1. Tamil Nadu's Salem Sago gets GI tag
Tags: State News
Salem Starch and Sago Manufacturers Service Industrial Co-operative Society Limited, also known as SagoServe, recently received the Geographical Indication (GI) tag for Salem Sago.
An Overview of the News
District Collector S Karmegam presented the GI certificate to Sagoserv Administrator Lalithaditya Neelam at an official program.
Salem district of Tamil Nadu has previously received the GI tag for raw silk and Malgoa mango, thereby contributing to the recognition of the region.
Other notable products from different regions, such as Tirupati Laddu and Palani Panchamirtham have also received the GI tag.
This recognition of Salem sago with a GI tag is expected to boost business opportunities for sago farmers and traders in the region.
Tamil Nadu contributes significantly to the national sago production, accounting for 40% of the total production.
Salem holds the leading position in sago production in Tamil Nadu.
Sagosarva, established in 1981, is a cooperative society with 374 members from various districts including Salem, Namakkal, Dharmapuri, Erode, Perambalur, Trichy, Tiruvannamalai and Villupuram.
What is a GI tag?
A geographical indication (GI) is a name or sign given to products coming from a specific geographical location.
GIs certify that products are made using traditional methods or have specific qualities due to their origin.
It is used for food, handicrafts and industrial products.
The GI tag ensures that only authorized users can use the product name.
Who awards and regulates geographical indications?
These are a type of Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) recognized and protected under the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property.
The World Trade Organization (WTO)'s Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) provides a framework for the protection of GIs at the international level.
In India, registration and protection of GIs is governed by theGeographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999, which came into effect in September 2003.
2. India's first solar city inaugurated in Madhya Pradesh's Sanchi
Tags: Science and Technology State News
Madhya Pradesh (MP) Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan inaugurated Sanchi in Raisen district as India's first solar city.
An Overview of the News
The initiative is in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of developing a solar city in every state by 2070.
About Sanchi Solar City:
Sanchi Solar City has two solar plants - a 3 MW solar plant at Nagauri and a5 MW solar plant at Gulgaon, which cater to the city's power and agricultural needs.
Currently, an 8 MW grid-connected solar plant is under construction within Sanchi city.
Madhya Pradesh Urja Vikas Nigam Limited (MPUVNL) acted as the nodal agency for this solar city project.
MPUVNL launched an 'Energy Literacy Campaign' to educate the people of Sanchi about energy-saving practices.
Sanchi Solar City is expected to reduce annual carbon dioxide emissions by about 13,747 tonnes, which is equivalent to the effect of planting more than 2 lakh adult trees.
The project is expected to save over Rs 7 crore annually in energy-related expenses for both the government and citizens.
Initiatives under the Sanchi Solar City Project:
Electric vehicle charging stations have been set up across the city to promote the adoption of electric vehicles.
Public establishments have been fitted with rooftop solar systems to harness solar energy.
Individual rooftop owners have also installed solar systems on their premises, thereby reducing their dependence on grid electricity.
National Renewable Energy Target:
India has set a target of generating 40% of its total installed electricity generation capacity from renewable sources by 2030.
About Sanchi:
Sanchi is famous for its Buddhist Stupa, which is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The Great Stupa of Sanchi was built by Emperor Ashoka in the 3rd century BC.
Important Point:- In October 2022, Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared Modhera village in Gujarat as India's first 24x7 solar-powered village.
About Madhya Pradesh
It is the second largest state of India by area after Rajasthan.
Forests occupy 25.14 percent of its area.
Governor - Mangubhai Patel
Chief Minister - Shivraj Singh Chauhan
Capital - Bhopal
3. Jharkhand Cabinet approves Pension and OBC status for the Transgender Community
Tags: State News
The Jharkhand cabinet led by Chief Minister Hemant Soren approved the inclusion of the transgender community in the state's universal pension scheme.
An Overview of the News
Transgender persons will now be eligible to receive monthly financial assistance of Rs 1000 under the 'Chief Minister's State Social Security Pension Scheme'.
Eligibility for this scheme is determined on the basis of age, persons of 18 years and above who have voter ID cards are eligible.
Inclusion of Transgender Persons in the Other Backward Classes (OBC) Category:
Apart from the pension scheme, the Jharkhand cabinet also approved the inclusion of transgender persons in the Other Backward Classes (OBC) category.
The objective of this decision is to ensure that transgender persons can avail the benefits of reservation in government job opportunities.
Notably, transgender persons who do not fall under any of the existing caste-based reservation categories will be classified as OBCs at position number 46 in the OBC list.
Transgender Population Statistics:
According to the Women, Child Development and Social Security Department (WCDSS) data, the transgender population in Jharkhand was around 11,900 in the year 2011.
Currently, the transgender population in Jharkhand is around 14,000.
4. Telangana Government and Tabreed sign MoU to develop Asia's largest district cooling system
Tags: State News
Telangana Government signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Tabreed, a cooling-as-a-service provider from Abu Dhabi, UAE, to develop Asia's largest District Cooling System (DCS) in Hyderabad.
