Addapedia Odisha | Daily Current Affairs | 06 March 2024 | Download PDF

• Recently, S Krishnan, Secretary of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), inaugurated two significant initiatives in Kerala: a Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Intelligent Internet of Things (IIoT) Sensors and India’s first graphene center – the India Innovation Centre for Graphene (IICG).

About India Innovation Centre for Graphene (IICG):

• Collaborative Initiative: Funded by MeitY, the Government of India, the State Government of Kerala, and Tata Steel Limited, along with various industries.
• Implementing Partners: Centre for Materials for Electronics Technology (C-MET), Digital University Kerala (DUK), and Tata Steel Limited.
• Objective: To explore the science and technology of graphene and other 2D materials, fostering partnerships between industry and academia for innovative research with practical applications.
• International Collaboration: Aims to attract leading international research on graphene to India and bridge the gap between scientific advancements and industrial applications.
• Facilities: Plans to establish facilities and acquire sophisticated equipment to support research aligned with industry needs.

Main Research Areas Include:

• Large-scale and large area single/few-layer graphene production in collaboration with Indian graphene industries.
• Nanoscale carbon and other 2D material composite technology.
• Research and development of graphene optoelectronic products such as graphene intelligent windows and touch screens.
• Development of graphene-based smart integrated devices on flexible/transparent substrates with energy storage capabilities.
• Exploration of graphene energy conversion devices like supercapacitors, fuel cells, and batteries.
• Advanced lithographic techniques for device fabrication.

Read about Graphene and its Properties

• The Supreme Court overturned the 1998 PV Narasimha Rao judgment, which granted immunity to MPs and MLAs under Articles 105(2) and 194(2) of the Constitution for accepting bribes related to voting or speeches in the legislature.

Key points:

• Articles 105 and 194 of the Constitution grant powers and privileges to MPs and MLAs in the Parliament and legislative assemblies. 
• These articles provide legal protection to lawmakers, ensuring their freedom of speech and protecting them from prosecution for their remarks or votes in the House.

1998 Judgment Overturned: 

• The recent verdict overturns the 1998 judgment in the PV Narasimha Rao case. 
• This case involved allegations that legislators of Jharkhand Mukti Morcha accepted bribes during a no-confidence motion in 1993. 
• The Supreme Court, in a 3:2 majority ruling, had granted immunity to MPs and MLAs from prosecution in bribery cases if they fulfilled their end of the bargain. However, the recent decision nullifies this immunity.

Significance of the Verdict: 

• This decision is crucial in combating cash-for-votes practices and preserving the integrity of electoral processes. 
• Previously, MPs and MLAs could not be prosecuted for accepting bribes related to voting or speeches. 
• Now, they can be prosecuted as soon as they accept a bribe, with no immunity provided by the House in such cases.

• March 4: International HPV Awareness Day
• January: Cervical Cancer Awareness Month

Key points:

• • Cervical cancer affects the cervix, the lower part of the uterus.
  • HPV vaccination prevents cervical cancers.
  • Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer among women globally.
  • Over 300,000 women die from cervical cancer annually, about one every two minutes.
  • Nine out of 10 women who die from cervical cancer live in lower- and middle-income countries.
  • In India, cervical cancer is the second most common cancer after breast cancer.
  • Around 500 million women above 15 in India are at risk of cervical cancer.
  • Without action, cases and deaths from cervical cancer are expected to rise significantly by 2040.
• By 2040, India is estimated to have 191,347 new cases of cervical cancer, a 54% increase from 2020.

Prevention Strategies:

• Cervical cancer is caused by certain types of papillomaviruses (HPV).
• Two major prevention strategies: HPV vaccination and screening for precancerous lesions.

WHO’s Strategy by 2030:

Targets:

• 90% of girls to be fully vaccinated with HPV vaccine by age 15.
• 70% of women screened for precancerous lesions by ages 35 and 45.
• 90% of women with detected pre-cancer or cancer lesions receive treatment.
• Emphasizes high-quality and equitable healthcare services.

• The Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG), Girish Chandra Murmu, has announced the establishment of the Supreme Audit Institution India’s International Centre for Audit of Local Governance (iCAL) in Rajkot, Gujarat.

Significance:

• To enhance auditing of local governments, capacity building of auditors and local government employees is crucial to improve financial management practices and internal controls.
• Open communication with local government officials can facilitate the audit process, improve data accessibility, and foster cooperation in addressing audit findings.
• The establishment of iCAL aims to achieve these objectives.

The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG):

• The CAG is India’s supreme audit institution, established in 1858 under Article 148 of the Constitution of India.
• It is known as the “Guardian of the Public Purse” and operates independently.
• The duties and powers of the CAG are outlined in Article 149 and 150 of the Constitution.

