UTTAR PRADESH
UP first to make ‘ELDERLINE’ operational
Uttar Pradesh has become one of the first states in the country to successfully operationalise ‘ELDERLINE’, a helpline to assist and comfort senior citizens amidst the COVID-19 pandemic across the state.
In order to address the concerns and grievances of the people aged above 60 years, the Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment came up with an initiative to reach out to the vulnerable section and help them in terms of health concerns, emotional support and legal aid.
The toll-free helpline facility, made operational in Uttar Pradesh on May 14, will extend complete support to the elderly across all 75 districts of Uttar Pradesh.
The helpline (14567) is being cited as a critical step to reach the elderly in need during the pandemic in the state, as it receives as many as 80 to 90 actionable calls on a daily basis from various districts of Uttar Pradesh ranging from NOIDA to Ballia.
It is pertinent to note that the facility has already been made operational in five major states of UP, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka and efforts are being made to make them functional in all states by the end of this month. The ELDERLINE is a facility operationalised with the assistance of Tata Trusts and NSE foundation.
INTERNATIONAL
RT-LAMP Technology Was Used to Create SPOT, A New COVID-19 Saliva Test
A research team from the Carle Illinois College of Medicine invented SPOT
In thirty minutes, the SPOT provides COVID-19 test results. The cost of the equipment is $78.
In addition, the cost of these reagents and other test equipment is estimated to be 6 to 7 dollars.
Anyone with a minimal amount of training can use the equipment.
The test is very similar to RT-PCR. However, Reverse Transcriptase Loop Mediated Isothermal Amplification is used (RT-LAMP).
However, it does not require complex machinery or expertise. It can be done quickly and more accurately.
World Bee Day is on 20th May
The United Nations has designated May 20 as “World Bee Day.” Theme of the year 2020 is Bee engaged: Build Back Better for Bees.
Bee day is celebrated to create awareness of the importance of pollinators and the threats they face and their contribution to sustainable development. The main aim is to strengthen measures aimed at protecting bees and other pollinators, which will greatly help solve problems related to global food supply and eliminate hunger in developing countries.
World Metrology Day is on 20th May
Every year on May 20th, World Metrology Day is held all over the world.
On this day, many countries have carried out international cooperation to raise people’s awareness of metrology and its progress in their respective fields. The theme of World Metrology Day in 2021 is health metrology.
The purpose of choosing this topic is to make people realize the important role of measurement in health and thus play an important role in the well-being of each of us. World Metrology Day is an annual celebration of the signing of the Metrology Convention on May 20, 1875 by representatives of 17 countries/regions in Paris, France. The World Metrology Day project is jointly implemented by the International Organization for Legal Metrology (OIML) and the International Bureau and the Bureau of Physical Measurement (BIPM).
NATIONAL
The New Sites Has Been Added to The Tentative List of UNESCO World Heritage Sites In India
Six sites have been added to the tentative list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India.
The sites was submitted by the of Archaeological Survey of India.
Six of the nine sites have been included in the tentative list by UNESCO.
It must be added to the tentative list before any sites are finally nominated.
The sites are:
1. Maharashtra’s Maratha military architecture
2. Hire a megalithic site in Bengal, Karnataka
3. Bhedaghat-Lametaghat in Madhya Pradesh’s Narmada Valley.
4. Varanasi’s Ganga Ghats
5. Kancheepuram Temples
6. Madhya Pradesh’s Satpura Tiger Reserve.
Infrastructure Status for Exhibition and Convention Centres
Exhibition and conference centres have been given ‘Infrastructure’ status by the Finance Ministry. The move is expected to make it easier for banks to finance such projects.
The harmonised master list of infrastructure sub-sectors includes the ‘Exhibition-cum-Convention Centre.
A new item has been added to the category of Social and Commercial Infrastructure to reflect this.
These advantages will be applicable only to projects with a minimum built-up floor area of 1,00,000 sq. m. of exclusive exhibition space, or conference space, or both coimbined.
The main projects being carried out in this field so far are: International Exhibition and Conference Centers in Dwarka and Pragati Maidan in New Delhi.
The infrastructure tag does not involve major tax deductions.
The tag would make it easier for such projects to obtain bank funding.
E-Way Bill Integration With FASTag, RFID
The E-Way Bill (EWB) system has been incorporated with FasTag and RFID by the Union Government.
Highlights:
Electronic Way (E-Way) Bill:
An E-Way Bill is a unique bill number created for a particular consignment involving the transportation of goods.
Beginning in April 2018, EWBs will be mandated for inter-state transportation of goods priced over Rs. 50,000 under the Goods and Services Tax (GST) regime, with the exception of precious items such as gold.
It is a method to monitor the movement of goods and detect tax evasion, as well as a mechanism to ensure that goods being transported comply with the GST Law.
F
FASTag:
FASTag is a reloadable tag that can automatically deduct fees without having to stop cash transactions.
Once activated, the tag uses Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology and is attached to the vehicle’s windscreen.
Radio waves are used to read and capture data stored on a tag attached to an object in RFID.
A tag can be read from up to several feet away, and it doesn’t have to be in the reader’s direct line of sight to be monitored.
FASTag will be mandatory for all vehicles in the country beginning February 15, 2021.
The National Highway Authority of India is in charge of its operation (NHAI).