• 17 Jun 2024

Power Demand in UP Reaches High

Why in News?

According to the Grid India Power Supply Report, Uttar Pradesh achieved the first position in the country by supplying 28,889 megawatt (MW) of electricity, surpassing states like Maharashtra and Gujarat.

Key Points

• The power demand in Uttar Pradesh reached its highest ever due to the severe heatwave conditions and rising temperatures in the state.
  • Maharashtra, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, and Rajasthan met demands of 24,254 MW, 24,231 MW, 16,257 MW, and 16,781 MW respectively. 
• Uttar Pradesh's Power Department set a national record for the highest power supply during peak hours, demonstrating its strong energy infrastructure in the face of increasing demands.

Heat Waves

• Heatwaves are prolonged periods of excessively hot weather that can cause adverse impacts on human health, the environment, and the economy.
• India, being a tropical country, is particularly vulnerable to heatwaves, which have become more frequent and intense in recent years.
• India Meteorological Department (IMD) Criteria for Declaring Heat Wave in India:
  • Heat waves need not be considered till the maximum temperature of a station reaches at least 40°C for Plains and at least 30°C for Hilly regions.
  • If the normal maximum temperature of a station is less than or equal to 40°C, then an increase of 5°C to 6°C from the normal temperature is considered to be heat wave condition.
    • Further, an increase of 7°C or more from the normal temperature is considered a severe heat wave condition.
  • If the normal maximum temperature of a station is more than 40°C, then an increase of 4°C to 5°C from the normal temperature is considered to be heat wave condition. Further, an increase of 6°C or more is considered a severe heat wave condition.
    
    • Additionally, if the actual maximum temperature remains 45°C or more irrespective of normal maximum temperature, a heat wave is declared.

Uttar Pradesh Flood Management Programme

Why in News?

Recently, Uttar Pradesh has launched extensive preparations to safeguard the state from potential flooding. 

• He has directed officials to create a strong flood management plan, highlighting quick relocation steps for residents and livestock to safer areas.

Key Points

• The state administration has divided Uttar Pradesh into three flood management zones: 29 highly sensitive districts, 11 sensitive districts, and 35 normal districts. 
  • Teams consisting of officials from irrigation, agriculture, and animal husbandry departments are closely monitoring these areas.
• In order to enhance readiness, seven National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams, 18 State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams, and 17 Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC) teams have been strategically stationed.
  • 400 committed individuals known as 'Aapda Mitras' and 10,500 volunteers have been prepared by the state government to assist in case of emergencies. 
  • In addition, a detailed flood readiness guide has been provided to all districts to enhance preparedness.

National Disaster Response Force (NDRF)

• It is an Indian specialised force constituted under the Disaster Management Act, 2005.
• The responsibility of managing disasters in India is that of the state governments. The ‘Nodal Ministry’ in the central government for management of natural disasters is the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).
• It refers to trained professional units that are called upon for specialized response to disasters.

Aapada Mitra Programme

• About:
  • It is a Central Sector Scheme that was launched in May 2016. The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) is the implementing agency.
  • It is a programme to identify suitable individuals in disaster-prone regions who can be trained to be first responders in times of disasters.
• Aim:
  • To provide the community volunteers with the skills that they would need to respond to their community’s immediate needs in the aftermath of a disaster thereby enabling them to undertake basic relief and rescue tasks during emergency situations such as floods, flash-floods and urban flooding.

Cholera Outbreak

Why in News?

Recently, Panic spread through Phoop town in Bhind district due to a sudden cholera outbreak, resulting in the deaths of three individuals and the illness of around 70 others who drank contaminated water.

Key Points

• The residents of the area fell prey to cholera infection after drinking contaminated water supplied through the pipeline.
• According to the sources, the sewage water entered the drinking water supply pipeline due to ongoing civil work in the area. The water turned highly contaminated with bad odour.
• The District Magistrate stated that the situation was under control and the condition of the patients was stable. 
  • The pipeline leakages have been fixed, and clean/fresh water is now being supplied to the three wards. 
  • A team of doctors has also been deployed to monitor the situation, including water testing.

Cholera

• About:
  • 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:
  • Profuse watery diarrhoea, Vomiting, Leg cramps
• Transmission:
  • 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.
• Vaccine:
  • 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.

Madhya Pradesh's New Intra-State Air Service

Why in News?

Recently, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister launched intra-state air service named 'PM Shri Paryatan Vayu Seva' by flagging off the first flight under it from Bhopal to Jabalpur. 

