Top News Highlights- 9 August 2024

Table of Contents

PM-KUSUM Scheme Performance Issues

Underperformance: PM-KUSUM has achieved only 30% of its targets, causing concerns about meeting its 2026 deadline.
Implementation Challenges: Most progress has been under component B; components A and C lag significantly.
Recommendations: A decentralized implementation model and increased financial assistance are suggested to improve scheme viability.

Progress Report: Out of 457 projects, 280 have been completed. The mission focuses on pollution abatement and rejuvenation of the River Ganga.
Operational Achievements: Four new projects have been operationalized, significantly enhancing sewage treatment capabilities.

Conservation Efforts: Chhattisgarh approves the proposal to notify Guru Ghasidas Tamor Pingla as a Tiger Reserve.
Significance: This will be the third-largest Tiger Reserve in India, playing a crucial role in the conservation of diverse wildlife.

Project Scope: Aims to irrigate 3.7 lakh hectares in Vidarbha, enhancing agricultural productivity and water availability.
Strategic Importance: Part of the broader National River Linking Project, addressing water scarcity and flood management issues.

Supreme Court Ruling: Delimitation Commission’s decisions are subject to judicial review, ensuring adherence to constitutional values.
Implications for Elections: This ensures a fair and equitable process in electoral boundary setting and seat allocation.

South China Sea Focus: Recent joint military exercises highlight the strategic importance and contested nature of the South China Sea.
India’s Role: Increased military and diplomatic engagement with regional players like the Philippines and Vietnam.

Innovation in Safety: KAVACH 4.0, an indigenous Automatic Train Protection system, aims to enhance railway safety and efficiency.
Technological Advancement: Features include centralized monitoring, automatic braking, and prevention of signal passing at danger.

Health Alert: WHO raises concerns about a superbug that could cause severe infections even in healthy individuals.
Global Impact: The bacteria’s presence in multiple environments poses significant challenges for public health systems worldwide.

PM-KUSUM: Aim at increasing solar capacity in the agricultural sector to reduce dependency on diesel.
Namami Gange Mission: Focuses on cleaning and rejuvenating the Ganga with comprehensive waste management solutions.
National River Linking Project (NRLP): Aims to transfer water from surplus to deficit areas to improve water availability across India.
Delimitation Commission: Responsible for redrawing the boundaries of various electoral constituencies based on the latest census.