Top News Highlights- 9 August 2024

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.

Namami Gange Mission 2.0 Updates

• 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.

Chhattisgarh’s New Tiger Reserve

• 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.

Wainganga-Nalganga River Linking Project

• 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.

Judicial Review of Delimitation Commission’s Decisions

• 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.

Military Exercises and Strategic Alliances

• 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.

Development of KAVACH 4.0 by Indian Railways

• 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.

WHO Warning on Hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumonia

• 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.

Key Concepts and Policies

• 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.