02.02.23

District Level NER Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Index

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MDoNER had launched the countrys first district level SDG Index for the eight North East Region States as a collaborative effort with NITI Aayog, with technical support from UNDP. This is a first of its kind progress tracking tool for the North Eastern Region, of critical significance to the Regions development trajectory. The SDG NER index is aligned to the SDG India Index and is based on a north-east specific District Indicator Framework, comprising of 84 indicators to measure progress of NER across 15 SDGs. In furtherance to the first edition of the NER District SDG Index Report released on 26thAugust, 2021, Ministry of DoNER in collaboration with NITI Aayog and UNDP is in the progress to finalize the Second edition of District level NER SDG Index in 2022.

The adoption of the NER SDG District Index for goal-based planning, gap-based prioritization, and indices-based outcome targeting is needed for coordinated planning and monitoring in the entire region. This will ensure a targeted and optimal utilization of available resources as per felt needs in the region. The institutionalization of this data-driven framework will empower all stakeholders in their decision-making and policymaking.

Have no land to set up specific vending zones in Guwahati: Minister

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A solution to the hawkers issue in the city seems to be shrouded in uncertainty as urban affairs minister Ashok Singhal said there is no land to create specific vending zones inside the densely populated city.

Creation of vending zones for hawkers and a survey of such traders in the city have been a long-pending demand of the All Assam Street Vendors Association (AASVA).

The associations president, Chandan Goswami, said the Guwahati Municipal Corporation (GMC) had identified seven locations Ganeshguri, Fancy Bazar, Borbari, Silpukhuri, Chandmari, near Meghdoot Bhawan at Panbazar and Col J Ali Road at Lakhtokia to set up vending zones in 2021.

Bird Count boost at Hirakud, 10 new species spotted

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The number of migratory birds flocking to Hirakud Dam Reservoir has increased significantly this year. A total of 3,16,676 migratory birds of 108 species were counted at Hirakud during the mid-winter waterfowl census conducted on January 8. While 2,08,634 birds were recorded in 2022, the figure was 1,24,864 in 2021 and 97,899 in 2020.

Besides, 10 new species were spotted in the reservoir bringing cheer among wildlife experts and bird watchers. These are bar-tailed godwit, pied harrier, curlew sandpiper, cotton pygmy goose, caspian tern, blue tailed bee-eater, crested serpent eagle, wooly-necked stork, yellow-billed duck and painted stork.

DFO, Hirakud Wildlife Anshu Pragyan Das said the reservoir was divided into 15 sectors and a total of 30 teams were engaged for the bird census.

Tamil Nadu has a lot of scope to be a hub for technical textiles

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Tamil Nadu has the scope to be a hub for technical textiles, says commissioner of textiles M VallalarIn an interview, he speaks about the state governments initiatives to promote the sector.

Technical textiles are the future of the industry.Tamil Nadu, which is home to several leading educational institutions, has skilled manpower.There is a huge potential for mobiltech because Tamil Nadu is the Detroit of India.Our companies must have R&D arrangements with manufacturers of mobiltech products in other parts of the world to produce them in the state.

A textile city of international standards will be established in Chennai on Outer Ring Road.It is going to be a landmark facility with first-of-its-kind infrastructure in the country.This is going to be a one-stop exhibition centre, where allthe textile products manufactured in Tamil Nadu will be displayed.

Wipro buys Kerala-based food brand Nirapara

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Wipro Consumer Care and Lighting, a part of Wipro Enterprises, announced the acquisition of Nirapara, a Kerala-based packaged rice powder and spice mixes brand.

The move comes a few months after Wipro announced its plans to foray into the packaged foods business. Nirapara was launched in 1976 and is owned by KKR Group of Companies. It is best known for its blended spices and ready-to-cook rice powder products. It has an annualised revenue of Rs 100 crore.

About 63% of its revenue comes from Kerala, while the bulk of the rest comes from GCC countries that have a strong diaspora population from Kerala, said Wipro Consumer Care CEO Vineet Agrawal. Nirapara is our 13th acquisition and gives us a clear foothold in the spices and ready-to-cook segment, he added.

