State PCS

• 10 Dec 2021

Social Security Investment Promotion Scheme-2021

Why in News

• On December 9, 2021, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has given approval to exempt eligible non-profit organizations in the state from development fee and BSUP (Basic Services for Urban Poor) Shelter Fund amount under Social Security Investment Promotion Scheme-2021.

Key Points

• The State Government has implemented Social Security Investment Promotion Scheme-2021 with the objective of encouraging the development of public utility facilities in urban areas, encouraging the active participation of recognized non-profit organizations working in the field of social welfare and providing them a work-friendly environment.
• Under this scheme, various facilities, concessions and exemptions are being provided to recognized non-profit organizations in the field of welfare of children, women, disabled, beggary and drug addicts, poor, homeless, transgender and old people.
• Under this, 100% exemption is payable to these institutions in fixed premium rates, land use change fee and building permission fee for regulation from agriculture to non-agriculture purposes. Along with this, 100% exemption in registration fee and stamp duty is also being provided on the documents of immovable property purchased or taken on lease by them.

Rajasthan Best in Tourism and Wedding Destination

Why in News

• Recently, Rajasthan has been awarded with two awards simultaneously in the readers' survey of the world famous tourism magazine Travel and Leisure Magazine.

Key Points

• Rajasthan Tourism has been awarded the 'Best State' and 'Best Wedding Destination' awards at Travel & Leisure India's Best Awards-2021 based on ratings given by readers in various categories in the 10^th edition of 'India's Best Awards'.
• Rajasthan has received the Best Wedding Destination Award for royal weddings across the country in the magazine's survey. Along with this, the award of Best State has also been received in the whole country for the multifaceted tourism of tourists visiting Rajasthan.
• Travel and Leisure Magazine has awarded Rajasthan as the best state in the entire country in the overall category of tourism.
• Rajasthan, the land of Marudhara, which cherishes the heritage of the birthplace of kings and forts and havelis, is still at the forefront of beauty. Especially because of the destination wedding becoming a status symbol, there are many places like Udaipur, Jaipur, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, where Rajasthan witnesses many celebrities and many couples. Due to this, Rajasthan tourism has achieved this success.
• Rajasthan is a land of rich and colorful heritage, which has been attracting tourists for centuries. Recent developments in infrastructure and modern hospitality have contributed to making it one of the most preferred tourist destinations in the world.
• Udaipur has an important role in giving this recognition to Rajasthan. Udaipur with its unparalleled level of charm, its City Palace; Bapu Bazaar; Jag Mandir; Lake Palace Hotel and many other luxurious and unique royal wedding destinations; Along with Chittorgarh Fort and Kumbhalgarh Festival, it receives a special mention in the classification as the best state and best wedding venue of Rajasthan.
• It is on the basis of this survey that the tourism industry decides this top destination in the world. There will also be an increase in the number of tourists coming from all over the world including America, Europe.

Postal Service Award-2021

Why in News

• On December 9, 2021, Madhya Pradesh Governor Mangubhai Patel rewarded the employees-officers of Madhya Pradesh Postal Circle in eight different categories at the Postal Service Award-2021 function of Madhya Pradesh Postal Circle at Dr. Shankar Dayal Sharma Auditorium of Dak Bhawan.

Key Points

• In the award ceremony, the Governor presented the Technical Excellence Award to Gramin Dak Sevak Arvind Dhalse, Postman Chandra Kirti Prasad, Postal Assistant Helen Damor, Supervisor Brajesh Sharma, IP and ASP cadre Narendra Savita, Group A and B cadre SK Jhanwar, Accounts Officer in-charge CS Kushwaha.
• Awarded the Best Female Employee Award for outstanding work to Kumari Yasmin Khan.
• The Governor appreciated the efforts of Madhya Pradesh Postal Circle for Sukanya Samriddhi, implementation of Postal Life Insurance, door-to-door delivery of financial services by postmen and Gramin Dak Sevaks during the COVID pandemic.

School Fee Hike in Haryana Linked to Consumer Price Index

Why in News

• Recently, the state government has amended the Haryana School Education Rules, 2003 by linking the annual fee hike with the consumer price index to check the excessive fees charged by private schools in Haryana.

