State PCS

• 15 Jun 2024

Credit Flow to Startups and Rural Enterprises

Why in News?

The Uttar Pradesh government has eased institutional credit flow to startups and rural enterprises to provide financial assistance and generate self-employment opportunities for the youth.

• Separately, the state tourism department has also signed two agreements for improving rural tourism and creating employment.

Key Points

• The state plans to fund about 8,300 enterprises under two credit schemes: Mukhyamantri Yuva Swarojgar Yojana (MYSY) and Mukhyamantri Gramodyog Rojgar Yojana (MMGRY).
  • According to a State Level Bankers' Committee (SLBC) report, 6,259 and 723 units have been approved under MYSY and MMGRY, respectively.
• Startups and rural enterprises have got institutional funding worth more than Rs 163 crore.
  • Under MYSY, the state offers loans of up to Rs 25 lakh to set up industries and up to Rs 10 lakh for the service sector entities.
  • UP is home to nearly 52 government-recognised incubators and more than 7,200 startups registered with the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade.
• The signed agreements will foster sustainable tourism and community empowerment and augment facilities and infrastructure, offering tourists an authentic experience of rustic village life.
  • The memoranda of understanding have been signed with the State Rural Livelihood Mission (UPSRLM) and Manyawar Kanshiram Institute of Tourism Management.

Cholera Outbreak

Why in News?

Recently, panic struck the town of Phoop in Bhind district after a sudden cholera outbreak, which reportedly resulted in three deaths and at least 70 people falling ill from drinking contaminated water.

Key Points

• Cholera, a water-borne disease primarily caused by the bacteria Vibrio cholerae strains O1 and O139, poses a significant public health challenge worldwide.
  • Strain O1 is the predominant cause of outbreaks, with O139 occurrences being rare and mostly confined to Asia.
• It is an acute diarrheal illness caused by infection of the intestine.
• The infection is often mild or without symptoms, but sometimes can be severe.
  • Symptoms include Profuse watery diarrhoea, Vomiting, Leg cramps.
• A person may get cholera by drinking water or eating food contaminated with the cholera bacterium.
  • The disease can spread rapidly in areas with inadequate treatment of sewage and drinking water.
• Currently, there are three WHO pre-qualified oral cholera vaccines (OCV): Dukoral, Shanchol, and Euvichol-Plus. All three vaccines require two doses for full protection.
• A global roadmap to 2030, with a target to reduce cholera deaths by 90% was launched in 2017.

Renaming of Joshimath & Kosiyakutoli

Why in News?

Recently, the Centre approved the Uttarakhand government’s proposal for renaming the Joshimath tehsil in Chamoli district to Jyotirmath, and the Kosiyakutoli tehsil in Nainital district to Pargana Shri Kainchi Dham tehsil.

• This step will enhance the religious and cultural significance of these areas, in a state that is already a major destination for religious tourism.

Key Points

• Joshimath was in the news in 2023 after massive cracks developed in many of the town’s roads and hundreds of buildings due to land subsidence.
  • On the other hand, the Kosiyakutoli tehsil is well-known for Neem Karoli Baba’s Kainchi Dham Ashram.
• Jyotirmath (also known as Jyotir Peeth) is one of the four cardinal mathas (monasteries) that 8^th-century philosopher Adi Shankaracharya is believed to have established across India to promote the Advaita Vedanta philosophy.
  • The Jyotirmath was established for the preservation and dissemination of spiritual knowledge and practices.
• Jyotirmath was the hill town’s ancient name. Over time, the local population began referring to the area as “Joshimath”. This change was likely gradual and organic, influenced by regional languages, local dialects and the ease of pronunciation. The transition reflects a linguistic and cultural evolution rather than a specific historical event.
• In recent years, some residents have demanded a change in the name to honour the town’s historical and religious importance.
  • Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami announced the change during a programme organised in Chamoli in 2023.
• While Joshimath represents a subtle change from an older name, the case of Kosiyakutoli is about changing a lesser-known name that lacks wider recognition.
  • Renaming it to Pargana Shri Kainchi Dham aligns its identity with Neem Karoli Baba’s Kainchi Dham Ashram, which is a major site here that attracts devotees from across the world.
• In the name “Kosiyakutoli”, “Kosi” refers to the river of the same name which flows through the Nainital district and is important for the Kumaon region of Uttarakhand. Along with adding to the scenic beauty, it matters to the local ecology and economy.
  • The term “kutoli” is derived from the local language, referring to a village or settlement. In the Kumaoni language, naming a place after a prominent geographical feature like a river is common practice and the names often have meanings connected to the landscape, local history, or cultural attributes

GPS Tracking For Medicine Delivery

Why in News?

In order to strengthen its supply chain and facilitate smooth delivery of medicines, the Chhattisgarh Medical Services Corporation Limited (CGMSCL), responsible for procuring and distributing quality tested drugs and medical equipment to government health facilities in the state, has announced deployment of Global Positioning System (GPS) based tracking system.

Key Points

• In its latest order, CGMSCL has mandated the installation of GPS enabled devices on all its vehicles. The GPS data coupled with the in-house DPDMIS application enables easy tracking of any shipment from warehouse to facilities, thus determining accurate location and estimate approximate time of delivery.
• CGMSCL over the years has taken several initiatives to strengthen its supply chain primarily by augmenting the features of its in-house software DPDMIS (Drug Procurement and Distribution Management Information Systems), increasing efficiency of its warehouses and by operating vehicles for medical supplies to all hospitals.
• One of the key objectives of CGMSCL is to ensure availability of required medicines at the right place.
  • GPS based vehicle tracking system aims to aid store in-charges, warehouse managers and top management with features like real-time tracking, Estimated Time of Arrival (ETA) and proof of delivery.

Global Positioning System (GPS)

• The GPS was initiated by the US Department of Defense in 1973.
• GPS operates through satellite-transmitted radio signals at specific frequencies (L1 and the L2 frequencies at 50 bits/second), received and triangulated by GPS receivers, enabling precise location determination in three dimensions of space and one of time.