UPPSC Monthly Current Affairs: April 2023 | Monthly Current Affairs UPPSC - UPPSC (UP) PDF Download

Gonda’s 5 Railway Stations will get facilities like Airport

On 31 March 2023, Mahesh Gupta, Public Relations Officer of Northeastern Railway Lucknow Division told that under the ‘Amrit Bharat Station Scheme’, five railway stations in Gonda district of Uttar Pradesh - Mankapur, Katra, Babhnan, Colonelganj and Chhapia will now get airport-like facilities.

Key Points

• Preparations are underway to provide high-end and modern facilities of shopping complexes, hotels, and parking at the five junctions selected under the ‘Amrit Bharat Station Scheme’. Modern entrances, circulating area, waiting hall and the retiring room will be made in the selected station. The passenger waiting room will be extended and connected to other waiting rooms.
• Roads will be widened, dedicated walkways, well-planned parking areas, and better lighting arrangements will be made for the station. Wi-Fi facilities will be provided free of cost to railway passengers while increasing the number of special toilets for women and differently-abled.
• At least two LED boards will be installed with the name of the station and the length of their platform will be increased. Keeping in mind the requirement of each station, one station, one product, a better passenger information system, executive lounge, and special places for business meetings will be made.
• The buildings of the green railway station will also attract visitors from far away. Along with this, by beautifying the local art and culture through message-oriented design painting, people will also feel the specialty of that area when they reach the station.
• An idol of Lord Swami Narayan will be installed at Chhapia station and paintings related to it will be done. Mankapur, Katra, Babhnan, and Colonelganj railway stations will be developed and beautified giving a feel of their specialty.
• At all stations a minimum of two stalls for ‘one station one product’, a better cafeteria and a 5G internet facility will be available.

Project Alankar to Upgrade 7 Govt. Schools in Varanasi

On April 2, 2023, Girish Kumar Singh, the Inspector of Schools in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, announced that under 'Project Alankar', seven government high schools and intermediate schools in Varanasi district will be upgraded to provide facilities similar to those in corporate schools. The process of signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the executive agency for this project has been completed.
An amount of ₹2 crores has been allocated by the Board of Secondary Education for the renovation and improvement of these schools. Once the tender process is finished, the renovation work will commence.
The project aims to enhance the dilapidated school buildings and equip them with modern facilities. Project Alankar includes 12 points for beautifying government schools, such as:

• Clean drinking water
• Separate classrooms for boys and girls
• Laboratories
• Sports grounds
• Badminton and volleyball courts
• Multipurpose halls with open gyms
• Smart classrooms
• Libraries
• Solar plants with laboratories
• Rainwater harvesting systems

This initiative aims to significantly improve the educational environment and facilities in these government schools.

Banarasi Paan, Langda Mango, Ramnagar Bhanta, and Adamchini Rice Receive GI Tag

On April 3, 2023, GI expert Padmashri Dr. Rajinikanth announced that several products from Uttar Pradesh, including Banarasi Paan, Banarasi Langda Mango, Ramnagar Bhanta (Brinjal), and Chandauli’s Adamchini Rice, have received the Geographical Indication (GI) tag. A GI tag is a label that signifies a product's special geographical identity, which is determined by its characteristics or name based on natural and human factors. 

• Kashi, a religious and tourist city, has become a GI hub with products like Banarasi Langda Mango, Banarasi Paan, Ramnagar’s Bhanta (White Big Round Brinjal), and Adamchini Rice from Chandauli district receiving the GI and Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) tag. 
• This year, with the support of NABARD and the Uttar Pradesh government, 11 products from the state have received GI tags, including 7 products from the One District One Product (ODOP) scheme and 4 agricultural and horticultural products from the Kashi region, bringing the total to 45. Nine more products are expected to receive GI tags by the end of the month.

