13.06.23

IMD to set up 100 weather stations in Arunachal Pradesh, near LAC

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The IMD along with the Centre for Earth Sciences andHimalayan Studies(CES & HS) will install 100 automatic weather stations (AWSs) and automatic rain gauge stations (ARGs) for weather predictions in the frontier state of Arunachal Pradesh, some of which may come up in the most inaccessible places close to the LAC bordering China, IMD officials said.
An MoU to this effect was signed between IMD and CES & HS, Arunachal Pradesh government in Itanagar on Monday in the presence of Union minister of earth sciences Kiren Rijiju. “People of Arunachal Pradesh will be benefited with precise weather forecasts and warnings with the increase in meteorological observations in the state,” said Rijiju.


Govt: IIT to assess quality of bridge over Brahmaputra

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TheAssamgovernment will engage an IIT for quality audit and risk management assessment of the Guwahati-North Guwahati bridge under construction over the Brahmaputra, as the same agency which was building the bridge inBiharthat collapsed on June 4, is building the bridge in the state.

The bridge between Sultanganj and Aguani over the Ganga in Bihar was said to have involved an estimated cost of Rs 1,700 crore.

He directed the officials of the public works department to consult IIT Guwahati and instructed them to do a risk management assessment of the project in order to maintain high standards of construction.

He said about 73% of the construction has been completed and the bridge will be ready by next year. The budgetof the project was Rs 2600 crore, of which Rs 1900 crore have been spent on the construction work.

Odisha govt announces welfare scheme for drivers and workers

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After several protests, chief ministerNaveen Patnaik approved a welfare scheme for motor vehicle drivers and workers in the state. The CM also approved the formation of a welfare board to implement the scheme.
This welfare scheme will be implemented in view of the welfare of motor vehicle drivers and other workers. The board will be initially funded by the government, official sources said.

As per the scheme in case of death due to road accidents, Rs 4 lakh will be paid to the nominee of the deceased driver or employee, while in case of severe injuries, Rs 80,000 will be provided Rs 1.5 lakh will be paid to the motor transport driver or employee in case of permanent disability. In case of ordinary death, Rs 2 lakh will be paid to the nominated person.
Apart from this, the drivers and other workers will be eligible for inclusion in various welfare schemes likeBiju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana(BSKY),Madhu Babu Pension Scheme.

More than 5 lakh motor vehicle drivers and other workers will benefit from the implementation of this scheme. The welfare board will be constituted for this purpose, which will have government members as well as representatives of motor transport drivers and other workers.

TN forest dept gets e-bikes, specially designed rescue and rehabilitation vehicles

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Nadugovernments Environment, Climate-change”>Climate Change and forests department has added 285vehiclesto its fleet. They include 200 electric two-wheelers, 50 SUVs and 35 specially designed rescue and rehabilitation vehicles. These vehicles were flagged off by chief ministerM K Stalinfrom the secretariat.

The specially designed 35 vehicles were procured at a cost of Rs 5 crore. These vehicles can be used to undertake rescue and rehabilitation activities in wildlife areas. They will be deployed in 35 districts. These vehicles have been modified to carry frontline staff to conflict areas and also locations offorestfires. They can carry trap cages for leopards / tigers and other small animals, trapping nets and firefighting equipment and others. The vehicles are equipped with search lights to enable animal rescue during night time too. They are fitted with GPS and public address systems.

Projects worth Rs 269cr to solve potable water issues

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Government has designed projects worth Rs 269 crore to address drinking water issues inKalamasserylegislative assembly segment where water scarcity is severe throughout the year. TheKeralawater authority (KWA) has started the works of JalJeevanMission at Alangad gramapanchayat.

The cost of various works under the mission at Alangad will come to Rs 61.59 crore. Industries minister P Rajeeve inaugurated the relaying works of water pipes at Alangad on Monday. Replacement of old pipelines with new ones and giving water connections to households are part of the Jal Jeevan Mission works. Around 4,000 new water connections will be given to households in Alangad gramapanchayat. The old 250mm asbestos cement (AC) pipes which carry water from the water treatment plant atMuppathadamto Alangad overhead storage tank will be replaced with 300 mm ductile iron (DI) pipes, Rajeeve said.

