RAJASTHAN

Rajasthan improves in Water Resources Management

By restoring 80 per cent of the irrigation potential of identified water bodies, largely through community-managed ponds and tanks, Rajasthan has improved its ranking in the federal think tank NITI Aayog’s composite water management index (CWMI).

Rajasthan has done some good work in restoration of surface water bodies and rural water supply provision in 2016-17, improving its ranking by three places.

The feat was achieved because of transformational state water policies such as Rajasthan’s Mukhya Mantri Jal Swavlambhan Abhiyan (MJSA) and effective irrigation management —integrated irrigation solutions.

CWMI comprises nine areas of assessment with 28 different indicators covering various aspects of groundwater, restoration of water bodies, irrigation, farm practices, drinking water, policy and governance.

MJSA is a multi-stakeholder project, which aims to make the remotest of the villages in the state water-sufficient, by focusing on reviving water bodies, increasing groundwater levels, and providing clean drinking water.

Under Rajasthan’s integrated irrigation solutions, the state government has implemented a comprehensive package of solutions in Sanchore along the Narmada River and as a part of this micro-irrigation technology has been made mandatory for farmers.

The state has improved scores across the indicator themes, including the provision of a greater role to Water User Associations (WUAS) in irrigation, and the restoration of surface water bodies. Building on this momentum, Rajasthan has received a $100 million loan from the New Development Bank (NDB) in 2018 to improve the Indira Gandhi Canal system.

Rajasthan has also improved scores across the indicator themes of participatory irrigation and source restoration.

In waste water treatment – in line with installed capacity, treatment percentages vary from 25-95% for the larger states. Haryana is the leader and treats 95% of its waste water. Rajasthan, in the second position and treats 71% of its urban waste water, up from 42% in the base year (FY 15-16)

INTERNATIONAL

· India ranks 109th, stands behind Pakistan in 4G speeds

According to data speed tester Ookla, India ranks 109th in overall 4G mobile internet speeds with an average download speed of 12Mbps which is less than Pakistan (14.03 Mbps).
Out of the list comprising 124 countries, Qatar ranked first in the list with 63.22 Mbps average download speed.
Norway stood second in the list with 62.14 Mbps download speed.

· Scientists discovered 12 new moons around Jupiter

Scientists have found 12 new moonsorbiting around Jupiter, bringing its total number of moons to 79, the most for any planet in the solar system. One of the moons has been called a “real oddball” due to its tiny size.
Scientists think the vast number of objects orbiting the planet is probably the result of collisions earlier in its life, which have been captured by Jupiter and now continue to orbit it.

· UK topped Global Ranking of Nations’ soft power

In 2018 ‘Soft Power 30’ index, published by UK-based strategic communications consultancy firm Portland and the University of Southern California Center on Public Diplomacy, France placed second and Germany as third followed by the US.
India does not figure on the list, but this year’s report also features a chapter dedicated solely to Asia, listing 10 countries in the region, ranking India’s soft power as eighth

NATIONAL

India accounts for 1/5th of global deaths from floods

India accounts for one-fifth of global deaths due to floods, according to government data.

As many as 107,487 people died due to heavy rains and floods across India over 64 years between 1953 and 2017, according to Central Water Commission data.

Damage to crops, houses and public utilities was reported to be Rs 365,860 crore.

· Upgraded Vikas engine with more thrust will boost ISRO rockets

Indian Space Research Organisation(ISRO) is to add muscle to their spacecraft lifting power in all three satellite launch vehicles. The space agency has improved the thrust of the Vikas engine that powers all of them. The high-thrust engine qualified after a ground test lasting 195 seconds (over three minutes).
The high-thrust Vikas engine is expected to put 4,000 kgsatellites to space. It will improve the payload capability of PSLV, GSLV and GSLV Mk-III launch vehicles.
The Vikas engine is used in the second stage of the light lifting PSLV; the second stage and the four add-on stages of the medium-lift GSLV; and the twin-engine core liquid stage of Mk-III. ISRO is to try out Vikas by replacing it first in Mk-III with a cleaner and safer semi-cryogenic engine.

· ASI has planned to upgrade seven monuments in Tamil Nadu

The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has planned to upgrade infrastructural and tourist-friendly facilities at seven sites, which are approved under Adarsh Smarak Schemefor Conservation of Monuments, in Tamil Nadu.
The Adarsh Monuments proposed to be upgraded by the Ministry of Culture include the Shore Temple in Mamallapuram, Vellore Fort, Brihadeeswarar Temple in Thanjavur, Kailasanathar Temple in Kancheepuram, Sittannavasal Caves, Gingee Fort and Moovar Koil in Kodumbalur. The work has already begun at the Shore Temple in Mamallapuram.

· Wpi inflation accelerates to 4year high of 5.77% in june

Inflation based on wholesale prices accelerated to over 4-year high of 5.77% in June on increasing prices of vegetables and fuel items, raising chances of rate hike by the RBI in its monetary policy review next month.

The Wholesale Price Index (WPI) based inflation stood at 4.43% in May and 0.90% in June last year, as per the government data released on Monday. Inflation is at the highest level since December 2013, when it was at 5.9%.

Retail inflation, which the Reserve Bank of India takes into account while formulating its monetary policy, had touched a 5-month high of 5% in June. It is based on Consumer Price Index (CPI). RBI targets to keep inflation at 4%, (+/- 2%), and its rise beyond this comfort zone will put pressure on the central bank to hike rates.

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