Satellite, drone-based monitoring of projects in NEIn a bid for the proper and timely implementation of projects and schemes, the Central government has been monitoring their progress and accuracy through satellite, drone and mobile apps.

The Union Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) in collaboration with NESAC has developed a project monitoring mobile application. The official said that till December 7, 145 projects costing around Rs 3,393 crore have been sanctioned in various sectors under the North East Special Development Scheme (NESIDS). The North East Cane and Bamboo Development Council (NECBDC) has sanctioned 14 projects worth Rs 90.86 crore in the Bamboo Sector during 2015-16 to 2021-22.

The NECBDC projects include, setting up of Cane and Bamboo Technology Park at Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh; promotion of bamboo handicrafts, jewellery and utility products in Poma village, Papum Pare District, Arunachal Pradesh; setting up of bamboo crushing units in NER for production of bamboo powder in Assam; establishment of integrated agarbatti cluster with Zero Wastages Concept in Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya and Mizoram; and bamboo resource creation through plantation in Assam, Manipur and Meghalaya. The NESAC was established in 2000 as a joint initiative of the Department of Space and the Shillong based North Eastern Council (NEC).

Install CCTVs, Council of Higher Secondary Education tells higher secondaryschools

The Council of Higher Secondary Education (CHSE) has directed all higher secondary schools – which also double up as examination management hubs (EMHs) – to install CCTVs ahead of the annual HS examination-2023.The schools have been directed to put up CCTvs in their examination halls, rooms, labs and strong rooms of the EMHs by January 13 this year.

Despite a directive by the School and Mass Education department in 2018 which made CCTVs mandatory in all Plus II exam centre to check malpractice, around 461 higher secondary schools in the state do not have CCTVs in them. Such schools had been asked to install CCTV cameras of 2 megapixel in the examination hall by end of 2018 failing which the CHSE would cancel the examination centre of the college and shift it to other colleges where the CCTV cameras are installed. However, not all colleges followed the directive.

At 534mm, Coimbatore district records 11% dip in average rainfall

The district received only 534.5mm of rainfall in 2022, against the Average (normal) rainfall of 598.3mm, according to the Agriculture-notes-for-state-psc-exams”>Agriculture department. It attributed the 10.7% drop in rainfall to the shortage of rain during summer, while the southwest and northeast monsoon brought enough rainfall. The district had recorded 732.5mm rainfall in 2021.

The rain gauge station at the Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU) on the western side of the city, meanwhile, recorded 680mm rainfall in 52 rainy days last year.

Six coastal villages to aim for tsunami-ready tag

The Kerala state Disaster Management authority (KSDMA) along with Indian National Centre For Ocean Information Service (Incois) is jointly organizing a tsunami-preparedness programme for select coastal villages to be certified as tsunami ready.

The programme, under the aegis of Unesco, will certify villages as tsunami ready based on community preparedness to handle the situation in the event of a tsunami. As part of the certification, the coastal village is expected to have disaster mitigation plans, maps that help in addressing and ensuring relief and rehabilitation, mock drills, awareness classes, etc. The final announcement will be made after inspection by the Unesco team.

Presently in India, only two villages in Odisha have received this recognition so far. The training programmes have begun in some of the six coastal villages identified for the purpose. As part of the project, training program, mock drill and other related programs are being conducted.

Min vows to make Ktaka first in chip making

The state will emerge as the topper in manufacturing of semiconductors and chips in the coming years, akill development minister Dr CN Ashwath Narayan said

He was speaking after opening a multi-Skill development centre, built at the cost of Rs 20 crore, and starting off a helpline 155267 for skill development, and livelihood.

Ashwath Narayan said that currently Taiwan is the topper in manufacturing of semiconductors and chips. Now Karnataka is focused in that sector.Karnataka is the only state where skill development training is being provided for non-technical students too, he said.

Telangana Memorandum of Understanding with US co on Web 3.0

The signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Coinbase Inc, an American-based trading company to build a strong Web 3.0 community in Telangana.

