• 22 Jun 2024

Avian Influenza Crisis Drill

Why in News?

The Ministry of Animal Husbandry, Fisheries and Dairying and the World Bank recently organized a two-day simulation exercise in Madhya Pradesh to improve readiness for Avian Influenza or Bird Flu, in light of reported cases nationally and worldwide.

Key Points

• The exercise held in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh involved 40 participants from different sectors who practiced outbreak detection, rapid response strategies, and inter-agency coordination to control the spread of avian flu.
  • The drill was conducted in response to the avian flu outbreaks in Kerala and the increasing global spillover cases affecting non-poultry species such as cattle.
  • The programme involved interactive scenarios mimicking real outbreak situations to provide crisis management experience.
• The simulation was led by Hikuepi Katjiuongua, a senior agriculture economist at the World Bank, and Frank Wong, an expert from the World Organisation for Animal Health, with the goal of reducing negative effects on animal and human health.

World Organisation for Animal Health

• It is an intergovernmental organisation responsible for improving animal health worldwide.
• In 2018, it had a total of 182 Member Countries. India is one of the member countries.
• It develops normative documents relating to rules that Member Countries can use to protect themselves from the introduction of diseases and pathogens. One of them is the Terrestrial Animal Health Code.
• It’s standards are recognised by the World Trade Organization as reference international sanitary rules.
• It is headquartered in Paris, France.

Avian Influenza

• About:
  • Avian influenza, often referred to as bird flu, is a highly contagious viral infection that primarily affects birds, particularly wild birds and domestic poultry.
  • In 1996, highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 virus was first identified in domestic waterfowl in Southern China.
  • The virus is named A/goose/Guangdong/1/1996.
• Transmission to Humans and Related Symptoms:
  • Human cases of H5N1 avian influenza occur occasionally, but it is difficult to transmit the infection from person to person. As per World Health Organisation (WHO), when people do become infected, the mortality rate is about 60%.
  • It can range from mild flu-like symptoms, including fever, cough, and muscle aches, to severe respiratory issues like pneumonia, difficulty breathing, and even cognitive problems such as altered mental status and seizures.

Digital Crop Survey

Why in News?

Madhya Pradesh Chief minister Mohan Yadav has declared the initiation of the Digital Crop Survey project across the state, commencing from the kharif season.

• This program will allow farmers to view their girdawari (regular harvest inspection) using advanced technology, ensuring quick insurance payments for crop damage and expediting the process of acquiring kisan credit cards.

Key Points

• The Digital Crop Survey initiative will involve young individuals in rural areas, utilizing advanced technology like geo-fencing.
  • This efficient method will simplify the process of capturing crop images in the field.
  • Every picture captured by the surveyor will have geographical coordinates attached, ensuring essential field visits and providing photographic proof of the crop conditions.
  • This setup enables farmers to check their land records and address any concerns they may have.
• By incorporating cutting-edge technology, the project seeks to encourage community engagement, ensuring widespread participation from the villagers.
  • Satellite imaging will provide valuable information on potential crops, allowing for a comparative assessment.
  • Any inconsistencies discovered will lead to necessary actions being taken by government officials.

Kisan Credit Cards

• The scheme was introduced in 1998 for providing adequate and timely credit support from the banking system, under a single window with flexible and simplified procedures to the farmers for their cultivation and other needs like purchase of agriculture inputs such as seeds, fertilizers, pesticides etc. and draw cash for their production needs.
• The scheme was further extended for the investment credit requirement of farmers viz. allied and non-farm activities in the year 2004.
• In the Budget-2018-19, government announced the extension of the facility of Kisan Credit Card (KCC) to fisheries and animal husbandry farmers to help them to meet their working capital needs.
• Implementing Agencies:
  • Commercial Banks
  • Regional Rural Banks (RRBs)
  • Small Finance Banks
  • Cooperatives

Geofencing

• Geofencing means “security by obscurity” measure, which allows those running websites to evade the most direct forms of cyber attacks from abroad by being fully inaccessible.
• Geofencing makes search engines less effective at indexing searched pages and turning them up in results.

Irrational Arrest Gross Violation of Human Rights

Why in News?

Recently, the Allahabad high court approved anticipatory bail for an individual charged under the Cow Slaughter Act, 1955 at Lanka police station in Varanasi.

• The court observed that irrational and indiscriminate arrest was a gross violation of human rights.

Key Points

• The courts have emphasized that arresting individuals should be a last resort for the police, only done in exceptional circumstances when it is absolutely necessary for interrogation.
  • Making unfounded and arbitrary arrests constitutes serious human rights violations.

