesh, Kannauj and surrounding areas.
The project is expected to benefit small and medium scale industries in areas like Chhibramau, Gursahaiganj, Jalalabad and Manimau.
Farmers of Kannauj will have ease of transportation till Chhibramau and Naviganj Mandi. This project will give them direct access to Delhi, making agriculture trade easy.
5. DGCA approves Tamil Nadu's first flying training school
Tags: State News
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) approved EKVI Air Training Organization Pvt Ltd to set up the first Flying Training Organization (FTO) in Tamil Nadu, India.
An Overview of the News
This approval is for aviation education in India, as it is the 36th flight training school in the country and the first in Tamil Nadu.
EKVI Air Training Organization Pvt Ltd will operate from Salem airport, providing an opportunity to aspiring pilots in the region to get professional training and fulfill their dreams of becoming skilled aviators.
FTO's training programs will include comprehensive theoretical classes, flight simulator sessions and practical flight experience, providing students with a sound education that will prepare them for the dynamic aviation industry.
About Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA)
DGCA is the regulatory authority for civil aviation in India.
Its main focus is to ensure safety in air transport services.
It enforces civil air regulations and air safety standards.
It coordinates its operations with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
In the mid-1990s, the Indian government allowed private operators in the aviation industry.
DGCA registers civil aircraft and sets airworthiness standards.
It licences pilots, aircraft maintenance engineers, flight engineers and air traffic controllers.
It certifies airports and communication, navigation, surveillance/air traffic management facilities.
It grants air operator certificates to Indian carriers and regulates air transport services.
6. Uttar Pradesh cabinet approves construction of two "Obra D" thermal power projects in partnership with NTPC
Tags: State News
The Uttar Pradesh government approved 800 MW ultra-supercritical thermal power projects in Sonbhadra district in partnership with NTPC.
An Overview of the News
Each thermal power project will have a capacity of 800 MW, resulting in an increase in the combined capacity of Uttar Pradesh by 1,600 MW.
Use of ultra-supercritical technology: The "Obra D" thermal power projects will use ultra-supercritical technology, operating at high temperature and pressure, to achieve high efficiency and reduce coal consumption for power generation.
Contribution to power generation capacity: These projects are expected to contribute about 25% of Uttar Pradesh's current thermal power generation capacity, which is around 7,000MW.
Timeline and Implementation: The construction of the first unit is estimated to take 50 months, while the second unit is expected to be completed in 56 months. The government has already allotted 500 acres of land for the projects, there is a possibility of allotting additional land if required.
Partnership and funding: The Government of Uttar Pradesh and NTPC will execute the projects on a 50:50 basis. Thirty percent equity will be provided for project implementation, while the remaining 70% will be sourced from financial institutions.
Development of Power Hub: The decision to set up power plants in the Obra region is aimed at developing them as power hubs to meet the growing energy demands in Uttar Pradesh.
Objective: Reliable Power Supply: The "Obra D" thermal power projects aim at ensuring a stable and reliable power supply to meet the growing demands of industries, businesses and households in the state.
The Chairman and Managing Director of National Thermal Power Corporation is Gurdeep Singh.
7. Prime Minister Narendra Modi launches development projects in Varanasi
Tags: State News
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for 29 development projects worth over Rs 12,100 crore in Varanasi on July 7, 2023.
An Overview of the News:
- The projects aim to boost infrastructure and improve the quality of life in Varanasi.
- The projects included the inauguration of 19 projects worth 10,720 crore rupees and the laying of the foundation stone for 10 projects worth 1,389 crore rupees.
Dedication of Infrastructure Projects:
- Prime Minister Modi dedicated the Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya Junction-Sone Nagar railway line of the Dedicated Freight Corridor built at a cost of over Rs 6,760 crore.
- He also inaugurated three railway lines and widening to four-lanes of Varanasi-Jaunpur section of NH-56.
