During August 8 to10, various union government departments and agencies have published several environment, climate change, public health and related social sectors news releases those stand important for the present and future of the country. The Plurals has collated the key releases for you.
Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas refuted the allegation of high presence of moisture & chloride in E20 Petrol
Amid recent media reports on moisture and chloride in EBMS (E20 Petrol), OMCs carried out a nationwide additional intensive testing covering the entire EBMS supply chain. The findings reaffirm that fuel quality remains consistently well within prescribed limits. Contrary to certain assertions being made, based on extensive random testing through scientifically designed tests, the evidence shows that there is no cause for any alarm on account of fuel contamination.
Detailed report link
https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2296452®=48&lang=1
Ministry of Jal Shakti reviewed trans-border rivers issues with Royal Government of Bhutan in New Delhi
A high-level bilateral meeting on Co-operation on Trans-border Rivers was held today in New Delhi between the delegation from the Royal Government of Bhutan, led by Lyonpo Gem Tshering, Minister for Energy & Natural Resources, and the delegation from the Government of India, led by Shri C R Paatil, Union Minister of Jal Shakti.
During the bilateral meeting, the two sides reviewed the ongoing cooperation between India and Bhutan in the water resources sector, with particular focus on trans-border river management, flood forecasting and flood management, hydrological data sharing, and other areas of mutual interest. The Ministers also reviewed the progress of the Punatsangchhu-I Hydroelectric Project, which is being implemented in Bhutan in partnership with the Government of India, and discussed measures for its expeditious implementation
Detailed report link
https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2296177®=48&lang=1
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare announced strengthening of the steps taken to reduce out-of-pocket expenditure on healthcare by households
The Government has undertaken a range of measures to reduce Out-of-Pocket Expenditure (OOPE) on healthcare by expanding access to free and affordable health services, strengthening healthcare infrastructure, and providing financial protection to households across the country.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) supplements the efforts of the States and Union Territories (UTs) in expanding affordable healthcare services and strengthening healthcare infrastructure across the country, through various Centrally Sponsored Schemes and Central Sector Schemes. Towards this end, MoHFW is implementing schemes such as National Health Mission (NHM), Ayushman Bharat- Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY), Pradhan Mantri- Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM), Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY).
Detailed report link
https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2296131®=48&lang=1
Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare reported agricultural yield losses due to human-induced land degradation
Government has not undertaken any assessment on agricultural land affected by degradation and its impact on crop productivity. However, as per Desertification and Land Degradation Atlas of India (2021) published by the Space Applications Centre (ISRO), an area of 6.38 lakh ha is manmade desertification and land degradation in the country as on 2018–19.
Detailed report link
https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2296210®=48&lang=1
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change announced that Rs. 3.79 crore has been disbursed by National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) to 33 states, union territories (UTs) and national institutes
The National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) has disbursed close to Rs. 3.79 crore as Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) to 33 State Biodiversity Boards (SBBs) and Union Territory Biodiversity Councils (UTBCs), the ICAR-National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources (NBPGR) and through the Haryana State Biodiversity Board to the Hisar Bovine Sperm Station and Research Centre.
The release covers a diverse range of India’s agrobiodiversity, including tomato, chilli, brinjal, cauliflower, watermelon, bitter gourd, bottle gourd, okra, mustard seed varieties and deep-frozen Sahiwal cattle semen. The ABS amount was realised from companies including M/s Bayer Science and Innovation Pvt. Ltd., M/s HM Clause India Pvt. Ltd. and M/s Advanta Enterprises Limited for accessing vegetable and oilseed genetic resources for research and commercial utilisation.
Detailed report link
https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2296731®=48&lang=1