State PCS

• 08 Oct 2021

Weebly Scott: Made in India Revolver

Why in News

• On October 7, 2021, the domestic revolver from renowned British firearms company Weebly and Scott hit the Indian market with its first delivery in Lucknow.

Key Points

• JPS Syal of Capital Gun House said that this is the first revolver made in the private sector under the 'Made in India' campaign of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The first revolver was handed over to Sudhir Kumar Gupta.
• The British firm had tied up with Lucknow-based Seal Manufacturers to manufacture firearms and it is being manufactured in Hardoi. According to the agreement, the company will not sell the revolver directly, but through the gun house.
• This unit is Weebley and Scott's first unit in the country. Revolver, pistol, airgun will be made in this unit. The revolver will cost around Rs 1.55 lakh.
• It is noteworthy that Weebley is famous for the revolvers and automatic pistols supplied to the British Empire, especially the British Army during both World Wars since 1887.
• In 2010 Weebley and Scott resumed production of shotguns for commercial sale.

Sub-public Service Centers

Why in News

• On October 7, 2021, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan announced to set up sub-public service centers in Gram Panchayats having a population of more than five thousand in the coming one year to expand the Public Service Centers from Tehsil to Gram Panchayat level.

Key Points

• Through these sub-public service centers, services will be provided to the citizens at their doorsteps. A copy of Khasra will be provided to the citizens at just Rs 10 per page. The facility of sending this service to the registered WhatsApp number on 181 Jansewa will also be started.
• It is noteworthy that the Chief Minister made this announcement on the concluding day of Jan Kalyan and Suraj Abhiyan, which lasted from 17 September to 7 October. On this occasion, the Chief Minister started 7 new portals and 8 Lok Seva Kendras.
• In these, new portals of General Administration, Urban Development, Planning and Statistics, Home and Energy Departments were started. These portals will increase the public facilities available to the citizens and their work will be easier. Now e-FIR can be done on the portal of the Department of Home.
• On this occasion, the Chief Minister also made some other important announcements-
  
  • In Madhya Pradesh, the system of 'e-rupee' will be implemented in the form of e-voucher. For the payment of treatment amount and scholarship of patients under Ayushman Bharat, cash benefit transfer can be done directly to the beneficiaries through 'e-rupee' for specific purposes.
  • The parents of the newborn will be provided with the birth certificate at the time of the birth of the child along with the caste certificate in case of SC/ST classes.
  • Some specific civic services like fitness of vehicles, renewal of driving license, vehicle registration, certified copy of documents, septic tank, sewage cleaning and water tank services will also be provided through private service providers.
  • Applications regarding citizen services like income certificate, residence certificate, khasra/land records, scholarship, pension etc. will be received on social media platforms such as WhatsApp/Telegram/Ku App. Online service will be provided to citizens through chatbot and they can get these services without reaching the government office.
  • In all government recruitments, appointment and joining will be given only on the basis of an affidavit, simplifying the current prevailing process regarding character verification of selected candidates.
• Along with this, the Chief Minister also released a booklet related to the usefulness of the health promotion program by the Department of Women and Child Development and integrated nutrition of severely malnourished children and the importance of coarse cereals and the dishes prepared from them.

Lump sum Settlement Scheme

Why in News

• On October 7, 2021, the Madhya Pradesh State Co-operative Housing Federation implemented a 'Lump sum settlement scheme' for recovery of outstanding loans to primary housing institutions and their members. A provision has been made in the scheme to give 100% rebate in penal interest.

Key Points

• Under the lump sum settlement scheme loans worth Rs. 421 crore 54 lakh can be recovered in loan cases of more than 15 years.
• At present, the rate of interest on the amount given by the union, including penal-interest, becomes excessive in the present circumstances. This is increasing the burden on the account holders. At the same time, recovery is also not easy and there is a situation of legal complications.
• Under the lump sum settlement scheme the defaulters will become eligible for settlement by depositing 25 percent of the total demand within a period of 30 days from the date of application. After this, the defaulter will have to deposit the entire loan amount in the next six months.
• To take advantage of this scheme, the institution can get the application in the prescribed format from the loanee members and the regional office housing association. On the application of the institution to the loanee members, the Regional Manager will be informed about the recovery of the entire outstanding amount in the scheme and the remaining balance after giving the benefit of the scheme.
• Recommendation on the application will be sent to the housing union headquarters. The matter will be resolved within 30 days from the date of receipt of the application in the housing union headquarters. The entire process of lump sum settlement has been kept transparent.