An Overview of the News
Tabreed will invest US$200 million to build cooling infrastructure with a capacity of 125,000 refrigeration tons (RT) for Hyderabad Pharma City (HPC).
The project has been undertaken as a Public-Private Partnership (PPP).
District Cooling System (DCS):
DCS is an environment-friendly, energy-efficient, and cost-effective cooling method.
It involves a central chiller plant to cool water, which is then circulated through a closed-loop pipe network to cool industrial, commercial and residential buildings.
Environmental Goals:
This partnership is in line with Telangana's commitment to achieve net-zero emissions by 2047, contributing to a green and healthy environment.
Sustainable Infrastructure Development:
The collaboration between Tabreed and the Government of Telangana aims to reshape the landscape of sustainable infrastructure development.
Tabreed's expertise at DCS will set an example for environmental responsibility.
Additional MoU for Cyberabad:
The Telangana government has also signed an MoU with Tabreed to explore district cooling infrastructure in Cyberabad, Hyderabad, and other mixed-use development areas.
This initiative could potentially reduce electricity demand by more than 200 megawatts (MW) and result in an annual reduction of 18 million tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions over 30 years.
Economic and Environmental Benefits:
The project is expected to deliver multiple benefits including reliability, cost-efficiency, and economies of scale.
This will result in significant power savings of 6,800 gigawatt hours (GWh) and water savings of 41,600 megaliters.
Greenhouse gas emissions are estimated to be reduced by 6.2 million tonnes of CO2.
This initiative will transform cooling practices in the pharmaceutical industry, contributing to a cleaner and greener environment for bulk drug manufacturing facilities in Hyderabad.
5. Union Health Minister inaugurates Amrita Patel Public Health Center in Gujarat
Tags: State News
Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya inaugurated the Amrita Patel Public Health Center in Anand, Gujarat.
An Overview of the News
The Amrita Patel Center for Public Health was established in honor of Dr. Amrita Patel, a pioneer in both the dairy industry and public health.
Dr. Patel has held key positions in the dairy industry, including as the first woman executive of Amul and chairperson of NDDB.
She was devoted to improving the health and livelihoods of India's rural poor, especially women.
Amrita Patel Awards and Recognitions:
Dr. Patel received prestigious awards like 'Padma Bhushan' for his dairy industry contribution and 'Indira Gandhi Environment Award' for his environmental work.
She has been consistently recognized as a top businesswoman and received the Mahindra Samridhi India Agri Lifetime Achievement Award.
Centre's Approach:
The center aims to be a hub of learning and capacity building, serving public health professionals from diverse backgrounds. It continues Dr. Patel's legacy of public health reform in India.
About Gujarat
Formation (by partition) - 1 May 1960
Capital - Gandhinagar
Governor - Acharya Devvrat
Chief Minister - Bhupendrabhai Patel (BJP)
District - 33
Rajya Sabha - 11 seats
Lok Sabha - 26 seats
6. Civil Aviation Minister Inaugurates Utkela Airport and Direct Flight between Utkela and Bhubaneswar
Tags: State News
Minister of Civil Aviation, Jyotiraditya M. Scindia and Minister of State, Ministry of Civil Aviation, General Vijay Kumar Singh (Retd) inaugurated the Utkela Airport and a new flight route connecting Utkela and Bhubaneswar through video conferencing.
An Overview of the News
Utkela Airport, owned by the Government of Odisha, has been set up as a regional airport under the UDAN scheme of the Ministry of Civil Aviation with a project cost of Rs 31.07 crore.
The airport has a 917-metre (2,995 ft) runway and a runway width of 30 metres, which contributes to better regional connectivity.
This increases the number of airports in Odisha to five, underscoring efforts to boost transport infrastructure.
Increase in connectivity through Utkela-Bhubaneswar flight route
The newly launched Utkela-Bhubaneswar flight route, operated by IndiaOne, is set to strengthen regional air connectivity and boost economic growth in the region.
This route will be operated by 9-seater Cessna C-208 aircraft, which is a part of the UDAN scheme initiative.
The travel time between Utkela and Bhubaneswar, which usually takes about 8 hours by road, will now be reduced to just one hour and twenty minutes by air.
Economic benefits and development for Kalahandi region
The new Utkela-Bhubaneswar air connection is set to stimulate economic activities and create many employment opportunities in the Kalahandi region.
Collaboration between the Central Government and the Government of Odisha in advancing civil aviation infrastructure was highlighted as an important step towards development.
About Odisha
Formation - April 1, 1936
Capital -Bhubaneswar
Districts - 30 (3 divisions)
Governor - Ganeshi Lal
Chief Minister - Naveen Patnaik
7. Assam's Chokuwa rice gets GI tag
Tags: State News
Chokuwa rice, popularly known as "magic rice", received the Geographical Indication (GI) tag.
An Overview of the News
The GI tag recognizes its exceptional qualities and heritage.
Chokuwa rice is closely linked to the history of Assam and has a historical connection with the Ahom dynasty.
This variety of rice is specially cultivated in the Brahmaputra river region.
Cultivation areas include Tinsukia, Dhemaji, and Dibrugarh in Assam.
