Addapedia Odisha | Daily Current Affairs | 17 June 2024 | Download PDF

• A Chinese vessel and a Philippine supply ship collided near the disputed Spratly Islands in the South China Sea. 
• The incident occurred when a Philippine supply ship entered waters near the Second Thomas Shoal, a submerged reef in the Spratly Islands, which is claimed by multiple nations.

About South China Sea:

• Location: The South China Sea is a marginal sea of the Western Pacific Ocean, bordered by China, Taiwan, the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia, Singapore, and Vietnam.
• Trade Routes: It is one of the world’s busiest sea lanes, with over one-third of global maritime trade passing through it, including vital oil and gas shipments.
• Territorial Disputes:
  • Claimants: The South China Sea is subject to overlapping territorial claims by China, the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, and Taiwan.
  • Nine-Dash Line: China’s extensive claim marked by the “nine-dash line,” which covers most of the South China Sea.
  • Key Areas: Disputed regions include the Spratly Islands, Paracel Islands, Scarborough Shoal, and the Second Thomas Shoal.

• The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahangara Palike (BBMP) proposes a Solid Waste Management (SWM) Cess of ₹100 per month per household.

Key points:

• Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) in India levy user fees or SWM cess as per the provisions of Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016.
• SWM cess is usually collected along with property tax.

About Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016:

• Objective:
  • To ensure proper collection, segregation, transportation, and disposal of solid waste.
  • Promote recycling and reduce the environmental impact of waste.
• Key Provisions:
  • Segregation at Source
  • Collection and Disposal
  • Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)
  • User Fees
  • Waste Processing and Treatment
  • Prohibition on Burning

• The Union Council of Ministers (COM) led by the Prime Minister was sworn in on June 9, 2024. 
• The current COM includes the Prime Minister, 30 Cabinet Ministers, 5 Ministers of State (MoS) with independent charge, and 36 MoS.

About COM:

• The Council of Ministers (COM) in India is a body of ministers that includes the Prime Minister and other appointed ministers. 
• It is responsible for the executive functions of the government.
• Formation: The Council of Ministers is formed by the President of India on the advice of the Prime Minister.
• Constitutional Provision: Article 74 and Article 75 of the Indian Constitution deal with the Council of Ministers. 
• Article 74 states that there shall be a Council of Ministers headed by the Prime Minister to aid and advise the President.
• Types of Ministers:
  • Cabinet Ministers: Senior ministers in charge of major ministries.
  • Ministers of State (Independent Charge): Ministers who manage specific portfolios independently without a cabinet minister.
  • Ministers of State: Junior ministers who assist cabinet ministers in their portfolios.

• NCERT chief says changes in textbook on Ayodhya dispute as per Supreme Court order.

About NCERT:

• Establishment: NCERT was established in 1961 by the Government of India.
• Objective: The primary aim of NCERT is to assist and advise the central and state governments on academic matters related to school education.
• Headquarters: New Delhi.
• Key Initiatives:
  • National Curriculum Framework (NCF): Guides the development of syllabi and textbooks.
  • National Talent Search Examination (NTSE): Identifies and nurtures talented students.
  • All India School Education Survey (AISES): Provides comprehensive data on school education in India.
  • NCERT Online Textbooks: Offers free access to NCERT textbooks online.

• The Vice President Jagdeep Dhankar inaugurates Prerna Sthal.

About Prerna Sthal:

• ‘Prerna Sthal’ is a newly inaugurated area within the Parliament House Complex in India. 
• It serves as a place of inspiration, housing statues of eminent leaders and freedom fighters who played pivotal roles in India’s history, cultural renaissance, and the struggle for independence.
• The initiative aims to bring together statues that were previously scattered across the Parliament premises to a single dedicated space.
• The statues of Mahatma Gandhi and Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar were situated in prominent locations and of other major leaders.

• Scientists from the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) have discovered a new species of snake eel in various estuarine ecosystems across Odisha.

