Odisha Affairs
Chief ministerNaveen Patnaik sanctioned Rs 423.87 crore for 37 urban local bodies covering 10 districts of the state to execute different development projects under theMUKTA(Mukhya Mantri Karma Tatpara Abhiyan) Scheme for 2023-24.
The 10 districts covered in first phase are Mayurbhanj, Balasore, Jajpur, Jagatsinghpur, Bhadrak, Kendrapada, Cuttack, Khordha, Puri and Nayagarh.
The of all the 30 districts will be covered in the next two phases.
Earlier, 5T secretary VK Pandian had a video conference with representatives of the 37 urban local bodies of the 10 districts and discussed with them on development of the urban bodies under Mukta scheme.
Under the scheme, an array of projects will be executed in the urban local bodies, including mini-park, open-air gym, child playstation, playground, walking track, vending zones, development of open spaces and water body development among others.
National and International Affairs
The Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM) Scheme, launched in 2019, aims to enhance energy security for farmers in India and promote the use of clean energy in the agriculture sector. The scheme seeks to achieve Indias commitment to increasing the share of non-fossil fuel sources in the countrys installed capacity of electric power. In a bid to boost the implementation of solar projects on agricultural lands, the central government is considering linking thePM-KUSUM schemewith the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF). This move aims to provide farmers with access to cheaper loans for setting up solar projects and procuring equipment.
Individual farmers, groups of farmers, cooperatives, panchayats, Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), and Water User Associations (WUAs) can set up solar power Plants with capacities ranging from 500 kW to 2 MW.
India stands as a net exporter of steel witnessing an export of6.72 MTof finished steel against the import of 6.02 MT in the year 2022-23.
In the financial year 2022-23 alone,total finished Steel Production was 122.28 MT which is a increase of 49 % as compared to 81.86 MT in financial year 2014-15.
Under the PLI(Productive linked Incentive) scheme, the Government has approved Rs. 6322 crores to give a new impetus to the Steel sector. Shri Scindia said that the PLI scheme is expected to generate an of about Rs. 30,000 Crores and additional capacity creation of about 25 Million Tonnes of specialty steel in the next 5 years.
Ukraines Nova Kakhovka Dam Disaster
In recent events, theNova Kakhovka Damin Ukraine has suffered a catastrophic blow, leading to concerns of devastating flooding. Ukraines military command has accused Russia of causing the explosion, given the Dams strategic significance.
The Nova Kakhovka Dam is situated on theDnipro Riverin southern Ukraine. Constructed in 1956 as part of the Kakhovka hydroelectric power plant, it holds back a massive reservoir of water, estimated to contain 18 cubic kilometers, similar in volume to Utahs Great Salt Lake. The dams destruction would have severe repercussions locally and affect Ukraines broader war effort.
According to data released by theFederal Statistical Office, Germanysgross domestic product (GDP)decreased by 0.3 percent between January and March.
This follows a 0.5 percent decline in the previous quarter, making it the largest economy in Europe to experience a downturn.
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