18.02.22

DBT scheme for pesticide subsidy gets poor response in Himachal Pradesh

by

The Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) scheme for providing subsidy on the purchase of pesticides to fruit growers has received a poor response. Only a handful of fruit growers have completed the required formalities to claim the subsidy. The response has been poor. Not many growers have come forward to claim the subsidy amount in Shimla district where the consumption of pesticides is the highest because of high apple production, says Desh Raj Sharma, Deputy Director, Shimla. The response in other districts, too, has been lukewarm.

Till last year, when the scheme was introduced, the growers used to get subsidised pesticides from around 350 outlets in the state. The Horticulture Department used to purchase pesticides worth Rs around Rs 18 crore to Rs 20 crore from the market and sell it to the growers on subsidised rates. Under the DBT scheme, a grower can claim a subsidy of Rs 4,000 per hectare for temperate fruits such as apple and pear, and Rs 2,000 per hectare for sub-tropical fruits such as mango, and guava. To avail of the subsidy, the growers have to buy the pesticides mentioned in the spray schedule of the Horticulture Department from the empanelled companies and then upload the bills along with the forms and revenue papers/Udyan card on the e-Udyan portal.

Bihar RD Secretary praises Jharkhands MGNREGA model

by

In order to learn the nuances of implementation and of MGNREGA scheme in Jharkhand and to implement it in his State, Principal Secretary, Rural Development Department in the Government of Bihar, Arvind Kumar Chaudhary visited Jharkhand to understand the MGNREGA model and Rural Development Department of the State. Chaudhary held a meeting with Secretary, Rural Development Department of Jharkhand, Manish Ranjan and the MGNREGA Commissioner, Rajeshwari B and inquired about the implementation of the plan

In the meeting, innovative procedures of social audit were presented and suggested guidelines for action on emerging issues, jury model for every level hearing, protocol and committee for review of action taken, role of every level of municipal organization, formation of labour forum. The officials mentioned the experiments of Social Audit Unit and said that Jharkhand to make this process effective including cultural workshops.

Chaudhary, while describing the publication of news in newspapers as a remarkable achievement in this regard, praised and described these experiments as appropriate and necessary for public participation and fairness and successful implementation of MGNREGA scheme of Jharkhand model.

During the meeting Chaudhary discussed in detail about the implementation of MGNREGA scheme in Jharkhand and the process of social audit, innovation and various aspects of community participation.

Cgarh facing fertilizers crisis in Rabi season

by

Chhattisgarh is not receiving even its allotted quantity of chemical Fertilizers as per the quota approved by the Central government for this Rabi season.

A statement issued by the said Chhattisgah has got only 171,476 tonnes (74 percent) of chemical fertilizers against a demand for 232,000 tonnes for this Rabi season till January 2022.

Chhattisgarh had been informed that 1.20 lakh tonnes of chemical fertilizers would be supplied by the Central government in February. But half the month has already passed and the state has got only 40,686 tonnes, which is 34 per cent, the statement said.

Meanwhile, the Centre has approved 4.11 lakh tonnes of chemical fertilizers to Chhattisgarh for this Rabi season.

This includes 2 lakh tonnes of urea, 60,000 tonnes of DAP, 50,000 tonnes of NPK, 26,000 tonnes of MOP and 26,000 tonnes of SSP, it added.

MP constantly innovating in new fields

by

Indore city has continuously raised its flag in the field of sanitation by getting the award as the cleanest city in the country. This city is now going to make a new achievement. On Saturday, February 19, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will virtually inaugurate Asia’s largest Bio-CNG plant to be built at the trenching ground of Indore city. Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan will also attend the programme. The preparations for the launch-programme are being finalised.

Wet waste which was once a problem for everyone has become an achievement for Indore today due to which the state has got this boon in the form of Bio-CNG plant.

The whole country will see this success of Indore, which is considered to be the largest city and commercial capital of the state. Mission directors of Swachch Bharat Mission from about 20 states of the country will also participate in the dedication programme of Bio-CNG Plant. Apart from this, other senior officials of the central government and states will also be present in this programme. All these officers will also visit those places of Indore city where special work is being done in the field of cleanliness.

Necessary arrangements are being made to ensure that there is no inconvenience to the guests. Efforts are also being made to include Women of Self-Help Groups, who have played a significant role in the field of cleanliness in habitations and remote areas. Social organisations, business organisations and other dignitaries, with whose cooperation Indore has made a special place in the country in cleanliness, will participate in this programme.

The specialty of this Bio-CNG plant is that methane gas has been found with 96 percent purity in the gas generated from it. This will not only improve the calorific value but also increase the effectiveness of Bio CNG. This plant is built on PPP mode, from which Indore will get revenue of 2.5 crores per annum.

This Bio CNG plant will be operated from 100% wet waste. This achievement has been made due to the guidance and determination of the State Government, the activity of the local administration and the passion of the citizens of Indore to do something good. In the survey of the company by which this Bio-CNG plant is being set up, it was found that more than 99 percent segregation purity has been found in the sample of the waste received from Indore, which was not found in the sample taken from any other state of the country. About 400 buses can be run daily with the 18 thousand KG gas generated from the Bio-CNG plant, which will not only help in environmental protection but will also make relative improvement in the air quality.

