03.02.22

Meghalaya 2nd most improved state under JJM, says Conrad

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Meghalayais the second most improved state in the country in terms of implementation ofJal Jeevan Mission(JJM) with 2,03,000 households having been provided with tap water connection within a span of three years, chief ministerConrad K Sangmasaid in his Republic Day speech after unfurling the Tricolour in Shillong.

Chongpotgre andOkkapara Songgitchamvillages located in Gambegre block of West Garo Hills, with a total of 260 households, are an excellent example of 100% attainment of functional household tap connection under the Jal Jeevan Mission. Earlier, these villages were drawing water from Dilni river, which runs between the two villages. The water quality of this river was not fit for human consumption and people were suffering from various Health problems.

Assam task force to oversee proper execution of PM Gati Shakti plan

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day after finance ministerNirmala Sitharamanpresented the Union Budget for 2022-23 in Parliament,Assamcabinet on Wednesday approved setting up a high level task force to oversee the proper implementation ofPM Gati Shaktiplan,” which is a transformative approach for economic Growth and .

The approach is driven by seven enginesroads, railways, Airports, Ports, mass transport, waterways, and Logistics Infrastructure, which will pull forward the economy in unison and will be supported by the complementary roles of energy transmission, IT Communication, bulk water and sewerage, and social infrastructure.

The approach will be powered by Clean Energy and Sabka Prayas with the efforts from the Central Government, the state governments, and the private sector together leading to huge job and entrepreneurial opportunities for all, especially the youth.

To begin with, the PM GatiShakti master plan for expressways will be formulated in 2022-23 to facilitate faster movement of people and goods. Sitharman has announced in her speech that the national highways Network will be expanded by 25,000 km in 2022-23 and Rs 20,000 crore will be mobilized through innovative ways of financing to complement the public Resources.
The cabinet also sanctioned Rs 958 crore for upgrading 114 road-cum-embankments and construction of six rural bridges and Rs 11,031 crore to improve and upgrade vital road projects in the state.

The cabinet further sanctioned Rs 156 crore for acquisition of over 124 bigha private land to facilitate expansion of Jorhat (Rowriah) airport by Airports Authority of India.

TV channel initiative will boost edu, say experts

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With more than 6,000 villages in remote parts of Odisha without mobile connectivity, Union finance ministerNirmala Sitharamans announcement of one class, one TV channel initiave is likely to boost Education.

Under the Prime Minister (PM) e-VIDYA scheme that will be expanded from 12 to 200 TV channels, states will be able to provide supplementary education in regional language for classes 1 to 12, the finance minister said.

PM e-vidya scheme is in fact an innovative concept with one nation digital platform. It aims to ensure uninterrupted online education and e-content are made available throughSwamprava/Dikhyaportals and providing TEACHING through DTH channels exclusively devoted to teaching. Students can avail Learning through these channels from the comfort of their homes. This is a viable scheme to benefit the learners if executed properly. Education through TV channels is also tenable with a few channels earmarked exclusively for teaching at various classes. Even some top universities are going to be selected for online education.

Following the outbreak ofCovid, schools had to shift to online mode of education overnight. For the last two years, lakhs of students have been deprived of education due to the digital divide. With only 33% students of the 60 lakh students in 6 to 14 age group having access to online classes in Odisha, education through TV channels may help them greatly.

Senior Citizens Draft Policy By TN

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The Nadu government has produced a draft policy for old folks.

Highlights:

The government intends to collaborate with academic institutions, field specialists, and civil Society organizations under the policy.

The policy was developed following Article 41 of the Constitution. The policy would focus on social security systems, Health and Nutrition, income security, safety, livelihood, housing and Environment, Education, Disaster Management, and research and documentation.

Its goal is to establish a Senior Citizens Welfare Directorate. The policy also mentions livelihood training, establishing aged self-help groups, and senior citizen capacity building.

It will also address the security concerns of the elderly. It is to establish Banking aid programs and a victim rescue center system.

Portal, app soon on Kerala’s Ramsar sites

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State Wetland Authority ofKerala(SWAK) is developing a web portal and mobile application for three Ramsar sites – Vembanad Lake, Ashtamudi Lake and Sasthamkotta Lake in Kerala. SWAK has entrusted the work to Keltron.

The web portal and mobile app are developed to make the public aware of the changing water quality, sediment accumulation, migratory birds presence and other biological richness of the site. Map of the Ramsar site will also be available on the portal.

Changes that happened in the wetland over a period can be identified on the portal, and if anyillegal reclamationhappens at the site, it will be reported through wetland mitras on the portal. Government can intervene to prevent such illegal activities, said the official.

