02.06.23

Arunchal Pradesh witnessed major development push under Modi govt: DyCM

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Arunachal Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein on Sunday said the border state witnessed massive development in the past nine years after Prime Minister Narendra Modi took over as the prime minister of the country in 2014.

The Modi government is raising the northeast region by constructing world-class infrastructure, Mein told reporters here as part of BJP’s month-long ‘Maha Jan Sampark Abhiyan’ which was launched by party President J P Nadda on May 31.

“Modi conceptualised six development pillars for northeast including roadways, waterways, airways, railways, digital connectivity and hydropower development,” he said, adding that the state government is also working based on these pillars.

Highlighting the success story of the nine years of the Modi government at the Centre and seven years of the Pema Khandu government in the state, Mein said that the prime minister always insisted on the development of the northeast, without which the country cannot progress.

He said to develop the border areas, the Centre had recently approved a package of Rs 44,000 crore for three mega road projects.

The projects include the two-lane Frontier Highway (1465 km) with an estimated cost of Rs 27,349 crore, two-lane inter-connectivity corridor of 1,048 km worth Rs 15,720 crore and two-lane Brahmakund (Parshuram Kund) to Chowkham road (61 km) worth Rs 915 crore. The total road length of these upcoming projects will be 2,574 km.


How urban ponds can revive the ecosystem of Guwahati

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Being an avid observer of anything related to wildlife and environment, renowned Herpetologist Jayaditya Purkayastha did not miss sighting a small passerine bird known as magpie-robin that frequent his area of residence. On closely monitoring the bird he realised that the feathered friend comes every day at around 3 pm to quench its thirst from a dripping water tap that is operated at that particular time. The bird would not have to wait to satisfy its thirst if it were a rural area as open water sources are found abundantly and every other household has a pond at the front yard, said Purkayastha.

Ponds, locally known as Pukhuris, once dotted the landscape of the fertile land of Assam. However, with rapid urbanisation the water bodies are shrinking and posing a serious threat to the ecosystem. This ultimately results in artificial floods that have been leaving a disastrous impact in the urban landscape.

Water bodies support a self-sustaining environment and host incredibly rich flora and fauna. These water bodies can be used wisely to supply limitless resources for the maintenance of dependent creatures. However, the majority of the water bodies have been completely destroyed by environmental deterioration. It is now essential to preserve the remaining water bodies. The Guwahati city has several water bodies distributed centrally and at the outskirt. The important water bodies include Jurpukhuri, Silpukhuri, Dighalipukhuri and Nagkotapukhuri. The Sola beel (lake) in the heart of the city and the Deeepor Beel in the western outskirt of the city on the other hand received highly polluted waste from surrounding areas and through a network of drains.

Govt approves Rs 2,312 cr for drinking water

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The State Cabinet has approved tenders for execution of eight rural drinking water supply projects worth Rs 2,312.11 crore in Ganjam, Balangir and Gajapati districts.

On the occasion of completion of the fourth year of the fifth term of his Government, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik chaired a State Cabinet meeting, in which 18 important proposals including the tenders for the drinking water supply projects were approved.

Speaking to mediapersons, Chief Secretary Pradeep Kumar Jena said supply of safe drinking water to the people living in the rural areas is one of the priority areas of the State Government.

Accordingly, the State Cabinet has approved the lowest tender amounting to Rs 1,509.91 crore for execution of a mega piped water supply project to provide safe drinking water in Ganjam district out of JJM (Jal Jeevan Mission) funding. By execution of the project, around 9,92,368 people of 770 villages under 228 GPs of 12 blocks of the district would be benefited, he said.

Similarly, the Cabinet also approved a tender worth Rs 379.17 crore for execution of two rural drinking water supply projects in Gajapati district to benefit more than 1.31 lakh residents of 346 villages.
The Government also cleared two tenders of Rs 423. crore for execution of five drinking water projects in Balangir district. All the drinking water projects would be completed in two years, Jena said.
The Cabinet also decided to spend Rs 364.40 crore in three years (2022-23 to 2024-25) for implementation of the State Plan scheme Sustainable Harnessing of Ground Water in Water Deficit Areas.
The Cabinet also approved allocation of Rs 330.17 crore for establishment of an Odisha University of Health Sciences.

It approved a tender worth Rs 209.73 crore for Konark Temple Complex. Konark Heritage Area Development Plan (KHADP) under Integrated Development of Heritage & Monuments and Tourist Destination scheme will transform the physical infrastructure in and around the temple complex and upgrade the visitors experience, he said.

Groundwater level depletes drastically in last 20 yrs: Study

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A study by an environment think tank headquartered in West Bengal and having operations inJharkhandhas painted a sorry picture about the depleting groundwater in this tribal dominated state. The study, titled Ground Water Depletion in Jharkhand, a copy of which was shared with TOI, was prepared in April by SwitchOn Foundation.

