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Odisha Current Affairs 2020
Table of Contents
Odisha Current Affairs - January 2020 ...............................................................................................................3
Odisha Current Affairs - February 2020 ............................................................................................................9
Odisha Current Affairs - March 2020 ............................................................................................................... 13
Odisha Current Affairs - April 2020 ................................................................................................................. 16
Odisha Current Affairs - May 2020 ................................................................................................................... 18
Odisha Current Affairs - June 2020 .................................................................................................................. 24
Odisha Current Affairs - July 2020 ................................................................................................................... 30
Odisha Current Affairs - August 2020 .............................................................................................................. 34
Odisha Current Affairs - September 2020 ....................................................................................................... 47

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Odisha Current Affairs - January 2020

4 Indian airports received international recognition for reducing emissions as per ACI
On January 10, 2020 the Airports Authority of India(AAI) has announced that 4 Indian airports have received
international recognition for reducing the carbon emission level as per the standards set by Airports Council
International (ACI) for the grading. The 4 airports are as follows:
Si.No Airport City and State
Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International
1 Kolkata, West Bengal
Airport
2 Biju Patnaik International Airport Bhubaneswar, Odisha
Varanasi, Uttar
3 Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport
Pradesh
4 Trivandrum International Airport Trivandrum, Kerala.
International recognition under ACI:
i.The above 4 airports have managed a transition from level 1 to level 2 and the grading system of ACI was adopted
by these 4 airports in 2018.
ii.ACA program: The reduction in emissions was achieved by constituting Carbon Management Plan(CMP) and
reducing carbon emissions at airports as per the Airport Carbon Accreditation (ACA) Program.
iii.As per data on CO2(carbon dioxide emissions) in 2015,16,17 and 18, these 4 airports witnessed reduction in the
emission levels.
iv.Grading system: ACI’s grading system is based on 4 categories. They are mapping, reduction, optimization and
neutrality.
v.Carbon mapping: It occurs when airport sets policy to reduce emissions and develop Carbon Footprint for the
airport’s scope-1 and scope-2 emission.
vi.Carbon reduction: it occurs when the airport shows the reduction in carbon emissions as compared to the base
year it has set.
About Airports Authority of India(AAI):
Headquarters- New Delhi.
Founded- 1 April 1995.
Chairman- Arvindh Singh.
Director General(DG) of Civil Aviation- Arun Kumar.
IR sets up govt’s 1st Waste to energy plant at Mancheswar Carriage Repair Workshop in Bhubaneswar,
Odisha
On January 22, 2020 Railway Board Member (Rolling Stock) Rajesh Agarwal inaugurated the East Coast Railway’s
(ECoR) waste to energy plant at Carriage Repair Workshop, Mancheswar (CRW/MCS) in Bhubaneswar, Odisha. It
is the fourth waste to energy plant in the country and first plant commissioned by Government sector and Indian
Railways (IR).
Key Points:
i.Total cost of the plant is Rs 1.79 crore and it can convert 500kg waste to light diesel oil which can be used in light
furnaces.
ii.Polycrack, a patented heterogeneous catalytic process used in this plant convents multiple feed stocks into
hydrocarbon liquid fuels, gas, carbon and water. The closed loop process is used in the plant does not affect the
environment.
iii.In this plant, the feeder materials are the Waste collected from the Mancheswar Carriage Repair Workshop,
coaching depot and Bhubaneswar railway station.
iv.In 2011 India’s first waste to energy plant was set up by Infosys in Bangalore, Karnataka, the second plant is
located at Moti Bagh in Delhi and it has been in operation since 2014, and in 2019 the third one was set up by
Hindalco Limited.

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About Odisha:
Chief Minister- Naveen Patnaik
Governor- Ganeshi Lal
Capital City- Bhubaneswar
State Tree- Sacred fig
State Flower- Ashoka
State Bird- Indian roller
State Animal- Sambar deer
Odisha govt launches India’s 1st e-Gazette portal for all gazette notifications
On January 2, 2020, The State Government of Odisha has launched an online platform called “e-Gazette portal”(
http://egazetteodisha.nic.in), a first-of-its-kind initiative in India designed and developed by the NIC(National
Informatics Centre) for all departments. With this, the Gazette notifications are now available as error-free and
paperless under one platform.
Key Points:
i.The portal was launched by Odisha Chief Secretary Asit Kumar Tripathy as a part of state’s 5T initiatives
(Transparency, Teamwork, Technology, Time and Transformation).
ii.Now, the departments will upload their notifications which will be screened by the Government Press. The number
& date of the gazette will also be there on the portal & for a better and secure authentication, electronic signature (e-
sign) has been introduced.
iii.Since e-publication is covered under Section- 8 of the Information Technology Act, 2000, it will save the
transportation of trucks of papers & reduce wastage.
About Odisha:
Capital– Bhubaneswar, Governor– Ganeshi Lal
Chief Minister– Naveen Patnaik
Sweet– Rasagola
Dance– Odissi
CM Naveen Patnaik launches Odisha Police’s transformational projects including state’s 1st virtual police
station
On January 28, 2020, The Chief Minister (CM) of Odisha, Naveen Patnaik has inaugurated the state’s 1st virtual
police station at State Crime Record Bureau in Bhubaneswar, which will facilitate online registration of FIR (first
information report) in unknown motor vehicle theft cases. If a case remains undetected for 21 days, the final form
will be automatically reflected at the Crime and Criminal Tracking Networks and Systems (CCTNS).
Key Points:
i.The CM also launched the Road Accident Case Documents Module and Medico-Legal Opinion System that aimed
to reduce human interface with government offices.
ii.The Road accident case module can be accessed from the website www.imsop.odisha.gov.in. & Medico-Legal System
will help both the police and medical professionals,where the police can submit requisitions online for medical
examination of victims & doctors will upload their medical examination reports online.
iii.These initiatives were launched as a part of state’s 5T initiatives (Transparency, Teamwork, Technology, Time and
Transformation).
About Odisha:
Capital– Bhubaneswar
Governor– Ganeshi Lal
Sweet– Rasagola
Dance– Odissi

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NITI Aayog’s Aspirational district ranking : Chandauli of UP tops in December 2019
On January 29, 2020, NITI Aayog ( National Institution for Transforming India), a policy think tank of the
Government of India (GoI), released the ranking of Aspirational Districts of the country for the month of December
2019.
Top 3: Chandauli district of Uttar Pradesh (UP) has topped the list of aspiring districts in December 2019 with the
score of 57.6. It was followed by Balangir district of Odisha in 2nd (53.9) and YSR district (formerly known as Kadapa
District) of Andhra Pradesh in 3rd place (65.2).
Key Points:
i.The ranking is based on the progress made in 5 development areas in 112 aspirational districts across India in
December 2019. The rankings focus on progress in Health and nutrition, education, agriculture and water resources,
financial inclusion& skill development and Basic infrastructure.
ii.The Aspirational District Program was launched in January 2018. Aspirational districts are ranked every month.
This includes districts with relatively little progress in important social sectors.
Assam tops in best budgetary practices followed by Odisha,AP & Manipur at bottom: TII survey
On January 29, 2020 , According to the survey 3rd edition “Transparency In Budgetary Process Report” conducted
by Transparency International’s India (TII), Assam tops in the ranking of best practices followed by states
in budget formulation with a score of 70.
Key Points:
i.Assam was followed by Odisha (2nd with the score of 66) & Andhra Pradesh (AP) (3rd with the score of 64).While
Manipur ranked bottom with the score of 25.
ii.This survey is based on four parameters which includes public disclosure, budgetary process, post budget fiscal
management and efforts to make budget more transparent and citizen friendly.
iii.The survey classified the states in various categories including opaque (0-45 score), low level of transparency (46-
60), medium level of transparency (61-75), transparent (76-90) and highly transparent (91-100).
iv.The survey also recommends to enhance the budget transparency and accountability in state-wise. They include
better use of information, communication & technology for transparent financial management, strengthening
institutions involved in the budgetary process, formulate plans for citizen’s engagement in budgetary process among
others.
Top 3& Bottom 3 states in Budget Transparency:
Rank State Name Score
1 Assam 70
2 Odisha 66
3 Andhra Pradesh (AP) 64
19 Punjab 29
20 Meghalaya 28
21 Manipur 25
About Transparency International:
Headquarter– Berlin, Germany
Founded– 1993
Managing Director– Patricia Moreira
Chairman of Transparency International India (TII)– S.R. Wadhwa
‘cVIGIL’ and ‘Voter Helpline app’ won e-Governance Award of Excellence 2019 in Bhubaneswar, Odisha
On January 17, 2020 Award of Excellence for the year 2019 was given by Computer Society of India (CSI) and
Special Interest Group on e-Governance (CSI SIG e-Gov) at Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology in
Bhubaneswar, Odisha during the CSI 2020, 53rd annual convention of CSI. The two innovative Information and
Communication Technology (ICT) applications developed by Election Commission of India (ECI), ‘cVIGIL’ and ‘Voter

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Helpline App’ has won the ‘Award of Excellence’ 2019. The award was received by Dr. Kushal Pathak, Director ICT
& chief information security officer (CISO), ECI and Chief Electoral Officer of Odisha, Shri Sushil Kumar Lohani on
behalf of ECI.
cVIGIL Mobile App:
i.By using this app citizens can report Violations during elections such as bribery, free gift, liquor distribution,
playing loudspeakers beyond the permitted time. ‘cVIGIL’ stands for Vigilant Citizen.
ii.Every cVIGIL case is acted upon and replied back with the action taken in the 100-minute timeline after the
evidentiary proof of the violation.
iii.From October 2018 to December 2019, the total number of 1,71,745 cases have been filled through cVIGIL and
from which 1,27,567 (74%) of the cases have been found correct.
Voter Helpline App:
i.The Voter Helpline app provides an option for voters to search their name in 90-plus crore electors database, fill
forms for new voter registration, migration and corrections.
ii.It also helps to download the digital photo voter slips, and displays the complete information about the contesting
candidates.
iii.It also allows voters to view the real-time results.
About Election Commission of India:
Formed- January 25, 1950
Headquarters- New Delhi
Chief Election Commissioner- Shri Sunil Arora
Election Commissioners- Shri Ashok Lavasa, Shri Sushil Chandra
About Odisha:
Chief Minister- Naveen Patnaik
Governor- Ganeshi Lal
Capital City- Bhubaneswar
State Tree- Sacred fig
State Flower- Ashoka
State Bird- Indian roller
State Animal- Sambar deer
Assam, Jal Shakti Mission & NDRF wins the best tableaux awards for 71st Republic Day Parade 2020
On January 28, 2020, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh distributed the awards for best tableaux which was
conducted on January 26, 2020, during the 71st Republic Day event. There were a total of 22 tableaux including 16
from various states and union territories and the remaining 6 from various ministries and departments.
Best Tableaux Awards (States and Union territories):
i.Assam’s tableaux displayed the theme ‘Land of Unique Craftsmanship and Culture’, had showcased the Xattriya
tradition in the form of Bhortal Nritya was chosen as the best tableaux.
ii.The second position was tied between Odisha which depicted Lord Lingaraja’s Rukuna Rath Yatra, and Uttar
Pradesh which showcased the culture of Sarva Dharma Samabhav.
Best Tableaux Awards Ministry/Departments
Among the six tableaux from different ministries/departments, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) won
joint best Tableaux award for showcasing the cutting-edge technology and instruments used by the force to carry out
daring rescue operations in flood-hit and disaster-hit areas line with its motto ‘Aapda Sewa Sadaiv’ along with
Jal Shakti Mission who won best tableaux for government’s new initiative, ‘Jal Jeevan Mission’, which aims at
providing functional tap connection to every rural household by 2024.
Special Prize: Central Public Works Department (CPWD) won a special prize for the theme “Kashmir se
Kanyakumari”.
ZSI documents another new snake eel species “Ophichthus kailashchandrai” in Odisha
On January 23, 2020The new snake eel species residing in the Bay of Bengal has been discovered and documented
by the Estuarine Biology Regional Centre (EBRC) of the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) at Gopalpur-on-sea in Odisha.

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The new marine species have been named as Ophichthus kailashchandrai to honour the vast contributions of Dr.
Kailash Chandra (Director of Zoological Survey of India) to Indian animal taxonomy.
Key Points:
i.Ophichthus kailashchandrai is the 8th species of the Ophichthus genus found in the Indian coast and the 5th new
species discovered by Gopalpur ZSI in the last 2 years.
ii.Dr. Anil Mohapatra, scientist at Gopalpur ZSI and his associates Swarup Ranjan Mohanty and Dipanjan Ray of the
Bajkul Milani Mahavidyalaya, West Bengal & Subhendu Sekar Mishra of the marine fish section of ZSI, Kolkata
identified Ophichthus kailashchandrai completely as a new species after detailed study.
iii.Zootaxa, an international scientific journal for zoological taxonomy acknowledged the new marine snake eel
species.
iv.In 2019 two new species of marine eel – Gymnothorax andamanensesis & Gymnothorax smithi were been
discovered by this ZSI centre.
About ZSI (Zoological Survey of India):
Objective- To promote the survey, exploration and research of the fauna in India.
Founded- 1916.
Headquarters- Kolkata, West Bengal.
Director- Dr.Kailash Chandra
Bhubaneswar to host 1st edition of Khelo India University Games 2020

On January 06, 2020 Bhubaneswar, Odisha has been selected to host the 1st edition of the 2020 Khelo India
University Games (KIUG) which will be held from February 22nd to March 1, 2020 at Bhubaneswar’s KIIT
University (Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology University). The Union Sports Minister Shri Kiren Rijiju and
Odisha’s Chief Minister Shri Naveen Patnaik unveiled the logo and jersey of Khelo India University Games during a
event in Bhubaneshwar.
1st Khelo India University Games 2020:
i.Mascots: the mascots unveiled at the launch event were named as mascots ‘Jay and Bijay‘.
ii.Event associates: The event will be hosted in association with the Sports Authority of India (SAI), Association of
Indian Universities, Indian Olympic Association (IOA) and the National Sports Federation (NSFs).
iii.Participants & events: Over 4000 athletes from 100 universities will be participating in the game events having
17 disciplines namely archery, athletics, boxing, fencing, judo, swimming, weightlifting, wrestling, badminton,
basketball, football, hockey, table tennis, tennis, volleyball, rugby and kabaddi.
iv.One-state-one-sport: During the ceremony, future implementation of one-state-one-sport plan was announced.
Under this plan, each state will adopt and nourish a particular sport of its choice and potential.
State & central govt. support: Financial support will be given by the central govt while infrastructure and logistic
support will be given by the state govt.
v.Members present: Union Minister of Human Resource Development (MHRD) Shri Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’;
Union Petroleum Minister Shri Dharmendra Pradhan; indian athlete Dutee Chand and other officials were also
present in the function.
Khelo India program:
This program was introduced to revive sports culture in India by merging Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ahiyan (erstwhile Yuva
Krida and Khel Abhiyan), ‘Urban Sports Infrastructure scheme’ and National Sports Talent Search System Program as
a central sector scheme.
Through this program, talented players will be identified in priority sports disciplines and will be provided annual
financial assistance of Rs.5 lakh per annum for a period of 8 years.
About Odisha:
Capital- Bhubaneswar.
Governor- Ganeshi Lal.
Chief minister- Naveen Patnaik.
Dams- Hirakud dam, Rengali dam, Indravati dam, Jalaput dam (between Andhra Pradesh and Odisha), Mandira dam,
Patora dam.

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Former Rajya Sabha member Alajangi Viswanath Swamy from Odisha passed away at 91
On December 31, 2019, Social activist and former Rajya Sabha member, Alajangi Viswanath Swamy popularly
known as AV Swamy passed away in Nuapada district, Odisha.
i.He was born on July 18, 1929 in Nawarangpur, Odisha and graduated in B.tech Chemical Engineering.
ii.On April 4, 2012, he was elected as a member of Rajya Sabha from Odisha as an independent candidate and
remained in office till April 3, 2018.
iii.He was a member of ‘Vanar Sena’ during India’s freedom struggle and a follower of Vinobe Bhave.
iv.He was also one of the most important social reformers of Odisha.
v.He was the President of Utkal Sammilani, Nuapada district branch.
Veteran Odissi Danseuse Padma Shri Minati Mishra passes away at 91

On January 6, 2020, Veteran Odissi Danseuse Padma Shri Minati Mishra passed away in Zurich, Switzerland after
suffering from age-related issues. She was born in 1929 in Cuttack, Odisha and known for expertise in the Indian
Classical dance form of Odissi.
Key Points:
i.According to the 2011 report, she was the oldest living Odissi performer and in 2012 she was honored with the
Padma Shri, the fourth highest civilian award by the Government of India.
ii.She was also the principal of the Utkal Sangeet Mahavidyalaya, Bhubaneswar, Odisha for 1964 to 1989.
iii.She was an A-Grade artist at All India Radio (AIR) and a recipient of the Sangeet Prabhakar title for Hindustani
vocal music.
Odisha’s Gajapati dynasty head former MP Gopinath Gajapati Narayan Deo passes away at 76
On January 10, 2020 Odisha’s Gajapati dynasty head and the former MP Gopinath Gajapati Narayan Deo passed
away due to prolonged illness in Bhubaneswar, Odisha. He was 76.
About Gopinath Gajapati Narayan Deo:
i.He was born on March 6, 1943 in Paralakhemundi town of Gajapati district in Odisha.
ii.He was member of Indian National Congress (INC) representing the Berhampur parliamentary constituency.
iii.He later joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in 1998 and moved to Biju Janata DAL (BJD) in 2009.
8 times National Award Winner Manmohan Mohapatra passed away at 69

On January 13,2020 Manmohan Mohapatra, Odisha’s legendary filmmaker and director, passed away at the age of 69
in Bhubaneshwar, Odisha. Mohapatra is considered as the ‘Father of New Wave Odia Cinema’ and consecutively
won eight national awards for ‘Best Feature Odia film’.
Key Points:
i.Mohapatra’s first movie “Seeta Raati” released in 1981 that fetched him national award for Best feature film in Odia
and also the first Odia film to be selected by the prestigious ‘Indian Panorama’ section of the International Film
Festival of India (IFFI), New Delhi.
ii.The seven other National-Award winning films are ‘Neeraba Jhada’, ‘Klanta Aparahna’, ‘Majhi Pahacha’, ‘Nishidhdha
Swapna’, ‘Kichhi Smruti Kichhi Ambhuti’, ‘Andha Diganta’, ‘Vinya Samaya’.
iii.His last film “Bhija Matira Swarga’”got him the award for the Best Director and bagging award for five more
categories including Best Film at the 30th Odisha State Film Awards,2019.
iv.Mohapatra was born on Khordha, Odisha in 1951 and studied film-making in FTII (The Film and Television
Institute of India) Pune, Maharashtra.
About Odisha:
Capital- Bhubaneshwar.
Chief Minister (CM)- Naveen Patnaik.
Governor- Ganeshi LAl.
Former Minister of Odisha, Jagannath Rout passes away at 77

On January 24, 2020 Senior Congress leader and former Minister of Odisha, Jagannath Rout has passed away at a
private hospital in Bhubaneswar, Odisha due to cardiac arrest. He was 77.