Key points:

• The discovery was made at the ZSI’s regional centre in Gopalpur, Ganjam district. 
• The new species has been named ‘Ophichthus Suryai’ in honor of Surya Kumar Mohanty, a former joint director of the state fishery department.

About:

• The new species, Ophichthus Suryai, is distinguishable from other species in the genus by its unique dorsal fin origin (DFO), vertebral count, and teeth patterns. 
• Mohapatra, who led the discovery, noted that the new species was initially identified as belonging to the genus Ophichthus. 
• Further examination of morphological, meristic, and molecular characters confirmed that the specimens were indeed unique and warranted classification as a new species.

• SiCSem Private Limited, based in Chennai, has announced plans to establish a SiC process fabrication and assembly, testing, and packaging (ATMP) plant in Odisha.

Key points:

• This move aims to bolster India’s self-sufficiency in power semiconductor devices, supporting advanced technologies like electric vehicles (EVs), fast chargers, green energy solutions, photovoltaic inverters, motor controls, and beyond 5G communication.
• To facilitate research in compound semiconductors, SiCSem has collaborated with the Indian Institute of Technology-Bhubaneswar (IIT-BBS). 
• The first project under this partnership involves indigenizing silicon carbide (SiC) crystal growth at IIT Bhubaneswar. This project, valued at approximately Rs 45 crore, will focus on high-volume production of 150 mm and 200 mm SiC wafers.

• Two Odia authors have been honored with prestigious awards by the Central Sahitya Akademi for 2024.

Key points:

• Sanjay Kumar Panda has been selected for the Yuva Puraskar for his book of short stories titled ‘Hu Baieaa,’ while Manas Ranjan Samal will receive the Bal Sahitya Puraskar for his collection of short stories ‘Gapa Kalika.’
• ‘Gapa Kalika’ comprises ten stories. Similarly, Panda’s ‘Hu Baieaa,’ released in 2021, features ten stories that focus on individuals from marginalized communities. 
• This book is Panda’s first collection of short stories, although he has been writing poetry and prose since a young age. 
• Last year, Panda published his second collection of short stories, ‘Takia.’
• Manas Ranjan Samal, the editor of one of Odisha’s oldest magazines, ‘Jhumuka,’ has previously won the Odisha Sahitya Akademi award for children’s literature. 
• Both authors will receive engraved copper plaques and a cash prize of ₹50,000 each at a special function organized by the Sahitya Akademi.

• Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has allocated portfolios to his new council of ministers.
• The Governor, Raghubar Das, approved the departmental assignments on the advice of the Chief Minister, as per an official order issued by Raj Bhavan.

Deputy Chief Ministers:

• KV Singhdeo: Energy, Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment
• Pravati Parida: Mission Shakti, Tourism, Women and Child Development

Cabinet Ministers and Their Departments:

• Suresh Pujari: Revenue, Disaster Management
• Rabi Narayan Naik: Rural Development, Panchayati Raj & Drinking Water
• Nityananda Gond: School & Mass Education, ST & SC Development, Minorities & Backward Classes Welfare, Social Security & Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities
• Krushna Chandra Patra: Food Supplies & Consumer Welfare, Science & Technology
• Prithiviraj Harichandan: Law, Works, Excise
• Mukesh Mahaling: Health and Family Welfare, Parliamentary Affairs, Electronics & Information Technology
• Bibhuti Bhushan Jena: Commerce & Transport, Steel & Mines
• Krushna Chandra Mahapatra: Housing & Urban Development, Public Enterprises

Ministers of State (Independent Charge):

• Ganesh Ram Singkhuntia: Forest, Environment and Climate Change, Labour & Employees State Insurance
• Suryabanshi Suraj: Higher Education, Sports & Youth Services, Odia Language Literature & Culture
• Pradeep Bal Samanta: Co-operation, Handlooms, Textiles & Handicrafts
• Gokulananda Mallik: Fisheries & Animal Resources Development, Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises Industries
• Sampad Chandra Swain: Skill Development & Technical Education

• Scientists from the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) have discovered a new species of snake eel in various estuarine ecosystems across Odisha.