K’taka govt withdraws six pvt varsity bills owing to objections from ruling, oppn parties

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The Karnataka government withdrew the bills to set up six private universities owing to objections not only from the opposition Congress and JD(S) but also from the ruling BJP MLAs in the Karnataka Assembly. Higher Education Minister C N Ashwath Narayan tabled the GM University Bill, The Sapthagiri NPS University Bill, Rajya Vokkaligara Sangha University Bill, The T John University Bill, The Kishkinda University Bill and The Acharya University Bill.

As the GM University Bill came up for discussion today, Narayan said 40 per cent of the seats will be regulated, while the fees for the remaining 60 per cent will be based on the consensual agreement by the Fees Regulation Committee.

President of India lays foundation stone for PRASHAD project in Bhadrachalam and UNESCO World Heritage Site at Rudreshwar Temple (Ramappa), Mulugu in Telangana

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The President of India Smt. Droupadi Murmu, laid the foundation stone for the project Development of Pilgrimage Facilities at Bhadrachalam Group of Temples today at Sri Seetha Ramachandra Swamivari Devasthanam, Bhadrachalam in the Bhadradri Kothagudem District of the state of Telangana. She also laid the foundation stone for another project called Development of Pilgrimage and Heritage Infrastructure of UNESCO World Heritage Site at Rudreshwara (Ramappa) Temple at Mulugu in the state. Both these projects have been approved under the PRASHAD (National Mission on Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Heritage Augmentation Drive) Scheme of the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India.

The temple at Bhadrachalam,Sri Seetha Ramchandra Swamyvari Devasthanam, is said to be more than 350 years old and is closely associated with epic of Ramayana. It is believed that Lord Rama with his wife Goddess Sita and brother Lakshmana spent some part of their 14 years of exile at a village called Parnasala, a part of Dandakaranya forest near Bhadrachalam Temple. The project Development of Pilgrimage Facilities at Bhadrachalam Group of Temples, Telangana has been approved by the Ministry of Tourism at an estimated cost of Rs 41.38 Crores.

Lack of basic safety equipment adds to problem of industrial mishaps in AP

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Several industries in AP are lacking even the basic safety mechanism to raise alarm and initiate auto-shut off of troubled equipment, resulting in loss of several lives in the state.

The industrial mishaps at Akkireddygudem in Eluru district, Tadepalligudem in West Godavari district, Parawada in Anakapalli district and at a sugar refinery near Kakinada were having certain common features. Mainly, they were not having a proper alert system in case of any emergency situation like formation of high pressure, rise in temperature, leakage of gasses or solvents to alert the workers and save their lives.

This indicates some industrial units show scant regard for compliance with safety norms in terms of maintenance of equipment, handling of a crisis with professionalism and regular training to the work face to deal with emergency situations.

Build dams, Goa can export water, Ravi Naik reiterates

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Amidst a serious debate onKarnatakas plans to divert water from theMhadeiriver basin, agriculture ministerRavi Naikonce again reiterated his plan to build several dams across Goa to store rainwater for consumption and export.

Naiksaid that Goa can use the dam water to earn foreign exchange through export of water.

The central government should give us Rs 20,000 crore and we can build as many dams that we want, and we can store as much water as we want, said Naik.

Big boost for state, says CM Eknath Shinde; Maharashtra disappointment: Opposition

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WhileCM Eknath Shindesaid budget rolled out an economic vision that would supportMaharashtra‘s efforts to become a $1 trillion economy, the opposition described it as disappointing, alleging there was no allocation of special funds for the state.

CM Shinde said substantial provision had been made for all sectors. “This is a budget which will support the poor, provide relief to the middle-class, boost industries and infrastructure. It strikes a balance between urban and rural areas,” he added.

Rs 10 lakh crore has been allocated for infrastructure. It will benefit various projects in Maharashtra. Small-scale industries in Maharashtra are considered the most efficient in the country. The proposed amendments in the credit guarantee scheme will make these small enterprises more productive. Agriculture and the cooperative sector have been given priority. Cooperatives are the state’s strength,” he noted. He said the decision to set up 157 nursing colleges will also benefit Maharashtra.