Mangalayatan University Achieves NAAC A+ Grade

• Awarded by NAAC: Mangalayatan University in Aligarh has received an A Plus grade from the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC).
• Evaluation Process: A five-member team from NAAC inspected the university from February 22 to 24, 2023, assessing its academic, research, administrative, and infrastructural quality.
• Feedback Collection: The NAAC team gathered feedback by meeting with students, alumni, parents, and staff during their visit.
• Submission of Self-Assessment Report: The university submitted its Self-Assessment Report to NAAC in October 2022, prior to the evaluation.
• Purpose of NAAC Evaluation: NAAC evaluates the quality of universities and higher educational institutions in India, providing ratings based on various parameters such as academic facilities, research, and infrastructure.
• Importance of NAAC Grading: NAAC grading helps students choose institutions with better education, research, and infrastructure options.

‘Atal Bihari Vajpayee Powerloom Electricity Flat Rate Scheme’

• Approval of Scheme: On April 5, 2023, the Uttar Pradesh cabinet, led by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, approved the ‘Atal Bihari Vajpayee Powerloom Electricity Flat Rate Scheme’ with a budget of Rs 400 crore.
• Relief for Powerloom Weavers: The scheme offers significant relief to powerloom weavers by implementing a flat rate for electricity bills.
• Electricity Rate Structure: In urban areas, powerloom connection holders with five-kilowatt connections will pay Rs 400 for half horsepower and Rs 800 for one horsepower. In rural areas, the rates will be Rs 300 and Rs 600, respectively.
• Subsidies for Handloom and Powerloom: The scheme provides up to 80% subsidy for handloom and 60% subsidy for powerloom installation.
• Additional Subsidies: Powerloom connection holders with loads exceeding five kilowatts will receive a subsidy of Rs 700 per horsepower, with a maximum of Rs 9,100 per month, deducted from their bills.
• Jhalkari Bai Kori Handloom and Powerloom Development Scheme: The cabinet also approved this scheme to connect unemployed individuals with employment opportunities in handloom and powerloom sectors, offering grants to weavers.
• Amendment in Payment of Bonus Act: The cabinet approved an amendment in the Payment of Bonus Act-1965, abolishing the provision of imprisonment for employers who do not give bonuses to employees, and increasing the fine from Rs 1,000 to Rs 10,000.

Padma Vibhushan Award for Mulayam Singh Yadav

On April 5, 2023, President Draupadi Murmu honored the late Mulayam Singh Yadav, founder of the Samajwadi Party and a prominent political figure in Uttar Pradesh, with the Padma Vibhushan award. 

• This prestigious recognition was presented posthumously during the second edition of the Padma Awards at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi. Mulayam's son, Akhilesh Yadav, received the award on his father's behalf.
• Mulayam Singh Yadav passed away in October 2022 after a prolonged illness. At the time of his death, he was serving as the Lok Sabha MP for the Mainpuri constituency. Following his passing, his daughter-in-law, Dimple Yadav, won a by-election to fill the vacant seat in the Lok Sabha.

A Long and Distinguished Political Career

• Mulayam Singh Yadav had a remarkable and lengthy political career. He served as the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh three times and was elected as a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) nine times. Throughout his career, he also held significant positions, including responsibilities in the Defense Ministry.
• In addition to Mulayam Singh Yadav, several others were awarded the Padma Vibhushan in 2023, including former Karnataka Chief Minister SM Krishna, Manipur BJP President Thounaojam Chouba Singh, and the late Tripura leader Narendra Chandra Debbarma.
• The names of the Padma awardees were announced on the eve of Republic Day, with Mulayam Singh Yadav being one of the recipients. The Padma Vibhushan is the second-highest civilian award in India, and this year, a total of 106 individuals received Padma Awards, including 6 Padma Vibhushan, 9 Padma Bhushan, and 91 Padma Shri awards.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's Development Initiatives in Gorakhpur

On April 9, 2023, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath of Uttar Pradesh announced a series of development projects worth over 1000 crore rupees for Gorakhpur during his tour of the city. He laid the foundation stone and inaugurated a total of 258 development works at the Hindustan Fertilizers and Chemicals Limited site, with a combined cost of approximately Rs 1046 crore.

Breakdown of Development Works

• Inaugurations: The Chief Minister inaugurated 56 development works valued at Rs 333.85 crore.
• Foundation Stones: He laid the foundation for 202 development works estimated at Rs 711.81 crore.

