ODISHA
Projects worth 450 crore sanctioned under PMKSY for Odisha
The Centre has so far sanctioned projects worth over Rs 450 crore under various components of Pradhan Mantri Kisan SAMPADA Yojana (PMKSY) for overall growth and development of the food processing sector.
In a written reply in Lok Sabha, Union food processing minister Prahlad Singh Patel said under PMKSY, the Centre has so far released grant-in-aid of around Rs 109 crore to Odisha under various component schemes.
“The food processing industries ministry provide credit-linked financial assistance (capital subsidy) in the form of grants-in-aid to entrepreneurs for setting up of food processing and preservation infrastructure as well as food processing units,” said the Union minister.
The Centre has so far sanctioned 12 component projects under the PMKSY of which as many as seven have been completed. PMKSY is a demand-driven scheme and is being implemented across the country,” said Patel.
Odisha’s first mega food park was set up by the food processing ministry at Rayagada at an investment of around Rs 81 crore, including central assistance of Rs 50 crore, with facilities like fully operational industrial sheds, developed industrial plots for lease to food processing units, rice processing complex, warehouse, cold store, multi-fruit processing facility and other similar facilities. It was planned to benefit around 25,000 farmers in the tribal-dominated region.
The Centre has also planned another mega food park in the state with an aim to attract private investment in food processing sector, also a focus sector of the state government.
INTERNATIONAL
Wobble Effect of Moon – NASA
The Moon’s Wobble has been identified by NASA as a potential issue in the near future.
About the Moon’s Wobble:
When the moon orbits an elliptical orbit, its speed changes, causing our view of the “bright side” to appear at a slightly different angle. This is the so-called Moon’s wobble, or this is how it looks in our eyes
It is a regular swaying (Oscillation) in the moon’s orbit, as well as a cyclical shift of the moon’s orbit.
NATIONAL
Aaykar Diwas – 24th July
The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) observed the 161st Income Tax Day (also known as Aaykar Diwas) on July 24 2021.
Highlights:
In India, the Income Tax Day is celebrated every year on July 24, as it was on July 24 1980, that Income Tax was introduced in India by Sir James Wilson. The purpose of this tax was to compensate for the losses incurred by the British during the 1st war of independence against British Rule in 1857. July 24 was first celebrated as Income Tax day in 2010.
Launch of E-100 Pilot Project
The E-100 Pilot Project has been launched. On World Environment Day, the E-100 Pilot Project was launched in Pune (5 June). The project’s goal is to build a nationwide network for ethanol production and distribution.
About Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) Programme:
The Ethanol Blended Petrol Program was established in 2003 with the goal of encouraging the use of renewable and environmentally friendly fuels while reducing India’s reliance on imports for energy security.
The government has set a target of 10% ethanol blending by 2022 and 20% blending (E20) by 2030,with a starting of 5% blending.
The programme is carried out in accordance with the National Biofuels Policy.
Oil marketing companies (OMCs) will purchase ethanol from domestic sources at government-set prices under this programme.
Establishment of Dairy Investment Accelerator
The government has established the Dairy Investment Accelerator.
About the Dairy Investment Accelerator:
♦ The Dairy Investment Accelerator was established by the DAHD (Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying) of the Government of India under its investment facilitation cell.
♦ The goal is to devote special attention to promoting and facilitating investment in the Indian dairy sector.
♦ This Investment Accelerator is a cross-functional team formed to act as a point of contact for investors. It will provide assistance throughout the investment cycle:
♦ Providing specific inputs for investment opportunity evaluation
♦ Answering questions about government scheme applications
♦ Making contact with strategic partners
♦ Providing on-the-ground assistance in collaboration with state departments and relevant authorities.
Catch the Rain Project – Jal Shakti Abhiyan
The National Water Mission’s (NWM) “Catch The Rain” campaign, with the tagline “Catch the rain, where it falls, when it falls,” to promote states and stakeholders to create appropriate rainwater harvesting structures (RWHS) and suitable for climatic conditions and the underground formation before the monsoon season.
The main activities of this campaign include:
♦ Drive making inspection dams
♦ Water harvesting pits
♦ Rooftop RWHS
♦ Encroachment removal and de-silting of tanks to increase storage capacity
♦ Removal of impediments in the channels that bring water to them from catchment areas.
♦ Step-well repairs
♦ Restoring water to aquifers using defunct borewells and unused wells
♦ States have been asked to set up “Rain Centres” in each district/collectorate/municipality or GP office to facilitate these activities.
♦ The center will serve as a technical guidance center for everyone in the area to learn how to catch rain, when it falls, and where it rains.
Clean Ganga Fund – CGF
The Government of India established the Clean Ganges Fund (CGF) in accordance with the Indian Trust Act of 1882. As a trust, it allows Indian residents, non-resident Indians (NRI) and people of Indian descent (PIO), and enterprises (public and private sectors) to Contribute to the protection of the Ganges.
Donations to the Clean Ganga Fund fall within the scope of corporate social responsibility activities as defined in Schedule VII of the 2013 Companies Act.
Bhartiya Prakritik Krishi Padhati – Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana
Since 2020-21, the government is implementing Bhartiya Prakritik Krishi Padhati as a sub-program of Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana to promote traditional indigenous customs and practices.
About Bhartiya Prakritik Krishi Padhati (BPKP):
♦ The scheme focuses primarily on eliminating all synthetic chemical inputs and promoting on-farm biomass recycling, with a particular emphasis on –
♦ Mulching with biomass
♦ Utilization of cow dung-urine formulations
♦ Plant-based preparations
♦ Soil aeration is done on a regular basis.
♦ Under BPKP, financial assistance of Rs 12,200 per hectare is provided for 3 years for cluster formation, capacity building, and continuous management of well-trained personnel, certification and residue analysis.
OPSC Notes brings Prelims and Mains programs for OPSC Prelims and OPSC Mains Exam preparation. Various Programs initiated by OPSC Notes are as follows:-
- OPSC Mains Tests and Notes Program
- OPSC Prelims Exam 2020- Test Series and Notes Program
- OPSC Prelims and Mains Tests Series and Notes Program
- OPSC Detailed Complete Prelims Notes