• 04 Dec 2024

Modernization of Head Post Office in Madhya Pradesh

Why in News? 

• Recently, the Union Minister of Communications laid the foundation stone for the Head Post Office at Ashoknagar district of Madhya Pradesh.

Key Points 

• About the Head Post Office: 
  • The Head Post Office will be constructed at a cost of Rs 2.1 crore. It is scheduled for completion within one year. 
  • The facility will feature state-of-the-art, technology-enabled infrastructure with modern amenities to enhance the customer experience. 
  • The head post office will function as the administrative center for 10 sub-post offices in Ashoknagar district. 
    • It aims to improve service delivery and provide greater convenience to the local population.  
• Legacy of India Post:  
  • With over 150 years of service, India Post remains one of the largest postal networks globally. 
  • The Post Office Act of 2023 came into force repealing the Indian Post Office Act, 1898. 
  • The Department continues to bridge gaps and deliver excellence in both urban and rural areas, with a strong focus on modernization and grassroots outreach.

Indian Post Office Act, 1898 

• It came into force on 1st July 1898 with the objective to consolidate and amend the law relating to the Post Offices in India. 
• It provides for the regulation of the postal services offered by the central government. 
• It grants the Central government exclusive privilege over conveying letters and establishes a monopoly of the Central government over conveying letters. 

World AIDS Day 2024 Event in Indore

Why in News? 

Recently, the Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare inaugurated the World AIDS Day, 2024 commemoration in the presence of the Chief Minister at the Devi Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya Auditorium, in Indore, Madhya Pradesh. 

• The event emphasized the theme “Take the Rights Path,” highlighting equal rights, dignity, and access to healthcare for individuals affected by HIV/AIDS.

Key Points

• Government's Commitment: 
  • The Union Minister reiterated the government’s dedication to safeguarding the rights of people living with HIV/AIDS, focusing on legal protections, healthcare access, and societal transformation. 
  • He emphasized raising awareness, combating stereotypes, and ensuring effective AIDS control through community initiatives and campaigns. 
  • The program aligns with the global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end AIDS by 2030. 
  • Activities emphasized collective action, empathy, and resilience, promoting a world free from discrimination and fear. 
• Achievements in AIDS Control: 
  • India has seen a 44% reduction in new HIV cases since 2010, compared to the global reduction rate of 39%. 
    • AIDS-related deaths in the country declined by 79% during the same period. 
  • India is now a global leader in producing affordable, effective HIV medicines and supplies free antiretroviral therapy (ART) to AIDS patients. 
• Strategic Targets: 
  • India adopted the 90-90-90 target to detect 90% of AIDS cases, treat 90% with ART, and suppress viral load in 90% of treated individuals. 
  • The revised 95-95-95 targets are nearing achievement, with 81% identified, 88% treated, and 97% achieving viral suppression. 
• Role of Madhya Pradesh: 
  • The Chief Minister commended the state’s strides in healthcare, including plans to eradicate AIDS as a public health threat by 2028, two years ahead of the global 2030 target. 
  • He noted the significant expansion in medical colleges in Madhya Pradesh, from 5 to 31, with plans for 50 by 2026. 
• Key Initiatives and Releases: 
  • SANKALAK 6th Edition: Detailing India’s AIDS control progress. 
  • India HIV Estimates 2023: Providing updated data on HIV prevalence, incidence, and mortality. 
  • Coffee Table Book: Highlighting the Intensified Information, Education & Communication (IEC) Campaign’s achievements. 
  • Prevention Progress Update 2023-2024: Reporting on prevention activities for high-risk groups. 
  • Research Compendium Volume II: Sharing insights from state-specific studies on AIDS. 
• Community Engagement: 
  • The event featured exhibitions by National AIDS Control Organization (NACO), live performances of a newly launched theme song, and narratives from beneficiaries of the National AIDS Control Programme. 
  • Diverse stakeholders, including policymakers, health workers, civil society, and development partners, attended the event, fostering collaboration. 

HIV/AIDS Disease 

• About: 
  • Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is an infection that attacks the body’s immune system. 
    • AIDS is the late stage of HIV infection that occurs when the body’s immune system is badly damaged because of the virus. 
  • HIV attacks CD4, a type of White Blood Cell (T cells) in the body’s immune system. 
    • T cells are those cells that move around the body detecting anomalies and infections in cells. 
  • After entering the body, HIV multiplies itself and destroys CD4 cells, thus severely damaging the human immune system. Once this virus enters the body, it can never be removed. 
  • The CD4 count of a person infected with HIV reduces significantly. In a healthy body, CD4 count is between 500- 1600, but in an infected body, it can go as low as 200. 
• Transmission: 
  • HIV can spread through multiple sources, by coming in direct contact with certain body fluids from a person infected with HIV, who has a detectable viral load. It can be blood, semen, rectal fluid, vaginal fluid or breast milk. 
• Symptoms: 
  • Once HIV converts into AIDS then it may present in initial symptoms like unexplained fatigue, fever, sores around genitals or neck, pneumonia etc.