The report states, Due to the geographical setup, about 80% of the surface water and 74% of the ground water flow out of the state and cause 38% of the drought here. In Jharkhand, groundwater is found under semi-confined to confined aquifers in the fractures situated at a deeper level, it stated.

In the pre-monsoon season of 2021, the lowest water-table level reported was below 0.03 mt in Hazaribag district, and the deepest water-table level was found at 9.7mt in Koderma district. In the pre-monsoon season of 2022, the groundwater level of the state had declined by two metres. In the same year, themonsoonrainfall received was deficit by over 60%, and about 90% of reservoirs were only 40% full. Since the introduction of tube wells, the groundwater levels in the state have declined over the last two decades, stated the report.

K-FON will link state with global info highway: CM

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Inaugurating theK-FONproject, Vijayan said that K-FON is also an alternative to provide relief to people from exploitation of private players. “Compared to other service providers, K-FON services will be cheaper. Irrespective of villages or towns, K-FON services will be provided with high speed and quality,” he said. Vijayan said that as the world is changing, internet should be available to all to move ahead with it. “Through K-FON, we are setting the basic infrastructure for converting the state as a knowledge society. Through K-FON we are linking the state with the global information highway, he said.

Presently, 17,412 government organizations have been provided with K-FON connection. “Optical fibre cables have been laid to provide connections to more than 9,000 households, and 2,105 households have been provided connections. In houses and offices where K-FON connection has been provided, internet service is available,” he said.

A state government is providing internet connections to all in a country where more than 700 internet shutdowns were reported in the last 10 years, Vijayan said. “In the post Covid-19 era, a new work culture of work from home and work near home has developed in the state. To effectively harness such a culture among our youngsters, internet service should be available everywhere. K-FON is a tool for that,” he said.

Govt vows to make five cities in K’taka plastic-free soon

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Highlighting the perils of global warming, chief minister Siddaramaiah cautioned people.

“Humans are an integral part of nature. Destruction of nature is nothing but our own destruction and one day, we will face the consequences. All of us must grow and live with nature,” Siddaramaiah said at the World Environment Day celebrations organised by the department of environment, ecology and forest andKarnatakaState Pollution Control Board.

Recalling his previous decision to ban the usage of single-use plastic in 2016 much before the Centre’s ban, Siddaramaiah said, “Nature has given us everything. We should also give something back. The interest with which we axe trees is not seen when it comes to planting them. It’s not just the duty of the forest department to plant trees.”

Telangana Formation Day 2023: Struggles behind the movement that paved way for Telanganas creation

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TelanganaFormation Day is celebrated on June 2nd every year to commemorate the formation of the state of Telangana. Telangana is one of the 29 states in India and was carved out of the state ofAndhra Pradeshon June 2, 2014.

The demand for a separate state of Telangana had been a long-standing political issue in India, with proponents arguing for greater regional autonomy and development. After years of protests, negotiations, and political discussions, the Indian Parliament passed theAndhraPradesh Reorganization Act in 2014, which led to the formation of Telangana as a separate state.

Telangana has a rich cultural heritage and a distinct identity of its own. The state is known for its historical significance, architectural marvels, vibrant festivals, and traditional arts. Telangana Formation Day is an occasion for the people of the state to celebrate their unique identity, progress, and achievements.

The struggle for the formation of Telangana as a separate state was a long and complex process that spanned several decades. The demand for a separate Telangana state was primarily driven by the sentiment that the region had been neglected in terms of development, representation, and resources under the united Andhra Pradesh state.

Here are some key aspects and struggles involved in the Telangana statehood movement:

Historical Background: The demand for a separate Telangana state can be traced back to the early 1950s when the States Reorganization Commission (SRC) was formed to reorganize the Indian states based on linguistic and administrative factors. Telangana, with a significant Telugu-speaking population, was merged with Andhra Pradesh, which had a predominantly Andhra-speaking population. This decision was met with resistance from some Telangana leaders who feared discrimination and neglect.

Political Movements: Over the years, various political movements and organizations emerged in Telangana, advocating for statehood. The Telangana Praja Samithi (TPS), founded byMarri ChennaReddy in 1969, played a crucial role in the early stages of the movement. Later, theTelangana Rashtra Samithi(TRS), led by K.ChandrashekarRao, emerged as a prominent political party focused on achieving statehood for Telangana.

Mass Protests and Agitations: Telangana witnessed numerous mass protests, strikes, and agitations demanding a separate state. The movement gained momentum in the early 2000s with the formation of the Telangana Joint Action Committee (TJAC), a coalition of various political, social, and student organizations. The TJAC organized large-scale rallies, public meetings, and protests to highlight the demands for Telangana statehood.

