Assam Current Affairs 20 June

1.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on June 20 unveiled the commemorative plaque to mark the inauguration of the much awaited bridge in the Dhubri district of Golakganj along the border of Bangladesh.

The 700-meter-long bridge over the Gangadhar River between Golakganj and Kanuri, built at a cost of Rs. 74 crore, was inaugurated today. 

The bridge will benefit the community and help expand economic operations in the areas connecting Lakhimari Gaon Panchayat and Golakganj Municipal Area in the Dhubri District.

The Gangadhar river, which originates in Bhutan, flows for 33 km in Dhubri and is responsible for massive floods, especially causing huge destruction in the Golakganj revenue circle of the district.

2.

Researchers at the esteemed Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati have made a significant breakthrough in addressing the challenge of managing pathogenic waste in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. Their study, published in the renowned American Chemical Society journal, Langmuir, unveils a promising solution for the safe disposal of pathogenic waste through the use of compacted natural clays.

The study, co-authored by Prof. Bharat Venkata Tadikonda, Prof. Sachin Kumar, and their research scholars, Himanshu Yadav and Shubham Gaurav, highlights the critical need for proper waste management protocols due to the risks posed by biomedical waste containing viruses. The COVID-19 pandemic led to a surge in potentially virulent waste generated by hospitals and isolation facilities, which was often treated similar to municipal solid waste (MSW) and disposed of in existing landfills.

However, the researchers discovered that the geosynthetic landfill liners used in MSW facilities become ineffective in the presence of landfill leachate containing high-concentration salt solutions. This could lead to the escape of infectious viral pathogen waste, potentially causing secondary infections in humans. The urgency for appropriate management and safe disposal protocols has never been clearer.

To study virus behavior in clays, the researchers employed the Newcastle disease virus (NDV) as a surrogate for the coronavirus. By conducting experiments involving the interaction of the virus with bentonite and kaolin clays for varying durations, as well as through-diffusion tests, they demonstrated the high effectiveness of both types of clays in reducing viral concentrations.

The choice of Newcastle disease virus (NDV) as a surrogate for the coronavirus was based on its similarity to the coronavirus in terms of being a single-stranded enveloped RNA virus. This research not only addresses the disposal of pathogenic waste generated during the COVID-19 pandemic but also has implications for waste management during outbreaks of diseases like the Newcastle disease in poultry

The research findings further revealed that bentonite exhibited faster viral decay compared to kaolin clay. The removal efficiency of the NDV depended on the quality of bentonite and the multilayer sorption of the virus on clay surfaces.

In addition to its immediate implications, this groundbreaking study opens doors for more effective waste management strategies during disease outbreaks. The proposed handling protocol involves the use of biomedical waste facilities with compacted powder Bentonite/Kaolin clays as liners or placing pathogenic waste in closed containers with compacted powder bentonite or kaolin clays for disposal in existing MSW landfills.

The study was supported by the Science and Research Board (SERB), Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, under the research project titled “Attenuation Ability of Municipal Solid Waste Landfill Liners for Viral Pathogens”

3.

the state government will invest at least Rs 20,000 crore to revamp 2,000 government schools.

The state government has established 18 ‘Adarsha Vidyalayas’ under the CBSE curriculum which will be imparting studies in the English language.

Also, 19 schools in the tea garden areas have been set up by the government. These schools were inaugurated on Monday.

the government’s effort to start CBSE schools in the state will help students belonging to economically insolvent groups to study English in government schools.

Govt is working to establish Adarsha Vidayalayas in all 126 Assembly constituencies. The construction work on 55 schools has been completed and work for the remaining 71 is going on in full swing

 these Adarsha Vidyalayas will have smart class rooms, with science laboratories, computer laboratories, libraries etc. Moreover, these schools will be enabled with ‘Project Child’ which will enable mental development along with the physical development of the students.

4.

 Government of Assam, the Cyber Police Stations/Outposts will be established in the following locations:

1. Cyber Police Station at Crime Investigation Department (CID), Ulubari, Guwahati
2. Cyber Police Station at Police Commissionerate, Guwahati
3. Cyber Police Outpost at Dibrugarh
4. Cyber Police Outpost at Silchar

The Cyber Police Stations in Guwahati will be headed by Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) level officers while the Cyber Police Outposts in Dibrugarh and Silchar will be headed by Officer-in-Charge level officers.

The following will be the jurisdiction of the newly created Cyber Police Station/Outpost:

• Cyber Police Station at Police Commissionerate, Guwahati– The Cyber Police Station at Police Commissionerate, Guwahati will work independently in the jurisdiction of the Police Commissionerate, Guwahati.

