1. Govt launches Village Defence Guards scheme to fight terrorism in Jammu
Tags: State News
The Government of Jammu and Kashmir has approved the formulation of the Village Defense Guard Scheme (VDGS)-2022 "to prevent incidents of terrorist acts inspired and supported from across the border and to boost the security grid in the Union Territory".
Important facts
The scheme has become effective from August 15, 2022 and will have a potentially positive impact.
The objective of this scheme is to organise a small group of volunteer armed citizens in the border villages to inculcate a sense of self-defence for the security of the villages.
A maximum of 15 persons in each group will be designated as "Village Defence Guards" (VDGs).
Each group will be known as a "village defence group" and will be headed by a retired officer from the Army, CPMF, or the Jammu and Kashmir Police.
Jammu and Kashmir
Jammu and Kashmir was a state of India till 5 August 2019 which was bifurcated in August 2019 to form two union territories namely Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.
Capital- Srinagar (May-October), Jammu (November-April)
Lieutenant Governor - Manoj Sinha
Legislative Council - 36 seats
Assembly - 89 seats
2. Punjab bans use of 10 insecticides
Tags: State News
The Punjab government on July 13 banned the use of 10 types of insecticides for a few days to save the heritage of Basmati rice.
Important facts
Before banning these pesticides, the Agricultural Association had requested to ban these agrochemicals for export of Basmati to other countries to save the good yield of Basmati.
With this restriction, farmers can get the right yield of Basmati and they can earn more profit from it in the coming time.
This ban has been imposed for 60 days starting from 12 August 2022.
Names of 10 pesticides that have been banned
Acephate, Buprofezin, Chloropyriphos, Methamidophos, Propiconazole, Thiamethoxam, Profenofos, Isoprothiolane, Carbendazim, and Tricyclazole
Why were pesticides banned?
In view of the constraint on the export and consumption of Basmati rice in the state, the government has banned these pesticides.
Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana has recommended alternative agrochemicals to control pests in Basmati rice in the state. So that farmers can get good yield of Basmati in the coming time.
Good quality Basmati rice can be produced with the ban of pesticides.
3. Jharkhand Tribal Festival
Tags: State News
On the occasion of World Tribal Day, 'Jharkhand Tribal Festival' has been organised on 9th and 10th August 2022 at the historic Morhabadi Maidan in Ranchi.
Important facts
Rajya Sabha member and JMM supremo Shibu Soren inaugurated the festival on 9 August in the presence of Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren.
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel will attend the closing ceremony of the program on August 10.
A series of programs related to tribal art, culture, tradition and literature will be organized during the two-day festival.
Sports, panel discussions, seminars, exhibitions and tribal fashion shows are organized in this event.
Artists from Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Sikkim and North East participated in the festival.
The objective of the program is to take tribal civilization and culture on the national platform.
Other festival of Jharkhand
Sarhul - It is celebrated during the spring season when new flowers appear on the branches of Sal trees.
In this, the village deity is worshipped who is considered to be the protector of the tribes.
Karam/ Karma - It is the worship of Karam Devta, the god of strength and youth. It is held on the 11 of the moon in Bhadra month. Groups of young villagers go to the forest and collect wood, fruits and flowers which are used for worship.
Tusu Parab or Makar - This festival mostly takes place in the region between Bundu, Tamar and Raidih region of Jharkhand. It is a harvest festival held during winters on the last day of the month of Pus.
Rohini - It is perhaps the first festival of Jharkhand. It is the festival of sowing seeds in the field. Along with Rohini, some other festivals like Rajasawala Ambavati and Chitgomha are also celebrated.
Bhagta Parab - This comes between the period of spring and summer. It is best known as the worship of Budha Baba.
Sohrai - It is known for the care of domestic animals such as cows and buffaloes. It is celebrated on the new moon day, immediately after Deepawali.
4. JD(U) leader Nitish Kumar sworn in as the Chief Minister of Bihar for the eighth time
Tags: State News
JD(U) leader Nitish Kumar took oath as the Chief Minister of Bihar for the 8th time and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav as Deputy Chief Minister on 10 August.
Important facts
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar met Governor Fagu Chauhan and submitted his resignation as the Chief Minister of NDA.
Nitish Kumar again met Governor Fagu Chauhan on 9 August and staked a claim to form a new government in the state.
Nitish Kumar also submitted a list of 164 MLAs to the Governor belonging to seven parties supporting him. These include RJD, Congress, Hindustani Awam Morcha, left parties and one independent MLA.
Nitish Kumar was unanimously elected as the leader in a joint meeting of these parties.
The meeting took place after the JD(U) broke ties with the BJP-led NDA.
Nitish Kumar early life
He was born on 1 March 1951 in Bakhtiarpur, Bihar.