Haryana Sanjhi Utsav

Why in News

• On October 7, 2021, 'Haryana Sanjhi Utsav' began at Virasat Heritage Village, Kurukshetra under the joint aegis of Art and Cultural Affairs Department and Virasat Heritage Village Kurukshetra, Government of Haryana.

Key Points

• More than 50 teams from different districts of Haryana are participating in this festival. 51, 31, 21 and 11 thousand will be given to the winners as first, second, third and consolation prizes respectively.
• It is noteworthy that 'Haryana Sanjhi Utsav' is being organized for the first time at the state level. In this event, along with the folk art of Haryana, the exhibition of ancient themes of Haryana will be the center of special attraction.
• Sanjhi festival of Haryana will continue till October 15. Different colours of Haryana’s culture will be seen in it. Haryanvi folk dance, customs, folk traditions and cultural glimpse of entire Haryana will be seen in Sanjhi festival.
• Teams from Kurukshetra, Ambala, Faridabad, Kaithal have participated in this festival.

Anshu Malik: Silver in World Wrestling Championship

Why in News

• On October 7, 2021, Anshu Malik became the first female wrestler from the country to win a silver medal in the final of the 57 kg weight category of the ongoing World Wrestling Championships in Oslo, Norway.

Key Points

• Anshu Malik was defeated by Olympic and World Champion Helen Marolis of America 4-1 in the final.
• In the tournament held in Norway, 20-year-old Anshu Malik defeated junior European champion Solomia Vink in the semi-finals on technical prowess.
• Before Anshu Malik, Geeta Phogat (2012), Babita Phogat (2012), Pooja Dhanda (2018) and Vinesh Phogat (2019) have won bronze medals at the World Championships.
• With this, Anshu has become the third Indian wrestler to reach the World Championships. Before him, Sushil Kumar (2010) and Bajrang Punia (2018) have achieved this feat. Sushil won the gold medal in 2010.
• It is noteworthy that 20-year-old Anshu Malik is a resident of Jind in Haryana.
• On the other hand, India's veteran wrestler Sarita Mor won the bronze medal by defeating Sarah Lindborg of Sweden 8-2 in the bronze medal match in the 59 kg weight category. She is the second female wrestler to win a medal at the 2021 World Championships and the sixth female wrestler to win an overall medal.

Ranchi: The Only District with Active Mucormycosis Cases

Why in News

• According to the latest data compiled by the Integrated Disease Surveillance Program (IDSP) on October 7, 2021, Ranchi is the only district in Jharkhand that currently has active cases of mucormycosis.

Key Points

• According to IDSP data, in the last eight months, at least 18 of the state's 24 districts had witnessed a fungal infection with a fatality rate of 50 per cent and claimed 31 lives.
• Out of 168 cases of mucormycosis reported in the state so far, 66 cases have been found in Ranchi and 11 out of 31 deaths have occurred.
• As per records, there were only three patients of mucormycosis (commonly known as black fungus) in Jharkhand on October 7, and all three of them are undergoing treatment in Ranchi.
• At the same time, 25 cases of mucormycosis have been reported in East Singhbhum, which is second among the districts of the state, while 11 people were found infected with mucormycosis in Hazaribagh. In other affected districts, 9 people were found infected in Bokaro, 8 each in Dhanbad and Giridih, 7 in Ramgarh and 6 in Palamu.
• Of the 31 deaths in the state, 11 were in Ranchi, five in East Singhbhum, three in Ramgarh, two each in Dhanbad and Godda and one each in Bokaro, Chatra, Deoghar, Dumka, Garhwa, Giridih, Hazaribagh and Koderma.
• Mucormycosis is a rare infection caused by exposure to mucor mold found in soil, plants, manure and rotting fruits and vegetables. Jharkhand notified mucormycosis as an epidemic earlier this year following directions from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

Inauguration of Several Oxygen Plants

Why in News

• On October 7, 2021, Central Coalfields Limited (CCL) dedicated 3 PSA Oxygen Plants installed at Central Hospital Gandhinagar, Central Hospital Ramgarh and CHC Tandwa to the public.

Key Points

• It is noteworthy that 35 PSA oxygen plants in 35 states and union territories across the country were dedicated to the nation by Prime Minister Narendra Modi through virtual medium from AIIMS Rishikesh.
• CCL has also signed an MoU with Bokaro District Administration for construction of two 200 LPM PSA plants at COVID Hospital, Bokaro.
• Along with this 2 PSA Oxygen Plants are under construction at CHC Ormanjhi and CHC Sonahatu.
• The plant at Gandhinagar Hospital was inaugurated by Rajya Sabha MP Deepak Prakash, while Mandu MLA Jai Prakash Bhai Patel inaugurated the Oxygen Plant at Central Hospital, Ramgarh.
• As per the company's CSR policy, three plants are being set up at Tandwa, Ormanjhi and Sonahatu with a capacity of 200 LPM. The plants at Central Hospitals- Gandhinagar and Ramgarh have a capacity of 1,000 LPM.

