• 11 Feb 2025

Status of Jal Jeevan Mission in Jharkhand

Why in News?  

The Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) in Jharkhand has been disrupted in eight districts, affecting thousands of households. 

 Key Points 

• The 'Har Ghar Nal Jal' scheme, under the JJM aims to provide clean drinking water to every home, has been halted in Pakur, Sahibganj, Dhanbad, Dumka, Garhwa, Gumla, Latehar, and Simdega for the past two months.   
• The primary reason behind this suspension is the non-release of funds by the central government, leading to contractors stopping work due to unpaid dues.  
  • The Jharkhand government has requested a sum of ₹6,324 crore from the central government to revive and expedite the mission's activities.  
• Launched in 2019, the Jal Jeevan Mission set an ambitious target of providing tap water connections to 62,55,717 households in Jharkhand by December 2024.  
  • However, as of now, only 34,19,100 households have received connections, covering just 54.66% of the target.  
• This figure is significantly below the national average of 79.79%, leaving around 45% of households without access to clean drinking water.  
• The Jharkhand government is now urging the central authorities to release the pending funds promptly to reinvigorate the mission.  

Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM)  

• About: 
  • Launched in 2019, it envisages supply of 55 litres of water per person per day to every rural household through Functional Household Tap Connections (FHTC) by 2024 which has been extended till 2028 in Budget 2025-26. 
  • JJM looks to create a jan andolan for water, thereby making it everyone’s priority. 
  • It comes under Ministry of Jal Shakti. 
• Aim: 
  • The mission ensures functionality of existing water supply systems and water connections, water quality monitoring and testing as well as sustainable agriculture. 
  • It also ensures conjunctive use of conserved water; drinking water source augmentation, drinking water supply system, grey water treatment and its reuse. 
• Features: 
  • JJM focuses on integrated demand and supply-side management of water at the local level. 
  • Creation of local infrastructure for source sustainability measures as mandatory elements, like rainwater harvesting, groundwater recharge and management of household wastewater for reuse, is undertaken in convergence with other government programmes/schemes. 
  • The Mission is based on a community approach to water and includes extensive Information, Education and Communication as a key component of the mission. 
• Implementation: 
  • Paani Samitis plan, implement, manage, operate and maintain village water supply systems. 
    • These consist of 10-15 members, with at least 50% women members and other members from Self-Help Groups, Accredited Social and Health Workers, Anganwadi teachers, etc. 
  • The committees prepare a one-time village action plan, merging all available village resources. The plan is approved in a Gram Sabha before implementation. 
• Funding Pattern: 
  • The fund sharing pattern between the Centre and states is 90:10 for Himalayan and North-Eastern States, 50:50 for other states, and 100% for Union Territories. 

Uttarakhand to Go Paperless for Land Registration

Why in News? 

The Uttarakhand government is set to implement a paperless system for land registrations across the state.  

 Key Points 

• The Department of Stamps and Registration has prepared a foundational framework for this initiative. 
• Finance Minister of the state Premchand Aggarwal announced that the "Uttarakhand Online Document Registration Rules 2025" will be presented for approval in the upcoming cabinet meeting.  
  • Upon receiving the cabinet's consent, the system will be formally implemented. 
• Digital Transformation of Land Registration:  
  • The new system aims to enhance the registration process by introducing paperless registration, Aadhaar authentication, and virtual registration procedures.  
  • Parties involved in property transactions will have the option to visit sub-registrar offices in person or complete document verification through video KYC (Know Your Customer).  
  • Sub-registrars will finalize the process using digital signatures and promptly notify the parties via WhatsApp and email. 
• Significance: 
  • Integrating Aadhaar authentication with the land transaction process is expected to improve public convenience and promote transparency.  
  • This move aims to curb fraudulent activities in the registration process. The government is committed to ensuring that the land buying and selling process is transparent and efficient. 

Aadhaar 

• Aadhaar is a 12-digit individual identification number issued by the Unique Identification Authority of India on behalf of the Government of India. The number serves as proof of identity and address, anywhere in India. 
  • The Aadhaar number is unique for each individual and will remain valid for life time. 
  • Aadhaar number will help the residents to avail various services provided by banking, mobile phone connections and other Govt and Non-Govt services in due course. 
  • Establishes identity of individuals on the basis of demographic and biometric information. 
  • It is a voluntary service that every resident can avail irrespective of present documentation.

