Chhattisgarh has become the first state in the country to restore the old pension scheme in order to provide assured income to retired employees. The state issued Gazette notification to switch back to the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) from National Pension Scheme (NPS) will be effective from April 1, 2022.

• In Feb.2022 Rajasthan had also announced restoration of OPS in its 2022-2023 budget the state has not issued a Gazette notification.

Benefits and Exemption

1. Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel in 2022 -2023 Budget announced the government’s decision to revert to the old pension system (OPS) for State government employees.
2. The move will benefit over three lakh employees who joined service after January 1, 2004.

• However, it will not be applicable to officials of the All India Services like members of the Indian Administrative Service or the Indian Police Service.

Main Difference in the Old and New Pension Scheme

• The main difference between two pension systems is that while an employee has to make a voluntary contribution towards pension by undertaking a 10% deduction from the basic salary and dearness allowance, there is no such deduction under OPS. However, a minimum of 12 per cent of basic salary will be deducted as per the General Provident Fund rule.
• Under the Old Pension Scheme, the government gives 50% of the salary of an employee as pension at the time of retirement.

About Election commission of India:

• The constitution under article 324 provides for an Election Commission for the superintendence, direction and control of the preparation of the electoral rolls for the conduct of elections to parliament, state legislatures and to the offices of president and vice president.
• It was established in accordance with the Constitution on 25th January 1950 (celebrated as national voters’ day).

• On 12th May 2022, Tata Sons Private Limited (Tata Sons), owned by Tata Group, appointed Campbell Wilson as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Managing Director (MD) of Air India.
• Campbell Wilson has resigned his position as the CEO of Scoot Pte Ltd, the wholly-owned low-cost airline subsidiary of Singapore Airlines (SIA), for his stint in Air India.

Key poits

• Tamil Nadu has ramped up surveillance at its borders in the wake of “tomato flu” cases being detected in Kerala
• Tomato flu or fever is a viral disease.
• The flu gets its name because of the red blister it causes. The fever is affecting children below the age of five.
• The affected child can get blisters, high fever, body ache, joint swelling and fatigue.
• Transmission àLike other cases of flu, tomato fever is also contagious. If someone is infected with this flu, they need to be kept in isolation as this could spread rapidly from one person to another.
• Treatmentà This flu is a self-limiting one and there is no specific drug for This means that the symptoms will resolve over time on their own if supportive care is given.

About BHARAT TAP initiative 

Recently, the Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs launched the BHARAT TAP initiative at the ‘Plumbex India’ exhibition. This exhibition is aimed at products and services related to the plumbing, water, and sanitation industry.

• It is a concept to use low flow tap and fixtures.
• It will provide low-flow, sanitary-ware at scale, and thereby reduce water consumptionat the source considerably.
• It is estimated to save approximately 40% of water. This will in turn result in water saving and energy saving due to less water and energy will be required for pumping, transporting, and purification.
• This initiative will also be accepted quickly in the country and will lead to a renewed focus on water conservation efforts.

• In the last financial year, 90 lakh beneficiaries of Narendra Modi government’s flagship welfare scheme Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojanadid not refill their cylinders, according to a report. The same report appreciated Himachal Pradesh for its feat for becoming the first ‘smoke-free state’ in India.
• Himachal Pradesh, in January 2022, became the first ‘smoke-free state’ in India.
• The major milestone was achieved while riding on the back of welfare schemes like ‘Ujjwala Yojana’of Centre and ‘Himachal Grihini Suvidha scheme of the state government’.
• It is also the 100 percent LPG-enabled state in the country.It simply refers to the fact that 100% of households in Himachal have LPG connections in their houses.

Key points:

• The Supreme Court of India had directed the governments of Rajasthan and Gujarat to ensure installation of bird-diverters on power lines before July 20, 2022.
• The move is aimed at protecting the Great Indian Bustard (GIB), the state bird of Rajasthan,and the lesser floricans in the area.

Great Indian Bustards (GIB):

• IUCN status:critically endangered.
• Listed in Schedule I of the Indian Wildlife (Protection)Act, 1972 and in the CMS Convention and in Appendix I of CITES.
• Project Great Indian Bustard —state of Rajasthan — identifying and fencing off bustard breeding grounds in existing protected areas as well as provide secure breeding enclosures in areas outside protected areas.
• Protected areas:Desert National Park Sanctuary — Rajasthan, Rollapadu Wildlife Sanctuary – Andhra Pradesh and Karera Wildlife Sanctuary– Madhya Pradesh.
• Habitats in India:
• Only two districts in Rajasthan — Jaisalmer and Barmer — have a breeding GIB population in the wild.
• The bird can also be found in very small numbers in Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh.

Key Points:

• Indian Architect Balkrishna Vithaldas Doshiwas bestowed with the prestigious Royal Gold Medal 2022.
• Royal Gold Medal,one of the world’s highest honours for architecture, by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), London, United Kingdom (UK).
• The Royal Gold Medal is approved personally by Queen Elizabeth IIof the UK and the award is given to a person or group of people who have had a significant influence either directly or indirectly on the advancement of architecture.

Recently, President conferred 13 Shaurya Chakras, including six posthumous, to the personnel of Armed Forces during Defence Investiture Ceremony (Phase-1).

Highest Gallantry awards

• Param Vir Chakra:It is India’s highest military decoration awarded for displaying distinguished acts of valor during wartime whether on land, at sea or in the air.
• Maha Vir Chakra:It is the second highest gallantry award for acts of conspicuous gallantry in the presence of the enemy whether on land, at sea or in the air.
• Vir Chakra:It is the country’s third-highest wartime gallantry award after Param Vir Chakra and Maha Vir Chakra

Key Points

1. The 12th edition of the IBA Women’s World Boxing Championships was kick-started in Istanbul, Turkey. In this event, more than 400 boxers from a record 93 countries are set to take part in this year’s event, which also marks the 20th anniversary of the prestigious event.
2. Olympian Lovlina Borgohain will represent the Indian country. The other representatives of this game are Pooja Rani (81 kg), Nandini (+81 kg) and Nikhat Zareen (52 kg), Nitu (48kg), Anamika (50kg), Shiksha (54kg), Manisha (57kg), Parveen (63kg) and Sweety (75kg).

About International Boxing Association (IBA)

• International Boxing Association (IBA) was formed in 1946
• Headquarters of IBA: Lausanne, Switzerland;
• President of IBA: Umar Nazarovich Kremlev.