Investment in Industrial Development

• On April 8, 2023, the day before the announcement of these development projects, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath performed the Bhoomi Poojan and foundation stone laying for a Varun Beverages plant in Sector 27 of Gida, an industrial corridor near the Gorakhpur Link Expressway. This project, with an investment of Rs 1071 crore, is a franchisee of the multinational company PepsiCo.
• The Varun Beverages plant is expected to significantly impact local farmers and livestock producers by providing a steady market for fruits such as mangoes, guavas, and litchis, as well as milk. This will help increase their incomes substantially.

Employment and Income Generation

• The Gorakhpur plant is projected to create 1,500 jobs for local youth.
• Additionally, it will provide an extra source of income for ten thousand villagers in the surrounding areas.

RLD Loses State Party Status in Uttar Pradesh

On April 10, 2023, the Election Commission of India issued an order revoking the Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) of its status as a state-level party in Uttar Pradesh. Despite winning eight seats in the 2022 assembly elections, the RLD secured only 2.85 percent of the total votes, falling short of the 6 percent threshold required for state-level recognition. As a result, the RLD is now categorized as a registered unrecognized political party.

• The RLD's performance in previous elections was also underwhelming, as evidenced by its failure to win any seats in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, where it garnered just 1.69 percent of the votes. The party, led by National President Jayant Chowdhary and National General Secretary Girish Chowdhary, was founded by Chaudhary Ajit Singh, the son of former Prime Minister Chaudhary Charan Singh.
• In the 2022 assembly elections, the RLD formed an alliance with the Samajwadi Party (SP) and contested 33 seats, winning eight of them. The Election Commission's decision to strip the RLD of its regional party status in Uttar Pradesh, along with similar actions against the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) in Andhra Pradesh and the Revolutionary Socialist Party in West Bengal, highlights the commission's ongoing review of political party statuses.
• During this review, the Aam Aadmi Party was elevated to national party status, while the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), the Tripura Motha Party, and the Voice of the People Party were recognized as state parties in their respective regions. Since 2019, the Election Commission has upgraded the status of 16 political parties and revoked the status of nine national or state political parties.
• All political parties in India must register with the Election Commission, which reviews the status of recognized national and state parties under the Symbols Order of 1968. 
• Political parties are categorized into three groups: national parties, regional parties, and unrecognized parties. The RLD now falls under the unrecognized category, along with parties that are too new or have not secured enough votes for regional party status.

Uttar Pradesh Government Approves Wheat Procurement Policy

On April 11, 2023, the Uttar Pradesh government approved the wheat procurement policy through a cabinet-by-circulation. Under this policy, wheat will be purchased at a rate of ₹2,125 per quintal.

Key Points

• Wheat will be procured through 6,000 centers operated by various agencies, including the Food Department, Mandi Parishad, PCF, UP Cooperative Union, Consumer Cooperative Union, State Food & Essential Commodities Corporation, and the Food Corporation of India.
• The total procurement target is set at 60 lakh metric tonnes.
• Farmers must register on the Food Department's portal to sell wheat.
• Wheat procurement began on April 1, 2023, but the influx of wheat at government centers has been low so far.

E-Charging Facilities for Electric Vehicles in Uttar Pradesh

The Uttar Pradesh government, under Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's direction, is taking significant steps to promote electric vehicles (EVs) in the state. The focus is on not only manufacturing EVs but also ensuring the availability of adequate e-charging facilities at key locations within cities.

• Implementation Plan: The Urban Development Department has been tasked with overseeing the establishment of e-charging infrastructure. This includes determining the land allocation process for service providers based on the need for charging stations.
• Phase One: The initial phase, known as the Electric Mobility Plan (CEMP), will be rolled out in 17 municipal corporation cities as part of the Smart Cities Mission. A working group has been formed to expedite the development of charging infrastructure.
• Land Lease and Revenue Model: Government institutions will be offered land on a 10-year lease for setting up charging stations. The construction of these facilities will follow a revenue-sharing model in accordance with the Ministry of Power's guidelines.
• Tender Process and Consumer Focus: The selection of institutions for setting up charging facilities will be done through a tender process. Preference will be given to those offering charging services to consumers at minimal charges.
• Goal: The overarching aim is to position Uttar Pradesh as a leader in the electric vehicle sector by facilitating the necessary infrastructure for EV users, thereby encouraging the adoption of electric vehicles across the state.