Supreme Court Criticized States Over Illegal Ayurvedic Ads

Why in News? 

The Supreme Court criticized several states such as Jammu & Kashmir, Andhra Pradesh  and the Union Territory of Delhi for their failure to act against illegal advertisements promoting Ayurvedic, Siddha, and Unani drugs.  

• Chief secretaries of non-compliant states have been ordered to appear before the court via video conferencing to justify their inaction. 

 Key Points 

• Senior advocate acting as amicus curiae, pointed out that states were letting violators off with apologies and undertakings instead of taking stricter actions. 
• The court emphasized the need for states to enforce Rule 170 of the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945, to curb illegal advertisements effectively. 
  • Jammu & Kashmir along with Andhra Pradesh, Delhi, Goa, and Gujarat have been directed to file affidavits regarding their enforcement of Rule 170 by the end of February 2025. 
    • Rule 170 deals with the power to take action against objectionable or misleading advertisements about Ayurvedic, Siddha, and Unani drugs. 
• Background of the Issue: 
  • In August 2024, the Supreme Court stayed a notification by the Ministry of Ayush that omitted Rule 170, calling it contradictory to its 7 May, 2024, order. 
    • The apex court on 7 May, 2024 directed that before an advertisement was permitted to be issued, a self-declaration should be obtained from the advertisers on the line of the Cable Television Networks Rules, 1994. 
  • The Ministry of Ayush had earlier issued a letter in August 2023 advising states not to take action against violators, citing procedural delays in finalizing a gazette notification. 
  • The case stems from a 2022 petition by the Indian Medical Association, which alleged that Patanjali had launched a misinformation campaign against Covid vaccines and modern medicine. 

 Indian Medical Association (IMA) 

• Indian Medical Association is the only representative, national voluntary organisation of Doctors of Modern Scientific System of Medicine, which looks after the interest of doctors as well as the well being of the community at large.  
• IMA is a founding member of World Medical Association. 

Pollutants found in Varuna river

Why in News? 

Recently, zoologists from Banaras Hindu University (BHU) in a research confirmed the presence of about 1000 types of pollutants in the water of Varuna river . 

Key Points  

• Pollutants: Research has found that 580 pollutants have been found in Varuna river and 349 in Assi river. These include toxic chemicals like  Tert alkylphenols, Octylphenols, Butylphenols, Hexadecylphenols.  
• Effects: These pollutants are not only endangering  the ecosystem of the river but also human life in the following ways: 
  • Effect on aquatic life : Pollution is adversely affecting the lives of fish and other aquatic creatures. Due to which their mortality rate is increasing and reproductive capacity is decreasing. 
    • Its water is also polluting the water of River Ganga . 
  • Deterioration of water quality : Pollutants degrade the quality of water, thereby reducing the availability of potable water.  
  • Effects on human life: Drinking polluted water can cause health problems in humans . Not only can it lead to reduced fertility, but these pollutants can also cause serious diseases like cancer. 
• Previous report: Earlier also, the Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board had reported that the pollution of Varuna river was at dangerous levels. Before joining the Ganga in Varanasi, the Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) of Varuna was 12.40 milligrams per liter.  
• Revival of Varuna River: Although the Uttar Pradesh government is continuously making efforts to revive the Varuna River in Varanasi , such as desilting from Bhadohi to Ganga-Varuna Sangam , increasing green cover by planting trees along the river. Along with this, wetland areas will be created in various development blocks, which will improve the groundwater level and the water level of the river will be normal. 
  • Recently, the Green Strategic Partnership between India and Denmark has resulted in the establishment of Smart Laboratory on Clean Rivers (SLCR) in Varanasi . It aims to revive the Varuna River using a sustainable approach . 

Varuna River: 

• It is a small tributary of the Ganga. 
• It originates from Phulpur in Prayagraj district and meets the river Ganga near Sarai Mohana in Varanasi district. 
• The district 'Varanasi' is named after two rivers, Varuna and Assi . 
• Sarnath is situated at the confluence of the rivers Ganga and Varuna . 

Saddle Dam

Why in News? 

The Chief Minister inspected the saddle dam upstream of Rana Pratap Sagar Dam at Rawatbhata. 

