BPSC Monthly Current Affairs: August 2024 | Monthly Current Affairs BPSC - BPSC (Bihar) PDF Download

Bihar Seeks Additional Funds Under PMAY-G

The Rural Development Department (RDD) of Bihar has made a fresh appeal to the Ministry of Rural Development to sanction Rs. 13.5 lakh for extra housing units designated for homeless families under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Gramin (PMAY-G).

Key Highlights

• The RDD has successfully constructed 36.64 lakh dwelling units out of the 37 lakh units approved under PMAY-G from 2016-17 to 2023-24.
• Each beneficiary receives Rs 1.30 lakh for a housing unit, in addition to labor costs as per the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) rates.

Overview of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Gramin (PMAY-G)

Launch Information:

• The Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Gramin (PMAY-G) was initiated on April 1, 2016, with the aim of achieving “Housing for All” by 2022. This scheme restructured the previous rural housing initiative, the Indira Awaas Yojana (IAY), and is implemented as a centrally sponsored program.
• Although the initial target was not met, the government extended the deadline for “Housing for All” to December 2024 in August 2022.

Implementing Ministry:

The scheme is overseen by the Ministry of Rural Development.

Current Status:

As of March 2023, States and Union Territories (UTs) have sanctioned 2.85 crore houses to beneficiaries, with 2.22 crore houses completed.

Objectives:

• To ensure that all rural families who are homeless or living in inadequate housing (kutcha or dilapidated houses) have access to a pucca house with essential amenities by the end of March 2022.
• To assist rural individuals Below the Poverty Line (BPL) in constructing new dwelling units and upgrading existing unserviceable kutcha houses through full grant assistance.

Target Beneficiaries:

The scheme targets various groups, including:

• Individuals belonging to Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs).
• Freed bonded laborers.
• Non-SC/ST categories, including widows and next-of-kin of defense personnel killed in action, ex-servicemen, retired paramilitary members, disabled individuals, and minority groups.

Selection of Beneficiaries:

• Beneficiaries are selected through a three-stage validation process involving the Socio-Economic Caste Census 2011, Gram Sabha approval, and geo-tagging.

Cost Sharing:

• In plain areas, the costs are shared between the Centre and the states in a 60:40 ratio.
• For northeastern states, two Himalayan states, and the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, the ratio is 90:10.
• The Centre bears 100% of the costs for other Union Territories, including Ladakh.

Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA)

Overview: MGNREGA, launched in 2005 by the Ministry of Rural Development, is one of the largest work guarantee programs globally. It legally guarantees 100 days of employment per financial year to adult members of rural households willing to do unskilled manual work at the minimum wage.

Active Workers: As of 2023-24, there are 14.32 crore active workers under MGNREGA.

Key Features:

• Legal Guarantee: Ensures that any rural adult can request work and receive it within 15 days. If not, an unemployment allowance is provided.
• Women’s Priority: At least one-third of the beneficiaries must be women who have registered and requested work.
• Social Audit: Section 17 mandates a social audit of all works executed under MGNREGA.
• Implementation: The Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India, monitors the implementation of MGNREGA in collaboration with state governments.

Bihar’s First Sports Academy and University

On National Sports Day, the Chief Minister of Bihar inaugurated the state’s first Sports Academy and Bihar Sports University as part of the International Sports Complex in Rajgir.

International Sports Complex:

• The complex will train athletes in 24 sports disciplines simultaneously, providing training, accommodation, and medical facilities on the same campus.
• It features a main cricket stadium with a 50,000 spectator capacity, eight smaller stadiums with 10,000 seats each, a world-class sports library, and training centers for various sports.
• Facilities include those for athletics, football, hockey, volleyball, kabaddi, and more.
• Upcoming Events: Rajgir is set to host the Asian Women Hockey Championship in November.
• Bihar Sports University: Established in July 2021, the university aims to promote sports education in physical education, sports science, sports technology, sports management, and sports training. It will serve as a research and training center for sports in Bihar.