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Key Points:
i.He has won the Dhamnagar constituency election in Bhadrak district, Odisha in 1980, 1985, 1995.
ii.He also served as the Odisha’s Minister of Industry from 1989-1990, as the Minister of Health and family welfare
from 1995-1998 and as Minister of Urban Development from 1998-1999.
Odisha Current Affairs - February 2020

Tribal affairs ministry launches Capacity building programme of ST representatives in LSG &‘1000
Springs Initiatives’ in Bhubaneshwar ,Odisha
On February 27, 2020, Shri Arjun Munda ,the Union Tribal Affairs Minister has launched the “Programme for
Capacity Building of Scheduled Tribe (ST) Representatives in Local Self Governments (LSG)” in Bhubhaneswar,
Odisha in the presence of Chief Minister of Odisha Shri Navin Patnaik and Smt. Renuka Singh Saruta, Minister of State
for Tribal Affairs. Arjun Munda also launched “1000 Spring Initiatives” and an online portal on GIS (Geographic
Information System)-based Spring Atlas with hydrological and chemical properties of the Springs during the event.
Key Points:
i.The event also saw the release of a short documentary film on FRA in Odisha (Odisha’s Journey in FRA) and FRA
(Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006 Atlas of Odisha.
ii.Capacity Building program: The primary aim of Capacity Building program was to empower the tribal people
representatives through promoting their decision making capabilities at local government level (LGL).
This initiative also aims to boost tribal development , constitutional and legal provisions that protect and promote the
rights and welfare of the tribal population.The above said programme witnessed the participation of ST
representatives in planning, execution and monitoring of policies and programmes launched by the government.Over
70 young tribal youths from the rural areas of 3 districts of Odisha namely, Kalahandi, Khandamal and Gajapati have
been trained Under this program to enhance their knowledge for identification and mapping of springs, and
undertaking rejuvenation and protection measures in their habitations.
iii.1000 Spring Initiatives: This flagship Initiative aims to improve tribal communities, who are living in difficult and
inaccessible part of rural areas in the country to get access to safe and adequate water (including better
infrastructure for piped water supply for drinking; provision of water for irrigation; community-led total sanitation
initiatives; and provision for water for backyard nutrition gardens, generating sustainable livelihood opportunities
for the tribal people).
iv.Online portal on GIS-based Spring Atlas: It aims to provide better accessibility of Spring data easily from an
online platform.At present, over 170 springs data have been uploaded on the Spring Atlas,which was developed by
Odisha Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe Research and Training Institute (SCSTRTI).
About Ministry of Tribal Affairs:
Founded– October 1999
Headquarters– New Delhi
About Odisha:
National Parks– Bhitarkanika National Park ,Simlipal National Park
Odisha government presented Rs 1.5 Lakh crore paperless budget 2020-21

On February 18,2020 Odisha Finance Minister Niranjan Pujari with Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik presented
the annual budget 2020-21 for Rs 1.5 Lakh crore, in 2019-20 for Rs 1.39 lakh crore.
Key points:-
i.The Odisha government has switched to a paperless budget for the first time and is the second state in India after
Himachal Pradesh.
ii.The budget is termed as ‘Green Budget’, an initiative under 5T action plan to reduce printing of 75Lakhs pages
hence to save around 1000 trees.

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Budget Allocation
Rs 65,655 crore for administrative expenditure.
Rs 74000 crore for Programme expenditure.
Rs 3200 crore for disaster response fund.
Rs 7145 crore for transfers from state.
The budget includes 12 crore for water conservation over 5 years, Rs 7700 crore for the health sector, Rs 19408 crore
for agriculture, Rs 3195 crore for KALIA scheme, Rs 12,000 for construction of in stream storage structure in all
major rivers.
Key Highlights
i.To increase the income of farmers ‘Samruddha Krishi Niti-2020’ has been proposed.
ii.Odisha is the 1st state to introduce the Nutrition budget, Strategic budget and Climate code budget while
presenting the budget 2020-21.
iii.Budget outlay to be financed through revenue receipt of Rs 1,24,300 crore, borrowing and other receipt of Rs
25,700 crore.
iv.The fiscal deficit estimated to be 3% of Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP)
v.The capital outlay is Rs 26,513 crore that is 4.5% of GSDP.
vi.When compared to the national average of 6.9% the Odisha Government remains 8% for the last 7 years.Niranjan
Pujari said that Odisha’s growth rate is expected to be 7-7.5 per cent in FY 20-21. Last fiscal, the growth rate was at
6.16 per cent.
About Odisha:
RCS-UDAN marked 250th route through Bhubaneswar-Varanasi daily flight operations

On January 31, 2020 Alliance Air which is a wholly owned subsidiary of Air India commenced direct daily flight
operations from Bhubaneswar(Odisha) to Varanasi(Uttar Pradesh) under the RCS-UDAN (Regional Connectivity
Scheme – Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik) of Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA). This marked the 250th route under RCS-
UDAN.
Key Points:
i.Bhubaneswar to Varanasi route was the 58th route for Alliance Air under RCS-UDAN. Prior to this, Alliance air
recently started direct flight operations in the Kolkata-Jharsuguda route on January 27, 2020.
ii.Alliance Air will deploy its ATR 72 600 aircraft for the daily flight operations from Bhubaneshwar to Varanasi.
About Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik (UDAN):
Fact1- The 1st flight under UDAN was flagged off on 27th April 2017 by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi.
Fact2- The aim of the scheme is to provide regional connectivity through air travel even in the least accessible area in
the country and also to make air travel affordable with the objective of letting the common citizen of the country fly.
Odisha MSME Dept inked MoU with HDFC Bank to boost startups
The Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Department of government of Odisha has signed
Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Housing Development Finance Corporation (HDFC) Bank
Limited to provide smart banking solutions to Startups recognised by the Startup Odisha and will also extend
incubation and acceleration support to all Startups, banking with them.
About HDFC:
Establishment– 1994
Digital Assistant– Eva
Managing Director– Aditya Puri
Head Office– Mumbai, Maharashtra

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NCAER releases India’s 1st NCAER land records and services index 2020: MP emerges as top
performer, Ladakh at bottom
On February 27, 2020,According to the 1st edition of NCAER Land Records and Services Index (N-LRSI 2019-
20) released by the National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER) , Madhya Pradesh (MP) emerged as
the best performing state in terms of digitising land records with the score of 74.9.It was followed by Odisha
(67.5points) and Maharashtra (65.3 points). While Union Territory (UT) of Ladakh ranked at bottom at 33rd position
with a score of 2.0.
Key Points:
i.The Index has been released during a half-day programme held in New Delhi by NCAER under the aegis of the
NCAER Land Policy Initiative (NLPI), supported by the Omidyar Network, India.
ii.The Index ranked 33 states and Union Territories (UT) based on data collected over 2019-20 on 2 tools of the
supply of land records-the extent of digitisation of land records and the quality of these land records.
The 1st tool aims to ensure all state has made all its land records digitally available to people & oversees 3 main areas
namely-the text of the land records (also called the record of rights), the official map associated with a land record
(also called cadastral maps), and the property registration process.
The 2nd tool aims to ensure all the land records are comprehensive ,reliable and type of land use, land area on the
record and on the map, landlords details are updated as soon as a sale happened, etc.
NCAER Land Record Services Index (N-LRSI) 2019-20 ranking:
Rank State/Union Territory Score
1 Madhya Pradesh 74.9
2 Odisha 67.5
3 Maharashtra 65.3
33rd Ladakh 2
About NCAER (National Council of Applied Economic Research):
Formation– 1956
It is India’s oldest and largest independent, non-profit, economic policy research institute working on many sectors,
including growth, macro, trade, infrastructure, logistics, labour, urban, agriculture and rural development, human
development, poverty, and consumers.
2nd BIMSTEC Disaster Management Exercise-2020 held at Bhubaneswar, Odisha; inaugurated by

Naveen Patnaik
The “2nd BIMSTEC Disaster Management Exercise-2020 (BIMSTEC DMEx-2020)” was held at Bhubaneswar/Puri,
Odisha from 11-13 February, 2020 with themes “A cultural heritage site that suffers severe damage in the
Earthquake” & “Flooding or Storm”. Organized by National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), on behalf of the
Government of India, BIMSTEC DMEx-2020 was inaugurated by Chief Minister Odisha, Shri Naveen Patnaik on Feb
11, 2020. While Minister of State (Home), Nityanand Rai launched field training exercise scheduled on 12th February,
2020 at Ramachandi Beach, District-Puri, Odisha. The first similar kind of exercise took place in 2017.
Objective: The objective of this exercise is to test the existing emergency procedures and to enhance the
coordination and co-operation involving multi-agency operations in an earthquake, flooding and storm surge.
Participants: It was attended by Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka and Nepal. Bhutan and Thailand were not
participated in the exercise.
Excercises: The three-day long exercise consisted of inaugural session and table top exercise (TTx) on collapsed
structure in Bhubaneswar. The field training exercise (FTx) on acquatic disaster response with focus on cultural
heritage sites was held at Ramnchandi beach followed by proceeding of disaster management exercise.
Other Participants: The exercise also attended by International observers like United Nations Development
Program (UNDP), International Search And Rescue Advisory Group (INSARAG) & The International Centre for the
Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property (ICCROM), National observers like Indian National
Trust for Art And Cultural Heritage (INTACH) & Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), representatives from various

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stakeholders viz. India Metrological Deptt. (IMD), National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), National Centre
for Medium Range Weather Forecasting (NCMRWF), Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS),
Centre Water Commission (CWC), Animal Quarantine and Certification Service (AQCS), Civil Defence, Fire Services,
BIMSTEC Secretariat etc.
About NDRF
Battalions– 12
Director General- Satya Narayan Pradhan
Headquarter– New Delhi
About BIMSTEC
It is an acronym for Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation
Members– 7 (Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand , Nepal and Bhutan)
Secretariat– Dhaka, Bangladesh
Secretary General– M Shahidul Islam
India to host the FIFA Under-17 Women’s World Cup 2020; ‘Kick Off the Dream’ is official slogan
On February 18, 2020 Union Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju announced the 5 host cities of India for the FIFA
(Federation Internationale de Football Association) Under-17 Women’s Football World Cup which begins on 2nd
November 2020.The official slogan of the tournament is: Kick Off the Dream.
Key Points:
i.Host cities: Ahmedabad (Gujarat), Bhubaneshwar (Odisha), Guwahati (Assam), Kolkata (West Bengal) and Navi
Mumbai (Maharashtra) were confirmed as the 5 host cities for the FIFA Under-17 Women’s World Cup.
ii.Finals: The final match will be held at Dr D Y Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra on 21st November 2020.
iii.Participants: 16 teams will compete across 32 matches to lift the title.
About FIFA:
Motto- For the Game, For the World.
Headquarters- Zurich, Switzerland.
FIFA Chief Women’s Football Officer- Sarai Bareman.
President- Giovanni Vincenzo Infantino.
PM Modi inaugurated first-ever Khelo India University Games at Cuttack, Odisha

On February 22, 2020 Prime Minister (PM) Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated the first-ever Khelo India University
Games at the Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium in Cuttack, Odisha through video conferencing. Nearly 3,400 athletes
from 159 universities across the country will participate in 17 disciplines including rugby which is among the 6 team
events.
Key Points:
i.Khelo India was started in 2018 in order to attract youth towards sports & recognising young talents in every part of
the country.
ii.The games will be staged across 10 venues in Bhubaneswar and Cuttack from february 21, 2020 to March 1, 2020.
The Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) will be the main center for sporting extravaganza.
iii.Ace sprinter Dutee Chand, national record-holder in 100m & student of KIIT, will also be part of the University
games.
iv.Odisha Chief Minister (CM) Naveen Patnaik, Union Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju and Dharmendra Pradhan, Minister
of Petroleum & Natural gas (MoP&NG) participated in the occasion.
About Odisha:
Capital- Bhubaneswar.
Governor- Ganeshi Lal.

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Famous Odia poet Rabindranath Singh passed away at 89
On February 2,2020 Famous Odia poet and freedom fighter Rabindranath Singh, 89 years old, passed away at
Khapuria, Cuttack, Odisha. He was born on 27 January 1931 at Jagatsinghpur district, Odisha.
He was popularly known as ‘Biplabi kabi’ (the revolutionary poet) for his patriotic writings.
Key Points:
i.Poetry Collections: Rabi Singh famous poetry collections are ‘Patha Prantara Kabita’, “Charama Patra,Sithila Balga’,
‘Lal Pagoda Ra Preta O Anya Kabita’, ‘Bhrukuti, Bidirna’, ‘Padathika’, ‘Apritikara kabita’, ‘Jawalara Mala’, ‘Kshata’,
‘Bishabani’, ‘Durgama Giri’, ‘Jhada’, ‘Sarbahara’, ‘Banya’,’ Anaryara’ & ‘Charyapada’
ii.Awards: Rabi Singh was awarded with Atibadi Jagannath Das Samman by Odisha Sahitya Akademi in 2017 for
his contribution to Odia Literature.
Odisha Current Affairs - March 2020

Odisha becomes the 1st state to introduce department for SHGs: “Mission Shakti”
On March 8, 2020 Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik announced that Odisha is the 1st state to own a separate
department for Self Help Groups named as ”Department of Mission Shakti”. It is created for the development of
women & is dedicated to all the women of Odisha.
i.Mission Shakti and Mamata Scheme combinedly benefits 70 lakh women in the state.
ii.50% reservation in Panchayati Raj has created a new era for the socio-economic development of women.
iii.Earlier in the state budget, it has introduced an independent Nutrition Budget, whose primary focus will be on
mother-child nutrition.
About Odisha
Capital- Bhubaneswar
National Park– Bhitarkanika National Park, Simlipal National Park
Odisha’s Konark sun temple & Statue of Unity in Gujarat finds place in iconic tourism sites list: Prahlad Singh
On March 17, 2020, According to the Union Minister of State (Independent) for tourism and culture, Prahlad Singh
Patel, the central government has included grand Konark Sun Temple, the UNESCO (United Nations Educational,
Scientific and Cultural Organization) world heritage site in Odisha & Statue of Unity in Gujarat in the Iconic Tourist
Sites list, taking the total number of such places from 17 to 19.
Key Points:
i.The move has been taken after the ministry got the proposals from the Odisha Chief Minister (CM)- Naveen Patnaik,
the Union Petroleum Minister – Dharmendra Pradhan and other delegations.
ii.A total of 17 iconic tourist sites were identified by the government of India in 2019. It includes- Taj Mahal and
Fatehpur Sikri (Uttar Pradesh), Ajanta and Ellora (Maharashtra), Humayun’s Tomb, Red Fort and Qutub Minar
(Delhi), Colva (Goa), Amer Fort (Rajasthan), Somnath and Dholavira (Gujarat), Khajuraho (Madhya Pradesh), Hampi
(Karnataka), Mahabalipuram (Tamil Nadu), Kaziranga (Assam), Kumarakom (Kerala) and Mahabodhi Temple (Bihar).
About Ministry of Tourism:
Odisha to set up the largest COVID-19 hospital in the country

On March 27, 2020, The Odisha Government announced that it is readying to set up the largest Covid-19
hospital in India due to the outbreak of the Coronavirus in the country. The state-level hospitals will have 1000 beds
in Bhubaneswar, Odisha and will be functional in a fortnight.
Key Points:
i.The State Government signed 2 tripartite agreements with KIMS (Kalinga Institute of Medical Sciences) and SUM
Medical Colleges of Odisha to set up 500-bed hospitals each exclusively for Coronavirus treatment.
ii.The Odisha Mining Corporation (OMC) and the Mahanadi Coalfields Limited (MCL) will provide the CSR (Corporate

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Social Responsibility) fundings for the project.
iii.MoU: The first MoU (Memorandum of Understandings) was signed between Health Secretary Nikunja Bihari Dhal,
Vyneel Krishna MD (Managing Director) of OMC (Odisha Mining Corporation) & KIMS management.
iv.The second Mou was signed by the Health Secretary, S.S. Panda of MCL (Mahanadi Coalfields Limited) and SUM
management.
About Odisha:
Capital– Bhubaneswar.
Chief Minister (CM)– Naveen Patnaik.
State flower– Ashoka.
State bird– Indian roller.
After Maharashtra & Odisha, J’khand becomes the 3rd state in India to launch ‘Star Ratingprogram’ for
industries
The state government of Jharkhand will launch its “Star Rating Program” on June 5, 2020, to rate industries based
on the amount of pollutants generated by them.
With this, it became the 3rd state in India to launch this system for industries after Maharashtra & Odisha.
The program will be implemented by the Jharkhand State Pollution Control Board (JSPCB) in association with the
University of Chicago Trust (UC Trust).
Key Points:
i.The rating ranging on one to five scale, with the most polluting industry getting 1 star while the industry with the
highest compliance rate with pollution control norms will get 5 stars.
ii.The star rating is based on the emission of particulate matter (or PM-2.5 and PM 10) emissions out of 17 categories
of highly polluting industries including Captive Power Plants, Integrated Power Plants, Integrated Steel, Sponge Iron,
Cement, Copper Smelter etc.
iii.The rating will be provided after sensing the emission data of industries, which will be calculated through the
Continuous Emission Monitoring System (CEMS) every 15 minutes.
About Jharkhand:
Capital– Ranchi
Chief Minister– Hemant Soren
Governor– Draupadi Murmu
Flower– Palash
Tree– Sal
Coronavirus: Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik launched “Mo Jeeban Programme”

On March 24, 2020, Odisha Chief Minister (CM) Naveen Patnaik launched “Mo Jeeban (My Life) Programme” and
urged people to take a pledge to stay indoors.The programme was launched due to the Coronavirus (COVID- 19)
outbreak.
Key Points:
i.The objective of the programme is to keep everyone safe in the state due to the dangerous spread of the virus.
ii.Patnaik also cautioned the people that the virus which has created havoc in China, Iran, US (United States) & other
countries, has now reached Delhi and also at their doorstep.
About Odisha:
Governor– Ganeshi Lal.
Overview of 1st Khelo India University Games 2020 held in Bhubaneswar, Odisha;Panjab University (PB)
topped the medal tally
The 1st edition of the 2020 Khelo India University Games (KIUG) was held from February 22 – March 1, 2020 at
KIIT University (Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology University) in Bhubaneswar,Odisha.
The tournament, inaugurated by Prime Minister(PM) Narendra Modi,held with the official mascots of ‘Jay and Bijay’.

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Key Points:
i.The Sports Authority of India (SAI), Association of Indian Universities, Indian Olympic Association (IOA) and the
National Sports Federation (NSFs) organized the tournament, which saw the participation of more than 4000 athletes
from 100 universities in the game events having 17 disciplines namely archery, athletics, boxing, fencing, judo,
swimming, weightlifting, wrestling, badminton, basketball, football, hockey, table tennis, tennis, volleyball, rugby and
kabaddi.
Medal tally:
Panjab University (PB) emerged as the winner of Khelo India University Games 2020 with 45 medals (17 Gold,18
Silver,10 Bronze).It was followed by Savitribai Phule Pune University (2nd with 37 medals) and Punjabi University,
Patiala(3rd with 32 medals).
Khelo India University Games (KIUG) 2020 Medal Tally by states:
Rank State Gold Silver Bronze Medal Tally
1 Panjab University (PB) 17 18 10 45
2 Savitribai Phule Pune University, MS 17 11 9 37
3 Punjabi University, Patiala (PB) 12 6 14 32
Highlights:
i.Sanket Mahadev Sagar of Shivaji University in Kolhapur (Maharashtra) won the 55 kg weightlifting gold at the Khelo
India University Games with a national record and Prashant Suresh Koli received Silver.
Sanket made a record by lifting 138 kg in clean and jerk & also made a national record by lifting a total weight of 244
kg.
Prashanth of Kavayitri Bahinabai Chaudhari North Maharashtra University set a national record by lifting 110 kg in
snatch.
ii.The University of Mumbai’s twin-sisters Jyoti & Aarti have clichéd 4 medals at the KIUG by ended up on the podium
in the 200m breaststroke, where Jyoti winning a gold and Aarti a bronze medal.They also bagged a bronze in the
4x200m freestyle relay.
iii.Indian professional sprinter, Dutee Chand, who is representing Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology, clinched
the 200m gold medal with a timing of 23.66 seconds.
iv.In compound men’s archery & compound women’s archery event, the Punjabi University of Patiala has won the 2
gold medals.
Khelo India program:
This program was introduced to revive sports culture in India by merging Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ahiyan (erstwhile Yuva
Krida and Khel Abhiyan), ‘Urban Sports Infrastructure scheme’ and National Sports Talent Search System Program as
a central sector scheme.
Through this program, talented players will be identified in priority sports disciplines and will be provided annual
financial assistance of Rs.5 lakh per annum for a period of 8 years.
About Odisha:
Chief minister– Naveen Patnaik.
Dams– Hirakud dam, Rengali dam, Indravati dam, Jalaput dam (between Andhra Pradesh and Odisha), Mandira dam,
Patora dam.
Odisha CM released book titled “ The Adventures of the Daredevil Democrat”

On March 6, 2020 Odisha Chief Minister (CM) Naveen Patnaik released the comic book titled “The Adventures of the
Daredevil Democrat” on the occasion of the 104th birth anniversary of former Odisha CM Late Biju Patnaik in
Bhubaneswar, Odisha. The book deals about the life and works of legendary leader and Naveen Patnaik’s father Biju
Patnaik.
The comic book, prepared by Kalinga Foundation Trust and published by New Delhi- based the Creative workshop.

