State PCS

• 29 Jul 2021

Salgaon Dam Project

Why in News

• On July 28 2021, the long proposed 'Salgaon Dam Project' was approved providing a permanent solution to the drinking water problem of Mount Abu.

Key Points

• Salgaon dam project was proposed in 1977 at an estimated cost of Rs. 27 lakh but now it is estimated to cost Rs. 250 crore.
• Since Mount Abu depends completely on rain for its water supply, the government of Rajasthan had long ago approved Salagaon Dam scheme to facilitate rain water storage.
• The total catchment area of ​​the Salgaon dam in this project is 777.90 hectares and the total filling capacity is estimated at 155.56 million cubic feet.
• The total submergence area of ​​the dam is 52.55 hectares, out of which 5.96 hectares is reserved forest land and 46.59 hectares is private and government land.
• Upper Kodra and Lower Kodra are the main sources of drinking water for the present water projects in Mount Abu. They provide about 42.62 MCFT water annually whereas the present water demand for Mount Abu is estimated at 85.21 MCFT (including schools, army, tourist population).

Be an Exporter Mission

Why in News

• The 'Be an Exporter Mission' was launched by Industries Minister Shri Parsadi Lal Meena in Rajasthan, On July 29, 2021.
  
  • It is worth mentioning that in the Export Preparedness Index (EPI) 2020, the state has been ranked first in the category of Land Locked State and fourth in the entire country.

Key Points

• About:
  
  • Under this mission, such traders and product manufacturers will be encouraged, who are willing to export and want their products to reach the foreign market.
  • Training and guidance of technicalities in getting an export license.
  • Throughout support from the process of getting an export license to sending the first consignment.
  • The registration and membership fee of the Rajasthan Export Promotion Council (REPC) will also be discounted.
• Need:
  
  • In view of the huge export potential in the state and with the aim of encouraging the willing exporters.
• Eligibility:
  
  • Proprietorship, partnership and companies covered under the Companies Act and MSMEs, manufacturers and retailers of any type of product, self-help groups working in Rajasthan and individuals associated with startups can become exporters.

Earth Natwest Group Earth Heroes Award: Satpura Tiger Reserve

Why in News

• On July 28 2021, Satpura Tiger Reserve in Madhya Pradesh received the NatWest Group Earth Heroes Award in the Earth Guardian category for best management.
  
  • It is noteworthy that the Satpura Tiger Reserve has also been included in the potential list of World Heritage.

Key Points

• About:
  
  • Satpura Tiger Reserve in the Hoshangabad district is spread over an area of 2130 square kilometers. It is part of the Deccan Bio-Geographic Region.
  • It was established in 2000 and is located south of Narmada River.
  • Satpura tiger reserve comprises of three protected areas namely:
  • Satpura National Park,
  • Bori Sanctuary, and
  • Pachmarhi Sanctuary.
• Denwa River: Denwa river is the main water source of the park. It originates from south-eastern part of the Hoshangabad district in Madhya Pradesh and flows from east to west direction before joining the Tawa river at the south of Ranipur.
• Diversity: These forest enclaves provide habitat for several endangered species, including the Tiger. Other prime species found here are Black Buck, Leopard, Dhole, Indian Gaur, Malabar Giant Squirrel, Sloth Bear.
• Avian Fauna: More than 300 species of birds can be seen which include Malabar Pied Hornbill, Malabar Whistling Thrush and the State Bird of Madhya Pradesh Paradise Flycatcher along with many migratory birds like Indian Skimmers, Black-bellied tern, Bar-headed Geese, etc.
• Flora: The 26 species of flora found in the Himalayan region and 42 species found in the Nilgiri forests are also found abundantly in the Satpura forest area. That is why it is also named the Northern Ghats like the vast Western Ghats.
• Archaeological Significance: Presence of more than 50 rock shelters with paintings which are 1500 to 10,000 years old. Some of them have very rare depictions of elephants, lions, tigers, porcupines, and pangolins.

Rajiv Gandhi Grameen Bhumiheen Krishi Mazdoor Nyay Yojna

Why in News

• On July 28, 2021 Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel announced a new scheme 'Rajiv Gandhi Grameen Bhumiheen Krishi Mazdoor Nyay Yojna' with a provision of Rs. 200 crore in the supplementary budget.

Key Points

• Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel announced this scheme on the third day of the monsoon session of the state assembly while presenting the supplementary budget for the financial year 2021-22.
• Under this scheme financial assistance of Rs. 6,000 per year will be provided to landless agricultural labourer families of rural areas.
• This scheme will mainly cover MNREGA and contract workers of the state.
• More than 10 lakh workers of the state will benefit from this scheme of the government.
• It is worth noting that till now the Central government is giving financial assistance of Rs. 6000 per year to the small and medium land holding farmers. In such a situation, this scheme of Chhattisgarh government will be important for the landless families.

Standing Committee on SC, ST and OBC Reservation

Why in News

• Recently, the Chhattisgarh government has constituted a standing reservation committee for the scheduled castes, scheduled tribes and other backward classes of the state.

Key Points

• This committee has been constituted under the provisions of the Chhattisgarh Public Service (Reservation for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes) Act, 1994.
• The eight-member standing committee, constituted under the chairmanship of the state's Tribal Development Minister Dr. Premsai Singh Tekam, includes five MLAs and Secretary General Administration Department and Tribal Development Department.
• The main function of the committee is to review the implementation of the provisions of the Act and the Rules made thereunder.
• Apart from this, this committee will also suggest measures to remove the difficulties in the implementation of the provisions of the Act and the Rules made thereunder.
• Under the provisions of the Act, the term of the Standing Committee will be two years.
• It is worth mentioning that in 2019, through an ordinance, the State Government had made a provision of increasing the reservation of Other Backward Classes in the state from 14 to 27 percent and for the economically weaker sections, which was postponed by the High Court.