IT, Medicity, Education City, and Sports City Development in Uttar Pradesh

The Uttar Pradesh government is planning to establish several new cities and hubs to boost employment and development in the state. These include:

• IT City: Aims to create a hub similar to Bangalore, with improved facilities compared to the existing IT City in Lucknow.
• Medicity: Inspired by Maharashtra's model, this will be a center for pharmaceutical companies, requiring 200 to 300 acres of land.
• Education City: Major cities will be developed as education hubs, attracting big colleges and universities.
• Sports City: To promote sports and physical education.

The Housing Department is responsible for this initiative, which is expected to create 50,000 jobs annually. The aim is to provide better education and employment opportunities within the state, reducing the need for youth to seek jobs elsewhere.

National Museum of Natural History (NMNH) and State Museum, Lucknow Collaboration for Environmental Education

• On April 12, 2023, the National Museum of Natural History (NMNH) in New Delhi and the State Museum in Lucknow signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to promote environmental protection and education. 
• The agreement, signed by NMNH Director Naaz Rizvi and State Museum Director Dr. Anand Kumar Singh, aims to raise awareness about nature among school and college students through various programs.

National Museum of Natural History (NMNH) Overview

• Established during India's Silver Jubilee celebrations to promote awareness of the country's natural heritage.
• Focuses on environmental education through theme-based exhibitions and experiential resource centers.
• Aims to portray India's rich natural history in geology, botany, and biology.
• Mandated to create environmental awareness and promote conservation education nationwide.
• Expanding outreach through regional museums and an upcoming center in the northeastern region.

State Museum in Lucknow

Uttar Pradesh is home to one of the most esteemed and oldest multi-purpose museums in the country, the State Museum in Lucknow. This museum boasts an impressive collection of artifacts spanning various fields, including archaeology, natural history, decorative arts, numismatics, and more.

• The museum is not just a place for conservation and display ; it actively engages in research and publication of artifacts. Additionally, it organizes both temporary and permanent exhibition galleries, workshops for technical staff, seminars for researchers and intellectuals, art appreciation courses, and various educational programs.
• In its efforts to promote awareness of India’s rich heritage, the State Museum collaborates with other museums across the country. This initiative aims to spread knowledge about the cultural and historical treasures of India and the world.

Recent Achievements of Uttar Pradesh Panchayats

• On April 17, 2023, President Smt. Draupadi Murmu honored two Gram Panchayats from Uttar Pradesh with the National Panchayat Award-2023 during the National Conference on Promotion of Panchayats in New Delhi.

Gram Panchayat Hansudi Ausanpur

• Located in Bhanwapur block, Siddharthnagar district.
• Awarded the Deendayal Upadhyay Panchayat Sustainable Development Award 2023 for being a ‘Child-Friendly Panchayat’ at the national level.

Milak Amavati Gram Panchayat

• Situated in Dilari block, Moradabad district.
• Received the Nanaji Deshmukh Sarvottam Panchayat Sustainable Development Award (NDSPSP) for exceptional performance across all 9 Local Sustainable Development Goals (LSDG) themes and special categories related to green initiatives.

Categories for National Panchayat Awards

• Deendayal Upadhyaya Panchayat Sustainable Development Award (DDUPSP) : For individual LSDG theme performance.
• Nanaji Deshmukh Best Panchayat Sustainable Development Award (NDSPSVP) : For overall performance under all 9 LSDG themes and specific green initiative categories.
• Gram Urja Swaraj Vishesh Panchayat Award : For special achievements in Gram Urja Swaraj.
• Carbon Neutral Vishesh Panchayat Award : For efforts in achieving carbon neutrality.