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Key Points:
i.The book aims to inspire and encourage young minds to serve the motherland. Senior Congress leader Narasingha
Mishra, senior BJP leader KV Singhdeo were presented on the occasion.
ii.About Biju Patnaik: He was the former CM of Odisha for a period of 7 years and he contributed in different fields
for the development of modern Odisha.
iii.During the freedom movement he served as the pilot in the Royal Air Force, had assisted nationalist leaders like
Aruna Asaf Ali, Ram Manohar Lohia carried them in a plane to safe places.
iv.Biju Patnaik was the first nationalist leader to reach Srinagar during India’s war against Pakistan in Kashmir
operation.
Odisha Current Affairs - April 2020

Odisha Govt in collaboration with UNICEF launches “Mo Prativa” programme to engage kids during lockdown
On April 2, 2020, In order to keep children engaged in some creative work during 21-days lockdown due to
coronavirus (COVID-19), the Odisha state government in collaboration with UNICEF (United Nations Children’s
Fund), has launched a creative skill competition programme called “Mo Prativa” (My talent).
Key Points:
i.Under this online programme children can participate in competitions such as drawings, paintings, posters, writing
of slogans, short stories (within 500 words) and poetry. Children will have to upload their work and for this they will
get a certificate every week.
ii.Children of 5 to 18 years will be able to participate in this competition, where they have to work under 2 themes –
‘Being at home during lockdown’ and ‘My responsibility as a young citizen during COVID-19’.
iii.Participants can send their entry in three different categories of 5-10 years, 11-15 years and 16-18 years & have to
submit online between 10 am to 6 pm.
About Odisha:
About UNICEF (United Nations Children’s Fund):
Headquarters– New York, United States
Executive Director– Henrietta H. Fore
Naveen Patnaik conferred PETA’s “Hero to Animals Award”for feeding community animals
The Chief Minister of Odisha, Naveen Patnaik has been conferred with Hero to Animals Award by People for the
Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India for allocating funds to feed community animals in five municipal
corporations and all 48 municipalities of Odisha during the COVID-19 lockdown. He has allocated Rs 54 lakhs from a
relief fund for the same.
He has presented a framed certificate and a letter of appreciation from PETA India.
It should be noted that the central government advisory body the Animal Welfare Board of India had urged state
governments and union territories (UTs) to allow animal welfare volunteers to feed community animals. Also,
Ministry of Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries mandated veterinary services and animal shelters to function
as normal and kept in the “essential services” list.
About PETA India
Headquarter– Mumbai, Maharashtra
Panchayat Awards 2020: Jammu and Kashmir’s & Odisha’s 3 panchayats get prestigious national award
On the occasion of National Panchayati Raj Day on 24th of April 2020, three Panchayats in Jammu and Kashmir
(J&K) Union Territory-UT & Odisha’s (State) has clinched national awards under separate categories for their
outstanding performance in strengthening rural democracy.

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Here is the list of 3 awards won by J&K Panchayats:
S.No Name of the Panchayat Award Name
Panchayat Jamola Lower of Rajouri
1 District Child-friendly Gram Panchayat Award(CFGPA) 2020
Nanaji Deshmukh Rashtriya Gaurav Gram Sabha Puraskar
2 Panchayat Dhangri of Rajouri District (NDRGGSP) 2020
Panchayat Zaloora B of Baramulla
3 District Gram Panchayat Development Plans (GPDP) 2020
List of 3 awards won by Odisha Panchayats:
S.No Name of the Panchayat Award Name
Badaborsingi panchayat in Belaguntha
1 block Child-friendly Gram Panchayat Award 2020
Nanaji Deshmukh Rashtriya Gaurav Gram Sabha Puraskar
2 Podamari in Sanakhemundi block (NDRGGSP) 2020
3 Kainchapur panchayat in Ganjam block Gram Panchayat Development Plans (GPDP) 2020
Key Points:
i.A total of 30 gram panchayats (GP) from other states and union territories of India chosen for Child-Friendly Gram
Panchayat Award 2020; 28 GPs receives award for Gram Panchayat Development Plans; And 27 GPs gets NDRGGSP
award.
The full list can be found in the link below,
https://panchayataward.gov.in/
About Panchayat Awards:
Instituted by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj (MoPR), Government of India (GoI), it honours the best performing
Panchayats recommended by the State Governments/UT Administrations since 2011-12. The awards are given on the
National Panchayati Raj Day every year.
Every year awards are given under different categories namely, Deen Dayal Upadhyay Panchayat Sashaktikaran
Puraskar (DDUPSP), Nanaji Deshmukh Rashtriya Gaurav Gram Sabha Puraskar (NDRGGSP), Child-friendly Gram
Panchayat Award (CFGPA), Gram Panchayat Development Plan (GPDP) Award and e-Panchayat Puraskar (given to
States/UTs only).
But this year due to lockdown only 3 category awards are given.Remaining 2 awards(Deen Dayal Upadhyay
Panchayat Sashaktikaran Puraskar (DDUPSP) & e-Panchayat Puraskar) were not yet finalized.Once finalized it
will be announced.
About NDRGGSP award:
It is given to Gram Panchayats only for its great contribution to socio-economic development by involving Gram
Sabhas.Rs 10 lakh will be awarded to the winners.
About GPDP Award:
Introduced in 2018,it has been given to encourage the GPs which have formulated their GPDPs according to the
State/UT guidelines prepared in line with the models guidelines issued by MoPR.Rs five lakh will be awarded to
winners.
About CFGPA award:
It is given for best performing Gram Panchayats (GPs)/Village Councils (VCs) (one in each State/UT) for adopting
child-friendly practices.Rs.5 lakh will be awarded to the winners.
About Ministry of Panchayati Raj:
Union Minister– Narendra Singh Tomar

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Odisha Current Affairs - May 2020

NLC India Limited, a Navratna Public Enterprise under the Ministry of Coal commences coal production
On 26th April 2020,Neyveli Lignite Corporation(NLC) India Private Limited ‘Navaratna’ a government of India
Enterprise under the Ministry of Coal started the production of Coal for the first time. The coal allocated to the
Neyveli Lignite Corporation India Limited(NLCIL) in 2016 with a capacity of 20 million tonne per annum from the
Talabira II and III mines of Odisha will suffice the requirements of existing and future coal fired power plants.
Key Points:
i.Through the Mine Developer and Operator(MDO) model this coal block was innovatively developed and
implemented by the NLC team.
ii.The NLC will generate competitive power in the future since the coal of grade G 12 and the stripping ratio of this
mine is 1.09.
iii.The NLCIL has commissioned one of the two units of lignite based power plant (1000 MW – 2 Units of 500 MW
each) first of its kind in India.
iv.NLCIL achieved Renewable Energy Generation capacity of 1404 MW comprising 1353 MW of Solar and 51 MW of
Wind Power
v.Rakesh Kumar, Chairman cum Managing Director of NLCIL mentioned that this project will contribute in the growth
of the nation by avoiding the import of coal.
About NLC India Limited:
Neyveli Lignite Corporation(NLC) India Limited , Navratna – a government of India Enterprise
Chairman cum Managing Director– Rakesh Kumar
Directors– Vinod Kumar Tiwari and A.Karthik
Formed as Corporate– 1956
Present Mining Capacity– 30.6 MTPA
Headquarters– Chennai, Tamil Nadu
200 new mandis added to the e-NAM platform from 7 States: Narendra Singh Tomar
On May 1, 2020 The Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Narendra Singh Tomar has added 200 new
mandis to the e-National Agriculture Market(e-NAM) platform from 7 States & stated that by May 2020 there will be
around 1,000 Mandis joining the e-NAM platform for marketing of Agricultural produce at a function in Krishi
Bhawan through video conference.
Key Points
i.Live trading between mandis from Kurnool and Hubli in groundnuts and maize took place
ii.The 200 markets integrated with the e-NAM platform are: Andhra Pradesh (11 mandis), Gujarat (25 mandis),
Odisha (16 mandis), Rajasthan (94 mandis), Tamil Nadu (27 mandis), Uttar Pradesh (25 mandis) & Karnataka (02
mandis).
iii.Currently there are 585 e-NAM mandis in 16 States and 02 Union Territories on adding the new mandis it will
come to the total of 785.
iv.It is the 1st milestone achieved in the path of integrating 415 new markets across the country & is the 1st time
Karnataka is added to the list of e-NAM States.
v.It has gained more strength by reaching out to more farmers & traders of these new mandis, aiming to reach the last
mile farmer and change the way they sell agricultural produce.
e-NAM integrated with UMP
For the 1st time in India 2 different e-trading platforms e-NAM & Unified Market Platform(UMP) of Karnataka’s
Rashtriya e-Market Services (ReMS), an e-trading platform promoted by the Karnataka State Agriculture Marketing
Board for Agri commodities of the scale will be made interoperable
Benefits
Facilitate traders across both platforms & e-NAM to execute flawless trading in both the platforms by using Single
Sign On framework.

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Help farmers of Karnataka to sell their produce to a large number of traders registered with e-NAM and even farmers
from e-NAM mandis in other States will be able to sell their produce to Karnataka traders who are enrolled with
ReMS platform of Karnataka & will promote inter-State trade between the States on-boarded on e-NAM platform &
Karnataka.
Highlights of e-NAM
As of 30th April 2020, total trade volume of 3.41 Crore MT & 37 Lakh numbers (Bamboo & Coconut) collectively
worth approximately Rs 1 lakh crore have been recorded on e-NAM platform.
1.66 Crore Farmers & 1.28 lakh traders have registered on e-NAM platform, currently there are more than 1,000
Farmers Producer Organisations(FPOs) on-boarded on e-NAM platform.
It facilitates trade beyond mandi/ state borders. A total of 233 mandis have participated in inter- mandi trade within
12 States, where 13 States/UTs have participated in the inter-state trading on e-NAM platform which allows farmers
to interact directly with distantly located traders.
Participants
The Ministers of State(MoS) for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Parshottan Rupala & Kailash Choudhary,
Secretary of Department Agriculture Cooperation and Farmers Welfare(AC&FW), Sanjay Agarwal, and senior officers
of the Ministry.
Few launches by the ministry to tackle COVID-19:
i.2 modules: FPO module- To help the farmer members of FPO to trade from their collection center; Warehouse
module- farmers can sell their stored produce in Warehousing Development and Regulatory Authority(WDRA)
registered warehouses, which are declared as deemed mandi by States.
Aim– To help farmers to sell their produce without bringing them to mandi
ii.“Kisan Rath” mobile app to help farmers to find suitable transport vehicles/tractors to carry their produce to
nearby mandi and warehouse etc.
Constituency of Ministers:
Narendra Singh Tomar- Morena, Madhya Pradesh
Parshottan Rupala- Gujarat
Kailash Choudhary- Baytoo, Rajasthan
Centre sets up “Rice Export Promotion Forum” to promote rice export

On 12th May 2020, Centre set up a new body Rice Export Promotion Forum (REPF) to give impetus to rice exports
under the aegis of Agricultural and Processed Foods Export Promotion Development Authority(Apeda).
Key points:
i.The Constitution of Rice Export Promotion Forum has been done considering the importance of exporting rice and
inherent the potentials and multifarious issues faced in the exportation.
ii.Basmati and non-basmati varieties are India’s largest commodity of agri-export basket.In 2018-2019 the shipments
stood at 7.77 billion USD with 4.72 billion USD by basmati export and 3.05 billion USD by non-basmati.
iii.The Rice Export Promotion Forum will be comprised of representatives from the rice industry, exporters, officials
of Apeda, Commerce Ministry, Agriculture Ministry and the Directors of Agriculture from West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh,
Punjab, Haryana, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Chhattisgarh and Odisha who are the major rice producing
states.
iv.The identity and anticipated developments in the production and exports and the necessary policy measures will
be monitored by the EPF.
v.EPF will facilitate, support and provide solutions to the rice producers, exporters and other relevant stakeholders.
vi.EPF will identify, document the particulars and reach out the stakeholders in the production and supply chain of
the rice export and increase the export to the global market.
vii.India was allowed to export non-basmati from 2011 which led India to become the largest exporter of cereals.
viii.The Production rate has been growing steadily in the past several year, From 96 million tonnes in 2010-2011
went upto 117.47 million tonnes in 2019-2020
About Apeda:
Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority is an apex body under the Ministry of
Commerce and Industry, Government of India, responsible for the export promotion of agricultural products.

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Chairman- Paban K.Borthakur
Director- Tarun Bajaj
Established- December 1985
Head Office- New Delhi
Coir Geo textiles to be used in rural road construction under PMGSY-III: Govt
On May 20, 2020, According to the National Rural Infrastructure Development Agency under Union Ministry of Rural
Development, Coir Geo textiles has been finally gets nod as a good material for rural road construction under the
third phase of Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana, (PMGSY-III).
Key Points:
i.As per the PMGSY new technology norms for road construction issued by the Government, 15% length in each batch
of proposals, is to be constructed using new age technologies. Of this, 5% length of the rural roads are to be
constructed using IRC Indian Roads Congress (IRC) accredited technology under PMGSY-III using Coir Geo textiles.
ii.Hence, 1674 km road will be constructed using Coir Geo textiles in 07 states namely- 164 Kms of road in Andhra
Pradesh (AP) , 151 kms in Gujarat, 71 kms in Kerala , 328 kms in Maharashtra,470 kms in Odisha, 369 kms Tamil
Nadu (TN) and 121 kms in Telengana. The construction will need One Crore Sq. mtrs of coir Geo-textiles, that will cost
around Rs.70 Crore.
About Coir Geo textiles:
It is a permeable fabric, natural, strong, highly durable, resistant to rots, moulds and moisture, free from any
microbial attack. It plays an important role in soil erosion. They protect the land and provide vegetative growth
during the formative period after which degrade into the soil.
About PMGSY: It was launched by the central Government in December 2000 to provide all-weather friendly single
road connectivity to the prescribed size.
About PMGSY-III:
Launched on December 18,2019, this phase aims to construct 1,25,000 km of roads with an estimated cost of about
80,250 crores rupees (Central Share of Rs. 53,800 crores) for the period 2019-20 – 2024-25.
The share of funds between the Centre and the states will be in the ratio of 60:40, but in 8 North Eastern states and
three Himalayan states (Jammu and Kashmir (J&K), Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand) it will be in the ratio of
90:10.
About Rural Development Ministry:
Union minister– Narendra Singh Tomar
Minister of State– Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti
Centre launches scheme for 100% solarisation of Konark sun temple & Konark town in Odisha
On 20th May 2020, The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) announced that the Government of India
launched a scheme for 100% solarisation of Konark Sun Temple and Konark town in Odisha.
Key Points:
i.The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy has taken up this scheme of complete solarisation of Konark town in
Odisha.
ii.The objective of this scheme is to advance the Prime Minister’s vision to develop the historical Sun Temple town of
Konark as ‘Surya Nagri’ and to meet all the energy requirements of the Konark town with solar energy.
iii.The scheme foresees a 10 megawatt (MW) grid-connected solar project and various solar off-grid applications like
solar trees, solar drinking water kiosks and off-grid power plants with battery storage, with 100% central financial
assistance (CFA) support around Rs 25 crore through MNRE from Government of India.
iv.Odisha Renewable Energy Development Agency (OREDA) will be implementing this scheme.
About MNRE:
Minister of State- Raj Kumar Singh (Minister of State – Skill Development and Entrepreneurship)
Secretary- Indu Shekhar Chaturvedi
Headquarters- New Delhi

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NABARD disburses Rs 12,767 crore to State Co-op Banks & RRBs to extend credit to farmers
On May 5, 2020, The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development(NABARD) disburses Rs 12,767
crore to State Co-operative(Co-op) Banks & Regional Rural Banks(RRBs) across the country to increase their
resources for extending credit to farmers during the lockdown due to the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic.The loans
are being offered for one year at an interest rate of 4.8 per cent.
In total there are 33 State Co-ops & 45 RRBs in the country & are vital intermediaries in the rural credit structure.
Major Highlights
i.NABARD so far has extended the refinance(May 4 & 5) to the rural banks in 15 states which includes- Andhra
Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Haryana, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Uttar
Pradesh and West Bengal.
ii.Reserve Bank of India(RBI) has announced a Rs 50,000 crore refinance facility for 3 All-India Financial
Institution(AIFI) namely- NABARD, the Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI), and the National
Housing Bank (NHB) on April 17.
iii.Of the Rs 50,000 crore refinance, NABARD received Rs 25,000 crore for refinancing RRBs, co-operative banks and
Micro Finance Institutions(MFIs).
iv.Since the second half of March 2020 when the lockdown came into force in different states as a measure to contain
the spread of COVID-19 pandemic, NABARD has disbursed nearly Rs 30,021 crore to rural banks.
v.Still the development finance institution has not disbursed any amount from the RBI’s refinance window.
vi.AIFIs play a significant role in meeting the long-term funding requirements of agriculture and the rural sector,
small industries, housing finance companies, Non-banking Finance Companies(NBFC), and MFIs.
About NABARD:
Headquarters– Mumbai, Maharashtra
Chairman– Harsh Kumar Bhanwala
HIL(India) to supply 25 tonnes of pesticides to Iran to control locust invasion

On May 24, 2020 HIL, (India) Limited (Formerly- Hindustan Insecticides Limited) a Public sector undertakings(PSU)
under Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals, Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers is in process to produce &
supply 25 tonnes of Malathion Technical to Iran for the Locust Control Program under government
arrangements.
Key Point
The Union Ministry of External Affairs(MEA) has approached HIL for manufacturing and supply of this commodity to
Iran.
Major Highlights
i.Export– HIL has exported 10 tonnes of fungicide Mancozeb to Latin American country Peru and another 12 tonnes
will be exported in the next one week.
ii.Agreement– It has signed an agreement with the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare for the supply of
Malathion Technical to Rajasthan and Gujarat for the Locust Control Programme
iii.Supply– Till next week HIL had manufactured and supplied 67 tonnes of Malathion Technical.It supplied
malathion Technical to municipal corporations for dengue and chikungunya control programme.
As per the supply order placed by ministry of family welfares, National Vector Borne Disease Control
Programme(NVBDCP) programmes, the supply of 314 tonnes of Dichloro diphenyl trichloroethane(DDT) 50% wdp to
various states like Rajasthan, Punjab ,Odisha,Andhra pradesh etc was executed
The company is in the process of supplying a balance quantity of 252 tonnes to other states.
HIL produced 120 tonnes of Malathion Technical, 120.40 Tonnes of DDT Technical, 288 Tonees of DDT 50%, 21
Tonnes of HILGOLD (Water Soluble Fertilizer), 12 Tonnes of Mancozeb Fungicide for Exports and 35 Tonnes of
different agrochemical formulations during the lockdown period till 15th May 2020 so that farming community and
health department may not have the affects of the lockdown.

