Published on: November 28, 2024

Snippets : 28 NOVEMBER 2024

Snippets : 28 NOVEMBER 2024

  • Karnataka’s first government-run in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) centre will be established at Karnataka Medical College & Research Institute (KMC-RI) in Hubballi. This initiative aims to address the rising infertility rates and provide affordable fertility treatments, especially for low-income groups. IVF procedures will be offered free of cost for Below Poverty Line (BPL) patients, while Above Poverty Line (APL) cardholders will receive a 30% discount. The centre will be funded through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds, with partner companies also offering training to ensure quality care. The increasing rates of infertility, driven by delayed pregnancies, changing lifestyles, and chemical contaminants in food, have made fertility treatments more necessary but costly, creating barriers for many to access them. KMC-RI has already awarded tenders for the clinic’s infrastructure and equipment, and requests have been made for the state government to provide free IVF medicines, which are not covered under the Ayushman Bharat Arogya Karnataka scheme. The clinic will operate under the obstetrics and gynaecology department, with reproductive endocrinologists and an embryologist on the team. The outpatient department currently handles 10-15 infertility cases daily, with 15% requiring IVF treatment.
  • Karnataka’s coastal erosion has significantly worsened, with 91.6 km of the state’s 328.55-km coastline affected, marking an increase of 110% since 1990 when only 43.7 km was eroding. A study commissioned by the state government and conducted by the National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management (NCSCM) revealed that 28% of Karnataka’s coastline is now exposed to high erosion. The increase in coastal erosion is attributed to climate change and human activities, such as the exponential rise in coastal infrastructure and disruptions in natural sediment flow. Notable districts impacted include Uttara Kannada, which contributes 39% of the state’s erosion despite its rocky shores, Udupi, where 38% of the coastline continues to erode, and Dakshina Kannada, with 39% of its coastline eroding, particularly in areas like Uchil and Batapady. The erosion has significant effects on coastal habitations, scrublands, mangroves, and fisheries. The government report identifies 44 critical erosion zones and recommends nature-based interventions, such as beach nourishment, sand dune rehabilitation, and mangrove afforestation. The Karnataka-Strengthening Coastal Resilience and the Economy (K-SHORE) project has been launched to implement these solutions with a budget of Rs 840 crore, aiming to enhance coastal resilience and boost the blue economy.
  • The “One Nation One Subscription” (ONOS) initiative, approved by the Union Cabinet, allocates ₹6,000 crore to centralize access to academic journals for approximately 6,300 government-run institutions. Starting January 1, 2025, ONOS will provide access to 13,000 journals from 30 international publishers through a single platform. This unified system will address the current fragmented access, where only 2,500 institutions access 8,100 journals. By consolidating subscriptions and eliminating duplications, ONOS will reduce costs and enhance access for 1.8 crore students, faculty, and researchers, including those in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities. The implementation, spearheaded by INFLIBNET, is expected to cut costs from ₹4,000 crore to ₹1,800 crore annually and increase bargaining power with publishers. Additionally, institutions will retain the flexibility to subscribe to journals outside the platform. The initiative aligns with the goals of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which emphasizes research and innovation, and will be supported by the newly established Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF).
  • India has proposed the creation of a multilateral fund to combat global plastic pollution, aimed at assisting low- and middle-income countries in phasing out polluting plastics. This proposal was presented at the fifth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiation Committee in Busan, South Korea. The fund would provide financial and technological support to nations, modeled after the Montreal Protocol Fund that helped phase out ozone-depleting substances. Developed nations would be responsible for replenishing the fund periodically, while the fund’s oversight would be managed by a governing body representing both developed and developing nations. India emphasizes a shared but differentiated responsibility framework, aiming to ensure fairness and equity in tackling the plastic pollution crisis, with the ultimate goal of creating a legally binding global treaty on plastic pollution.
  • Labour Commissioner Dr. H N Gopalakrishna launched the Karnataka State Building & Other Construction Workers’ Welfare Board’s video display vehicle initiative, aiming to inform construction workers about various programmes, projects, and facilities offered by the Board through an Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) initiative. The LED video display vehicle will operate throughout Bengaluru for a month, providing essential information on departmental facilities and other relevant matters, with Gopalakrishna encouraging workers to take full advantage of this initiative.
