Addapedia Odisha | Daily Current Affairs | 19 November 2024 | Download PDF

• The Department of Biotechnology (DBT) and Biotechnology Research and Innovation Council (BRIC) introduced the ‘One Day One Genome’ initiative to showcase the enormous microbial potential of India.

Key Points:

• ‘One Day One Genome’ initiative will highlight the unique bacterial species found in our country and emphasize their critical roles in environment, agriculture and human health.
• They play an important role in all biogeochemical cycles, soil formation, mineral purification, degradation of organic wastes and toxic pollutants along with methane production.
• In agriculture, they help in nutrient cycling, nitrogen fixation, maintaining soil fertility, controlling pests and weeds and stress responses.
• All infectious diseases are mainly caused by pathogenic microorganisms. 
• On the other hand, non-pathogenic microorganisms are indispensable for our defense against infectious diseases.

• Experts call for more efficient methods to monitor stubble burning.

Key Points:

• Also called as parali burning, stubble burning is a method of removing paddy crop residues from the field to sow wheat.
• It is usually done in the last week of September to November.
• It is usually required in areas that use the combined harvesting method which leaves crop residue behind.
• It is practised by the farmers to prepare the land for the next cultivation.
• It is practiced mainly in the Indo-Gangetic plains of Punjab, Haryana, and UP to clear the fields for rabi crop sowing.

• President Droupadi Murmu appointed K. Sanjay Murthy, a 1989-batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer, as the new Comptroller and Auditor-General of India.

Key Points:

• • Under Article 148, The Constitution of India provides for an independent office of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG). 
  • CAG is the head of the Indian Audit and Accounts Department. 
  • He is the guardian of the public purse and controls the entire financial system of the country at both the levels–the Centre and the state. 
  • His/Her duty is to uphold the Constitution of India and the laws of Parliament in the field of financial administration. 
  • He is one of the bulwarks of the democratic system of government in India.
• The duties and functions of the CAG as laid down by the Parliament and the Constitution are as follows:

• • He audits the accounts related to all expenditures from the Consolidated Fund of India, the consolidated fund of each state, and the consolidated fund of each union territory having a Legislative Assembly.
  • He audits all expenditures from the Contingency Fund of India and the Public Account of India as well as the contingency fund of each state and the public account of each state.
  • He audits all trading, manufacturing, profit, and loss accounts, balance sheets, and other subsidiary accounts kept by any department of the Central Government and state governments.
  • He audits the receipts and expenditures of the Centre and each state to satisfy himself that the rules and procedures on that behalf are designed to secure an effective check on the assessment, collection, and proper allocation of revenue.

• The Chennai-Vladivostok eastern maritime corridor is now operational, transporting oil, food, and machinery, according to the Minister for Ports, Shipping, and Waterways.

Key Points:

• It is a proposed sea route between the Indian port of Chennai and the Russian port of Vladivostok.
• The corridor is estimated to bring down transportation time between Indian and Russian ports in the Far East Region by up to 16 days.
• Once complete, it will take 24 days, down from presently over 40 days, to transport goods from India to Far East Russia.
• The present trade route between Mumbai and St. Petersburg covers a distance of 8,675 nautical miles.
• The EMC will cover a distance of about 5,600 nautical miles, which is significantly shorter than the current route via the Suez Canal.
• For India, it will provide a shorter and more efficient route to access the markets of the Far East, such as China and Japan.

• SC orders all curbs to stay till it lifts them, takes CAQM to task for delayed action

Key Points:

• • The CAQM is a statutory body established under the Commission for Air Quality Management in National Capital Region (NCR) and Adjoining Areas, Act 2021.
  • Mandate: Better coordination, research, identification, and resolution of problems surrounding the air quality index and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.
  • It undertakes action for the prevention and control of Air pollution in Delhi-NCR & Adjoining Areas which impacts the air quality of the National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi.
  • The Commission is required to coordinate its actions on monitoring of air quality with the government of Delhi and the adjoining states, which includes Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh. 
• Powers:
• • • Restricting activities influencing air quality.
    • Investigating and conducting research related to environmental pollution impacting air quality, preparing codes and guidelines to prevent and control air pollution,
    • Issuing directions on matters including inspections, or regulations, which will be binding on the concerned person or authority.
    • All the directions and orders by the Commission are of binding nature, and any person, officer, or authority shall be bound to comply with the same.
• The commission is directly accountable to the parliament. 

