Addapedia Odisha | Daily Current Affairs | 03 August 2024 | Download PDF

• The Government of India has approved the proposal to set up the world’s largest grain storage plan in the cooperative sector on a pilot basis.
• The project will be implemented by the National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC).

Key points:

• Aim: 
  • To provide better storage facilities for farmers, reducing post-harvest losses, and ensuring better prices for crops.
• It will strengthen the food security of the country.
• Agri infrastructure to be created at the Primary Agricultural Credit Society (PACS) level includes:
  • Warehouses
  • Custom hiring centers
  • Processing units
  • Fortified price shops
• The project will be implemented in a decentralized manner with support from:
  • National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD)
  • NABARD Consultancy Services
  • Food Corporation of India (FCI)
  • National Buildings Construction Corporation (NBCC)

• A recent airstrike in Tehran resulted in the assassination of a Hamas leader. 
• Experts believe this event may lead Iran to increase attacks against Israel through its allied groups, known as the Axis of Resistance.

About Axis of Resistance:

• Coalition: Iranian-backed groups known as the ‘Axis of Resistance‘
• Inspiration: Named after former US President George W. Bush’s term ‘axis of evil’ (Iran, Iraq, North Korea)
• Formation:
  • Originated from the Iranian Revolution of 1979
  • Established to expand Iran’s influence in a Sunni-majority region (US-ally Saudi Arabia)
  • Aimed to deter threats from Israel and the US
  • Iran views Israel’s creation in 1948 as a strategic influence by the US and the West
• Group Members:
  • Hezbollah: Shiite militant organization
  • Hamas: Palestinian Sunni militant group in Gaza
  • Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ): Sunni Islamist militant group, Palestine
  • Houthis: Zaydi Shia militant group, Yemen

• The National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) has launched the Women Entrepreneurship Program aimed at empowering women entrepreneurs and promoting economic growth.

About Women Entrepreneurship Program:

• Objective: Address challenges women face in starting and growing businesses.
• Target: Empower approximately 25 lakh women across India.
• Partnership: Collaborates with Britannia Industries Limited.
• Support: Provides skills, knowledge, and resources for business success.
• Financial Aid: Offers financial grants to women entrepreneurs.
• Visibility: Features products and services on the Skill India Digital Hub.
• Support Organizations: NSDC and National Institute for Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development (NIESBUD).
• Languages: Courses available in multiple languages.
• Topics Covered:
  • Entrepreneurial skills
  • Enterprise setup
  • Finance basics
  • Digital skills
  • Market analysis

• The Centre recently allowed state governments to directly buy rice from the Food Corporation of India (FCI) without participating in e-auction under the open market sale scheme (domestic).

About OMSS:

• Objectives of OMSS:
  • Enhance the supply of food grains during the lean season.
  • Moderate open market prices.
  • Ensure food security.
  • Control inflation, especially in deficit regions.

About Food Corporation of India (FCI):

• Sells surplus food grains (wheat and rice) from the central pool to traders, bulk consumers, retail chains, etc.
• Operates on government instructions.
• Maintains buffer stocks and provisions for National Food Security Act (NFSA) and Other Welfare Schemes (OWS).

• The bill seeks to amend the Disaster Management Act, 2005, aimed at effective disaster management.

About Disaster Management (Amendment Bill), 2024:

• It proposes the constitution of “Urban Disaster Management Authority” for state capitals and large cities with municipal corporations, excluding Delhi and Chandigarh.
• The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and State Disaster Management Authorities will prepare disaster plans at national and state levels, respectively, replacing the National and State Executive Committees.
• NDMA will have the authority to appoint experts and consultants to fulfill its functions effectively.
• A “disaster database” will be created at national and state levels, including disaster assessment, fund allocation, expenditure, preparedness and mitigation plans, and risk registers.
• The bill grants statutory recognition to the National Crisis Management Committee and the High-Level Committee.
• It includes provisions for the establishment of a “State Disaster Response Force” by state governments.
• A new Section 60A empowers the Central and State Governments to direct individuals to take necessary actions or refrain from them to mitigate disaster impacts, with penalties for non-compliance up to ₹10,000.

• The Orissa High Court upheld a man’s conviction for the murder of his wife, emphasizing the significance of her dying declaration as evidence.
• The court highlighted that individuals near death are unlikely to fabricate statements, giving such declarations “legal sanctity.”

Legal Principles

Sacred Status of Dying Declarations:

• Trustworthiness: A person nearing death is considered unlikely to lie.
• Solemnity and Gravity: The situation ensures the seriousness of their statement.
• Proximity to Death: Enhances the credibility of the statement about the causes or circumstances of death.

Judicial Observations:

• Justices Sangam Kumar Sahoo and Chittaranjan Dash stated that dying declarations hold a sacrosanct status due to their inherent truthfulness.
• The principle that motives to falsehood are absent at the point of death further supports their reliability.

• The Odisha government declared a 10% reservation and a five-year age relaxation for Agniveers in the state’s uniformed services.

Key points:

• The Agniveer scheme, introduced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is seen as a historic initiative.
• This scheme has empowered the youth, making them capable and fearless in facing life’s challenges.
• The Odisha government’s decision to recruit Agniveers in state services reflects the recognition of their capabilities and training.

Agnipath Scheme:

• The Agnipath Scheme is a recruitment initiative launched by the Indian government on June 14, 2022, aimed at enlisting personnel into the Indian Armed Forces for a short tenure.
• Tenure: Agniveers are recruited for a period of four years, which includes six months of training followed by 3.5 years of active service.
• Permanent Commission: After four years, up to 25% of Agniveers may be selected for permanent roles in the armed forces, extending their service for an additional 15 years.

Financial Benefits:

• Seva Nidhi Package: Upon completion of service, Agniveers receive a one-time Seva Nidhi package of approximately ₹11.71 lakh, which includes their contributions and interest.
• Life Insurance: They are provided with a ₹48 lakh life insurance cover during their service.
• Death Benefits: In case of death on duty, the family receives a total of over ₹1 crore, including the Seva Nidhi and unserved salary.
• No Pension: Unlike traditional recruitment, Agniveers will not receive a regular pension after their four-year tenure, except for those selected for permanent commission.

• Objective: The scheme aims to modernize the armed forces, reduce the average age of personnel, and decrease government pension liabilities.
• Skill Development: Agniveers will be offered skill certificates and training to facilitate their transition into civilian life after service.

• The Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana (BSKY) has been rebranded as Gopabandhu Jan Arogya Yojana (GJAY).

Key points:

• This rebranding was included in the 2024-25 budget, presented by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi.
• The issuance of GJAY cards will begin after the budget appropriation bill is passed in September.
• Financial Support: The government has allocated Rs 5,450 crore for GJAY, which will replace the BSKY scheme launched by the previous BJD government.

Rabies Elimination Plan:

• Vaccine Distribution: Anti-rabies vaccines will be made available in all hospitals and medical colleges across the state.
• Stray Dog Vaccination: The Housing and Urban Development and Health Departments will collaborate to vaccinate stray dogs.
• National Goal: This initiative aligns with the National Action Plan for Dog Mediated Rabies Elimination (NAPRE) by 2030, aiming to eliminate rabies in Odisha.

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