State PCS

• 17 Nov 2021

Inauguration of Purvanchal Expressway

Why in News

• On November 16, 2021, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the 341 km long Purvanchal Expressway at Karwal Kheri in Sultanpur district. After its opening, the journey from Ghazipur to the capital Delhi can be done in 10 hours.

Key Points

• The 341 km long Purvanchal Expressway will connect eastern and western Uttar Pradesh. The expressway will start from Chand Sarai in Lucknow and will reach Ghazipur. This expressway will connect 9 districts- Lucknow, Barabanki, Amethi, Ayodhya, Sultanpur, Ambedkar Nagar, Azamgarh, Mau and Ghazipur.
• It took 36 months to build this expressway and its cost is 22 thousand 497 crores.
• The foundation stone of Uttar Pradesh's ambitious Purvanchal Expressway was laid by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Azamgarh in July 2018.
• On this occasion, an air show was held on a 3.2 km long airstrip built on this expressway for the casual use of fighter aircraft of the Air Force, in which fighter aircraft like Rafale, Sukhoi and Mirage performed feats under Touch and Go operation. Jaguar and Mirage 2000 fighter planes made the landing.
• Apart from this, 3 more expressways are being prepared in Uttar Pradesh, in which the 300 km long Bundelkhand Expressway will connect Chitrakoot, Banda, Hamirpur, Mahoba, Jalaun, Auraiya and Etawah. The 90 km long Gorakhpur Expressway will connect Gorakhpur, Ambedkar Nagar, Sant Kabir Nagar and Azamgarh and the 600 km long Ganga Expressway will connect Meerut, Hapur, Bulandshahr, Amroha, Sambhal, Badaun, Shahjahanpur, Hardoi, Unnao, Rae Bareli, Pratapgarh and Prayagraj.

Skoch Governance Gold Award

Why in News

• Bihar has received the Skoch Governance Gold Award in the recently held 75th Skoch conference. At the same time, the Mukhyamantri Gram Sampark Yojana, which is running under the Department of Rural Affairs, has been given a silver award by the Skoch Institute.

Key Points

• This award has been given to Bihar for promoting online delivery of public services and e-governance.
• Bihar Administrative Reforms Mission has been given this award for implementing a unique initiative of innovation adopted in the form of 'Bihar e-Lok Seva'.
• It may be noted that the Bihar Government had implemented the Right to Public Services Act on August 15, 2011 with the objective of providing public services to its citizens in due time.
• The Skoch Award is presented by the 'Skoch Group' for its best efforts in digital, financial and social inclusion.
• It covers issues such as best governance, inclusive growth, excellence in technology and applications, change management, corporate leadership, corporate governance, citizen service delivery, capacity building and empowerment.

62nd Annual Art Exhibition State Art Awards

Why in News

• The State Art Awards for the 62nd Annual Art Exhibition were announced by the jury of Rajasthan Lalit Kala Akademi on November 16, 2021. Under this, the artworks of 10 artists of the state will be rewarded.

Key Points

• Dr. Rajnish Harsh, Secretary, Rajasthan Lalit Kala Akademi informed that 584 works of 196 artists were received in the exhibition, out of which the jury selected 121 works of 97 artists for the exhibition. These include award-winning works of art.
• The jury consists of Abbas Batliwala (Udaipur), Asit Kumar Patnaik (Delhi) and Madanlal (Chandigarh).
• The ten artists whose artworks have been selected for award in the exhibition are-
  
  • Richa Maheshwari (Kosmos)
  • Kamal Kishore Joshi (Meghraj)
  • Dr. Mani Bhartiya (Landscape)
  • Yogendra Singh Naruka (A Marriage Party)
  • Durgesh Kumar Atal (Plover)
  • Nirmal Yadav (The Lunar Shades)
  • Kumudni Bharwa Soni (Kahan Ghumnen Kahan Jaayen)
  • Rajendra Prasad Meena (Movement of Joy)
  • Sunil Kumawat (Hope-3)
  • Ritu Shekhawat (Flowing Whirlpool)
• These 10 artists will be given cash prizes, certificates and mementos of twenty five thousand rupees each.
• It is worth mentioning that Rajasthan Lalit Kala Akademi is the premier fine arts institute of the Government of Rajasthan to promote, spread and develop the fine arts culture of Rajasthan. It is a non-profit, autonomous body, financed by the Ministry of Art and Culture, Rajasthan.
• In pursuance of its role, the Academy organizes exhibitions, institute scholarships, sponsorships, fellowships, aid schemes, Lifetime Achievement Awards, and publishes documentary material.

Goat Milk

Why in News

• Recently, Madhya Pradesh Animal Husbandry and Dairy Minister Prem Singh Patel launched goat milk sale in the state during the state level program of Barwani from Tribal Pride Day.