He is a graduate in Mechanical Engineering from Bihar College of Engineering (present-day NIT Patna).
Before joining politics, he was associated with Bihar State Electricity Board.
Political career of Nitish Kumar
During 1974 to 1977, he participated in Jayaprakash Narayan's movement and joined the Janata Party led by Satyendra Narayan Sinha.
In 1989, Nitish Kumar backed the Janata Dal and endorsed Lalu Prasad Yadav as the Leader of the Opposition in the Bihar Legislative Assembly.
In 1994, he along with George Fernandes formed a new party called Samata Party.
After joining hands with the BJP in 1996, he became a minister in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee cabinet.
In March 2000, Nitish served as the chief minister of the state for seven days.
In 2003, the Samata Party merged with Sharad Yadav's Janata Dal.
In the same year, Janata Dal (United) was formed.
In 2010, Nitish's party came to power as an ally with the BJP and Nitish again became the chief minister.
In 2013, JD(U) leader Nitish broke his party's alliance with the BJP after 17 years.
Within a year, Nitish was back again as Chief Minister with the support of RJD and Congress.
In 2020, Nitish Kumar took oath as the Chief Minister of Bihar for the seventh time with the support of the BJP.
Nitish Kumar again ended his alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance and rejoined the RJD.
He briefly served as the Union Minister of Railways, Minister of Surface Transport and Minister of Agriculture.
5. PM Modi dedicate to nation 2nd Generation Ethanol Plant at Panipat in Haryana
Tags: Science and Technology State News
Prime Minister Narendra Modi dedicated to the nation the 2nd Generation (2G) Ethanol Plant at Panipat in Haryana on 10 August.
Important facts
This is part of a long series of steps taken by the government over the years to promote the production and use of biofuels in the country.
This is in line with the Prime Minister's efforts to make the energy sector more affordable, accessible, efficient and sustainable.
About the Plant
It has been built at an estimated cost of over Rs 900 crore by Indian Oil Corporation Ltd (IOCL).
It is located close to the Panipat Refinery.
The project will use about two lakh tonnes of rice straw (straw) annually to generate about 30 million litres of ethanol annually.
Farmers will be empowered for better use of agro-crop residues and additional income generation opportunities will be provided to them.
The project will have zero liquid discharge.
Reduction in burning of rice straw (stubble) will reduce carbon dioxide emissions by about 3 lakh tonnes per year and reduce greenhouse gases.
About ethanol
Ethanol is a kind of alcohol, it is also called ethyl alcohol.
It can be used as fuel in vehicles by mixing it with petrol.
After sugarcane, the central government is now focusing on preparing ethanol from rice.
By producing ethanol, farmers can make their economic condition better by earning good profits.
Ethanol is mainly produced from the sugarcane crop, but it can also be prepared from different types of sugar crops.
Ethanol blending programme (EBP) in India
Under this programme 5 per cent ethanol-blended petrol will be supplied to retail outlets.
It aims to popularize 5 per cent ethanol-blended petrol in 9 states and 4 union territories.
Its aim is to reduce the country’s dependence on crude oil imports, cutting carbon emissions and boosting farmers’ incomes.
6. India-Israel Centre of Excellence for Vegetables inaugurated in Chandauli, UP
Tags: State News
Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar on August 8 laid the foundation stone of an Indo-Israel 'Centre of Excellence' for vegetables in Chandauli district, known as the 'rice bowl' of Uttar Pradesh.
Important facts
vegetables in Chandrauli will now be cultivated in a modern way with the help of Israel.
This centre will benefit not only Chandauli but also many adjoining districts including Mirzapur, Ghazipur and Banaras.
Through this center, farmers will get a lot of benefit in increasing the production of vegetables.
Through this, farmers will be able to get better yields by using the latest methods of farming.
Here a nursery of other agricultural products including vegetables will be prepared to promote the agriculture sector globally.
It is the intention of the government that this district, which is leading in the production of paddy and wheat, should be made better in vegetable production as well.
Farmers will get improved seeds
These centres of excellence act as demonstration and training centres for the latest technologies in the field of horticulture.
These centres also serve as a source of planting material for planting fruits and vegetables for protected cultivation.
Here seeds and plants of improved vegetables will be prepared and distributed to the farmers.
Focus on Micro Irrigation
Cultivation of tomato, pepper, brinjal, chilli, cucumber, baby corn, sweet corn and exotic vegetables is also proposed in the open field.
Seepage and sprinkler irrigation will also be on display here.
7. Manipur Assembly adopts resolutions to set up population commission
Tags: State News
The Manipur Assembly on August 5 passed a resolution to implement the National Register of Citizens (NRC) and set up a State Population Commission (SPC).
