Revamped Monument Mitra Scheme to be Launched Soon
The government will soon launch a revamped version of the Monument Mitra scheme under which the Culture Ministry will seek partnerships with private industries for the upkeep of 1,000 ASI monuments and hold light and sound shows among other activities.
As per Union Culture Secretary Govind Mohan, the target is to have MoUs signed with partners for 500 sites under the revamped Monument Mitra scheme by August 15 when the AzadikaAmritMahotsav ends.
The Monument Mitra scheme was launched a few years ago under the Ministry of Tourism which entails adopting a site for upkeep and other related activities.
The Monument Mitra scheme was transferred from the Ministry of Tourism to the Ministry of Culture a few months ago.
Jan 23, 2023
Jharkhand Govt. Launches Water Conservation Scheme
Jharkhand Agriculture Minister Badal Patralekh launched a water conservation scheme with an outlay of Rs. 467.32 crore to provide benefits to farmers in the state that experienced drought last year (2022).
Under the scheme, 2,133 ponds will be renovated and 2,795 percolation tanks will be constructed in all the blocks of 24 districts of the state.
The minister also laid the foundation for the renovation work of 71 ponds and 184 percolation tanks.
A percolation tank is an artificially created surface water body to recharge groundwater storage.
Jan 16, 2023
Tamil Nadu Adopts Bill to Make Tamil Paper Compulsory for State Government Jobs
Tamil Nadu Assembly passed a bill, making the Tamil paper compulsory for candidates to pass competitive exams for posts in the state government.
The bill was tabled to amend the Tamil Nadu Government Servants Act 2016. As per the changes, even if a candidate was qualified and acquired the job, he or she should pass in Tamil paper within two years of acquiring the job.
The Statement of Objects and Reasons of the Bill to amend The Tamil Nadu Government Servants (Conditions of Service) Act, 2016 said that as per Section 21 of this Act no person shall be eligible for appointment to any service by direct recruitment unless he has an adequate knowledge of the official language of the State, that is Tamil.
Jan 15, 2023
Meghalaya CM Launches Shared School Bus System, Agriculture Response Vehicle Scheme
Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma launched the shared school bus system, prime tourism vehicles and agriculture response vehicle scheme.
The Chief Minister flagged off shared school buses and hoped that it will help to minimise traffic congestion in Shillong.
The buses are part of Sustainable Transport and Efficient Mobility Society (STEMS) programme focussed on mobility and overall transportation to decongest the city.
The chief minister said the prime tourist vehicles are a step to improve the overall tourism sector and to provide good transportation services to tourists and at the same time provide job opportunities to our entrepreneurs.
Jan 13, 2023
Centre Renames Integrated Food Security Scheme
The Centre renamed the new Integrated Food Security Scheme as Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Ann Yojana, PMGKAY. Earlier, the Union Cabinet had approved new integrated food security scheme for providing free foodgrains to Antodaya Ann Yojna (AAY) and Primary Household (PHH) beneficiaries. Implementation of the new scheme started this year (2023), benefiting more than 80 crore poor and poorest of poor people.
Keeping in view the welfare of the beneficiaries and in order to maintain uniformity across the states, free foodgrains will be provided under PMGKAY for the year 2023 to all Primary Household and Antodaya Ann Yojna beneficiaries, as per entitlement under National Food Security Act. The integrated scheme will strengthen the provisions of National Food Security Act in terms of accessibility, affordability, and availability of foodgrains for the poor. Necessary steps have already been taken for smooth implementation of the PMGKAY in the field.