PM Mitra Mega Textiles Park inaugurated in Lucknow and Hardoi districts

On April 18, 2023, Union Minister of Commerce, Industry, and Textiles, Piyush Goyal, inaugurated the PM Mitra Park in the Lucknow and Hardoi districts of Uttar Pradesh, with the presence of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed in Lucknow to establish Textile Parks in these districts under the ‘PM MITRA Yojana.’

Overview of PM Mitra Park, Lucknow

• The PM Mitra Park in Lucknow will be developed through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model by a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) owned by the central and state governments.
• The SPV will be responsible for the development and maintenance of the industrial park during the concession period.

Key Features

• The park will cover an area of 1,000 acres with an estimated investment of Rs 10,000 crore.
• It is expected to create direct employment for 100,000 people and indirect employment for 200,000 people.
• Located in Attari village within the Maliha bad block of Lucknow district, the site is well-connected by road, rail, and air.
• The nearest dedicated freight corridor and inland container depot is in Kanpur, approximately 95 kilometers away.

Facilities and Infrastructure

• The park will feature various facilities, including an incubation center, common processing house, common effluent treatment plant, design center, testing center, and other textile-related amenities.
• The central government will provide Rs 500 crore for the development of general infrastructure in PM Mitra Park, Lucknow.
• This initiative aims to enhance the value chain of the Lucknow textile sector, making it globally competitive.

Investment Opportunities

• Following a successful Global Investors Summit in February 2023, which attracted investment proposals exceeding Rs 33.5 lakh crore, including over Rs 56,000 crore for the textile sector, the PM Mitra Park is expected to be a significant hub for textile manufacturing.
• The Ministry of Textiles will offer incentives to manufacturing units established in PM Mitra Park on a first-come, first-served basis, with a total provision of Rs 300 crore for encouraging these units.

Incentive Structure

• The incentive will be three percent of the total annual turnover of the unit, with specific limits based on investment levels:
• For investments over Rs 300 crore : Up to Rs 30 crore per annum.
• For investments between Rs 100-300 crore : Caps of Rs 5 crore per annum and Rs 15 crore total.
• For other investment companies and contractors : Rs 1 crore per annum and a maximum of Rs 3 crore total, with a minimum employment of 100 people.

Additional Incentives Under Uttar Pradesh Textile and Garmenting Policy 2022

• Power tariff subsidy : Rs 2 per unit (up to Rs 60 lakh per annum) for five years for units employing a minimum of 50 persons.
• Stamp duty exemption : 100% for manufacturing units set up in PM Mitra Park, Lucknow.
• Power access permission : Open permission for the master developer.

State’s First Women’s University to Be Established in Gorakhpur

On April 20, 2023, Ravi Kumar NG, the Divisional Commissioner of Gorakhpur, announced the establishment of the state’s first Women’s University in Gorakhpur, funded through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). The university will offer international-level facilities and is expected to cost around Rs 700 crore.

• The proposed university will cater to educational needs from primary to higher education for girls. A consultancy firm has been tasked with assessing the necessary facilities for the upliftment of the girl child.
• The decision to set up the university was made by Shobha Developer, a real estate company, which plans to provide 100 acres of land for the project. The company will also operate the university. Currently, Gorakhpur has four universities, and the addition of this women’s university will bring the total to five.
• The initiative aims to enhance facilities for women in Eastern Uttar Pradesh, addressing the need for improved educational and developmental opportunities. This university is expected to significantly contribute to reducing the socio-economic disparity in the Purvanchal region.

Survey Completed for Cruise Operations between Varanasi and Prayagraj

On April 23, 2023, L. K. Rajak, the Director of the Inland Waterways Authority of India, announced the completion of a survey for cruise operations between Varanasi and Prayagraj as part of the PM Gati Shakti Yojana. Preparations are underway to commence operations in July, with plans to increase the number of vessels and introduce cargo ships if the trial is successful.