Key Points

• In Madhya Pradesh, the cities of Bhopal, Indore, Jabalpur, Gwalior, Ujjain, Rewa, Khajuraho, and Singrauli will soon be linked by air travel. 
• As per officials, to enhance the air connectivity, a 50% discount on fares will be offered for a period of 30 days.
• Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board (MPTB) will manage the air service. The service is being operated through a Public Private Partnership (PPP) with M/s Jet Serv Aviation Private Limited (Flyola).

Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Model

• PPP is an arrangement between government and private sector for the provision of public assets and/or public services. Public-private partnerships allow large-scale government projects, such as roads, bridges, or hospitals, to be completed with private funding.
• In this type of partnership, investments are undertaken by the private sector entity, for a specified period of time.
• These partnerships work well when private sector technology and innovation combine with public sector incentives to complete work on time and within budget.
• As PPP involves full retention of responsibility by the government for providing the services, it doesn’t amount to privatization.
• There is a well defined allocation of risk between the private sector and the public entity.
• Private entity is chosen on the basis of open competitive bidding and receives performance linked payments.
• The PPP route can be an alternative in developing countries where governments face various constraints on borrowing money for important projects.
• It can also give required expertise in planning or executing large projects.

Action Plan to Make Champawat Model District

Why in News?

Recently, Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami reviewed the action plan and ongoing works to make Champawat district an ideal district at the Secretariat. 

• Champawat district is being taken as a model district to make Uttarakhand an ideal state.

Key Points

• Champawat has diverse geographical conditions including plains, terai, bhabar, and mountainous areas.
• The Chief Minister urged officials to swiftly implement the action plan for Adarsh Janpad Champawat, emphasizing the importance of advancing both development and heritage.
  • He also instructed officials to coordinate development work with ecological and environmental concerns. Preservation of natural heritage should be integrated into development efforts.
  • Champawat district offers numerous opportunities for religious, spiritual, and adventure tourism. 
• It is important to create three to four-day travel circuits to accommodate the needs of devotees and tourists visiting the district. 
  • Purnagiri temple attracts a large number of devotees, so it is crucial to make necessary arrangements to ensure their convenience.
• An action plan is being developed to promote tourism, agriculture, horticulture, healthcare, education, milk, and related products in Champawat district. The goal is to make Champawat an ideal state, with plans in place until 2030.
• Efforts are being made to ensure that every eligible person in the Champawat district benefits from public welfare schemes of the Central and State Government. 
• Special attention is given to exploring possibilities in solar energy. Additionally, there is a focus on addressing the increasing migration from rural to urban areas by giving special attention to town planning.

Purnagiri Temple

• Purnagiri is also known as Punyagiri. This temple is situated near the Sharda River. Purnagiri temple is also well known for its miracles.
• Maa Purnagiri Temple is situated at an altitude of about 3000 meters on the top of Annapurna Chhoti in the mountainous region of Tanakpur in Champawat district of Uttarakhand. 
• The temple is considered a Shaktipeeth and is one of the 108 Siddhapeeths. It is believed that the navel of Sati Mata had fallen at this place.

Yuva Mitras Protest in Rajasthan

Why in News?

Rajiv Gandhi Yuva Mitras, who lost their jobs after the change of power in the state, have intensified their protest in the districts and tehsils, demanding the reinstatement of their services.

Key Points

• It is possible that the Rajasthan government will introduce a new provision in the state budget to hire 8,000 yuva mitras within a revamped scheme.
• The current scheme, Rajasthan Gandhi Yuva Mitra, initiated by the previous government, is likely to be changed to Viksit Rajasthan Yuva Mitra.
• Before the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) was enforced for Lok Sabha elections, approximately 5,000 yuva mitras protested for over two months, seeking reinstatement in government jobs. 
  • The protest ended after the additional chief secretary (ACS) of the chief minister’s office (CMO) assured them that they would receive priority under the government's new scheme.

Rajeev Gandhi Yuva Mitra Internship Scheme (RGYMIS)

• Launched in 2021-22, the scheme aimed to provide practical work experience to young graduates and help them develop their skills and knowledge.
• Under this the interns were placed in various government departments and agencies, and they were provided a stipend of up to Rs 10,000.
  • Around 50,000 youngsters were enrolled under this program.
• According to the Department of Economics and Statistics, the scheme was brought in to develop a pool of intellectual and self-motivated youths named Rajiv Gandhi Yuva Mitras (RYM).
• The initiative also aimed to educate people about governance and build their confidence in the government and ensure that their basic needs are met at their doorsteps.