Addapedia Odisha | Daily Current Affairs | 14 September 2024 | Download PDF

• The Union Cabinet, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the PM Electric Drive Revolution in Innovative Vehicle Enhancement (PM E-DRIVE) Scheme to accelerate the growth of electric mobility in India. 
• This scheme, initiated by the Ministry of Heavy Industries (MHI), is set to operate with a financial commitment of Rs 10,900 crore over a two-year period.

Key Components

Subsidies for EVs:

• Rs 3,679 crore allocated for incentives to e-2Ws, e-3Ws, e-ambulances, and e-trucks.
• Target: 24.79 lakh e-2Ws, 3.16 lakh e-3Ws, and 14,028 e-buses.

E-Voucher System:

• Simplified EV purchase process using Aadhaar-authenticated e-vouchers.
• Vouchers sent to buyers’ mobile numbers; signed by buyers and dealers for incentive claims.

Electric Ambulances:

• Rs 500 crore allocated for deploying e-ambulances.
• Standards developed in consultation with MoHFW and other stakeholders.

Incentives for E-Trucks:

• Rs 500 crore allocated for incentivizing e-trucks, with additional incentives for scrapping old trucks at authorized centers.

Procurement of E-Buses:

• Rs 4,391 crore for purchasing 14,028 e-buses for public transport.
• Focus on cities with a population over 40 lakh; scrapping of old buses prioritized.

Impact and Benefits

Greener Healthcare and Transport:

• Promotes cleaner healthcare with e-ambulances and reduces pollution with EVs in public transport.

Economic Boost:

• Supports Aatmanirbhar Bharat by encouraging domestic EV manufacturing and creating jobs through the Phased Manufacturing Programme (PMP).
• Significant employment generation in EV manufacturing and charging infrastructure development.

• The Supreme Court of India has emphasized that the establishment of Gram Nyayalayas across the nation would significantly enhance access to justice, especially for rural citizens. 

Key points:

• This initiative would bring legal services closer to the people, helping ensure that justice is not denied due to economic, social, or geographical limitations.

Background:

• Gram Nyayalayas Act, 2008: Passed by Parliament, this act provides for the creation of local courts at the grassroots level.
• Purpose: The act aims to deliver justice to citizens at their doorsteps, ensuring that no one is deprived of justice due to social, economic, or other disabilities.

• Ahaetulla Longirostris, a long-snouted vine snake, discovered in India.
• Locations: Specimens found in Bihar (eastern India) and Meghalaya (northeastern India).
• Distinct Appearance: Striking green or orange-brown colouration, slender body, and a prominent long snout.
• Significance: Highlights the role of molecular analysis in species identification.

Physical Characteristics:

• Size and Shape: These snakes can grow up to 4 feet in length, characterized by their slender, elongated bodies.
• Colouration: The species typically exhibits vibrant green or orange-brown hues, with an orange belly.
• Unique Snout: The long snout is a key feature that sets Ahaetulla Longirostris apart from other vine snakes.

Habitat and Adaptability:

• Varied Habitats: This species has been observed in both forested regions and human-influenced environments, such as urban areas, demonstrating its adaptability to different surroundings.

• Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh , launched the “Rangeen Machhli” mobile app.

Key points:

• The app was developed by ICAR-CIFA with the support of the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY).
• It aims to support the ornamental fisheries sector, offering knowledge resources for aquarium enthusiasts, shop owners, and fish farmers.

Key Features of the ‘Rangeen Machhli’ App

Multilingual Accessibility:

• The app provides information on ornamental fish species in eight Indian languages, making it user-friendly for a broad audience.
• It caters to hobbyists, aquarium shop owners, and fish farmers, offering detailed guidance on fish care, breeding, and maintenance.

• The Indian Army contingent departed for Oman to participate in the 5th edition of the India-Oman Joint Military Exercise, AL NAJAH V.
• The exercise will take place from 13th to 26th September 2024 at the Rabkoot Training Area, Salalah, Oman.
• This biennial exercise has been conducted since 2015, alternating between India and Oman. 
• The previous edition took place in Mahajan, Rajasthan.

