15-03-22 Daily-Odisha-OPSC Current Affairs

The Union Ministry of Mines reported that till January 2022, the cumulative accrual of DMF fund in the country was Rs 59,129.86 crore out of which Odisha has built up the highest of Rs 16,952.64 crore. The amount is collected from mining companies engaged in mining operation in Odisha since 2015. About 90 percent of the fund comes from coal and other major mineral mines. The State also has got mineral royalty of Rs 7, 843.81 lakh in 2019-20(revised) excluding coal and minor Minerals.

But it seems the Government of Odisha is not much concerned about this dedicated fund of the affected people in the mining districts. It has been observed that the State hasnot been properly spending this very exclusive revenue collected at the district level ignoring the rules of MMDR Act (amendment) 2015 and 2021.

The amount spent as per guideline ofPradhan Mantri Khanij Kshetra Kalyan Yojana (PMKKKY)is very less than the amount collected from companies as per legal provision.

The amendment of MMDR Act 1957 in 2015 with inclusion of clause 9B has empowered the Government to collect revenue from mining companies that is available with the locals/district and to spend the considering the local need and priorities of the affected people and the areas. But the fact is virtually the State has superseded the rules of spending by arbitrarily allocating funds out of the district pools.

Odisha is a rich mineral bearing State having major mining operation for last few decades and it will continue but the State has not set any example in handling many of the emerging issues out of long time mining. The State has experienced the worst example of illegal mining that is proved by the Shah Commission. Besides, there is illegally conversation of forest land. There are many instances of forcibly evicting people without proper public consultation, environmental assessment and socioeconomic rehabilitation package.

The Indian Space Research Organisations Yuva Vigyani Karyakram (YUVIKA) or Young Scientist Programme is a special initiative with an objective to impart basic knowledge on Space Technology, space science and space applications to young students, especially in rural areas.

It also expects to create a platform that encourages more students to pursue Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) based research/ careers.

, Karnataka regional office, is holding its annual Marketing event Grameena Habba, a platform for rural artisans to sell agricultural, handicraft and handloom products in Bengaluru till March 14. This year, the Grameena Habba is being held at Mantri Square Mall, Malleswaram.

Rural artisans, weavers, farmers and tribes across India and several districts of Karnataka are showcasing handmade arts, handloom sarees, handwoven dress material, Home decors, tribal products, natural beauty products, organic food products, jewellery and accessories during this festival.

The income that they earn from selling these products will directly reach the artisans.

The Centre has assigned an outlay of500 crore for the period from fiscal FY 21-22 to FY 25-26.

The main objectives of the scheme are to strengthen the existing facilities in order to make India a global leader in the Pharma Sector.

Under the Scheme, financial assistance to pharma clusters will be provided for creation of Common Facilities.

This will not only improve the quality but also ensure the sustainable Growth of clusters.

Further, in order to upgrade the production facilities of SMEs and MSMEs so as to meet national and international regulatory standards (WHO-GMP or Schedule-M), interest subvention or capital subsidy on their capital loans will be provided, which will further facilitate the growth in volumes as well as in quality.

A drop in crushing and slow meal off-take amid high prices in the international market for Indian origin soyameal has led to a decline in soyabean meal exports.
The export of soyabean meal in the period October-February 2022 has stood at 4.23 lakh tonne as against 13.55 lakh tonne in the same period a year ago, according toSoybean Processors Association of India(SOPA).

Soyabean oil year runs from October to September.

Madhya Pradeshis a leading soyabean producing state contributing over 70 per cent to total national output.

Exports of soyabean meal in February were recorded at 50,000 ton in comparison to 3.52 lakh ton in the corresponding period a year ago, according to the trade body. Exports in February were 50,000 tonne, lower by 55 per cent from January this year. SOPA has also revised downward crushing of soyabean for the year 2021-22 to 88 lakh ton from earlier estimated 90 lakh ton while local meal consumption has been revised down to 56 lakh tonne as against 58 lakh tonne

The Hungarian parliament has elected Katalin Novak, a close ally of Prime Minister Viktor Orban, as the EU members first-ever female president.

Novak, who most recently served as a minister for family policy, portrayed her election on Thursday as a victory for Women.

She was elected to the mostly ceremonial role by 137 votes to 51 in the parliament dominated by Orbans right-wing Fidesz party ahead of opposition challenger Peter Rona, an economist.