1. Ahmedabad Becomes First City to Get ODF++ Status
The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) after getting the Open Defecation Free Plus status has, within a fortnight, got the ODF ++ status. The ODF++ status is awarded to cities with smart toilets, no open drainages, and adequate sewerage treatment plants (STPs).
An AMC official said that to get the ODF ++ status, the number of toilets matching the standards of hotels should be 25 percent. "Moreover, all the toilets have to be listed as SBM (Swachh Bharat Mission) toilets on Google map and can be easily traceable if one searches,” he said.
The official said, a third-party inspection was carried out which found that the AMC had, in almost all parts of the city, had closed drainage, and the public toilets passed the test, while the STPs were found to be in perfect condition.
(Source: The Times of India)
2. Four Hotels Get Liquor Shop Licences
From a list of 19 hotels, all of which meet the qualifying criteria for liquor shop permits, the state government has in the first round issued licences to four.
The four hotels which will now be able to sell liquor to their customers include Avalon Hotel, Thaltej, Ahmedabad; Comfort Inn (near SVPI airport), Iscon Hotel in Bhavnagar and Akhil Palace in Gandhidham (Kutch).
The high-power committee that reviews the applications for liquor shop permits is expected to clear at least a dozen more in its next meeting. A government officer said that compliance on part of the rest 15 hotels is complete with 10 of these in Ahmedabad.
(Source: The Times of India)
3. City Organises Workshops on Sustainable Living
The first day at ‘A Way Ahead – Ethical Khadi’ (AWA: EK), organised by Sahonnati Foundation at the Nehru Foundation, CEE campus, focused on promoting sustainable and ethical practices in clothing and lifestyle. Traditional practices and new methods of fabric-making and embellishments were explained during the workshop.
Aesthetically designed fabrics by eminent artists and artisans were showcased that included use of techniques such as clothes with no stitches, natural dyes, wool felt-making, block printing and tie-dye techniques.
The workshops were a part of the broader vision of AWA: EK, to foster sustainability and circular economy in textiles both locally and globally.
(Source: The Times of India)
4. South Africa Keen to Hire Gujarati Engineers
Engineers from Gujarat will soon have better opportunities for employment and that too, in a fast-developing economy such as South Africa.
A senior official in the state government said, "There was a detailed discussion between delegations from South Africa and Gujarat governments. South Africa was keen to import skilled persons from Gujarat as they have a great crunch of engineers in fields such as geology, mining, mechanical, IT and others. The Gujarat government has accepted their proposal."
"This bilateral cooperation between South Africa and Gujarat will enhance opportunities for engineers from the state... Our labour and employment department will act as the nodal agency and their database at employment exchanges will be used to identify the required skilled persons for the African nation. Both the government entities will also help them get work visas," added the official.
(Source: DNA)
5. MICA, UNICEF to Work on Maternal, Child Health Project in Gujarat
In a massive project to improve maternal and child health in the state, MICA will help UNICEF in child health management and behaviour change communication programme.
MICA and UNICEF India – Gandhinagar State Office signed a Project Cooperation Agreement for a two-year partnership which will focus on improving maternal and child health through routine immunisation, adolescent empowerment and ODF or sanitation initiatives.
MICA will help UNICEF in conducting workshops on education and communication capacity building for decision-makers, health delivery personnel, community influencers and stakeholders such as leaders, youth, women and children.
(Source: DNA)
6. Farmer Leaders Doubt Rabi Acreage Claims
Farmer leaders and representatives in Gujarat doubt the claims of state government that over 28 lakh hectare of land has undergone sowing in rabi season, this year. This is 90 percent of the three-year average of about 31 lakh hectare. They claim that if irrigation water was not available, then how is it possible that seasonal acreage is near normal.
The agriculture department of the state government said in its weekly report that rabi acreage in the state as on 21 January 2019, stood at 28,37,230 hectare, which is 90.48 percent of the three-year average of 31,35,725 hectare. The acreage for the corresponding period last year was 34,33,585 hectare.
Sagar Rabari, Founder President of Gujarat Khedut Ekta Manch rejected the data. "This is not possible under existing conditions. Hardly any water is supplied through any of the irrigation projects. I was in Saurashtra recently, and the land was such that it seems as if it is summer," said Rabari.
(Source: DNA)
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