08.06.23

Odd-even vehicles to ply in Shillong to ease traffic congestion

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To ease the chronic traffic snarl in the state capital, public transportation vehicles would ply on an odd even basis in between Kachari and Mothpran (Bara Bazaar).

East Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner RM Kurbah informed that all public transports – government buses, maxi-taxis and local taxis would ply on an odd even basis from Monday from Kachari point to Mothpran.

Kurbah stated that plying of these public transports is causing substantial congestion in these busy business areas and also in view of the recent direction to take immediate steps to ease traffic congestion, this decision of odd-even vehicles plying was taken.

Moreover, all vehicles should have high security registration plates and a copy of the vehicle’s registration should be made available whenever there is an inspection by the authorities.


Chief ministerNaveen Patnaik sanctioned Rs 423.87 crore for 37 urban local bodies covering 10 districts of the state to execute different development projects under theMUKTA(Mukhya Mantri Karma Tatpara Abhiyan) Scheme for 2023-24.

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The 10 districts covered in first phase are Mayurbhanj, Balasore, Jajpur, Jagatsinghpur, Bhadrak, Kendrapada, Cuttack, Khordha, Puri and Nayagarh.

The of all the 30 districts will be covered in the next two phases.

Earlier, 5T secretary VK Pandian had a video conference with representatives of the 37 urban local bodies of the 10 districts and discussed with them on development of the urban bodies under Mukta scheme.

Under the scheme, an array of projects will be executed in the urban local bodies, including mini-park, open-air gym, child playstation, playground, walking track, vending zones, development of open spaces and water body development among others.

Prevalence of bonded labour has reduced by 81.9% in Tamil Nadu: Report

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The prevalence ofbonded labourinTamil Naduhas reduced drastically by 81.9% — from 29.9% in 2014 to 5.4% in 2021, according to areporttitled Implementation of the Bonded Labour System Abolition Act in the State of Nadu’ released by anNGO.

The study on the Bonded Labour Act was carried out byASK Training and Learning. It was released by T Raja, former acting chief Justice of the Madras High Court. The release was facilitated by the Anti-Human Trafficking Club at Sathyabama School of Law in association with the International Justice Mission.

The report was carried out under four methodologies — the prevalence study, achievements of government, deterrence study and confidence study.

Under the prevalence study, a state-wide quantitative survey was undertaken in which 9,942 people, who were rescued from bonded labour in 37 districts (excluding Chennai), were interviewed. The report found “as compared to 2014, there has been a relative reduction of 81.9% in the state, from 29.9% to 5.4% (from 1 in 3 people to 1 in 20) in 2021.

More importantly, the bonded labour complaints submitted in 2020 and 2021 received 100% response rate from district administrations.

Cyclone ‘Biparjoy’, the first storm brewing in the Arabian Sea this year, rapidly intensified into a severe cyclonic storm with meteorologists predicting a “mild”monsoononset overKeralaand “weak” progress beyond southern peninsula under its influence.

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Meteorologists, however, said the cyclone has been impacting the intensity of the monsoon and the onset over Kerala would be “mild”.

Scientists say cyclonic storms in the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea have been intensifying rapidly and retaining their intensity for a longer duration due to https://exam.pscnotes.com/Climate-change”>Climate Change.

According to a study ‘Changing status of tropical Cyclones over the north Indian Ocean’, the frequency, duration, and intensity of cyclones in the Arabian Sea have increased by about 20 per cent in the post-monsoon period and 40 per cent in the pre-monsoon period.

There has been a 52 per cent increase in the number of cyclones in the Arabian Sea, while very severe cyclones have increased by 150 per cent.

Karnataka government to accept 2015 caste survey report: CM Siddaramaiah

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KarnatakaCMSiddaramaiahsaid that his government will accept the report of the 2015 socio-economic survey, popularly known as caste census. The CM said on the basis of the report, the government will extend facilities to different communities.

The move is bound to give impetus to the demand for a caste-based census made by parties like JD(U), RJD, SP,DMK,NCPandBJDfrom time to time.

The governments decision to accept the report commissioned in 2015 by Siddaramaiah during his previous stint as CM is likely to create a flutter in the State Politics as the findings could be a challenge to the hegemony of castes like Lingayats and Vokkaligas that have so far enjoyed political preferences due to their perceived bigger share in the states Population.

The caste census data for Karnataka, the first such survey conducted by any state after 1935, has been gathering dust since 2018. Successive governments have refused to accept the report and reveal its findings on the pretext that it was not signed and validated by the then member secretary of the commission. However, according to political observers, the real reason is the strong opposition from Lingayats and Vokkaligas.
Contrary to popular belief, leaked excerpts of the key findings of the report just before the 2018 revealed SCs constitute the largest community with 19% representation in the states population, followed by Muslims at 16%. According to the 2011 census, SCs comprised 16% and Muslims 13% of the states population.

