Himachal Pradesh Weekly Current Affairs
State govt. lays special emphasis on afforestation in State: [HPAS Mains]
- Himalayan State forest plays a major role in the maintenance of ecological balance, the State Government was laying special emphasis on afforestation in the State.
- A target has been fixed to plant about 1.20 crore saplings during the current year.
- The forests of the State comprises of rich biodiversity and apart from providing fodder, timber, and medicinal plants to the local community, the forest also were home to a large variety of wildlife.
- 15 percent of the geographical area of the State falls under a protected area network.
- There were 5 five national parks, 25 wildlife sanctuaries, and 3 nature conservation reserves in the State.
State Government to open Varishth Nagrik Suvidha Kendra for senior citizens: [HPAS Mains]
- The State Government would open Varishth Nagrik Suvidha Kendra on a pilot basis to offer comprehensive daycare services to senior citizens to lead a healthy and dignified lifestyle.
- These centres apart from having daycare facilities such as recreation activities, up-gradation of skill would also have facilities of free health check-up for senior citizens, wellness programmes such as yoga sessions etc.
- Possibilities would be explored to manage the Kendra by NGOs and the State Government would provide them a grant for their effective functioning.
- State Government was committed for the welfare of the senior citizens and about 3.91 lakh old age persons were provided social security pension at the enhanced rate.
- An integrated Scheme for Older Persons has been formulated for running and maintenance of old age homes, daycare centres, helpline and counselling for older persons.
High-level committee to be constituted for pre-school education and child care: [HPAS Mains]
- A high-level committee under the chairmanship of Chief Secretary would be constituted to look into better coordination between the Women and Child Development Department and Elementary Education Department for imparting pre-school education and child care to the children between the age group of 3-6 years.
- It was mandate of the Women and Child Development Department to cater to nutrition and health needs of children below 6 years.
- About 18925 Anganwadi Centres in different parts of the State were acting as a hub of convergence.
- 3134 Anganwadi Centres were functioning in government primary schools in the State.
- The supplementary nutrition to the children in the form of the hot cooked meal was being provided in Anganwadi Centres under Integrated Child Development Services and early child care education.
- Early child care education programme was aimed at holistic development of the children and has been integrated with the Poshan Abhiyan.
Govt. planning to cultivate Heeng and saffron in high altitude areas: [HPAS Prelims]
- The State Government is planning to cultivate the first plantation of Heeng and saffron in high altitude areas of Kinnaur, Lahaul-Spiti and Chamba districts under the Krishi Se Sampannta Yojana to boost the economy of the farmers of these areas.
- Efforts were also being made to cover about one lakh farmers of the State for adopting natural farming in the State under the Prakritik Kheti Khushal Kissan Yojna.
- As many as 20,000 hectares land would be brought under the natural farming by the end of this year.
- The State Government was also trying to register atleast five Geographical Indications (GIs) for Karsog Kulth, Thangi of Pangi, metal craft of Chamba, Chukh of Chamba and Rajmah of Bharmour.
- This would not only provide better market to these products but also strengthen the economy of the people of the areas.
‘Swadesh Darshan’ Programme: [HPAS Prelims]
- DPRs worth Rs. 100 crore have been sent to the Union Government for approval under the ‘Swadesh Darshan’ Programme.
- Under this programme Shivdham would be developed at Mandi besides development and beautification of Riwalsar, Baba Nahar Singh Temple at Bilaspur, Kaleshwar temple in Dadasiba, Awaha Devi Temple in Hamirpur district, Manikaran in Kullu district and Trilokpur temple in Sirmaur district.
Panchayati Raj department won first prize under e-Panchayat Puraskars-2020: [HPAS Prelims+Mains]
- Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur has congratulated the state Panchayati Raj department for winning first prize under e-Panchayat Puraskars-2020 which will be given by the Union Ministry of Panchayati Raj.
- The Union Ministry of Panchayati Raj has been making efforts to bring in transparency, efficiency and accountability in the functioning of Gram Panchayats through use of information and communication technology.
- This award is conferred to those States who have ensured maximum use of information technology for monitoring the various works of the panchayats.
- Himachal Pradesh has been selected for this award for effective implementation of the e-application developed by the Central Government and other applications developed by the State Government.
- All the 3226 panchayats of the State have been provided internet facility and people can access various services online.
- Various services such as family register, registration of birth, death and marriages are registered online in the panchayats.
M/s Alcobrew Distilleries India Private Limited setting up of distillery unit at village Kandla: [HPAS Prelims]
- The Cabinet also decided to issue Letter of Intent in favour of M/s Alcobrew Distilleries India Private Limited for setting up of distillery unit at village Kandla in district Solan with an investment of Rs. 65.39 crore.
‘Krishi Utpaad Sarankshan (Anti Hail Net) Yojna 2020-21: [HPAS Pre+Mains]
- The Cabinet also gave its approval for guidelines for installation of the permanent structure of Bamboo or Steel for Anti-Hail Nets under ‘Krishi Utpaad Sarankshan (Anti Hail Net) Yojna, (KUSHY) for the year 2020-21 to facilitate the farmers of the State under the assistance of 50 percent would be provided to all the categories of farmers.
CM releases booklet of Shimla district administration on drug abuse: [HPAS Mains]
- Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur released a pocket booklet ‘Stand Against Drug Abuse’ brought out by district administration Shimla to sensitize the people especially youth about ill-effects of drugs.
- This booklet would be very useful to the youth for eschewing this evil and live a healthy life.
- He also sought the cooperation of NGOs for eradicating this social vice from society.
Various schemes launched for ensuring the welfare of OBC: [HPAS Mains]
- The state government has enhanced the annual income limit to Rs. 8 lakh for identifying the non-creamy layer amongst the Other Backward Classes so that maximum number of people of this category could draw benefit of various schemes launched by the state government for their welfare.
- The government has allocated Rs. 88 crore under the Backward Area Sub-Plan during the current financial year.
- The Backward Classes Finance and Development Corporation has disbursed loans to the tune of Rs 9.72 crore to about 336 beneficiaries of the OBC categories to start self-employment ventures in small trade, agriculture and allied activities and transport etc.
- The state government was providing study loans up to Rs 10 lakh to students of OBC categories at a low-interest rate of four percent. For the girl students, the rate of interest has been fixed at 3.5 percent.
HIMCARE scheme:
- The state government has launched HIMCARE scheme to provide health insurance cover to the families not covered under Ayushman Bharat Yojna launched by the Union Government.
- Till date, as many as 85,800 people have been provided financial assistance of Rs 76.85 crores under the scheme.
Sahara Yojna:
- Under Sahara Yojna, 6550 beneficiaries have been provided assistance of Rs 3.45 crore.
Grihini Suvidha Yojna:
- 2.76 lakh free gas connections have been provided to eligible women under the Grihini Suvidha Yojna and 1.36 lakh free connections have been given under Ujjawala Yojna in the State.
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