• 19 Oct 2021

Deputy Speaker of Legislative Assembly of Uttar Pradesh

Why in News

• On October 18, 2021, rebel Samajwadi Party MLA Nitin Agrawal was elected Deputy Speaker of the 17th Legislative Assembly of Uttar Pradesh, defeating his lone Samajwadi Party rival Narendra Singh Verma.

Key Points

• Voting for the Deputy Speaker's election began at 11 am after the House proceedings began and Speaker Hriday Narayan Dixit announced the result at 4 pm.
• 368 MLAs voted against the total 403 members of the Assembly, out of which four votes were declared invalid. Nitin Agarwal got 304 votes, while Narendra Singh Verma got only 60 votes.
• The Congress and the Bahujan Samajwadi Party boycotted the election, while the rebel MLAs of both the parties voted in favor of either the BJP or the Samajwadi Party. Members of the Samajwadi Party protested the election and wore black badges.
• The ruling BJP had fielded rebel Samajwadi Party MLA Nitin Agarwal as its candidate for the vice-president's post. Despite the lack of numbers, the main opposition party, the Samajwadi Party, had also filed its candidate Narendra Verma's nomination for the post.
• The BJP has a total of 304 seats in the present (17th) assembly. Samajwadi Party has 49 MLAs, Bahujan Samaj Party has 16, Apna Dal (Sonelal) has 9, Indian National Congress 7 and Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party has 4 MLAs. There are 3 independents, 2 unaffiliated members and 2 other members while 7 seats are vacant. There is also a nominated member from the Anglo-Indian community.

UPTTI Experts Made Fabric Neutralized with UltraViolet Rays

Why in News

• Recently, experts of Uttar Pradesh Institute of Textile Technology (UPTTI) have designed a fabric which is not affected by sunlight and ultraviolet rays.

Key Points

• The fabric is made from nylons derived from the bio-polymer lignin, a plant-derived plant originating in South Africa.
• This cloth will also give relief to the people from the scorching heat and will also be comfortable for the body.
• UPTTI got this research published in the Polish Journal and has also applied for a patent for this technology.
• The bio-polymer lignin is used in building and road construction in South Africa, but it is the first time it has been used in textiles by experts at UPTTI.
• This technique is 1/3 times cheaper than the dye used in clothing. Dye can also harm the human body, but clothes made from this technology are completely safe for human use.
• This technology has been developed by Prof. Arun Singh Gangwar in collaboration with Prof. Prashant Vishnoi.
• UV (Ultra Violet) rays cause sunburn, body rash, skin cancer and many other types of problems. With the development of this technology these problems can be reduced.
• According to Prof. Gangwar, the ability of the fabric to absorb UltraViolet rays depends on the UltraViolet Protection Factor (UVPF). UVPF is considered good between 15 and 24, very good between 25 and 39 and best between 40 and 45.

Global Youth Tobacco Survey-State Fact Sheet Workshop

Why in News

• On October 18, 2021, Rajasthan's Medical Minister Dr. Raghu Sharma informed that according to the Global Youth Tobacco Survey conducted by the Union Health Ministry and International Institute for Population Sciences, the percentage of tobacco consumption among children in the age group of 13 to 15 years is 4.1 percent. This is better than the national average of 8.5 percent.

Key Points

• During this, the Medical Minister said through virtual medium that as per the commitment made in the public announcement of the State Government, the result of effective implementation of tobacco control activities in the State is that the State is among the leading States in the State Fact Sheet.
• Dr. Sharma said that the state government has banned the sale, distribution, storage and advertisement of electronic cigarettes in the state with effect from 30th May, 2019 to prevent drug addiction among the youth. After this, electronic cigarettes were also banned by the Government of India.
• He said that a complete ban on hookah bar operation has also been imposed in the state. A fine of Rs 1 to 3 lakh and imprisonment of 6 months to 1 year has been made for violation of the rules of hookah bar operation ban.
• The Medical Minister said that under the 'Nirogi Rajasthan' campaign, one woman and one male health friend, who do not use any kind of intoxicants, had been selected in each revenue village by the state government. A total of 94 thousand health friends were selected and the work of publicity of health activities was started at the village level, in which de-addiction and tobacco control were also included prominently.
• In the workshop, Professor Muraleedharan of International Institute for Population Sciences, Mumbai told that 2 thousand 735 children of 34 schools of the state were asked various questions in the survey. According to the survey, 90 percent of the children admitted that the habit of using tobacco was first formed from school itself. Tobacco use was more common among children in rural areas than in cities. He said that the percentage of tobacco consumption among girls in this age group is similar.

