CONTENTS
- Heatwaves
- CDP-SURAKSHA Platform
Heatwaves
Context:
Recently, Prime Minister chaired a meeting to review preparedness for the ensuing heat wave season.
Relevance:
GS III- Environment (Climate change)
Dimensions of the Article:
- About Heat Wave
- Criteria for Heat Waves
- Health Impacts
About Heat Wave
- A heat wave is a period of abnormally high temperatures, more than the normal maximum temperature that occurs during the summer season in the North-Western and South Central parts of India.
- Heat waves typically occur between March and June, and in some rare cases even extend till July.
- Higher daily peak temperatures and longer, more intense heat waves are becoming increasingly frequent globally due to climate change.
Criteria for Heat Waves
- The heat wave is considered when the maximum temperature of a station reaches at least 40°C for Plains and at least 30°C for Hilly regions.
- If the normal maximum temperature of a station is less than or equal to 40°C, then an increase of 5°C to 6°C from the normal temperature is considered to be heat wave condition.
- Further, an increase of 7°C or more from the normal temperature is considered as severe heat wave condition.
- If the normal maximum temperature of a station is more than 40°C, then an increase of 4°C to 5°C from the normal temperature is considered to be heat wave condition. Further, an increase of 6°C or more is considered as severe heat wave condition.
- Additionally, if the actual maximum temperature remains 45°C or more irrespective of normal maximum temperature, a heat wave is declared.
Health Impacts
- The health impacts of Heat Waves typically involve dehydration, heat cramps, heat exhaustion and/or heat stroke.
- It also causes heat cramps, fatigue, weakness, dizziness, headache, nausea, vomiting, muscle cramps and sweating.
- The extreme temperatures and resultant atmospheric conditions adversely affect people living in these regions as they cause physiological stress, sometimes resulting in death.
CDP-SURAKSHA Platform
Context:
The Government of India has come up with a new digital platform called CDP-SURAKSHA to disburse subsidies to horticulture farmers under the Cluster Development Programme (CDP).
Relevance:
GS II: Government Policies and Interventions
CDP-SURAKSHA Platform
- Full Form: System for Unified Resource Allocation, Knowledge, and Secure Horticulture Assistance (SURAKSHA).
- Objective: Instant disbursal of subsidies to farmers directly into their bank accounts using the e-RUPI voucher from the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI).
Features:
- Database integration with PM-KISAN.
- Cloud-based server space provided by NIC.
- UIDAI validation for authentication.
- Integration with e-RUPI.
- Local Government Directory (LGD) for administrative purposes.
- Content Management System for data and information.
- Geotagging to track the location of beneficiaries and vendors.
- Geo-fencing to set geographical boundaries.
Working:
- Access: The platform is accessible to farmers, vendors, implementing agencies (IA), cluster development agencies (CDA), and officials of the National Horticulture Board (NHB).
- Order Placement: Farmers can log in using their mobile number and place orders for planting material like seeds, seedlings, and plants.
- Cost Sharing: After placing the order, farmers are prompted to contribute their share of the cost. The government’s subsidy amount is automatically displayed.
- e-RUPI Voucher: Upon the farmer’s payment, an e-RUPI voucher is generated, which is received by the vendor supplying the planting material.
- Verification: Farmers must verify the receipt of the ordered planting material with geo-tagged photos and videos of their fields.
- Payment Release: Once verified, the IA releases the payment to the vendor.
- Invoice Upload: Vendors upload an invoice of the payment on the platform. The IA compiles all necessary documents and forwards them to the CDA for subsidy release.
e-RUPI:
- Definition: A one-time payment mechanism developed by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI).
- Redemption: Can be redeemed without a card, digital payments app, or internet banking access at merchants accepting e-RUPI.
- Distribution: Can be shared with beneficiaries for specific purposes or activities via SMS or QR code.
