Telangana State Mineral Development Corporation seeks forest land for quartz mining

Raising the hackles of green activists, the State Mineral Development Corporation (TSMDC) has sought 135 hectares of reserve forest land in Mahbubnagar district to mine quartz . The TSMDC is planning quartz mining in three locations in the dense scrub forest of the district.

The TSMDC filed three separate applications to the Union ministry of https://exam.pscnotes.com/Environment-notes-for-state-psc-exams”>Environment and forest seeking clearance for its proposal.

The corporation asked for diversion of 72 hectares of land in Ibrahimbad reserve forest in Mahbubnagar range. It also sought diversion of 25 hectares in Tirumalapally village in Hanwada mandal.

Environmentalist Devidas Manghnani said in the name of quartz mining, they are diverting huge land.

Haritha Haram helps state top green-cover list

On the eve of theWorld Environment Day, HarithaHaram programme received laurels, as a report published by Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), gaveTelanganathe highest score of 7.21 on a 10-point scale for improving forest cover.

It stood on top among 29 states, while Gujarat was second with 6.5 score.
The report titled State of Indias Environment 2023 for this particular category of environment and green cover used criteria like change in forest cover from 2019 to 2021, share of municipal solid waste, total sewage treated etc.

, which leads the ranking, has made good progress in the indicator change in forest cover and remains among the top states for municipal waste treatment, the report said.

State inflation dips below 7%, but still highest in country

‘s Consumer Price Index dipped below 8% in April for first time in two years, but its Inflation rate remains highest in the country at 6.4%. Though the drop was significant, experts believe lowering prices will help reduce inflation asper Reserve Bank of Indiaguidelines.

As per new economic parameters, inflation below 10% is referred to as a walking or moderate inflation, with the rate of increase in prices is in the intermediate range of 3 to less than 10%. Different types of inflation have different guidelines and parameters. Till recently, Telangana had an inflation rate in the range of 8-10%.

Along with Telangana, the only two states with an April inflation rate of more than 6% are Uttarakhand and Mizoram. Inflation in neighbouring Andhra Pradesh was around 5% akin toUttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Haryana,Tamil Nadu, and Kerala. In April, the country’s inflation rate was encouraging at 4.7%, well within RBI’s acceptable limits.

No containment zones yet in hotspot Hyderabad

Two weeks after theTelanganahigh court directed the government to createcontainment zonesin areas whereCovid-19 caseswere high, the Greater Hyderabad (GHMC) authorities said they have only identified hotspots and are sanitising for now.

The civic body had played a key role in maintaining containment zones, disinfecting localities, tracking contacts of Covid-19 patients to get them tested during the first wave, but residents and Health experts said it must do the same, if not more now.

The Telangana High Court expressed its displeasure over the state governments failure in handling second wave of Covid-19 in the state. The court directed it to publicise information on the micro-containment zones through media bulletins and include data of newly declared containment zones.

Telangana can emerge as a hub of AI skills

can emerge as a hub for Artificial Intelligence (AI) talent due to various initiatives of the state-run Telangana Academy for Skill and Knowledge (TASK) as well as other educational institutions in the state such as JNTU, IIT-Hyderabad as well as IIIT Hyderabad, Jayesh Ranjan, principal secretary, IT & industries, Telangana.

AI has become important for all sectors and is slated to play an important role in the post-Covid economic recovery in India. However, the only factor that could impact the Growth of AI is the lack of adequate skills and the State Government has been working with various public as well as private institutions to build a strong AI skills base in the state.

India’s largest prototyping hub, T-Works, unveiled in Hyderabad

India’s largest prototyping centre, T-Works, got off to a hi-tech start with Foxconn chairmanYoung LiuandTelanganaindustries & IT minister unveiling the 78,000 sqft building via an innovative Kabuki drop (dramatic Japanese reveal style) amid fireworks and a colourful laser show.

The Foxconn boss also announced donation of a complete surface mount technology assembly line, which is used for assembling high-end electronics circuit boards, to T-Works. Addressing a gathering of over 1,000 people, including CEOs and founders of major companies, entrepreneurs, artists and hobbyists from across the world.

e-health profile project rolled out in Mulugu and Rajanna Sircilla

In a digital initiative aimed at scaling up access to public healthcare Services, the rolled out Telangana digital Health profile project in the tribal majority Mulugu district and also in Rajanna Sircilla district on a pilot basis on Saturday.

Health Minister T Harish Rao formally launched the e health profile project in the district headquarters town of Mulugu.

The landmark initiative will help create a comprehensive digital Database of citizens health profile, assess the health care needs of people, ensure timely diagnosis and treatment services thereby improving access to better public healthcare services.

Telangana sees sharp drop in maternal mortality rate

has seen a significant reduction in maternal mortality rate (MMR) in recent years. As per the recently released Sample Registration System (SRS) Special Bulletin 2018-20, the maternal mortality rate (MMR) in the state has dropped to 43 points from 56 points in 2017-19 reducing by 13 points.

Telangana stood at the third position in the country with the lowest number of deaths, after Kerala and Maharashtra. MMR is calculated as the number of maternal deaths per 1,00,000 live births.

The national Average MMR stands at 97, almost double of Telangana. MMR was 92 at the time of the formation of the state and has reduced by 53 points since then. The State Government has ascribed the decrease to measures in child and maternal care taken by the government.

The national average has come down to 97 from 130 in 2014, a decrease of only 33 points. The top three states with the highest maternal mortality are Assam at 195, Madhya Pradesh at 173 and Uttar Pradesh at 167. Between 2017-19 and 2018-20, the MMR steadily increased in the respective states.

Big push for defence manufacturing, Hyderabad to remain missile hub

Hyderabad, a missile hub, will get a fresh impetus for DEFENCE manufacturing following the announcement in the Union budget that 68 per cent of capital for defence sector will be earmarked for the local . This is 10 per cent up from what it was allocated previously.

A majority of defence industries are located in and around the city and closer to theOuter Ring Road. The new policies of the Centre will now give push for local manufacturing by units along the proposedRegional Ring Road.

There are an estimated 1,000 units in and around Hyderabad which are engaged in defence manufacturing.
The announcement that industry, start-ups and academia can participate in defence R&D with 25 per cent budget reserved for them is also something the industry is happy about.

Telangana procures record 65.20 lakh metric tonnes paddy of kharif season

The Central government has agreed to purchase 46 lakh metric tonnes of rice from which is equal to 68.65 lakh metric tonnes of paddy. The State Government has decided to procure paddy till the last grain brought by the farmers, in addition to 3 lakh-odd metric tonnes paddy procurement that would meet the central government set target of 46 lakh metric tonnes of rice (68.65 lakh metric tonnes paddy).
Civil Supplies MinisterGangula Kamalakar said the state government has procured 65.20 lakh metric tonnes of Vanakalam paddy as on January 3 from 11.90 lakh farmers.