19th, August, 2022

 

Topic: Prestigious SKOCH AWARDS 2022

 

Importance: Himachal HPAS Prelims and Mains

 

What is the news?

• Prestigious SKOCH AWARDS 2022 to Baddi Police HP.

 

Received this award for?

• JAGRITI Nari hai, Shakti hai : A mass awareness and Women Empowered program launched in October 2021.

 

Under which category?

• Police and Safety

 

About SKOCH Awards:

• Instituted in 2003, SKOCH Award salutes people, projects and institutions that go the extra mile to make India a better nation.
• SKOCH Award winners include the mighty and the ordinary alike.
• They receive this Award for their extraordinary achievements in contributing to the society.
• The Roll of Honor of the SKOCH Award over the years is a testimony to this.
• Our awardees value SKOCH Award as the highest civilian honor in the country conferred by an independent organization.
• The SKOCH Award covers the best of efforts in digital, financial and social inclusion. It encompasses the best of governance, inclusive growth, excellence in technology and applications, change management, corporate leadership, corporate governance, citizen services delivery, capacity building, empowerment and other such softer issues that get normally lost in the glamour and the glitz of industry sponsored or advertising focused jamborees.
• SKOCH Award not only acknowledges exceptional achievers—organizations and individuals—but also spurs inspirational guidance and motivational leadership.

(Source: HP Police)

 

 

Topic: Safeguard the interests of the farmers and horticulturists

 

Importance: Himachal HPAS Prelims and Mains

 

What is the news?

• The State Government was committed to safeguard the interests of the farmers and horticulturists by providing ample facilities of marketing, cold storage and CA Stores so as to give a boost to their economy.
• This was stated by the Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur at Oakover today, while addressing a deputation of BJP workers of Jubbal-Nawar-Kotkhai area, led by Chetan Bragta.

 

State Government Initiatives:

• State government was reimbursing 6 percent subsidy on purchase of packaging material like cartons and trays, whether purchased through HPMC or open market with effect from 1st April, 2022.
• Horticulturists would have to produce GST paid bill of cartons and trays, sale proof and Aadhar linked bank account details, to get the subsidy.
• The State Government has released all the pending payments of the apple growers.
• The State Government has not only provided much needed relief in GST to the horticulturists, but has also enhanced the procurement price of apple under the Market Intervention Scheme by Rs 3.50 per kg. Whereas, the previous government had enhanced the procurement price by only Rs 1.50 per kg.
• Jai Ram Thakur said that the farmers should not only go for crop diversification, but also ensure the value addition of their crops to strengthen their economy.

(Source: HP Government)

 

 

Issue: Shimla’s water troubles will end in 2025.

 

Importance: Himachal HPAS Prelims and Mains

 

What is the news?

• If one goes by the claims of Shimla Jal Prabandhan Nigam Limited (SJPNL), water related issues, which the city is facing at the moment, will be resolved by 2025.

 

How?

• The World Bank-funded Shimla Water Supply and Sewerage Services is scheduled to be completed by 2025 and the three components of the project – Bulk Water Supply from the Sutlej river, 24×7 high pressure water supply and strengthening and extension of sewerage services – are at different stages of implementation.

 

Initiatives shared by Shimla Jal Prabandhan Nigam Limited (SJPNL) MD Pankaj Lalit:

• The work on the bulk water supply scheme from the Sutlej is already on. This will initially provide an additional 42 million liters per day to the city.
• Besides, the tenders for providing 24×7 high pressure water supply to the residents have been floated. These will be opened by the end of October.
• For the sewerage services has already been sent to the Central Public Health and Environmental Engineering Organization and the approval is awaited.

SJPNL GM Anil Mehta shared:

• If the project goes as per plan, Shimla will be one of the few places that will have 24×7 high pressure water supply. “For the 24×7 water supply, around 70 per cent of the existing water pipes will be replaced and there will be continuous pressure of 12 meters in the pipes. The high pressure will ensure that the top floors of the building will also get water regularly.

 

JPNL AGM Sumit Sood shared:

• Besides, around 40 water storage tanks will be built at different locations across the city to ensure smooth supply. At the moment, lack of storage capacity also hinders regular and equitable distribution of water. “These will be small tanks, with a capacity of around 5 million litre. With these tanks spread across the city, the distribution will become far more convenient.
• Unlike today’s distribution system which is largely manual, the post-2025 system would be mostly hi-tech and digitalised. SCADA system and smart metres would reduce our reliance on human intervention.

• With SCADA, each connection would be monitored online and distribution would be far more equitable.

Steps being taken:

• The work is progressing on the bulk water supply scheme from Sutlej. This will initially provide an additional 42 million liters per day to the city.
• For the 24×7 water supply, around 70 per cent of the existing water pipes will be replaced.
• Around 40 water storage tanks will be built at different locations across the city to ensure smooth supply.

(Source: The Tribune)

 

 

Topic: Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Urban

 

Importance: Himachal HPAS Prelims and Mains

 

What is the news?

• Urban Development Minister Suresh Bhardwaj said today that the state had built 5,600 houses against the total sanctioned number of around 10,000 houses under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Urban.
• “Nearly 2,000 more houses will be ready in the next two months as the construction work is in the final stage,” he added.
• The State had received Rs 133 crore and utilized around Rs 125 crore.
• The scheme was launched in 2015 with the aim of constructing over 1.12 crore homes in urban areas by August 15, 2022.
• The Centre has now extended this scheme up to December 2024 so that the construction of the houses already sanctioned is completed.

 

About Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Urban:

 

Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban) Mission launched on 25th June 2015 which intends to provide housing for all in urban areas by year 2022.

• The Centre has now extended this scheme up to December 2024 so that the construction of the houses already sanctioned is completed.

 

Implemented by: Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs

 

Purpose:

• The Mission provides Central Assistance to the implementing agencies through States/Union Territories (UTs) and Central Nodal Agencies (CNAs) for providing houses to all eligible families/ beneficiaries against the validated demand for houses for about 1.12 cr.
• As per PMAY(U) guidelines, the size of a house for Economically Weaker Section (EWS) could be upto 30 square meter carpet area, however States/UTs have the flexibility to enhance the size of houses in consultation and approval of the Ministry.
• In continuation to this Government’s efforts towards empowerment of women from EWS and LIG unlike earlier schemes, PMAY (U) has made a mandatory provision for the female head of the family to be the owner or co-owner of the house under this Mission.
• Verticals of PMAY (Urban) A basket of options is adopted to ensure inclusion of a greater number of people depending on their income, finance and availability of land through following four options.

(Source: The Tribune)