National Sports Day:

• First celebrated in 2012, National Sports Day honors sports stars and promotes awareness about the importance of sports and physical activity in daily life.
• The President awards sports honors such as the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award, Arjuna Award, Dronacharya Award, and Dhyan Chand Awards on this day.

National Teachers Awards 2024

• Recently, the Union Ministry of Education has chosen two educators from Bihar for the prestigious National Teachers Award 2024.
• The selected teachers are:
  • Sikendra Kumar Suman, principal-in-charge of Tarhani New Primary School in Kaimur district.
  • Dr. Meenakshi Kumari, a teacher at Shiv Ganga Girls High School in Madhubani district.
• They will be honored by President Draupadi Murmu on Teacher’s Day at Vigyan Bhawan in Delhi.
• The National Teachers Award is given to teachers for their outstanding contributions to education. The award includes a cash prize of ₹50,000, a silver medal, and a citation.
• A total of 50 teachers from across the country have been selected for this prestigious award.

About Teachers’ Day

• Celebrated annually on 5th September since 1962, Teachers’ Day honors the contributions of educators, including teachers, researchers, and professors in India.
• The observance of Teachers’ Day on this date was suggested by Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, the President of India at the time, in response to students’ requests for celebration.

About Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan

• Birth: Born on 5th September 1888 into a Telugu family in Tiruttani, Tamil Nadu.
• Academics: Studied philosophy at Christian College, Madras, and later became a professor at Madras Presidency College and the University of Mysore.
• Employment: Served as the first Vice-President of India (1952-1962) and the second President of India (1962-1967). Also, served as the Ambassador of India to the Soviet Union (1949-1952) and Vice-Chancellor of Banaras Hindu University (1939-1948).
• Recognition: Posthumously awarded the Bharat Ratna in 1984.
• Notable Works: Authored several works including "Reign of Religion in Contemporary Philosophy," "Philosophy of Rabindranath Tagore," "The Hindu View of Life," and "Gautama the Buddha."

Waqf Board Claims Over a Village in Bihar

Recently, the Bihar Waqf Board has issued notices to villagers in Govindpur village, demanding their vacation of the land within 30 days.

• In response to these notices, all landowners have filed a petition in the Patna High Court, which noted that the land has been in the names of the petitioners’ ancestors since 1910.
• The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024 was introduced in Parliament in August 2024.

About Waqf Board

• A Waqf board is a legal entity responsible for acquiring, holding, and transferring property. It has the authority to sue and be sued in court.
• The board administers Waqf properties, recovers lost properties, and sanctions the transfer of immovable Waqf properties through sale, gift, mortgage, exchange, or lease, with the approval of at least two-thirds of its members.
• The Central Waqf Council (CWC), established in 1964, oversees and advises state-level Waqf Boards across India. The CWC is one of the largest landholders in India, following the Railways and Defence department.

Key Amendments in Waqf Act (Amendment Bill), 2024

• Transparency: The Bill proposes around 40 amendments to the current Waqf Act, including mandatory verification for all property claims by Waqf Boards to ensure transparency.
• Gender Diversity: The Bill aims to modify the composition and functioning of the Waqf Board by adding women representatives.
• Revised Verification Procedures: New procedures for verifying Waqf properties will be introduced to address disputes and prevent misuse, with district magistrates potentially overseeing these properties.
• Limited Power: The amendments respond to concerns about the unchecked powers of Waqf Boards, which have led to extensive land claims and disputes. For instance, the Tamil Nadu Waqf Board claimed the entire Thiruchendurai village, predominantly Hindu, in September 2022.

Californium

Recently, police in Gopalganj, Bihar, seized 50 grams of a substance believed to be Californium, a highly radioactive metal worth Rs 850 crore. However, initial tests by the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) and Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) revealed no radioactivity.