• The cruise service aims to provide tourists with a Ganga Darshan experience and visits to various tourist attractions along the route. The survey identified obstacles to water transport and locations for the construction of jetties at tourist sites such as Chunar, Vindhyachal, and Sitamarhi.
• The Waterways Authority is also working on promoting religious tourism by developing a new route connecting tourist places between Prayagraj and Varanasi. The plan includes operating one-way journeys through the Public Private Partnership (PPP) mode, with private companies expressing interest in the scheme. Jetties will be constructed to facilitate stays at various points along the route.
• Under the PM Gati Shakti Yojana, Ganga Ghats will be developed to connect Chunar Fort, Maa Vindhyavasini Dham, and the site associated with Sita, through the new cruise operations. Varanasi is being developed as a hub for waterways, with plans to connect the Ramnagar Multimodal Terminal by road and establish cruise operations to Prayagraj. The cargo vessel service from Varanasi to Haldia is already operational, and Varanasi has been linked to the world’s longest river route via the Ganga Vilas Cruise.

International Cricket Stadium in Varanasi

Announcement and Details

• On April 25, 2023, it was announced that a 32-acre International Cricket Stadium would be constructed in Ganjari, Rajatalab Tehsil, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh.
• The stadium will be built and operated under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model.
• The estimated cost for the construction of the stadium is around Rs 400 crore.

Tender and Selection Process

• The Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association (UPCA) has issued a tender to select a construction company for the project, which will be based on the Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) model.
• Companies can bid online through the UPCA’s website, with a security deposit of Rs 5 crore required from bidding companies.

Stadium Capacity and Features

• The stadium is expected to have a capacity of 30,000 spectators.
• The selection process for the construction company involves bidding online, with a security deposit required from bidders.

Inspection and Approval

• Recently, experts, along with BCCI Secretary Jai Shah and Vice President Rajeev Shukla, inspected the proposed land for the stadium.

Water Taxi Service in Varanasi

Introduction of Water Taxi Service

• On April 25, 2023, Sanjay Bandhopadhyay, Chairman of the Inland Waterways Authority of India, announced the introduction of water taxis in Varanasi, similar to the water metro in Kerala.
• The water taxi service will operate between Namo Ghat (Northernmost) and Assi Ghat (Southernmost) in Varanasi, covering all 80 ghats.

Operational Details

• The service will be managed by the Indian Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) in collaboration with the Department of Tourism.
• Four intermediate stations will be built along the route, and floating jetties will be installed at all ghats to facilitate boarding and disembarking.

Benefits of the Water Taxi Service

• The water taxi will not only serve as a mode of transportation but also provide passengers with a scenic view of the historic ghats of Varanasi.
• Currently, cruise and cargo operations are limited to tourists, but the water taxi will be available for local residents as well, helping to alleviate road congestion.

Background

• The announcement follows the recent inauguration of India’s first water metro in Kerala by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

2 Neuro Doctors of BHU have been honoured with AAN Award 2023

On April 25, 2023, two doctors from the Department of Neurology at the Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University (BHU), were honored with the AAN Award 2023 by the American Academy of Neurology.

Recognition of Research Excellence

• Dr. Abhishek Pathak and Dr. Anand Kumar, both Associate Professors at IMS BHU, received the prestigious award during an annual ceremony held in Boston.
• Dr. Abhishek Pathak was recognized for his research on the causes, prevention, and vigilance of paralysis.
• Dr. Anand Kumar was awarded for his work on headache issues in patients from various states, including Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, and Nepal.

Initiative by Uttar Pradesh Education Department

• On April 27, 2023, it was reported that all male staff currently employed in 746 Kasturba Gandhi Residential Girls Schools across Uttar Pradesh would be removed.
• The Director General of School Education and State Project Director of Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan in Uttar Pradesh, Vijay Kiran Anand, issued a directive to all District Magistrates, instructing them not to renew contracts for teaching and non-teaching male personnel.

Rationale for the Decision

• This decision aims to enhance the safety of girl students studying in classes six to eight at Kasturba Gandhi Residential Girls Schools, which offer residential facilities.
• The Ministry of Education had previously advised appointing only women to all posts in Kasturba Gandhi Schools.

Implementation of the Policy

• In line with this policy, male staff members will not be renewed for the 2023-24 academic session, and vacant positions will be filled exclusively by women.
• Personnel in Kasturba Gandhi Schools, including wardens and watchmen, are hired on a contract basis.
• Except for Kanpur Nagar and Auraiya districts, each development block in the state has at least one Kasturba Gandhi School.

