State PCS

• 17 Jun 2022

Women Can take 2 Maternity Leaves in 2 Years

Why in News?

On June 16, 2022, the Allahabad High Court has given a major verdict to give 2 maternity leave in 2 years to women employees in the matter of maternity leave.

Key Points

• The High Court said that there is no such restriction in the Maternity Benefit Act that maternity leave benefits should be given only after two years. This benefit can also be given within two years. It is against the law not to give a woman employee the benefit of two maternity leave in two years.
• Justice Siddhartha passed the order while admitting a petition filed by Sunita Yadav, assistant teacher posted at Nagla Baalu, an upper primary school in Firozabad.
• She had taken 180 days of paid maternity leave in 2020. She then applied to the BSA in May 2022 for a second maternity leave. The BSA rejected the application on the ground that a gap of two years between the two maternity leave was necessary.
• It is known that as per the Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Act, 2017, a pregnant woman is eligible for maternity leave for 26 weeks i.e., up to six and a half months. It can start 8 weeks before the estimated date of delivery. However, there is a condition associated with this leave that any woman can take this leave for her first two pregnancies. It also includes a provision to give maternity leave for 12 weeks if you have a third child.
• The court said that according to the Maternity Benefit Act, it is in accordance with justice to grant maternity leave to the petitioner. The rules in the Financial Handbook cannot nullify the provisions of the Maternity Benefit Act. The court quashed the BSA's order and ordered to grant 180 days of paid maternity leave to Chichi.

ISKCON And Prem Mandir of Mathura Got Bhog Certificate

Why in News?

On June 16, 2022, the Food Safety and Drug Administration on behalf of FSSAI, Government of India, granted Bhog Certificates to Prem Mandir and ISKCON Temple at Vrindavan in Mathura under 'Eat Right' programme.

Key Points

• It is worth mentioning that in relation to the quality of Bhog and Prasad (Offerings) offered to the deity in the temple, the bhog made in the temple premises was audited twice by an independent audit agency after thoroughly checking the hygiene environment and health test of all the people working in the kitchen, water testing and pest control (rats etc.).
• Audit report was sent to FSSAI Government of India. After the test, the Bhog certificate has been issued by the Government of India to ISKCON and Prem Mandir of Vrindavan.
• Assistant Commissioner Food Safety and Drug Administration Gauri Shankar said that under the 'Eat Right' program, the process of giving 'Eat Right Campus' certification to GLA University, KD Medical College, Sambid Gurukulam, Vatsalya Gram and Akshaya Patra (Vrindavan, Mont) campus is going on. Apart from this, the process of getting Bhog certificate for Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi temple is also going on.
• Assistant Commissioner Gauri Shankar said that the managers and receivers of Radha Rani Temple of Barsana, Girirajji Temple of Govardhan, other major temples of Braj, have also been requested to get the kitchens running in their places checked, so that they also get this proof. Letters can be received and Prasad can be delivered to people's homes.

Traffic Park in Each District of Bihar

Why in News?

In order to reduce road accidents in Bihar, the Transport Department has issued rules for setting up of permanent traffic parks in all the districts of the State recently.

Key Points

• Under this, the exercise of making one permanent traffic park in every district of the state has started from Veer Kunwar Singh Park in Patna. In 4900 square feet of this park, the work of building this park will be started through the agency from August. Also, work will be started gradually in the rest of the districts.
• This will be the first permanent traffic park in Bihar. At present, a temporary traffic park is running in Gaya, Patna, where most of the school and college students reach.
• Children and youth will be given information about traffic rules in the traffic park. For this, arrangements will be made for road, small foot over bridge, dummy building, projector, sound system in the traffic park. Along with this, traffic signals along the road in the traffic park, signage such as- zebra crossing, U-turn, construction of small foot overbridge, dummy construction of school, bus stop etc., arrangement of lamp post and lighting, separate entry and exit facility door and projector for classes of road safety will be available.
• According to the rules of the transport department, the selected agency will be given the responsibility of this traffic park for 10 years. Land and funds will be provided by the transport department. For this, the entire plan budget has been sought from the agency. The agency will have to manage man power ranging from workers, equipment and materials.
• In the traffic park, school children and youth will be able to get to know the traffic rules in an entertaining way in the game and games. Here they will learn to drive safely. Through this, people will also be made aware of road safety.

Prepaid Meters will be Installed in Five Districts of Bihar

Why in News?

On June 16, 2022, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between Power Company and Secure Meters for installation of Smart Prepaid Meters in rural areas of Bihar.

