HIMACHAL PRADESH

 

Crop diversification project’s phase II likely to begin soon

 

The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) is expected to be signed by the end of March for a loan agreement of Rs 1,010 crore under the phase II of the HP Crop Diversification Promotion Project (HPCDP).

Presiding over the governing council meeting of the HP Agriculture Development Society (organisation executing the project), last evening, he said it would be implemented in all 12 districts of the state to boost the socio-economic status of farmers’ families as had been achieved in the phase I of the project being implemented in five districts — Mandi, Kangra, Hamirpur, Bilaspur and Una — since 2011.

Kanwar asked the department and the project authorities to complete the preparations during the effectuation period of three months after the execution of loan agreement in March end, so that the project activities of the phase II could begin immediately.

the preparations needed during that period included setting up project management units (PMUs), finalisation of first batch of 60 sub-projects, finalisation of extension officers headquarters, preparation of APO, hiring of office accommodation for PMU’s, process for hiring outsource agency and amendment in rules.

Agriculture Minister further revealed that the new phase of the project would have the JICA loan component of Rs 807.30 crore while the state’s share would be Rs 203.30 crore, which had been proposed with an objective to replicate the phase I pilot model in the entire state to explore untapped potential of vegetables as identified in master plan by a study.

INTERNATIONAL

World Energy Transitions Outlook Report Was Brought Out

The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) released the report on World Energy Transition Outlook. Highlights:

According to the latest report, the COVID-19 crisis provides countries with unexpected opportunities to decouple their economies from fossil fuels and accelerate the shift to renewable energy.

IRENA is an intergovernmental organization whose mission is to promote cooperation, increase knowledge and promote the adoption and sustainable use of renewable energy.

IRENA is the first international organization dedicated to renewable energy, aiming to meet the needs of industrialized and developing countries.

IRENA was established in 2009, its regulations took effect on July 8, 2010, and its headquarter is located in Masdar City, Abu Dhabi.

IRENA is an official observer of the United Nations.

Largest Floating Solar Farms Being Built In Singapore

The world’s largest floating solar farm is being built in Singapore. The country has resorted to building energy plants along the coast and near entire reservoirs. Highlights:

Given that this floating solar farm is one of the smallest countries in the world, it is one of the largest per capita carbon dioxide emitters in India, so it is under construction. Therefore, in order to adapt to climate change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, it is building floating solar farms.

Singapore government has announced several “green plans”, including steps to build more charging stations to encourage the use of electric vehicles, reduce the amount of waste sent to landfills, and plant more trees.

NATIONAL

India to Form Parliamentary Friendship Groups

The Indian Parliament is discussing a proposal to form a parliamentary friendship group with friendly countries in order to strengthen bilateral relations.

 

The proposal to establish a friendship group in the Uzbekistan Parliament is being considered.

India and Uzbekistan have close friendly relations, and the two countries are also strategic partners. Over the years, the cooperation between the two countries in the fields of trade, culture, politics, science, national defense, humanitarianism and education has been steadily strengthening this relationship.

 

The India-Uzbekistan joint military exercise “Dustalik-II” is also a milestone in promoting cooperation.

 

DUSTLIK is the first joint military exercise between the Indian army and the Uzbek army.

 

 

Delhi Remains Most Polluted Capital: Report

According to a report by IQ Air, Delhi remains the most polluted capital city in the world. Highlights:

 

IQ Air is a Swiss air quality technology company which specializes in preventing pollutants in the air and developing air quality monitoring & air cleaning products.

In the 2020 report, 106 countries were evaluated.

 

The pollution level is a weighted average, which means that the population of a country affects the reported pollution value.

 

Of the 106 countries monitored, only 24 countries comply with the World Health Organization’s annual PM 2.5 guidelines

 

Bangladesh and Pakistan are countries with lower average PM2.5 levels than India in 2020.

 

When ranked by cities, Hotan is the most polluted city in China, followed by Ghaziabad in Uttar Pradesh. India:

 

Delhi’s PM2.5 concentration level in 2020 is 15% higher than the level in 2019, when the city was named the most polluted capital in the world for the second year in a row.

 

This is based on data from the Central Pollution Control Board.

 

Rajya Sabha Passes MTP Bill

Rajya Sabha passed the Medical Termination of Pregnancy (Amendment) Bill (MTP) of 2020. The bill was passed in Lok Sabha in March 2020. The original bill was enacted in 1971. According to the Indian Penal Code of 1860, voluntary termination of pregnancy is a criminal offence. The Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act of 1971 allows doctors (with specific expertise) to terminate pregnancy for certain reasons. Highlights:

 

This Act regulates the conditions under which pregnancy can be terminated.

 

The bill increases the time during which abortion can be carried out.

 

If the pregnancy is more than 24 weeks, the woman needs to nod from the medical board.

 

The bill allows abortion on the recommendation of one doctor for up to 20 weeks, and for certain types of women, abortion can be performed on the recommendation of two doctors for a period of 20 to 24 weeks.

 

Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) is a legal method of intentionally terminating a pregnancy before the entire pregnancy. It is also called induced abortion or intentional or voluntary termination of pregnancy.

 

Natural Agriculture Promoted Bhartiya Prakritik Krishi Padhati (BPKP)

In India, Natural agriculture is promoted as the Bharatiya Prakritik Krishi Paddhati Programme (BPKP). About Bharatiya Prakritik Krishi Paddhati (BPKP):

 

BPKP is a sub-scheme of Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY).

 

The convention was introduced in 2020-21 to promote traditional indigenous practices including natural agriculture.

 

The scheme mainly emphasizes the exclusion of all synthetic chemical raw materials and promotes:

 

Recycling of biomass in the farm, mainly covering biomass

 

Use of cow dung urine formula

 

Plant-based preparations Irregularly carry out soil aeration treatment

Under the BPKP program, financial assistance of 12,200 rupees/ha will be provided for a period of 3 years for cluster formation, capacity building and continuous handholding of trained personnel, certification and residue analysis.

 

BPKP aims to promote traditional indigenous practices and reduce external purchases.

 

Benefits of the scheme: Natural agriculture will reduce dependence on purchased inputs and help reduce the credit burden on small farmers.