Madhya Pradesh

• 10 May 2023

Solar Power and Wind Power Projects Launched

Why in News?

On 8 May 2023, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan virtually inaugurated 21 MW solar power and 15 MW wind power projects at Kushabhau Thakre Auditorium in Bhopal, and in his presence contracts were signed among Municipal Corporation Bhopal, Solar Energy and Wind Energy companies.

Key Points:

• This project of solar and wind energy will prove to be a milestone in the field of energy for Bhopal city.
• Bhopal Municipal Corporation will save Rs 14 crore every year from this project. It will increase further in the coming times.
• With this project, Bhopal Municipal Corporation will get electricity at the same rate for the next 25 years.
• At present, Rs 12 crore per month is being spent on electricity. Solar plants are being installed in all the zonal offices of the Municipal Corporation, implemented through two projects for the next 25 years. With these projects, 60 percent power demand of Municipal Corporation Bhopal will be met.
• Important aspects of the projects -
  • This is the first grid-connected open-access project to be set up by any urban body in the country.
  • This is the first hybrid project to be set up in Madhya Pradesh, in which solar and wind energy will be used together.
  • It is the first renewable project based on power banking regulation.
  • About 60 percent of the power demand of Municipal Corporation Bhopal will be met by these projects.

State-level meeting of Narcotics Coordination Mechanism

Why in News?

On 9 May 2023, under the chairmanship of Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, a state-level meeting of the Narcotics Coordination Mechanism was held in ministry to make Madhya Pradesh drug-free.

Key Points:

• It was informed in the meeting that the state has been declared first in the country and Datia district as the best district in the country by the social justice department of the central government in the ‘Drug-free India campaign’.
• It is known that in 2022 in Madhya Pradesh, the action was taken by registering 4740 crimes under the NDPS Act and by arresting 5673 accused.
• In this meeting, the Chief Minister instructed that the people involved in the drug business are the most dangerous and dangerous criminals, and strict action should be taken against them. The property of such persons should be identified and confiscated.
• Use the latest technology to control drugs and their business. Intelligence systems should be activated & strengthened and best practices & innovations released in other states should be implemented in the state.
• To make the youth aware, run a mass awareness campaign in the state on a wide scale. Special vigilance should be exercised in schools, colleges and slum areas.
• The youth should be administered an oath not to take drugs, for this, activities should be conducted in schools and colleges at the beginning of the next academic session.
• Drug de-addiction centers should be operated in the state as per the requirement. It is necessary to conduct continuous activities for control of drug-related activities, de-addiction and public awareness against drugs.
• District-level committees of the Narcotics Coordination Mechanism should meet every month and information about the action taken by them should be placed before the state-level committee.
• Courts should be constituted immediately in the districts of the state where NDPS courts are not constituted.

Agreement Signed Between AIIMS & PCB to Study the Side Effects of Pollution on Health

Why in News?

On 9 May 2023, an MoU was signed between the Madhya Pradesh Pollution Control Board (MP PCB) and All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Bhopal for a joint study and research on 'Impact of environmental pollution on human health'.

Key Points:

• The MoU was signed by Chandramohan Thakur, Member Secretary, MP PCB Board and Dr. Ajay Singh, Director & Executive Officer, AIIMS.
• The agreement made by the subject matter experts of both the institutes will set a new example in the country for the health security of future generations.
• A joint study by the experts of both the institutes will find out what are the ill effects of various pollutants present in the environment on human health and what diseases are caused by them.
• Pollution will help in preventing serious diseases like cancer, respiratory and heart diseases & on the basis of these, health policy will be decided.
• This research will also be helpful in the research work being done in other states. At present the agreement has been made for 2 years. This agreement may also be extended based on the findings of the study.
• This agreement will prove to be a turning point in the control of air pollution and diseases caused by it. This will be of great help in the study of various diseases caused by pollution in different regions. Due to the availability of authentic data, it will help in making an effective health policy in the country and the state.
• It is known that water pollution also causes many infectious and serious diseases. The joint study is a unique initiative towards the control and eradication of these diseases, which will set an example before other states.