Key Points

• It is worth noting that goat's milk is rich in nutritious minerals. Being an excellent source of carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, calcium, magnesium, potassium, copper, zinc etc., it is helpful in increasing the body's immunity.
• In this, the fat particles are smaller than other milk, which is quickly and easily digested. Increases bone density by supplying 33% of the recommended daily value of calcium to the body.
• Goat's milk contains medium-grade fatty acids, but it does not get stored as fat in spite of giving more energy to the body. This keeps the weight under control. It is also helpful in treating intestinal disorders and coronary disease.
• Goat's milk controls bad cholesterol and blood pressure by increasing the level of good cholesterol in the body.
• Goat's milk being a metabolic agent can also metabolize copper and iron. It is also helpful in relieving digestion and constipation problems and bloating. The fats and triglycerides available in goat's milk brighten the human skin. Keeps skin soft and healthy. Vitamin-A present in it removes the pimples and acne of the face and enhances the complexion.
• Goat's milk protects against dengue by controlling platelets in the blood. Goat's milk is a good option for lactose intolerant people. Goat's milk is a good option for people who are allergic to milk sugar. Goat's milk mostly contains a protein called A&2 (Casein), which is not allergic and provides protection against colitis, irritability and intestinal syndrome etc. Goat's milk also prevents osteoporosis.

Mukhya Mantri Udyam Kranti Yojana

Why in News

• In a meeting of the Council of Ministers held under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on November 16, 2021, approval was given to start 'Mukhyamantri Udyami Kranti Yojana' to connect the educated youth of the state with self-employment.

Key Points

• The benefit of this scheme will be available to the minimum 12th class pass youth of Madhya Pradesh between the age of 18 to 40 years.
• Under this scheme, projects ranging from one lakh to 50 lakh rupees for manufacturing units and one lakh to 25 lakh rupees for service units or retail business will be approved.
• Interest subsidy at the rate of three percent per annum and loan guarantee fee will be given to the beneficiary at the prevailing rate for a maximum of 7 years on the loan disbursed by the state government as financial assistance.
• The implementation of this scheme will be done through an online portal. Through this scheme, youth who want to set up industry, service or business will get loans at low interest rates through banks. Also, no collateral security will have to be given for bank loans.

Universal Pension Scheme

Why in News

• On November 16, 2021, after the instructions of Chief Minister Hemant Soren, the 'Universal Pension Scheme' has been implemented in the state.

Key Points

• This pension scheme operated under the social security scheme has been simplified. In this, the compulsion of APL and BPL cards has been abolished.
• The special feature of this scheme is that now all the old people above 60 years of age will get the benefit of the pension scheme. Provided the applicant is not a taxpayer. Poor, disabled and destitute, including widows, single, abandoned women, will be covered by this scheme. All of them will get one thousand rupees per month directly in the bank account.
• The government has made a provision of Rs 100 crore under the Universal Pension Scheme.
• This pension scheme will be implemented through the Women, Child Development and Social Security Department of the government.
• The different beneficiaries to whom there is a provision to provide benefits under the Universal Pension Scheme are as follows-
  
  • Chief Minister State Old Age Pension Scheme - Under this, the age of the applicant (male or female) should be 60 years or more. Age related documents will be required. Also, the applicant should not be a taxpayer.
  • Under the Mukhyamantri Rajya Nisrit Mahila Samman Pension Yojana, a woman above the age of 18 years, whose husband has died, will be eligible for pension. For this the death certificate of the husband will be required.
  • Apart from this, abandoned women of 18 years of age or more, single women of 45 years of age or more will also get the benefit of pension. Women falling under both these categories will need a joint certificate of Mukhiya and Panchayat Secretary/Ward Councilor and Revenue Sub-Inspector or a certificate issued by MLA /MP or any gazetted officer.
  • Under the Swami Vivekananda Nishakt Swavalamban Protsahan Yojna, a photocopy of the certificate of disability and age certificate (below 18 years of age, birth certificate or signed certificate of the principal of the school or college) will be required.
  • There is no age limit under the pension scheme for the help of HIV/AIDS victims. Medical certificate will be required for the applicant to receive ART/ARD.

Toll Free Child Helpline Number

Why in News

• On November 15, 2021, Chhattisgarh launched a toll free child helpline number 1800-123-6010 at an event on child protection organized by the Crime Research Department, Police Headquarters and UNICEF.

Key Points

• On this occasion a booklet on juvenile delinquency was released and police officers who did excellent work in child protection were felicitated.
• Nine videos based on child safety were shown on the occasion. Painting and painting competition was also organized.
• It is noteworthy that to mark Children's Day, a statewide 'Child Safety Week' has been started. It aims to make parents and citizens aware of the need to protect and encourage children.
• Under this, an intensive campaign will be launched against child labor and begging. And while rescuing the victims children, strict legal action will be taken against the culprits.

Voters Awareness

Why in News

• On November 15, 2021, Sowjanya, Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Uttarakhand flagged off a voter awareness van from the state secretariat with the aim of encouraging women and youth to register in the voter lists.

Key Points

• CEO Sowjanya said that in view of the upcoming assembly elections, a special revision program of voter lists is going on at present and these vans will create awareness about this program.
• He said that one van each has been pressed into service in Garhwal and Kumaon divisions. These vans will cover different areas of Garhwal and Kumaon divisions from November 15 to 22.
• He said that a team of artistes would accompany the van and they would create awareness through street plays. The van will also have sweep material and a public address system.