  • The Indian real estate sector is set to cross $4.8 trillion in market size by 2047, contributing over 18% to the projected $26 trillion GDP target in that timeline, according to a joint report by the Confederation of Real Estate Developers’ Associations of India (CREDAI) and Ernst & Young LLP (EY)
  • Scientists at the Raman Research Institute (RRI), along with collaborators from IIT-Palakkad and Ohio State University, have uncovered the mysterious sources heating and sustaining the fiery hot gas surrounding the Milky Way’s disc. The study revealed that the X-ray emitting hot gas is caused by a puffed-up region around the stellar disc, heated by massive stars exploding as supernovae, enriching the gaseous matter with synthesized elements, and continuously pumping heat to keep the gas alive.
  • H. Ravindranath, a climate change expert, warned that temperatures in northern and central Karnataka are projected to rise by 2°C to 2.5°C within the next decade, emphasizing the need for emergency action to combat climate change. Speaking at the Climate Leadership Summit, experts urged the government to develop a Bengaluru declaration on climate change, addressing rising temperatures and unusual weather patterns, and to ensure committed implementation of the action plan. They also stressed the importance of research, early warning systems, participatory engagement, and dedicated funding to promote resilience to climate risks and disasters.
  • According to the Basic Animal Husbandry Statistics 2024, India’s milk production increased by 3.78% in 2023-24, reaching 239.3 million tonnes, with Uttar Pradesh being the top milk-producing state. India is the world’s largest milk producer and second-largest egg producer, with an estimated 142.77 billion eggs produced in 2023-24, led by Andhra Pradesh. Additionally, the country’s total meat production is estimated at 10.25 million tonnes, with poultry accounting for 48.96%, and the report highlights a compounded annual growth rate of 5.62% in milk production, 6.8% in egg production, and 4.85% in meat production over the past decade.
  • Shashikant Ruia, popularly known as Shashi Ruia, the founder Chairman of Essar Group, passed away
  • The upcoming Gelephu Mindfulness City (GMC) in Bhutan, spanning 2,500 sq. km., is being pitched as the country’s largest cooperative project, with gratitude expressed by the Bhutanese Prime Minister for India’s support. Envisioned by King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, this innovative urban development integrates economic growth with mindfulness, sustainability, and holistic living. Located in south-central Bhutan, GMC will be the country’s first Special Administrative Region (SAR) with its own government, independent judiciary, and lawmaking powers. The city will feature low-rise buildings, inhabitable bridges, an international airport, a university, health care facilities blending traditional and modern medicine, markets, and spiritual centers. Designed as ribbonlike neighborhoods with mandala-inspired layouts, the city will incorporate its 35 rivers and streams, with paddy fields forming flood-resistant terraces. GMC will also host two protected areas: a national park and a wildlife sanctuary, ensuring ecological harmony alongside urban development.
  • The Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD) has announced the winners of the prestigious National Gopal Ratna Awards (NGRA) 2024, one of the highest honors in the livestock and dairy sector, which will be presented on National Milk Day, November 26, 2024, at Manekshaw Centre, New Delhi. Union Minister Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh, along with Prof. S.P. Singh Baghel and Shri George Kurian, will confer the awards during a grand ceremony. The NGRA recognizes individuals and organizations excelling in the fields of dairy farming, artificial insemination, and cooperative activities. It includes three categories: Best Dairy Farmer Rearing Indigenous Breeds, Best Artificial Insemination Technician (AIT), and Best Dairy Cooperative/Milk Producer Company/Dairy Farmer Producer Organization, with a newly added special award for the North Eastern Region (NER). Winners across these categories include Smt. Renu from Haryana, The Gabat Milk Producers Cooperative Society from Gujarat, and Shri Bhaskar Pradhan from Odisha, among others, with additional recipients from the NER. The awards comprise cash prizes ranging from ₹2 to ₹5 lakh, along with certificates and mementos, recognizing excellence among the 2,574 applicants received through the online portal.