• Cyber Police Station at CID Headquarters– The proposed CID Cyber Police Station will have jurisdiction all over the territory of the state of Assam except for the areas falling under the Police Commissionerate, Guwahati.

• Cyber Police Outpost at Dibrugarh– The Dibrugarh Cyber Police Outpost will have jurisdiction over the districts of Sadiya Police district, Tinsukia, Dibrugarh, Sivasagar, Jorhat, Lakhimpur and Dhemaji under the overall jurisdiction of CID Cyber Police Station.

• Cyber Police Outpost at Silchar– The Silchar Cyber Police Outpost will have jurisdiction over the districts of Silchar, Hailakandi, Karimganj and Dima Hasao under the overall jurisdiction of CID Cyber Police Station.

5.

The Asom Sattra Mahasabha, a registered socio-cultural organization, on Sunday conferred ‘titles’ to five eminent personalities.

The titles were conferred to the distinguished personalities during a ceremony held at Srimanta Sankardev Kalakshetra in Guwahati.

The following the eminent personalities who were conferred with various titles:

• Dr. Pitambar Dev Goswami, present Satradhikar of Sri Sri Auniati Satra, was conferred with the title of ‘Satra Ratna’
• Dr. Basanta Kumar Goswami was conferred with the title ‘Sattriya Sahitya Ratna’
• Padma Shri awardee Dr. Hemchandra Goswami was given the ‘Sattriya Kalaratna’ title
• Dr. Amalendu Chakravarty was conferred with the title ‘Satrabandhu’
• Dr. Sawarmal Sanganeriya was given the title of ‘Vaishnavbandhu’

It may be mentioned that Asom Sattra Mahasabha is a registered socio-cultural organization that serves as the umbrella organization for the Sattra of Assam which aims at preserving and propagating the religious and socio-cultural teachings of Mahapurusha Srimanta Sankardeva. Since its inception in 1915, as Santa Sanmilani, Sattra Sangha in 1945 and Sattra Mahasabha in 1990, the organization has been ardently engaged in the development and spread of Sattriya Sanskriti (Culture).

6.

The administration in Assam’s Guwahati has identified staggering 366 dangerous sites across the city, raising concerns about potential landslides.

According to sources, authorities have taken proactive measures to assess the areas where landslides are likely to occur. The identified locations include Fatasil, Bhangagarh, Gotanagar, Hengrabari, Jalukbari, Lankeshwar, Kahilipara, Kala Pahar, Kharghuli, Koinadhara, Maligaon, Navagraha, Narakasura, Narengi, and Noonmati.

With the monsoon season approaching, the administration is prioritizing the safety of residents and has urged them to remain vigilant. Precautionary steps such as monitoring slope stability, implementing necessary drainage systems, and conducting regular inspections are being taken to mitigate potential risks.

7.

Cotton University has announced that it is hosting a unique year-long lecture series consisting of 100 lectures on “Psychological Health And Perfection Of Personality In The Light Of The Teachings Of Sri Aurobindo And The Mother” for the first time in the academic history of Indian Universities during the period of last 200 years.

It has become critical for such a lecture series on psychological health and perfection of personality particularly in the present day context and will benefit all sections of individuals in the society, Diganta Biswa Sarma, the initiator said.

Another feature of this unique lecture series is that it has also been approved by the Academic Council Of Cotton University with a provision for certification to all its registered and regular participants.

Meanwhile, the University has fixed Rs 1501 as one-time registration fees for the entire lecture series.

For those willing to take up on this, all details in respect of the proposed lecture series including the online registration form and payment link are given property within this link to Cotton University website:

• https://cottonuniversity.ac.in/index_post_details?p=1661

8.

The Gauhati High Court has asked the Assam Government for information on whether a comprehensive plan is being worked out by the State for protection of the Ahom dynasty monuments, including the illegal coal mines being operated in different places under Digboi Forest Division. A suo moto PIL was being heard by the court, which was filed on the basis of a letter written by Senior Advocate late Nilay Dutta dated April 5, 2018, which is regarding the illegal mining activities being conducted in various locations under Digboi Forest Division. Counsel appearing on behalf of the Gauhati High Court, Advocate H.K. Das, in his submission stated that during the process of illegal mining activities being done in the area, the monuments dating back to the Ahom dynasty are also being destroyed or encroached upon by persons with vested intent.

