• 30 May 2025

North India’s Largest Film City in Noida

Why in News? 

The International Film City project in Uttar Pradesh advanced with the submission of its layout plan to the  Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority (YEIDA).  

Key Points 

• Project Overview: 
  • The Film City will be located in Sector-21 of Greater Noida, along the Yamuna Expressway. 
  • It will cover a total area of 1,000 acres, making it the largest film city in North India. 
  • Phase 1 will cover 230 acres with an estimated investment of ₹1,510 crore. 
• UP Film Policy 2023: 
  • The government provides a 50% subsidy on the total cost of films made in regional languages such as Awadhi, Braj, Bundeli, and Bhojpuri. 
  • For Hindi films, a subsidy of up to 25% of the total production cost is available. 
  • Films that complete at least 50% of their shooting days in Uttar Pradesh are eligible for a subsidy of ₹1 crore. 
  • If a film completes two-thirds of its shooting days in the state, it becomes eligible for a maximum subsidy of ₹2 crore. 
  • Incentives for Engaging Local Talent: 
    • A grant of ₹25 lakh, or the actual remuneration paid (whichever is lower), is provided for featuring actors who are residents of Uttar Pradesh. 
    • An additional grant of ₹5 lakh, or 2% of the total subsidy (whichever is lower), is provided for employing local singers, composers, lyricists, directors, cameramen, and other crew members from the state. 
  • OTT Productions Incentives: 
    • Web-series shot at least two-thirds in UP receive 50% of production costs or ₹10 lakh per episode (whichever is less). 
    • Web-films get 25% of costs or up to ₹1 crore under similar criteria. 
  • Film Infrastructure Subsidies: 
    • Film Training Institutes get 25% capital subsidy or ₹50 lakh (minimum ₹50 lakh investment). 
    • Film studios/labs receive 25% subsidy or ₹50 lakh; rises to 35% in Poorvanchal, Vindhyanchal, and Bundelkhand (max ₹50 lakh). 
  • Outdoor Shooting Support: 
    • 25% discount on accommodation in UP STDC hotels/motels. 
    • Government guest house rooms at standard rates for film crews. 
  • Film Education Support: 
    • ₹25,000 stipend per student refunded for training 10 students each at FTII Pune and Satyajit Ray Film & Television Institute Kolkata.. 
  • Nodal Agency: 
    • The implementation and coordination of the film policy are managed by Film Bandhu, the state's official film promotion body.

Uttarakhand’s Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan

Why in News? 

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami launched the "Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan" in Guniyal village, Dehradun, on 29th May 2025.  

Key Points 

• About the Campaign: The campaign will run from 29th May to 12th June 2025. 
  • It will cover 95 development blocks, 670 Nyaya Panchayats, and 11,440 villages in Uttarakhand. 
  • The state has deployed three teams per district, each conducting programs at three locations daily to engage over 600 farmers per program. 
• Objectives: 
  • To empower farmers through scientific knowledge, modern agricultural practices, and awareness about government schemes. 
  • To help farmers adopt advanced agricultural techniques tailored to their soil, land, and climate conditions. 
  • To train farmers in selecting profitable crops based on soil testing and scientific guidance. 
  • To document farmers’ traditional knowledge and innovations, making future agricultural research more practical and locally relevant. 

Government Support Schemes 

• State Government Schemes: 
  • The Uttarakhand government is providing interest-free loans up to ₹3 lakh to farmers. 
  • A subsidy of up to 80 percent is being offered for the purchase of agricultural machinery through the Farm Machinery Bank Scheme. 
  • Farmers are receiving a bonus of ₹20 per quintal on wheat procurement. 
  • The rate of sugarcane has been increased by ₹20 per quintal. 
  • Canal irrigation has been made completely free for farmers in the state. 
• Special Agricultural Initiatives in Uttarakhand: 
  • Organic and Aroma Farming: 
    • The state is converting tea gardens in Dhauladevi, Munsiyari, and Betalghat into organic tea-producing areas. 
    • Six aroma valleys are currently being developed to promote high-value aromatic crops. 
  • Budgetary and Project Allocations: 
    • In the 2025 budget, ₹200 crore has been allocated specifically for the construction of polyhouses. 
    • A ₹1,000 crore project named the Uttarakhand Climate Responsive Rain-Fed Farming Project has been approved to promote farming in hilly and rain-fed regions. 
  • New Crop Policies: 
    • The state has launched several new initiatives, including the Apple Policy, Kiwi Policy, State Millet Mission, and Dragon Fruit Policy. 
    • These policies are supported by a total investment of ₹1,200 crore to diversify and strengthen the horticulture sector. 
• Central Government Initiatives:  
  • Central schemes like the PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana, Crop Insurance Scheme, Kisan Maandhan Yojana, and Soil Health Card initiative are also implemented in the state.  
  • Additionally, programs such as the Horticulture Development Mission, Agricultural Machinery Subsidy, Drip Irrigation Scheme, and Digital Agriculture Mission are promoted to support farmers.

Ropeway from Tapovan to Kunjapuri Temple

Why in News? 

The Uttarakhand government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with a Swiss ropeway manufacturer for the development of a ropeway project from Tapovan to Kunjapuri Devi Temple.  

Key Points 

• About the Project: 
  • The ropeway will link Tapovan in Rishikesh with the Kunjapuri Temple in Narendranagar, a key spiritual site. 
  • The objective is to reduce travel time, enhance visitor safety, and minimize environmental degradation caused by vehicular traffic. 