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Union Minister Narendra Singh Tomar launched “The Saras Collection” on GeM portal from New Delhi
On May 4, 2020, at Krishi Bhavan in New Delhi, Union Minister for Rural Development and Panchayati Raj and
Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Shri Narendra Singh Tomar, launched “The Saras Collection” on the Government e
Marketplace (GeM) portal to showcase daily utility products made by rural self-help groups (SHGs).
It aims to provide SHGs in rural areas with market access to Central and State Government buyers.
The Saras Collection is an initiative of GeM and the Deen Dayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihoods
Mission (DAY-NRLM).
5 Product Categories for SHG sellers:
SHG sellers will be able to list their products in 5 product categories namely (i) handicrafts, (ii) handloom and
textiles, (iii) office accessories, (iv) grocery and pantry, and (v) personal care and hygiene.
11 States already registered as sellers for Saras Collection:
The first phase is a pilot stage under which 913 SHGs from 11 States have already registered as sellers and 442
products have been on-boarded. The States are Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Himachal Pradesh,
Maharashtra, Odisha, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal.
GeM has also developed an application program interface (API) based integration mechanism with the NRLM
database to integrate large numbers of SHGs in a short time frame.
Training to SHGs:
Sellers need to be trained for uploading their product, order packaging, catalogue management, order fulfilment, bid
participation and logistics. For this, NRLM and State Rural Livelihoods Mission (SRLM), GeM will develop online
learning resources in vernacular content for SHGs and SRLM staff to meet user specific needs.
Further, GeM will conduct online webinars for SHGs and develop videos, eBooks, Manual and repository of FAQs for
a seamless learning experience.
Benefits to SHGs:
SHGs will be provided with direct access to Government buyers through Saras Collection which will eliminate the
need of intermediaries in the supply chain, thus ensuring better prices for SHGs and spurring employment
opportunities at the local level.
About DAY-NRLM:
DAY-NLRM aims to reduce poverty through promotion of diversified and gainful self-employment. The scheme
supports building social capital and ensuring financial linkages to alleviate poverty and enhance the quality of the life
of rural poor women.
The program was launched in 2011 by the Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD). In 2015 it was renamed as
Deendayal Antayodaya Yojana (DAY-NRLM).
About GeM:
Government e Marketplace (GeM) is a 100 percent Government owned Section 8 Company set up as the National
Public Procurement Portal to provide online, end to end solution for procurement of goods and services for all
Central Government and State Government Ministries.
The platform reduces human interventions in procurement and enables transparency, cost savings, inclusiveness and
efficiency of faceless standardized public procurement.
It is hosted by the Directorate General of Supplies and Disposals (DGS&D) under the Ministry of Commerce and
Industry.
Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank launches Central University of Odisha helpline ‘Bharosa’ to help students in
distress
On May 11, 2020, Union Minister for Human Resource Development (HRD) Shri Ramesh Pokhriyal
Nishank launched Central University of Odisha (CUO) Helpline “Bharosa” and its Helpline Number 08046801010
through a virtual platform in New Delhi in order to relieve the distress of student community during the troubled
time of the COVID-19.
Key Points:
i.Aim: The helpline aims at providing Cognitive Emotional Rehabilitation Services to all University Students of
Odisha.

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ii.Mr Nishank also outlined the efforts of the HRD Ministry in safeguarding the future of students. He emphasized on
the steps taken with regard to the new academic calendar and virtual mode of education.
iii.The mental health concern of the students is of great importance and the Helpline launched by the Central
University of Odisha (CUO) is a great step towards that.
iv.Union HRD Minister also urged the Central and State Universities and other Institutions of Higher Education across
the country to emulate the Bharosa initiative.
v.The Vice-Chancellor of CUO Prof I Ramabrahmam coordinated the programme and highlighted the CUO Helpline
‘Bharosa’, that over 400 calls have been received in the Pilot Phase of the CUO Helpline.
vi.Shri Madhusudan Mishra, Collector and District Magistrate, Koraput was instrumental in Piloting the ‘Bharosa’
initiative of CUO before its formal launch.
vii.Odisha Minister for Higher Education Dr Arun Kumar Sahoo lauded the efforts of the Central University and
expressed hope that it will help the students in distress during COVID-19.
About Odisha:
Cyclone Amphan causes havoc in India and Bangladesh

On May 20, 2020, A powerful super-cyclone Amphan, making landfall at 2.30 p.m. between Digha in West Bengal and
and Hatiya island in Bangladesh with winds of about 120mph (190km/h), has killed at least 22 people and destroying
thousands of homes.
Cyclone Amphan pronounced as ‘um-pun’, Thailand had given the name ‘Amphan’ for this cyclone way back in 2004,
first cyclonic storm of 2020 which is expected to be quite severe as per Indian Meteorological Department’s (IMD)
latest forecast.
Key Points:
i.Cyclone after 21 years : Super cyclone Amphan has arrived in India after 21 years as in the year 1999, a cyclone hit
the coast of Odisha (Tropical Storm B 05 or Supercyclone, 1999). It also caused a huge loss of life and property.
ii.It comes a year after cyclone Fani that battered Odisha on May 3, 2019 and claimed 64lives.
iii.In view of the Amphan, 32 teams of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) had been deployed in Odisha and
West Bengal with PPE (personal protective equipment) due to prevailing coronavirus(Covid-19) scenario.
Cyclone Amphan hits West Bengal & Odisha
According to reports, 9 districts of Odisha and coastal districts of West Bengal are affected. In Odisha, Gajapati,
Ganjam, Puri, Jagatsinghpur and Kendrapara., while orth and South 24 Parganas, Kolkata, East and West Midnapore,
Howrah and Hooghly in West Bengal have been affected.
It is the third super cyclone to occur in the North Indian Ocean region after cyclone Kyarr in 2019 and Cyclone Gonu
in 2007.
i.Many areas have been submerged & Roads, electricity, bridges, communication systems have completely collapsed
in many districts of South Bengal. However, earlier, while passing through the Odisha border, Amphun has caused
more devastation.
About Super cyclonic storm:
Amphan intensified from a Category-I cyclone to a Category-5 cyclone in less than 24 hours, thus generating higher
wind speed in a short duration. Rapid intensification of a storm occurs if maximum sustained wind speed increases
by 55 kmph in 24 hours duration.
It is the highest category used by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) to classify tropical cyclones, within the
North Indian Ocean tropical cyclone basin between the Malay Peninsula and the Arabian Peninsula.
The sea surface temperatures (SST) are usually warmer over the Bay of Bengal as compared to the Arabian Sea. This
summer, prior to the formation of Amphan, temperature over the Bay of Bengal ranged between 31-34 degree
Celsius, which was above the normal levels. Since the temperature is high during summer, conditions are favorable
for cyclone formation.

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About Indian Meteorological Department (IMD):
Director General- Mrutyunjay Mohapatra
Noted playwright Bijay Mishra passed away at 83

Noted playwright, dramatist, scriptwriter and film director Bijay Mishra of Odisha passed away at the age of 83 due
to age-related ailments in Bhubaneswar, Odisha. He was born at Santaragadia village in Balasore district, Odisha on
July 16, 1936.
Key Points:
i.About Bijay Mishra: Mishra began playwright from 1960 and his first play ‘Janani’ was staged in Annapurna
Theatre, Cuttack, Odisha. He was also a mainstream script writer in Odia Cinema & TV Industry.
ii.He had written the script of the famous Odia film Jajabara (1975). It was his first film as a writer. He had also
directed a film titled ‘Trimurty’ along with Akhyaya Mohanty and Hemanta Das.
iii.Mishra had written more than 60 dramas, 55 film scripts and 7 TV (Television) serials. Some of his literary works
have been translated to other regional languages.
iv.Awards: Mishra was recipient of many awards at the State as well as national level. He won the Kendriya Sahitya
Akademi award in 2013 for his play ‘Vanaprastha’.
v.Besides, he won Odisha Sahitya Akademi and other State-level awards.
vi.He also received the prestigious ‘Jayadev Award’ for his lifetime contribution to Odia film industry at the
30th Odisha State Film Awards 2019.
vii.His widely acclaimed play ‘Tata Niranjana’ has been translated in Hindi, Nepali, Kannada and in several other
Indian languages which won him a national award from All India Radio (AIR).
About Odisha:
Capital– Bhubaneshwar.
Odisha Current Affairs - June 2020

Centre approved funds for implementation of Jal Jeevan Mission in Odisha, Meghalaya, Assam & Bihar
On the lines of the announcement made by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2019 regarding Jal Jeevan Mission
(JJM) which aims to provide “Functional Household Tap Connection” (FHTC) to 18 Crore rural households of the
country by the year 2024, the Centre has approved funds for the implementation of Jal Jeevan Mission in the following
states during FY2020-2021:
Centre approves Rs 812 crore for implementation of Jal Jeevan Mission in Odisha
Centre has approved a higher allocation of Rs 812 crore for implementation of Jal Jeevan Mission in Odisha during
2020-21 in comparison to the Rs 297 crore in FY19-20. The government of Odisha is planning to provide over 16 lakh
household connections in 2020-21 with a target of 100% household tap connections by the year 2024.
Priority is being given for 100% coverage of villages under water-scarce areas, quality-affected areas, Sansad Adarsh
Gram Yojna villages, villages in Aspirational Districts and SC/ST dominated habitations.
Odisha was allocated Rs 2,258 crore under the 15th Finance Commission Grants to Panchayati Raj Institutions
(PRIs) during 2020-21. 50% of the amount has to be mandatorily spent on water and sanitation.
Centre approves Rs 175 crore for implementation of JJM in Meghalaya
Centre has approved 175 crore rupees for implementation of JJM in Meghalaya during 2020-21. The allocation has
been made on the basis of the Annual Action Plan presented by Meghalaya to National JJM, Ministry of Jal Shakti
under which the state has proposed 100% tap connections to all the households by December, 2022.
In FY20-21, out of 5.89 lakh total rural households, the State will provide 1.80 lakh tap connections.
The State has been allocated Rs. 182 Crore under 15th Finance Commission Grants to PRIs during 2020-21; 50% of
this amount has to be mandatorily to be spent on water and sanitation.

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Notably, Meghalaya is blessed with more than average rainfall and has abundant natural water resources. However,
due to detrimental human interference, the water levels are depleted.
Centre approves Rs 1,407 crore for implementation of Jal jeevan mission in Assam during 2020-21
Centre has approved Rs 1,407 crore for implementation of JJM in Assam during the year 2020-21. Assam has planned
to provide functional tap connections to 13 lakh rural households in 2020-21, out of total 63 lakh households.
The state also planned to immediately provide household tap connections to all remaining households belonging to
weaker and marginalised sections on a priority basis.
Centre allocates over Rs 1,832.66 cr for implementation of JJM in Bihar
Centre has allocated Rs. 1832.66 crore for implementation of JJM in Bihar during 2020-21. Bihar is planning to
provide tap connections to the remaining 1 crore 50 lakh households in 2020-21 therefore the state will have 100%
coverage of all households with functional tap water connections by 2020-21.
Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) has been launched in partnership with States, to enable every household in villages to have a
FHTC within the premises by 2024.
Arunachal Pradesh plans to provide tap connection to all rural households by March 2023
Govt of India approved Rs 255 Crore for the State under Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) in 2020-21. The State proposed to
provide 100% tap connections to all the households by March, 2023. Out of 2.18 lakh total rural households, the State
is planning to provide 77,000 tap connections in 2020-21.
The State has been allocated Rs. 231 Crore under 15th Finance Commission Grants to PRIs during 2020-21.
Being implemented in partnership with States, the Mission aims to enable every rural household has assured
availability of potable water at a service level of 55 litres per capita per day (lpcd) on regular and long-term basis so
as to bring improvements in lives of rural folks.
Puducherry plans to provide tap connections to all rural households in 2020-21
National Jal Jeevan Mission has approved the Annual Action Plan of Puducherry for FY2020-2021 under which
household tap connections will be provided to remaining households.
The UT has been advised to focus on 24*7 service delivery in rural areas, so that the villages can act as ‘utilities’ with
focus on ‘service delivery’.It’s also planned to conduct Internet of Things (IoT) based sensor monitoring for water
supply in villages.
It should be noted that all the above states are giving emphasis on the “low-hanging fruits” i.e. in the villages/
habitations where piped water supply schemes already exist, so that remaining households could be provided with
tap connections easily in very less time.
About JJM:
It aims to enable every rural household has assured availability of potable water at a service level of 55 litres per
capita per day (lpcd) on regular and long-term basis. As a mission target, all states are presenting their
implementation plans to the National level Committee headed by Secretary, Department of Drinking Water &
Sanitation, Govt. of India for approval.
The estimated outlay of the mission is Rs 3.60 Lakh Crore with Central and State share of Rs. 2.08 Lakh Crore and
Rs.1.52 Lakh Crore respectively.
Odisha celebrates Raja Parba – Festival of Menstruation and Womanhood

Raja Parba of Odisha is a three-day festival during the mid-June (preferably starts from 14th June and ends on 16th
June) marking the beginning of monsoon. On this day people celebrate menstruation and womanhood, based on the
belief that mother earth menstruates for three days which is considered as a sign of fertility.
History:
The celebration started as a tribal practice and later became a celebration all over Odisha acknowledging that there
was no taboo on menstruation of women in the past.
Celebration of Raja Praba:
i.The work Raja means “Menstruation” in odia, the first day of the celebration is called Pahili Raja, followed
by Mithuna Sankranti and Bhu Daaha or Basi Raja the 2nd and 3rd day and on the 4th day (Vasumati Snana) the
celebration is completed with a ceremonial bath performed by everyone on a grinding stone as a symbol of earth.

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ii.During this festival, no activities will be followed like tilling construction and other works which disturbs the earth,
also women and girls do not participate in cooking and spend their days on the improvised swings (Ram Doli, Charki
Doli, Pata Doli, Dandi Doli) and celebrate.
iii.This festival promotes sustainable development by not hurting the earth for three days and menstrual hygiene
for women and girls and supports them to be liberated from the societal taboo (social prohibition).
About Odisha:
Governor– Prof. Ganeshi Lal
Diversion of forests for non-forestry projects: Govt. of India

Large areas of forest land are being diverted to other projects throughout India by the Government. A total 11,467.83
hectares (114.68 square kilometre) forest lands were diverted in 22 states between January 1 and November 6,
2019.
Key Points
i.According to the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate change annual report 2019-20 the diversion
was for 932 non-forestry projects under the Forest (Conservation )Act (FCA), 1980.
ii.14 projects in Odisha diverted 4,514 hectares (ha) of forest land, which is equal to 1/3rd of the total diverted forest
land.
iii.11 projects in Telangana diverted 2,055 ha of forest land.
iv.11 projects in Jharkhand diverted 869.99 ha of forest land.
v.Madhya pradesh diverted 795.36 ha for 220 projects.
Note: The most number of projects were in Haryana where a total diversion of 519.53 ha for 251 projects.
State Number of Projects Total Forest Land approved for diversion (in ha)
Goa 1 0.93
Mizoram 1 23.69
Uttar Pradesh 1 63.27
Chhattisgarh 1 207.99
Kerala 2 0.26
Tripura 2 1.8
West Bengal 2 102.33
Maharashtra 2 151.81
Andhra Pradesh 3 37.82
Tamil Nadu 6 18.45
Karnataka 11 162.61
Jharkhand 11 869.99
Telangana 11 2055.05
Odisha 14 4514
Rajasthan 27 370.34
Bihar 28 453.43
Himachal Pradesh 52 434.36
Uttarakhand 64 159.74
Gujarat 99 114.01
Punjab 123 411.07

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Madhya Pradesh 220 795.36

Haryana 251 519.53
TOTAL 932 11467.83
About Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate change
Union Minister – Prakash Javadekar
Minister of State – Babul Supriyo
The Cabinet of Odisha gives state anthem status to “Bande Utkala Janani”
On 8th June 2020, The Cabinet of Odisha chaired by Naveen Patnaik, the Chief Minister of Odisha approved the
proposal to give the status of State anthem to “Bande Utkala Janani”, a poem written by Kantakabi Laxmikanta
Mohapatra in 1912.
Background:
i.The song gained immortality when it was sung as the opening song in the Utkal Sammilani during the formation of
Odisha as a separate province in 1912.
ii.In 1994 the Assembly of Odisha was set on to sing “Bande Utkala Janani” at the end of every session and considered
to make it the anthem of the state.
iii.The song reflects the glory and natural beauty of Odisha.
Key Points:
i.According to the resolution passed the song will hereby be sung in every government programmes, sessions of the
legislative assembly and other special events organised by the government in schools, colleges.
ii.The decision was passed in accordance with the state cabinet’s decision.
iii.The tune and music for the song will be finalised by the State Information and Public Relations Department.
About Odisha:
Chief Minister-Naveen Patnaik
Governor-Ganeshi Lal
Odisha becomes 1st state in India to receive ISO certification for tribal hostels
On June 12, 2020, Odisha became the first State in India to receive prestigious ISO (International Organization for
Standardization) 9001:2015 certification for its 44 tribal hostels of Keonjhar (32 hostels) and Sambalpur (12 hostels)
districts improving their overall infrastructure and standards under Mission Suvidya.
Assessment:
The Odisha state’s department of ST & SC Development in association with Quality Control of India (QCI) has
conducted a comprehensive assessment & evaluation of all hostels with the aim to improve the standard and quality
of the hostels.
During 1st phase of the assessment , all 60 hostels were selected for intensive interventions of gap filling out of 156
hostels in Keonjhar. Similarly 12 were selected out of 90 hostels of Sambalpur.
However due to coronavirus (COVID-19), the audit team assessed only 32 hostels of Keonjhar & 12 of Sambalpur in
March 2020 & the remaining 28 hostels will be assessed post lockdown.
5T framework:
The certification is an example of the transformation targets set under the state’s 5T(Technology, Transparency,
Teamwork, Time and Transformation) framework that aims to bring in transformational, and institutional-level
changes in state governance.
About Mission Suvidya:
Launched in December 2019, it aims to improve the quality of basic facilities in the SC (Scheduled Castes) and ST
(Scheduled Tribes) hostels like safe building, functional toilets, safe drinking water, proper kitchen and dining, safety,
security, health, hygiene and food provisions for students.
About Odisha:
Chief minister– Shri Naveen Patnaik

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5T Secretary- VK Pandian
Dance forms– Odissi,Chhau, Medha Nacha, Dalkhai, Ghumura.
Odisha, Sikkim and Mizoram included in ‘One Nation-One Ration Card’ scheme
On June 1, 2020 The Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution Ram Vilas Paswan informed
that Odisha, Sikkim and Mizoram have joined the ‘One Nation-One Ration Card’ scheme on ‘Integrated
Management of Public Distribution System’(IM-PDS) a total of 20 states/Union Territories(UTs) in the scheme.
Targets made
All states will be added in the scheme & the scheme will be operational all over India by March 2021
Three more States namely- Uttarakhand, Nagaland and Manipur will also be added to the national cluster by August
2020
Scheme execution in Odisha, Sikkim and Mizoram
i.The necessary arrangements like preparatory activities to integrate these states with the national cluster
particularly upgradation of electronic Point of Sale (ePoS) software.
ii.The integration with central IM-PDS and Annavitran portals for the availability of ration cards/beneficiaries data in
Central Repository, requisite testing of national portability transactions are completed with the support of the central
National Informatics Centre (NIC) team.
iii.the national/ inter-State portability transactions under the scheme will be enabled in these states with effect from
the distribution month of June 2020.
States/UTs enabled with the facility
Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu, Goa, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand,
Kerala, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Punjab, Telangana, Tripura and Uttar Pradesh.
Major Highlights
i.The Department of Food & Public Distribution is taking constant efforts to include the remaining States and UTs to
the national cluster.
ii.Ram Vilas Paswan requested the 20 States/UTs to commence the national/ inter-State portability transactions in
June 2020 as beneficiaries can take advantage of portability service with immediate effect which will also benefit the
migrants anywhere in these 20 States/UTs.
Key Points
Under this plan National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013 ration cards which have recorded at least one Aadhaar
authenticated transaction in the last 6-months shall be eligible for the national portability transactions.
Web-services for reporting of portability transaction details to the central dashboard are also enabled for these
States, the central NIC team shall be assisting the State Governments to rollout ‘One Nation One Ration Card’ plan.
Objective of the scheme
The scheme enables the NFSA ration cardholders to avail their subsidised foodgrains from any ePoS software-
enabled Fair Price shop(FPS) anywhere in the country, by using the existing/same ration card after Aadhaar
authentication on ePoS devices.
About Mizoram
Capital– Aizawl
Chief Minister(CM)– Pu Zoramthanga
Governor– PS Sreedharan Pillai
About Sikkim
Capital-Gangtok
CM– Prem Singh Tamang (Golay)
Governor– Ganga Prasad
About Odisha
CM– Naveen Patnaik