Key Points

• In this, a provision has also been made for a fine of up to Rs 2 lakh on private schools violating the new fee norms and withdrawal of recognition of private schools.
• As per the Haryana School Education (Amendment) Rules, 2021 notified by the state government, a recognized (private/unaided) school can increase the fee for its existing students every year, which is the monthly salary of the previous year's teaching staff. equal to the average per capita percentage increase in wages, but the fee increase shall not exceed the latest available annual percentage increase in the Consumer Price Index plus five percent.
• Apart from this, private schools will neither increase fees nor indulge in profiteering during the academic year. However, private schools will be free to fix the fee for new students seeking fresh admission in any class in a particular academic year.
• There are about 8900 private schools in Haryana. The education department had received a large number of complaints from parents against the unprecedented fee hike by private schools especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Subsequently, the Haryana School Education (Amendment) Rules, 2021 were notified to regulate and monitor the fee structure in private schools.

State's First Greenfield Project

Why in News

• Recently the leading real estate company, Samay Construction Pvt. Ltd. announced the launch of Sunrise Point, the state's first greenfield project at Adityapur, Jharkhand.

Key Points

• This project is located in Hariom Nagar of Adityapur. It is an exemplary residential colony, spread over an area of one acre. These projects will take 5 years to complete.
• The priorities of this project are designing new standards of excellence in the comfort of the residents as well as their quality of life.
• The project proponents will build a roadside green belt adjacent to the project site, which will have an overall cooling effect on the surroundings.

Institute of Driving and Traffic Research Inaugurated

Why in News

• On December 9, 2021, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel inaugurated the Institute of Driving and Traffic Research Chhattisgarh at village Leopard in Atal Nagar, Nava Raipur.

Key Points

• The Institute of Driving and Traffic Research, equipped with all modern facilities for teaching, has been established at a cost of Rs. 17 crore on a vast land area of 20 acres in village Leopard.
• On this occasion, the Chief Minister announced a 50 percent concession in training fee to women and third gender candidates getting training in IDTR and free of cost training to disabled candidates.
• Transport Minister Mohammad Akbar said that the candidates getting training in this training institute will be supported in providing employment. Those who get training here will be given priority in recruitment to the post of driver in the government department. Licenses will be given to those who complete the training.
• Kenichi Ayukawa, CEO and MD, Maruti Suzuki India, said that in the last 20 years, 39 lakh people across the country have been trained in driving by his institute. This IDTR located at Nava Raipur is the 8^th organization of Maruti Suzuki in the country.

Life Time Achievement Award

Why in News

• Recently, Professor Dr. Nirmal Verma has been honored with LifeTime Achievement Award at the 8th Indian Association of Preventive and Social Medicine (IAPSM) South Central Zone Conference held in Bhopal district of Madhya Pradesh.

Key Points

• Professor Dr. Kamlesh Jain, who has done better and commendable work in the field of public health, has also been honored with Dr. MC Mittal Samman.
• In this conference, subject experts selected for the LifeTime Achievement Award, who have done very credible and remarkable work in public health for a long time, were also honored with Public Health Expert Late Dr. MC Mittal and Late Dr. VB Saxena Samman.
• Indian Association of Preventive and Social Medicine is the association of PSM experts.
• At present, Preventive and Social Medicine is known as Community Medicine and in colloquial language, Public Health, that is, Public Health.

International Para Badminton Competition-2021

Why in News

• Abhijeet Sakhuja and Nihal Gupta of Chhattisgarh state have won gold medals in Under-16 Youth Asia Cup Para Badminton Competition-2021 held recently in Bahrain.

Key Points

• Abhijeet with left foot is the youngest (16 years) of the International Para Badminton tournament and the first player from Chhattisgarh to participate in the said event.
• Abhijit Sakhuja and Nihal Gupta defeated the Indian pair of Palak Kohli and Jyoti in the Under-16s to register a 21-13, 21-11 win in the final.
• In the semi-finals of the said event, the pair of Abhijeet and Nihal defeated the pair of Spanish players and entered the final.
• Abhijeet also won silver medal in singles and doubles category in the national para badminton competition held in Uttarakhand in the year 2018.