About Californium:

• Californium is named after the American state of California and the university.
• It was first synthesized in 1950 by researchers at the University of California, Berkeley.
• Californium is a silvery-white synthetic radioactive metal with the atomic number 98 on the periodic table.
• It is not found naturally and is produced through nuclear reactions, specifically by bombarding curium with helium ions.
• Curium is a hard metal having an atomic number of 96 and symbol Cm. This metal is artificially produced in the nuclear reactors.
• A helium ion is a positively charged atom of helium, typically denoted as He+. It is formed when a helium atom loses one or more of its electrons.

Properties:

• Californium is highly radioactive and is both valuable and hazardous.
• It belongs to the actinide series on the periodic table.
• Notable isotopes include Cf-251, which is the most stable with a half-life of 898 years, as well as Cf-249 and Cf-250, which have shorter half-lives.

Radioactivity:

• It is the property of some unstable atoms (radionuclides) to spontaneously emit nuclear radiation, usually alpha particles or beta particles often accompanied by gamma-rays.

Department of Atomic Energy:

• The Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) was set up under the direct charge of the Prime Minister through a Presidential Order on August 3, 1954.
• As per this order, all businesses of the Government of India, related to Atomic Energy and to the functions of the Central Government under the Atomic Energy Act, 1948 were directed to be transacted in the Department of Atomic Energy.

Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC):

• BARC is India’s leading nuclear research facility that operates under the Department of Atomic Energy.
• As a multi-disciplinary research center, BARC is equipped with extensive infrastructure for advanced R&D, spanning the full range of nuclear science, engineering, and related fields.
• It also serves as the primary research support for the Nuclear Power Corporation of India (NPCIL), which manages all of India’s nuclear reactors.

Kharif Crops Destroyed in Bihar

Farmers in northern Bihar are facing severe crop damage due to unexpected late-season floods that have submerged thousands of acres of standing crops, including paddy and vegetables.

Affected Areas:

• Floodwaters have spread across hundreds of villages in districts like Madhepura, Supaul, Saharsa, Madhubani, and Bhagalpur.
• Rising water levels in the Kosi, Ganga, Burhi Gandak, and Gandak rivers have contributed to the flooding.

Impact on Farmers:

• The floods have displaced many people, forcing them to live in isolated villages cut off from nearby markets and offices.
• There is a shortage of both green and dry fodder for animals, further exacerbating the hardship faced by affected communities.
• Despite the widespread destruction, there has been a lack of response from the Bihar Disaster Management Department.

Flooding in Bihar:

• Flooding is a recurring issue in Bihar, particularly affecting the Ganga, Kosi, Gandak, Bagmati, and Mahananda river basins.
• Bihar is the most flood-prone state in India, with approximately 6.88 million hectares of its 9.41 million hectares classified as vulnerable to flooding.

Flood

An overflow of water onto land that is typically dry is known as flooding. Various factors can lead to floods, including heavy rainfall, ocean waves encroaching onshore, rapid melting of snow, or the failure of dams or levees.

• Floods can be damaging even with just a few inches of water, and in severe cases, they can submerge houses up to their rooftops.
• Flooding can occur suddenly or over an extended period and may last for days, weeks, or even longer.
• Among all weather-related natural disasters, floods are the most common and widespread.

Flash floods are extremely perilous due to their combination of destructive power and rapid onset. They occur when heavy rainfall surpasses the ground's capacity to absorb water. This can also happen when water fills normally dry creeks or streams, or when streams overflow their banks, leading to a swift rise in water levels within a short period. Flash floods can occur within minutes of the triggering rainfall, which limits the time available for warning and protecting the public.

NCPCR Chief Demands UN Probe in Bihar Madrasas

Recently, the chairman of the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) expressed serious concerns regarding the "radical" curriculum in government-funded madrasas in Bihar and the enrollment of Hindu children in these institutions. The chairman criticized the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) for its role in developing this curriculum and called for an investigation by the United Nations into these activities. He also urged the dissolution of the Madrasa Board.

• Many of the books included in the madrasas' curriculum are published in Pakistan, and research on their content is ongoing. The use of funds for activities outside the scope of the Right to Education (RTE) Act, 2009, is considered a violation of both the Indian Constitution and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC).