Important facts
The resolutions were moved by JD(U) MLA Jaikishan on the last day of the budget session of the state assembly.
He claimed that the population in the hilly areas of the state increased by 153.3 per cent between 1971 and 2001, and rose to 250.9 per cent between 2002 and 2011.
He said that the areas of the Valley also recorded a population growth of 94.8 percent from 1971 to 2001 and about 125 percent from 2001 to 2011.
What is the National Register of Citizens (NRC)?
NRC is the register which contains the details of all Indian citizens. It was prepared after the census of 1951.
The register contained the details of all the persons enumerated during that census.
Till now in India, NRC has been implemented only in Assam, which includes the names of only those Indians who have been living in Assam before March 25, 1971.
NRC is implemented in only those states from where citizens of other countries enter India.
The NRC report tells who is an Indian citizen and who is not.
Some people migrated from Assam to East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) during the partition of India-Pakistan in 1947, but their land was in Assam and people's movement from both sides continued even after partition.
Due to which the National Register of Citizens (NRC) was prepared in the year 1951.
The Indian government had announced plans to implement the NRC in the rest of the country in 2021, but it has not been implemented yet.
8. Uttarakhand tourism department to develop 'Modi circuit' at Corbett reserve
Tags: State News
The Uttarakhand Tourism Department is working on a plan to develop a 'Modi Circuit' in the Corbett Tiger Reserve.
Important facts
During the shooting of a television program in the year 2019, Prime Minister Narendra Modi came to Corbett Tiger Reserve.
While shooting for an episode of 'Man Vs Wild' hosted by Bear Grylls on Discovery Channel, Modi did many adventurous activities here.
During the shooting, PM Modi and Bear Grylls crossed the Kosi river by making a makeshift raft.
After this PM Modi also passed through the path of a tiger, during which the Prime Minister was carrying a spear in his hand.
The "Modi Circuit" will boost tourism in the Corbett Tiger Reserve, which is already a popular tourist destination.
The spots inside the reserve will be the first to be identified by Modi and Grylls during the shoot.
The idea of developing a "Modi Circuit" in the Tiger Reserve first came up with Uttarakhand Tourism Minister Satpal Maharaj during his visit to Croatia, where a "Game of Thrones Tour Circuit" has been developed for tourists.
Corbett Tiger reserve
It is situated in Nainital district of Uttarakhand.
It is the oldest national park in India, home to more than 400 different species of flora and more than 550 different species of fauna.
It is best known as a protected area for the critically endangered Bengal tiger of India.
Project Tiger was launched in 1973 in Corbett National Park (India's first national park), which is part of Corbett Tiger Reserve.
It was established in 1936 as Hailey National Park to protect the endangered Bengal tiger.
It is named after Jim Corbett who was instrumental in its establishment.
9. Haryana government started the Haryana Chirag Yojana
Tags: State News
The Haryana government has recently started the Haryana Chirag Yojana. Under this scheme, the government will provide free education to the economically weaker section (EWS) students of government schools in private schools.
Important facts
Chirag Yojana means “Chief Minister Equal Education Relief, Assistance and Grant” (Cheerag).
Under Chirag Yojana, government school students can enrol in private school from class 2nd to 12th. However, for this, the annual verified income of the parents should be less than Rs 1.8 lakh.
Around 533 budget private schools in villages and small towns had applied under the Chirag scheme. However, due to various technical reasons only 381 schools were found eligible.
The eligible schools provided 24,987 seats to the EWS students of government schools. But only 1665 students have opted for this scheme, which is 6.66% of the total seats provided.
Haryana Government will make the payment as follows:
700 per student from class II to V
900 rupees per student in class 6th to 8th
Rs 1,100 per student in class 9th to 12th
About Haryana State
Formation - 1 November 1966
Capital Chandigarh
Governor Bandaru Dattatreya
Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar (BJP)
Legislative Assembly - 90 seats
Rajya Sabha - 5 seats
Lok Sabha - 10 seats
10. Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion Plant Being Set Up in Lakshadweep
Tags: State News
National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT), an autonomous institute under the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), is setting up an ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC) plant with a capacity of 65 kW at Kavaratti Lakshadweep.
What is an Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) Plant?
OTEC is a process or technology for energy production using the temperature difference (thermal gradient) between sea surface water and deep ocean water.
The energy of the sun heats the surface water of the ocean.
In tropical regions, surface waters can be warmer than deeper waters.
This temperature difference can be used to generate electricity and to desalinate sea water.
In recent times, high electricity costs, growing concerns for global warming, and a political commitment to energy security have made OTEC commercialization economically attractive in tropical island communities where a high percentage of electricity generation is oil-based.
