ASSAM

Schools not to open in Assam till cases dip below 2% across districts

The Assam government will not reopen schools unless the Covid positivity rate dips below two per cent across all districts, the state education department said.

The new SOP published by the Assam State Disaster Management Authority directed all education institutions, including schools, colleges and universities, to continue to provide quality virtual options and said there would be no in-person classes. Online education amid a lingering second wave has posed a big hurdle for students from underprivileged backgrounds as they are not able to afford the necessary infrastructure.

The positivity rate of the state in the last seven days (from July 20 to July 26) has been 1.24%. Though most of the districts are maintaining below two per cent positivity, in the hill districts of Dima Hasao and West Karbi Anglong, it’s still 5.27% and 2.13% respectively. In five other districts, the positivity rate is hovering between 1.50 and 1.99%. These are Dhemaji (1.62%), Golaghat (1.94%), Kamrup (1.79%), Karbi Anglong (1.50%) and Nalbari (1.73%). During the seven days, 10,939 cases were positive.

NORTH-EASTERN STATES

Assam sounds high alert along Nagaland border

Amid the stand-off with Mizoram in Cachar that cost five cops their lives, Assam on Tuesday beefed up security along another potential border flashpoint — its long-disputed boundary with Nagaland in Jorhat district, reports Anup Dutta.

“Security forces have been put on high alert at all vulnerable points along the inter-state boundary to pre-empt any untoward incident,” said a senior police officer in Jorhat. “We have received strict instructions to ensure law and order in the disputed areas. Besides anti-social elements, members of some rebel groups are active along the border.”

INTERNATIONAL

Wobble Effect of Moon – NASA

The Moon’s Wobble has been identified by NASA as a potential issue in the near future.

About the Moon’s Wobble:

When the moon orbits an elliptical orbit, its speed changes, causing our view of the “bright side” to appear at a slightly different angle. This is the so-called Moon’s wobble, or this is how it looks in our eyes

It is a regular swaying (Oscillation) in the moon’s orbit, as well as a cyclical shift of the moon’s orbit.

NATIONAL

Aaykar Diwas – 24th July

The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) observed the 161st Income Tax Day (also known as Aaykar Diwas) on July 24 2021.

Highlights:

In India, the Income Tax Day is celebrated every year on July 24, as it was on July 24 1980, that Income Tax was introduced in India by Sir James Wilson. The purpose of this tax was to compensate for the losses incurred by the British during the 1st war of independence against British Rule in 1857. July 24 was first celebrated as Income Tax day in 2010.

Launch of E-100 Pilot Project

The E-100 Pilot Project has been launched. On World Environment Day, the E-100 Pilot Project was launched in Pune (5 June). The project’s goal is to build a nationwide network for ethanol production and distribution.

About Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) Programme:

The Ethanol Blended Petrol Program was established in 2003 with the goal of encouraging the use of renewable and environmentally friendly fuels while reducing India’s reliance on imports for energy security.

The government has set a target of 10% ethanol blending by 2022 and 20% blending (E20) by 2030,with a starting of 5% blending.

The programme is carried out in accordance with the National Biofuels Policy.

Oil marketing companies (OMCs) will purchase ethanol from domestic sources at government-set prices under this programme.

Establishment of Dairy Investment Accelerator

The government has established the Dairy Investment Accelerator.

About the Dairy Investment Accelerator:

♦ The Dairy Investment Accelerator was established by the DAHD (Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying) of the Government of India under its investment facilitation cell.

♦ The goal is to devote special attention to promoting and facilitating investment in the Indian dairy sector.

♦ This Investment Accelerator is a cross-functional team formed to act as a point of contact for investors. It will provide assistance throughout the investment cycle:

♦ Providing specific inputs for investment opportunity evaluation

♦ Answering questions about government scheme applications

♦ Making contact with strategic partners

♦ Providing on-the-ground assistance in collaboration with state departments and relevant authorities.

Catch the Rain Project – Jal Shakti Abhiyan

The National Water Mission’s (NWM) “Catch The Rain” campaign, with the tagline “Catch the rain, where it falls, when it falls,” to promote states and stakeholders to create appropriate rainwater harvesting structures (RWHS) and suitable for climatic conditions and the underground formation before the monsoon season.

The main activities of this campaign include:

♦ Drive making inspection dams
♦ Water harvesting pits
♦ Rooftop RWHS
♦ Encroachment removal and de-silting of tanks to increase storage capacity
♦ Removal of impediments in the channels that bring water to them from catchment areas.
♦ Step-well repairs
♦ Restoring water to aquifers using defunct borewells and unused wells
♦ States have been asked to set up “Rain Centres” in each district/collectorate/municipality or GP office to facilitate these activities.
♦ The center will serve as a technical guidance center for everyone in the area to learn how to catch rain, when it falls, and where it rains.

Clean Ganga Fund – CGF

The Government of India established the Clean Ganges Fund (CGF) in accordance with the Indian Trust Act of 1882. As a trust, it allows Indian residents, non-resident Indians (NRI) and people of Indian descent (PIO), and enterprises (public and private sectors) to Contribute to the protection of the Ganges.

Donations to the Clean Ganga Fund fall within the scope of corporate social responsibility activities as defined in Schedule VII of the 2013 Companies Act.

Bhartiya Prakritik Krishi Padhati – Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana

Since 2020-21, the government is implementing Bhartiya Prakritik Krishi Padhati as a sub-program of Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana to promote traditional indigenous customs and practices.

About Bhartiya Prakritik Krishi Padhati (BPKP):

♦ The scheme focuses primarily on eliminating all synthetic chemical inputs and promoting on-farm biomass recycling, with a particular emphasis on –
♦ Mulching with biomass
♦ Utilization of cow dung-urine formulations
♦ Plant-based preparations
♦ Soil aeration is done on a regular basis.
♦ Under BPKP, financial assistance of Rs 12,200 per hectare is provided for 3 years for cluster formation, capacity building, and continuous management of well-trained personnel, certification and residue analysis.

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