National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR)

• The NCPCR is a statutory body established in March 2007 under the Commissions for Protection of Child Rights (CPCR) Act, 2005.
• It operates under the administrative control of the Ministry of Women & Child Development.
• The Commission's mandate is to ensure that all laws, policies, programs, and administrative mechanisms align with the child rights perspective as outlined in the Constitution of India and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.
• It investigates complaints related to a child's right to free and compulsory education under the Right to Education Act, 2009.
• The Commission also monitors the implementation of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012.

Convention on the Rights of the Child

• The Convention on the Rights of the Child is a treaty adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1989.
• It recognizes a child as every human being under 18 years old and outlines their civil, political, economic, social, and cultural rights, regardless of race, religion, or abilities.
• The rights include the Right to Education, Right to Rest and Leisure, and Right to Protection from Mental or Physical Abuse, including Rape and Sexual Exploitation.
• It is the most widely ratified human rights treaty in the world.

Kosi-Mechi Link Project

The Kosi-Mechi Link Project in Bihar aims to connect the Kosi and Mechi rivers. This project is part of a bigger plan to manage water resources and enhance irrigation in the area.

• Fund Allocation: In the recent budget session, the central government announced ₹ 11,500 crore for flood control in Bihar.
• Irrigation: The project aims to provide irrigation to 215,000 hectares of agricultural land in the Mahananda river basin during the Kharif season.
• Flood Control: While the project could help with flood control, its main focus is on improving irrigation.

Local Protests:

• Opposition: There is significant local opposition to the project. Farmers and residents are concerned that it may not address flood control adequately and could disrupt local water resources.
• Demand for Attention: Protesters are calling for a focus on comprehensive flood management solutions instead of just river interlinking.

Environmental and Social Concerns:

• Impact on Ecosystems: There are concerns about the environmental impact of linking rivers, including potential changes to local ecosystems and biodiversity.
• Displacement and Livelihoods: There are worries about community displacement and the effect on local livelihoods.
• Government Response: The government is defending the project, highlighting its irrigation benefits and potential economic gains for the region. However, there is ongoing dialogue to address community concerns.

Gurmar Found on Gaya’s Brahmayoni Hill

Recently, a team of researchers discovered various medicinal plants at Brahmayoni Hill in Gaya, Bihar, with Gymnema sylvestre, popularly known as Gurmar, being one of the significant finds. Gurmar is recognized for its anti-diabetic properties.

• The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) has previously used this medicinal herb in the development of the anti-diabetic drug BGR-34.
• Gurmar is renowned for its ability to lower blood sugar levels, primarily due to the presence of gymnemic acid. This compound works by occupying receptor sites in the intestinal lining, which helps reduce cravings for sweet foods. Consequently, the intestine absorbs fewer sugar molecules, leading to lower blood sugar levels.
• Additionally, Gurmar contains flavonoids and saponins, which play a role in regulating lipid metabolism.

Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)

• CSIR is India’s largest research and development organization, with a widespread presence across the country. It comprises 37 national laboratories, 39 outreach centers, 3 Innovation Complexes, and 5 units.
• Established: September 1942
• Headquarters: New Delhi
• CSIR is funded by the Ministry of Science and Technology and operates as an autonomous body under the Societies Registration Act, 1860.
• CSIR’s research spans various fields, including radio and space physics, oceanography, geophysics, chemistry, pharmaceuticals, genomics, biotechnology, nanotechnology, mining, aeronautics, instrumentation, environmental engineering, and information technology.
• The organization plays a crucial role in addressing societal challenges related to the environment, health, drinking water, food, housing, energy, and agricultural and non-agricultural sectors.

Multipurpose Buildings on Waqf Board Land

The Bihar government is planning to build various structures like multipurpose buildings, wedding halls, and market complexes on land registered under the Sunni and Shia Waqf Boards.

