19.04.23

Japanese envoy talks trade, connectivity with Manik Saha

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Japanese ambassador to IndiaSuzukiHiroshi called onTripura chief ministerManik Saha and held a detailed discussion on improving the connectivity of northeastern states with South Asian countries and expansion of trade and business in the region.

The CM apprised him of the industrial potential of Tripura based on bamboo, agar and rubber while highlighting the foreign investment potential in health, education, tourism, and human resource management. Suzuki reportedly said that the Japan government gives priority to the northeast region and wants to increase trade and economic activities with neighbouring countries.

Indias northeast and Bangladesh have the potential to be transformed into a gateway to landlocked countries like Bhutan and Nepal and emerge as the new industrial value chain in the Bay of Bengal area. Japan has the vision to see Bangladesh and Indias northeast flourish as a new economic corridor for the rest of the world.


Border row: Assam sends draft MoU to Arunachal

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The Assam government has forwarded a draft agreement to resolve the inter-state border dispute withArunachal Pradeshfor its approval. Once signed, the agreement will pave the way for signing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to bring an end to the longstanding row between the two states within this month. The two states share an 804 km-long border.

Confirming the development, Assam border area development minister AtulBorasaid, The draft of the MoU was discussed threadbare and given a final shape. The copy will now be shared with them (Arunachal Pradesh) and if they approve it, we can proceed to the signing stage, which we expect would be within this month.

The draft agreement was finalised after a review meeting by chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday evening, Bora said. All members of the 12 regional committees of Assam, local MLAs, MPs and district administration officials were present at the meeting to finalise the draft MoU.

Notably, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh have been engaging in discussions to resolve the border disputes with Sarma and his Arunachal counterpart Pema Khandu signing the Namsai Declaration on July 15 last year. In the declaration, both the chief ministers pledged to find solutions to the disputes soon. The two northeastern states also decided to restrict the number of disputed villages to 86, instead of the previous 123.

In a first-ever census of its kind in the country, forest officials in Odishas Bhitarkanika have sighted 179 mangrove pitta birds, which are known for their exotic and vibrant colours. These beautiful birds are found exclusively in the mangrove forest areas of Bhitarkanika in Odisha and Sundarban in West Bengal. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the species has been assessed and classified as Near Threatened

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The Mangrove Pitta birds habitats are limited to mangrove forests in Bhitarkanika of Odisha and Sundarban in West Bengal.

The first census in India was conducted to analyze the population of these birds.

The highest number of these birds were sighted in the Mahipura river mouth area of the Bhitarkanika wildlife sanctuary

Key health indicators have slowed down in TN: Former health minister Dr C Vijayabaskar

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Outcomes of key health indicators such as maternal mortality rate and fertility rate have slowed down inTamil Naduand the state was also no longer a top performer in organ transplant, former health minister Dr C Vijayabaskar said.

There were 54 maternal deaths for every one lakh live births in Tamil Nadu between 2018 and 2020 as per the special bulletin on maternal mortality rate of the sample registration system (SRS), he said. Although there was a dip compared to the 58 deaths during 2017-2019, the mere four-point difference pushed Tamil Nadu to the fifth slot compared to the third slot it held since 2010.

Tamil Nadu, which had one of the best performers in organ transplant and donation has dropped behind Telangana and Maharashtra in the last two years, he said.

KVASU develops effluent treatment plant for pig farms

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A new effluent treatment plant developed byKerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University(KVASU) has the twin advantages of mitigating fears of contaminating neighbouring water bodies and drastically cutting down water consumption through recycling.

The plant set up at the university’s Centre for Pig Production and Research (CPPR), Mannuthy, can treat 75000-80,000 litres of effluent per day. Presently, nearly 50,000 litres of effluent is required to water the fodder plots of the university’s Livestock Farm, Mannuthy, and the rest of the 25,000-30,000 litres is treated in the plant.

According toKeralaanimal husbandry department assistant directorDr R Venugopal, the current pig population in Kerala is about 90,000. But farmers’ association leaders said Keralites consume the meat of at least six lakh pigs per year. The state is the largest consumer of pig meat in south India

Karnataka assembly elections: 40 teams at work at Electhon 2023

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ForElecthon2023, a 30-hour offline hackathon for securing electoral future that began on Saturday, 40 of the 67 teams shortlisted by the Election Commission of India (ECI) are participating in the final session. The hackathon’s objective is to identify glitches or lapses in the voting process and come up with solutions, the poll panel said.

The participation of 2,936 teams and 4,399 individuals. Collectively, 493 ideas were submitted and these were evaluated on several parameters. Out of these entries, ECI had shortlisted 67 teams.

The event is an opportunity for every individual to contribute to the development of the Indian electoral process and make a significant impact on society.

25 heritage projects in Telangana get Centre’s aid: Union minister G Kishan Reddy

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Union culture and tourism ministerG Kishan Reddysaid Centre is developing many heritage sites across the country and inTelangana, more than 25 heritage projects are supported by Centre.
“Close to 72 antiquities are in the process of being repatriated from various countries including the USA, UK, Singapore and Australia. On numerous foreign visits, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has discussed this matter with global leaders and multilateral institutions” the minister said.

CAG seeks to scan AP’s revenue, spend trends

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The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) has directed the state finance department to provide access toCentral Financial Management System(CFMS) managed by thestate treasury department.

The CFMS will provide real-time data ofrevenuereceipts and expenditure.

The CAG also sought information about 200 subjects from the state government. Sources said that it sent a detailed note and a format in which the finance department should submit details of budgetary allocations and spending by each department.

The CAG in its previous report had made comments against delay in submission of financial statements by the PSUs. Opposition parties had lodged several complaints with the CAG and the Union finance ministry raising doubts about the state government securing loans by giving guarantees to the PSUs. Interestingly, the state government is disclosing debts taken by it and withholding the information about the debts taken through the PSUs.

Heritage policy must factor in Goas multi-layered history: Experts

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Heritage starts with the smallest artefact and goes up to the most phenomenal monument, making it essential for everything that comes in between to be preserved for posterity.

However, beyond all the built heritage, it is the unbuilt heritage such as art, language, and literature that also requires to be preserved, said a group of panellists speaking on the formulation of a heritage policy for Goa on World Heritage Day.

Every language has a specific word that describes a specific phenomenon that is unique to that tongue. There are particular words that describe a particular space in a building or city. Language is knowledge that is transmitted from culture to culture, which is also heritage, said Rege.

Despite LPG & piped gas coverage, 15% of sulphur, CO in Mumbai’s air due to kerosene

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Even though the state is inching close to a kerosene-free status, the existing supply of the combustible oil is far from meeting the Centre’s directive of bringing down the sulphur content from 2.5% (2,500 parts per million) to 0.10% (100 parts per million), a reduction of 96%. As a result, up to 15% of the sulphur and carbon monoxide load in Mumbai’s air is due to domestic burning – mainly kerosene used in slums and surrounding rural areas – forcing Mumbaikars to breathe the poisonous gas.

It’s been almost four years since the central environment ministry’s notification directed petroleum companies to bring down sulphur content in kerosene. However, only a miniscule quota of kerosene alloted to the army has been converted to the expected sulphur standards, say activists.
Sulfur dioxide emitted from kerosene use irritates skin and mucous membranes of eyes, nose, throat, and lungs. High concentrations of SO2 can cause inflammation and irritation of the respiratory system. In addition tosulphur dioxide, kerosene heaters also emit carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide. Breathing these substances can pose health risks.