02.06.21

Punjab Agricultural University develops new hybrid variety of maize

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Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) has developed and recommended a high-yielding PMH-13 variety of maize during this kharif season for cultivation in Punjab. The new variety can be grown under climatic conditions of the agrarian state.

The Average yield of the hybrid maize variety was 24 quintals per acre and it took on an average 97 days to mature.

It bears long conico-cylindrical ears with Light orange flint grains. It is moderately resistant to maydis leaf blight, charcoal rot (post flowering stalk rot) and maize stem borer.

CM Himachal: Budget enhanced for tribal areas

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The is committed for the welfare of tribal areas and has enhanced the budget under Tribal Sub-Plan, said Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur while interacting with mediapersons at Reckong Peo.

He said the government offices would also function with 30 per cent staff. He expressed satisfaction that the number of Covid cases had been decreasing 40,000 to 18000 but the increase in the number of deaths was still a matter of concern.

In a meeting with officials of the State Industrial Development Authority (SIDA) and State Infrastructure and Industrial Development Corporation of Uttarakhand Limited (SIIDCUL), the Industry secretary Sachin Kurve had directed that self-verification be facilitated for applicants seeking permission from SIDA and SIIDCUL for building construction. This step has been taken to make the process of building map approval easier in the industrial sector. Following Kurves directions, the SIDA chief executive officer and SIIDCUL managing director Savin Bansal issued directions for implementing the provision for self-verification.

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The applicant will be able to begin construction of the building on the basis of this certificate. The applicant will have to undertake the building construction within two years. The officials state that there are two direct advantages of self-verification of building maps for approval. Whereas earlier, it used to take about 15 days to secure approval for building map, now the applicant will be able to start the construction directly after getting the self-verification certificate. The applicant will not have to make frequent visits to the authorities.

The Kashi model flattened Covid curve

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Prime MinisterNarendra Modis repeated praise of the Covid containment strategy in his parliamentary constituency, Varanasi, has trained the spotlight on theKashi model, which helped flatten the spiralling pandemic curve in district after the second Corona wave struck.
The model envisages smooth and comprehensive steps to provide immediate medical attention to people contracting the virus through creation of micro-containment zones.

The model further stresses on strengthening medical to deal with the deluge of patients.

At the same time, Covid patients in Home isolation are provided 24×7 medical support by respective primary Health centre and community health centres and Covid response team regularly takes updates.

Foresters at theDalmaWildlife Sanctuary (DWS) have launched a drive to develop anurseryof 50,000saplingsto rejuvenate the green cover and to provide an earning opportunity to dwellers living in the foothill villages amid the Covid-19 pandemic that has rendered many daily wagers jobless.

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Pockets like Hansada, Saherbera, Somadih, Dangdum, Lailam, Koira and Dangardih among others which form part of the 192 sqkm forest area of the sanctuary will be covered under the plantation drive.

According to foresters, the addition of bamboo saplings in the drive is to check incidents of wildelephantsentering into human habitation. They said the drive would be conducted during the pandemic when no visitors would arrive at the sanctuary.

Follow Muzaffarpur model to curb AES, Bihar CM tells districts

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Chief ministerNitish Kumar asked the DMs of different acute encephalitis syndrome (AES)-affected districts tofollow Muzaffarpur modelof positive intervention and take all necessary steps to save children from the disease.

In 2019, the had conducted a thorough socio-economic survey in five worst AES-affected blocks of Muzaffarpur district. The blocks were Kanti, Bochaha, Meenapur, Musahri and Paroo. At the directive of the CM, the volunteers of Jeevika had conducted a socio-economic survey of 538 families in the five blocks.

On the basis of the findings of the survey, the state government made several positive interventions and implemented certain schemes among the below POVERTY-line”>Poverty Line (BPL) families in the five blocks.

As part of the positive interventions, all children up to the age of 5 years (of these five blocks) were enrolled with anganwadi centres and provided nutritious meals. New anganwadi centres were also opened.

The Chhattisgarh government has decided to provide scholarships besides free school education to children who lost their parents to Covid-19, it was announced on Monday.

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The students of such eligible schools will be given a Scholarship of Rs 500 per month from Class 1 to 8 and Rs 1,000 per month from Class 9 to 12, an official press release said.

The School Education Department has asked all Collectors to implement the scheme in coordination with the School Education, Health and Social Welfare departments.

Besides children who lost their parents, those children who have lost the family breadwinner can also benefit from the scheme.

Eligible children will get free education in government schools and priority in admission to the state-run Swami Atmanand English Medium Schools in the state.

Madhya Pradesh: Govt to develop Amarkantak as naturopathy & wellness hub

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Amarkantak, the origin of river Narmada, would be developed as a naturopathy and wellness centre by the government. It is to bring the local tourist destination to the national and international map.

The government plans to open a naturopathy centre, ayogainstitute and seeks to promote the medicinal Plants and herbs found in the forests. The participation of local Population would be ensured for their Empowerment. There is also a proposal of paragliding, hot air balloon and for a golf course in Amarkantak and land is being identified for the purpose. Villagers would be trained to start a homestay facility to give tourists the option to stay in the homes of villagers.

A plan in this regard is being made by the administration, and if all goes well the work is expected to start in the next few months. Officials said different departments including the Ayush department and forest department would be roped in for the naturopathy and wellness centre with facilities like panchkarma and other plans promote the local herbs and . Efforts will be made to increase the forest cover in the area.

Notably, Amarkantak is in Anuppur district ofMadhya Pradesh. It is the meeting point ofVindhya, Maikal andSatpuraranges. Narmada, one of the holiest rivers in India, originates from Amarkantak. It is situated at an altitude of 1000m and the forests surrounding Amarkantak contain a rich variety of medicinal plants.

Digi-lockers for 7 lakh graduates of Gujarat Technological University

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Gujarat Technological Universityon Sunday announced that it has introduced digi-lockers for 7 lakh graduates. Using the digi-lockers, the graduates can upload their degree certificates to further promote the Digital India campaign launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The decision to create digi-lockers comes in the wake of a project evolved by theUniversity Grants Commissionand the Union Education ministry to accelerate the ongoing technology upgrade in universities across the world.

With this facility created by GTU, students can access their certificates in a safe and secure way from any corner of the world. The digi-lockers also enable the students to download copies of certificates without any cost, for the academic years 2011 to 2020.

400 CHCs will be upgraded across Rajasthan to tackle 3rd wave

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As the country is staring at an impending third wave of Covid-19 pandemic, the has already started preparing itself to face the situation.
The state government has decided to strengthen 300-400 community Health centres (CHCs) across the state. Apart from increasing the number of beds, each bed will be linked with an Oxygen cylinder or concentrator. Also, ICU facilities with ventilators would be set up in all the CHCs.

The CHCs will be equipped with oxygen cylinders, concentrators, oxygen Plants (in bigger CHCs) and medicines for children. A core team has been formed by the health department to prepare the plan. Medicines and equipment have been identified for the CHCs and the process of procurement has already started.