Digital India State Consultation Workshop Organized in UP

Why in News? 

The National e-Governance Division (NeGD) of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), in partnership with Uttar Pradesh Development Systems Corporation Ltd. (UPDESCO), organized a Digital India State Consultation Workshop in Lucknow.

Key Points 

• Aim of the Workshop: 
  • Raising awareness about Digital India initiatives. 
  • Identifying opportunities for state IT projects to leverage Digital India platforms. 
  • Showcasing successful projects for potential replication. 
  • Facilitating knowledge sharing, exchange of ideas, and industry partnerships. 
• Focus Areas: 
  • The event highlighted the importance of data and digital infrastructure and urged the state to enhance connectivity for last-mile digital penetration. 
  • The workshop's uniqueness in bringing together state officials and e-District Managers to collaboratively work towards good governance was emphasised. 
  • Discussions centered on national initiatives under the Digital India Programme including: 
    • Digilocker: DigiLocker allows access to digital versions of various documents including driver's licenses, vehicle registration certificates and academic mark sheets. 
    • Entity Locker: EntityLocker is a flagship initiative designed to empower organizations by providing a secure, cloud-based platform for storing, sharing, and verifying digital documents and certificates. 
    • API Setu: API Setu addresses the fear/risk of Covid-19 infections and will help the people, businesses and the economy to return to normalcy. 
    • OpenForge: It is Government of India's platform for open collaborative development of e-governance applications. Its objective is to promote sharing and reuse of e-governance application source code. 
    • myScheme: It is a National Platform that aims to offer one-stop search and discovery of the Government schemes. 
    • UMANG: The  UMANG mobile app is an all-in-one single, unified, secure, multi-channel, multi-lingual, multi-service mobile app. It provides access to high-impact services of various organizations of the Union and States.  
    • UX4G: It aims to make digital services user-friendly by providing personalized, visually appealing, efficient, and accessible interfaces. 
  • Key topics like Cyber Security and Capacity Building were also addressed. 
  • State-led discussions featured CM Helpline (1076), Inspector General of Registration and Stamps (IGRS), UIDAI Ecosystem, and Aadhaar Authentication Services. 
• Open Discussions: 
  • A collaborative session was held between MeitY and Uttar Pradesh government officials. 
  • During the session key challenges and implementation issues in e-Governance projects were discussed. 
  • Feedback and suggestions were sought for resolving obstacles and improving project execution. 

National e-Governance Division (NeGD) 

• About: 
  • The NeGD was established in 2009 by the Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MeitY) as an Independent Business Division under the Digital India Corporation. 
• Role and Responsibilities: 
  • NeGD supports MeitY in managing and implementing e-Governance projects across the country. 
  • It provides technical and advisory assistance to Central and State Ministries, Departments, and other government organizations. 
• Key Operational Areas: 
  • Programme Management: Ensures smooth execution of e-Governance projects. 
  • Project Development: Develops initiatives to enhance digital governance. 
  • Technology Management: Oversees technological aspects of e-Governance projects. 
  • Capacity Building: Strengthens skills and capabilities within government organizations. 
  • Awareness and Communication: Promotes e-Governance initiatives under the Digital India Programme.

Preservation of Cultural Heritage of Mahabharata Age

Why in News? 

Recently, an update is seen on the conservation and development of the protected site in Hastinapur, Meerut, which was designated as one of the five 'Iconic Sites' by the Union Government in 2021-22, under the management of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).

Key Points 

• History: 
  • Hastinapur was the capital of the Pandavas and Kauravas during the time of the Mahabharata.  
  • The site is associated with many places from the Mahabharata, including Vidurr Tila, Pandaveshwar Temple, Baradri, Draunadeshwar Temple, Karna Temple, Draupadi Ghat, and Kama Ghat.  
• Excavations: 
  • B. B. Lal, the Director General of the ASI, conducted excavations at Hastinapur in the early 1950s.  
  • He found correlations between the Mahabharata and the material remains he unearthed, which led him to historicize some of the traditions in the epic.  
• Iron objects: 
  • The site has many iron objects that date from the 6th century BCE to the 16th century CE.  
  • The excavated slag samples indicate that the site was involved in crucible carburization activities.  
    • Crucible carburization is a process that uses a crucible to heat wrought iron with carbon-rich materials to create steel. 
• Recent work: 
  • The ASI has conducted excavations at the site in 2021-22 and 2022-23.  
  • The site has also undergone conservation and development work, including the construction of pathways, parking, and gardens. 

