ODISHA
New draft ports bill may hurt Odisha’s maritime dream
With Odisha aspiring to be a major maritime state by exploring the potential along its 480 km-long coastline, the state government apprehends that the Indian Ports Bill, 2021, if implemented, will be a major setback to that dream.
The state government has already raised objection to certain provisions in the draft Indian Ports Bill anticipating that the proposed legislation may end states control over non-major ports. If the ports bill gets implemented, the state government said it will centralize all powers with the Maritime States Development Council (MSDC).
At present, the Centre controls operation of major ports while coastal states or their maritime boards have full authority over non-major ports.
Besides, four more non-major ports — one on the Subarnarekha river, a riverine port on the Mahanadi in Kendrapada district, one at Jatadhar river mouth and another at Astaranga — are in the pipeline. There are eight other potential locations identified for development of ports along states coastline.
Earlier, the Bihar government had evinced interest to set up a port facility along the state’s coastline, which has been accepted by the Odisha government. Besides, the government also has plans for logistics park projects at Dhamara, Gopalpur and Subarnarekha.
While the state’s commerce and transport minister Padmanabha Behera has written a letter communicating Odisha’s objection to certain sections of the bill, official sources said the commerce and transport department has sought more time from the shipping ministry to convey its clause-by-clause views on the draft bill.
INTERNATIONAL
MoU Between India and Fiji
Fiji and India signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to collaborate in agriculture and allied sectors.
The MoU calls for collaboration in the areas of Dairy Industry Development, Rice Industry Development, Root Crop Diversification, Water Resources Management, Coconut Industry Development, Food Processing Industry Development, Agriculture Mechanization, Horticulture Industry Development, Agricultural Research, Animal Husbandry, Pest and Disease, Cultivation, Value Addition and Marketing, Post-Harvest Processing and Milling, Breeding and Agronomy.
MoU Signed Between India and Bhutan
India and Bhutan have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to expand their environmental cooperation.
The MoU is expected to pave the way for new avenues of bilateral cooperation in areas such as climate change, waste management, air pollution, chemical management, and so on.
The MoU will also strengthen technological, scientific, and management capabilities, as well as expand environmental cooperation areas, to promote a mutually beneficial partnership between the two countries.
NATIONAL
Winner of First ICC World Test Championship
New Zealand defeated India to win the 1st ICC World Test Championship. New Zealand chased down the goal of 139 to win the first-ever World Test Championship final with eight wickets in hand.
The first test championship started in 2019 with the finals being played in 2021.
The pinnacle three teams, as a result, are: First: New Zealand; Second- India; Third- Australia.
The subsequent Test Championship will be held between 2021-2023.
Food security Assistance to State Government Rules
The Department of Food and Public Distribution published an amendment to the Food Security (Assistance to State Government Rules) 2015.
This move is expected to improve transparency and reduce leakages at ration shops when foodgrains are weighed for beneficiaries.
The change will also encourage the integration of ePoS with electronic weighing machines.
The notified amendment aims to ensure that beneficiaries receive the correct quantity of subsidised foodgrains under the National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013, in accordance with their entitlement.
It also incentivizes states that have been using ePoS effectively and encourages states to improve ePoS operational efficiency and generate savings.
Jaan Hai To Jahaan Hai Campaign Minority Affairs
The Union Minister for Minority Affairs has launched an awareness campaign called “Jaan Hai To Jahaan Hai.”
This is a nationwide awareness campaign aimed at raising awareness of corona vaccination in rural and remote areas of the country, and “Crush and Curb” rumors and concerns about the ongoing vaccination campaign.
The campaign was launched in Rampur, Uttar Pradesh.
Various religious leaders, prominent people from social, educational, cultural, medical science, and other fields are promoting vaccinations as part of the campaign. Street plays will also be staged throughout the country.
Complete Utilisation of Fly Ash
To achieve 100 percent utilisation of fly ash, National Thermal Power Corporation Limited has invited Expressions of Interest (EOI) for the sale of fly ash from designated plants in the Middle East and other regions. Fly ash is a byproduct of coal combustion in thermal power generation.
Fly ash is so-called because it is carried away from the combustion chamber by exhaust gas.
It is collected from the exhaust gas through an electrostatic precipitator or a bag filter.
An electrostatic precipitator is a filtration device used to remove fine particles from flowing gas, such as smoke and fine dust.
It is the most commonly used device for controlling air pollution.
Fly ash contains significant amounts of silicon dioxide (SiO2), aluminium oxide (Al2O3), ferric oxide (Fe2O3), and calcium oxide (CaO).
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