Current Affairs in Short: 8 April 2021

Centre asks states, UTs to set up workplace COVID-19 vaccination centres

•The centre has directed the states and union territories to organise COVID-19 vaccination sessions at public and private workplaces with at least 100 eligible and willing beneficiaries by tagging these workplaces with an existing vaccination centre. 
•The direction has been taken to increase the access to the vaccines to people above the age of 45 years. 
•All these workplaces will be registered on the CoWIN portal as private or government COVID-19 Vaccination Centres. 
•The workplace vaccination centres are expected to be launched across states/ UTs from April 11, 2021. 

IAS Officer Sanjeev Kumar appointed Airports Authority of India Chairman

•Senior IAS officer Sanjeev Kumar was appointed as the new chairman of the Airports Authority of India on April 7, 2021. 
•Kumar is a 1993 batch IAS Officer from Maharashtra Cadre. He has previously served in various departments and ministries of the Maharashtra state government.
•He has also worked in the Indian government and has worked as the Director in the power ministry for two years.
•He has also worked as the Joint Secretary and Mission Director for Housing for all projects in the Ministry of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation.

Rajasthan permits relaxation of age limit for EWS category candidates in state services

•The Rajasthan government on April 7, 2021 approved relaxation in the upper age limit for those belonging to Economically Weaker Section (EWS) similar to other reserved classes for appointment to state services.
•This was decided during a cabinet meeting chaired by Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot at his residence. 
•With this decision, the male candidates of the category will be given five years of age relaxation and women candidates will be given 10 years of age relaxation like others.

Centre approves 14 road projects worth Rs 670 crores for Jharkhand

• Union Road Transport & Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari informed on April 7, 2021 that the Ministry has approved 14 road projects covering about 127.93km for Jharkhand in FY 2020-21 worth Rs 670 crores.

•The Minister tweeted saying that the projects include the strengthening and reconstruction of a section of the National Highway (NH)-333A at a cost of 76.5 crores and strengthening and widening of a section of NH-143B at a cost of 81.59 crores.
•They also include strengthening of a section of NH-100 in Jharkhand at a cost of Rs 18.07 crores and widening and strengthening of a section of National Highway between Dumka to Basukinath on NH - 114A to 2-Lane at a cost of Rs 148.24 crores.

Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik honours national-level cyclist for outstanding achievements

•Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik felicitated National record holder Swasti Singh for her outstanding achievements in cycling in a felicitation ceremony held at Naveen Niwas on April 7, 2021. 
•The Chief Minister congratulated the cycling sensation on her achievements saying, "Her achievement is an inspiration for many young and aspiring cyclists of our country, especially women, who will emulate her path of strive and success. We are immensely proud of her. "
•Chief Minister felicitated her with a cheque worth Rs 2 lakhs as a financial incentive for her achievements.
• Swasti Singh, who is currently training at the National Cycling Academy in New Delhi, thanked the Chief Minister for the appreciation and support. 
•The cyclist won two gold and one silver medal in Khelo India Youth Games 2020, Guwahati among her several achievements.