Daily Current Affairs- 29th March 2025

Daily Current Affairs 29th March 2025

Bihar's Kosi-Mechi Intra-State Link Project

In the News: On March 28, 2025, the Union Cabinet approved the inclusion of Bihar's Kosi-Mechi Intra-State Link Project under the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana-Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme (PMKSY-AIBP).

Project Overview:

• Objective: To divert surplus water from the Kosi River to the Mahananda basin by remodeling the existing Eastern Kosi Main Canal (EKMC) and extending it to the Mechi River, effectively linking the Kosi and Mechi rivers within Bihar.
• Scope: The project involves remodeling the EKMC up to 41.30 km and extending it to 117.50 km to connect with the Mechi River. This will facilitate the diversion of approximately 2,050 million cubic meters of surplus Kosi water during the monsoon period.

Geographical Context:

• Kosi River: Originating from the confluence of three streams—Sun Kosi, Arun Kosi, and Tamur Kosi—the Kosi River flows through China, Nepal, and India. It enters India near Hanuman Nagar and merges with the Ganga River near Kursela in Bihar. The river is notorious for its shifting course, having moved 112 km westward over the past 200 years, causing significant flooding and displacement.
• Mechi River: A trans-boundary river originating in the Mahabharat Range in Nepal, the Mechi River flows through Nepal and India, forming part of the international boundary before joining the Mahananda River in Bihar's Kishanganj district.

Benefits:

• Irrigation: The project aims to provide additional annual irrigation to 210,516 hectares during the Kharif season across the districts of Araria, Purnea, Kishanganj, and Katihar. Additionally, it will restore water supply to 157,000 hectares of existing command area under the EKMC. ThePrint
• Flood Management: By channeling surplus water from the flood-prone Kosi River to the water-deficient Mechi basin, the project is expected to mitigate flooding in the Kosi region and alleviate drought conditions in the Mahananda basin.

Financial and Implementation Details:

• Estimated Cost: The project is estimated at ₹6,282.32 crore, with the Central Government providing ₹3,652.56 crore as assistance to Bihar.
• Timeline: Approved for inclusion under the PMKSY-AIBP, the project is slated for completion by March 2029.

Current Status: As of March 2025, the project has received necessary clearances and is ready for implementation. The Government of Bihar, with support from the Central Government, is set to commence work to achieve the targeted completion date. 

Parliamentary Standing Committee on CBI Reforms

In the News: The Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Personnel, Public Grievances, Law and Justice, in its 145th report, has recommended significant reforms to address challenges faced by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

Key Recommendations:

1. Lateral Entry for Specialists: To mitigate staffing shortages, the committee suggests introducing lateral entry for domain experts into the CBI. This approach aims to infuse specialized skills and knowledge into the agency.
2. Direct Recruitment Framework: The panel advocates for establishing a direct recruitment framework for core CBI positions, reducing reliance on deputations from other services and ensuring a dedicated workforce.
3. Enhanced Investigative Powers: Recognizing limitations due to the requirement of state consent, the committee recommends enacting a new law granting the CBI authority to investigate cases affecting national security and integrity without prior state approval.
4. About CBI: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is India's premier investigative agency, established on April 1, 1963, through a resolution by the Ministry of Home Affairs. It operates under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions and derives its legal authority from the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act, 1946. As of March 30, 2025, the Director of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is Praveen Sood. An Indian Police Service (IPS) officer from the 1986 batch (Karnataka cadre), Sood assumed the role on May 25, 2023, for a tenure of two years. Prior to this appointment, he served as the Director General of Police (DGP) for Karnataka. 

Indian Ports Bill, 2025 introduced in Lok Sabha

In the News: On March 28, 2025, Union Minister of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, introduced the Indian Ports Bill, 2025 in the Lok Sabha.

Objective: The bill aims to modernize and consolidate the legal framework governing port operations in India by replacing the antiquated Indian Ports Act of 1908.