Key points:

• The discovery was made at the ZSI’s regional centre in Gopalpur, Ganjam district. 
• The new species has been named ‘Ophichthus Suryai’ in honor of Surya Kumar Mohanty, a former joint director of the state fishery department.

About:

• The new species, Ophichthus Suryai, is distinguishable from other species in the genus by its unique dorsal fin origin (DFO), vertebral count, and teeth patterns. 
• Mohapatra, who led the discovery, noted that the new species was initially identified as belonging to the genus Ophichthus. 
• Further examination of morphological, meristic, and molecular characters confirmed that the specimens were indeed unique and warranted classification as a new species.

• SiCSem Private Limited, based in Chennai, has announced plans to establish a SiC process fabrication and assembly, testing, and packaging (ATMP) plant in Odisha.

Key points:

• This move aims to bolster India’s self-sufficiency in power semiconductor devices, supporting advanced technologies like electric vehicles (EVs), fast chargers, green energy solutions, photovoltaic inverters, motor controls, and beyond 5G communication.
• To facilitate research in compound semiconductors, SiCSem has collaborated with the Indian Institute of Technology-Bhubaneswar (IIT-BBS). 
• The first project under this partnership involves indigenizing silicon carbide (SiC) crystal growth at IIT Bhubaneswar. This project, valued at approximately Rs 45 crore, will focus on high-volume production of 150 mm and 200 mm SiC wafers.

• Two Odia authors have been honored with prestigious awards by the Central Sahitya Akademi for 2024.

Key points:

• Sanjay Kumar Panda has been selected for the Yuva Puraskar for his book of short stories titled ‘Hu Baieaa,’ while Manas Ranjan Samal will receive the Bal Sahitya Puraskar for his collection of short stories ‘Gapa Kalika.’
• ‘Gapa Kalika’ comprises ten stories. Similarly, Panda’s ‘Hu Baieaa,’ released in 2021, features ten stories that focus on individuals from marginalized communities. 
• This book is Panda’s first collection of short stories, although he has been writing poetry and prose since a young age. 
• Last year, Panda published his second collection of short stories, ‘Takia.’
• Manas Ranjan Samal, the editor of one of Odisha’s oldest magazines, ‘Jhumuka,’ has previously won the Odisha Sahitya Akademi award for children’s literature. 
• Both authors will receive engraved copper plaques and a cash prize of ₹50,000 each at a special function organized by the Sahitya Akademi.

• Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has allocated portfolios to his new council of ministers.
• The Governor, Raghubar Das, approved the departmental assignments on the advice of the Chief Minister, as per an official order issued by Raj Bhavan.

Deputy Chief Ministers:

• KV Singhdeo: Energy, Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment
• Pravati Parida: Mission Shakti, Tourism, Women and Child Development

Cabinet Ministers and Their Departments:

• Suresh Pujari: Revenue, Disaster Management
• Rabi Narayan Naik: Rural Development, Panchayati Raj & Drinking Water
• Nityananda Gond: School & Mass Education, ST & SC Development, Minorities & Backward Classes Welfare, Social Security & Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities
• Krushna Chandra Patra: Food Supplies & Consumer Welfare, Science & Technology
• Prithiviraj Harichandan: Law, Works, Excise
• Mukesh Mahaling: Health and Family Welfare, Parliamentary Affairs, Electronics & Information Technology
• Bibhuti Bhushan Jena: Commerce & Transport, Steel & Mines
• Krushna Chandra Mahapatra: Housing & Urban Development, Public Enterprises

Ministers of State (Independent Charge):

• Ganesh Ram Singkhuntia: Forest, Environment and Climate Change, Labour & Employees State Insurance
• Suryabanshi Suraj: Higher Education, Sports & Youth Services, Odia Language Literature & Culture
• Pradeep Bal Samanta: Co-operation, Handlooms, Textiles & Handicrafts
• Gokulananda Mallik: Fisheries & Animal Resources Development, Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises Industries
• Sampad Chandra Swain: Skill Development & Technical Education

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