National
Unified Registration Portal for GOBARdhan
⇒ The Union Minister for Jal Shakti, Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat launched the Unified Registration Portal for GOBARdhan on 01 June 2023.
- The portal will act as a one stop repository to assess investment and participation in Biogas/CBG sector at pan India level and more importantly streamline the process of setting up CBG/Biogas plants in India.
Developed by:
As the nodal department for GOBARdhan, Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation (DDWS), Ministry of Jal Shakti has developed this portal (gobardhan.co.in).
Key features:
- Any government, cooperative or private entity operating or intending to setup a Biogas/CBG/Bio CNG plant in India can obtain a registration number by enrolling in this unified registration portal.
- The registration number will enable availing of multitude of benefits and support from the Ministries & Departments of Government of India.
About GOBARdhan:
- Galvanizing Organic Bio-Agro Resources Dhan (GOBARdhan) is a vital umbrella initiative of Government of India, based on the whole of Government approach and aims to convert waste to wealth towards promoting circular economy.
- Government of India intends to build a robust ecosystem for setting up Biogas/Compressed Biogas (CBG)/ Bio-Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) plants to drive sustainable economic growth and promote a circular economy. The objective of GOBARdhan is to generate wealth and energy by converting cattle dung, agri residue and other organic waste into Biogas, CBG and bio fertilizers.
- This initiative comprises the entire gamut of schemes, programmes, policies promoting the conversion of organic waste like cattle dung, agri-residue etc. to biogas/CBG/Bio CNG.
- GOBARdhan is being implemented in partnership with State Governments and Private Sector including entrepreneurs, societies etc.
- Any plant/project producing CBG/Biogas (more than 10 cuM/day) and bio slurry as principal outputs is eligible to be under the ambit of GOBARdhan.
- It encompasses schemes/programmes under various Ministries & Departments viz. Waste to Energy Scheme of M/o New and Renewable Energy, SATAT (Sustainable Alternative Towards Affordable Transportation) scheme of M/o Petroleum and Natural Gas, SBM(G) Phase II of DDWS, Agri Infrastructure Fund (AIF) of Dept. of Agriculture Cooperation & Farmers Welfare and Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund (AHIDF) of Dept. of Animal Husbandry & Dairy.
- Other stakeholder Ministries are M/o Housing and Urban Affairs, D/o Agriculture Research and Education, D/o Rural Development, D/o Fertilizers, M/o Environment Forest and Climate Change, D/o Science and Technology, M/o Skill Development and Entrepreneurship.
- GOBARdhan initiative is envisioned to contribute significantly towards reaching India’s climate action goals particularly achieving net-zero emissions by 2070.
- Initiative will also augment nation’s efforts toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) viz. SDG 3: Good Health and Wellbeing, SDG 6: Clean Water & Sanitation, SDG 7: Affordable & Clean energy, SDG 13: Climate Action; amongst others.
- Further, the initiative contributes significantly towards circular economy, and Govt of India’s Mission LiFE.
Swachh Jal Se Suraksha Campaign Report Under Jal Jeevan Mission
⇒ The Union Minister for Jal Shakti, Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat released the report on progress under the Jal Jeevan Mission: Swachh Jal se Suraksha (SJSS) Campaign on 01 June 2023.
» The Campaign was organised from 2nd October, 2022 to 31st March, 2023 to impress upon the States/ UTs to make concerted efforts towards taking up water quality monitoring and surveillance activities as ‘Supply of Safe Water’ has been one of the key considerations under JJM.
- Under the campaign, several activities had been taken up including Testing of PWS sources in all villages for chemical parameters and bacteriological parameters (post monsoon); Water quality testing at household level in villages; Water quality testing in Schools and Anganwadi Centres; Remedial action taken for contaminated samples; and Training of women for water quality testing using FTK/ H2S vials at village level.
As a result of concerted efforts made by States/ UTs for water quality monitoring and surveillance during campaign period and progress reported on WQMIS portal, the activity-wise overall progress is as under:
- Water quality testing has been reported in 5.39 lakh (89.69 %) villages for chemical and in 4.47 lakh (74.46 %) villages for bacteriological contamination (post monsoon).
- Drinking water samples were tested in 6.58 lakh (67.63 %) schools and 7.16 lakh (67.43 %) anganwadi centres.