• Odisha Governor Raghubar Das has assured journalists that he will help in implementing a pension scheme for them in the state. 
• He made this statement recently addressing the National Press Day function jointly organised by the National Journalist Welfare Board (NJWB). 
• The NJWB provided pensions to 33 senior journalists and honored seven journalism students from various universities and colleges who topped their examinations in 2023. 
• On the occasion, the editor of Odia daily Satya Ra Swar Nirbhay Naveen Das was honored with Utkal Sambadika Ratna Samman-2024.
• He also emphasized the importance of the media and its role in society, especially in the age of digitization

• Nalia grass (Myriostachya wightiana) has helped residents of several villages around Bhitarkanika national park, especially women, weave a better future for themselves.
• This has led to a boom in the nalia grass industry in Odisha, and has helped to improve the lives of many villagers.

About:

• Nalia grass is a type of wild grass that grows in abundance in the state of Odisha.
• Nalia grass is an important salt marsh grass of Poaceae family that grows in mangrove forests.
• It is a versatile material that can be used to make a variety of products, including rope, mats, baskets, and even furniture. 
• For centuries, Odisha villagers have been using nalia grass to make a living. 
• However, in recent years, the demand for nalia grass products has increased significantly, both domestically and internationally. 

• Odisha has requested a one-year extension of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Urban (PMAY-U) project timeline, which is currently set to end on December 31st, 2024. 
• This extension is being sought to complete the construction of pending housing units. 
• The state government has also requested additional funding from the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) to address a shortage of funds for completing PMAY-U houses under construction.

About PMAY:

• The Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) is a flagship scheme of the Government of India launched in 2015 to provide housing for all by 2022. 
• The scheme has two components:
• Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana – Gramin (PMAY-G): This component aims to provide housing for rural households living in kutcha or dilapidated houses.
• A grant of INR 1.2 lakh is provided to eligible households to build or upgrade their houses.
• Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana – Urban (PMAY-U): This component aims to provide housing for urban households living in slums or in kutcha or dilapidated houses.
• A grant of INR 1.2 lakh is provided to eligible households to build or upgrade their houses. 
• PMAY-U provides a subsidy of up to INR 2.67 lakh to eligible households to buy a house or construct a house on their own land.

• Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has announced that the state government will implement the Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) (PESA) Act, 1996 after taking the opinion of all stakeholders. 
• The Act aims to empower tribal communities and bolster self-governance in Fifth Schedule Areas.

About:

• PESA stands for Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996. 
• It was enacted to extend the provisions of Part IX of the Constitution (related to Panchayats) to the Scheduled Areas, ensuring a degree of self-governance for Panchayats and Gram Sabhas
• It’s a law designed to empower tribal communities living in Scheduled Areas of India by granting them greater self-governance.   

Key points:

• Extends Panchayati Raj: Brings the benefits of Panchayati Raj system to tribal areas, but with modifications to suit their customs and traditions.   
• Gram Sabha Power: Gives significant power to Gram Sabhas (village assemblies) in decision-making on local issues.   
• Customary Rights: Recognizes and protects the customary rights of tribal people over land, forest resources, and water bodies.   
• Consultation: Mandates consultation with Gram Sabhas on matters like land acquisition, resettlement, and development projects.   
• Empowerment: Aims to empower tribal communities to manage their own affairs and preserve their cultural heritage

States under PESA:

• The PESA Act is applicable to 10 Indian states with significant Scheduled Areas:
• Gujarat
• Jharkhand   
• Chhattisgarh
• Odisha
• Madhya Pradesh
• Maharashtra
• Andhra Pradesh
• Telangana
• Mizoram
• Tripura

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