• 10 Jul 2024

Early Neurological Disorder Detection

Why in News?

According to the sources, the researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology-Banaras Hindu University (BHU) Varanasi have developed a groundbreaking 'lab-on-chip' device that can detect early-stage diseases with remarkable accuracy. 

Key Points

• This innovative breakthrough holds the potential to transform healthcare by enabling faster and more reliable identification of neurological conditions like Parkinson's disease, depression, and Schizophrenia.
• The innovation by the scientists at the Nanomaterials for Electronics and Energy Devices (NEED) lab at IIT-BHU has the potential to revolutionize the comprehension of brain function and pave the way for new treatments for neurological disorders at a very early stage. 
• The newly developed device incorporating metallic nanoparticle decorated atomically-thin, two-dimensional (2D) semiconductor leverages advanced Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) technology. 
  • This allows for the detection of minute concentrations of neurotransmitters like dopamine with unparalleled precision and speed.
• The implications of such innovation are profound, where developing novel materials and transforming them into a device could potentially support the various national missions of device manufacturing, as proposed by the Government of India.

Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS)

• SERS is a commonly used sensing technique in which inelastic light scattering by molecules is greatly enhanced when the molecules are adsorbed onto corrugated metal surfaces such as silver or gold nanoparticles (NPs).
• It enhances the Raman scattering light from molecules, thus leading to effective analysis of the molecules.

Parkinson’s Disease

• Parkinson's disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that impairs movement and can lead to immobility and dementia over time.
• The disease usually occurs in older people, but younger people can also be affected. Men are affected more often than women.
• The prevalence of Parkinson has doubled in the past 25 years. India shares around 10% of the global burden of Parkinson's disease.

Schizophrenia

• It is a severe mental disorder, characterized by profound disruptions in thinking, affecting language, perception, and the sense of self. It affects more than 21 million people worldwide.
• Researchers believe that genetic as well as environmental factors such as exposure to viruses contribute to causation, and also life stressors may play a role in the disorder’s onset and course.

No Registration Tax on Hybrid Cars

Why in News?

Recently, The Uttar Pradesh government has decided to waive the registration tax on strong hybrid cars. This decision is a significant boost for green vehicles.

Key Points

• This move will mainly benefit car manufacturers such as Maruti Suzuki, Toyota Kirloskar Motor, and Honda Cars India. Customers can save up to Rs 3.5 lakh.
• Uttar Pradesh imposes 8% road tax on vehicles under Rs 10 lakh and 10% tax on vehicles over Rs 10 lakh (ex-showroom). 
  • The road tax waiver is not expected to greatly affect state revenue because of low hybrid vehicle sales.
• Hybrid vehicle sales are gaining traction due to factors such as ease of ownership, not needing dedicated charging infrastructure like Electric Vehicles (EVs), better mileage than petrol cars, and lower acquisition costs.
  • In 2023, The state announced a three-year tax and registration fee exemption for purchasing EVs, with a five-year exemption for EVs manufactured within the state.

Hybrid Vehicles

• Hybrid vehicles combine a traditional Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) with an Electric Propulsion system, allowing the vehicle to operate using either or both power sources.
• There are different types of hybrid systems, but the most common ones include parallel hybrids (both the engine and electric motor can power the vehicle independently) and series hybrids (only the electric motor drives the wheels, while the engine generates electricity).

Rajasthan Aims for Self-Reliance in Power and Energy

Why in News?

The Rajasthan government aims to produce 30 gigawatt (Gw) of solar power by the end of FY25 to become self-reliant in the power and energy sector.

Key Points

• In March 2024, The state government and Neyveli Lignite Corporation Limited (NLC) India signed an agreement to form a joint venture for setting up a 1,000 megawatt (Mw) solar power plant and a 125 MW lignite-based power plant in Bikaner, with an investment of over Rs 7,000 crore.
  • The government also approved land for four major solar projects to make the state a leader in energy self-sufficiency. 
  • The projects include three solar parks in Bikaner totaling 2,450 MW and a 500 MW project in Phalodi.
• The state is also strengthening the PM Kusum Solar pump plant, which will assist in installing solar pumps in more than 50,000 farms and produce 200 MW of electricity.
  • The initiative also encourages the adoption of renewable energy sources and plays a significant part in revitalizing the agriculture sector in the state through the implementation of solar-powered pumps.

PM-KUSUM (Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha Evam Uttham Mahabhiyan)

• The PM-KUSUM scheme was launched by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) to support installation of off-grid solar pumps in rural areas and reduce dependence on grid, in grid-connected areas.
• The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) had in February 2019 approved the launch of the scheme with the objective of providing financial and water security.
• The government’s Budget for 2020-21 expanded the scope for the scheme with 20 lakh farmers to be provided assistance to install standalone solar pumps; another 15 lakh farmers to be given help to solarise their grid-connected pump sets.
• This will enable farmers to set up solar power generation capacity on their barren lands and to sell it to the grid.

Rajasthan Budget 2024

Why in News?