The leaked excerpts pegged Lingayats at 14% of the population and Vokkaligas at 11% way lower than what is commonly perceived. While Lingayats claim they form 20%, Vokkaligas say they constitute 17%.

3 startups bag 1st edition of AI for social good awards

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TheTelangana AI Mission(T-AIM) announced the winners of the inauguralAI for Social Good Awards. It also launched a compendium of 15 success stories of social sector innovation using called From Code to Compassion.

The awards, which were given away to AI startups in three categories Health & sanitation, Skill development & livelihoods, and sustainable Environment received 128 nominations.

The winning startups bagged a seed funding of 7 lakh each to scale up their innovations. Dharwad-based Sparcolife Digital Health Technologies emerged winner in the health and sanitation category for benefiting over 350 Women with their solution for womens well-being, reproductive health and fertility care.

In the skill development and livelihoods category Ahmedabad-based startup Learn & Empower, which helped over 1,200 hearing impaired children in 67 schools across seven states improve learnability of through fun-based interactive games, was adjudged winner.

AP starts GEF project for agri biodiversity

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Andhra Pradeshhas been selected for the global Environment facility (GEF) project as part of a memorandum of understanding entered by the Union ministry of forest, environment and https://exam.pscnotes.com/Climate-change”>Climate Change back in 2022.
The GEF project entitled transforming agricultural systems and strengthening local economies in high Biodiversity areas of India through sustainable landscape management and public-private finance has so far begun in five districts of the state. This will be consequently extended to 16 districts.

A total of 10 lakh hectares will be covered under the project in the state, the major objective of which is to reduce land degradation and ensuring Biodiversity conservation in agricultural landscapes in the Eastern Ghats. The project has already started in Bairluty micro landscape in Nandyal, Kondabaradi in Parvathipuram, KG Pudi in Vizianagaram, Rekulakunta in Kadapa district, and D Gonduru, M Nitapattu, Jaderu and Pinakota in ASR district.

World’s first chatbot on plastic waste to debut in Goa

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he world’s first chatbot allowing citizens to report plastic dumps in public places is set to be tested in Goa by theWorld Wildlife Fund(WWF) – India. It will be launched on Thursday and citizens can use WhatsApp to connect with the chatbot. It will ask several questions to understand the type and quantity of plastic dumped. Location and photographs of the dump can also be shared.

Data collected through the chatbot will then be analysed by WWF-India to draw up a strategy to clear the blackspots, with primary focus on dumps located in marine environments.

After its trial period, WWF-India has plans to introduce the chatbot in other parts of the country as well.

Tourism activities in Goa and southern Maharashtra generate large quantities of plastic waste in the marine Environment. These regions, known for their pristine natural beauty, are faced with the challenge of protecting endangered marine species and vital habitats, such as coral reefs, from plastic waste.

Grievance cell for industrial units on cards

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ThePimpri Chinchwadpolice appealed to the owners of the industrial units to come forward and file complaints if they face any kind of harassment at the hands of Mathadi worker unions or scrap dealers.

The Police have also decided to set up an industrial grievances cell for MIDC areas to address complaints regardingextortion, threats and harassment. A meeting was held on Tuesday by Pimpri Chinchwad police commissionerVinoy Kumar Choubeywith around 250 representatives from industrial units and officials from the labour commissioner office to deliberate on this issue.

In the past five months, the police have registered 12 cases of extortions where industrial units were targeted.

HAFED records profit of Rs 207 crore in 2021-22

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Cooperation Minister Banwari Lal informed that the Haryana State Cooperative Supply and Marketing Federation Limited (HAFED) has secured a substantial order to export 65,000 metric tonnes of rice in the current year.

The HAFED has achieved a profit of Rs 207 crore during the fiscal year 2021-22, with a turnover of Rs 1,700 crore. This includes the successful export of 20,000 metric tonnes of rice,

Apprising the efforts being made by the Sector to produce high-quality products and ensuring the welfare of farmers engaged in milk production, Lal highlighted the successful implementation of the Sanjha Dairy Scheme in a recent press briefing. It aims to support cattle herders without pasture by constructing sheds in villages and providing them with the necessary Infrastructure to produce milk.

The Sanjha Dairy Scheme has been launched in five strategic locations across the state, including Kaithal, Kurukshetra, Jind and Bhiwani. By empowering animal herders with here, the scheme fosters self-sufficiency and economic Growth within the community.