7th, March, 2023

Topic: Border Roads Organization to speed up Border Roads works: CM to Raksha Mantri

 

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: Organization.

 

What is the news?

• The Chief Minister discussed the issue of strengthening road network in border areas in the State and requested to expedite the construction of roads under Border Roads Organization (BRO).
• He said that better road connectivity in border areas plays vital role in development and security of the nation. Roads are premier mode of transport in the state which are also essential for agriculture, horticulture, tourism, healthcare and other sectors, he added.

About Border Roads Organization:

• The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) is a road construction executive force in India that provides support to Indian Armed Forces.
• BRO develops and maintains road networks in India’s border areas and friendly neighboring countries.
• This includes infrastructure operations in 19 states and three union territories (including Andaman and Nicobar Islands) and neighboring countries such as Afghanistan, Bhutan, Myanmar, Tajikistan and Sri Lanka.

When and Why it was formed?

• The BRO was formed on 7 May 1960 to secure India’s borders and develop infrastructure in remote areas of the north and north-east states of the country.In order to ensure coordination and expeditious execution of projects, the Government of India set up the Border Roads Development Board (BRDB) with the Prime Minister as Chairman of the Board and Defence Minister as Deputy Chairman.
• Today, the board exercises the financial and other powers of a Department of Government of India and is chaired by the Minister of State for Defence (Raksha Rajya Mantri, RRM). Among others, Chief(s) of Army and Air Staff, Engineer-in-Chief, Director General Border Roads (DGBR), FA(DS) are members of the BRDB.

Who is the executive head of the Border Roads Organization (BRO)?

• The executive head of the BRO is the DGBR who holds the rank of Lieutenant General. In a bid to boost border connectivity, BRO has been entirely brought under the Ministry of Defence in 2015. Earlier it received funds from the Ministry of Surface Transport under the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.’

What is the motto of BRO?

• The organization’s motto is Shramena Sarvam Sadhyam (everything is achievable through hard work).

(Source: HP Government & BRO)

 

 

Topic: The ‘Protsahan Puraskar’ for women has been increased from Rs 21k to Rs 1L.

 

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-IV: GENERAL STUDIES-I: UNIT II: Women empowerment and social justice: Policies for women Empowerment in India, Laws for protection of women, women security and safety initiatives in India.

 

What’s the news?

• The amount awarded under the ‘Himachal Pradesh Mahila Vikas Protsahan Puraskar’ has been increased, according to Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu.

How much has it risen?

• The awards range from Rs 21,000 to Rs 1 lakh, with district-level awards ranging from Rs 5,000 to Rs 25,000.

 

Where did CM make this announcement?

• The CM was presiding over a state-level function held here ahead of International Women’s Day, which is observed every March 8th. On the occasion, he also bestowed the ‘Himachal Pradesh Mahila Vikas Protsahan Puraskar’ on several women who have excelled in their fields.

(Source: HP Tribune)

 

Topic: On March 11, 2023, Himachal Pradesh will host a National Lok Adalat.

 

Importance: Himachal HPAS Prelims and Mains

Importance for Prelims: Polity

Importance for Mains Exam:

• PAPER-V: GENERAL STUDIES-II: UNIT II: Parliament and State legislatures, Structure, Organization and functioning of the Union and State Executive and the Judiciary.
  

 

What’s the most recent news?

• The HP State Legal Services Authority (HPSLSA) will hold a National Lok Adalat for pre-litigation and pending matters on March 11 in order to reduce the costs and time spent in litigation and to provide an opportunity for quick resolution of disputes.
• According to Prem Pal Ranta, member secretary of the HP State Legal Services Authority (HPSLA), a national Lok Adalat is being held on the orders of the HPSLA executive director and acting Chief Justice of the Himachal Pradesh High Court, Justice Smt Sabina.
• He stated that one of the highlights of the National Lok Adalat is the organisation of a special online Adalat for MV Challan cases that are in the pre-litigation stage in collaboration with the Himachal Pradesh police and transport departments.

Prem Pal Ranta, member secretary of the HP State Legal Services Authority (HPSLA), stated:

• In the cases of MV Challan cases pending in the Courts of Traffic Magistrates in the state, an online facility for payment of compounding fee through e-pay of e-Court digital payment has also been provided.
• HPSLA is spreading awareness by collaborating with local bodies, stakeholders, NGOs, representatives of Panchayat Raj institutions, paralegal volunteers, public transportation services, and other organisations.
• More than 55,000 such cases have been identified by various courts for resolution before the upcoming national Lok Adalat.
• He stated that this figure may rise as all district courts make extra efforts to mobilise all stakeholders for the National Lok Adalat’s success.
• Police have also identified approximately 1 lakh traffic challans cases that are in the pre-litigation stage. Police are alerting the public via SMS messages via its SMS gateway, allowing them to pay the compounding fee online without having to appear in person before the compounding authority.
• Ranta stated that additional efforts are being made through media, social media, news websites, and other channels to mobilise stakeholders for the Lok Adalat in the state.

(Source: HP Tribune)