  • After nearly two decades of negotiations, the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) member states adopted the landmark Design Law Treaty (DLT), which India signed to reaffirm its commitment to inclusive growth and equitable access to intellectual property protection. The treaty harmonizes procedural frameworks for industrial design protection, standardizing registration processes to reduce administrative burdens and promote global creativity, with a focus on benefiting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), startups, and independent designers. Key provisions include relaxed time limits, reinstatement of lost rights, simplified procedures for assignments, and the ability to file multiple designs in a single application, alongside the promotion of electronic systems for design registration. These measures, complemented by initiatives like the Startup India program and the Startups Intellectual Property Protection (SIPP) scheme, empower startups and SMEs to secure global design rights. With its rich creative heritage and a policy emphasis on innovation, India has seen impressive growth in design registrations, which have tripled over the past decade, with domestic filings increasing by 120% in the last two years and a 25% rise in applications last year alone.
  • The Indian government has launched the “Bal Vivah Mukt Bharat Abhiyan” campaign to eradicate child marriage. This initiative will focus on seven high-burden states, including West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand, Rajasthan, Tripura, Assam, and Andhra Pradesh, as well as 300 high-burden districts with higher-than-average child marriage rates
  • The Karnataka Small Scale Industries Association (KASSIA) has sought amendments to the Karnataka Land Reforms Act, 1961, as small and medium enterprises (SMEs) struggle to afford increasingly expensive land. Highlighting that 90% of SMEs operate in private industrial areas with inadequate infrastructure, the association urged the government to acquire land under Section 109 of the Act to develop industrial estates and upgrade existing facilities like power supply. They also recommended empowering the Karnataka State Small Industries Development Corporation (KSSIDC) to directly acquire land for new industrial estates or for the Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board (KIADB) to allot undeveloped land without developmental charges to KSSIDC. KASSIA President MG Rajagopal called for an exclusive SME labour policy with reduced compliance and separate minimum wage provisions, as the current uniform labour guidelines and wages are unsustainable for SMEs. Additionally, the association demanded the removal of double taxation on industrial areas by both KIADB/KSSIDC and municipal authorities, parity of property tax with residential rates, and reductions in stamp duty. They also sought a revision of the Karnataka Factories Rules, 1969, which significantly increased government service fees and licensing costs.
  • The Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) has launched a door-to-door campaign in 110 villages to encourage residents to apply for Cauvery water connections under the Stage V project, which was inaugurated on October 16, 2024. Despite targeting three lakh connections, BWSSB has received only 3,000 applications and 30,000 inquiries in over a month, partly due to high pro-rata charges for apartment communities and complaints of middlemen demanding bribes to expedite formalities. To address these issues, the Board introduced the “Mane Manegoo Cauvery Neeru – Samparka Abhiyana” campaign, setting up camps in public spaces to simplify the application process and urging residents to apply directly via the BWSSB website or offline at the camps. Complaints about middlemen are being investigated by the Vigilance Cell, and the Board has warned residents to pay connection fees only through RTGS, NEFT, or demand draft to avoid fraud. BWSSB officials anticipate an increase in applications during the summer months when water scarcity becomes more pressing.
  • The Transport Department has launched Bengaluru’s first Automated Testing Station (ATS) in Nelamangala, aiming to replace outdated manual inspections at RTOs with a more efficient, automated system designed to reduce corruption and minimize the involvement of agents and middlemen in the fitness certification (FC) process. Vehicles tested at these centers will undergo automated checks, with the system directly issuing pass or fail certificates, ensuring greater efficiency, transparency, and accountability by eliminating human errors and subjectivity. Automated machines handle all checks, maintaining detailed records of both visual and technical assessments, with results only released after compiling the final report and undergoing biannual audits to ensure compliance. The fitness certificate for private vehicles is valid for 15 years from registration, renewable every five years thereafter, while commercial vehicles require a biannual renewal after their first two years of validity. The department plans to expand the ATS network to 13 additional locations, including Devanahalli, Tumakuru, and others, and is also developing automated testing centers at 19 other locations, including several parts of Bengaluru and other key districts.
  • The Army has received Sabal-20 logistics drones, procured from EndureAir Systems, for deployment in the eastern sector, marking a significant step in enhancing military logistics. These drones, based on variable pitch technology, have a payload capacity of up to 20 kg and are designed to support missions like long-range deliveries and high-altitude operations. Their advanced Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL) technology allows seamless operation in rugged terrains, with a low RPM design that reduces noise, enhancing stealth. In another development, the Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur (IIT-K), unveiled a breakthrough in stealth technology with the launch of the Metamaterial Surface Cloaking System (Anālakshya), developed by a team led by professors from the Departments of Physics, Electrical Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering. The system offers near-perfect wave absorption across a wide spectrum, improving defense capabilities by countering SAR imaging and providing protection against radar-guided missiles.