Appointment:

The Comptroller and Auditor-General of India is appointed by the President of India.

Removal:

The CAG can only be removed by an address from both houses of parliament on the ground of proved misbehavior or incapacity.

• Recently, Minister Chauhan launched the Department of Telecommunications (DoT)’s ‘Digital Intelligence Platform (DIP)’ and ‘Chakshu facility on Sanchar Saathi portal.

About Digital Intelligence Platform (DIP):

• Developed by DoT, it’s a secure platform for real-time intelligence sharing among stakeholders like Telecom Service Providers (TSPs), law enforcement agencies (LEAs), banks, social media platforms, etc.
• Contains information on detected misuse of telecom resources.
• Provides useful information to stakeholders.
• Acts as a repository for citizen-initiated requests on the Sanchar Saathi portal.

Chakshu – Citizen Centric Facility:

• • Newest addition to Sanchar Saathi portal.
• Allows reporting of suspected fraud communications.

• Reports can include KYC expiry, updates to bank accounts/payment wallets/SIM cards/gas/electricity connections, sextortion, impersonation scams, disconnection of mobile numbers by DoT, etc.
• Victims of cyber-crime or financial fraud should report to the cyber-crime helpline 1930 or the Government of India’s cybercrime website.

• Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik launched the Nabin Odisha Magic Card from Malkangiri district in virtual mode, on the occasion of legendary Biju Patnaik’s birth anniversary today.
• ‘Nabin Magic Card’ is designed for both undergraduate and postgraduate students.
• An online registration portal for this card was also launched by the CM.

Key points:

• This initiative, aligned with the 5T framework, promises to revolutionize higher education and empower youth to pursue their aspirations.
• The Magic card will implement a point-based system, classifying students into Silver, Gold, and Platinum categories based on academic performance, discipline, extracurricular activities, and social contributions.
• These cards will offer various benefits including transportation discounts, phone recharges, Wi-Fi access, online courses, and career guidance.
• The Magic card will also facilitate job placements by sharing student data with potential employers, acting as a LinkedIn-style platform for industry interaction.
• The distribution of the cards will commence on August 15th of this year.

• PM Modi inaugurated the Indian Oil Corporation Limited Mono Ethylene Glycol project in Paradip Refinery, aimed at reducing India’s import dependency.
• He also inaugurated a 344 km-long product pipeline from Paradip in Odisha to Haldia in West Bengal, enhancing the import infrastructure on the Eastern Coast.
• In the road infrastructure sector, Modi dedicated four-laning projects including Singhara to Binjabahal Section of NH-49, Binjabahal to Tileibani Section of NH-49, Balasore-Jharpokharia Section of NH-18, and Tangi-Bhubaneswar Section of NH-16. He also laid the foundation stone for the eight-laning of the Chandikhole-Paradip Section.
• The railway network saw expansion with the dedication of the 162 Km Bansapani – Daitari – Tomka – Jakhapura Rail Line, enhancing transportation of Iron and Manganese ore from Keonjhar District to ports and steel plants.
• Inauguration of the CONCOR Container Depot in Kalinga Nagar aims to boost domestic and international trade. Foundation stones were also laid for the Electric Loco Periodical Overhauling Workshop at Narla, the Wagon Periodical Overhauling Workshop at Kantabanji, and the upgradation and augmentation of maintenance facilities at Baghuapal.
• PM Modi also inaugurated a 5 MLD capacity seawater desalination plant at Odisha Sands Complex of IREL(I) Ltd, a project developed with indigenous desalination technologies.

• Odisha’s SSEPD(The Social Security and Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities) Department signed an MoU with IIT Bhubaneswar for technological solutions in visually impaired education.

Key points:

• The collaboration aims to enhance education quality for visually impaired students.
• IIT Bhubaneswar’s SRIC will work with the Exclusive Tinker Lab on modern learning methods like Coding, Micro bit, 3D Painting, Games, Animation, Mobile Apps, Machine Learning, AI, and Robotics.
• The project will provide screen reading software, software applications, and devices for effective digital book access and content creation.

• Chief Minister and BJD president Naveen Patnaik launched the revamped website of the party on Biju Patnaik’s birth anniversary.

Key points:

• The website highlights the 5T-led transformation pillars including women empowerment, inclusive development, tribal welfare, youth & sports, agriculture, and IT.
• It emphasizes the party’s commitment to empowering people and making them partners in the state’s progress.
• A dedicated section lists all state government schemes beneficiary-wise to help people understand and benefit from them.
• The website encourages people to join hands in realizing the vision of a “New Odisha and Empowered Odisha.”

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