As wetlands are major Resources“>Water Resources, people residing near Ramsar sites, can take necessary steps in case the water quality is found poor in the examination. Public can access details by volunteering as wetland mitras, and SWAK will give username and password to access the details.

PU department seeks IIM-Ahmedabad help to improve quality of education in Karnataka

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The department of PU Education (DPUE) is tying up with Indian Institute Of Management (IIM), Ahmedabad, to improve the quality of education inKarnataka. As the first step, 30 lecturers attended a workshop withIIM-Afaculty where the premier institution tried to find out the problems faced by them at the grassroots level.

The lecturers suggestions included refresher courses, in-service training for principals, multi-level monitoring system as in the department of public instruction, and motivational sessions.
The lecturers pointed out that they are overburdened with many tasks apart from academic work. They suggested regular assessment of students, reduction of classroom: teacher ratio to give better attention to students, and use of technology in TEACHING.

Big push for defence manufacturing, Hyderabad to remain missile hub

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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.

Mass Mortality of Spot-Billed Pelicans In AP

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Andhra Pradesh State Forest Department is trying to prevent mass mortality of spot-billed pelicans in the Naupada swamp in Telineelapuram, Srikakulam district.

Highlights:

The Wildlife Institute of India (WII-Deharadun), the Bombay Natural HISTORY Society (BNHS), and the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI-Kolkata) have been contacted by the Andhra Pradesh State Forest Department to help prevent mass mortality of spot-billed pelicans.

The spot-billed pelicans are found in the Naupada swamp in Telineelapuram, Srikakulam district.

Since December 2021, pelicans have been dying due to a ‘Nematode infestation’ in Telineelapuram, a recognized Important Bird Area (IBA). It’s also where you’ll see painted storks.

On the other hand, Stork has not yet been affected by a Nematode infestation. At Telineelapuram, at least five spot-billed pelicans die every day on Average.

The mortality toll has surpassed 160, with 180 additional adult species and their babies surviving. By the middle of the summer, they should be back at Home.

Pelecanus philippensis is the scientific name for spot-billed pelicans, also known as grey.

They belong to the pelican family. From southern Iran to east India and Indonesia, the species breeds.

Mainly lakes, you can find the bird in coastal seas and vast interior bodies of water, mainly lakes.

These species’ breeding populations are restricted to India, Cambodia, and Sri Lanka. They have been seen in Myanmar, Nepal, Laos, Thailand, and Vietnam during the non-breeding season.

The species is classed as Near Threatened on the Red List. It is a Schedule IV species under the Wildlife (Protection) Act of 1972.

Hunting is thus forbidden, but the penalty for any transgression is less severe.

Revamp of SEZ Act piques curiosity in Goas industry

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Finance minister Nirmala Sitharamans announcement that the Special Economic ZonesAct, 2005, (SEZAct) will be revamped to enable states to partner in industrial hubs has aroused thecuriosityof several local industrialists. Given that Sitharaman said that the new law would cover existing industrial enclaves many in the state are eager to see the new legislation when it comes.

As part of the PM Gati Shakti master plan, Sitharaman proposed 50-year, interest-free loans of Rs 1 lakh crore to states to help them attract investments in the financial year 2022-23. Local industrialists said that if Goa could attract some of these funds, it could help improve and bring in private investments. There are additional funds also made available to states, which, if utilised properly, can help to develop the state. Projects under Gati Shakti can be planned and Logistics can be promoted in a big way, chairman, MSME national council, Assocham, Manguirish Pai Raikar said.

Central Mumbai flat sales rose 93% last year over 2019: Study

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Central Mumbailed the revival in property sales in 2021, Thane had the highest stamp duty collection in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) , while the western suburbs brought in the highest sales value of Rs 49,000 crore, found an study released.

Flat registrations in central Mumbai (Parel, Dadar, Prabhadevi, Wadala,Matunga) jumped 93% from 2019 and 71% from 2020. There were 7,337 registrations at an Average Rs 35,000 a square foot in the belt. Of these, the luxury segment had a 77% share in sales, said the report MMR Housing Uptick Aided By Support conducted jointly by CREDAI-MCHI, Colliers and CRE Matrix.

Thane (Kalwa, Majiwada, Wagle Estate, Kolshet, Kasarvadavli) accounted for the highest number of registrations with a 42% share in MMR, and the highest stamp duty collection. There were 1,02,054 property registrations at an average price of Rs 10,300 a sq ft. The clear preference here was for flats priced below Rs 1 crore, said the report.

The western suburbs (Andheri, Goregaon, Malad, Kandivli, Borivli, Dahisar) recorded 37,985 property registrations at Rs 21,300 a sq ft. The sales value of about Rs 49,000 crore accounted for one-fourth of the total sales revenue in MMR.