Hybrid Switchgear Module Technology

Why in News

• Recently, Madhya Pradesh Power Transmission Company has used Hybrid Switchgear Module System for the first time in the state in the expansion of transmission system in Indore. MD Palande and Manish Khare, Executive Engineers posted at Shakti Bhawan, Jabalpur Headquarters, have developed and implemented this module system according to the system of Madhya Pradesh Power Transmission Company.

Key Points

• This technology has been used by the transmission company in a newly installed transformer of 50 MVA capacity at 220 KV sub station Bicholi located in Indore East.
• In this, the system receiving the supply from the transformer is connected using underground insulated cable at 33 kV voltage level. For the first time in Madhya Pradesh, such high capacity insulated cable has been used for a 33 kV main system.
• Due to lack of space in the already established ultra high pressure sub-stations in densely populated cities including Indore, Jabalpur, Gwalior, Ujjain, there were some problems in expansion, to overcome them and to meet the increasing demand of electricity, Madhya Pradesh Power The transmission company has decided to adopt this new option in the transmission system of the state in the form of Hybrid SwitchGear Module technology.
• Managing Director Sunil Tiwari said that this is such a modular and compact design system used in power substations, whose model includes many different functions.
• This model is based on flexibility and adaptability for construction and expansion of substations. The hybrid model can be used for expansion or replacement of any conventional substation.
• It uses air-insulated switchgear and technology of sulfur hexafluoride based gas switchgear with high electrical resistance in a single model.
• This hybrid technology reduces the space used in substations by up to 50% and is a reliable and cost-effective solution for new installations or expansions.

National Merit Award 2018

Why in News

• On October 18, 2021, in the list of various categories of national awards released by the Union Ministry of Textiles, Rashida-B Abdul Kader Khatri, a female craftsman from Madhya Pradesh has been selected for the National Merit Award for the year 2018.

Key Points

• This award will be given to craftsman Rashida-B Khatri for the fine workmanship of 'tiger print' on the sheet. They have provided an attractive look by using natural colors in tiger printing.
• It is known that Rashida-B Khatri has mastered the art of tiger print stamp printing done in village Bagh of Dhar district of Madhya Pradesh. She is the only woman craftsman, who was also honored with two state level awards in the year 2012 and 2014.
• Rashida-B Khatri is the wife of national and international UNESCO award winner Late Abdul Kader Khatri, a world-renowned master craftsman for tiger prints. After the death of her husband in the year 2019, she along with her sons Arif Mohammad, Hameed and Mo Ali took up the task of promoting tiger print craft.

Covid-19 Sero Survey

Why in News

• On October 18, 2021, Haryana Health Minister Anil Vij released the report of the third round of COVID-19 sero survey conducted in September, 2021, showing the sero-positivity rate among the people of the state at 76.3 percent (urban 78.1 percent and rural 75.1 percent). While 8 percent in the first sero round and 14.8 percent in the second sero round was found.

Key Points

• The highest 85 percent sero-positivity was seen in district Kurukshetra and the lowest was seen in Faridabad 64.2 percent, but in Faridabad 14 percent sample could not be concluded due to some reason, so sero survey of Faridabad district will be done again.
• On this occasion, the Health Minister also released the book of report of the third round of sero survey.
• In the sero survey, 75.3 percent of men, 77.1 percent of women, 69.8 percent of children aged 6 to 9 years, 73.2 percent of children aged 10 to 17 years have been found. Whereas after vaccination, 81.6% positivity was found in people, 75.5 percent in non-vaccinated people.
• This sero survey was done to assess the presence of antibodies against SARS and CoV-2 as a result of COVID-19 vaccination or by natural infection. In this survey, the detection of natural and vaccination generated antibodies was surveyed and the spike protein test for antibodies formed after vaccination has also been done.
• The survey was conducted by the Health Department in collaboration with the Department of Community Medicine, PGIMS, Rohtak in all the districts of Haryana. In this round of sero survey, the sample size was increased to 36,520 as against 18,700 in the first round and 15,840 in the second round.
• In this survey, about 2200 officers and employees of the health department were engaged and a stratified multilevel random sampling technique was used and a total of 913 clusters were identified to collect 36,520 samples from all the districts of Haryana.
• Before conducting this survey, 2200 people were given several rounds of training by the IDSP cell of the state. Field activity was captured digitally on the 'Sero Survey Mobile Application' with geo-coordinates for field activity. The entire activity on the portal was being monitored live by the State IDSP Cell.

