ODISHA
Odisha OKs five projects worth Rs 1.46 lakh crore
The state government on Tuesday approved five investment proposals in the metal sector worth Rs 1.46 lakh crore with an aim to double steel production in the state over the next few years. While the state’s existing steel-making capacity is about 30 mtpa, the high-level clearance authority led by chief minister Naveen Patnaik approved another 27.5 mtpa capacity. All five approved proposals are expansion of existing facilities.
“All these projects need a big push forward to realize Odisha’s dream of becoming the steel hub of India by 2030,” Naveen said during the meeting. The national steel policy-2017, that aims to increase the country’s steel production to 300 mtpa by 2030, envisions Odisha producing 100 mtpa steel by that time.
Official sources in the state industries department said Odisha attracted investment opportunities of Rs 2.96 lakh crore during the 2020-21 financial year despite Covid. With Tuesday’s additional investments, the total investments since last year will be in the region of Rs 4.43 lakh crore.
The approved projects include expansion of Bhushan Power and Steel Limited’s (BPSL) plant from 5 mtpa to 15 mtpa. Around Rs 55,000 crore will be invested in the expansion project located at Rengali in Sambalpur while it is expected to generate employment opportunities for over 10,000 people.
INTERNATIONAL
Melting of Last Ice Area in Arctic
The ‘Last Ice Area’ (LIA), which is located in the Arctic ice north of Greenland, has begun melting earlier than expected by scientists.
In the Canadian territory of Nunavut, this region is located north of Greenland and Ellesmere Island.
This region was thought to be resilient enough to withstand global warming.
The Arctic summer ice is expected to disappear completely by 2040, but the “last ice area” is an exception.
The World Wildlife Fund (WWF)-Canada is credited with being the first to refer to this area as the “Last Ice Area.”.
Reasons for Melting:
Approximately 80% of the thinning can be attributed to weather-related factors, such as the wind that breaks and moves the ice.
The remaining 20% can be attributed to long-term ice thinning caused by global warming.
About the Arctic:
The Arctic is a polar region located in the far north of the Earth.
The Arctic Ocean and adjacent seas, as well as parts of Alaska (United States), Greenland (Denmark), Canada, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Russia, and Sweden, comprise the Arctic.
Land in the Arctic region experiences seasonal variations in snow and ice cover.
India has been an observer in the Arctic Council since 2013, which is the primary inter-governmental forum for cooperation on Arctic environmental and development issues.
NATIONAL
Not-for-Profit Hospital Model in India
A report on India’s non-profit hospital model was published by the NITI Aayog.
Highlights:
The NITI Aayog released a report on the not-for-profit hospital model in an effort to close the information gap on such institutions and facilitate robust policymaking in this area.
The study provides insights into the operating model of non-profit hospitals. It presents research-based findings on such hospitals—categorized by ownership and service premise—and then compares them to private hospitals and Union government health schemes.
The not-for-profit hospital sector provides both curative and preventive care.
It connects healthcare, social reform, community engagement, and education.
Export of Burmese Grapes Leteku
APEDA promoted the export of Burmese grape “Leteku” to Dubai.
About Leteku:
Burmese grapes are also called “Leteku” in Assamese languages.
They are grown in Assam’s Darrang district.
They can be found in abundance in India’s north-eastern region.
Burmese grapes grow in evergreen forests on a variety of soils.
The fruit is harvested and consumed locally as a fruit, stewed, or made into wine;
It is also used to treat skin diseases medicinally. For medicinal purposes, the bark, roots, and wood are harvested.
The fruit is oval, yellowish, pinkish to bright red or purple in colour, 2.5–3.5 cm in diameter, glabrous, with 2–4 large purple-red seeds and a white aril.
Enforcing Contracts Portal – Justice Department
Enforcement Contract Portal” was unveild by the Department of Justice.
About the portal:
The website (https://doj.gov.in/eodb/) is intended to be a comprehensive source of information about the legislative and policy reforms being undertaken on the “Enforcing Contracts” parameters.
It contains the most recent information on the operation and disposition of commercial cases in the Dedicated Commercial Courts of Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, and Kolkata
The portal also hosts online reports from all high courts on the commercial court-affiliated mediation and arbitration center to supervise and promote institutional mediation and arbitration through the pre-institutional mediation and settlement (PIMS) of commercial cases.