Key Points

• Under the MoU, 26 lakh prepaid meters will be installed in the next 30 months in five districts of north Bihar - Sitamarhi, Sheohar, East Champaran and West Champaran.
• State Power Minister Bijendra Prasad Yadav said that this is the country's biggest agreement so far for installation of smart prepaid meters.
• Sanjeev Hans, Principal Secretary, Department of Energy and CMD, Bihar State Power (Holding) Company Limited, said that the response of consumers towards smart meters in urban areas is pleasant and encouraging.
• He said that so far 8.39 lakh smart prepaid meters have been installed in Bihar. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed with Secure Meters for installation of meters in rural areas.

Inauguration of the Five Days 'Handloom Exhibition-Cum Sale'

Why in News?

On June 15, 2022, Rajasthan State Handloom Development Corporation (RHDC) launched a five-day 'Handloom Exhibition-cum Sale' at its office at Chomu House.

Key Points

• RHDC CMD Neha Giri informed that handloom exhibition is being organized from June 15 to 19 with the objective of giving proper marketing promotion to the handloom and handicrafts textile industry of the state which is facing the problems of post covid epidemic.
• He said that arrangements have also been made for showcase and sale of products in the exhibition. Designer Kota Doria, Zari sarees, hand block printed sarees, cotton dress material, bed sheets, artistic dohars, dairies, kurtas, palazzos and shirts etc. will be displayed and sold in the exhibition.
• It will showcase the textiles and garments of national awardees, outstanding weavers and artisans of the state. A special discount of up to 50% will be given on the products in the exhibition.

Haryana Signs Joint Declaration on Water Cooperation with Israel

Why in News?

Recently, in New Delhi, the Haryana government and Israel have signed a joint declaration in the field of integrated water resources management and capacity building.

Key Points

• Giving information in this regard, Dr. Satbir Singh Kadyan, Co-Project Director and Engineer-in-Chief, Atal Bhujal Yojana, Haryana informed that the joint cooperation agreement has been signed with Ambassador of Ministry of External Affairs, Israel, Inayat Shelin (Head MASHAV).
• Dr Satbir Singh Kadyan informed that Israel is partnering with Haryana to transform the water sector and meet the SDG, 2030 targets.
• As part of this joint declaration, MASHAV will share knowledge, capacity building and Israeli technologies for Haryana's development in the water management sector.
• MASHAV is the Hebrew acronym for the Agency for International Development Cooperation in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Israel.

Chief Minister Inaugurated the School Entrance Festival

Why in News?

On June 16, 2022, Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel launched the Shala Pravesh Utsav in schools of the state in a virtual programme.

Key Points

• Along with the Shala Pravesh Utsav, 6 thousand 536 balwadis were also started in the primary school campuses of the state.
• The Chief Minister resumed 260 schools in four naxal-affected districts of Sukma, Dantewada, Bijapur and Narayanpur, which had been closed for a decade and a half. 11,013 children have taken admission in these schools.
• Bijapur district has the highest number of 158 schools, Sukma district 97, Narayanpur district 4 and Dantewada district has one closed school being reopened.
• The Chief Minister also released posters to be put up in schools based on the ideals of Mahatma Gandhi at the event.
• Speaking at the Shala Pravesh Utsav programme, the Chief Minister said that during the Corona lockdown, the 'Padhai Tuhar Duar' platform was provided, which was well utilized by teachers, parents and students.
• Swami Atmanand excellent English and Hindi medium schools are being run to enhance the infrastructure and quality of education in the state. Under this, 171 English medium and 32 Hindi medium schools are being run in the state.

Dnyaneshwari Became the Country's Number One Weightlifter

Why in News?

On June 16, 2022, in the national competition of weightlifting ranking underway in Himachal Pradesh, weightlifter Dnyaneshwari Yadav of Rajnandgaon defeated 49 kg in the junior category. She has become the country's number one weightlifter by winning a gold medal in the weight category.

Key Points

• In this competition, Dnyaneshwari won the senior category's 49kg. He has won a silver medal in the weight category. In this category, she had competed with the country's number one weightlifter Mirabai Chanu and has won a silver medal medal.
• It may be mentioned that in the recently held Khelo India Youth Games, Dnyaneshwari Yadav of Chhattisgarh won 164 kg. He had won the gold medal by lifting weights, breaking his old record.
• Earlier, Dnyaneshwari won the 49kg at the Junior World Weightlifting Championships held from May 1 to 10, 2022 in the Heracleon, city of Greece. In the weight category, 156 kg. in snatch, clean and jerk competition. She has become the first woman weightlifter from Chhattisgarh to win 3 silver medals by lifting weights, who has won the silver medal title at the Junior World Championships on foreign soil.
• It may be recalled that the National Khelo India Weightlifting Ranking Senior, Junior and Youth category competition is being held from June 14 to 22, 2022 at Rainbow International School, Nagrota Bagwan in Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh.

