Addapedia Odisha | Daily Current Affairs | 17 February 2024 | Download PDF

• Despite facing severe challenges from nature, Himachal Pradesh is projected to experience a GDP growth of 7.1%. 
• The State’s economy has shown resilience despite the heavy monsoon rains that caused significant damage in July 2023. 
• In the financial year 2023-24, the GDP growth is expected to increase from 6.9% in the previous year to 7.1%.

Key points:

• The Economic survey projects that the State’s real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) at constant prices will increase by over ₹9,428 crore in the current financial year compared to the previous year.
• The survey highlights Himachal Pradesh’s substantial hydroelectric potential, with the State possessing about 25% of the national potential. 
• It is estimated that about 24,000 MW of hydroelectric power can be generated from the construction on the five perennial river basins in the State. 
• Currently, 11,209 MW of the total hydroelectric potential have been harnessed.

• DAC(Defence Acquisition council) has approved new deals including torpedoes and refueller aircraft, among others, worth ₹84,560 crore. 

Key points:

• These deals aim to enhance the attacking capabilities of submarines, improve reconnaissance, and strengthen maritime capabilities. 
• The approval includes the procurement of heavy weight torpedoes for Navy’s submarines, flight refueller aircraft for the Air Force, and other equipment like anti-tank mines, radars, and software-defined radios. 
• Additionally, amendments to the Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) 2020 were approved, focusing on benchmarking, cost computation, payment schedule, and procurement quantity.

• A recent study suggests that the Gulf Stream could collapse as soon as 2025, potentially leading to a mini ice age. 

Key points:

• The Gulf Stream is a major ocean current that profoundly impacts climate, weather, and marine ecosystems, starting in the Gulf of Mexico and extending across the Atlantic Ocean to Europe.
• It flows northeastward along the eastern coast of the United States before veering eastward into the Atlantic Ocean and towards Europe.

Impacts:

• The Gulf Stream’s impact on climate and weather has significant economic implications for industries like agriculture, fishing, tourism, and transportation. 
• It influences sea routes and shipping lanes, affecting navigation and trade between North America and Europe. 
• For example, ports such as Miami and Savannah in the USA benefit from the Gulf Stream’s moderating influence, maintaining relatively mild temperatures year-round.
• Similarly, the Port of Rotterdam in the Netherlands and the Port of Hamburg in Germany benefit from the Gulf Stream, facilitating year-round shipping activities without significant interruptions due to ice formation. 
• The Port of Antwerp in Belgium also benefits. Changes in the Gulf Stream could have far-reaching consequences for coastal communities, economies, and ecosystems.

• India has encouraged Central Asian nations to utilize the Chabahar port in Iran to boost connectivity and trade with India and other global partners. 

Key points:

• During the sixth Regional Dialogue of Secretaries of Security Councils/National Security Advisers on Afghanistan in Bishkek, India’s Deputy National Security Adviser, Vikram Misri, emphasized the need for an “inclusive and representative” government in Afghanistan, advocating for a consensus-based approach towards the Taliban-led administration.
• In discussions with representatives from Iran, Russia, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, and Turkmenistan, Misri extended invitations for Central Asian neighbors to leverage the Chabahar port and the Shahid Beheshti terminal for maritime trade with India and beyond. 

Chabahar port

• Chabahar Port, situated in southeastern Iran on the Gulf of Oman, is Iran’s sole oceanic port, comprising two separate ports named Shahid Kalantari and Shahid Beheshti. 
• It is approximately 170 kilometers west of Gwadar, a Pakistani port. 
• The port is strategically located on the Makran coast of Sistan and Baluchistan Province, at the mouth of the Strait of Hormuz, providing Iran with direct access to the Indian Ocean. 
• Due to its proximity to Afghanistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and other Central Asian countries, it is often referred to as the “Golden Gate” to these landlocked nations. 
• Chabahar is also 700 kilometers away from Zahedan, the capital of the Sistan and Baluchistan province.

• The Odisha state Cabinet has approved the creation of the Odisha Culture Development Service (OCDS) Cadre to attract high-quality professionals. 
• This decision, made during a Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, is part of a restructuring process aimed at attracting skilled individuals to promote, protect, and conserve the Odia language, literature, and culture, thereby fostering overall cultural growth in the state.

Key points:

• Additionally, the Cabinet has approved the creation of several positions within the OCDS Cadre, including Culture Development Officer, Assistant Director of Culture, Deputy Director of Culture, Joint Director of Culture, and Additional Director of Culture. 
• These new positions aim to enrich the state’s culture and heritage while meeting the necessary human resource needs.

IDHMTD

• The Cabinet has approved Rs 1412.79 crore for the implementation of the Integrated Development of Heritage & Monuments and Tourist Destination (IDHMTD) scheme from 2020-21 to 2026-27.
• The IDHMTD scheme aims to preserve and revitalize heritage monuments and temples in Odisha, showcasing the state’s unique character through integrated development.
• A total of 159 projects have been initiated under this scheme, with an estimated total cost of Rs 1412.79 crore.

• The Cabinet approved the recruitment of 7,142 accountant-cum-data entry operators for the gram panchayats, panchayat samitis, and districts of Odisha.
• The purpose of these positions is to improve the regulation of official transactions, manage records, and oversee financial management of government schemes.
• Additionally, the Cabinet increased the financial power of engineering personnel and administrative authorities for smoother execution of developmental projects.
• Assistant executive engineers now have a technical sanction power of Rs 10 lakh, while superintending engineers and executive engineers can sanction Rs 4 crore and Rs 1 crore respectively.
• For projects exceeding Rs 4 crore, the chief engineer will have the technical sanction power.
• The administrative approval power of collectors for projects under the Panchayati Raj department has been raised from Rs 50 lakh to Rs 1 crore.

A new express train linking Puri and Ayodhya will be operational by July or August this year, announced Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw.

Key points:

• Vaishnaw highlighted the Centre’s focus on Puri in Odisha, noting that the first Vande Bharat Express in the state originated from there. The redevelopment of the Puri railway station, initiated 18 months ago, is progressing well and will provide a modern and comfortable experience for the lakhs of passengers and devotees who travel through it.

• The Odisha Cabinet has approved the NUA-O Scholarship Scheme along with 11 other proposals. 
• This new scheme is designed to support undergraduate (UG) and postgraduate (PG) students across the state.

About:

• Under this scheme, students will receive an annual scholarship of Rs. 9,000 for boys and Rs. 10,000 for girls. 
• SC/ST students and children of construction workers pursuing UG/PG courses will receive higher scholarships of Rs. 10,000 and Rs. 11,000 for male and female students respectively.
• The scheme has a total outlay of Rs. 3701.08 crores over 5 years, from 2023-24 to 2027-28.

• 70 lakh Self-Help Group (SHG) members in Odisha are set to receive financial assistance for uniforms, with the state cabinet approving a Rs 730 crore scheme. 
• Each member will receive Rs 1,000, and 1.5 lakh SHG leaders will receive Rs 2,000 each for purchasing blazers. 
• This decision, made during a Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, aims to empower women through the Mission Shakti initiative, which has been instrumental in transforming SHGs into drivers of economic growth and social change. 
• The state government’s commitment to women’s empowerment has resulted in increased participation in various sectors, promoting economic independence.

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