12th, March, 2023
Topic: State Government adopting zero-tolerance policy for malpractices in exams
Himachal HPAS Prelims and Mains are essential.
Importance for Prelims: Education
Significance for the Mains Exam:
- PAPER-VI: GENERAL STUDIES-III: UNIT II: Appraisal of education, Health, Physical and Financial Infrastructure Development.
What is the news?
- Accorded a top priority to uphold the sanctity of the examination, the state government has adopted a Zero Tolerance policy towards using any unfair means in examinations to encourage honest and hard-working students.
- This was stated by Education Minister Rohit Thakur here today. He said that all private and government institutions have been given directions to take appropriate steps to keep a strict vigil during the examinations and ensure stern action against those found guilty.
Education Minister shared:
- “Malpractices in examinations is a serious concern as it undermines the whole purpose of conducting the exams. Therefore, it has become the duty of the state government to ensure free and fair examinations and take all proactive measures to prevent malpractices.
Directions have been issued to constitute a special high-level committee at the university or educational institution level to check and prevent the use of unfair means in the examinations. The committee will be held accountable if any such malpractices are found to be in use. - He said that directions have been issued to the Vice-Chancellors of all the Private Universities to prevent unfair means in examinations, adding that the cheaters involved in unfair practices during exams have to face the strictest action possible.
- To conduct fair exams, the number of flying squads would be increased who would make surprise visits and check during examinations, he added. Apart from this, senior officers of the education department have also been directed to keep a vigil as the state government was viewing the use of unfair means in examinations seriously and would not make any compromise.
(Source: HP Government)
Topic: Kullu’s 25 electric buses and 12 recharge stations set the standard.
Himachal HPAS Prelims and Mains are essential.
Importance for Prelims: General issues on environmental ecology, bio-diversity and Climate Change – that do not require subject specialization and General science
Significance for the Mains Exam:
- PAPER-VI: GENERAL STUDIES-III: UNIT II: Concept of Eco-Tourism and green tourism and their role in sustainable development of the State.
What is the news?
- Himachal Pradesh is one of the states that has done the most to encourage people to buy electric cars.
- Electric vehicles are running well on different routes in the Kullu district. Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) has 25 electric buses traveling between Kullu, Mandi, Manali, and Banjar.
- The local Mudrika service also runs an electric bus service in Kullu town. During summer, tourists can take electric buses from Manali to Rohtang, Koksar, and the Atal Tunnel.
Stations for charging:
- Seven 80-kW charging stations for electric buses have been set up in Kullu, and five have been set up in Manali. After each bus has charged for two hours, it can go up to 200 km.
Ashutosh Garg, the Deputy Commissioner of Kullu, says:
- In 17 locations between Bajaura and Solang Nullah, charging stations will be set up to encourage people to buy electric cars.
- By 2025, the state government wants Himachal to be a “green energy state.” All of the state government vehicles will be replaced with electric vehicles to reach this goal.
Economical Vible:
- Every day, the government of Himachal Pradesh spends Rs 1.5 crore on diesel for its vehicles.
- The electric vehicle policy will try to save this money so that the state doesn’t have to spend as much. Electric cars like these are good for the environment and cost about Rs. 2.5 per km to run.
(Source: HP Tribune)