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World Bank Approves $500 mn Under ‘STARS’ Project to Improve Education Quality in 6 Indian States
On June 28, 2020, The board of executives of the World Bank (WB) has approved loan of $ 500 million (about Rs
3,700 crore) under ‘Strengthening Teaching-Learning and Results for States Program (STARS)’project to improve
the quality and governance of school education across six states (Himachal Pradesh, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh,
Maharashtra, Odisha, and Rajasthan) in India.
The new project will be executed through flagship central scheme, Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan.
The Loan has a final maturity of 14.5 years including a grace period of five years.
Right to education:
A total of 250 million students in the age group of 6 to 17 years studying in 15 lakh schools and more than one crore
teachers will be benefited from this program by improving learning assessment systems, strengthen classroom
instruction, and remediation, facilitate school-to-work transition, and strengthen governance and decentralized
management.
Key Points:
i.STARS program has been built on the solid foundation of the India-World Bank relationship since 1994 to
strengthen education in government schools and make education available to everyone.
ii.STARS will support India’s renewed focus on addressing the ‘learning outcome’ challenge and help students better
prepare for the jobs of the future – through a series of reform initiatives.They are,
Focusing more directly on the delivery of education services at the state, district and sub district levels
Addressing demands from stakeholders, especially parents, for greater accountability and inclusion
Equipping teachers to manage this transformation
Investing more in developing India’s human capital.
iii.Prior to the STARS program, World Bank had assisted $3 billion in this direction.
iv.As per WB, India has made better improvement in access to education across the country from 2004-05 to 2018-
19, where the number of children going to school hiked from 21.9 crore to 24.8 crore.
However, the learning results of students continue at below level. STARS program will help improve assessment
systems at the national level through education as a whole and in partnership with states.
About World Bank:
Headquarters– Washington D.C., United States (US).
Motto– Working for a World Free of Poverty.
President– David Malpass.
500 Year Old Temple Found Submerged in Mahanadi River of Odisha

Deepak Kumar Nayak, Project Assistant of Indian National Trust for Art & Cultural
Heritage(INTACH) with Rabindra Rana, heritage enthusiast of Odisha located the 500-year-old submerged temple
in the Mahanadi river near Baideswar in Padmavati area, Cuttack.
About the Temple:
i.The 16 feet temple dates back to the late 15th or early 16th century, considering the construction style of
the Mastaka and the materials used in the construction.
ii.The temple was dedicated to the Gopinath Dev constructed in the region known as “Satapatana” in the early days.
iii.In the early 19th century the deities of the temple were shifted to the present Gopinath Dev temple in Padmavati
village.
iv.The discovery was made as part of the documentation project of a heritage site in the river valley.
About the documentation project:
i.The documentation project of a heritage site in the Mahanadi valley was launched by the INTACH Odisha in 2019.
ii.This is a pilot project of INTACH and the first of its kind study on any river in India.
iii.The project survey covers around 1,700 km including the tangible and intangible heritages of Mahanadi Valley
form the source to sea on both the banks of the river.
iv.The INTACH has located more than 65 temples in the Mahanadi river during this project.
v.The document of the survey will be released as a multi volume report of more than 800 monuments in 2021.
Key Points:

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i.The request to relocate and restore the temple to a suitable site using the required tools will be made to the
Archaeological Survey of India(ASI).
ii.Anil Dhir, the project coordinator of INTACH mentioned that the temples in the Hirakud Reservoir can be
dismantled and reconstructed.
About INTACH:
Chairman– L.K. Gupta
Former Union Water Resources minister Arjun Charan Sethi passed away at 79
On June 8, 2020 Former Union Water Resources Minister(2000 to 2004) Arjun Charan Sethi passed away
at 79 due to his short illness in a private hospital at Bhubaneswar. He is an 8-time member of parliament(MP) from
Bhadrak Lok Sabha constituency. He was born on 18 Sep 1941 & hails from Bhadrak, Odisha.
Arjun Charan Sethi’s political journey
i.Arjun Charan Sethi was elected to the 5th Lok Sabha from Bhadrak constituency in Odisha as an Indian National
Congress(INC) candidate & was re-elected to the Lok Sabha in 1980 from the same constituency as an INC candidate
ii.He was re-elected to the Lok Sabha in 1991 as a Janata Dal candidate from the same constituency & re-elected to the
Lok Sabha in 1998, 1999, 2004 and 2009 from the same constituency as a Biju Janata Dal (BJD) candidate.
iii.He was also elected to Odisha Assembly twice as a Janata Dalcandidate in 1991 and 1995 from Bhandaripokhari.
iv.He joined the Bharatiya Janata Party(BJP) before the 2019 Lok Sabha along with his son Abhimanyu Sethi, but did
not contest elections.
About Odisha:
Odisha Current Affairs - July 2020

Odisha Launches 1st of its kind scheme, ‘Balaram’ to provide Rs 1,040 crore credit to 7 lakh Landless
Farmers
On July 3, the Government of Odisha launched 1st of its kind scheme, ‘Balaram’ to provide agricultural credit of Rs
1,040 crore to landless farmers facing hardships during COVID 19.The Scheme is designed in collaboration
with National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD).
Key Points:
• Two state-run organisations – the Institute on Management of Agricultural Extension and the Agricultural
Technology Management Agency (ATMA) – will be the nodal agencies at the state and district levels
respectively for implementation of the scheme.
• In the next two years around seven lakh cultivators will be benefitted by ‘Balaram’.
• The beneficiaries decision was taken during a high-level meeting presided over by chief secretary A K
Tripathy.
• The farmers, who didn’t avail farm credit earlier, will get loans through Joint Liability Groups (JLG) which act
as ‘social collateral’.
• The banking sector will be mobilised through the State Level Bankers Committee (SLBC) for extending credit
support to farmers and sharecroppers who don’t get loans due to lack of resources.
• The ‘Krushak Sathis’ and village agricultural workers will be incentivised through ATMA for repayment of
FLGs by linking them to banks and facilitating loan repayments.
• Around 7000 branches of different banks and primary Agricultural Cooperative societies (PACS) in rural and
semi urban areas.
• Each lender will finance a minimum of 10 JLGs per year.
• A JLG consists of five members and a group will get 1.6 lakhs.
• 1.40 lakh JLGs will cover seven lakh landless cultivators in two years.

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• The field level agricultural workers will get a credit of Rs 1,040 crore under ‘Balaram’.
About Odisha:
Capital: Bhubaneswar
Chief Minister: Naveen Patnaik
About NABARD:
Headquarters: Mumbai, Maharashtra
Chairman: G R Chintala
Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik Launches BLUIS, First of its Kind in India to Use Space Technology &
Artificial Intelligence to Monitor Government Lands
On 8th July 2020, The Chief Minister of Odisha, Naveen Patnaik, launched the Bhubaneswar Land Use Intelligence
System (BLUIS), a flagship development of the General Administration and Public grievances departments.
Odisha becomes the first state in India to use high resolution satellite imagery utilising space technology and artificial
intelligence to monitor government lands.
Need of BLUIS:
The lack of transparency and accountability of the enforcement in the current mechanisms and the increasing
encroachment of government lands in Bhubaneswar resulted in the development of BLUIS.
Bhubaneswar Land Use Intelligence System (BLUIS):
i.BLUIS is a web and mobile based solution to monitor the unauthorised change of land use and to prevent the
encroachment of government lands.
ii.The BLUIS, the geo tagged repository of all the government lands detects all the changes that are taking place over
the government lands.
iii.The repository is made using the high resolution satellite imagery.
Working:
i.The BLUIS mobile application will provide an alarm to the authorities of law enforcement on account of any changes
made on the government lands.
ii.The GPS of the system will provide the exact location to the enforcement authorities.
iii.The geo tagged video and image evidence is uploaded on the application and a case will be filed for removing
encroachment.
iv.The application can be used by anyone to report any unauthorised changes on the government lands.
Launch of Litigation Management System:
i.Litigation Management System, an online application to record the legal cases and to enable the communication
between the officials and the advocated during various stages of the case
ii.The system provides a solution to monitor a case from initiation, appointment scheduling and allotment of case to
government advocate for preparation and submission of counter affidavit.
About Odisha:
Odisha Government to Implement an Initiative ‘Sabuja Odisha’ to Increase Green Cover through
Extensive Plantation
On June 29, 2020 Odisha government in a high-level meeting held under the Chairmanship of Chief Secretary Asit
Tripathy decided to implement a new initiative ‘Sabuja Odisha’. The initiative will increase green cover through
extensive plantations over 1,30,264 Hectares of land.
• About 1.30 lakh hectares of land where these seedlings can be planted has been identified in 2,660 locations
for plantation.
Key Info
i.A web-based system will be set up for real-time monitoring and supervision of the programme.

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ii.District level Committee will be formed under the chairmanship of Collector for successful coordination and
implementation of the programme.
iii.Divisional Forest Officer’s Headquarters will act as Plantation Officer in the district. All districts are directed to
have their own micro-level work plan for plantations.
iv.The seedling will be distributed to the people of their choice at Rs 1 per seedling. The plantation sites with
geographic information system integrations will be uploaded on the website for continuous monitoring through
satellite applications.
v.The identified 1,30,264 hectares of land for plantation is nearly two times more than the last year’s plantation
within 68,358 hectares.
Number of seedlings raised
i.Till now, around 13.11 crore seedlings of various varieties like the medicinal plant, fruit-bearing species, timber
species, multi-purpose plants, aesthetic and shade bearing species, endangered species have been raised.
ii.The all time high number of seedlings in 2020 have been raised in the 5,222 nurseries.
About Odisha:
Odisha Government included Transgender Community under Madhu Babu Pension Yojana
The official notification of The Department of Social security and Empowerment of Persons with
Disabilities(SSEPD) informed that, Odisha Government has included the transgender community under Madhu
Babu Pension Yojana(MBPY), a social security scheme by amending to Rule 6 of the Madhu Babu Pension Rules
2008.
• In addition to transgenders, women those who are fighting divorce cases in courts are also included.
• Under this scheme, about 6,000 transgenders will receive Rs 500, Rs 700 and 900 per month as a pension
under various categories depending on their age.
Other info as per the notification
i.To avail the benefit of the scheme the transgenders should possess a certificate issued under Section 6 of the
Transgender Persons(Protection of Rights) Act 2019.
ii.It is mandatory that the income of the beneficiary must not exceed Rs 40,000 per annum and should not be a
member paying income tax or working as a government servant.
Key Info
i.Around 48 lakh people in the state are getting benefited under the MBPY.
ii.MBPY beneficiaries will get another instalment of Rs 1,000 as financial assistance in wake of COVID-19 pandemic.
iii.The state govt has already allocated advance pension to the beneficiaries of the scheme for four months(April, May,
June and July), in view of the COVID-19.
About MBPY:
i.MBPY is initiated under SSEPD. It was launched in Odisha in 2008 by merging the two pension schemes: Revised Old
Age Pension Rules, 1989 and Disability Pension Rules, 1985.
ii.It aims to provide financial assistance to destitute elderly, differently-abled persons and widows in the state.
About Odisha:
Recent Related News
i.Himachal Pradesh govt to launch ‘Mukhya Mantri Shahari Rojgar Guarantee Yojna ‘ for urban employment.
ii.Odisha celebrates Raja Parba, a three-day festival during the mid-June. On this day people celebrate menstruation
and womanhood.

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GEDCOL and NHPC signed MoU to develop floating solar power projects in Odisha
On July 20, 2020, The National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding
(MoU) through video conference with The Green Energy Corporation of Odisha Limited (GEDCOL) to develop floating
solar power projects with a total capacity of 500 Megawatts (MW) in the state of Odisha. The first phase work of the
project starts by March, 2022.
Highlights:
i.The projects will be implemented by the JVC (Joint Venture Collaboration) in various reservoirs of Odisha under
Ultra Mega Renewable Energy Power Parks (UMREPPs) scheme of the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy.
ii.The total estimation of the project will be Rs. 2,500 crores.
iii.The incubation period for convincing each SPV (Special Purpose Vehicle) will be around 7 – 8 months and the
completion period will be around 18 months.
Facts on Odisha Renewable Energy
i.The MoU helps to achieve the target of 2,200 MW solar and 550 MW of non-solar energy source, set up by the
Odisha Renewable Energy Policy, 2016.
ii.The present energy is divided as 362 MW of solar and 77MW of non-solar energy source. The GRIDCO is further
attaining 75 MW solar and 150 MW of wind power.
iii.The state requires 1,000 MW from Solar Renewable Purchase Obligation (RPO) and 1,000 MW from Non-Solar
RPO converted to RPO to meet the target of 2000 MW target set by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy.
About the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy
Headquarters – New Delhi, India
Minister – Mr. Raj Kumar Singh, Lok Sabha Constituency – Arrah, Bihar State. (Ministry of State – Independent
Charge for power and New & Renewable Energy) (Previous: Mr. Piyush Vedprakash Goyal)
About NHPC
Headquarters – Faridabad, Haryana
Chairman and Managing Director – Mr. Abhay Kumar Singh (Previous: Mr. Balraj Joshi)
India’s maternal mortality ratio declined to 113 in 2016-18: Registrar General’s Sample Registration
System (SRS)
In accordance with the “Special Bulletin on Maternal Mortality in India 2016-18”, released by the Office of the
Registrar General’s Sample Registration System (SRS), the Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) in India has declined to
113 in 2016-18 from 122 in 2015-17 and 130 in 2014-2016 and almost 100 deaths lesser than in the period of 2007-
2009.
• States have been categorized into three groups namely, Empowered Action Group (EAG) States, Southern
States and Other States during the survey.
• The southern States registered a lower MMR — Andhra Pradesh (65), Telangana (63), Karnataka (92), Kerala
(43) and Tamil Nadu (60) as compared to states of Assam & EAG viz. Assam (215), Bihar (149), Madhya
Pradesh (173), Chhattisgarh (159), Odisha (150), Rajasthan (164), Uttar Pradesh (197), Uttarakhand (99) and
Jharkhand (71).
• In the category of other states Punjab has a maximum MMR of 129.
Points to be Noted:
-The target of United Nation’s (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) of 3.1 is to reduce the global maternal
mortality ratio to less than 70 per 1,00,000 live births.
-The maximum proportion of maternal deaths during 2016-18 is 33% in the age group of 20-24.
Important Terms:
Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR): It is defined as the proportion of maternal deaths per 1,00,000 live births,
reported under the SRS.
Maternal Mortality Rate: This is calculated as maternal deaths to women in the ages 15-49 per lakh of women in
that age group, reported under SRS.

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Maternal Death: As per World Health Organization (WHO), maternal death is the death of a woman while pregnant
or within 42 days of termination of pregnancy, from any cause related to or aggravated by the pregnancy or its
management.
Sample Registration System (SRS): It is India’s largest demographic sample surveys that among other indicators
provide direct estimates of maternal mortality through a nationally representative sample.
About Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India (ORGI):
The Office of the Registrar General, India works under the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).
Registrar General & Census Commissioner– Dr. Vivek Joshi
Click Here for Official Link
Recent Related News:
On May 10, 2020, ORGI released its SRS bulletin based which has presented the estimates of Birth Rate, Death Rate,
and Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) for the year 2018 for India and its States/UTs.
• As per that, India’s infant mortality rate (IMR) has improved very marginally from 33 per 1,000 live births in
2017 to 32 in 2018.
• The death rate of India has witnessed a significant decline over the last four decades from 14.9 in 1971 to 6.2
in 2018.
• There has been about an 11% decline in birth rate in the last decade, from 22.5 in 2009 to 20.0 in 2018.
Odisha Current Affairs - August 2020

Harsh Vardhan launched largest network of 5 dedicated COVID-19 Biorepositories; 1st Pan-India 1000
Genome Sequencing of SARS-CoV-2 Completed
On 1st August 2020, Harsh Vardhan, Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare announced the completion of 1st
Pan-India 1000 Genome Sequencing of SARS-CoV-2. He reviewed the COVID-19 activities of Department of
Biotechnology(DBT), Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) and DBT-Autonomous
Institutions (AIs) in the meeting with DBT.
He also launched the largest network of five dedicated COVID-19 Biorepositories by the DBT at
• Translational Health Science and Technology Institute (THSTI), Faridabad
• Institute of Life Science (ILS), Bhubaneshwar
• Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences (ILBS), New Delhi
• National Centre for Cell Science (NCCS), Pune
• Institute for Stem Cell Science and Regenerative Medicine (InStem), Bangalore.
Pan India 1000 SARS–CoV-2 RNA Genome Sequencing programme:
i.The programme launched by the Department of Biotechnology(DBT) in May 2020, was conducted by the
autonomous institutes of DBT in collaboration with the national laboratories and clinical organisation.
ii.The consortium was coordinated by National Institute of Biomedical Genomics (NIBMG-Kalyani), West Bengal and
five other National clusters, Institute of Life Science (ILS)-Bhubaneswar, Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and
Diagnostics (CDFD)-Hyderabad, InStem- National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS) -Indian Institute of
Science(IISc) -Bangalore, and National Centre for Cell Science (NCCS) – Pune are actively participating in sequencing
and analysis.
iii.The institutes and clinical organisations that are involved in the programme are include ICMR – National Institute
of Cholera and Enteric Diseases,
• Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (IPGMER) – Kolkata,
• IISc – Bangalore,
• All India Institute of Medical Sciences(AIIMS) – Rishikesh, Uttarakhand,
• Maulana Azad Medical College (MAMC) – Delhi,
• THSTI – Faridabad,
• Grant Medical College (GMC) – Aurangabad,
• Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences (MGIMS) – Wardha,
• Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC)

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• Byramjee Jeejeebhoy Government Medical College (BJMC) – Pune
Key Points:
i.The initial goal of the program of sequencing the 1000 SARS-CoV-2 genomes from nasopharyngeal and
oropharyngeal swabs collected from individuals testing positive for COVID19 by Real Time Polymerase chain
reaction(PCR).
ii.The sequence data will be released in the Global Initiative on Sharing All Influenza Data(GISAID) for the use of
researchers from all across the globe.
iii.This database will increase the understanding about the behaviour and spread of the virus which will support the
transmission of COVID-19.
iv.This data analysis will provide the conclusions to support the combat against COVID-19.
Note:
i.Around 16 vaccines are in different development stages, the Bacillus Calmette–Guérin (BCG) vaccine is currently
under the Phase-3 trial, Zydus Cadila DNA Vaccine is in Phase I and II trial stages.
ii.5 Good clinical laboratory practice (GCLP) clinical trial sites and 6 animal models for Vaccine Development Studies
are also prepared
About Ministry of Health and Family Welfare(MoHFW):
Union Minister– Harsh Vardhan
Minister of State– Ashwini Kumar Choubey
Recent related News:
i.Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan and Minister of State (MoS), Ashwini Kumar Choubey launched the Annual
“India TB (Tuberculosis) Report 2020” through a virtual event which was released by Central TB Division (CTD).
ii.Dr Harsh Vardhan, Union Minister of Health & Family Welfare launched “COVID KATHA- A Multimedia Guide for
Mass Awareness”, a multimedia guide on COVID-19 on the occasion of the 50th DST Foundation Day.
EU launches Nirmanshree For Odisha and Maharashtra Women in Housing Sector

European Union has launched project ’Nirmanshree’ for enhancing the women skill towards housing construction
sector. This is the first-of-its-kind sustainable housing on a large scale in India .The project will be implemented in
Beed and Osmanabad districts of Maharashtra and the Dhenkanal and Jajpur districts of Odisha.
i.A non-profit organisation, Habitat for Humanity India has also join hands with EU for funding this project.
ii.The total cost of the project is EUR 9,49,694 (INR 7,40,85,628 or US$1,075,307).90 percent of fund provides by EU
and remaining 10 percent will be issued by Habitat for Humanity India.
iii.3,000 women will be trained for technical and entrepreneurial skills in housing sector which focus on area such as
masonry, plumbing and electrical fitting, among others.
About Habitat for Humanity India
Headquarters – Mumbai,Maharashtra
MD – Rajan Samuel
Odisha, Chhattisgarh Celebrates ‘2020 Nuakhai Juhar’, Agricultural Festival on August 23

Nukhai Juhar, an ancient festival which is also known as Nuakhai Parab or Nuakhai Bhetghat is celebrated on the fifth
day of lunar fortnight of Bhadrabaa, to welcome the new crop of the season in Odisha, Chhattisgarh and other
neighbouring states. Nuakhai is a combination of two words, Nua which means new and Khai which means eat.
The 2020 Nuakhai Juhar was celebrated on 23rd August.
Note:
The traditional social gathering, Nuakhai Bhetghat, organised by the locals are restricted with the guidelines of
maintaining social distance and procession of more than 5 people are prohibited.
Celebration of Nukhai Juhar:
i.The farmers offer the first produce of the season to the presiding deity, Goddess Samaleswari of Sambalpur, Odisha.
ii.The people worship food grains and prepare special meals with khiri, pitha and kakra.
Cultural programmes like folk songs and dances will be organised to showcase the local culture and traditions of the
state.
iii.Shyam Sundar Dhar Folklore researcher, mentioned that Nuakhai Juhar is extended for elders to bless the