Fast unto Death: One of the significant events during the struggle was the fast unto death undertaken by K. Chandrashekar Rao, the leader of TRS, in 2009. His hunger strike lasted for 11 days and garnered immense public support, pressuring the central government to take action on the Telangana issue.

Political Negotiations: The Telangana statehood demand became a prominent political issue in the national arena. The central government formed several committees and held negotiations with political leaders from all sides to address the concerns and find a solution. Finally, the Andhra Pradesh Reorganization Act was passed in 2014, leading to the formation of Telangana as a separate state.

The struggle for Telangana statehood involved a combination of political movements, public agitations, and negotiations with the central government. It was driven by the aspiration for regional autonomy, development, and equitable distribution of resources. The formation of Telangana as a separate state marked a significant milestone in Indian history and provided a platform for addressing the specific needs and concerns of the Telangana region.

On this day, various events and programs are organized across Telangana to showcase the cultural diversity, traditions, and accomplishments of the state. These may include cultural performances, folk dances, exhibitions, sports competitions, and parades. Government offices, schools, and educational institutions often hoist the state flag and conduct special ceremonies to mark the occasion.

Telangana Formation Day serves as a reminder of the aspirations and struggles that led to the creation of the state and provides an opportunity for the people of Telangana to reflect on their heritage and progress. It is a day of pride and celebration for the residents of Telangana.

Plastic waste is choking marine landscape in coastal areas of state

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The marine litter, particularly the plastic waste, has been choking the marine landscape in coastal areas likeVisakhapatnam. There have been growing instances of fishing nets being filled with more plastic refuse than of fish inAndhra Pradesh.

With limitedspaceon their boats and the plastic would fetch them no money even if they bring it back to the shore, the fishermen are simply dumping the bycatch back into sea.

As per the research being conducted bythe NationalCentre for Coastal Research (NCCR), the marine litter has been spread along the entire water column along the Indian coasts. With rainwater bringing it through various channels, a huge quantity of plastic refuse is noticed during monsoons. Apart from the socio-economic impact, the plastic ending up at the sea may have far-reaching implications on humankind as well as marine life and other living organisms.

According to a report released by theWorld Economic Forumand the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, the plastic debris in the oceans will be more than that of the fish species (by weight) by 2050.

46% Aaple Sarkar Kendras non-operational in state

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Around 46% of Aaple Sarkar Seva Kendras were non-functional inMaharashtra, a recent review meeting of the state government noted.
Of the 37,000 kendras in the state, only 20,000 were functioning properly, mainly in the urban areas, a senior official of the Maharashtra State Commission for Right to Services said.

Many citizens have complained about being either denied services or being overcharged at these kendras.

The state government enacted the Maharashtra Right to Public Service (MRTPS) Act, 2015, for transparent, efficient and timely delivery of public services to citizens, and to bring transparency and accountability among public authorities. Aaple Sarkar Seva Kendras are online service-providing centres.

The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India in its report released in March stated that half of the kendras were not providing the notified services.

The report also stated that their performance on the delivery of timely services was far from satisfactory.

The CAG report was based on the delivery of services under the RTS Act from 2015 till 2021.

The report also stated that the online portal lacked proper documentation and monitoring of delivery of services was inadequate because of a shortfall in inspection offices.

It mentioned that 27% of the municipal councils and 35% of gram panchayats in the state do not have any centres to serve citizens.

Tracking every child to reduce school dropout rate in Haryana, says Khattar

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Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar said that to reduce the number of school dropouts, the state School Education Department is tracking every child in the age group between six and 18.

The Chief Minister said that the government is working tirelessly to lessen school dropouts. For this, the School Education Department has been given the responsibility of tracking a child in the age group of 6 to 18 years. Every child is being tracked by the department and such children, who are not getting education in government or private schools, nor in Gurukul or Madrasa, will be tracked and brought to schools, so that no child is deprived of education, said Khattar.

He directed the officers concerned to ensure the transport facility for school students travelling a distance of more than one kilometre. For proper monitoring of the safe and secure travelling of these students, one of the teachers of these schools should be made the nodal officer, he said.

The Chief Minister said a possibility should also be explored to develop a strategy to pay travel expenses to these students, adding that ensuring the safety of every child is the topmost priority of the state government.

For this, a comprehensive framework has been made. Under this, the age group-wise data of Parivar Pehchan Patra has been shared with different departments and as per this data, the responsibility of children up to six years has been entrusted to the women and child development department.

The tracking of every child who is neither coming to Anganwadi nor in any play-way school is being done, so that the actual status of the children can be ascertained, the CM said.