• In 2023-24, ten projects have been proposed for the construction of multi-purpose buildings, market complexes, and libraries in cities such as Patna, Purnea, Kaimur, Katihar, Kishanganj, Nawada, and Siwan.
• The state government has also decided to establish 21 new madrasas in different parts of Bihar under the Bihar Rajya Madarsa Sudridhikaran Yojana (BRMSY).
• The aim is to strengthen madrasa infrastructure by providing facilities like drinking water, libraries, equipment, toilets, and computer science labs.
• Waqf Properties : The Waqf board is the third-largest landholder in India, after the Railways and the Defence department. There are currently 8,72,292 registered Waqf properties spread across 8 lakh acres, generating Rs 200 crore in revenue. Once a property is designated as Waqf, it becomes non-transferable and is held perpetually as a charitable act toward God.

Stampede at Temple in Bihar

Recently, a tragic stampede at Baba Siddhnath Temple in Makhdumpur, Jehanabad district, Bihar, resulted in multiple fatalities. The stampede reportedly began due to a conflict between kanwariyas (pilgrims) and flower vendors at the temple entrance. Local authorities are currently investigating the incident's cause, and financial aid has been promised to the victims' families.

Understanding Stampedes

• A stampede is a sudden, uncontrollable movement of a crowd, often leading to injuries and fatalities.
• It is usually triggered by perceived danger, loss of personal space, or a collective desire to obtain something seen as rewarding.

Types of Stampedes

• Unidirectional Stampedes : Occur when a crowd moving in the same direction faces a sudden force change, like a sudden stop or barrier failure.
• Turbulent Stampedes : Happen in uncontrolled crowd situations, induced panic, or merging crowds from different directions.

Causes of Fatalities in Stampedes

• Traumatic Asphyxia : Most common cause, resulting from external compression of the thorax or upper abdomen, can occur in moderate crowds of 6-7 people pushing in one direction.
• Other Causes : Myocardial infarction (heart attack), direct crushing injuries to internal organs, head injuries, and neck compression.

GI Tag for Five Iconic Products

The Bihar state agriculture department is collaborating with Bihar Agricultural University (BAU) in Bhagalpur to secure geographical indication (GI) certification for at least 54 distinct region-specific products.

• Research is already in advanced stages for five key items as part of this collaborative effort.
• Five advanced stage products are ‘litti chokha’ (Bihar’s staple dish), Sonachur rice and Gulshan tomato from Rohtas, ‘singhara’ (water chestnut) and Digha Malda mango from Patna.
• The states with the most geographical indication (GI) tags are Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Kerala.
• Bihar has six GI-tagged products - Shahi litchi, Bhagalpuri Zardalu mango, Katarni rice, Maricha rice, Magahi paan (betel leaf) and makhana (foxnut).
• The central government’s commerce ministry is backing the drive for Geographical Indication (GI) tags, in accordance with India’s commitments as a member of the World Trade Organization and under the TRIPS (Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights) agreement.
• A GI tag is a name or sign used on certain products that correspond to a specific geographical location or origin.
• The GI tag ensures that only the authorised users or those residing in the geographical territory are allowed to use the popular product name.
• It also protects the product from being copied or imitated by others.
• A registered GI is valid for 10 years.
• GI registration is overseen by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

Bihar Mandates Registration of Temples, Mutts, and Trusts

Recently, The Bihar government has instructed all the officials to ensure that unregistered temples, monasteries, and religious trusts are registered, and the details of their immovable properties are submitted to the Bihar State Board of Religious Trusts (BSBRT).

• According to the Bihar Hindu Religious Trusts Act, 1950, all public temples, mutts, trusts, and dharamshalas must be registered with the BSBRT.
• The state government will take stringent action against those involved in illegal property transactions of registered temples, mutts, or trusts, as well as against unregistered entities that fail to register with the BSBRT.
• According to the latest data from BSBRT, there are approximately 2,512 unregistered temples and mutts in the state, owning 4,321.64 acres.
• The state has about 2,499 registered temples, which collectively own over 18,456 acres.

Alert Issued in Bihar Districts Due to Situation in Bangladesh

An alert has been raised in several parts of Bihar following the unrest in neighboring Bangladesh. Although no districts in Bihar share a border with Bangladesh, the state does have a long and porous boundary with Nepal. This border is often used by infiltrators from other countries to gain entry into Indian territory.

