02-12-21 Daily-Odisha-OPSC Current Affairs

RAILWAY ministerAshwini VaishnawtoldLok Sabhaon Wednesday that a survey for construction of a new line betweenPuriandKonark(33km) has been completed and the cost of the project has been assessed as Rs 725.78 crore.

Vaishnaw said the survey report has been taken up for firming up the requirements and financial viability of the project, including the aspect of cost sharing with the Odisha government.

Though the ECoR had conducted a preliminary engineering and traffic (PET) survey for the proposedPuri-Konarkrailway line via Ramachandi in 2017, the route alignment was objected by the forest department. The rail line was supposed to pass through the Balukhand-Konark wildlife sanctuary located in the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ).

On April 28, 2017, chief minister Naveen Patnaik had proposed to bear 50 percent of the project cost of the Puri-Konark new line to boost the tourism potential of the Bhubaneswar-Konark-Puri Golden Triangle.

A committee has been appointed by the Centre to review the criteria for identifying EWS.

Highlights:

Following the explanation requirements to Article 15 of the Constitution, the Ministry of Social and Empowerment has constituted a three-member committee to evaluate the grounds for reservation for the Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) category.

The committee has been given three weeks to conclude its task.

Former Finance Secretary Ajay Bhushan Pandey will lead the committee. Following The Supreme Court‘s involvement, the government announced the formation of a commission to review the EWS reservation criteria.

The Supreme Court is now considering petitions contesting the government’s July announcement of a 10% EWS quota in NEET admissions.

The Dam Safety Bill was introduced in Rajya Sabha, which aims to inspect, survey, maintain and operate Dams in the country which are 100 years old.

Highlights

The bill establishes two national bodies- National Committee on Dam Safety and National Dam Safety Authority.

The National Committee on Dam Safety will develop policies and support regulations associated with dam safety.

The National Dam Safety Authority fulfils the policies enshrined by the National Committee and provides technical support to the State Dam Safety Organisations.

The bill will also constitute two state bodies- State Committee on Dam Safety and State Dam Safety Authority.

Assisted Reproductive Technology Bill was recently passed in the lok sabha which intends toregulate ART.

Highlights:

ART covers all methods that are used to get pregnant. The procedures shall incorporate handling oocytes (immature eggs) or sperms outside the body.

It shall also involve giving the embryo into the womans body.

The ART Services shall cover the following: Donation of sperm or oocytes, In Vitro Fertilisation – fertilising an egg and a sperm in the lab, Gestational Surrogacy – child carried by biological mother or surrogate mother.

The bill states that every ART bank or clinic should be listed under the National Registry of Banks and Clinics of India. The bill will authorise the National Registry.

The registry will act as a Database holding details of the hospitals and banks providing ART services.

India marks the National Pollution Control Day on December 2 in remembrance of the people who lost their lives in the Bhopal Gas Tragedy.

Highlights:

The National Pollution Control Day is commemorated in India to make the citizens aware of laws in India that help contain pollution.

The day is observed on the following objectives.

To create awareness in developing Air Pollution.

To educate people on controlling and operating industrial disasters.

To make everyone aware of pollution control laws in the country.

To create awareness on ways to decrease the level of pollution.

To prevent industrial pollution that is affected by human carelessness.

The National Pollution Control Day, 2021 theme is to create awareness about the importance of pollution control and educate people on preventing pollution.

Gk bit : Laws of India To prevent and control pollution.

<a href="https://exam.pscnotes.com/Environment-impact-assessment”>Environment Impact Assessment, 2006

Maharashtra biodegradable garbage control ordinance, 2006

Batteries management and handling rules, 2001

Municipal solid Waste Management and handling rules, 2000

Noise Pollution regulation and control rules, 2000

Ozone-depleting substances regulation rules, 2000

Recycled plastics manufacture and usage rules, 1999

Biomedical waste management and handling rules, 1998

Chemical accidents emergency, preparedness, planning and response rules, 1996

National environment tribunal act, 1995

Manufacture, import, storage, export and storage of hazardous Microorganisms genetically engineered organisms or cells rules, 1989

Hazardous waste management and handling rules, 1989

Manufacture, import and storage of hazardous chemical rules, 1989

Environment protection act, 1986

Environment protection rules, 1986

Air prevention and control of pollution act, 1981

Water prevention and control of pollution act, 1977