Inauguration of several projects:
- Several projects were inaugurated, including the construction and renovation of PWD roads, an International Girls Hostel building on the BHU campus and a vocational training centre in Karsara village.
- A unique floating changing room jetty was also inaugurated at Dashashwamedh Ghat to facilitate bathing in river Ganga.
Foundation stone of projects:
- PM Modi laid the foundation stone for construction of 3 two-lane rail over bridges, construction and renovation of 15 PWD roads, redevelopment of Manikarnika and Harishchandra ghats and floating changing room ghats at six ghats and 192 rural drinking water schemes under Jal Jeevan Mission.
About Uttar Pradesh:
- Uttar Pradesh is a state located in the northern part of India.
- It has a population of over 240 million, making it the most populous state in India as well as the most populous subdivision in the world.
- The state was officially established in 1950.
- Capital - Lucknow (Executive Branch)
- Governor - Anandiben Patel
- Chief Minister - Yogi Adityanath
- Assembly: 403 seats
- Legislative Council: 100 seats
- Rajya Sabha - 31 seats
- Lok Sabha - 80 seats
8. Gujarat government doubles insurance cover under PMAY
Tags: State News
The Gujarat government has doubled the insurance cover under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMAY) from 11 July 2023.
An Overview of the news:
- Now the beneficiaries of PMAY will be able to get an insurance cover of Rs 10 lakh instead of Rs 5 lakh.
- According to state health minister Rushikesh Patel, the decision will benefit around 1.78 crore Ayushman Bharat card holders in the state.
- Beneficiaries under PMAY will get free medical treatment in two thousand government hospitals and 795 private hospitals in the state.
- Gujarat has received over 39 lakh claims under PMAY.
- Gujarat ranks fifth in the country in terms of number of claims and second in terms of amount of claims settled so far under PMAY.
Gujarat:
- Capital: Gandhinagar
- Governor: Acharya Devvrat
- Chief Minister: Bhupendrabhai Patel
- Assembly: 182
- Rajya Sabha: 11 seats
- Lok Sabha: 26 seats
9. Amit Shah lays foundation stone of first co-operative-run Sainik School in Gujarat
Tags: State News
Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah organized a virtual ceremony to lay the foundation stone of the country's first cooperative-run Sainik School.
An Overview of the News
This event took place near Mehsana in Gujarat.
Sainik Schools are being established in honor of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's appeal to start 100 new Sainik Schools on PPP basis across India.
This Sainik School, run by a cooperative, is a symbol of the government's commitment to include various sectors in the development of the country.
Location and Cost:
The Sainik School will be set up in Boriyavi village, located about 11 km from Mehsana city in Gujarat.
Leading cooperative organisation Dudhsagar Dairy is starting this project at a cost of Rs 75 crore.
The virtual foundation stone laying ceremony was attended by Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and several senior cabinet ministers.
About Gujarat
Capital - Gandhinagar
Chief Minister - Bhupendra Bhai Patel
Governor - Acharya Devvrat
10. Piramal Finance opens first all-women branch in Kochi
Tags: State News
Piramal Finance opened the first all women branch named "Maitreyi" at Thripunithura near Kochi to cater to the unique needs of women customers.
An Overview of the News
Kerala was chosen as the location for the inaugural branch due to its demographic and market dynamics, 50% of customers in Kerala are women, as against the national average of 20%.
Kerala also has a high percentage of self-employed individuals, highlighting the entrepreneurial spirit of the state's population.
Each Maitreyi branch has a dedicated team of 7-15 women employees to cater to the specific needs of the customers.
The branch offers a wide range of services including home loans, MSME loans with a focus on home construction and property loans.
Piramal Finance aims to strengthen its commitment to provide financial services to women across India by opening branches in Jaipur, Mumbai, Mohali and New Delhi.
The company plans to set up a 500-strong branch network across 1,000 locations by the end of the year, showcasing its commitment to financial inclusion and serving the needs of customers across the country.
About Kerala
Formation - 1 November 1956
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
