Uttarakhand Affairs
Overall ranking of UKhand in SS21 is poor, ULBs must work on efficient waste management for future challenges
Releasing a detailed analytical report on Uttarakhand’s performance in the Swachh Survekshan 2021 (SS21), the Social Development for Communities (SDC) Foundation articulated that the state has performed poorly at the national level in the survey and (ULBs) must bring systematic changes in Waste Management to improve the rankings in SS22 and tackle other upcoming waste-centric challenges in future. According to the report, the general performance of the state in various categories like Citizens Voice, Service Level Progress, Garbage Free Cities and Open Defecation Free (ODF) are far lower than the national Average. Uttarakhand got 1,531 scores out of 6,000 points in SS21 and the national average score is 2,072 that clearly shows the states overall poor performance in the survey at the national level. The report mentioned that though Dehradun has become the first city in the state with 82nd position to rank in the top 100 cities in the 1-10 lakh Population category, it should be noted that this position was achieved only amongst 369 cities and not amongst 4,320 cities that participated in SS21. Dehradun ranked 375 amongst these 4,320 cities. Such misunderstandings must not mislead people about the current sanitation situation of the cities across the state as it can be fatal for future sanitation efforts.
According to the report, the state generates annual waste of over 125 crore kilogramme excluding the waste generated by pilgrims and tourists and this quantity will certainly increase with the increasing footfalls of tourists when the projects like Delhi Dehradun economic corridor and the Char Dham All weather Road will get completed. According to the recommendations in the report, the ULBs first need to address the shortcomings found in SS21 and make efforts to improve the conditions irrespective of rankings attained in the survey. The administration should also implement policies like Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) and tourism policy to facilitate waste management besides adopting sustainable waste management practices as the current system is inefficient and poses a consistent risk to public Health, the Environment and the economy.
National and International Affairs
DRDO demonstrates controlled aerial delivery system
The DEFENCE Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) demonstrated the Controlled Aerial Delivery System.
Flight demonstration of Controlled Aerial Delivery System was demonstrated by Aerial Delivery Research and Development Establishment (ADRDE).
The System was of 500 kg capacity (CADS-500).
Demonstration of the flight was part of series of activities that were organised to celebrate Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav.
System performance was demonstrated at Drop Zone, Malpura from an altitude of 5000m.
This system was para-dropped from AN32 aircraft. After that, it was steered to the predesignated landing point in autonomous mode.
Eleven paratroopers of Indian Army and Indian Air Force chased the system in air and landed simultaneously.
Good Governance Week 2021
The Department of Administrative Reforms & Public Grievances (DARPG), under Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions is celebrating <a href="https://exam.pscnotes.com/good-Governance“>Good Governance Week 2021 on December 20-25.
The Good Governance Week is being organised in collaboration with Ministry of External Affairs and Ministry of Panchayati Raj & Rural Development.
It is being celebrated as a part of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav.
On the occasion, Good Governance Week Portal will be launched and a booklet on 2-year achievements of DARPG will be released.
A film on Prashasan Gaon Ki Aur will also be screened.
The Good Governance Week is being organised with the objective of translating the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, for Next Generation Administrative Reforms during Amrit Kaal period in all the Districts and Tehsils across the country.
PMKSY Implementation Approved by Cabinet For 2021- 2026
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs authorized the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) for 2021-2026 on 15 December.
Highlights:
Rs.93,068 crores were spent on the scheme, and CCEA authorized Rs. 37,454 crore in government funding for states.
The debt servicing for a loan taken out by the Government of India to enhance Irrigation during PMKSY 2016-21 has been sanctioned at Rs 20,434.56 crore.
The Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Program (AIBP), Watershed Development, and Har Khet ko Paani (HKKP) components of the scheme have all been extended for 2021-2026.
UNESCO: Kolkatas Durga Puja as Intangible Cultural Heritage
in Kolkata has been added to UNESCO’S List of Intangible Cultural heritage for 2021.
Highlights:
This brings international recognition to the city’s 331-year-old Hindu festival and the state of West Bengal.
Bengal’s ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) applauded the UNESCO announcement since chief minister Mamata Banerjee is largely regarded as the festival’s most ardent supporter.
The number of items on the list of India’s Intangible Cultural Heritage has climbed to 14 with the addition of Durga Puja.
Legal Marriage Age for Women Raised in India
The has approved a proposal to raise the minimum age of marriage for Women from 18 to 21 years old.
Highlights:
Men must be 21 years old to marry, while women must be 18 years old.
To put the plan into reality, the government would look to change the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, the Special Marriage Act, and the Hindu Marriage Act.
India was working hard to reduce child marriages and improve the Health of its women. According to the survey, as many as 27% of Indian girls marry before they turn 18.
Time Magazines 2021 Athlete of the Year: Simone Biles
Simone Biles has been chosen Time magazine’s Athlete of the Year for the year 2021.
Highlights:
When she withdrew from four event finals at the Tokyo Olympics, the world’s most decorated gymnast, a four-time Olympic medalist, was praised for prioritizing her mental Health.
Despite the setback, the 24-year-old took silver in the team all-around and bronze in the balance beam in the Tokyo Olympics.
Hundreds of athletes, including Biles, have accused the FBI, USA Gymnastics, and the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee of failing to halt the abuse.