Documentry on Rescue Operation of Child Trapped in Borewell

Why in News?

On June 16, 2022, Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel has said that a documentary film should be made on the rescue operation carried out to rescue the child trapped in the borewell of Janjgir-Champa district.

Key Points

• The Chief Minister said this while addressing a felicitation function of those who have been instrumental in the operation of those who have been instrumental in the rescue operation of the child trapped in the borewell, including jawans of the district administration, NDRF and SDRF, Army and Police.
• The Chief Minister said that through this documentary film, the experience of the rescue team will be understood by the people of the state and the country. This film will also be a lesson to prevent such incidents in the future.
• Technical team engaged in rescue operation, light, tent, generator, welding machine, gas cutter, machinery labour provider, borewell camera setup operator, drilling, poclain operators, rescue team of SECL and food providers were also felicitated at the event.
• The Chief Minister said that the child Ajrul, who pulled out the child Rahul Sahu from the borewell, and the entire team will be invited to the Rajyotsav and everyone will be felicitated there.
• It is worth mentioning that it is the biggest rescue operation in the country that lasted for 104 hours to rescue the child Rahul Sahu who was trapped in the borewell of village Pihrid in Janjgir-Champa district.

'Jagaar-2022': State Level Awards to Accomplished Craftsmen

Why in News?

On June 16, 2022, Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel felicitated the siddhahastha artisans by presenting state level handicraft awards to siddha handicraftsmen and certificates to the weaver students who passed out from IICD Jaipur at the 10-day 'Jagar-2022' fair held at Chhattisgarh Pandri Haat Bazar complex in capital Raipur.

Key Points

• It may be mentioned that the ten-day Jagar Mela, which runs from June 10 to June 19, has 140 stalls for display-cum-sale of various products of artisans and weavers from 12 states, including Chhattisgarh.
• Among the artisans selected for the State level award were Ambalal Jhara, Dhokra Shilpkar (Raigarh), Tilochani Dewangan, Tuma Shilpi (Bastar), Renu Vishwakarma, Paper Meshi Art Shilpi (Raipur), Farharo Prajapati, Godna Shilpi (Sarguja) and Pratima Daharwal, Mural Shilpi (Raipur) were conferred the State Level Handicrafts Award for the year 2019-20.
• Similarly, Jitendra Kumar Baidya, Dhokra Shilkar (Kondagaon) and Chanaibai Jhara, Dhokra Shilpi (Raigarh), Bhagelal Sodi, Iron Craftsman (Kondagaon), Dashrath Kashyap, Wood Craftsman, (Bastar) and Champa Pavle, Godna Shilpi (Sarguja) were conferred the State Level Handicraft Awards for the year 2020-21.
• Rajesh Kumar, Deepak Jhorka, Manoj Kumar and Rajendra were awarded certificates for the year 2020 (Craft Design) 4 years Diploma in Hard Material Application among the students who passed out from IICD Jaipur.
• It is worth mentioning that this Jagar-2022 Mela has been held after two years due to the Corona infection period. In this fair, various products of handicrafts as well as handloom, khadi, village industries, matikala have been put up for sale.
• Out of these stalls, a total of 80 stalls have been allotted for Chhattisgarh. At the same time, artisans from Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Bihar, Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Delhi and Jammu and Kashmir are displaying their products in 60 stalls.
• The Jagar Mela-cum-Exhibition will co-sell the display of well-known handicrafts bellmetal crafts, iron crafts, wood crafts, bamboo crafts carpet crafts, shishal crafts, tattoo crafts, tuma crafts, terracotta crafts, chhind bronze, kosa sarees in handloom textiles, dupattas, salwar-suits, dress material, bedsheets, sheets and various types of readymade garments of the State of Chhattisgarh.
• The Jagar Mela-2022 is witnessing a collection of crafts from a total of 11 states including Chikankari of Lucknow in Uttar Pradesh, Banarasi Saree of Banaras, Chanderi of Madhya Pradesh, Brans of Maheshwari and Tikamgarh, Jutework of West Bengal, Kanthawork and Bengali sarees, Phoolkari of Punjab, Mojri of Rajasthan and Gujarat, Delhi, Haryana, Maharashtra, Bihar and Jammu and Kashmir.