KARNATAKA
Karnataka: 35-50% learning loss in kids of classes 1-3 due to pandemic
A baseline study conducted by the education department has shown that around 40%-50% of children in classes 1-3 have not attained age-appropriate competencies in numeracy and 35%-40% in literacy owing to 18 months of pandemic-induced school closure.
The next academic year, 2022-23, in Karnataka will be declared as a learning recovery year with complete focus on bridging this gap.
As per the study, 40% of children have not achieved competency in literacy skills in class 1, 36% in grade 2 and 35% in class 3. Around 22% have partially attained it in these grades. In numeracy, 49% have not acquired the skills in class 1, 48% in class 2 and 41% in class 3.
INTERNATIONAL
Quadruple Asteroid
Astronomers discovered a 3rd moon orbiting the main-belt asteroid (130) Elektra. This is often the primary quadruple asteroid ever found.
Highlights:
Elektra may be a giant main-belt asteroid. Litchfield Observatory astronomer Christian Peters had first discovered it on February 17, 1873.
Elektra has an efficient diameter of 199 km and an estimated mass of 7*1018
The first moon of Elektra was discovered in 2003 by Dr. William Merline and his team. It had been discovered using the “Keck II telescope” at the Mauna Kea Observatory.
NATIONAL
Crude Palm Oil Imports Tax Cut
Central Government cut tax on crude palm oil imports (CPO) from 7.5 percent to five percent, which came into effect on February 13, 2022.
Highlights
India is the world’s biggest edible oil importer. It tries to rein in local commodities prices and help domestic consumers and refiners.
The tax reduction is also called “agriculture infrastructure and development cess (AIDC).”
It will broaden the gap between refined palm oil import duties and CPO.
The tax reduction effectively makes it cheaper for Indian refiners to import CPO.
After the reduction in AIDC, the import tax difference between CPO and refined palm oil would increase to eight .25 percent.
Reimagining Healthcare In India Report By NITI Aayog
The NITI Aayog published a paper titled “Reimagining Healthcare in India using Blended Finance.”
Highlights:
According to the NITI Aayog report, India spends the least on healthcare among the BRICS countries.
The report highlights that around 65 percent of hospital beds in India cater to almost 50 percent of the population in Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Telangana, and Kerala.
Another 50 percent of India’s population living in the remainder of 21 states and eight Union Territories (UTs) has access to 35 percent of hospital beds.
It noted that a minimum of 30 percent must increase several beds to ensure people’s equitable access to healthcare facilities.
SMILE Scheme
SMILE: Support for Marginalised Individuals for Livelihood and Enterprise” scheme was launched by the Department of Social Justice & Empowerment
Highlights:
“SMILE: Support for Marginalised Individuals for Livelihood and Enterprise” scheme was launched on 12 February 2022 in New Delhi.
SMILE is a scheme run by the Central Sector. Support for Marginalized Individuals for Livelihood and Enterprise is its name.
Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment introduced it. The initiative was created to assist the transgender community and persons who beg.
The SMILE initiative aims to reinforce and broaden the reach of rights that provide targeted groups with the legal protection and security they require.
Economic Empowerment of DNTs Scheme
Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment will launch the “Scheme for Economic Empowerment of DNTs (SEED)” on February 16, 2022.
Highlights
The Scheme will be launched to protect De-notified, Nomadic, and Semi Nomadic Communities (DNCs) at Ambedkar International Centre, New Delhi.
DNTs are the foremost neglected, marginalized, and economically & socially deprived communities.
They have been living a life of poverty for generations.
They have escaped the attention of the developmental framework and thus are bereft of support, unlike SCs and STs.
They never had access to non-public land or homeownership, historically.
These tribes used forests and grazing lands for residential use and their livelihood.
KPSC Notes brings Prelims and Mains programs for KPSC Prelims and KPSC Mains Exam preparation. Various Programs initiated by KPSC Notes are as follows:-
- KPSC Mains Tests and Notes Program 2022
- KPSC Prelims Exam 2022- Test Series and Notes Program 2022
- KPSC Prelims and Mains Tests Series and Notes Program 2022
- KPSC Detailed Complete Prelims Notes 2022
