Maternal deaths in Karnataka

Topic : Society

Context: Series of maternal deaths triggers concerns in Karnataka

Highlights

•   Between November 9 and 11, the Ballari district hospital saw an unexpected rise in maternal deaths during caesarean operations.

•  Out of 34 procedures conducted, seven patients suffered severe complications and four women died.

   An experts committee from the Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences, which probed the deaths, had concluded that the four women developed complications and died after they were administered a substandard ringer lactate solution — an intravenous (IV) fluid that doctors commonly use to restore hydration and fluid balance in the body

Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR)

  Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR) is a measure of the risk of maternal death during pregnancy or within 42 days after giving birth.   MMR is calculated by dividing the number of maternal deaths by the number of live births during a specific time period, and then multiplying by 100,000

Karnataka MMR

• Karnataka’s Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) in 2018–20: 69 per lakh live births.

  14-point decrease from 2017–18.

•  Karnataka is one of eight states to meet the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target ahead of schedule.

•   MMR indicates public health and progress in saving pregnant women’s lives.

•   Calculated by dividing maternal deaths by live births and multiplying by 100,000.

•   Formula: Maternal deaths/live births × 100,000.

•    Persistent Challenges in Karnataka

•   Health Issues:Anemia or malnutrition in 45.7% of pregnant women (aged 15–49).

•   High prevalence of hypertension during pregnancy.

•  Low Adherence to Supplements: Only 44.7% of pregnant women consume iron-folic acid tablets for at least 100 days.

•   Irregular Medical Attention: Inadequate doctor check-ups and lack of compliance with medical advice.

India’s MMR:

•  India’s MMR declined from 384 in 2000 to 103 in 2020.

•  Higher rate of decline than the global average.

SHORTS

•  Series of maternal deaths triggers concerns in Karnataka

•  According  to experts committee from the Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences , cause of death - substandard ringer lactate solution — an intravenous (IV) fluid that doctors commonly use to restore hydration and fluid balance in the body

•  Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR) is a measure of the risk of maternal death during pregnancy or within 42 days after giving birth.

•   Karnataka’s Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) in 2018–20: 69 per lakh live births.

•    India’s MMR declined from 384 in 2000 to 103 in 2020.

December 6, 2024 Category: Current Affairs Day Wise

Vaddarse Raghuram Shetty journalism award:

Topic : Awards and Honours

Context: The Karnataka Government has selected Senior Journalist D. Umapathy for the Vaddarse Raghuram Shetty social justice journalism award.

Highlights : The award, started this year by the Department of Information and Public Relations, was announced by Department Commissioner Hemanth M. Nimbalkar.

● The selection committee, chaired by Justice Ashok Hinchigeri, unanimously chose D. Umapathy for the prestigious award.

About Vaddarse Raghuram Shetty journalism award:

●  The award aims to recognize and honour journalistic contributions focused on social justice.

●   It was announced in the 2024 state budget by the Chief Minister Siddarmaiah in memory of senior journalist Vaddarse Raghuramshetty.

● The honour includes a cash prize of ₹2 lakh and a memento.

About D. Umapathy:

●   D. Umapathy was Born in Chitradurga district and holds a Bachelor’s degree in English Literature and Journalism from Maharaja’s College, Mysuru, and a Master’s degree in Journalism from the University of Mysore.

●   With a career spanning 27 years, Umapathy gained prominence for his work as the Delhi correspondent for Kannada Newspaper ‘Kannada Prabha’ a publication under the New Indian Express group.

●   He covered a range of topics, including parliamentary proceedings, election analyses, Supreme Court river water tribunal cases, national political developments, and foreign affairs.

●   He also has extensive experience in diplomatic reporting, often accompanying ministers on international visits.

●   Additionally, Umapathy, who is based in Delhi, has contributed as a columnist for several prominent Kannada newspapers, including Andolana, Raitha Chalavali, Vijaya Karnataka, Prajavani, Samyukta Karnataka, and Vartha Bharati.

●   Currently, he serves as a guest editor for the web journals ‘Nyayapatha’ (Gauri Media) and ‘Eedina.’

●   He is also an accomplished author, with two notable works, Delhi Nota and Padakusiye Nelavilla.

SHORTS:

●   The Karnataka Government has selected Senior Journalist D. Umapathy for the Vaddarse Raghuram Shetty social justice journalism award.

●   The award aims to recognize and honour journalistic contributions focused on social justice.