In another PIL, the Court has directed the state authorities to make sure that all illegal mining activities are stopped forthwith in the Saleki Proposed Reserve Forest under Digboi division area.

9.

Kamakhya Temple, the holiest Shakti-Peetha in the country, is located in Nilachal Hill at Guwahati in Assam. The place has a great mythological importance in country. Its significance as a heritage site shouldn’t be missed out either. As per a recent survey by the India Today group, this temple is among the top 10 tourist destinations in country. Ambubachi Mela held every year at Kamakhya temple is considered a biggest religious gathering in the region and state as millions of devotees and visitors gathered on this auspicious occasion. Voice of Environment (A Scientific and Environmental Research Organization) is working to meet the targets of the Mission Clean Green Assam initiative. In this regard, a mission was lunched as clean and single use plastic free premise vision which was started from Kamakhya Temple, Guwahati. To that end, VoE has signed an MOU with Kamakhya (Devalaya) Temple Authority, on December 22, 2016. VoE is trying to make the temple premise as clean, eco-friendly and plastic free tourist destination. Furthermore, VoE spontaneously working to build mass awareness of the temple’s iconic reputation as a heritage site and a rich biodiversity spot to set an example in country towards sustainability said Environmentalist Moharana Choudhury. As per the aforesaid mission an initiative has been conducted by Voice of Environment and supported by Railway Protection Force (RPF Post Kamakhya) to create awareness among Devotees/Visitors/Sadhsus/Saints to celebrate a clean, eco-friendly and plastic-free Ambubachi Mela 2023. The drive conducted at Kamakhya Railway Station on 19th June 2023. The awareness drive and the Signature Campaign have been started in the Kamakhya Railway Station premises with facilitation in the presence of Station Superintendent Mr.Gunajit Sarma, Mr Saram, Inspector RPF, Mr Vikaram, RPF Security Personals and other railway officials. The VoE team is led by Environmentalist Moharana Choudhury, Bhaskar Hazarika, Subita Dutta, Anju Gogoi and other VoE members. The Awareness drive and the Signature campaign were conducted among the Devotees/Visitors/Sadhsus/Saints who came from across the country to visit the Maa Kamakhya Temple on the occasion of Ambubachi Mela 2023 to create a clean, eco-friendly plastic-free zone within the temple’s premise and Kamakhya Railway Station. VoE is also initiated a Signature Campaign led by Bhaskar Hazarika. It was witnessed approx. 600 to 700 signatures were done by the Devotees/Visitors/Sadhus/Saints. The awareness drive was led by SubitaDutta and AnjuGogoi by interacting and interviewing the tourists/ devotees/Shadhus/Saints during the program and recorded several interviews cum interactive sessions to understand the views of the people from different parts of the country regarding this cause. Mr. Sarma (Station Superintendent)has also appreciated the initiatives taken by VoE at the Railway station premises on the occasion of the auspicious Ambubachi Mela. It was noticed that most of the Devotees/Visitors supported this initiative as cleanliness, beat plastic pollution and proper waste disposal aspect in such a heritage place. The team also tried to create mass awareness about the hazardous effect of plastic waste generation. The team is spontaneously trying to build a ‘Mass citizen consciousness’ that will build a habit of sustainable practices to counter the habit of using plastic items regularly and also will send a strong message about the eco-friendly and cleanliness mission in the region and globe.

10.

Assam Minister of Revenue & Disaster Management, Jogen Mohan has ordered the officials involved in the land records and revenue department of the state to ensure smooth conduct of the affairs related to land in the circle offices of different districts of the state. The minister was attending the inauguration of the Assam Government’s first English medium model primary school with CBSE curriculum in the region

with the aim to irradicate corruption in this field, the state government will implement E- stamp papers for various purposes in the coming two months. This will be beneficial not only for the government, which will receive the revenue more transparently, and the public who need to pay additional charges to the vendors for various reasons. The artificial scarcity of non-judicial stamp papers in the state burns holes in the pockets of people who have to buy such papers at exorbitant rates. The State Government has started the use of e-stamp papers for some services. However, hard copies of non-judicial stamp papers are a must for a few services like the power of attorney, agreement deeds, affidavits, making declarations, executing different types of bonds etc. When people need non-judicial stamp papers, some vendors sell them at higher prices, taking advantage of the artificial scarcity. The revenue department supplies stamp papers to the registered vendors through the treasuries under some terms and conditions. Of late, the State government has laid thrust on the e-stamping system. In almost all land-related works, the legal fraternity uses e-stamping.