Addapedia Odisha | Daily Current Affairs | 28 November 2024 | Download PDF

• The Union Cabinet recently approved the ‘BioE3’ (Biotechnology for Economy, Environment and Employment) Policy, for fostering high-performance biomanufacturing of the Department of Biotechnology.

Key Points:

• • The policy seeks to include innovation-driven support for research and development and entrepreneurship across thematic sectors.
  • This will accelerate technology development and commercialization by establishing biomanufacturing and bio-AI hubs and biofoundry.
  • Along with prioritising regenerative bioeconomy models of green growth, this policy will facilitate the expansion of India’s skilled workforce and provide a surge in job creation.
• To address the national priorities, the BioE3 Policy would broadly focus on the following strategic/thematic sectors:

• • high-value bio-based chemicals;
  • biopolymers and enzymes;
  • smart proteins and functional foods;
  • precision biotherapeutics;
  • climate resilient agriculture; carbon capture and its utilisation;
  • marine and space research.

• The Department of Consumer Affairs is proud to announce the successful nationwide implementation of the E-Daakhil portal, now operational in every state and union territory of India. 

Key Points:

• The E-Daakhil portal empowers the consumer and their advocates to file the consumer complaints along with payment of requisite fees online from anywhere for the redressal of their complaints.
• It facilitates the consumer commissions to scrutinise the complaints online to accept, reject or forward the complaint to the concerned commission for further processing.
• The digital software for filing consumer complaints has many features like e-notice, case document download link and virtual hearing link, filing written response by the opposite party, filing rejoinder by complainant and alerts via SMS/e-mail.
• To facilitate the rural consumers for e-filing, it has been decided to integrate the common service centres (CSC) with the E-Daakhil portal.

• The Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN), formerly known as the Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF), was established under the Indian Telegraph (Amendment) Act, 2003, effective from April 1, 2002. 
• With the enactment of the Telecommunications Act, 2023, the USOF has been renamed as Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN).

Key Points:

• • It would replace the erstwhile Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF), which is a pool of funds generated by a 5 per cent Universal Service Levy charged upon all the telecom fund operators on their Adjusted Gross Revenue (AGR).
  • This money would be used to fund the expansion of telecom networks in remote and rural areas.
• Working of the Digital Bharat Nidhi

• • As per the Telecom Act, contributions made by telecom companies towards the Digital Bharat Nidhi will first be credited to the Consolidated Fund of India (CFI).
  • All revenues that the government receives, including loans raised and all money received in repayment of loans, are credited to the CFI. The government also incurs its expenditures from this fund.
  • The Central government will deposit the collected funds to the DBN from time to time.
• Administration: The Centre will appoint an “administrator” who will select “DBN implementers” through “bidding” or invitation of applications from eligible persons.
• This so-called administrator will determine the modalities of providing funding to DBN implementers on a case-by-case basis, including but not limited to full funding, partial funding, co-funding, market risk mitigation, and risk capital.

• • India has moved up 11 positions to rank 49th in the Network Readiness Index 2024, compared to its 60th position in the NRI 2023 report.
• India has ranked 2nd in the group of lower-middle-income countries after Vietnam.

Key Points:

• • The Network Readiness Index (NRI) report maps the network readiness landscape of 131 economies based on their performance in four areas:
• Technology, People, Governance, and Impact.

• The report is prepared by the Portulans Institute, an independent non-profit, nonpartisan research and educational institute based in Washington DC.
• This year’s index includes 49 high-income economies, 32 upper-middle-income economies, 36 lower-middle-income economies, and 14 low-income economies.

• The One Nation One Subscription Scheme has been approved by the cabinet, with an allocated budget of Rs. 6,000 Crore for the year 2025-27.

Key Points:

• The scheme will provide seamless access to high-impact scholarly articles and journals for students, researchers and faculty members across government managed higher education and R&D institutions.
• The initiative has been launched in alignment with the vision of ViksitBharat@2047, NEP 2020 and Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) to foster a research driven learning environment. 
• Following are the key objectives of One Nation One Subscription Scheme: 
  • The initiative will provide access to subscription to more than 13,000 international e-journals from around 30 publishers.
  • The aim is to encourage detailed interdisciplinary research that particularly benefits Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities. 
  • The scheme will be used to streamline the digital process through a unified portal for faster and easier usage by various students, researchers and faculty members. 