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younger members of the family and for the people to wish the seniors of the locality.
About Odisha:
Tiger Reserve– Similipal Tiger Reserve, Satkosia Tiger Reserve,
Elephant Reserve– Sambalpur Elephant Reserve, Mahanadi Elephant Reserve, Mayurbhanj Elephant Reserve
About Chhattisgarh:
Capital– Raipur
Chief Minister– Bhupesh Baghel
Governor– Anusuiya Uikey
Tiger Reserve– udanti-sitanadi tiger reserve, indravati tiger reserve
UNESCO Recognises Venkatraipur & Noliasahi of Odisha as ‘Tsunami Ready’; India Becomes 1st Country in
Indian Ocean Region to Receive the Honour
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) recognises Venkatraipur and Noliasahi,
villages of Odisha as ‘Tsunami Ready’ for their overall preparedness to face the tsunami.With this
recognition, Odisha became the first state in the India and India became the 1st Country in the Indian Ocean region
to achieve the honour from the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO.
Note – Venkatraipur (Boxipalli) village is in Rangeilunda block in Ganjam district & Noliasahi village of Ersama
block in Jagatsinghpur district.
Certification of Recognition:
On 7th August 2020, Over a virtual event in the presence of International and national delegates the certification of
recognition was presented to the communities of Venkatraipur and Noliasahi and P K Jena, Managing Director of
Odisha State Disaster Management Authority (OSDMA), also received the certification from UNESCO.
Odisha State Disaster Management Authority (OSDMA):
i.Odisha State Disaster Management Authority(OSDMA) was established following the 1999 super cyclone,
implemented the Tsunami Ready Programme in Odisha.
ii.Odisha aims to make the 326 coastal villages and urban local bodies as “Tsunami Ready” over a year of time.
Indian Ocean Tsunami Ready Programme:
Indian Ocean Tsunami Ready Programme of IOC- UNESCO is a programme based on the community performance to
facilitate tsunami preparedness with the collaboration of the Community, leaders, national and local emergency
management agencies.
Objective:
• To improve the coastal community’s preparedness for tsunami emergencies.
• To reduce the loss of life and properties.
• To ensure structural and systematic approach to establish community preparedness.
About Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC):
Executive Secretary & Assistant Director General of UNESCO for IOC– Vladimir Ryabinin
Head Office– Paris, France
About Odisha State Disaster Management Authority (OSDMA):
Managing Director– Pradeep Kumar Jena
Head Office– Bhubaneswar, Odisha
i.The central government has included grand Konark Sun Temple, the UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific
and Cultural Organization) world heritage site in Odisha & Statue of Unity in Gujarat in the Iconic Tourist Sites list.
ii.‘Pink City’ Jaipur received UNESCO World Heritage City certificate during Audrey Azoulay’s visit to Rajasthan,
Ahmedabad became the first city of India to get the World Heritage City tag.
Odisha retains Top Position in Implementation of AMRUT Scheme

Odisha has retained top position in the implementation of Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban
Transformation (AMRUT) scheme. According to rankings released by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs
(MoHUA), Odisha regained its top position by securing a score of 85.67 percent, followed by Union Territory of
Chandigarh (75.08) and Telangana (74.04).

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Cities Covered in Odisha:
Nine cities of Odisha are covered under the AMRUT Scheme – Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Sambalpur, Rourkela, Baripada,
Balasore, Bhadrak, Berhampur and Puri.
Top 3 States in Implementation of AMRUT Scheme:
Position State Score
1 Odisha 85.67
2 Chandigarh (UT) 75.08
3 Telangana 74.04
Key Notes:
i.Around 400 kilometers of pipeline have been laid/replaced for the Universal Coverage of piped water supply. All the
nine AMRUT cities are expected to have 100 percent network coverage by December, 2020.
ii.Out of the total 191 projects started under the AMRUT scheme, 148 projects have been implemented and other
projects are expected to be completed before the deadline in March, 2021.
iii.Under the AMRUT scheme, parks with well-conceived landscaping and rejuvenation facilities, open gyms and
jogging trails have been developed.
iv.All the projects have been geo-tagged to ensure ease of monitoring on a real-time basis, transparency, accuracy,
management and validation of projects.
Renewable Energy Resources:
i.Installation of Solar-Powered Pumps in Pump houses of Berhampur and Baripada with an aim to reduce
dependency on non-renewable energy resources.
AMRUT Scheme:
i.The AMRUT scheme was launched in June 2015 with a focus to establish infrastructure that could ensure adequate
robust sewage networks and water supply for urban transformation by implementing urban revival projects.
The ii.AMRUT Mission covers around 500 cities under AMRUT scheme.
i.On June 25, 2020 Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) organized an online event to mark the 5th
Anniversary of Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana(Urban) (PMAY-U), Smart Cities Mission (SCM) and Atal Mission for
Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT).
ii.On June 29, 2020, Odisha Government implemented a new initiative ‘Sabuja Odisha’ to increase green cover
through extensive plantations over 1,30,264 hectares of land.
About Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs(MoHUA):
Minister of State (MoS) – Hardeep Singh Puri
List of Schemes under Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs – Smart Cities Mission, HRIDAY, AMRUT, Urban
Transport, Swachh Bharat Mission, Cleanest cities in India.
About Odisha:
Capital – Bhubaneswar
Chief Minister – Naveen Patnaik
Governor – Ganeshi Lal
National Commission on Population: Projects India’s Population to be More Feminine by 2036

The National Commission on Population under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) submitted the
Report of the Technical group on population projections July 2020, titled “Population projections for India and
States 2011- 2036”. The report projected that the India’s sex ratio of the total population (females per 1000 males)
is expected to be more feminine in 2036 compared to the population as of 2011.
Population projections for India and States 2011- 2036:
Sex ratio:
i.The report estimates the sex ratio to increase from 943 in 2011 to 957 in 2036.
ii.Compared to 2011, the sex ratio in 18 states except Kerala, Karnataka, Maharashtra and Gujarat are expected to
increase by 2036.

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iii.In 2036, the lowest sex ratio of 899 is expected to be in NCT of Delhi, followed by 900 in Gujarat and 908 in
Haryana.
Infant Mortality Rate:
i.India’s Infant Mortality Rate(IMR) is reported to be 46 in 2010 which is expected to reduce to 30 by the end of
2031-2035.
ii.The report projects the IMR to reduce in all the state of India in 2011 to 2035.
Madhya Pradesh has the highest IMR at 58 followed by Uttar Pradesh with 57 in 2011-2015 which is expected to
come down to 37 and 38 in MP and UP respectively in 2031-35.
iii.During 2031-35, the IMR is expected to be in between 30-40 in Rajasthan, Assam, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, MP and UP.
iv.Kerala is expected to have the lowest IMR at 9 in 2031-35 followed by Tamil Nadu from 22 in 2011-15 to 16 during
2031-35.
Fertility Rate:
i.Total Fertility Rate (TFR) is expected to decline from 2.34 during 2011-2015 to 1.73 during 2031- 35.
ii.The declining fertility rate will change the age demographics of India’s population and increase the medium age
from 24.9 in 2011 to 34.5 in 2036.
iii.Bihar and UP have the higher TFR with 3.5 and 3.7 respectively which is higher than the TFR of India (2.5).
Population of India:
i.The report projects India’s population to increase by 25.7% in 25 years at a rate of 1% annually i.e., from 121.1
crore to 151.8 crore during 2011-36.
ii.The population density will increase from 368 to 463 persons per square kilometer.
iii.As per the 2011 Census India’s population was 1.21 billion which is estimated to grow by 311 million by 2036.
Youth Population:
i.Youth population (15-24 years) is expected to increase from 23.3 crores in 2011 to 25.2 crores in 2021 and then
continue to decrease to 22.7 crores in 2036.
ii.The youth population proportion to the total population is expected to become 14.9%in 2036.
Decline in rate of population growth:
The population growth rate will decline by 8.4% during 2021-2031.
Note:
The report projects that India will overtake China and become the most populated county around 2031.
Urban Population:
i.The urban population of India was 31.8% in 2011 which is projected to increase to 38.2% by 2036 which
contributes 73% of the total population growth by 2036.
ii.Delhi with 98% urban population in 2011 is expected to become 100% urban by 2036.
iii.Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Maharashtra, Telangana and Gujarat are expected to have more than 50% urban population by
2036.
Life Expectancy:
i.For men the life expectancy is expected to increase from 66 to 69 and for women it is expected to increase from 71
to 74.
ii.Kerala could become the only Indian state to have life expectancy above 80 for women and 74 for men by 2036.
iii.The Northeastern states are estimated to have a life expectancy of 77 for women and 73 for men by 2036.
Click here for the complete report
i.UN’s Global Multidimensional Poverty Index: India Record Largest Reduction in Number of People Living in Poverty
ii.Climate-friendly Cooling can cut 460 Giga Tonnes of Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Cooling Emissions and Policy
Synthesis Report
About Ministry of Health and Family Welfare(MoHFW):
Union Minister– Harsh Vardhan
Minister of State– Ashwini Kumar Choubey

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Odisha Cabinet Approved 20 Proposals including 4 Mega Drinking Water Projects
On August 12, 2020, the Odisha cabinet headed by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik approved four mega drinking water
projects in its Koraput, Malkangiri, Mayurbhanj, Balasore, Gajapati and Cuttack districts worth Rs 800.27 crore.
• These projects will provide drinking water to 6.07 lakh additional population in 911 villages in these districts.
• It also approved the financial bid worth Rs 1138.63 crore for implementation of the Gangadhar Meher Lift
Canal System, an ambitious project that aims to provide assured irrigation to around 25,600 hectares of
chronically drought-hit areas in Bijepur areas in Bargarh district.
Other approvals:
The cabinet also took several other decisions and approved 20 proposals focusing on industrial development,
irrigation, some of which are as follows:
• The State Cabinet has approved the proposal to amend certain sections of the Factories Act 1948 to increase
the threshold of workers in power generated industrial units from 10 to 20 whereas in manual labour
intensive industrial units the limit has been increased to 40 from 20 workers.
• It also approved an amendment in Industrial Policy Resolution (IPR) 2007 and IPR 2015 to enable VAT
(value added tax) reimbursement (fiscal incentives) substitute by net SGST (State Goods and Service Tax)
incentives. The amendment will help the MSMEs and large industries to set up new units as well as in
expansion
• A proposal for providing a government guarantee of Rs 1500 crore for the loans already availed by GRIDCO
(Grid Corporation of Odisha) during financial year 2019-20.
• Extension of ‘Nirmal’ Scheme to strengthen ancillary services at public health facilities with an estimated
budget of Rs 199815.46 lakh for a period of 5 years covering 1,864 health institutions.
On June 23, 2020 Adani Power Ltd (APL) has signed an agreement to acquire the 49% of stake(a total of 89,30,237
equity shares) in Odisha Power Generation Corporation(OPGC) from the affiliates of the US-based global energy
company, AES Corporation(AES) for USD 135 million (around Rs 1,019 crore). The remaining 51% stake in OPGC is
held by the Government of Odisha.
About Odisha:
Governor– Prof Ganeshi Lal
Odisha to Promulgate Ordinance to Enhance Punishment for Non-Compliance of Covid-19 regulations

On 12th August, 2020, the State Cabinet of Odisha approved the various amendments to the Epidemic Diseases Act,
1897 which will enhance the penalty for violators of the COVID-19 regulations.In Accordance with the Ordinance,
non-compliance of regulations will attract Imprisonment for a term, which may be extended to two years or with fine
which can be extended upto Rupees One Lakh or with both.
• The provision to levy punishments has been provided in the Section 3 of the Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897.The
Odisha Government has framed Odisha COVID-19 Regulations, 2020 and has exercised the powers
conferred under section 2 and 3 of the Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897.
Note – An Ordinance has been promulgated since the state assembly is not in session.
Key Points:
i.The move to make punishment for violation of COVID-19 guidelines was significant as the number of patients
affected by CoronaVirus in the state touched 50,672 and death toll touched 305.
ii.The ordinance will take into consideration the non-compliance of regulations like mask use, spitting at public
places, violation of social distancing norms.
About Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897:
i.Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897 is a law which was enacted in 1987 to tackle the bubonic plague in Mumbai, in former
British India.
ii.The law is meant for containment of epidemic by granting special powers which are required for implementation
of measures to control the spread of disease.
iii.The Act has been used to contain various diseases in India such as swine flu, cholera, malaria, dengue and currently
Coronavirus.

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i.Union Cabinet has approved “The Epidemic Diseases (Amendment) Ordinance, 2020” to protect healthcare
service personnel including their living/working premises against violence during epidemics. It will amend
the Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897 by making acts of violence against healthcare workers as cognizable and non-
bailable offences.
ii.On June 26, 2020, the President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind has promulgated the Banking Regulation
(Amendment) Ordinance, 2020 which will amend section 45, and 56 of Banking Regulation Act, 1949
About Odisha:
Chief Minister – Naveen Patnaik
UNESCO Heritage Sites in Odisha – Bhitarkanika Conservation Area, Sun Temple (Konark), Chilika Lake, Ekamra
Kshetra.
Odisha Govt launched a new scheme ‘Promotion of Intensive Aquaculture through Introduction of Bio-
flocTechnology during the year 2020-21’
The Fisheries and Animal Resources Department of the Odisha Government has launched a new scheme ‘Promotion
of Intensive Aquaculture through Introduction of Bio-flocTechnology during the year 2020-21’. The state with
this scheme aims to increase the fish productivity and make the state self-sufficient in fish production. The scheme
will provide income and livelihood support to entrepreneurs, unemployed youth and interested progressive fish
farmers.
• Under this programme, 1080 Bio-floc tanks will be developed with subsidy support, under state plan scheme
during 2020-21 in all 30 districts of Odisha.
• The total outlay of the programme is Rs.310.00 lakh.
Key Info
i.The unit cost to install a Biofloc unit of 2 tanks is Rs 1.50 lakh, while a Biofloc unit of 6 tanks costs about Rs 4 lakh.
ii.Besides providing all technical know-how to implement the project, it also provides a subsidy of 40% to General
& 60% subsidy to SC & ST women beneficiaries for this scheme.
Note– Subsidy support is only for infrastructure costs and does not include any operational costs.
Gist about Biofloc based farming
General Info
It is an advanced fish farming technology to promote intensive fish and shrimp production in a limited area without
significantly increasing the use of the basic natural resources of water and land.
Establishment
A person who has small land holding (150-200 square meter of land) and has either municipal piped water supply or
bore well water supply can set up this business with a small investment. It can be set up even on terraces of buildings
and backyard.
Suitability
i.The Biofloc system is suitable to grow freshwater fish species such as GIFT Tilapia, Magur, Pangasius, Anabas,
Common Carp and others depending on local market demands.
ii.This system is suitable for urban and semi-urban areas.
Fish Feed
In this technology, the waste organic matter in the tank, like feed waste, is digested using probiotics (helpful bacteria)
and carbon sources such as molasses and gets converted to fish feed.
Biofloc tank & Fish Growth
i.Each biofloc tank is stocked with about 1,000-1,500 numbers of quality fish (2-3 cm) or fingerlings (8-10 cm) with
an aim to produce 500 kg fish over a 6month period.
ii.Within 6 months the fish grows to about 200 grams within 3 months and 700 -800 gram.
iii.Therefore, the fish can be partially harvested on a daily basis to generate daily income for farmers depending on
the local market demand.
Note– As it offers live or fresh fish to the customers, the producer fetches higher market prices

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Better than normal pond based farming system
i.Biofloc fish farming system– 2000 kg fish can be produced from 4 small tanks of each 4-metre diameter and 1.2-
metre depth installed in a floor area of about 100-150 square metre.
ii.Normal pond based farming system– About 2000 kg fish can be produced in 6 months from one acre of an
earthen tank (4000 square metre area)
i.The Chief Minister of Odisha, Naveen Patnaik, launched the Bhubaneswar Land Use Intelligence System (BLUIS), a
flagship development of the General Administration and Public grievances departments. Odisha becomes the 1st
state in India to use high resolution satellite imagery utilising space technology and
Artificial Intelligence(AI) to monitor government lands.
ii.Government of Odisha launched 1st of its kind scheme, ‘Balaram’ to provide agricultural credit of Rs 1,040
crore to landless farmers facing hardships during COVID 19. The Scheme is designed in collaboration with National
Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD).
About Odisha:
National Park– Bhitarkanika National Park, Simlipal National Park
Zoological Park– Nandankanan Zoological Park
Vice Prez Venkaiah Naidu Virtually Announced ARIIA 2020 Results; IIT Madras Topped among Institutes of
National Importance
On August 18, 2020, Vice-President of India, Muppavarapu Venkaiah Naidu, e-released the Atal Ranking of
Institutions on Innovation Achievements (ARIIA) 2020 from New Delhi. He was the chief of the virtual ceremony
while Union Minister of Education, Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ and Minister of State (MoS) for Education Sanjay
Shamrao Dhotre were the Guest of Honour.
• Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras topped the category of Institute of National Importance
while Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT), Khordha (Odisha) topped the category of Private or
Self-Financed Universities.
• The rankings were announced in six categories viz. Centrally Funded Institutions, State funded universities,
State-funded autonomous institutions, Private/Deemed Universities, Private Institutions, and Women (only
higher educational institutions). For the first time, ARIIA 2020 had a special prize category for women only
higher educational institutions.
• The rankings are premised on 9 parameters– Budget, Facilities, Awareness, Innovation, Entrepreneurship,
Commercialization, Learning Methods, Governance, and Angel and Venture Capital Funding/Investor Linkage.
Following tables show the top ranker’s under all categories:
Rank Name State
Higher Educational Institutions Exclusively for Women (only from govt and govt aided category)
1 Avinashilingam Institute For Home Science And Higher Education For Women Tamil Nadu
2 Indira Gandhi Delhi Technical University For Women Delhi
Institute of National Importance, Central Universities & CFTIS
1 Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras Chennai, Tamil Nadu
2 IIT Bombay Mumbai, Maharashtra
3 IIT Delhi New Delhi
Govt and Govt aided Universities
1 Institute of Chemical Technology Maharashtra
2 Panjab University Chandigarh
3 Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University Haryana
Govt and Govt aided College/Institutes

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1 College of Engineering Pune Maharashtra

2 People’s Education Society (PES) College of Engineering Mandya, Karnataka
3 Coimbatore Institute of Technology Tamil Nadu
Private or Self-Financed Universities
1 Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT), Khordha Odisha
2 Sri Ramaswamy Memorial (SRM) Institute of Science and Technology Tamil Nadu
3 Vellore Institute of Technology Tamil Nadu
Private or Self-Financed College/Institutes
1 SR Engineering College (SREC) Telangana
2 GH Raisoni College of Engineering (GHRCE) , Nagpur Maharashtra
2 Sri Krishna College of Engineering and Technology (SKCET) Tamil Nadu
3 Nitte Meenakshi Institute Of Technology Karnataka
What is ARIIA?
It is an initiative of the Ministry of Education and implemented by the Ministry’s Innovation Cell and All India Council
for Technical Education (AICTE) to systematically rank higher education institutions (HEIs) and universities in India
on indicators related to Innovation, Startup and Entrepreneurship Development amongst students and faculty.
• It should be noted that India has moved up from 81st position in 2015 to 52nd position in 2019 in Global
Innovation Index (GII) ranking.
Other Participants: Secretary (Higher Education), Amit Khare, Chairman, AICTE, Prof. Anil Sahasrabudhe, Chairman,
ARIIA Evaluation Committee, Dr. BVR Mohan Reddy, and Chief Innovation Officer, Ministry of Education’s Innovation
Cell, Dr. Abhay Jere were also present during the occasion through online medium.
QS (Quacquarelli Symonds), a global education analyst released the 17th edition of the QS World University
Rankings 2021. This year only 3 Indian Institutions were among the top two-hundred viz. IIT Bombay, Indian
Institute of Science (IISc) Bengaluru (Karnataka) and IIT Delhi. Globally, MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology),
USA continued to be the number one for the 9th year in a row.
5th Swachh Survekshan 2020 Announced by Hardeep Singh Puri; Indore is India’s Cleanest City 4th Time in a
Row
On August 20, 2020, during a virtual event of Swachh Mahotsav organized by, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs
(MoHUA), Hardeep Singh Puri, Minister of State (MoS)-Independent Charge (I/C) MoHUA announced the 5th edition
of the annual cleanliness urban survey of India i.e.”Swachh Survekshan 2020 (SS2020)” conducted by MoHUA. A total
of 129 awards were given by the minister in which Madhya Pradesh’s Indore Creates record as India’s cleanest city
for the 4th consecutive time while Gujarat’s Surat and Maharashtra’s Navi Mumbai grabbed 2nd and 3rd positions
respectively.
• SS2020, the 28 days long completely digitized and paperless nationwide survey is the world’s largest
cleanliness survey covering 1.87 crore citizens of 4,242 cities, 62 cantonment boards and 92 towns along the
Ganga river.
• The SS2020 was focused on 9 key areas including 3R Principles of Reduce, Reuse and Recycle.
• The event also saw the felicitation of MoHUA’s partner organisations in the Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban
(SBM-U) viz. United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
(BMGF) and Google.

