Addapedia Odisha | Daily Current Affairs | 13 September 2024 | Download PDF

• A satellite-based toll system for highways will be rolled out in the First quarter of 2025.

Key Points: 

• • The system is based on the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), which uses satellites to track a vehicle’s location and calculate tolls based on the distance traveled. 
• Some of the features of the new system:

• • No need to stop at toll booths
  • Free travel up to 20 km
  • Coexistence with FASTag

• China’s Xi Jinping is scheduled to visit Russia next month for the BRICS summit.

Key Points: 

• BRICS is an acronym for the grouping of the world’s leading emerging economies, namely Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. 
• In 2001, the British Economist Jim O’Neill coined the term BRIC to describe the four emerging economies of Brazil, Russia, India, and China.
• South Africa was invited to join BRIC in December 2010, after which the group adopted the acronym BRICS.

• India’s industrial output grew 4.8% in July, the second-slowest in FY25, after a revised 4.7% increase in June. 

Key Points: 

• The Index of Industrial Production (IIP) is a key economic indicator that measures the performance of various industrial sectors in the Indian economy. 
• The IIP is calculated and published monthly by the Central Statistical Organisation (CSO) of the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation.

• Health insurance for individuals aged 70 and above will be rolled out in a week under PMJAY.

Key Points: 

• It is the world’s largest health assurance scheme.Year of Launch – 2018 as recommended by the National Health Policy, 2017.
• Ministry – Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW)
• Aim – To achieve the vision of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) which encompasses promotive, preventive, curative, palliative and rehabilitative care.
• Funding – Centrally Sponsored Scheme  (expenditure incurred in premium payment will be shared between Central and State governments).

• The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has ordered a special safety audit of all 33 flying schools in India. 
• This audit aims to thoroughly assess safety standards, operational procedures, and systemic deficiencies within flying training organizations to ensure the highest levels of safety and compliance.

Key Points: 

• It is the regulatory body in the field of civil aviation primarily dealing with safety issues.
• It is an attached office of the Ministry of Civil Aviation.
• It is responsible for regulation of air transport services to/from/within India and for enforcement of civil air regulations, air safety and airworthiness standards.
• It also coordinates all regulatory functions with the International Civil Aviation Organisation.
• Headquarters: New Delhi 

• The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India has detected serious financial impropriety involving a cash transfer of Rs 782.26 crore to 12.72 lakh ineligible beneficiaries under Krushak Assistance for Livelihood and Income Augmentation (KALIA)  Scheme.
• The audit also analyzed the KALIA database with reference to other databases like SECC, VAHAN, IFMS and HRMS and identified another 2.96 lakh ineligible beneficiaries, bringing their total number to 12.72 lakh. 
• The department had transferred Rs 782.26 crore to these 12.72 lakh ineligible beneficiaries with remote chances of recovery.

About:

• KALIA is a flagship agricultural scheme launched by the Odisha government in 2018. 
• Its primary objective is to provide financial assistance to farmers, landless agricultural laborers, and vulnerable agricultural households in the state.   
• It involves providing regular cash transfers to eligible beneficiaries.   
• KALIA aims to reduce poverty and improve the livelihoods of rural communities in Odisha.

• The Odisha government has approved a proposal to reserve 10 per cent jobs for ex-Agniveers in the state’s uniform services.
• The government also allowed transfer of equity shares to Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Limited (APSEZ) from Shapoorji Pallonji Port Maintenance Pvt Ltd and Odisha Stevedores Ltd.
• There will be three years age relaxation in the prescribed upper age limit for ex-Agniveers in all Group C and D posts in direct recruitment in the uniformed services and exemption from physical efficiency test.
• This decision aims to provide a pathway for ex-Agniveers to continue their service to the state and contribute to the security forces. 

About:

• The Agniveer scheme is a new recruitment plan for the Indian Armed Forces. 
• The primary goal of this scheme is to introduce a new model of recruitment, offering short-term service contracts to a large number of young people.

Key features of the Agniveer scheme:

• Short-term service: Agniveers serve for a period of four years.   
• Retention: 25% of Agniveers will be retained for an additional 15 years, forming the permanent cadre of the Armed Forces.   
• Skill development: During their service, Agniveers will acquire various skills and training that can be beneficial for their future careers.   
• Severance package: After completing their four-year tenure, Agniveers will receive a severance package, including a lump sum amount and a skill development certificate.

• The incidence of brain stroke in Odisha is higher than the national average, with nearly one in seven persons at risk, as revealed by the study that was published in The Lancet.
• This alarming trend is primarily attributed to several factors:   
• Lifestyle Factors: Sedentary lifestyles, unhealthy diets, and increasing stress levels have contributed to a rise in stroke cases.   
• Prevalence of Chronic Diseases: Odisha has a higher prevalence of risk factors like hypertension, diabetes, and heart disease, which are closely linked to strokes.   
• Lack of Awareness: Many people in Odisha may not be aware of the signs and symptoms of stroke, leading to delayed treatment. 

• Sanjukta Sethi, a nursing officer at Malkangiri district headquarters hospital (DHH), received the prestigious National Florence Nightingale Award-2024 from President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhawan recently.

Key Points:

• Sanjukta Sethi is among 15 nursing professionals who received the award instituted by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in the year 1973 as a mark of recognition for the meritorious services rendered by the nurses and nursing professionals to society.
• Sethi is currently the nursing officer and OT in-charge sister at the DHH. 
• She mentors skilled birth attendant (SBA) training in the district, is a member of the district quality assurance team and also supervises biomedical waste management.

About:

• The National Florence Nightingale Award is a prestigious honor bestowed upon outstanding nursing personnel in India. 
• Instituted by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in 1973, the award is a recognition of the invaluable contributions made by nurses to the healthcare sector.
• The award is given to nurses who have demonstrated exceptional service and dedication to their profession. 
• This includes outstanding performance in patient care, nursing education, research, or administrative roles.   

• The Odisha government has issued revised guidelines for the re-engagement of retired employees on a temporary basis, repealing the previous resolution from 2014. 
• The new guidelines aim to streamline the process and prioritize the filling of vacant posts through direct recruitment and promotions.
• The government has constituted a selection committee, chaired by the Chief Secretary, to oversee the re-engagement of retired personnel. Selections will be made through open advertisements, ensuring transparency in the process.
• Re-engagement will only be considered in essential cases, and the upper age limit for such temporary assignments has been set at 65 years, subject to the Chief Minister’s approval. Additionally, only officers with an “outstanding” CCR/PAR for the five years prior to retirement will be eligible for re-engagement.
• The previous resolution, introduced in August 2014, allowed for the re-engagement of retired government employees due to a shortage of manpower caused by delayed recruitment processes. 
• This temporary measure helped address the increased workload by allowing retired employees with professional expertise to be re-engaged on a contractual basis

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