Five Iconic Sites

• Dholavira: 
  • An archaeological site with a water system that was used for rainwater harvesting. The people who lived there during the Harappan civilization are known for their water conservation techniques.  
• Hastinapur: 
  • A historical and cultural site in the Meerut district of Uttar Pradesh. It was the capital of the Kuru dynasty emperors in the Mahabharata.  
• Sivasagar: 
  • A town in Upper Assam known for its Ahom palaces and monuments. It was the capital of the Ahom Kingdom from 1699 to 1788.  
• Adichanallur: 
  • An archaeological site from south India with a history dating back to 2500 BC–2200 BC. In 2004, human skeletons of varying ethnicities were unearthed here. 
• Rakhigarhi: 
  • Rakhigarhi in Haryana’s Hissar district is one of the most prominent and largest sites of the Harappan civilisation. It is one among the five known townships of the Harappan civilisation in the Indian subcontinent.

Meeting to Review Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) Performance

Why in News? 

Recently, the Union Minister for Finance reviewed the performance of eight Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) from the Eastern Region, covering Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, and West Bengal, during a meeting held in Patna.

Key Points 

• Focus Areas of the Meeting: 
  • Business performance, digital technology upgrades, and fostering growth in agriculture and micro-industry-related activities were the primary focus. 
  • The Union Finance Minister emphasized increasing credit disbursement under flagship schemes like MUDRA and PM Vishwakarma with sponsor banks' support. 
• Directives for Agriculture and Allied Activities: 
  • RRBs were directed to boost ground-level agricultural credit, especially for allied activities such as dairy, animal husbandry, and fisheries. 
  • Uttar Bihar Gramin Bank was tasked to enhance credit for fisheries and foxnut (makhana) to realize their regional potential. 
• Emphasis on Technology Upgradation: 
  • The Union Finance Minister stressed accelerating technology enhancements to improve RRB efficiency and service delivery. 
  • Financial parameters showed improvement, with Capital Adequacy Ratio rising from 7.8% (FY 2022) to 9.4% (FY 2024) and Gross Non-Performing Assets (GNPA) decreasing from 25% to 15% during the same period. 
  • RRBs in the Eastern Region recorded a profit of Rs 625 crore in FY 2024 compared to a net loss of Rs 690 crore in FY 2023. 
• Financial Inclusion Initiatives: 
  • The Union Finance Minister emphasized saturating beneficiaries under Financial Inclusion schemes like Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY), Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY), Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY), and Atal Pension Yojana (APY). 
  • Sponsor banks were urged to work with RRBs to ensure the success of these initiatives. 
• Digital Services and Deadlines: 
  • RRBs were directed to offer Internet Banking, Mobile Banking, and Unified Payments Interface (UPI) services to all customers by December 2024. 
  • Sponsor banks were tasked with promoting these services to increase customer adoption. 
• Promoting Self-Employment and SHGs: 
  • The One District One Product (ODOP) program was highlighted as a tool to boost self-employment in the region. 
  • State governments were urged to collaborate with National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) and SIDBI to provide support for women SHGs, including training and marketing assistance. 

Regional Rural Banks (RRBs)

• RRBs were established in 1975 under the provisions of the Ordinance promulgated on 26th September 1975 and Regional Rural Banks Act, 1976. 
• These are financial institutions which ensure adequate credit for agriculture and other rural sectors. 
• They combine the characteristics of a cooperative in terms of the familiarity of the rural problems and a commercial bank in terms of its professionalism and ability to mobilise financial resources. 
• After the reforms in the 1990s, the government in 2005-06 initiated a consolidation program that resulted in the number of RRBs declining from 196 in 2005 to 43 in FY21.

Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY) 

• PMMY was launched by the Government of India in 2015. 
• The PMMY provides collateral-free institutional loans up to Rs. 10 lakhs for small business enterprises. 
• It is provided by Member Lending Institutions (MLIs) i.e. Scheduled Commercial Banks (SCBs), Regional Rural Banks (RRBs), Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs) and Micro Finance Institutions (MFIs). 
•