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1st, March, 2023

Topic: CM launched UPI and ‘Swadhan-e-pension-Gov’ services for the Kangra Central Cooperative Bank.

 

Importance: Himachal HPAS Prelims and Mains

Importance for Prelims: Economic and social development – sustainable development, poverty, inclusion, demographics, social sector initiatives, etc.

Importance for Mains Exam:

  • PAPER-V: GENERAL STUDIES-II : UNIT II: Topic: Governance in Himachal Pradesh.

 

What is the news?

  • Chief Minister, Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu launched UPI and ‘Swadhan-e-pension-Gov’ services for Kangra Central Cooperative Bank.

It is in which bank?

  • Kangra Central Cooperative Bank.

 

Chief Minister shared about its benefits:

  • The Chief Minister said that the introduction of these services would benefit thousands of account holders of the bank.
  • The introduction of UPI service would make the bank transactions easier and quick, especially for the elderly and those living in the remote areas.
  • Chief Minister lauded the efforts of the Kangra Central Cooperative Bank for the initiative and assured them of all possible help from the State Government.’

 

About Kangra Central Cooperative Bank:

  • It Came into existence on 17th March 1920.
  • Indora Banking Union was merged and 2nd Branch of the Bank opened at Nurpur in Jan 1956
  • Palampur Banking Union was merged and 3rd Branch of the Bank opened at Palampur in Jan’1957
  • Nanaon Banking Union was merged and 4th Branch of the Bank opened at Hamirpur in Oct’1958
  • The Bank suffered losses because of the partition in 1947 to the tune of Rs 10.64 Lacs
  • In Mar 1962, the bank suffering from the setback of partition was granted Rs 4.09 Lacs by the Government.
  • Government also provided Interest Free Relief Loan of Rs 3.98 Lacs and Govt of India Loan of Rs 4.97 Lacs at 3.87% in 1962.
  • In 1971-72, the Bank entered into the deposit mobilisation scheme of Pong Dam Area aggressively and secured maximum share of Deposit Bank Deposits increased from Rs. 256 Lacs in 1971-72 to Rs. 1054 Lacs in 1973-74.
(Source: HP Government)

 

Topic: 3 day state-level Tshechu fair began at Rewalsar in Mandi district.

 

Importance: Himachal HPAS Prelims and Mains

Importance for Prelims: Economic and social development – sustainable development, poverty, inclusion, demographics, social sector initiatives, etc.

Importance for Mains Exam:

  • PAPER-V: GENERAL STUDIES-II : UNIT II: Topic: Governance in Himachal Pradesh.

 

What is the news?

  • The three-day state-level Tshechu fair began at Rewalsar in Mandi district today with traditional fervour.
  • Deputy Commissioner Arindam Chaudhary was present as the chief guest on the occasion and he formally inaugurated the fair by lighting the lamp.

Addressing public on this occasion, the DC said:

  • Tshechu fair is famous in north India. This fair is a wonderful example of religious harmony. Fairs are the symbol of our rich culture in which we all get to see the glimpse of our mythological culture.

 

About Tshechu fair:

  • According to the Tibetan calendar, Rewalsar fair is observed on the tenth day of the new year and has significant religious significance.
  • Sometimes in February or March, the Tibetan year begins.
  • Tsechu/Chessu fair, which literally translates to “10th of Dawa Thangpo,” is another name for Rewalsar (1st month).
  • To celebrate their guru Padma Sambhav’s birthday, Buddhists from all over the nation congregate here.
  • Twice a year, on Chhota Tsechu and Bara Tsechu, the festival of Tsechu is celebrated.
  • The former occurs in the Pausa month of the Bikrami era (December/January) on Shukla Dashmi, whilst the latter occurs in the Phalguna month (February/March) on Shukla Dashmi.
  • The Chhota Tsechu marks the start of the festival season, but there is less pomp and circumstance than there is during the Bara Tsechu.
  • In the Gompa, or Buddhist monastery, a huge “Puja” marks the beginning of the fair.
  • This puja is attended by adherents of the Neiysrapa and Kandgupa Buddhist sects.
  • During the seventh day, known as “Satvin,” which lasts till the day of “puranmashi,” hundreds of Lamas sit in meditation.
  • Several Tibetan deities, notably Shardur Samdia and Nubnawathay, are also honoured in addition to Padma Sambhava.
  • The flag is also altered, and there is a major rush to gather the remnants of the previous flag.
  • Only a small number of Lamas partake in the meditation on the day of Chhota Tsechu, and 1,000 candles of ghee (butter) are lit.
  • Tsog, a traditional Tibetan dish made by combining barley, ghee, and gur, is served.
  • With the intention of purifying the wind that comes into contact with the five-colored cloth buntings printed with Buddhist “mantras,” which in turn purifies the atmosphere, they are strung continuously.
  • There are numerous folk dances performed in Padma Sambhava and other Buddhist deities’ honour.
  • In addition to the primary fairs mentioned above, the district also hosts a variety of other fairs.
  • In Himachal, Tsechu is a happy annual celebration of fraternity and peace.

 

Some Important H.P. Cabinet Decisions in Brief:

1) The Cabinet in its meeting held here today decided to bring Himachal Pradesh Public Service Commission, within the ambit of Himachal Pradesh Prevention of Malpractices at University, Board or other Specified examinations Act, 1984 in order to avoid malpractices, to ensure fair and transparent selection of candidates on merit.

2) The Cabinet decided to roll out Himachal Pradesh Sadhbhawana Legacy Cases Resolution Scheme, 2023 initially for a period of three months to address the legacy cases. The scheme aims to dispose-off approximately 50,000 cases still pending for assessment under various enactments of the pre-GST era. This scheme would facilitate the small and marginal traders and other taxpayers.

3) It decided to bring 90,362 MNREGA Workers, Ekal Nari and persons with more than 40 percent disability, registered Street Vendors and children living in the orphanages under the ambit of Ayushman Bharat –Pradhan Mantri Jan Aarogya Yojna.

4) The Cabinet decided to constitute Cabinet Sub-Committee comprising of Industries Minister, Harshwardhan Chauhan, Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister, Anirudh Singh and PWD Minister, Vikramaditya Singh to decide and dispose-off all the matters of felling, removal and lopping of trees in territorial jurisdiction of Municipal Corporations of the State.

5) The Cabinet decided to restructure the financial assistance extended to Himachal Pradesh Power Transmission Corporation Ltd (HPPTCL) under Himachal Pradesh Clean Energy Transmission Investment Program. This will help HPPTCL with improvement of financial status and will assist in easy execution of existing and upcoming projects by availing financial assistance from domestic financial institutions

6) The Cabinet also took a decision to merge Himachal Pradesh Agro Industries Corporation Limited with Himachal Pradesh Horticulture Producing and Marketing Corporation.

7) It was decided to dedicate Centre for Science, Learning and Creativity at village Bhog, Anandpur (Shoghi) in Shimla to provide a forum to children to pursue their natural curiosity and to quench their thirst for creativity. It would also support the mass dissemination of hands-on science education and lead innovation in learning.

8) The cabinet gave its nod to rename the Department of Environment, Science and Technology at the Department of Environment Technology and Climate Change.

9) The Cabinet accorded sanction for signing a MoU with the new centrally sponsored scheme of PM Schools for Rising India (PM SHRI) in the Centre-State ratio of 90:10.