APPSC CURRENT

Biodesign Research Initiative in Andhra Pradesh

Context

  • Andhra Pradesh CM N. Chandrababu Naidu announced the launch of the Bharat Biodesign Research and Innovation (BRAIN) Programme to promote healthcare innovations.
  • The initiative will function under the Ratan Tata Innovation Hub at Amaravati.

Key Highlights

  • Programme Name: Bharat Biodesign Research and Innovation (BRAIN) Programme.
  • Objective: To encourage cutting-edge research and innovation in healthcare.
  • Focus Areas:
    • Artificial Intelligence (AI) in healthcare.
    • Medical Technology (MedTech).
    • Development of breakthrough healthcare solutions.
  • Collaboration:
    • AI & MedTech Alliance Foundation.
    • Asia-Pacific Biodesign Alliance.
    • Stanford Biodesign (USA).
  • Global Participation: Medical experts from various countries participated through the Asia-Pacific Biodesign Alliance.

Background

  • India faces critical challenges in affordable healthcare solutions.
  • Biodesign programmes globally (e.g., Stanford Biodesign) are known to nurture medical innovation ecosystems.
  • This initiative is aligned with the “Atmanirbhar Bharat” vision in healthcare technology.

Salient Features

  1. Operates under Ratan Tata Innovation Hub, Amaravati.
  2. Promotes public health advancements through research.
  3. Encourages creation of medical technology start-ups.
  4. Builds local expertise with international collaboration.
  5. Provides new pathways for healthcare innovation.

Benefits / Significance

  • Boosts healthcare research and affordable innovations.
  • Positions Andhra Pradesh as a knowledge economy hub.
  • Strengthens India’s global standing in biodesign and MedTech.
  • Bridges gap between academia, research, and healthcare industry.

 

 

 

SC proposes three more judges for Andhra Pradesh High Court

Context

  • The Supreme Court Collegium has proposed the transfer of three High Court judges to the Andhra Pradesh High Court (AP HC) as part of a larger reshuffle involving 14 judges across India.

Key Highlights

  • Judges proposed for transfer to AP HC:
    1. Justice Manavendranath Roy (from Gujarat High Court).
    2. Justice Donadi Ramesh (from Allahabad High Court).
    3. Justice Subhendu Samanta (from Calcutta High Court).
  • Process:
    • Collegium’s recommendations → Union Government approval → Formal notification of transfer.

Background

  • Supreme Court Collegium System: A body comprising the CJI and four senior-most judges of the Supreme Court, responsible for appointments and transfers of judges in High Courts and the Supreme Court.
  • Transfers of High Court judges are done under Article 222 of the Constitution.
  • Periodic reshuffles are carried out to maintain efficiency and reduce regional imbalances in the judiciary.

Salient Features of the Proposal

  1. Part of a 14-judge transfer exercise across the country.
  2. Ensures judicial efficiency by filling gaps in under-staffed High Courts like AP HC.
  3. Aims for balanced representation and avoids over-concentration of judges in certain High Courts.

 

Challenges

  • Collegium system often criticized for lack of transparency.
  • Transfers sometimes face resistance from judges due to personal or professional reasons.
  • Delay in government approvals may slow down the implementation.

 

Way Forward

  • Ensure timely government clearance of Collegium recommendations
  • Improve transparency in collegium decisions through public disclosure of reasons.
  • Consider establishing the National Judicial Appointments Commission (NJAC) with adequate safeguards to balance transparency and independence.
  • Regular monitoring of case pendency vs judge strength across High Courts.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Govt begins smart ration cards distribution in Andhra Pradesh

Context

  • The Andhra Pradesh government has launched the statewide distribution of smart ration cards, covering 4.42 crore beneficiaries.
  • Distribution was formally inaugurated by Civil Supplies Minister Nandela Manohar at Penamaluru.

Key Highlights

  • Beneficiaries covered: 4.42 crore families.
  • Completion target: Door-to-door distribution by September 15.
  • Technology feature:
    • Smart card includes QR code.
    • Scanning allows instant access to beneficiary’s ration details and supply history.
  • Integration: All 29,000 fair price shops upgraded with PoS (Point of Sale) machines for digital transactions.
  • Welfare commodities covered: Red gram, palm oil, and other items distributed based on household needs.

 

Background

  • Traditional ration cards often suffer from duplication, ghost beneficiaries, and leakage.
  • Smart ration cards align with Digital India and One Nation, One Ration Card (ONORC) objectives.
  • Enhances transparency and efficiency in the Public Distribution System (PDS).

Salient Features of the Smart Ration Card System

  1. Doorstep delivery of welfare benefits.
  2. QR-code based verification for transparency.
  3. Instant update of ration delivery records.
  4. PoS integration in fair price shops.
  5. Toll-free grievance helpline (1967).
  6. Beneficiaries can apply for changes/corrections through local secretaries.