State-Wise PDF
Following table shows the top rankers in states:
Rank/Category State
States with Less than 100 Urban Local Bodies (ULBs)
1 Jharkhand
2 Haryana
3 Uttarakhand
1 (Fastest Mover State) Assam
States with More than 100 Urban Local Bodies (ULBs)
1 Chhattisgarh
2 Maharashtra
3 Madhya Pradesh (MP)
1 (Fastest Mover State) Odisha
Following table shows cleanest cities under different categories:
Rank City State
National Ranking (Cities > 10 Lakh)
1 Indore Madhya Pradesh (MP)
2 Surat Gujarat
3 Navi Mumbai Maharashtra
National Ranking (Cities 1 – 10 Lakh)
1 Ambikapur Chhattisgarh
2 Mysore Karnataka
3 New Delhi (NDMC) Delhi
Zonal Ranking (Cities 50 K – 1 Lakh)
1 (East Zone) Dhamtari Chhattisgarh
1 (North Zone) Gangaghat Uttar Pradesh (UP)
1 (North-East Zone) Jorhat Assam
1 (South Zone) Palamaneru Andhra Pradesh (AP)
1 (West Zone) Karhad Maharashtra
Zonal Ranking (Cities 25 K – 50 K)
1 (East Zone) Jashpur Nagar Chhattisgarh
1 (North Zone) Nawanshahr Punjab
1 (North-East Zone) Mokokchung Nagaland
1 (South Zone) Medchal Telangana
1 (West Zone) Sasvad Maharashtra
Zonal Ranking (Cities upto 25 K)
1 (East Zone) Patan Chhattisgarh
1 (North Zone) Awagarh Uttar Pradesh (UP)
1 (North-East Zone) Jiribam Manipur
1 (South Zone) Piriyapatna Karnataka

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1 (West Zone) Panhala Maharashtra

Cantonment (Cantt) Boards Ranking
1 Jalandhar Cantt Punjab
2 Delhi Cantt Delhi
3 Meerut Cantt Uttar Pradesh (UP)
ULBs Ranking – More than 1 Lakh Population
1 Indore Madhya Pradesh (MP)
2 Surat Gujarat
3 Navi Mumbai Maharashtra
ULBs Ranking – Less than 1 Lakh Population
1 Karad Maharashtra
2 Sasvad Maharashtra
3 Lonavala Maharashtra
Ganga Towns Ranking
1 (Less than 50 K Population) Chunar Uttar Pradesh (UP)
1 (50 K – 1 Lakh Population) Kannauj Uttar Pradesh (UP)
1 (More than 1 Lakh Population) Varanasi Uttar Pradesh (UP)
Category-wise Awards at National Level (SS2020 Awards):
Above 40 Lakh Population:
• India’s Cleanest Mega City– Amdavad, Gujarat
• Best Mega City in Citizen Feedback- Hyderabad, Telangana
• Best Mega City in Innovation and Best Practices- Chennai, Tamil Nadu
• Best Self Sustainable Mega City- Bengaluru, Karnataka
10-40 Lakh Population:
• India’s Cleanest Big City– Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh (AP)
• Best Big City in Citizen Feedback- Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh (MP)
• Best Big City in Innovation and Best Practices- Ludhiana, Punjab
• Best Self Sustainable Big City- Rajkot, Gujarat
• Fastest Mover Big City- Jodhpur, Rajasthan
3- 10 Lakh Population:
• India’s Cleanest Medium City– Mysuru, Karnataka
• Best Medium City in Citizen Feedback- East Singhbhum, Jharkhand
• Best Medium City in Innovation and Best Practices- Berhampur, Odisha
• Best Self Sustainable Medium City- Bhilainagar, Chhattisgarh
• Fastest Mover Medium City- Firozabad, Uttar Pradesh (UP)
1-3 Lakh Population:
• India’s Cleanest Small City– Ambikapur, Chhattisgarh
• Best Small City in Citizen Feedback- Ratlam, Madhya Pradesh
• Best Small City in Innovation and Best Practices- Alappuzha, Kerala
• Best Self Sustainable Small City- Tirupathi, Andhra Pradesh (AP)
• Fastest Mover Small City- Burhanpur, Madhya Pradesh (MP)
State Capital/Union Territories (UTs):
• India’s Cleanest Capital– New Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC), Delhi
• Best UT in Citizen Feedback- Chandigarh
• Best State Capital in Innovation and Best Practices- Gandhinagar, Gujarat

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• Best Self Sustainable State Capital- Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh (MP)
• Fastest Mover State Capital- Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh (UP)
Other Awards:
• India’s cleanest city (< 1 Lakh Population)– Karad, Maharashtra
• Best City in Maximum Citizen Participation (< 1 Lakh Population)- Nandprayag, Uttarakhand
• Best City in Maximum City Participation (> 1 Lakh population)- Nagar Nigam Shahjahanpur, Uttar Pradesh
(UP)
• Best City overall in National Citizen Led Innovation- Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh (MP)
Key Points:
-The cleanliness survey report, along with reports on Swachh Survekshan Innovations and best practices, Swachh
Survekshan Social Media Report and Report on Assessment of Ganga Towns were also released at the ‘Swachh
Mahotsav’ event.
-Dignitaries from all over the country, Durga Shanker Mishra, Secretary, MOHUA, Chief Secretaries, Principal
Secretaries, Municipal Commissioners and swachhta warriors also attended the online event.
In July 2020, MoHUA launched the 6th edition of the survey, Swachh Survekshan 2021 which saw the introduction of
a new performance category, the Prerak DAUUR Samman which has a total of five additional sub- categories -Divya
(Platinum), Anupam (Gold), Ujjwal (Silver), Udit (Bronze), Aarohi (Aspiring).
About Swachh Survekshan:
Launched in 2016 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi its objective was to monitor the performance of Swachh Bharat
Abhiyan, which was launched on October 2, 2014, the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.
• Mysuru was chosen as the cleanest city in India in that edition of the survey.
• The extensive sanitation survey is commissioned by the MoHUA and carried out annually by Quality Council of
India (QCI).
NITI Aayog Released Export Preparedness Index (EPI) 2020: Gujarat Tops the Overall Rankings
On 26th August 2020, NITI Aayog in partnership with Institute of Competitiveness released the Export Preparedness
Index (EPI) 2020, this is the first report to examine export preparedness and performance of the states of India.
Gujarat was identified as the top performing state in the category of Coastal state and also topped the Overall
rankings.
AIM of EPI:
• To identify the challenges and opportunities
• Enhance the effectiveness of Government policies
• Encourage a facilitative regulatory.
Structure:
The structure of the EPI includes 4 pillars which are Policy, Business Ecosystem, Export Ecosystem and Export
Performance and 11 sub pillars which are Export Promotion Policy, Institutional Framework, Business Environment,
Infrastructure, Transport Connectivity, Access to Finance, Export Infrastructure, Trade Support, R&D Infrastructure,
Export Diversification, and Growth Orientation.
Framework:
i.The framework of the EPI is based on the feedback from the states, Union Territories(UT) and organisations like
Export-Import Bank of India (EXIM Bank), Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT) and Directorate General of
Commercial Intelligence and Statistics (DGCIS).
ii.Reserve Bank of India(RBI), DGCIS and Central ministries were consulted for some of the indicators.
Features:
i.The EPI 2020 evaluates the true potential and capacities of the Indian States.
ii.It also provides the detailed insights to guide the stakeholders towards strengthening the national and
international level export ecosystem.
iii.This data driven effort identifies the core areas that are significant to promote the exports at sub national level.

State-Wise PDF
iv.This index will support the state governments to achieve the benchmark regional performance in export
promotion and provide insights on how to improve
Highlights:
i.The landlocked states, Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand had taken several measures to promote exports which can be
implemented by the other states with similar socio-economic challenges.
ii.The Northeastern states under the Growth orientation sub pillar focused on the indigenous products like spices to
promote their exports.
iii.Among the 8 Coastal States, 6 states occupied the positions among the top 10 ranking which indicates the strong
enabling and facilitating factors to promote exports.
Top 5 in Overall rankings:
Rank State Export Preparedness State Category
1 Gujarat 75.19 Coastal
2 Maharashtra 75.14 Coastal
3 Tamil Nadu 64.93 Coastal
4 Rajasthan 62.59 Landlocked
5 Odisha 58.23 Coastal
Category wise top 3 ranking:
Rank State Export Preparedness
Coastal States
1 Gujarat 75.19
2 Maharashtra 75.14
3 Tamil Nadu 64.93
Himalayan States
1 Uttarakhand 48.11
2 Tripura 40.79
3 Himachal Pradesh 38.85
Landlocked States
1 Rajasthan 62.59
2 Telangana 57.43
3 Haryana 56.03
Union Territories / City states
1 Delhi 45.8
2 Goa 40.94
3 Chandigarh 26.07
Challenges in Export:
• Intra-regional and inter-regional disparities in export infrastructure.
• Poor trade support and growth orientation among states.
• Poor R&D infrastructure to promote complex and unique exports.
Click here for the complete Report
i.Latest ranking based on fastest growing urban regions/ fastest growing cities in the world was released by the
Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU). as per the report 3 of the cities in Kerala were ranked in the top 10 places.

State-Wise PDF
ii.According to the rankings of ‘Central and state governmental water departments based on their efficiency targets
for 2019’ released by the Ministry of Jal Shakti, Gujarat ranked the best for parameters on efficiency targets, while
National Capital Territory of Delhi remains in the worst-performing state category.
About NITI Aayog:
CEO– Amitabh Kant
Odisha Current Affairs - September 2020

Odisha CM launched two Citizen-Centric Mobile app – Ama Sahar And Swachha Sahar Odisha on Local Self
Government Day
On 31st August 2020, Naveen Patnaik, Chief Minister of Odisha, launched two citizen-centric mobile applications Ama
Sahar and Swachha Sahar Odisha on the occasion of Local Self Government Day which was observed at the Lok Seva
Bhawan over a virtual platform.
These apps enable the Urban Local Bodies(ULBs) to submit the utilisation certificates over online for the betterment
of fiscal management.
Key Points:
i.He urged the ULBs to work towards meeting the growing requirements of the urban population amid pandemic
situation.
ii.The best performing ULBs in the Swachha Sarbekhyan 2020 were facilitated by the chief Minister. The ULBs are:
• Berhampur Municipal Corporation.
• Paradeep Municipality.
• Joda Municipality.
• Kotpad NAC.
• Barbil Municipality.
• Dhenkanal Municipality.
• Rajgangpur Municipality.
• Byasanagar Municipality.
• Choudwar Municipality.
iii.With the steady efforts of the state to engage the community based organisation for the maintenance of sanitation
facilities, CM handed over the operation and maintenance of the four Septage Treatment Plants were handed over
to Mission Shakti groups of Rourkela, Angul, Balasore and Dhenkanal municipalities.
Other Initiatives:
i.Naveen Patanik also released a handbook on sanitation which contains the imported notifications, letters and
guidelines of the Department which was also released by the CM.
ii.He also dedicated 100 functional micro-hybrid centers and 50 functional material recovery facilities for various
ULBs of the state.
iii.He laid the foundation stone to set up 51 Faecal Sludge Treatment Plants, to ensure large coverage of these
facilities across the state.
About Odisha:
Dams- Deuli Dam over Jambhira river (recently in news), Hirakud Dam across the Mahanadi river (recently in
news), Salandi Dam over river Salandi, Rengali dam over Brahmani river.
UNESCO Sites-Konark Sun Temple, Chilika Lake (recently in news), Ekamra Kshetra-The Temple City, Bhubaneswar
i.The State Government of Odisha has launched an online platform called “e-Gazette portal”
(http://egazetteodisha.nic.in), a first-of-its-kind initiative in India designed and developed by the NIC (National
Informatics Centre) for all departments.
ii.Odisha Govt in collaboration with UNICEF launches “Mo Prativa” programme to engage kids during lockdown.

State-Wise PDF
Odisha Government Launches “GARIMA” Social Security Scheme for Sanitary Workers
On September 11, 2020 Chief Minister of Odisha, Naveen Patnaik launched a first-of-its-kind statewide scheme
called “GARIMA” to ensure the safety and dignity of core sanitation workers of the state. He dedicated the scheme to
Mahatma Gandhi.
It will be implemented by Housing & Urban Development (H&UD) Department through 114 Urban Local Bodies
(ULBs) of Odisha and an Initial Fund of Rs. 50 Crore will be allocated for implementation of the scheme.
The Ministry of Housing and Urban Development department, Odisha has signed a Ministry of Understanding (MoU)
with not-for-profit organisation Urban Management Centre for providing the technical support to implement the
scheme.
Key Points:
i.Under this scheme, 20, 000 core sanitation workers and their families covering one lakh population will be
benefitted.
ii.The working hours of sanitation workers will be limited to 6 hours per day.
iii.The Core Sanitation workers and their family members will be covered under health insurance scheme with
regular health check-ups, housing, educational support, mobility support and mobile support.
Registration of Core Sanitation Workers:
i.The scheme will identify and register core sanitation workers through statewide surveys. It also mandates
registration of sanitation service providers.
ii.Through registration, the state government will ensure provision of necessary machines and appropriate Personal
Protective Equipment (PPE) to ensure safe working conditions.
Benefits of “GARIMA”:
i.It introduces a special category of wages for core sanitation work, introduction of Risk & Hardship allowance,
financial assistance to family in case of accident or injury.
ii.It will also provide financial support in form of House Grant and purchase of two wheelers to extent of 90 per cent
of the cost.
iii.The scheme also envisages Employee Provident Fund (EPF) benefits, post service benefits and illness allowance.
iv.The core sanitation workers will receive skilling and training to improve their skills. Additionally, they will get
access to counselling support to acquire new skills and financial support. They can choose an alternative livelihood, if
they wish.
i.The Department of Social security and Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities(SSEPD) informed that, Odisha
Government has included the transgender community under Madhu Babu Pension Yojana(MBPY), a social security
scheme by amending to Rule 6 of the Madhu Babu Pension Rules 2008.
About Odisha:
Odisha Signed MoU with NCDC to Promote Farmer Producer Organisations

On 12th September 2020, Government of Odisha signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with National
Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) to promote and manage the farmer producer organisations with the
central sector scheme.
Rohit Kumar Lenka, Director of Horticulture on behalf of Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment (A &
FE) Department, Government of Odisha and Shardul S. Jadhav, Regional Director (Bhubaneswar) of NCDC signed the
MoU at Krushi Bhawan in the presence of Suresh Kumar Vashishth, Special Secretary, A and FE Department.
Features:
i.Under the central scheme, National Centre for Cold-chain Development (NCCD) will form Farmer Producer
Organisations(FPOs) and provide training and guidance to the small and marginal farmers of Odisha to tackle the
huddles in production, quality, optimum price realisation, credit, seed production and marketing.
ii.These FPO’s will be managed according to the Cooperative Society Act.
iii.This Central Section scheme is implemented in the state to benefit the farmers because of their skilled guidance,
hardworking efficiencies and determination and will power for quick disposals.

State-Wise PDF
i.On June 29, 2020 Odisha government in a high-level meeting held under the Chairmanship of Chief Secretary Asit
Tripathy decided to implement a new initiative ‘Sabuja Odisha’. The initiative will increase green cover through
extensive plantations over 1,30,264 Hectares of land.
ii.Odisha Government launched a new scheme ‘Promotion of Intensive Aquaculture through Introduction of Bio-
flocTechnology during the year 2020-21’
About NCDC:
Managing Director– Sundeep Kumar Nayak
About Odisha:
Chief Minister– Naveen Patnaik (serving his 5th term as the chief Minister of Odisha)
Stadium– Kalinga Stadium (outdoor -Hockey), Barabati Stadium (outdoor- Cricket), East Coast Railway
Stadium(outdoor -Cricket), Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium, Railway Indoor Stadium.
Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik launched JAGA Mission Stage-II; Signed MoU with CPR
On September 28, 2020, the Chief Minister (CM) of Odisha Naveen Patnaik launched the stage II of JAGA Mission
(Odisha Liveable Habitat Mission) from Balasore (Odisha) through video conference, under which all slums in the
State will be converted into Adarsh (ideal) colonies within the next 3 years. The process will start immediately in
1,000 slums and then scaled up to cover every slum in the State.
• This initiative aims at improving the living conditions of 18 lakh slum dwellers by providing them with piped
water supply, paved roads, storm water drains, street lights, sanitation, household electricity, community
spaces and recreational areas.
• This project is supported by the Omidyar Network India.
SCI-FI initiative at CPR Signs MoU with Government of Odisha
The Centre for Policy Research (CPR), New Delhi under its initiative ‘Scaling City Institutions for India: Land
Planning and Housing (SCI-FI: LPH)’ has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Housing & Urban
Development Department, Government of Odisha as the knowledge partner of JAGA Mission in its second phase.
• SCI-FI: LPH, will support the JAGA Mission with systematic planning for “slum freeing” and “slum proofing”
and will collaborate to undertake pilots and support scaling up of this programme.
Other Launches:
–CM also initiated the second phase of distribution of land entitlement certificates (LECs) which will benefit 1.05 lakh
families in the entire State.
–He also dedicated 116 Parichay buildings, the multi-purpose community centres in the slums. Another 400 such
community centres are under construction.
i.Nukhai Juhar, an ancient festival which is also known as Nuakhai Parab or Nuakhai Bhetghat is celebrated on the
fifth day of lunar fortnight of Bhadrabaa, to welcome the new crop of the season in Odisha, Chhattisgarh and
otherneighbouring states. The 2020 Nuakhai Juhar was celebrated on 23rd August.
ii.United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) recognises Venkatraipur and Noliasahi,
villages of Odisha as ‘Tsunami Ready’ for their overall preparedness to face the tsunami.With this recognition, Odisha
became the first state in the India and India became the 1st Country in the Indian Ocean region to achieve the honour
from the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO.
About Odisha:
Andhra Pradesh Retains Top Spot in EODB 2019 During BRAP 2018-19 Ranking
On September 5, 2020, Union Minister of Finance and Corporate Affairs Nirmala Sitharaman has virtually
announced the 4th edition of State Business Reform Action Plan (BRAP) Ranking for 2018-19 which was released by
Department of Industrial Promotion and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of commerce and industry. In accordance

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with that, Andhra Pradesh (AP) topped the Ease of Doing Business (EODB) ranking 2019, followed by Uttar Pradesh
(UP) and Telangana at 2nd & 3rd place respectively. Among Union Territories (UTs), Delhi bagged the top spot.
• The state of UP improved to reach the 2nd spot from 12th spot in the 2018 ranking while Telangana slipped
from 2nd to 3rd position.
• It should be noted that EODB is a joint initiative by the DPIIT and the World Bank (WB) to improve the overall
business environment in the States.
• Parameters: The BRAP 2018-19 included 180 reform points covering 12 business regulatory areas such as
Access to Information, Single Window System, Labour regulation, Environment, land availability, construction
permit.
• Reason: The reason behind this ranking is to create an element of healthy competition in states in order to
achieve a larger objective of attracting investments and increasing EODB in each State.
Following table shows the top 5 states and lower ranked states under State Reform Action Plan 2019:
Rank State
1 Andhra Pradesh (AP)
2 Uttar Pradesh (UP)
3 Telangana
4 Madhya Pradesh (MP)
5 Jharkhand
States/UT with least ranking (29th) are: Arunachal Pradesh (AR), Chandigarh, Manipur, Meghalaya,
Nagaland, Odisha, Sikkim and Tripura.
Following table shows the top (1st) performer region-wise:
Region State
North Uttar Pradesh (UP)
West Madhya Pradesh (MP)
East Jharkhand
South Andhra Pradesh (AP)
UT Delhi
North Eastern Assam
About BRAP Ranking:
Initiated in 2015, BRAP ranking represent the EODB in the State with increased transparency, efficiency and
effectiveness of the government regulatory functions vis-a-vis the business enterprises.During the assessment full
weightage was given to the feedback from over 30,000 respondents at the ground level, who gave their opinion about
the effectiveness of the reforms.
In accordance with the data of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, the United States (US) remained India’s top
trading partner for the second consecutive fiscal year in 2019-20 as bilateral trade between the US and India stood at
USD 88.75 billion as against USD 87.96 billion in 2018-19.
About Minister of Commerce and Industry:
Union Minister– Piyush Vedprakash Goyal
Minister of State– Hardeep Singh Puri, Som Prakash
Gujarat, Andaman & Nicobar Emerge as Best State/UT in providing Strong Ecosystem for Startups: DPIIT
ranking
On September 11, 2020 Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) released the 2nd Edition
of ‘States on Support to Startup Ecosystems 2019’ . The Rankings are based on providing a Strong Ecosystem for
promoting Startups.