●   It was announced in the 2024 state budget by the Chief Minister Siddarmaiah in memory of senior journalist Vaddarse Raghuramshetty.

●   The honour includes a cash prize of ₹2 lakh and a memento.

●   With a career spanning 27 years, Umapathy gained prominence for his work as the Delhi correspondent for Kannada Newspaper ‘Kannada Prabha’ a publication under the New Indian Express group.

December 6, 2024 Category: Current Affairs Day Wise

Karnataka Labour Welfare Fund:

Topic : Economy

Context: The Karnataka government is likely to introduce a bill to amend the Karnataka Labour Welfare Fund Act, 1965, to increase the contributions of employees, employers and the government to the fund.

Highlights :

● The decision to amend Section 7 (a) (2) of the Act to increase contributions by employees from Rs 20 to Rs 50, by employers from Rs 50 to Rs 100, and by the state from Rs 20 to Rs 50 was taken at a Cabinet meeting last week.

●  The changes in the contributions will enable an increase of Rs 15.81 crore in the welfare fund from the current amount of Rs 42.18 crore.

●   This changes will enable the formulation of new programmes for the welfare of workers and their families.

About Karnataka Labour Welfare Fund:

●   The Karnataka Labour Welfare Fund is managed by the state labour welfare board to provide the social security needs of workers.

●  Factories, establishments employing more than one person, societies employing more than 50 people, charitable trusts with more than 50 employees, shops and commercial establishments with more than 50 workers and plantations/estates employing more than one person are required to deposit funds to the labour welfare board.

●   The fund is currently used to pay the education fees of workers who receive less than Rs 35,000 per month with a maximum of Rs 20,000 allocated for engineering students.

● The fund also provides medical aid between Rs 1,000 to Rs 25,000 to workers covered under the Employees’ State Insurance Scheme.

●   An accident benefit of Rs 1,000 to Rs 10,000 and a maternity benefit of Rs 10,000 is also provided.

●   The fund also facilitates health camps and recreational activities like tours for workers.

SHORTS:

●   The Karnataka government is likely to introduce a bill to amend the Karnataka Labour Welfare Fund Act, 1965, to increase the contributions of employees, employers and the government to the fund.

●   The decision to amend Section 7 (a) (2) of the Act to increase contributions by employees from Rs 20 to Rs 50, by employers from Rs 50 to Rs 100, and by the state from Rs 20 to Rs 50 was taken at a Cabinet meeting last week.

●   The Karnataka Labour Welfare Fund is managed by the state labour welfare board to provide the social security needs of workers.

●   Factories, establishments employing more than one person, societies employing more than 50 people, charitable trusts with more than 50 employees, shops and commercial establishments with more than 50 workers and plantations/estates employing more than one person are required to deposit funds to the labour welfare board.

December 6, 2024 Category: Current Affairs Day Wise

Karnataka government has declared 2025 as ‘Gandhi Bharat Year’

Topic : Polity

Context: The Karnataka government has declared 2025 as 'Gandhi Bharat Year' to commemorate 100 years of the 1924 Congress session held in Belagavi under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi.

Highlights :

●   The decision was announced during a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah at the Home Office Krishna on December 2, 2024.

●   The celebrations will kick off on December 26 and 27 with a Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting on the first day, followed by a public gathering on the second.

About Gandhi Bharat Year celebrations :

●   The 1924 session was the only Congress meeting ever chaired by Gandhi.

●   These events aim to highlight Gandhi’s ideals and the session’s historical relevance.

●   The city of Belagavi will be illuminated with lights spanning 32 kilometers of roads and 30 major intersections, inspired by the grandeur of Mysuru Dasara.

●   The site where the 1924 session took place will be transformed into a Veera Soudha, which will house a library and a statue of Gandhi.

●   Additionally, a temporary Virupaksha Gopuram will be constructed along the 2.1-kilometer Congress Road, accompanied by relief sculptures along the railway barrier.

●   The government has also planned to erect memorial pillars at 120 locations across Karnataka that Gandhi visited during his lifetime.

●   In Hudali, a village near Belagavi and the birthplace of freedom fighter Gangadhar Rao Deshpande, a Gandhi memorial and photo gallery will be developed.

●   A special postage stamp will be released, and cultural programs are scheduled for both dignitaries and the public, making the centenary celebration a blend of history, culture, and development.