Impact of the Order

• The order to renew only female personnel in Kasturba Gandhi Vidyalayas is expected to affect over a thousand male staff members.
• Most accountants and watchmen in the 746 schools are men, and some teachers are also male.
• Estimating an average of two male personnel per school, around one and a half thousand staff members may be impacted by this decision.

Agreement Signed Between Uttar Pradesh Sugar Mills Association and World Bank

An agreement was signed between the Uttar Pradesh Sugar Mills Association and the World Bank to establish a long-term relationship focused on micro-irrigation for the benefit of sugarcane farmers. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed by Ajit Radhakrishnan on behalf of the World Bank and Deepak Guptara, General Secretary of the Uttar Pradesh Sugar Mills Association.

Presentations and Success Stories

• During the workshop, 2030 WRG presented its pilot project on Drip Irrigation in Uttar Pradesh.
• The Gujarat Green Revolution Company (GGRC) shared their experience with the New Single Window Delivery Model for the Uttar Pradesh Micro Irrigation Project and highlighted the success of sugarcane farmers in Gujarat who saved about 30% of water through micro-irrigation.

UP Pragati Agri Water Accelerator Project

• The World Bank is collaborating with its Water Resources Group and the Uttar Pradesh Sugar Mills Association to implement the UP Pragati Agri Water Accelerator project.
• The project aims to develop a sustainable micro-irrigation model for the benefit of sugarcane farmers in Uttar Pradesh.

Project Goals and Impact

• The program aspires to run a large-scale assistance initiative in over 38 districts of Uttar Pradesh based on current priority criteria.
• The project is expected to significantly reduce production costs for sugarcane farmers, enhancing their profitability and sustainability.

 Key Focus Areas of the Project 

• Promotion of Water-Efficient Practices: The project aims to promote water-efficient practices in sugarcane cultivation. This involves encouraging farmers to adopt methods and technologies that use water more efficiently, thereby conserving this vital resource.
• Mechanization of Sugarcane Cultivation: The project will also focus on promoting the mechanization of sugarcane cultivation. This means encouraging the use of machinery and equipment to streamline and improve the efficiency of sugarcane farming operations.
• De-carbonizing the Sugar Enrichment Chain: Another key aspect of the project is de-carbonizing the sugar enrichment chain. This involves promoting low-carbon ergonomic operations throughout the sugar enrichment process, reducing the carbon footprint and making the process more sustainable.

Uttar Pradesh Sugar Mills Association (UPSMA)

• UPSMA is a significant organization representing private sugar mills in Uttar Pradesh.
• Established in 1938, UPSMA aims to protect the interests and functioning of private sugar mills in the state.
• The association works towards ensuring favorable and development-oriented government policies for sugar mills.
• UPSMA has been actively involved in supporting sugarcane farmers and the sugar industry in Uttar Pradesh.

2030 Water Resources Group (WRG)

• WRG is a multi-donor trust fund within the World Bank Group, comprising public, private, and civil society stakeholders.
• The group focuses on collective decision-making and co-designing innovative solutions for water-related challenges.
• WRG aims to drive socio-economic development across various water-related sectors through collaborative efforts.

MoU Between IIT Patna and ROI Net Solution

• Date of MoU: April 27, 2023
• Purpose: Research and Development collaboration between IIT Patna and ROI Net Solution
• Indigenous Platform Development: IIT Patna will create indigenous platforms similar to Zoom, WhatsApp, and Google Pay, including a Forex Platform.
• Research Areas: Digital payments, wealth management, cross-border payments, secure audio-video conferencing, and advanced technologies like machine learning, artificial intelligence, and data analytics.
• Collaboration Details: IIT Patna will focus on academic development, while ROI Net Solution will handle market solutions.
• Academic Cooperation: ROI Net Solution will collaborate with IIT Patna on academic research and solutions development.
• Previous MoUs: IIT Patna has signed MoUs with RailTel, Applied Materials India, and ROI Net Solution in the past few days, all aimed at fostering new inventions and societal development.