IANS-C Voter Governance Index

Why in News

• Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel is the best performing Chief Minister in the country according to the IANS-C Voter Governance Index released on October 18, 2021. Baghel has got the highest popularity rating among all the Chief Ministers.

Key Points

• Releasing its survey report, IANS has said that Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel has got this popularity due to the welfare schemes being run in the state.
• According to IANS, Bhupesh Baghel has started several welfare schemes in Chhattisgarh, including providing free education to children studying in private schools who have lost parents/guardians to COVID-19. The Chhattisgarh government is bearing the cost of education of such children under the 'Mahatari Dular Yojna'.
• According to NITI Aayog's SDG India Index Report-2020-21, Chhattisgarh is the top performing state in India on the gender equality parameter of the Sustainable Development Goals. NITI Aayog tracks the progress of all states and union territories on 115 indicators.
• Last year, Chhattisgarh scored 43 on the gender equality parameter and was ranked seventh in India. This year, Chhattisgarh scored 61 and topped the charts.
• Yashwant Deshmukh, Founder, C Voter said, “People have liked Chief Ministers who have decision-making abilities and have CEO-like style of work.”

Task Force on Participatory Democracy and Decentralized Planning

Why in News

• Recently, as per the intention of Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel and Chairman, State Planning Commission, a task force has been constituted by the State Planning Commission to give suggestions to the State Government regarding participatory democracy and decentralized planning.

Key Points

• Amarjit Bhagat will be the chairman of this task force, Minister Khad Yojana will be economic and statistics.
• The members of the task force include five honorable MPs, five MLAs, presidents of five district panchayats and presidents of two municipal corporations, municipalities and town panchayats and state presidents of recognized parties in the state. Apart from this, subject matter experts related to the field have also been included in the task force.
• The task force will be coordinated by the Secretary, Head of Department, Panchayat and Rural Development Department and Secretary, Urban Administration and Development Department.
• This task force will give suggestions on ensuring participation of citizens in planning. Apart from this, the empowerment of citizens for social audit, will suggest ways to train citizens for financial management and monitoring.
• Expert Task Forces are constituted from time to time by the State Planning Commission to give suggestions to the State Government, in which the eminent subject experts and grassroot workers of the country and local are included.
• After deliberation by the task force, appropriate policies are suggested to the state government.
• After the approval of the Chief Minister, various Task Forces have been constituted by the Planning Commission to give suggestions on relevant topics of development of the State.
• The subjects of the task force include school education, higher education, agriculture, water promotion, food processing and allied sectors, tribal development, forest and wildlife management, minor forest produce management, health, nutrition and food security, industry, village industries, skill development, high and technical Important topics like education and employment, social security, women empowerment, labor welfare, art, tourism, archeology and culture promotion are included.
• These task forces will suggest ways to solve the existing problems in the state. Ideas and suggestions are kept on the feasibility of implementing the policies, programs and best efforts found successful at the national and international level in the state and the schemes and programs run by the departments.

Uttarakhand Achieved Covid-19 Vaccination Target Ahead of Time

Why in News

• Recently, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami told reporters at the state secretariat that the state has achieved the target of giving the first dose of Covid-19 vaccine to the eligible population above the age of 18 years ahead of time.

Key Points

• Addressing the journalists, the Chief Minister said that the State Government would start immunization of children below 18 years of age as soon as necessary approvals were received.
• Dhami said that vaccination started in Uttarakhand on January 16, 2021, under which a total of 77,29,466 people above the age of 18 years were to be vaccinated.
• He said that first the health workers and then the frontline workers, the population above the age of 60, the population between the age of 45 years to 59 years and then the population above the age of 18 years were vaccinated respectively.
• Dhami said that till October 16, 99.6 percent of the state's health workers, 9.2 percent of frontline workers and 96.1 per cent of the population above 18 have been given the first dose of the vaccine.
• First dose vaccination has been given to all eligible people in the state except pregnant women, contrarian beneficiaries (severe illness, taking blood thinners) and those who are not interested in getting vaccinated.