 

Benefits / Significance

  • Reduces leakages and corruption in PDS.
  • Ensures real-time monitoring of ration distribution.
  • Facilitates door-to-door inclusion of eligible families.
  • Strengthens food security in AP, especially for poor households.
  • Promotes digital governance and transparency.

 

Challenges

  • Ensuring last-mile connectivity in tribal and remote areas.
  • Need for digital literacy among rural beneficiaries.
  • Dependence on internet and electricity for QR/PoS functioning.
  • Risk of exclusion errors if biometric/QR verification fails.

 

Way Forward

  • Ensure robust grievance redressal mechanisms for beneficiaries.
  • Strengthen offline backup systems in case of digital failures.
  • Integrate with ONORC scheme for interstate portability.
  • Conduct awareness campaigns to educate beneficiaries about usage.
  • Monitor implementation through third-party audits for transparency.

 

 

Lokesh empowers 1,000 AP women e-bike riders

Context

  • Andhra Pradesh government, under Minister Nara Lokesh, has launched a poverty elimination initiative in partnership with Rapido to empower women Self-Help Groups (SHGs) as micro-entrepreneurs through electric mobility.

Key Highlights

  • Beneficiaries: 1,003 women from SHGs across AP.
  • Vehicles distributed: Electric two-wheelers and three-wheelers.
  • Coverage:
    • 400 each in Visakhapatnam and Vijayawada.
    • 50 each in Nellore and Ongole.
    • 25 each in Guntur, Kurnool, Tirupati, Kakinada, Rajahmundry.
  • Implementation platform: Women join Rapido as drivers, contributing to public transport services.
  • Launch: Initiative began on International Women’s Day (March 8) with CM Chandrababu Naidu’s vision of “One Family, One Entrepreneur.”
  • Financial support: Government provided loans for vehicle purchases through the Mission for Elimination of Poverty in Municipal Areas (MEPMA).

Challenges

  • Ensuring safety and social acceptance for women drivers.
  • Maintenance and charging infrastructure for e-vehicles.
  • Sustaining income levels amidst competition in ride-hailing market.
  • Risk of loan repayment burden if income flow fluctuates.

 

Way Forward

  • Expand initiative to more districts, including semi-urban and rural areas.
  • Strengthen charging infrastructure and subsidies for EVs.
  • Ensure safety measures and grievance redressal for women drivers.
  • Develop skill training and customer service modules for SHG drivers.

 

 

 

  1. Naidu announces ₹1 lakh incentive to IIT, NIT, NEET rankers

Context

  • Andhra Pradesh CM N. Chandrababu Naidu announced an incentive of ₹1 lakh to each student from social welfare residential institutions who secured ranks in IIT, NIT, and NEET.

Key Highlights

  • Beneficiaries: Students from SC/ST communities in social welfare hostels.
  • Institutions: Coaching given at Dr. B.R. Ambedkar IIT-NEET Academies (Guntur, Chittoor, Srikakulam districts).
  • Performance (2024):
    • 176 students qualified for JEE Mains, 180 for NEET.
    • 12 got admissions into IITs, 30 for NITs, 14 for medical BDS programs, 19 for central universities.
    • Out of 55 IIT seats, 20 secured by girls.

Significance

  • Encourages educational empowerment of marginalized communities.
  • Provides financial support to poor students.
  • Enhances social mobility through higher education.

 

  1. Naidu’s efforts for better water management yield results in AP

Context

  • CM Naidu’s commitment to irrigation management led to efficient water use in Krishna delta and other regions.

Key Highlights

  • Water stored: 650 TMCft in major reservoirs by August 24, 2024.
    • Includes: 15 TMC (Velugodu), 56 TMC (Somasila), 31 TMC (Kandaleru), 8 TMC (Vamsadhara Gotta barrage).
  • Efficient use: 52 TMC water utilized from June 11–Aug 25 in Krishna delta (12 TMC more than previous year).
  • Govt action plan: Divert surplus floodwater from Pothireddypadu, Handri Neeva, Nagarjuna Sagar Right Canal to Rayalaseema region (10 lakh acres irrigated).

Significance

  • Boosts food security by ensuring irrigation.
  • Demonstrates water-use efficiency under drought/flood risks.
  • Strengthens AP’s irrigation infrastructure.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  1. Women’s cooperation helps make Stree Shakti success

Context

  • CM Naidu reviewed the Stree Shakti scheme (free bus travel for women).

Key Highlights

  • Occupancy rate: Increased from 68–70% to nearly 100%.
  • Women passengers: Choosing to travel only for essential needs.
  • RTC expanded services → Bus boards installed for visibility, 858 buses designated for women passengers.

Significance

  • Promotes gender-inclusive mobility.
  • Reduces travel burden on poor women.
  • Encourages safe, affordable public transport.
  • Improves social participation of women.

About Stree shakthi :

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Friday announced the launch of ‘Stree Shakti‘, which is a statewide free bus travel scheme for women, in the presence of NDA leaders in Amaravati.

Under the Stree Shakti scheme, all girls, women and transgender persons with Andhra Pradesh domicile status can travel for free in buses anywhere in the state.