Madhya Pradesh is making a distinct identity by presenting examples of excellent works in new areas. The trenching ground of Bhanpur in Bhopal has also taken a new shape. Last year, Chief Minister Chouhan had seen a site developed instead of a garbage dump in Bhanpur area.

Vikram Sarabhai Childrens Innovation Centre launched

by

TheGujaratUniversity Startup And Council launched the Vikram Sarabhai Childrens Innovation Centre (VSCIC), under the aegis of Gujarat University with the support ofUnicefand Yuwaah.

The Centre will identify, nurture and support innovations by children from Gujarat. VSCIC is envisioned to take GUSEC, UNICEF and Yuwaahs efforts in childrens innovation a step further and is being established after the success of two editions of the Childrens Innovation Festival which brought more than 3,100 children to the field of innovation.

Key activities planned under VSCIC are developing an online platform for promotion of innovation among children and stakeholders such as schoolteachers and parents.

The centre also proposes to engage and support ideas of children. The centre will create and amplify inspiring stories of children innovators, apart from other activities.

Rajasthan handicrafts exporters demand container subsidy

by

Exports Promotion Council for Handicrafts (EPCH) in its budget expectations said input costs for exporters have risen sharply in the past year. It said because of higher costs, exports are becoming uncompetitive.

In fact, many states like Uttar Pradesh are already giving subsidies for freight movement as expenses for it have doubled in past 18 months.

Common facility centres, testing labs and raw material banks are other crucial links that hold key to building a facilitating ecosystem. But they need financial assistance.

Rajasthan is one of the leading handicraft exporting states in the country contributing to around Rs 8,000 crore (30% of the total exports of handicrafts). It is known for traditional and colourful art. The block prints, tie and die, Bagru and Sanger prints, handicraft items, wooden furniture, carpets, and blue potteries attract buyers from all across the globe.

New India Literacy Programme

by

The Government of India approved the New India Literacy Programme scheme for the fiscal years 2022-2027 that will cover all areas of adult Education and match with the national education policy 2020.

The Ministry of Education (MoE) has announced the New India Literacy Programme for the next five years, to cover all aspects of adult education. The ministry has decided to use the term Education for All instead of Adult Education, because the previous term didnt represent all non-literates who are in the age group of 15 years and above.

This programme is expected to cost Rs 1037.90 crore between 2022 and 2027, with the central government providing Rs 700 crore and the states providing Rs 337.90 crore, respectively.

Integrated Plant Nutrition Management Bill, 2022

by

Central government has proposed a law to empowers it to fix maximum selling price of Fertilizers and control its quality and distribution.

Department of Fertilizers has asked comments on the draft Integrated Plant Nutrition Management Bill, 2022, from all the stakeholders.

It is convenient in public interest that central government should take under its control on distribution, price and quality of standards of fertilizers.

The bill seeks to establish an Integrated Plant Nutrition Management Authority of India.

It is aimed at promoting development and sustainable use of balanced fertilizers, including , nano-fertilizers, bio-stimulates, and organic fertilizers.

It seeks to simplify the process for manufacturing production, distribution and price management of fertilizers across India. This will help in improving the Ease of Doing Business.

Solar Waste Handling in India

by

While Indias solar power capacity is increasing, the country does not have a proper policy on managing the waste that is being generated from solar panels and its manufacturing process.

Currently, India considers solar waste as a part of its generated electronic waste and thus doesnt account for it independently. Also, the nation doesnt have any commercially operated raw material solar E-Waste recovering facility.

In Gummidipoondi, Nadu, a facility has been set up for the purpose of recovering solar e-waste recycling and recovery albeit it is a private firm.

In India, solar waste is sold as scrap and it can lead to the increase of solar e-waste if proper recycling is not done. The government should divert its focus towards drafting a set of rules that will look into dealing with solar e-waste.

The life cycle of a solar panel is 20 to 25 years, so the problem we are facing is yet to come, but when it will eventually catch up the nation will be dealing with a huge problem with most of the landfills being filled with solar waste. Hence, drafting a policy dealing with this is a must.

Indias UPI Platform in Nepal

by

The first country to adopt Indias UPI system will be Nepal which will be critical in modernising the neighbouring countrys digital economy.

To deliver the Services in Nepal, NPCI International Payments Ltd (NIPL), NPCIs international arm, has partnered with Manam Infotech and Gateway Payments Service (GPS). In Nepal, GPS is the authorized payment system operator, and Manam Infotech will implement the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) there.

Purpose of the collaboration

According to NPCI, the collaboration will benefit Nepals greater digital public good by strengthening interoperable real-time person-to-merchant (P2M) and person-to-person (P2P) transactions in the neighbouring country. This collaboration will allow the citizens of Nepals last-mile consumers to benefit from an interoperable, open payment system that enables real-time financial transfers between merchant payments and bank accounts.