Ram Van Gaman Tourist Circuit

Why in News

• On October 7, 2021, Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel inaugurated the first phase of the Ram Van Gaman tourism circuit project in Chhattisgarh to develop the places related to the exile period of Lord Shri Ram as a world-class tourist destination.

Key Points

• On this occasion, the Chief Minister also inaugurated the renovation and beautification work of Mata Kaushalya temple complex at Chandkhuri and unveiled a 51 feet high statue of Lord Shri Ram through light.
• It is worth mentioning that the work of renovation and beautification of Kaushalya Mata Temple is being done at a cost of Rs 15 crore 45 lakh.
• It is noteworthy that Ram Van Gaman tourism circuit of about 2260 km is being developed from Harchowka in Sitamarhi of Korea district to Ramaram in Sukma.
• Chhattisgarh has its own identity in the whole world as the maternal grandmother home of Lord Shri Ram. In this tourism circuit, Lord Shri Ram will be seen step by step from Korea district to Sukma and the stories of importance related to him will be seen and heard.
• Ram Van Gaman Tourism Circuit Project includes Sitamarhi Harchowka (Koriya), Ramgarh (Surguja), Shivrinarayan (Janjgir-Champa), Turturiya (Balodabazar), Chandkhuri (Raipur), Rajim (Gariaband), Sihawa Saptarishi Ashram (Dhamtari), Jagdalpur (Bastar). ) and Ramaram (Sukma) are being developed at a cost of Rs.133 crore 55 lakh from the point of view of tourism.
• Through this tourism circuit, not only rural tourism will get a boost in the state, but new global tourism opportunities will increase.

Fourth Tiger Reserve in Chhattisgarh

Why in News

• Recently the 'National Tiger Conservation Authority' (NTCA) approved the proposal of Chhattisgarh government to declare the combined areas of Guru Ghasidas National Park and Tamor Pingla Wildlife Sanctuary as Tiger Reserve.

Key Points

• Situated in the northern part of Chhattisgarh bordering Madhya Pradesh and Jharkhand, this new tiger reserve will be the fourth tiger reserve of Chhattisgarh after Udanti-Sitanadi, Achanakmar and Indravati Tiger Reserves.
• The proposal was considered by the 11^th Technical Committee of NTCA on September 1 and approved a month later under Section 38K(1) of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
• The Tamor Pingla Wildlife Sanctuary was identified in 2011 as part of the Surguja Jashpur Elephant Reserve. Guru Ghasidas National Park was part of the Sanjay National Park in undivided Madhya Pradesh. Both have been in line to be notified as Tiger Reserves since 2011.
• The constituent units of the new Tiger Reserve are Guru Ghasidas National Park and Tamor Pingla Wildlife Sanctuary spread over 1,44,000 hectares (1,440 sq km) and 60,850 hectares (608.5 sq km) respectively.
• Guru Ghasidas National Park is in Koriya district, while Tamor Pingla Wildlife Sanctuary is in Surajpur district in the north-west corner of Chhattisgarh.
• Guru Ghasidas National Park was the last known habitat of Asiatic cheetahs in the country. Originally part of the Sanjay Dubri National Park, Guru Ghasidas National Park was created as a separate entity in the Surguja region of Chhattisgarh after the formation of the state in 2001.
• Wildlife experts and activists in the state believe it is important to convert Guru Ghasidas National Park into a tiger reserve, as it connects Jharkhand and Madhya Pradesh and provides a corridor for movement of tigers between Bandhavgarh and Palamu Tiger Reserves.

PM inaugurates PSA Oxygen Plant at Ambedkar Hospital

Why in News

• On October 7, 2021, Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually inaugurated a Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) Oxygen Plant at Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar Memorial Medical College, set up under the PM Cares Fund, in Raipur.

Key Points

• Prime Minister Modi inaugurated 35 PSA Oxygen Plants installed in 35 states and union territories through virtual medium at an event organized at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Rishikesh, Uttarakhand.
• This plant can produce 960 liters of oxygen in a minute.
• The medical college has an oxygen plant with a production capacity of 1,450 liters per minute jointly set up by the state government and the National Health Mission.
• With both the plants functional, the hospital will have an operational facility of 500 oxygen cylinders to meet the daily requirement of oxygen.