  • Four battalions of the Army’s Mechanised Infantry were presented the President’s Colours by Army chief General Upendra Dwivedi during a ceremony at the Mechanised Infantry Centre and School in Ahilyanagar, Maharashtra, on Wednesday. The 26th and 27th Battalions of the Mechanised Infantry Regiment, along with the 20th and 22nd Battalions of the Brigade of The Guards, were honoured, marking a proud moment for the youngest battalions. General Dwivedi highlighted the Mechanised Infantry’s remarkable journey since its inception in 1979, noting its exceptional courage, discipline, and operational proficiency in operations like Operation Vijay and UN peacekeeping missions. The President’s Colours, a symbol of a unit’s identity and one of the highest military honours, were awarded in recognition of their exemplary service in both combat and peacetime operations. The ceremony also saw the felicitation of four Veteran Achievers for their contributions to the well-being of ex-servicemen and society.
  • The International Pathogen Surveillance Network (IPSN) recently announced its first round of grants to support the understanding of disease threats. IPSN is a public health initiative aimed at preventing and detecting infectious diseases before they escalate into epidemics or pandemics. Hosted by the World Health Organization (WHO) Hub for Pandemic and Epidemic Intelligence, the network brings together global experts in genomics and data analytics from governments, foundations, multilateral organizations, civil society, academia, and the private sector, all united by a common goal of optimizing disease surveillance and response. IPSN leverages pathogen genomics—analyzing the genetic material of viruses, bacteria, and other microorganisms—to track and understand how diseases spread and their potential threat. The network facilitates collaboration among members in dedicated groups to address specific challenges, providing funding to scale innovative projects in pathogen genomics. By strengthening global pathogen genomic surveillance, IPSN enhances the ability to detect new pathogens and track their evolution, thus improving outbreak prevention, response, and treatment strategies.
  • The Supreme Court recently directed the Union government to submit the report prepared by a committee negotiating the dispute between Tamil Nadu and Karnataka over the sharing of the Pennaiyar river water. The Pennaiyar River, also known as the South Pennar River or Dakshina Pinakini in Kannada and Thenpennai or Ponnaiyar in Tamil, is a significant river in southern India. Originating in the Nandi Hills in the Chikkaballapura district of Karnataka, it flows southward for 80 km through Karnataka before entering northwestern Tamil Nadu, where it turns southeast and flows for another 320 km to reach the Bay of Bengal at Cuddalore, Tamil Nadu. The river basin is bordered by various ranges of the Eastern Ghats, such as the Velikonda, Nagari, Javadhu, Shevaroy, Chitteri, and Kalrayan Hills, and is bounded to the east by the Bay of Bengal. The Pennaiyar basin is the second largest interstate east-flowing river basin among the 12 basins located between the Pennar and Cauvery rivers, covering an area of 16,019 sq. km, with 77 percent of it lying in Tamil Nadu. Major tributaries of the river include the Chinnar, Markanda, Vaniar, and Pamban. The river is extensively dammed for irrigation purposes, especially in Tamil Nadu.
  • The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and the Climate Club recently launched the Global Matchmaking Platform (GMP), designed to accelerate the decarbonization of heavy-emitting industries in emerging and developing economies. First introduced in December 2023 at the 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28), the GMP connects countries’ specific needs with global technical and financial support to reduce emissions in energy and emissions-intensive industrial sectors. It links nations with a network of partners offering comprehensive assistance in policy development, technology transfer, and investments aimed at advancing the transition to zero and low-emission industrial practices. The platform also enables countries to tailor their decarbonization strategies while streamlining access to resources and guidance. Hosted by UNIDO, the GMP functions as a support mechanism for the Climate Club, with activities backed by the interim Secretariat of the Climate Club, jointly hosted by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the International Energy Agency (IEA).
  • UNSC Resolution 1701 aims at ending hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel, and calls for the creation of a buffer zone as well as a permanent ceasefire.