Principal secretary (IT, Industries and Commerce) and director of emerging technologies wing Jayesh Ranjan and Rama Devi Lanka from Coinbase Inc signed the agreement as per which the private company will be supporting Web 3.0 entrepreneurs of Telangana through capacity building sessions, mentorship programmes, and promoting initiatives with the help of Telangana’s innovation ecosystem partners. Coinbase Inc. will also work with the state on upcoming Web 3.0 Regulatory Sandbox aimed at supporting organisations working with Web 3.0 tech to navigate regulatory systems. “This is a wonderful opportunity for Telangana to establish itself as the hub of Web 3.0 technology in India,” Ranjan said.

Forest depts cottage project to offer a different feel to tourists

The forest department is planning to develop eco-tourism projects at various places in north Andhra region, including Araku, Anantagiri, and Sarugudu, besides other places, to attract tourists. It is also mulling cottages in forests.

The department plans to provide a different feel to the tourists with forest accommodation. We are planning to provide a night stay in the forests so that the tourists will get the unique experience of making their night halt in the deep forest. Around 10 to 12 cottages would come up in the forest area in Anantagiri, close to Araku, chief conservator of forest, Srikanthanatha Reddy, said.

The project would be taken up with around 5 crore and it would come up in the next two years. The department has already held discussions with the AP Forest Development Corporation (APFDC) for land in coffee plantations in Anantagiri, which is a picturesque place. The APFDC has reportedly agreed to give the required land to the forest department.

The state cabinet resolved to urge the Centre to withdraw the approval granted to the detailed project report (DPR) of the Kalasa-Bhandura (canal) drinking water project on Mhadei.

The state cabinet resolved to demand the Union Government form Mhadei Water Management Authority to stop illegal diversion of water.

The chief minister said that the cabinet resolved to issue notice to the Karnataka wildlife board under Wildlife Protection Act that they cannot divert flowing water in the sanctuary.

Articulate Maharashtra MSME policy to boost industrial investment

Micro small & medium enterprises (MSME) are the backbone of Indian economy, contributing about 30% of GDP, 45% of exports, one third of manufacturing output and provide EMPLOYMENT to more than 11 crores, directly or indirectly.

Though MSMEs are regulated by MSMED Act, 2006, which comes under Ministry of MSMEs, every state has its own Industrial Policy to give some extra benefits, incentives and sops.

Maharashtra is Indias third-largest state, accounting for almost 9.4% of the countrys total land area.With three international , about 3,03,000 kilometres of road and 6,165 kilometres of rail system, the state has decent connection to all the main markets.

The state has a 720km coastline and 55 Ports that support around 22% of Indias total freight transportation. Mumbai is Indias financial hub. Vidarbha has immense mineral Resources and tourism potential that needs abundant booster steps to explore the possibilities.

Also, agro processing industries in MSMEs like rice mills, dal mills etc should be provided special incentives because they being exempted from GST items dont have the benefit of GST reimbursement under Ips.

Time and again suggestions have been made to incentivize Industry related Services which will promote Growth of service-oriented IT companies, testing & design laboratory, research laboratory etc.

With government promoting solar power, it is imperative to announce some incentives for installing solar power in factories for captive use, which will encourage clean energy use.Also, promote cluster development schemes on top priority.

Haryana: Now, poor can seek funds for medical care

To provide better medical facilities to the economically weak section of Haryana, the is implementing various schemes to provide them access to super-speciality hospitals by providing financial aid to the patients through Chief Ministers Relief Fund.

Taking another step, the Haryana Government has amended the Chief Ministers Relief Fund scheme to ensure that poor people can get immediate treatment benefits. Besides the treatment of three diseases, financial assistance is being provided to the patients for the treatment of 25 chronic diseases under this scheme.

Applicants seeking financial assistance can avail the facility through the SARAL portal of the government. The amount of financial assistance from the Chief Ministers Relief Fund will be directly transferred to the bank account of the applicant or beneficiary. He said for financial assistance on medical grounds from the CM Relief Fund, the applicants can apply on the SARAL Portal through her/his Parivar Pehchan Patra ID by uploading relevant documents like medical bills, OPD bills etc.