The scheme will allow people to travel across the state in the five categories, including Pallevelugu, Ultra Pallevelugu, City Ordinary, Metro Express and Express services of Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) bus services.

 

 

  1. Global experts brief Naidu on Biodesign

Context

  • International experts from USA, Israel, Japan, Singapore, Taiwan, Australia interacted with CM Naidu on the Biodesign initiative.

Key Highlights

  • Focus: Innovation in AI & MedTech, making AP a hub for medical technology research.
  • Outcome: MoU signed for joint research collaborations.

Significance

  • Positions Andhra Pradesh as a centre for MedTech innovation.
  • Strengthens global research partnerships.
  • Potential for start-up ecosystem in healthcare.

 

 

 

Fill Reservoirs with Floodwaters: CM

Context

Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has directed the water resources department to utilize heavy inflows in Krishna and Godavari rivers to fill reservoirs and tanks across Andhra Pradesh, with a focus on drought-hit Rayalaseema.

Key Highlights

  • Concern over floodwaters going waste into the sea.
  • Orders to divert flood flows through canals into reservoirs and tanks by clearing bottlenecks.
  • Priority to Rayalaseema tanks, especially Somasila and Kandaleru reservoirs.
  • Supplies to be channeled towards Kuppam, Palamaner, Punganur, and Madanapalle.
  • Need for groundwater recharge stressed, with water tables currently at ~9.92 metres depth.
  • Progress on North Andhra irrigation projects—linking Vamsadhara, Nagavali, and Champavathi rivers.
  • CM ordered speedy completion of Polavaram Left Canal works, with assurance of funds.

Background

  • Rayalaseema faces chronic drought conditions due to scanty rainfall and overdependence on groundwater.
  • Krishna and Godavari floods often flow into the sea without adequate storage utilization.
  • Polavaram Project is Andhra Pradesh’s lifeline project aimed at multipurpose irrigation, drinking water, and flood management.

 

Salient Features of CM’s Plan

  1. Optimal water use – Floodwaters diverted into reservoirs/tanks instead of wastage.
  2. Groundwater recharge – Long-term sustainability through aquifer replenishment.
  3. Equitable distribution – Priority to drought-prone Rayalaseema, while also benefiting North Andhra.
  4. Project acceleration – Focus on speedy completion of canal networks and irrigation projects.

 

Benefits

  • Addresses water scarcity in drought-prone Rayalaseema.
  • Enhances agricultural productivity by ensuring water availability.
  • Improves drinking water security for rural households.
  • Reduces flood damage by channeling excess water.
  • Boosts groundwater sustainability in the long run.

Challenges

  • Canal bottlenecks and siltation may delay floodwater diversion.
  • Inter-state disputes over Krishna–Godavari waters could arise.
  • Dependence on timely project execution (e.g., Polavaram).
  • Climate variability may affect water inflows in future.

 

 

 

 

 

Jan Aushadhi Stores in Every Mandal

Context

  • Andhra Pradesh CM N. Chandrababu Naidu announced a series of health sector reforms focusing on affordable medicines, preventive healthcare, and wellness initiatives.

Key Highlights

  • Jan Aushadhi Stores:
    • Large number of applications approved for setting up stores in every mandal.
    • Aimed at providing affordable medicines for the poor.

Background

  • Jan Aushadhi Scheme: A Central initiative to provide generic medicines at affordable rates through Jan Aushadhi Kendras.

Salient Features

  1. Affordable Medicine Access: Generic drugs for the poor.
  2. Preventive Healthcare Focus: Yoga, naturopathy, medical check-ups.
  3. Institutional Strengthening: New medical colleges, Aarogya Kendras, Naturopathy University.
  4. Insurance Expansion: Widening Aarogya Sree coverage to majority of population.

Benefits

  • Reduces out-of-pocket expenditure on medicines.
  • Strengthens rural healthcare delivery.
  • Promotes healthy lifestyles and preventive care.
  • Improves medical infrastructure and human resources in underserved areas.

 

 

CM TO LAUNCH DOUBLE-DECKER BUSES ON AUG. 29

Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu is scheduled to visit Visakhapatnam on August 29, said collector M.N. Harendhira Prasad after holding a review meeting on the same on Monday.

The hop-on, hop-off (HOHO) double-decker electric buses will be launched to enhance tourism and improve urban connectivity. The service is a collaboration between GVMC Smart City, the tourism department, and the Visakhapatnam Port Authority.

 

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Four Andhra Pradesh Students Visit Japan

Four top government school students from Andhra Pradesh, T. Pushpanjali, K. Harish, M. Aishwarya, and P. Varun Sai, visited Japan from August 17 to 23 as part of the Sakura Science Programme.

The program, organized by the Japan Science and Technology Agency, aims to promote youth exchange in science. This year, 34 students from across India participated.

About Sakura Science Programme:

The Sakura Science Programme is a youth exchange program in science and technology, launched globally in 2014 by the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST).

It aims to foster scientific curiosity among young people and promote international collaboration.