Strategic Importance:

• Exercise AL NAJAH V promotes the exchange of best practices in tactics, techniques, and procedures for joint military operations.
• It fosters interoperability, camaraderie, and goodwill between the Indian and Omani armies.
• The joint exercise strengthens defence cooperation and enhances the bilateral relations between India and Oman.

• Komal Panda, a young designer from Odisha, has won the prestigious James Dyson Award for her invention, the Novocarry.
• This portable cooling carrier is designed to keep insulin and other medications at the required temperature, making it a lifesaver for diabetic patients who need to travel or live in areas with limited access to refrigeration.
• The national winner will receive a prize money of approximately Rs 5 lakh.

About:

• The James Dyson Award is an international student design competition that encourages young inventors to develop innovative solutions to real-world problems. 
• It is sponsored by the James Dyson Foundation, a charitable trust established by Sir James Dyson, the inventor of the cyclonic vacuum cleaner.

• A recent audit by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India revealed a significant decline in the iron ore grades produced by mines in Odisha. 
• The CAG observed that though more than 83 per cent production was reported in the grade of 62 to 65 per cent Fe (iron) in the pre-auction period, it came down to around 16 per cent in two years (2020-2022) after auction.
• This decline has resulted in a substantial revenue loss for the state government.
• The average production of lumps of grade 60 per cent Fe and above was about 77 per cent before auction, which drastically reduced to a mere 9.88 percent within one year (2020-21) and further reduced to zero percent during 2021-22 after new lessees started operating the mine.

Refer to Addapedia notes for detailed info on CAG 

• Amrit Catla, a genetically-improved variety of catla (Labeo catla) , offers a significant boost to farm income. 
• Developed by the Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture (CIFA), this fish variety has been specifically bred to grow faster and larger than traditional strains.
• Its ability is to reach an average weight of 1.8 kg in polyculture systems, compared to 1.2 kg for local strains in one year. 
• The variety that received the best technology award recently has been officially trademarked as CIFA Amrit Catla.

Key benefits of Amrit Catla:

• Faster growth: Amrit Catla reaches market size more quickly, reducing the time farmers need to invest in rearing.
• Increased yield: Due to its larger size, Amrit Catla provides a higher yield per unit area, leading to higher profits.
• Improved feed efficiency: This variety is more efficient at converting feed into growth, reducing feed costs and increasing profitability.
• Disease resistance: Amrit Catla has been bred to be more resistant to certain diseases, minimizing losses due to health issues

• The first session of the 17th Odisha Legislative Assembly was adjourned sine die,two days ahead of its scheduled conclusion.

About:

• Adjourned sine die is a Latin term meaning “without a day” or “indefinitely.”
•  It refers to the adjournment of a session of Parliament without setting a specific date for its reconvening.   
• The power to adjourn a House sine die rests with the presiding officer (Speaker of the Lok Sabha or Chairman of the Rajya Sabha).   
• The presiding officer has the authority to call a sitting of the House before the scheduled date or time, even if it has been adjourned sine die.

• The Odisha government has introduced the Mukhyamantri Kamadhenu Yojana to promote cow rearing and dairy farming within the state.
• This initiative aligns with Modi’s vision of improving the lives of small farmers through expanding animal husbandry, animal health initiatives, pisciculture, and beekeeping in villages.

Key objectives of the scheme include:

• Promoting cow rearing: Encouraging farmers to adopt sustainable practices for rearing cows and buffaloes.
• Boosting dairy production: Increasing milk production through better breeding, feeding, and healthcare practices.   
• Supporting rural livelihoods: Providing financial assistance and resources to farmers involved in the dairy industry.   
• Strengthening dairy cooperatives: Fostering collaboration among dairy farmers and promoting the growth of cooperatives.

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