Daily Current Affairs – 09-02-2025

Tamil Nadu

Project VISTAAR

® IIT Madras , in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare ( MoA&FW ), has launched Project VISTAAR (Virtually Integrated System to Access Agricultural Resources). ® The project aims to digitalise the agricultural extension system across India. ® The project will enable farmers and other stakeholders to access advisory services related to crop production, marketing, value addition, supply chain management, and government schemes.

Mission Mausam launched

® The central government has approved ‘Mission MAUSAM’ of the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) with an outlay of ₹2,000 crore . ® The mission aims to make India ‘Weather Ready’ and ‘Climate Smart’ by 2026 . ® The MoES will implement the mission through the India Meteorological Department (IMD), National Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasting (NCMRWF), and Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM).

Kho Kho World Cup Trophies Unveiled

® The Kho Kho Federation of India (KKFI) has unveiled the trophies and mascots of the inaugural edition of the Kho Kho World Cup 2025 . ® The tournament will be held at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium, New Delhi. ® The tournament will have participation from men’s and women’s teams from 24 countries . ® Men’s trophy is blue (representing trust, determination, and universal appeal). ® Women’s trophy is green (representing growth and vitality). ® The mascots are named ‘Tejas’ and ‘Tara’ .

Crop insurance schemes extended

® The central government has extended the PM Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) and the Restructured Weather Based Crop Insurance Scheme (RWBCIS) until 2026 . ® The total outlay for both schemes has been increased to ₹69,515.7 crore . ® A separate Fund for Innovation and Technology (FIAT) with a corpus of ₹824.77 crore has been created to support technological initiatives. ® These initiatives include: Yield Estimation System using Technology (YES-TECH) and Weather Information and Network Data Systems (WINDS) ® YES-TECH uses remote sensing technology for yield estimation, with a minimum 30% weightage given to technology-based estimates. ® YES-TECH is currently being implemented in nine major states. ® Madhya Pradesh has fully adopted technology-based yield estimation. ® WINDS aims to establish Automatic Weather Stations (AWS) at the block level, and Automatic Rain Gauges (ARGs) at the panchayat level. ® WINDS will increase network density fivefold to generate hyper-local weather data. ® WINDS is being implemented in nine major states. ® PMFBY is India’s largest crop insurance scheme and the third largest globally in terms of total premiums. ® PMFBY is being implemented in around 23 states and UTs.

Additional State Expert Appraisal Committee – Tamil Nadu

® Tamil Nadu government plans to set up an additional State Expert Appraisal Committee (SEAC). Objective: ® Speed up clearances for the increasing number of infrastructure and development projects in the state. Timeline: ® The current tenure of the State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA) and SEAC ends in April 2025. ® Reconstitution Proposal: The Tamil Nadu government has requested expedited clearance for reconstituting these panels. Green Shield Project: ® Proposal for a project to enhance coastal and forest ecosystems in Thoothukudi district. ® Objective: To halt sea erosion in coastal areas through nature-based solutions.

9 Growth Centers Around Chennai

® Tamil Nadu government preparing new town development schemes for nine growth centers around Chennai. ® Nine Growth Centers: Minjur, Tiruvallur, Thirumazhisai, Mamallapuram, Chengalpattu, Kancheepuram, Maraimalainagar, Thiruninravur, and Parandur. Objectives of Development Schemes: ® Decongest Chennai. ® Boost economic growth in suburbs. ® Enhance transport connectivity. ® Ensure sustainable growth for both Chennai and its surrounding areas.

Fourth DISHA Meeting – Tamil Nadu

® Fourth state-level review meeting of the District Development, Coordination and Monitoring (DISHA) Committee held at the Secretariat. Key Issues: ® Pending Payment: Rs 2,118 crore due from the Centre as wage arrears for MGNREGA workers. Key Achievements: ® MGNREGA Workdays: Tamil Nadu provided 59 days of work in 2023-24, exceeding the national average of 52 days. ® Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY): Tamil Nadu was a pioneer in implementing the scheme. ® PM Housing Scheme: 3,43,958 houses out of 3,61,591 sanctioned for 2021-22 were completed. ® Financial Assistance to Pregnant Women: In 2023-24, Rs 45.52 crore was provided to 1,51,674 pregnant women. ® In the current year, financial assistance is also provided to mothers giving birth to their first child and second daughter.

Tamil Nadu Prison Rules 2024

® New Rule 348 of the Tamil Nadu Prison Rules (effective November 2024) defines eligibility criteria for life convicts seeking premature release. Recent Amendments: ® Prisoners convicted for sexual offences or under the POCSO Act, 2012 are not eligible for premature release. ® Amendments to the Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Harassment of Women Act. ® Changes to the application of BNS and BNSS laws in Tamil Nadu. Objective: ® To provide strict punishments for certain sexual offences. ® Enable complainants of sexual harassment to obtain protection orders preventing the accused from contacting them in the future.