Recently, Rajasthan's state finance minister Diya Kumari has unveiled the comprehensive Budget for the fiscal year 2024-25.

Key Points

• Under Jal Jeevan Mission Projects, Rs 20,370 crores will be allotted for six projects covering 5,846 villages.
• Rs 5,180 crores for projects in 185 urban settlements over the next two years, under the Amrut 2.0 Projects.
• Rs 187 crores for small projects, including the construction of service reservoirs and pipelines in Ajmer.
• Generation target increased to 33,600 MW.
• Lok Parivahan Sewa will be implemented to improve rural connectivity.
• 208,000 homes to receive connections within two years; PM Suryaghar Yojana to create model solar villages; 2.5 million smart meters to be installed to prevent electricity leakage.
• Modern shelters and charging stations in major cities; 300 electric buses to enhance public transport.
• Rs 60,000 crores for new road projects, including bypasses, state highways, and infrastructure enhancements; Rs 9,000 crores for road repairs, railway bridges, underpasses, and beautification projects.
• Introduction of New Industrial Policy 2024 and a New Export Promotion Policy, 2024.
• Nine greenfield expressways with a total length of over 2750 km will be constructed. 
• A budget of Rs 650 crores has been allocated for setting up 71 solid waste processing plants in cities, 131 legacy waste management centers, and for implementing vehicle tracking systems and Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) technology to improve waste collection management.
• A budget of Rs 100 crore has been allocated for the Jaipur Walled City Heritage Development Plan, which is intended to preserve monuments and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization Heritage site.
• Under the "One District One Product" initiative, a new policy will be introduced. Annually, a budget of Rs 100 crore will be allocated for this purpose. 
  • To promote local products, incentives will be provided under the "Vocal for Local" scheme.

Department of Good Governance and Convergence

Why in News?

Recently, The Chhattisgarh government decided to form a separate “Good Governance and Convergence Department” for the effective implementation of state government welfare policies, good governance, and addressing public issues.

Key Points

• In a cabinet meeting it was decided that the department will now incorporate e-Review, e-Public Service Guarantee, and Digital Secretariat, which are currently part of the General Administration department.
• It has also approved the amendment of Chhattisgarh Government Work (Allocation) Rules and implementation of the National Education Policy 2020.
• Under Mukhyamantri Aawas Yojana, the registration date to provide housing to homeless, economically weaker, and lower-class families in Naya Raipur is also extended.

National Education Policy (NEP) 2020

• About:
  • The NEP 2020 aims at making “India a global knowledge superpower”. It is only the 3rd major revamp of the framework of education in India since independence.
    • The two earlier education policies were brought in 1968 and 1986.
• Salient Features:
  • Ensuring Universal Access at All Levels of schooling from pre-primary school to Grade 12.
  • Ensuring quality early childhood care and education for all children between 3-6 years.
  • New Curricular and Pedagogical Structure (5+3+3+4) corresponds to the age groups of 3-8, 8-11, 11-14, and 14-18 years respectively.
    • It covers four stages of schooling: Foundational Stage (5 years), Preparatory Stage (3 years), Middle Stage (3 years), and Secondary Stage (4 years).
  • No hard separations between arts and sciences, between curricular and extracurricular activities, between vocational and academic streams;
  • Emphasis on promoting multilingualism and Indian languages.
  • Setting up of a new National Assessment Centre, PARAKH (Performance Assessment, Review, and Analysis of Knowledge for Holistic Development).
  • A separate Gender Inclusion fund and Special Education Zones for disadvantaged regions and groups.

Madhya Pradesh Launches Probe in New Tiger Reserve

Why in News?

Recently, The Madhya Pradesh government has initiated an inquiry into the alleged poaching of tigers and irregularities in the newly established Veerangana Durgavati Tiger Reserve.

Key Points

• The forest department launched the probe following an allegation of serious negligence in the conservation of tigers, tiger safari and management of forest property in the reserve.
  • There is also alleged large-scale illegal tree cutting and transportation of wood in the Bara Beat area of the Nauradehi Sanctuary.

Veerangana Durgavati Tiger Reserve

• It is the seventh tiger reserve in the state and the 54th in India.
• It is spread across Sagar, Damoh and Narsinghpur districts of Madhya Pradesh and covers an area of 2,339 square kilometres.
• Parts of the reserve fall under the Narmada and Yamuna River basins and the Singorgarh Fort is located within the reserve.

Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary

• Nauradehi sanctuary is located in Madhya Pradesh’s Sagar district.
• It was found to be the most suitable area for the cheetahs as its forests are not very dense to restrict the fast movement of the fastest land animal. 
  • And the prey base for cheetahs is also in abundance at the sanctuary.
• This is the largest wildlife sanctuary of Madhya Pradesh in terms of area covered.
• It is located in the centre of the state covering parts of Sagar, Damoh, Narsinghpur, and Raisin Districts.  
• The protected area sits astride two major river basins of India, namely the Narmada and Ganges.