Madhya Pradesh State PCS

• 12 Jun 2023

MoU will be Signed with Uttar Pradesh for Cultural Exchange and Culture Promotion

Why in News?

According to the information given by the Madhya Pradesh Public Relations Department on 11 June 2023, a Memorandum of Understanding is getting signed on 13 June at Gandhi Auditorium, Raj Bhavan in Lucknow to promote cultural exchange & culture promotion between Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh.

Key Points:

• The Uttar Pradesh Sangeet Natak Akademi Award Ceremony-2023 will see a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two states under the theme 'Ek Bharat-Shreshtha Bharat'.
• The MoU will be signed in the presence of Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel, Uttar Pradesh Culture & Tourism Minister Jaiveer Singh and Madhya Pradesh Minister for Culture, Tourism, Religious Trust and Religion Ms. Usha Thakur.
• Madhya Pradesh Principal Secretary Culture & Tourism Shiv Shekhar Shukla and Uttar Pradesh Principal Secretary Culture & Tourism Mukesh Kumar Meshram will be present.

Monthly Amount of 1000 to Ladli Behna will be Increased to 3000 Rupees Respectively

Why in News?

On 10 June 2023, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan launched the state-level program of transferring the monthly amount to the accounts of the weak women under the 'Mukhyamantri Ladli Behna Yojana' in Jabalpur and announced to increase the amount of monthly 1000 to 3000 rupees given to Ladli Behna in the scheme.

Key Points:

• Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan transferred a total amount of Rs 1209.64 crore to the accounts of 1.25 crore sisters through a single click.
• The Chief Minister said that the provision of giving an amount of Rs 1000 per month under the 'Mukhyamantri Ladli Behna Yojana' will be amended and the eligible women will be paid an increased amount respectively.
• As a result of the necessary financial arrangement, the amount will be increased to Rs 3,000 instead of Rs 1,000 in the scheme, then Rs 1500, then Rs 1750, then Rs 2,000 and then Rs 2,250, Rs 2,500 and Rs 2,750 respectively.
• Similarly, the age of the married women eligible for the scheme will be reduced from minimum 23 years to 21 years. At present, married women in the age group of 23 to 60 years are eligible in the scheme.
• The Chief Minister said that in the coming 5 years, the women will be included in the Lakhpati Club by making them Lakhpati. The income of the women should be at least 10 thousand rupees per month.

15 Flyovers and Railway over Bridges will be Built in the State

Why in News?

On 10 June 2023, Madhya Pradesh Public Works Minister Gopal Bhargava said that 15 flyovers and railway over bridges will be constructed in the state at a cost of Rs 896 crore under the 'Setu Bandhan Yojana'.

Key Points:

• Managing Director Madhya Pradesh Road Development Corporation Limited Avinash Lavania said that under this scheme, four flyovers will be built in Indore city, two flyovers in Bhopal city, two flyovers in Sagar and one flyover each in Dhar, Chhatarpur, Vidisha, Gwalior and Khandwa.
• Two railway overbridges are also to be constructed soon, including a railway overbridge on Chhola Road Kazi Parade to Ayodhya bypass in Bhopal at a cost of Rs 36.44 crore and a railway overbridge on NH-7 in Seoni city at a cost of Rs 126 crore.

Diamond of Panna District will get GI Tag

Why in News?

According to the information provided by the Madhya Pradesh Public Relations Department on 9 June 2023, diamonds from the world-renowned Panna district, known as the Diamond City, will get the GI tag. Its process has been completed.

Key Points:

• It is worth mentioning that under the guidance of District Collector Sanjay Kumar Mishra, a GI registry application was made in Chennai recently to give unique recognition to the diamonds obtained from the district at the world level.
• With the confirmation of getting the GI tag, now the brightness of Panna's diamonds will increase at the international level as well. People associated with diamond business in Panna will be able to get its benefits.
• It is known that the only mechanized mine operated by NMDC is also in Panna. By getting the GI tag, the special identity of Panna's diamond will be established.

NHDC to Construct 525 MW Pumped Storage Power Project near Indira Sagar, Khandwa

Why in News?

According to information provided by the Press Information Bureau, Government of India on 9 June 2023, Narmada Hydroelectric Development Corporation Limited (NHDC Limited) will construct a 525 MW Pumped Storage Project near Indira Sagar Dam in Khandwa, Madhya Pradesh.

Key Points:

• According to the information, this project is being started keeping in mind the increasing demand of the peak hour in the state. For this, existing reservoirs of Indira Sagar project Indira Sagar and Omkareshwar will be used.
• With the increase in renewable energy generated through this pumped storage project, the power requirements of the state can be met during peak energy hours (morning and evening). The project will generate 1,226.93 million units of electricity during peak hours.
• The project is estimated to cost Rs 4,200 crore. The Department of New and Renewable Energy, Government of Madhya Pradesh has allotted this project to NHDC Limited.
• Madhya Pradesh has a potential of 11.2 GW of pumped storage projects. Presently two power stations of NHDC Limited – Indira Sagar Power Station (1000 MW) and Omkareshwar Power Station (520 MW) are working in Khandwa district. 100% of the power produced by these power stations is supplied to Madhya Pradesh.
• NHDC is planning to make the state a green state through generation of green energy along with construction of solar power projects. The construction of an 8 MW solar project in the historic city of Sanchi and an 88 MW floating solar project on the Omkareshwar reservoir is in progress.
• The Narmada Hydroelectric Development Corporation Limited (NHDC Limited) is a joint venture between the Government of Madhya Pradesh and the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation Limited (NHPC Limited).