- 80 lakh women have been trained from 4.59 lakh (76.41 %) villages for water quality testing using Field Testing Kits (FTKs).
- Remedial action has been taken for 90.34% of contaminated sample reported.
» Performance of states/UTs was also measured during the Campaign.
- The states of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh emerged as the best performing states during the Campaign.
About JJM:
Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) was announced by Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi on 15 August, 2019 to make provision of potable tap water supply in adequate quantity, of prescribed quality on regular & long-term basis to every rural household.
National Training Centre for Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI)
⇒ The Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Dr Mansukh Mandaviya inaugurated the state-of-the-art National Training Centre for Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) at Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh on 31 May 2023.
e- learning app:
» On this occasion, an e- learning app- Food Safety and Certification (FoSTaC) developed by FSSAI was also launched.
- The App contains learning and training modules about food safety guidelines, such as proper food handling, storage, and hygiene practices etc., for street vendors.
» Dr. Mandaviya also released two books developed by FSSAI – Millets (Shree Anna) Recipes- A Healthy Menu for Mess/Canteens and Healthy Gut, Healthy You – Traditional recipes with potential probiotic benefits.
National Training Centre for Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI):
The National Training Centre of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India is an essential initiative aimed at providing structured instruction, practice, and learning experiences to bridge the gap between existing knowledge or skills and desired knowledge or skills in the field of food safety and standards.
Background:
- As mandated by the FSS Act 2006 and the Food Safety and Standards Rules, 2011, FSSAI is responsible for providing training to individuals involved in food businesses, including food business operators, employees, Food Safety Officers, and designated officers.
- Recognizing the importance of continuous skill upgrading for officials, food business operators, and other stakeholders, FSSAI has established the National Training Centre to offer various training programs.
- This dedicated center fills the void that previously existed, ensuring the development of a future-ready workforce committed to ensuring safe and wholesome food for the citizens of India.
Sports
2023 Men's Hockey Junior Asia Cup
⇒ The 2023 Men’s Hockey Junior Asia Cup took place at the Salalah Sports Complex in Salalah, Oman from 23 May to 1 June 2023.
- It was the 10th edition of the Men’s Hockey Junior Asia Cup, the men’s international under-21 field hockey championship of Asia.
- It was organized by the Asian Hockey Federation.
Winners:
- Defending champions India won their fourth title by defeating Pakistan 2–1 in the final of the 2023 Men’s Hockey Junior Asia Cup.
- South Korea won the bronze medal by defeating Malaysia 2–1.
Tournament awards:
- Goalkeeper of the Tournament: Mohith H.S. (India)
- Top Goal scorer: Abdul Rehman (Pakistan)
- Player of the Tournament: Abdul Shahid (Pakistan)
- Rising Player of the Tournament: Ahtisham Aslam (Pakistan)
Important Day
World Milk Day 2023
⇒ World Milk Day is observed every year on 01 June.
- The World Milk Day provides an excellent opportunity to raise awareness about the nutritional value and benefits of milk, recognize the contributions of dairy farmers, processors, and consumers.
Theme:
As per worldmilkday.org, the theme of World Milk Day 2023 was “showcasing how dairy is reducing its environmental footprint, while also providing nutritious foods and livelihoods.”
History:
- World Milk Day was introduced in 2001 by the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) to recognize the importance of milk as a global food.
- The day is intended to provide an opportunity to bring attention to activities that are connected with the dairy sector.
- World Milk Day (WMD) is yet to be recognized as an official international day by the United Nations, and as such the FAO Markets and Trade Division currently focuses on sourcing information about WMD celebrations and sharing it with the Dairy Market Network, and online.
The Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, in collaboration with the Agriculture Production Department, Government of Jammu and Kashmir, celebrated World Milk Day on 1st June, 2023.
» On this occasion, a two-day Summer Meet for the animal husbandry and dairying sector was organized on 1st-2nd June, 2023 at SKICC, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir.
- The Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, in collaboration with the Agriculture Production Department, Government of Jammu and Kashmir organised the Summer Meet.
- The objective of the Summer Meet was to draw out the expectations of states and UTs to create a convergence framework for effective programme implementation at the ground level, review the progress of schemes, and discuss outcomes and mid-course corrections.