Kunjapuri Temple 

• Location: It is located near Rishikesh in the Tehri Garhwal district of Uttarakhand, situated at an altitude of 1,676 meters above sea level on a hilltop. 
• Significance: 
  • The temple is dedicated to Goddess Durga and is one of the 13 Shakti Peethas in the Shivalik range. 
  • It is also one of the three major Shakti Peethas in Tehri district, along with Surkanda Devi and Chandrabadni, forming a sacred triangle established by Jagadguru Adi Shankaracharya. 
  • It is renowned not only for its spiritual significance but also for its panoramic views of the Garhwal Himalayas, including peaks such as Swargarohini, Gangotri, Banderpunch, and Chaukhamba. 
  • From the summit, visitors can also see the Bhagirathi valley and cities like Rishikesh, Haridwar, and the Doon Valley. 

Parvatmala 

• National Ropeways Development Programme (Parvatmala): It was launched to improve transport connectivity in mountainous regions such as Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Jammu & Kashmir, and the North-East. 
  • The Parvatmala scheme aims to build modern, eco-friendly ropeway systems strengthening remote and border villages. 
• Key Projects Approved in Uttarakhand: 
  • Govindghat to Hemkund Sahib Ropeway. 
  • Sonprayag to Kedarnath Ropeway. 
  • NOTE: Both projects follow a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model under Design-Build-Finance-Operate-Transfer (DBFOT). 
• Advantages of Ropeways: 
  • Efficient and safe alternative to difficult mountain roads. 
  • Faster travel by bypassing terrain obstacles. 
  • Environmentally friendly with minimal land use and emissions. 
  • Economical with lower maintenance and labor costs. 
  • Supports last-mile connectivity and mass passenger transit.

Uttarakhand Mega Industrial & Investment Policy 2025

Why in News?

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has approved the Mega Industrial and Investment Policy-2025. 

Key Points 

• About the Policy: It is introduced to establish Uttarakhand as a competitive destination for capital investment at national and international levels. 
  • It aims to develop the state’s economic growth and create additional employment opportunities by promoting large-scale manufacturing enterprises. 
• Policy Duration and Eligibility: 
  • The policy will be effective immediately and will remain in force for five years. 
  • Enterprises applying for benefits must submit a Common Application Form (CAF) via the Single Window Portal. 
  • Financial incentives are provided based on the enterprise’s investment category. 
  • A time frame of 3 to 7 years is fixed for completing the investment from the date of CAF application. 
• Classification of Enterprises: 
  • Large enterprises are divided into four categories based on permanent capital investment (excluding land) and minimum employment criteria. 

Category	Investment Range (Rs.)	Minimum Employment Required
Large	₹50 crore to ₹200 crore	50
Ultra Large	₹200 crore to ₹500 crore	150
Mega	₹500 crore to ₹1000 crore	300
Ultra Mega	Above ₹1000 crore	500

• Financial Incentives: 
  • Stamp Duty Reimbursement: 50% reimbursement on stamp duty paid for land purchase/lease deeds, up to a maximum of ₹50 lakhs. 
  • Capital Subsidy: Payable in annual installments after the start of commercial production, as per the investment category. 
    • Large: 10% after 8 years 
    • Ultra Large: 12% after 10 years 
    • Mega: 15% after 12 years 
    • Ultra Mega: 20% after 15 years 
  • Additional Subsidies for Hilly Areas: 
    • Category A districts: Extra 2% capital subsidy 
    • Category B districts: Extra 1% capital subsidy

Rescue & Support of Children Under Project SAATHI

Why in News? 

The Dhanbad District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) rescued 10 orphaned children from the Naxal-affected area of Jharkhand under Project SAATHI.  

Key Points 

• About the Rescue Operation: 
  • Location: The children were rescued from the East Tundi block in Dhanbad district, a region known for Naxal insurgency. 
  • Authority Involved: The operation was led by the Dhanbad District Legal Services Authority (DLSA). 
    • The initiative is part of Project SAATHI, launched by the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA). 
• Rehabilitation and Welfare Measures: 
  • Scholarship Support: 
    • Each rescued child will receive a monthly government scholarship of ₹4,000 until they reach adulthood. 
    • The financial aid aims to ensure continuity in education and basic living support. 
  • Verification, and Monitoring: On-the-spot Aadhaar and ration card registration is done for welfare integration.  
    • Identity verification and coordination with the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) and government departments are done for tracking and follow-up. 

Survey for Aadhaar and Access to Tracking & Holistic Inclusion (SAATHI)  

• It was launched by the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) 
• Key Objectives: 
  • Ensure legal identity for children through Aadhaar registration. 
  • Provide access to education, healthcare, protection, and social welfare. 
  • Enable long-term rehabilitation and inclusion. 
• Destitute Children: 
  • Children under 18 without family, guardianship, or stable care, including: 
    • Children living in streets and slums, orphans, rescued trafficking and child labour victims, those in unregistered shelters, and missing children not reunited with families. 
• Core Components of the Campaign: 
  • Survey & Identification: Mapping destitute children through coordination with local workers and NGOs. 
  • Aadhaar Registration: Organizing biometric enrolment camps in collaboration with UIDAI. 
  • Legal Aid & Scheme Linkage: Connecting children to child protection laws and government welfare schemes. 
  • Monitoring & Rehabilitation: Tracking enrolled children, providing documentation support, and coordinating access to education, health, and social services.