Geographical Indication (GI) Tag:
Geographical Indication (GI) is a label given to products from a specific geographical area.
GIs confirm that products have unique properties or have been produced using traditional methods because of their geographical origin.
Applicable to various products such as food, handicrafts, and industrial goods.
GI tags ensure that only authorized producers can use the product name.
Who awards and regulates geographical indications?
Geographical indications are a form of intellectual property rights (IPR) protected under the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property.
The World Trade Organization (WTO) Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) establishes an international framework for GI protection.
In India, GI registration and protection of goods is governed by the Geographical Indications (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999.
This act came into effect in September 2003.
About Assam
Formation (as a state) - 26 January 1950
Capital - Dispur
Chief Minister - Himanta Biswa Sarma
Governor - Gulab Chand Kataria
Rajya Sabha - 7 seats
Lok Sabha - 14 seats
8. Bhaderwah Rajma and Ramban Sulai honey get GI tag in Jammu and Kashmir
Tags: State News
Bhaderwah Rajma and Ramban Sulai honey of Jammu and Kashmir were granted Geographical Indication (GI) tag.
An Overview of the News
Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Jammu started the GI tagging process for these products.
GI tag provides exclusive use rights to authorized users while preventing unauthorized exploitation.
This recognition is expected to increase exports, increase brand presence internationally and prevent misuse.
The GI tag is set to benefit local economies and promote socioeconomic development for producers.
What is GI Tag?
A geographical indication (GI) is a name or sign given to products coming from a specific geographical location.
GIs certify that products are made using traditional methods or have specific qualities due to their origin.
It is used for food, handicrafts and industrial products.
The GI tag ensures that only authorized users can use the product name.
Who grants and regulates Geographical Indications?
These are a type of Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) recognized and protected under the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property.
The World Trade Organization (WTO)'s Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) provides a framework for the protection of GIs at the international level.
In India, registration and protection of GIs is governed by the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999, which came into effect in September 2003.
About Jammu and Kashmir
Jammu and Kashmir was a state of India until August 2019, when it was bifurcated as two union territories named Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh on 31 August 2019.
Capital- Srinagar (May-October), Jammu (November-April)
Lieutenant Governor - Manoj Sinha
Legislative Council - 36 seats
Legislative Assembly - 89 seats
9. Kolkata becomes the third Indian city to adopt an Air Quality Early Warning System (AQEWS)
Tags: Environment State News
Kolkata became the third Indian city to adopt the Air Quality Early Warning System (AQEWS) to combat rising air pollution.
An Overview of the News
The system, developed by the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) in Pune, aims to address rising air pollution levels in urban areas.
AQEWS in Kolkata uses an advanced sensor network to provide real-time monitoring of the Air Quality Index (AQI).
AQI is a standardized measure of the level of air pollution, with a value ranging from 0 to 500.
The system focuses on PM2.5 (particles with a diameter of 2.5 micrometers or smaller) levels, which is a major contributor to health problems due to its ability to enter the lungs.
Air pollution status in Kolkata:
Kolkata is facing severe air pollution, which is mainly driven by pollutants like PM2.5.
Recent AQEWS measurements show that the AQI is 74, which is expected to rise above 170 by 30 August.
These forecasts highlight the urgency of tackling air pollution and emphasize the role of early warning systems.
Data Integration and Accuracy:
AQEWS integrates data from the National Air Quality Network and satellite sources to generate accurate air pollution forecasts.
The accuracy of the system was proved during the experimental phase that started in September 2022.
The inclusion of data from 420 air quality monitoring stations across India ensures a comprehensive approach to the assessment of air quality.
Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change - Bhupendra Yadav
10. Assam enforces ban on plastic water bottles of less than 1000ml
Tags: State News
The Assam government implemented a ban on plastic water bottles of less than 1000 ml capacity with effect from October 2.
An Overview of the News
The Environment and Forest Department of Assam has issued this notification to address environmental concerns.
Aims to ban plastic water bottles of less than 1000 ml capacity.
The primary goal is to tackle the problem of plastic pollution and promote sustainable behavior.
This initiative demonstrates Assam's commitment to protecting the state's natural resources and diverse ecosystems.
Minister of Environment and Forests of Assam - Chandra Mohan Patowary
Special attention on PET bottles:
Assam had earlier expressed its intention to ban polyethylene terephthalate (PET) water bottles of less than 1000 ml.
Formal implementation took place through a firm notification issued by the Assam Environment and Forest Department on 23 August.
The ban covers various aspects including the manufacture, import, storage, distribution, and sale of plastic water bottles falling under the specified capacity.
Legal authorization and implementation of the plastic water bottle ban:
Scope of the ban: Ban on plastic water bottles of less than 1000 ml capacity.
Legal Basis: Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
Source of Authority: Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India under section 23 of the Act.
Effective date: The ban will be effective from October 2.
About Assam
Formation (as a state) - 26 January 1950
Capital - Dispur
Language - Assamese
Chief Minister - Himanta Biswa Sarma
Governor - Gulab Chand Kataria
Rajya Sabha - 7 seats
Lok Sabha - 14 seats