• The situation in Bangladesh has become increasingly unstable, with massive street protests over job quotas forcing Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to resign and flee the country. 
• In the wake of this turmoil, the Bangladesh Army, under the leadership of General Waker-uz-Zaman, has declared the formation of an interim government, supported by various political parties. This marks a significant shift in Bangladesh's political landscape, ending Hasina's 15-year rule and raising concerns about the country's future stability and governance.

Overview of the Situation in Bangladesh

• Bangladesh is experiencing a profound political crisis.
• Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has stepped down and left the country due to widespread protests and civil unrest.
• In response to the chaos, the Bangladesh Army, led by General Waker-uz-Zaman, has taken control and announced the establishment of an interim government.
• This interim government is being formed with the backing of various political parties.
• This development marks the end of Sheikh Hasina's 15-year tenure as Prime Minister and raises serious questions about the future stability and governance of Bangladesh.

Implications for Bangladesh

• The resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and the formation of an interim government by the Bangladesh Army represent a significant shift in the country's political landscape.
• The situation raises concerns about the potential for further instability and unrest in the coming months.
• The international community will be closely monitoring the developments in Bangladesh as the new interim government takes charge and attempts to restore order.

Adani Cement's Investment in Bihar

Recently, the Chief Minister of Bihar inaugurated the foundation stone for a cement grinding unit worth Rs 1,600 crore, being developed by Ambuja Concrete North Private Limited, a subsidiary of Gautam Adani's Ambuja Cement Limited (ACL). The facility is located in the Warisaliganj industrial area of Nawada district, Bihar.

• The project, with a capacity of 6 Million Tonnes Per Annum (MTPA), will be implemented in phases, with the initial phase expected to be completed by December 2025.
• It is projected to create 250 direct jobs and 1,000 indirect jobs in the region.
• The cement unit is also anticipated to generate Rs 250 crore in annual revenue for the government.
• The Bihar Industrial Area Development Authority has allocated 73 acres of land for the establishment of this cement unit.

Further Investments by Adani Group in Bihar

• In addition to the cement grinding unit, the Adani Group has proposed additional investments totaling Rs 5,500 crore in Bihar.
• These investments include plans for a new cement plant in Motipur, Muzaffarpur, as well as a logistic godown near Patna and agricultural logistic godowns in Araria, Kishanganj, and Begusarai.

Tragic Lightning Strikes in Bihar

Recently, Bihar experienced a series of tragic lightning strikes that resulted in the deaths of at least 12 individuals across various regions of the state. In response to this devastating incident, the Chief Minister expressed deep condolences to the bereaved families and announced an ex gratia payment of ₹ 4 lakh each to support the affected families.

• Understanding Ex Gratia : Ex gratia refers to a payment made voluntarily by an organization or government to individuals as a gesture of goodwill, often in cases of claims and damages.
• The Chief Minister also urged the public to exercise caution and remain indoors during thunderstorms. Additionally, he encouraged citizens to follow the advisories issued by the State Disaster Management Department regarding thunderstorms and heavy rainfall.
• According to the Bihar Economic Survey report for 2023-2024, the state witnessed a staggering 400 deaths related to lightning and thunderstorms in the previous year, with the highest number of fatalities reported from Gaya (46), Bhojpur (23), and Nawada (21). In 2022-23, the state government allocated ₹ 430 crore for disaster management, with ₹ 285.22 crore specifically directed towards local disasters such as lightning and drowning.

What is Lightning?

• Lightning is a natural phenomenon characterized by a brief but intense electrical discharge, usually between a cloud and the ground or within a cloud itself. This discharge is accompanied by a bright flash and a loud sound, often occurring during thunderstorms.
• There are different types of lightning, but cloud-to-ground (CG) lightning is particularly dangerous. This type of lightning can electrocute people due to its high voltage and current. In contrast, inter- or intra-cloud lightning, which occurs within or between clouds, is visible but generally safe.