Key Points  

• The Chief Minister reviewed the progress of the proposed works and gave necessary instructions to the concerned officials.  
• The officials of the Department of Water Resources, Govt. of Rajasthan gave him detailed information about  Rana Pratap Sagar-Brahmani flood protection management and water diversion project at Bisalpur Dam.  
• The surplus water of the Saddle Dam will be taken to Bisalpur Dam by connecting it to the Brahmani River . This will enable maximum use of surplus water and there will be no wastage of water. 
  • Under this project, a barrage is proposed to be built on the Brahmani river at Shripura village. Also, under the project, construction of tunnels and filling of Garada, Abhaypura and Gudha dams of Bundi district are also proposed. 
•  Rana Pratap Sagar Dam: 
  • The Rana Pratap Sagar Dam is located on the Chambal River near the town of Rawatbhata in the Chittaurgarh district of Rajasthan . 
  • It is part of the Chambal Valley Project, which also includes the Gandhi Sagar and Jawahar Sagar Dams.  
  • The purpose of this dam is irrigation, hydroelectricity production and flood control . The reservoir created by the dam is known as Rana Pratap Sagar Lake . 

  Brahmani River 

• Brahmani River is a tributary of Chambal which originates from Madhya Pradesh and flows into Rajasthan. 
• It is worth noting that there is another river named Brahmani which originates from Dumka district of Jharkhand and flows eastwards into the state of Odisha.  
  • This river is formed by the confluence of the Shankh and South Koel rivers near Rourkela. 

Ladli Behna Scheme

Why in News? 

Under the Ladli Behna Yojana in Madhya Pradesh, the monthly assistance amount will be increased from the present Rs 1250 to Rs 3000. 

 Key Points  

•  About the Scheme:  
  • Objective: The main objective of Ladli Behna Yojana is  to economically empower the women of Madhya Pradesh . 
    • Under the Ladli Behna Yojana, so far, Rs. 1553 crore has been transferred to the accounts of 1.27 crore women beneficiaries. 
    • The state government increasing the amount to Rs. 3000 per month, more women will now be able to take advantage of this and improve their economic condition. 
• This scheme was launched by the state government in May 2023 and under this, married women between 21 and 60 years of age were initially given assistance of Rs 1000 which was later increased to Rs 1250 per month.  

• Eligibility and Rules:  
  • The annual income of the woman's family should be less than Rs 2.5 lakh. 
  • No member of the family holds a government job. 
  • Apart from this, the family should not have more than 5 acres of land or tractor or four-wheeler. 

More than 100 schemes inaugurated in Nawada

Why in News? 

The Chief Minister of Bihar laid the foundation stone and inaugurated more then 142 schemes during the Pragati Yatra in Nawada, Bihar. 

Key Points  

• During his Pragati Yatra, the Chief Minister presented several development schemes to Nawada district.  
• The Chief Minister inaugurated 142 schemes worth Rs 138.06 crore out of 202 schemes worth Rs 211.96 crore and laid the foundation stone of 60 schemes worth Rs 73.89 crore. He also reviewed other development schemes in the district. 
• Major Development Schemes:  
  • Medical college and hospital will be constructed in Nawada. 
  • A degree college will be established in Rajauli sub-division. 
  • A multi-purpose auditorium will be constructed in Nawada district. 
  • Ganga water will be supplied to the remaining 27 wards in Nawada Municipal Council. 
  • Industrial area will be developed in Rajauli of Nawada. 
• Significance: These development schemes will accelerate social and economic development in Nawada district and provide better facilities to the local people, which will improve the fields of education, health and employment. 

Nawada District  

• The history of Nawada district is associated with the Magadha Empire and the people of this region speak Magahi.  
• Due to being covered in forest in ancient times, it was also mentioned during the Pandavas' exile. 
  • Even today many blocks of Nawada are surrounded by forests, like Rajauli, Kauakol, Govindpur etc.  
• The word Nawada is made up of two words "Nav" and "Aabad", that is, the human settlements that developed to the north of the Khuri River were newly inhabited.  
• Presently, Nawada district is bordered by Koderma district of Jharkhand in the south.  
• This district, which came into existence on 26 January 1973, was earlier a sub-division under Gaya district. 
• Nawada district has many major tourist places like Kakolat Falls, Prajatantr Dwar, Sitamarhi, Narada Museum, Sekhodevra and Guniaji Tirtha etc.