KSRTC: 1.2 crore women in Karnataka set to apply for Shakti smart cards

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Road Transport Corporations (RTCs) in Karnataka have estimated that about 1.2 crore Women may apply for smart cards in order to avail the newly-launched ‘Shakti’ scheme that guarantees free travel for women on all state-run buses.

On the launch day of the scheme, more than 5.7 lakh women took free rides on buses operated by the four RTCs from 1 pm to midnight. The free rides cost the RTCs around Rs 1.4 crore.

Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation(BMTC) accounted for the highest number of women passengers at more than two lakh, who took free rides, while free ridership was lowest forKalyana KarnatakaRTC at 50,000-plus.

Telangana stands on top in various development indices including paddy production: Chief minister KCR

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Observing thatTelanganais at the top in the country across various development parameters, chief ministerK Chandrasekhar Rao said the state has surpassed Punjab inpaddy production.

is also the number one in per capita power utilisation, in providing drinking water and open defecation free (ODF) Plus, he said.
The state is achieving rapid progress and Governance is being carried out with a humane approach, Rao, also known asKCR, said.

While there is 24×7 power supply in Telangana, it is not the case in neighbouring AP which is only 20 kilometres away (from Gadwal), Rao said.

Referring toCongressstance that it would scrap the BRS government’s ‘Dharani’ integrated land records management system, he asked those among the audience who wanted the continuation of the Database to raise their hands.

State to screen 5 cr people for leprosy

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TheAndhra Pradeshhealth department is planning to launch a month-long leprosy case detection campaign from June 26. About 5 crore people will be screened for the infectious disease during this campaign. Even though the chronic, progressive bacterial infection can be cured, late detection can cause permanent deformities and disabilities. This would often lead to discrimination against the affected persons in the Society.
Andhra Pradesh reports about 3,000 to 5,000 new leprosy cases every year. However, the Covid-19 pandemic had its impact on leprosy screening as the new cases were limited to 1,811 in 2020-21 and 1,888 in 2021-22. About 3,160 new cases surfaced in 2022-23. The Health department wants to detect about 50% of the years total new caseload in this month-long screening alone.

The Union Government launched a national strategic plan (NSP) and roadmap for leprosy (2023-27) in January 2023 to achieve zero transmission of leprosy by 2027. The NSP and roadmap contains implementation strategies, year-wise targets, public health approaches and overall technical guidance for the programme.
These will focus on awareness for zero stigma and discrimination, promotion of early case detection, prevention of disease transmission by prophylaxis (leprosy post exposure prophylaxis), etc.

Only 45% school kids in state given health check under central scheme

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Only 45% of the children enrolled in Classes I to VIII in Goa underwent annual Health check-ups in schools during 2022-23, under a central government scheme, alongside the midday meal scheme.

As per the scheme, children have to undergo annual health check-ups in schools and teachers have to inform parents in case any medical intervention is required.

“The said that health check-up has been carried out for 45% of the enrolled students only, while iron folic acid (IFA) doses were administered to 77% and deworming tablets were given to 83% of enrolled students. Project Approval Board (PAB) expressed concern over health check-ups not being conducted for about 55% of the enrolled students.

The Union Agriculture-notes-for-state-psc-exams”>Agriculture ministry will provide chana dal at subsidised rates under PM Poshan or midday meal scheme. Using this will ensure that students get sufficient intake of proteins.

Rambutan tree spotted in Maharashtra for the 1st time

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A species indigenous to Malaysia and Indonesia has been found for the first time inMaharashtraatKolhapurdistrict.

It is, therefore, the first scientific record of the tree in the state said renowned botanist Dr MadhukarBachulkar. Environment lover Dr Subhash Athale spotted it near Andur dam in Gaganbawda tehsil.

Rambutan is a Malaysian word. The tree got its name from the small tufted hair on the fruit which is used to make a variety of drinks from gara. Its bark, roots and leaves are used in traditional medicines and the leaves are also used to make dyes. The trees are widely cultivated for their fruits in Thailand,SriLanka, Singapore, and, to some extent, Kerala in India.