BIHAR
Groundwater in 30,000 wards polluted in Bihar: PHED report
A latest report of the public health and engineering department (PHED) has found groundwater polluted in 30,207 village wards across the state. However, the government has installed water purification equipment in those areas and is now supplying purified water to the villagers to save them from health complications.
According to the report, there are 21,709 wards across the state where the iron content in groundwater is more than the permissible limits. Similarly, arsenic and fluoride contents in groundwater are more than the permissible limits in 4,709 and 3,789 wards, respectively. Health experts say the overload of iron, fluorosis and arsenic in water may cause severe health problems such as cancer, cirrhosis of liver, heart problems, weakening of bones, deformities, and skin lesions.
Similarly, pure piped water is being supplied in 98.68 percent areas (4,647 wards) having arsenic contents and 99.76 percent of the region (3,780 wards) affected with heavy fluoride contents in the groundwater.
The report says there are several arsenic-hit wards in Buxar, Bhojpur, Vaishali, Begusarai, Patna and Bhagalpur districts where piped water is reaching, while clean potable water is being supplied to several fluoride-affected wards across Munger, Nawada, West Champaran, Begusarai and Lakhisarai districts.
INTERNATIONAL
Japan, U.S., South Korea, Taiwan launch ‘Chip 4’ talks for supply chain
Japan, the United States, South Korea and Taiwan have held the first meeting of senior officials under a new U.S.-led framework to help ensure a stable supply of semiconductors, Japan’s industry ministry said. Officials from industry organizations in the four economies took part in the virtual conference of the “Chip 4” alliance on Feb. 16 to discuss ways to maintain supply chain resilience in times of natural disasters and other contingencies.
Meanwhile, China is ramping up its own domestic chip capacity. It is reportedly planning on a massive $140 billion package to bolster self-sufficiency and counter U.S. moves.
1D Wormhole Corrosion : New Form Of Corrosion
This type of corrosion is characterized by a wormhole-like 1D morphology that can serve as a mass-flow pathway.
The discovery of this type of corrosion is significant for the understanding of material degradation mechanisms in molten salt environments, particularly in relation to next-generation nuclear power plants that use molten salts as coolants.
The 1D wormhole corrosion is a highly localized form of penetrating corrosion that occurs in a nickel-chromium alloy when exposed to molten fluoride salt.
NATIONAL
Centre directs States to expedite energy efficiency activities in mission mode
The Centre and Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) have directed state governments to expedite energy efficiency activities on a mission mode.
In accordance with the Government of India’s policy to increase energy efficiency and substantially reduce greenhouse gas emissions by achieving the country’s climate change targets (Panchamrit), the Union Ministry of Power-led BEE has emphasized the need for all state designated agencies to engage deeply in the energy efficiency movement on a mission mode.
DGCA nod for HAL’s new plane Hindustan 228-201
In a boost to aviation sector, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation(DGCA) has approved a new variant of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited’s aircraft ‘Hindustan 228-201 LW.’
Giving details of the nod, the public sector aerospace conglomerate said on Monday, this variant has maximum take-off weight of 5,695 kg with 19 passenger capability. With this modification, the aircraft would fall in the Sub 5,700 kg aircraft category, the HAL said.
‘E-Sanjeevani app’s 10 cr reach reflects power of India’s digital revolution’
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday highlighted the contribution made by E-Sanjeevani app towards “treating 10 crore patients” by way of tele and video consultations as he spoke on various issues including ‘Swachh Bharat’ Mission, ‘Tribeni Kumbh Mahotsav’, and ‘Ustad Bismillah Khan Youth Award’.
The Prime Minister said the country has seen that in the time of Corona, E-Sanjeevani played a pivotal role in giving contact less treatment to the virus affected patients.
No permission needed to develop infra on forest areas: Green Min to Rlys
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has clarified that the railways does not need to seek permission to develop infrastructure on its land in forest areas, after its contradictory orders on the issue created confusion in many states.
This paves the way for the national transporter to execute infrastructure projects even in sensitive forest areas without seeking permission from the Centre.
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