State-Wise PDF
i.Gujarat emerged as the best performer among Category X.Gujarat topped the rankings in the 2018 edition of
Ranking also.
(In Category x – All States and New Delhi, barring North Eastern (N. E) States & other Union Territories (U. T))
ii.Andaman and Nicobar Islands emerged as best performer among Category Y
(Category y – All N.E states except Assam and all UTs except Delhi).
iii. The Rankings were released by Union Minister for Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal and a total of 22
states and 3 UTs participated in the exercise.
Rankings:
For the purposes of ranking, states/UTs are classified into five categories: Best Performers (100 Percentile), Top
Performers (More than 75 to Less than 100), Leaders (More than or equal to 30 to less than or equal to 75), Aspiring
Leaders (More than 10 and less than 30) and Emerging Startup Ecosystems (Less than or equal to 10).
Category – X
All States and New Delhi, barring North Eastern (N.E) States & other Union Territories.
State Category
Gujarat Best Performer
Karnataka Top Performer
Kerala Top Performer
Category – Y
All N.E states except Assam and all UTs except Delhi
State/Union Territory (U.T.) Category
Andaman & Nicobar Islands Best Performer
—– Top Performer
Chandigarh Leader
Other Performers:
Category X:
i.Bihar, Maharashtra, Odisha, Rajasthan, and Chandigarh were placed in Leaders Category.
ii.Haryana, Jharkhand, Punjab, Telangana, Uttarakhand and Nagaland were placed in Aspiring Leaders Category.
iii.Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Chhattisgarh, Delhi, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh,
Mizoram and Sikkim were placed in Emerging Startup Ecosystems.
Category Y:
i.Nagaland was placed in Aspiring Leader Category.
ii.Mizoram & Sikkim were placed in Emerging Startup Ecosystems.
Basis for Dividing into Categories:
The States and UTs have been divided into two groups to establish uniformity and standardisation in the ranking
process.
Ranking Framework:
i.The ranking framework 2019 has seven broad reform areas consisting of 30 action points ranging from institutional
support, easing compliances, relaxation in public procurement norms, incubation centres, seed funding, venture
funding, and awareness and outreach.
ii.The parameters also involved getting feedback from beneficiaries gathered through 60, 000 calls to connect with
beneficiaries to ascertain real situations at the implementation level.
Other Info:-
The National Report and Specific Reports for all participating States and Union Territories had also been launched
and it is available in Startup India Portal.
National Report – highlights the vision, trajectory, methodology and the future roadmap of the States Ranking
Exercise.
State Specific Report – containing a comprehensive analysis of respective ecosystem, which highlights strengths and
priority areas for future

State-Wise PDF
A ‘Compendium of Good Practices’ adopted by various States in supporting start-ups has also been released. It
identifies 166 good practices.
Initiatives for Startups:
i.Government launched Startup India Action Plan in January 2016 to promote startups in the country.
ii.The aim of Startup India Action Plan is to give incentives like tax holiday and remodel Inspection regimes and
capital gains tax exemption.
Note – The DPIIT has created an India Investment Grid (IIG), an interactive investment portal providing details of
sectors, states and projects to ease the domestic and foreign investors.
Recent Related News: online portal called the
i.On May 8, 2020 Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Giriraj Singh (chief guest) presented
the award to the winners of “Startup India-Animal Husbandry Grand Challenge”.
ii.On June 25, 2020, According to the report, ‘Global Startup Ecosystem Report (GSER) 2020; the New Normal for the
Global Startup Economy and the Impact of COVID-19’ released by Startup Genome, Bangalore,Bengaluru Becomes
India’s Only City in Top 30 with 26th position.
About DPIIT:-
Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) is a central government department under the
Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
Secretary – Guruprasad Mohapatra.
NCRD Released Accidental Deaths & Suicides in India 2019 Report; Delhi recorded highest number of road
accidents deaths among cities
On 1st September 2020, The National Crime Records Bureau(NCRB), Ministry of Home Affairs released an annual
report titled “Accidental Deaths and Suicides in India(ADSI) 2019”. This is NCRB’s 53rd edition of the series which
was started in 1967.
This is the only most comprehensive data bank related to the accidental and suicidal death available with the
government of India.
About the Report:
i.The report is prepared with the data and information on deaths due to accidents and suicides which were collected
by the State Crime Records Bureaux (SCRBx) from the District Crime Records Bureaux (DCRBx) and sent to the
NCRB.
ii.The data of the cities with a population of 10 lakh or more are collected separately.
Features:
i.The report contains the age group wise and sex wise details of the victims.
ii.The report classified the accidental deaths as two groups based on causes,
• Causes attributable to nature (tornado, earthquake, epidemic, flood etc.)
• Causes not attributable to nature (air crash, drowning, explosion, poisoning, traffic accidents etc).
iii.The report contains the details of deaths due to road accidents by causes, place of occurrence, type of road,
month of occurrence and by time of occurrence.
iv.The report also contains the details on suicide by causes like bankruptcy, marriage, relationships, failures, property
disputes etc and details of professional educational and social profile of the victims.
v.This also contains details of farmer’s suicide by cause, educational and scial status etc.,
Note:
The reason of suicides among farmers has not been published by NCRB since 2015.
Accidental deaths:
i.According to the report the variation percentage of accidental deaths and suicide during 2019 over 2018 are around
2.3% and 3.4% respectively.
ii.Traffic accidents are the major contributor of the total accidental deaths in India which amounts to around 43% of
total accidental deaths followed by sudden deaths, drowning and poisoning which collectively contributed around
24%.
iii.Natural disasters contribute 2% of the accidental deaths.

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Road Accidents:
i.According to the report, road crash deaths in the country have increased by 1.3 per cent to 1,54,732 from
1,52,780.Number of accidents in the city, however, sees a decline of 7.2% as compared to 2018.
ii.Delhi recorded the highest number of deaths due to dangerous driving and overall road accidents in 2019.In
Chennai and Bengaluru, 1,258 and 768 persons died in road accidents respectively.
Traffic Accidents:
i.Around 85% of the deaths due to traffic accidents were in the road accidents and the remaining 15% was caused
due to railway accidents and accidents at the railway crossing.
ii.Around 7.7% victims of road accidents were pedestrians and motorised two wheelers are stated as the deadliest
with 38%.
iii.Road traffic injuries is the 8th leading cause of death in India of which around 65% belong to the age group of 18 –
45 years.
Suicidal deaths:
i.The report states that around 139,123 people died by suicide in India during 2019.
ii.Maharashtra (18,916), Tamil Nadu (13,493), West Bengal (12,665), Madhya Pradesh (12457) and Karnataka
(11,288) accounts for 49% of the suicides in India.
iii.Two third of suicides in India during 2019 belongs to the category with annual income less than Rs.1 lakh.
iv.Suicides among daily wage earners was higher which contributes 23% of those who died due to suicide.
v.The majority of the victims belong to the age group of 18-45 and educated.
Farmers Suicide:
i.According to the report the number of farmers which includes cultivators and farm labourers, who committed
suicide in 2019 is around 10,281 which is only 68 numbers less than the farmers committed suicide in 2018.
ii.Suicide involving persons engaged in farming sector have increased in 2019 compared to 2018.
iii.Maharashtra topped the list constituting 38.2% (3927) of the such cases followed by Karnataka with 19.4%(1992),
Andhra Pradesh with 10%(1029), Madhya Pradesh with 5.3%(541) and Telangana and Chhattisgarh with 4.9% (499)
each.
iv.The farmers account for 7.4% of total suicides in India.
v.Maharashtra (2680) followed by Karnataka (1331), Andhra Pradesh (628) and Telangana (491) record the highest
suicides in the farming sector which includes farmers and cultivators in India during 2019.
vi.West Bengal, Bihar, Odisha, Uttarakhand, Manipur, Chandigarh, Daman & Diu, Delhi, Lakshadweep and Puducherry
reported ‘zero’ farmer suicides that includes cultivators and agricultural labourers during 2019.
Click here for complete report
Report Analysis carried out by SaveLIFE Foundation:
Uttar Pradesh recorded the highest road crash deaths with 15% of total deaths followed by Maharashtra with 9.4%
and Madhya Pradesh with 7.7%.
97.3% of total traffic accidents occur in the 53 mega cities of India during 2019 where Chennai accounts for 10.2% of
total road accidents reported in mega cities followed by Delhi with 8.0%.
i.National Crime Record Bureau’s (NCRB) report on Crime in India for the year 2018 was released. The report finds
that over 50 lakh crimes have been registered in 2018 which is 1.3% more than that of 2017.
ii.National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) report titled ‘missing women and children in India’ states that the highest
number (33,964) of women who go missing in India are from Maharashtra & the number of missing children are
maximum (10, 038) in the State of Madhya Pradesh (MP) in the year 2016, 2017 & 2018.
About NCRB:
Director– Ramphal Pawar, IPS
Odisha’s Krushi Bhavan Wins 10th Annual AZ Awards 2020

On September 18, 2020 Krushi Bhavan, a facility developed for the State’s Department of Agriculture & Farmers’
Empowerment located in Bhubaneswar, Odisha won 10th annual AZ Awards 2020 as People’s Choice

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Winner under the category social good. The awards were revealed at its first-ever virtual AZ Awards Gala. The
12,077-square-metre Krushi Bhavan is one among 20 winners and the only winner from India.
• Naveen Patnaik, Chief Minister of Odisha dedicated this award to farmers and artisans of the state.
Points to be noted
i.Krushi Bhavan is the 1st government building of India to feature in Dezeen, an international journal on architecture
in August 2020.
ii.It bagged Surface Design Awards 2020 in the categories of Public Building Exterior, Public Building Interior and
Supreme Winner.
Key Info– The October 2020 issue of Azure will unveil the 20 winners of the 10th annual AZ Awards
About AZ Awards
i.AZ Awards was launched by AZURE in 2011. AZURE Publishing is a leading multi-platform media brand focusing on
contemporary architecture and design.
ii.It is an international architecture and design competition to recognize excellence and innovation, and also to
showcase the world’s best projects, products and ideas.
ii.The winners will receive the AZ Awards trophy among other recognition.
Gist about Krushi Bhavan
i.Krushi Bhavan’s architectural structure is based on typical Ikkat saree pattern, conceptualised and implemented by
the Odisha Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation(IDCO) reflects the cultural heritage of Odisha.
ii.In 2013, this project worth 2013 was commissioned. The project was designed by Studio Lotus, a Delhi Based
architectural firm. It was opened for the public on september 20, 2018.
Click here to know about other winners
i.St Christopher School in Chessore Village, Nagaland won the Gold Award along with cash prize of Rs.1 Lakh from the
first ever Pallikkutam National Award for Innovation in Education instituted by Rajagiri Media. The awards were
announced over a virtual meeting.
ii.On August 22, 2020 Water technology major Va Tech Wabag bagged the 2020 Global Water Award for its 45 million
litres a day Tertiary Treatment Reverse Osmosis (TTRO) plant at Koyambedu in Chennai. The plant bagged the
distinction award under the ‘Wastewater project of the year’ category.
IAS Officer Usha Padhee Became the First Woman DG of Bureau of Civil Aviation Security
On 28th August 2020, Usha Padhee, Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of 1996 batch from Odisha Cadre
became the first Women and the third IAS officer to be appointed as the Director General(DG) of Bureau of Civil
Aviation Security(BCAS), a security regulator of civil aviation industry in India under the Ministry of Civil Aviation.
She succeeds Rakesh Asthana(IPS) who was appointed as the Director General of Border Security Force(BSF) on
17th August 2020.
She is currently serving as the joint secretary in the Ministry of Civil Aviation and she was given additional charge as
DG of BCAS until a new incumbent takes over the position.
About Usha Padhee:
i.Usha Padhee handled the government’s flagship scheme of regional connectivity in the Ministry of Civil Aviation.
ii.The central deputation tenure of Usha is scheduled to end on 16th July 2022.
iii.Prior to her deputation to the central services, she served as the Secretary of School and Mass Education,
Government of Odisha.
IIIT Bhubaneswar Students Developed, ‘Swasner’, a 1st of its kind Helmet-like Ventilation Device to Ease
Breathing
A group of 7 engineering students from IIIT(International Institute of Information Technology), Bhubaneswar have
developed ‘Swasner’, a 1st of its kind helmet-like ventilation device to help patients breathe more conveniently.
The designed hyperbaric chamber is a low-cost device to help COVID-19 patients.
Swasner will reduce deaths caused due to lack of ventilators in the country.
About Swasner:
i.It is designed as a bubble enclosure for the head. It works on the principle of hyperbaric oxygen therapy, which is

State-Wise PDF
mainly used to treat diving-related illness and other medical complications.
ii.This product acts as an alternative to the existing equipment available to fight against coronavirus and other similar
pandemics.
Note: A prototype has been developed by the team and tested in a hospital in Cuttack.
Additional Info
Students namely Tapaswin Padhy, Sai Sambit Nayak, Sidharth Nayak, Ananya Aprameya, Jivitesh Debata, Vitthal
Gupta, Nand Kishore Gupta, Divyajyoti Dash and Shovit Mitra designed the device
What is Hyperbaric oxygen therapy?
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy(HBOT) is a type of treatment used to speed up healing of carbon monoxide poisoning,
gangrene, stubborn wounds, and infections in which tissues are starved for oxygen.
About International Institute of Information Technology(IIIT), Bhubaneswar:
Director– Dr. Gopal Krishna Nayak
Headquarters– Malipada, Bhubaneswar
DRDO conducts successful flight test of ABHYAS from Odisha Test Range
On September 22, 2020 Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully conducted the flight
test of ABHYAS – High Speed Expendable Aerial Target (HEAT) from the Interim Test Range, Balasore, Odisha.
ABHYAS is designed and developed by Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE) of DRDO
Usage:
i.The ABHYAS vehicle is a drone and can be used as a target for evaluation of various missile systems.
ii.It can also be used as a decoy aircraft (a deceptive device which is used to draw an enemy away from a more
important target).
iii.Abhyas have Radar Cross Section (RCS), Visual and Infrared (IR) augmentation systems which are
required for weapon practice.
Highlights:
i.Two demonstrator vehicles were successfully test flown during the trials.
ii.The air vehicle was launched using twin underslung boosters and is powered by a small gas turbine engine.
iii.It has Microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) based Inertial Navigation System (INS) for navigation along with
Flight Control Computer (FCC) for its guidance and control.
iv.It is programmed for full autonomous flight, and the checkout of the air vehicle is done using a laptop based
Ground Control Station (GCS).
Parameters:
During the test, it successfully satisfied the user requirement of 5 km flying altitude, vehicle speed of 0.5 mach,
endurance of 30 minutes and 2g turn capability of the test vehicle.
Earlier Tests:
This is the second time that the target vehicle (ABHYAS) was successfully tested. The first successful test was
conducted in May 2019.
i.On 24th August, 2020 Renowned Aerospace Scientist Dr G. Satheesh Reddy was given a two-year extension as
Chairman of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) & as Secretary of the Department of
Defence Research & Development(DoDRD) by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet.
About Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO):
Chairman – Dr. G. Satheesh Reddy
Headquarters – New Delhi
Indigenously Developed Prithvi-II Missile Successfully Night Test Fired from Chandipur, Odisha
On September 23, 2020, as a part of routine trail India successfully conducted the night testfire of its indigenously
developed nuclear capable surface-to-surface Prithvi-II missile which was carried out from a mobile launcher from
launch complex-3 of the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Chandipur, Odisha. The entire launch activity was carried out
by Strategic Force Command (SFC) of the Army and monitored by scientists of Defence Research and Development
Organisation (DRDO). The missile was randomly chosen from the production stock.

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• The last night time testfire of Prithvi-II was conducted successfully from the ITR on November 20, 2019.
About Prithvi-II:
It was the first missile to have been developed by DRDO under the Integrated Guided Missile Development
Programme (IGMDP) and was already inducted into the armoury of the defence forces in 2003.
• It is capable of carrying 500 to 1,000 kg of warheads and is powered by liquid propulsion twin engines.
• It has a `strike range of 350 Km.
• It uses an advanced inertial guidance system with maneuvering trajectory to hit its target.
1. On 6th June 2020, Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) signed Licence Agreement and Transfer of
Technology (LAToT) for Akash Missile Weapon System of Indian Army Variant with DRDO Defence Research and
Development Laboratory (DRDL).
1. On April 14, 2020, According to the Defense Security Cooperation Agency, the US (United States) President
Donald Trump’s administration has approved the sale of Harpoon Block II air-launched anti-ship missiles &
MK 54 lightweight torpedoes priced a total of $ 155 million to India to combat regional threats and increase
the security of its soil.
About Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO):
Chairman – G Satheesh Reddy
Headquarters – New Delhi
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Odisha Current Affairs 2020

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Odisha Current Affairs - January 2020

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Bhubaneswar to host 1st edition of Khelo India University Games 2020

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Veteran Odissi Danseuse Padma Shri Minati Mishra passes away at 91

8 times National Award Winner Manmohan Mohapatra passed away at 69

Former Minister of Odisha, Jagannath Rout passes away at 77

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Odisha Current Affairs - February 2020

Odisha government presented Rs 1.5 Lakh crore paperless budget 2020-21

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RCS-UDAN marked 250th route through Bhubaneswar-Varanasi daily flight operations

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2nd BIMSTEC Disaster Management Exercise-2020 held at Bhubaneswar, Odisha; inaugurated by

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PM Modi inaugurated first-ever Khelo India University Games at Cuttack, Odisha

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Odisha Current Affairs - March 2020

Odisha to set up the largest COVID-19 hospital in the country

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Coronavirus: Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik launched “Mo Jeeban Programme”

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Odisha CM released book titled “ The Adventures of the Daredevil Democrat”

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Odisha Current Affairs - April 2020

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Odisha Current Affairs - May 2020

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Centre sets up “Rice Export Promotion Forum” to promote rice export

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HIL(India) to supply 25 tonnes of pesticides to Iran to control locust invasion

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Cyclone Amphan causes havoc in India and Bangladesh

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Noted playwright Bijay Mishra passed away at 83

Odisha Current Affairs - June 2020

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Odisha celebrates Raja Parba – Festival of Menstruation and Womanhood

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Diversion of forests for non-forestry projects: Govt. of India

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Madhya Pradesh 220 795.36

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500 Year Old Temple Found Submerged in Mahanadi River of Odisha

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