ODISHA

· Odisha maternal deaths down, but higher than national average

ð The state’s maternal mortality ratio (MMR) — which measures maternal deaths per one lakh live births — has been steadily decreasing for the past 10 years, the latest bulletin of the Sample Registration System (SRS) shows.

ð Odisha’s MMR stands at 168, says the Special Bulletin on Maternal Morality in India 2015-17 that was released on November 1. This is a decrease from the 180 recorded in the survey (SRS 2014-2016) released a year ago. The state’s MMR was 235 in the SRS 2010-12.

ð Though the number is still significantly higher than the national average, the decline rate is among the fastest. The decline was the second highest (12 points) after Rajasthan (13 points). The MMR of the country overall decreased from 130 in 2014-2016 to 122 in 2015-17.

ð The states of Bihar, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh Uttarakhand and Assam, as well as Odisha, where the MMR is worse than the national average, are categorised as EAG states in the SRS. The average MMR of these states has been found to be 175 in the latest survey, compared to 188 in the previous bulletin (2014-2016).

ð Odisha’s MMR is better than that of Assam (229), Madhya Pradesh (188), Uttar Pradesh (216), Rajasthan (186) but worse than that of Bihar (165), Jharkhand (76), Chhattisgarh (141) and Uttarakhand (89).

ð The state has set up high dependency units at district headquarters hospitals for management of obstetric emergency and critical conditions. The government provides Rs 5,000 cash assistance to pregnant woman under its scheme ‘Mamata’ (launched in 2011) besides incentives under Janani Janani O Sishu Surakhya Karyakrama and free ambulance services (102 Janani Express).

ð Under JSSK, also launched in 2011, the government bears all delivery-related costs: free and cashless delivery, free Caesarean section, free treatment of sick newborn up to 30 days, exemption from user charges, free drugs and consumables, free diagnostics and free diet during stay in the health institutions, free provision of blood and free transport.

ð To further reduce MMR and infant mortality rate (IMR), the state government in 2017 has launched SAMMPurNA, (Sishu Abom Matru Mrityuhara Purna Nirakaran Abhijan) with a budgetary allocation of Rs 300 crore. The scheme is meant to ensure 100% institutional delivery. The state government has set up maternity waiting homes in hospitals and provides incentives of Rs 1,000 to mothers to come for institution delivery from hard-to-reach areas and assistance of Rs 500 for a drop-back.

INTERNATIONAL

· China to launch 5G mobile phone services

China’s three state telecoms, namelyChina Mobile’s, China Unicom, and China Telecom’s, announced that it is to launch 5G mobile phone services. The move is to support China’s ambitions to become a technology superpower.
China’s commercialization of 5G will is aimed to provide a major boost to some of thecountries’ largest technology companiesthat are responsible for building nearly half of the country’s 5G network.

The telecom companies have announced plans in the websites and online stores about the 5G plans. The plans start from 128 yuan a month. It is made available from 1 November 2019. It will allow Chinese consumers nationwide to use the ultra-fast mobile internet service.

The countries telecom sector is planning to install over 50,000 5G base stationsacross 50 Chinese cities in the country by the end of 2019. The tier I cities of China, including Beijing, Guangzhou, Shanghai, and Hangzhou, are already covered by the 5G network.

India opts out of RCEP agreement

India has decided not to join the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) deal as negotiations failed to address New Delhi’s outstanding issues and concerns.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi made the announcement during his speech at the RCEP Summit in Bangkok.

Mr Modi said the present form of the agreement does not fully reflect the basic spirit and the agreed guiding principles.

He said the agreement also did not satisfactorily address India’s outstanding issues and concerns, hence it was not possible for New Delhi to sign it.

The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) is a proposed free trade agreement (FTA) between the ten member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) (Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam) and its six FTA partners (China, Japan, India, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand).

NATIONAL

· India and Saudi Arabia to hold first bilateral naval exercise

The first bilateral naval exercisebetween India and Saudi Arabia is to be held in 2020. The countries also plan to collaborate in research and acquisition of military hardware, which will help broaden defence cooperation between India and Saudi Arabia.

The exercisewill strengthen the position of the Indian Navy that spans from the Strait of Malacca to the Straits of Hormuz. The bilateral engagement aims to promote measures to ensure the safety and security of waterways in the Gulf region and Indian Ocean region from threats that might affect the countries.

‘Dharma Guardian’ military exercise between India, Japan concludes in Mizoram

The second edition of the annual joint military exercise, named as Dharma Guardian between Indian and Japanese Army ended at Counter Insurgency and Jungle Warfare School (CIJWS) Vairengte in Mizoram.

The primary focus of this fortnight-long joint military exercise was to train and equip the contingents in counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism operations in mountainous terrain.

As part of the exercise, important lectures, demonstrations and drills related to counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism operations were conducted.

Both the Armies also shared their valuable experiences in countering such situations as also refined drills and procedures for joint operations.

· IFFCO introduced Indias first Nanotechnology based fertilizers for on field trials

The Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative Limited (IFFCO)introduced its Nano-technology based product range foron-field trials on 3 November 2019. It was launched at a function held in Kalol, Gujarat. The Nano-tech product includes Nano Nitrogen, Nano Zinc, Nano Copper.
The nano products were researched and developed at the IFFCONano Biotechnology Research Centre (NBRC) at Kalol Unit. It has been identified that these nanostructured formulations effectively deliver nutrients to the plants.

The products aim to improve soil health, reduce emission greenhouse gases. It will also ensure up to a 15-30% increase in crop production and reduce the requirement of conventional chemical fertilizer by 50%. The move is in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision for doubling the farmer’s income by

IFFCO is to test the first phase of the launch on farms under controlled conditions with support from Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK)and theIndian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).

· India needs USD 30 bi investment per year in the renewable sector

Arunabha Ghosh, chief executive officer of Council on Energy, said that India needs $30 billion investmentper year in the renewable sector at Singapore International Energy Week. It is a series of energy conferences which were held between 29 October and 1 November.
Enforce regulation are making transparent bidding process at the tendering stage and preserve the sanctity of contract. Some sectors have done well in this area, and few sectors are not that up to the mark. By implementing such a system, India will attract international investments from leading pension funds, especially those in the US.

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02.11.19 Odisha (OPSC) Current Affairs