Anticipatory Bail (Pre-arrest Bail)

• It is a legal provision that allows an accused person to apply for bail before being arrested.
• In India, pre-arrest bail is granted under section 438 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973. It is issued only by the Sessions Court and High Court.
• The provision of pre-arrest bail is discretionary, and the court may grant bail after considering the nature and gravity of the offence, the antecedents of the accused, and other relevant factors.
• The court may also impose certain conditions while granting bail, such as surrendering the passport, refraining from leaving the country, or reporting to the police station regularly.

Samarth Vriddh SEWA Ashram

Why in News?

Under the Samarth Vriddh SEWA Ashram Scheme 2024, the district administration is preparing to establish an old-age home in Gurgaon.

Key Points

• This initiative marks the inauguration of the first government-operated old-age home, and proposals are being welcomed from Non-governmental Organizations (NGOs), trusts, societies, and corporations as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) efforts.
• The initiative aims to provide a comfortable and safe environment for the elderly who require assistance and care.
• The old-age home will offer various facilities and services to ensure the well-being of its residents, such as nutritious meals, medical care, recreational activities, and social interaction opportunities.
• To access the scheme's benefits, individuals must possess the Parivar Pehchan Patra (PPP).
• The scheme categorizes beneficiaries into two groups: one includes those earning less than Rs 2 lakh per year, while the other comprises individuals earning over Rs 2 lakh annually but facing abandonment or lack of care.
  • Those falling under the first category will receive complimentary accommodation, while those earning above Rs 2 lakh will be enrolled in the 'Pay and stay' program, with fees determined by local authorities.

Parivar Pehchan Patra (PPP) Scheme

• The PPP scheme was formally launched in July 2019 to achieve Haryana government’s vision for ‘paperless’ and ‘faceless’ delivery of schemes, services and benefits offered by the state government.
  • Under this, each family is considered a single unit and gets an 8-digit unique identification number, called family ID.
  • Family IDs are also linked to independent schemes like scholarships, subsidies and pensions, so as to ensure consistency and reliability.
  • It also enables automatic selection of beneficiaries of various schemes, subsidies and pensions.
• The primary objective of Parivar Pehchan Patra (PPP) is to create authentic, verified and reliable data of all families in Haryana.

Samarth Vriddh SEWA Ashram Scheme, 2024

• This scheme was launched in 2024, by the Haryana government.
• The main objective of the Scheme is to improve the quality of life of Senior Citizens who are residents of the State by providing the following amenities:
  • To provide a secure and comfortable living space for the senior citizens, ensuring their physical and emotional well-being.
  • To promote a sense of independence and autonomy by assisting with daily activities such as bathing, grooming, and medication management.
  • To provide medical care and nursing support for those with chronic illnesses or disabilities.
  • To offer recreational activities, social events, and companionship to prevent social isolation and promote mental health.
  • To help the senior citizens learn new skills and guide them towards success in their fields of endeavour, instilling a sense of self-confidence and self-reliance.

Coal Supply to Rajasthan

Why in News?

Rajasthan is set to receive 400,000 metric tonnes of coal which had been stranded at the washing plants in Chhattisgarh.

• This incoming coal shipment will boost the supplies for the state's power stations, guaranteeing sufficient electricity for the residents.

Key Points

• Currently, all 23 power plants in the state are operational, receiving 25 rakes of supply, and maintaining a 7-day stock in advance.
• An additional 4 lakh metric tonnes will extend this stock by 4 days, as the thermal plants require 1 lakh metric tonnes daily to function.
• Aryan Coal Beneficiation India Limited (ACBEL) in Korba, Chhattisgarh, had been contracted by Rajasthan State Power Generation Corporation for five years to provide coal from South Eastern Coalfields Limited’s (SECL) mine to the Suratgarh and Chhabra thermal power plants.
  • However, in July 2022, ACBEL's washing facilities were closed by a joint effort of Chhattisgarh's state tax (GST) department, mineral department, revenue department, and environment department, leading to approximately 4 lakh metric tonnes of coal from Rajasthan being stranded in the washing facilities.

Suratgarh Thermal Power Plant

• Suratgarh Super Thermal Power Station is Rajasthan's first super thermal power station.
• It is located 27 km away from Suratgarh town in Ganganagar district. The power plant is operated by Rajasthan Rajya Vidyut Utpadan Nigam Ltd (RVUNL).
• The power plant has 6 units that can produce 250 megawatt and 2 units can produce 660 MW.

Chhabra Thermal Power Plant

• Chhabra Thermal Power Plant is one of Rajasthan's coal fired power plants.
• It is located in Rajasthan's Baran district.
• The planned capacity of the power plant is 2320 MW.