• 05 Jul 2024

Uttar Pradesh to Set Up Crop-Specific Boards

Why in News?

Uttar Pradesh plans to establish crop-specific commodity boards as a step toward achieving the goal of annual agro shipments worth Rs 50,000 crore.

Key Points

• This initiative aims to boost farm productivity, catalyze food processing, and re-energize the agro value chain over the next four years.
  • To generate employment, the government is promoting agriculture-focused startups.
  • There is a huge demand for horticultural produce like strawberries, dragon fruit, and flowers in the state.
• State-level horticultural commodity boards would be set up on the lines of the Spices Board of India.
• The Indian Chamber of Food and Agriculture (ICFA) has constituted the UP State Agriculture Council to promote agro industry and exports.
  • It would foster coordination between the government, agro experts, and farmers.
  • The council will focus on promoting sustainable agricultural practices, enhancing market access, and supporting exports.
  • It will host a ‘Agro World 2025’ summit in February 2025 in Lucknow.

Spices Board of India

• Spices Board was constituted on 26^th February 1987 under the Spices Board Act, 1986 with the merger of the erstwhile Cardamom Board (1968) and Spices Export Promotion Council (1960).
• There are five statutory Commodity Boards under the Department of Commerce.
  • These Boards are responsible for production, development and export of tea, coffee, rubber, spices and tobacco.
• It is responsible for the export promotion of the 52 scheduled spices and the development of Cardamom.
• Spices Board is the flagship organisation for the development and worldwide promotion of Indian spices.
• The Board is an international link between the Indian exporters and the importers abroad.

Indian Chamber of Food and Agriculture (ICFA)

• Formerly known as the Indian Council of Food and Agriculture, was founded in 2015.
• It is the apex body in India, working on business, policy, and development agendas while serving as a global platform for trade facilitation, partnerships, technology, and agribusiness services.

Putin Expresses Condolences for Hathras Stampede Tragedy

Why in News?

Recently, Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed condolences over the stampede at a religious congregation in Uttar Pradesh in which 121 people were killed.

• Stampede is an impulsive mass movement of a crowd that often results in injuries and deaths.

Key Points

• The stampede took place in Hathras district of Uttar Pradesh. The victims were part of the crowd of thousands that had gathered near Phulrai village in the Sikandrarau area for the 'satsang' by a religious preacher.
• An First Information Report (FIR) has been filed by the Uttar Pradesh Police against the organizers of the religious congregation.
  • The organizers are accused of hiding evidence and violating conditions by allowing 2.5 lakh people to gather for the event, despite a permit for only 80,000 attendees.

First Information Report (FIR)

• It is a written document prepared by the police when they receive information about the commission of a cognizable offence.
• It is a report of information that reaches the police first at that point of time and that is why it is called the First Information Report.
• It is generally a complaint lodged with the police by the victim of a cognizable offence or by someone on his/her behalf. Anyone can report the commission of a cognizable offence either orally or in writing.
• The term FIR is not defined in the Indian Penal Code (IPC), Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), 1973, or in any other law.
  • However, in police regulations or rules, information recorded under Section 154 of CrPC is known as First Information Report (FIR).

Justice Sheel Nagu: Punjab & Haryana Chief Justice

Why in News?

Recently, Justice Sheel Nagu of Madhya Pradesh high court has been appointed as Chief Justice of Punjab and Haryana High Court.

Key Points

• He was appointed as Madhya Pradesh high court judge in 2011. His contribution to the judiciary by way of disposal of cases, during his tenure of over 12 years has authored more than 499 reported judgments.

Appointment of HC Judges

• Article 217 of the Constitution: It states that the Judge of a High Court shall be appointed by the President in consultation with the Chief Justice of India (CJI), the Governor of the State.
  • In the case of appointment of a Judge other than the Chief Justice, the Chief Justice of the High Court is consulted.
• Consultation Process: High Court judges are recommended by a Collegium comprising the CJI and two senior-most judges.
  • The proposal, however, is initiated by the Chief Justice of the High Court concerned in consultation with two senior-most colleagues.
  • The recommendation is sent to the Chief Minister, who advises the Governor to send the proposal to the Union Law Minister.
  • The Chief Justice of the High Court is appointed as per the policy of having Chief Justices from outside the respective States.
    • The Collegium takes the call on the elevation.

Haryana Cities Among India’s Most Polluted

Why in News?

According to a report by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA), Haryana accounted for more than half of India's top 10 most polluted cities in June 2024.

Key Points

• Rohtak was the most polluted among the 251 Indian cities included in the study.
  • In June, Rohtak's average concentration of PM2.5 (tiny inhalable particles) was 116µg/m³, more than twice the safe level of 60µg/m³ set in India.
• In the top 10 most polluted cities in June, Rohtak was featured in the list 28 times, followed by Charkhi Dadri and Panchkula, each appearing 16 times, Ballabhgarh 11 times, and Faridabad 10 times.
• A total of 60 cities appeared on the daily most polluted cities list. Among these, 23 cities made the list at least five times. Only Faridabad is part of the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP).
• According to the 2021 Air Quality Life Index (AQLI) report by the University of Chicago, India is the world's second most polluted country, where fine particulate air pollution (PM2.5) shortens the average citizen's life expectancy by 5.3 years.

Particulate Matter

• Also called particle pollution, a term for a mixture of solid particles and liquid droplets found in the air. It causes respiratory problems and also reduces visibility.
• It includes:
  • PM10: inhalable particles, with diameters that are generally 10 micrometers and smaller.
  • PM2.5: fine inhalable particles, with diameters that are generally 2.5 micrometers and smaller.
• Sources of PM:
  • Some are emitted directly from a source, such as construction sites, unpaved roads, fields, smokestacks or fires.

National Clean Air Programme

• It was launched by the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC) in January 2019.
• It is the first-ever effort in the country to frame a national framework for air quality management with a time-bound reduction target.
• It seeks to cut the concentration of coarse (particulate matter (PM) of diameter 10 micrometer or less, or PM10) and fine particles (particulate matter of diameter 2.5 micrometer or less, or PM2.5) by at least 20% in the next five years, with 2017 as the base year for comparison.
• It covers 132 non-attainment cities which were identified by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

Ladli Behna Yojna

Why in News?

According to the Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh Dr. Mohan Yadav, 14^th installment of Laadli Behna Yojana is credited into the bank accounts of the beneficiaries.

Key Points

• Under the scheme, the government will provide Rs.1250 to women every month.
• This scheme was launched in 2023 by the Madhya Pradesh Government.
• It aims at promoting financial independence for women, sustained enhancements in their health and nutrition.
• Due to which the effective role of women in taking decisions at the family level will also be encouraged.