SHORTS :

●   The Karnataka government has declared 2025 as 'Gandhi Bharat Year' to commemorate 100 years of the 1924 Congress session held in Belagavi under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi.

●   The 1924 session was the only Congress meeting ever chaired by Gandhi.

●   These events aim to highlight Gandhi’s ideals and the session’s historical relevance.

●   The city of Belagavi will be illuminated with lights spanning 32 kilometers of roads and 30 major intersections, inspired by the grandeur of Mysuru Dasara.

December 6, 2024 Category: Current Affairs Day Wise

Canine training centre to safeguard tiger reserves

Topic : Environment

Context: The Karnataka forest department has created a first-of-its-kind canine training centre to safeguard tiger reserves from poachers, arsonists, and to detect forest crimes.

About canine training centre:

●  The training centre has been established near the administrative block of Bandipur Tiger Reserve located at Melukamanahalli.

●   It comprises 12 separate kennels or shelters for tracker dogs and storage rooms for dog supplies, medical items, and other necessities.

●   Their services will also be utilised in rescue operations and man-animal conflict areas.

●   These specialised canines serve as wildlife sniffer and wildlife offence tracking dogs, capable of both detecting wildlife contraband and pursuing forest offenders.

●   The centre aims to train 10 dogs annually to serve throughout Karnataka in forest and wildlife crime detection.

●   This initiative by the Karnataka forest department is the first-of-its-kind within any tiger reserve in India, establishing an independent tracker dog squad.

Tiger reserve in Karnataka:

●   Bandipur Tiger Reserve:

o   Spread across an area of 870 sq. km, Bandipur Tiger Reserve is one of the premier and oldest Tiger reserves in the country.

o   Bandipur National Park was established as a Tiger Reserve in 1974 under Project Tiger.

o    It falls in the Gundlupet taluq of Chamrajnagar district.

o   Once a private hunting spot of Maharajas of Mysore, Bandipur National Park protects several endangered wildlife species of India today.

o   It is popular for spotting elephants and tigers.

●   Nagarhole tiger reserve :

o   This is the thirty-seventh Project Tiger, tiger reserve of India, declared so in 1999.

o   Also popular as Rajiv Gandhi National Park, the area is part of Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve.

o   The park gets its name from a combination of naga and hole.

o    The former refers to snakes and the latter means streams. The park used to be an exclusive hunting ground for Mysore rulers of Wodeyar dynasty.

o   It was made into a national park in 1988.

●   BRT Tiger Reserve

o   BRT Tiger Reserve is located at the border of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, which also happens to be a confluence point of the Western and Eastern Ghats.

o   The reserve is originally called Biligiri Ranganatha Temple Tiger Reserve. It stands on what is popular as the BR Hill Range.

o   The wildlife sanctuary became a protected reserve under the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972 and was declared a tiger reserve in 2011.

●   Kali tiger reserve:

o   Kali tiger reserve is located in the Uttar Kannada district of Karnataka.

o   It is popular for its residents Bengal tigers, black panthers, and Indian elephants.

o   The reserve is spread over 1300 sq. km of forest area.

o   The reserve area previously consisted of the Anshi National Park and Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary.

o   They were granted a combined status of Tiger reserve and renamed as ‘Anshi Dandeli Tiger Reserve in 2007.

o    In 2014, the reserve was renamed to Kali Tiger Reserve.

o    The name is inspired by the river Kali that is the lifeline of Uttar Kannada district

●   Bhadra Tiger Reserve:

o   Bhadra Tiger Reserve is located 38 km north-west of the Chikmagalur town.

o   It was declared a Project Tiger tiger reserve in 1998.

o   It spreads over an area of 492 sq. km.

o   The sanctuary gets its name from the river Bhadra flowing through it.

o   Bhadra is a biodiversity hotspot and contains a rich variety of flora and fauna including big cat species.

SHORTS:

●   The Karnataka forest department has created a first-of-its-kind canine training centre to safeguard tiger reserves from poachers, arsonists, and to detect forest crimes.

●   The training centre has been established near the administrative block of Bandipur Tiger Reserve located at Melukamanahalli.

●   It comprises 12 separate kennels or shelters for tracker dogs and storage rooms for dog supplies, medical items, and other necessities.

●   This initiative by the Karnataka forest department is the first-of-its-kind within any tiger reserve in India, establishing an independent tracker dog squad.

December 6, 2024 Category: Current Affairs Day Wise