‘Poor Welfare Conference’
Why in News
• Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi addressed ‘Garib Kalyan Sammelan’ in Shimla, Himachal Pradesh.
Key point
• This unique public event is being organized in state capitals, district headquarters and Krishi Vigyan Kendras across the country to commemorate the completion of eight years of the government led by Prime Minister Modi.
• The concept of this conference is to enable the elected public representatives across the country to interact directly with the public to get feedback about the various welfare programs being run by the government.
• The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi also released the 11th installment of financial benefits under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-Kisan) scheme.
• With this, an amount of about 21,000 crores will be transferred to more than 10 crore beneficiary farmer families.
• On this occasion, the Prime Minister also interacted with the beneficiaries of (PM-Kisan) across the country.
• The needy farmers of the country are taking advantage of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana being run by the Central Government.
• Under this scheme, 6 thousand rupees are given annually to the eligible farmers. This money is sent directly to their bank account. This money is given to the farmers in installments of Rs.2-2 thousand.
Updated Biodiversity Policy-2022
Why in News
• National Thermal Power Corporation – NTPC Limited, India’s largest integrated power producer, has released the updated Biodiversity Policy-2022 to establish a comprehensive approach and guiding principles for the conservation, recovery and enhancement of biodiversity.
Key point
• This Biodiversity Policy is an integral part of NTPC’s Environment Policy. Its objectives are in line with environmental and sustainability policies.
• Further, this policy has also been designed to help all professionals of NTPC Group to contribute towards the achievement of the set goals in this field.
• NTPC has always been cautious about avoiding activities and selecting project sites in areas with high biodiversity.
• The company is currently making efforts to avoid loss of biodiversity on all existing platforms.
• Leading energy producer NTPC aims to Keystream the concept of biodiversity in its value chain and integrates NTPC’s business units for sustainable management of biodiversity in all decision-making processes to ensure the diversity of the earth and its surroundings. A precautionary approach is to be taken.
Purpose
• This policy also aims to adopt a systematic consideration of local threats to biodiversity outside of the Company’s business activities.
• NTPC was the first PSU to issue Biodiversity Policy in 2018. In the same year NTPC became a member of India Trade and Biodiversity Initiative (IBBI).
• NTPC, as part of its capacity building, is raising awareness about biodiversity among local communities, staff and its partners through project-specific and national level training in collaboration with experts.
• NTPC is also collaborating with local communities, organizations, regulatory agencies and research institutions of national/international repute in the field of biodiversity.
• Further, NTPC shall comply with the legal compliance with respect to Biodiversity by following the rules and regulations relating to Environment, Forest, Wildlife, Coastal Zone and Green Zone during the planning and execution of its projects.
• In a major initiative by NTPC, the company has signed a five-year agreement with the Andhra Pradesh Forest Department for the conservation of Olive Ridley turtles in the coastline of Andhra Pradesh. The number of hatchings in sea water has increased by about 2.25 times since the intervention of NTPC with a financial contribution of Rs.4.6 crore and increased community participation.
Russia and oil imports
Why in News
• European Council President Charles Michel said on 31 May 2022 that EU leaders have agreed to impose sanctions on ‘more than 2/3’ of Russian oil imports on the first day of the summit in Brussels.
Key point
• The leaders of the European Union (EU) have agreed to cut Russian oil imports by 90 percent.
• The decision was taken at a summit focused on a long-pending package for new financial aid to Ukraine.
• The sanctions in this decision also include Russian oil brought by sea. It also provides temporary exemption for imports by pipeline. Hungary’s approval was crucial for consensus on this decision.
Oil imports to the EU
• European Union Council President Charles Michel said the deal covers more than two-thirds of all oil imported from Russia.
• The head of the EU’s executive branch, Ursula von der Leyen, said the punitive move would effectively cut oil imports from Russia to the EU by about 90 percent by the end of 2022.
• European Council President Charles Michel tweeted that an agreement has been reached to ban Russian oil exports to the EU.
• It currently covers more than 2/3 of oil imports from Russia. It is very important to exert maximum pressure on Russia to end the war.
• European Union Council President Charles Michel told that the leaders have also agreed to provide 09 billion euros to Ukraine to save the economy of the war-torn country.
• The European Union (EU) has decided to cut oil imports from Russia by 90 percent by the end of 2022.
West Nile virus (WNV)
Why in News
• After the tomato flu, now the West Nile virus has started spreading in Kerala. A 47-year-old man has died of West Nile Fever in Kerala. While issuing guidelines regarding West Nile Fever, the state government has asked people to be careful.
Key point
• There has been no death due to this virus in Kerala after three years. Earlier in the year 2019, a 6-year-old child also died of this fever.
• Kerala Health Minister Veena George has clarified on this matter that there is nothing to worry about. Health Minister Veena George said that districts have been warned to be careful.
West Nile virus (WNV)
• The Department of Health said that West Nile fever is transmitted by mosquitoes of the Culex species. It was first found in 1937 in Uganda.
• Case of this fever was first reported in Kerala in the year 2011.
• According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there have been cases of humans being infected with this virus in many countries in 50 years.
• Mosquitoes are believed to be the cause of the spread of this virus to humans. This virus mostly spreads in birds. This virus comes from birds to mosquitoes and from mosquitoes to humans.
Symptoms
• According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 80 percent of those infected with this virus do not show any symptoms. However, 20 percent of infected become victims of West Nile fever.
• West Nile fever causes headache, fatigue, fever, vomiting, and sometimes a red rash on the skin. Severe illness can cause headache, stiffness in the neck, high fever, tremors, muscle weakness, convulsions, and paralysis.
Treatment and prevention:
• There is currently no vaccine to protect humans from this virus. It can be treated if there is a fever and after the virus is confirmed.
• To avoid this virus, it is very important to keep cleanliness around you and do not allow mosquitoes to breed.
• The easiest way to avoid this virus is to keep cleanliness around you and do not allow mosquitoes to breed.