• The Odisha states ‘Karuna Silk’ has become a highlight at the India International Trade Fair (IITF) 2024, held at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi.

Key Points:

• ‘Karuna’, meaning compassion in Odia, represents a sustainable and ethical approach to silk production. 
• Unlike traditional silk production, where live silkworms are boiled to extract silk threads, ‘Karuna Silk’ allows them to complete their life cycle and emerge as butterflies.
• Karuna silk is a cruelty-free and eco-friendly silk that has gained significant attention in recent years. 
• Unlike traditional silk production, which involves killing the silkworm to extract the silk fibers, Karuna silk is harvested after the moth emerges from the cocoon. 
• This process ensures that no harm is inflicted on the silkworms, making it an ethical choice for conscious consumers.   
• Additionally, Karuna silk is often dyed with natural dyes, further minimizing its environmental impact

• The Odisha pavilion has bagged an award at the 43rd edition of the India International Trade Fair (IITF), 2024 held at Pragati Maidan in New Delhi. 
• Odisha Pavilion has bagged the prestigious award for the third consecutive time. 
• Odisha secured the silver medal for best thematic presentation.

About:

• The India International Trade Fair (IITF) is one of the largest and most prestigious trade fairs in India. 
• Held annually at Pragati Maidan in New Delhi, it showcases a wide range of products and services from various sectors, including manufacturing, agriculture, handicrafts, and technology. 
• The fair provides a platform for businesses to network, forge partnerships, and explore new markets.
• It also attracts a large number of visitors who come to explore the latest products, cultural exhibits, and regional cuisines.
• The IITF plays a crucial role in promoting India’s economic growth and cultural diversity

Theme:

• • The theme of the Trade Fair for the current year is-Vikashit Bharat 2047.
• The theme of the Odisha Pavilion at IITF 2024 is “Developed India, Developed Odisha”.

• Odisha plans to fully implement the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 in its schools by 2025. 
• This ambitious initiative aims to overhaul the state’s education system, focusing on holistic development, critical thinking, and experiential learning.

About:

• The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 is a comprehensive framework designed to revolutionize India’s education system.
• Its focus on holistic development, increased access, and quality education promises to usher in significant positive changes.  

Key goals of NEP 2020 include:

• Access and Equity: Ensuring quality education for all, regardless of socioeconomic background. 
• Holistic Development: Focusing on overall development of students, including cognitive, social, and emotional skills.  
• Flexibility: Offering multiple pathways for learning, including vocational education and skill development.  
• Research and Innovation: Promoting research and innovation to address national challenges.  
• Governance: Improving governance and accountability in the education sector.

• A recent wildlife census in Odisha revealed that 2,103 elephants are currently utilizing the state’s landscape during the winter season. 
• This number shows a marginal increase compared to the summer census.

Key Points:

• The elephant count in Odisha has gone up by 5 in the last six months with the first winter census of the gentle giants putting the number at 2,103 in 38 forest divisions
• According to All Odisha Elephant Census 2024 (Winter) Report, 334 of the total 2,103 are adult tuskers, 12 adult makhnas, 678 adult females, 186 sub-adult tuskers, 4 sub- adult makhnas, 305 sub-adult females, 181 juveniles and 403 calves.
• A total of 48 elephants have died between the Summer census, which the count was 2,098, and Winter census 2024.
• The report also revealed that the highest concentration of elephants were found in 5 divisions of Dhenkanal (291), Keonjhar (160), Athagarh (124), Deogarh (123) and Angul (117). 
• There was a decrease in numbers in Similipal North WL, Satkosia WL, Bamra WL and Raygada WLS.

Additional info:

• The Odisha Elephant Census 2024 report of the Forest and Environment department, released in June had pegged the total elephant population in the state at 2,098, which was 122 more than the previous count of 1,976 in 2017. 
• Those included 313 adult tuskers, 13 adult makhnas, 748 adult females, 142 sub-adult tuskers, 6 sub-adult makhnas, 282 sub-adult females, 209 juveniles and 385 calves.
• Notably, the report also revealed that the cause of elephant deaths in Odisha is primarily due to electrocution, accident and retaliatory killing.

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