Key Provisions:

1. Establishment of the Maritime State Development Council (MSDC): The MSDC will recommend measures for structured growth and development of the port sector, promote competition, and enhance operational efficiency.
2. Empowerment of State Maritime Boards: The bill seeks to empower State Maritime Boards for effective management of ports other than major ports, facilitating integrated port development and optimal utilization of India's coastline.
3. Classification of Ports: Provisions to classify certain ports as "mega ports" based on criteria set by the government, aiming to streamline port categorization and development.
4. Adjudicatory Mechanisms: Establishment of adjudicatory mechanisms for the resolution of port-related disputes, enhancing the ease of doing business within the port sector.
5. Environmental and Safety Regulations: The bill addresses critical aspects such as pollution control, disaster management, emergency response, security, safety, navigation, and data management at ports, ensuring compliance with international maritime obligations. 

14th edition of the India-Russia bilateral naval exercise, INDRA 2025

In the News: The 14th edition of the India-Russia bilateral naval exercise, INDRA 2025, commenced on March 28, 2025, off the coast of Chennai, marking a significant milestone in the maritime partnership between the two nations.

Historical Context:

Initiated in 2003, Exercise INDRA has evolved into a vital platform for enhancing naval cooperation and operational synergy between the Indian Navy and the Russian Navy, reflecting the long-standing strategic relationship between the two countries.

Structure of the Exercise:

The exercise is structured into two distinct phases:

1. Harbour Phase (March 28-30, 2025) – Chennai: Activities: Opening ceremony, Subject Matter Expert Exchanges (SMEEs), reciprocal ship visits, sports events, and pre-sail briefings.
2. Sea Phase (March 31-April 2, 2025) – Bay of Bengal: Activities: Advanced naval drills, including tactical manoeuvres, live weapon firings, anti-air operations, underway replenishment, helicopter cross-deck landings, and exchange of sea-riders.

Participating Naval Assets:

• Indian Navy: INS Rana, INS Kuthar, P-8I maritime patrol aircraft
• Russian Navy: RFS Pechanga, RFS Rezkiy, RFS Aldar Tsydenzhapov 

Education and Nutrition: Learn to Eat Well Report by UNESCO

In the News: On March 27, 2025, during the 'Nutrition for Growth' event hosted by France, UNESCO released the report titled "Education and Nutrition: Learn to Eat Well." This publication underscores the critical relationship between education and nutrition, advocating for improved nutritional quality in school meals and the integration of food education into school curricula.

Key Findings:

• Prevalence of School Meals: As of 2024, approximately 47% of primary school pupils globally have access to school meals. However, the nutritional quality of these meals varies significantly.
• Lack of Nutritional Standards: In 2022, about 27% of school meal programs were implemented without consultation from nutritionists. Out of 187 countries evaluated, only 93 had legislation or guidelines concerning school food and beverages, and merely 65% of these regulated the sale of food and drinks in school settings such as cafeterias and vending machines.
• Health Concerns: The absence of stringent nutritional standards is alarming, given that obesity rates among school-age children have more than doubled since 1990. Concurrently, food insecurity continues to be a pressing global issue.

Successful Initiatives Highlighted:

• Brazil: The national school feeding program has introduced restrictions on ultra-processed foods, promoting healthier eating habits among students.
• China: Reforms incorporating vegetables, milk, and eggs into rural school meals have enhanced nutrient intake and boosted school attendance rates.
• Nigeria: The Home-Grown School Feeding Programme, initiated in 2014, provides free, balanced daily meals in public primary schools, resulting in a 20% increase in primary school enrollment.
• India: The introduction of fortified organic pearl millet, rich in iron, into school meals in Maharashtra has improved adolescents' attention spans and memory.

Recommendations:

• Emphasize Fresh, Local Produce: Governments and educational institutions should prioritize serving fresh, locally sourced foods in school meals while reducing the availability of sugary and ultra-processed items.
• Integrate Food Education: Incorporating food and nutrition education into school curricula can cultivate healthy eating habits from an early age, empowering students to make informed dietary choices.
• Develop Supportive Tools and Training: UNESCO plans to create practical manuals and training programs for governments and education professionals to effectively integrate health and nutrition topics into educational systems.