Alliance in the Lok Sabha polls too: Ivan D’souza
Mangaluru, July 21: MLC Ivan D'Souza has said that the Congress and the JD (S) will face elections through the alliance in the next Lok Sabha polls as well.
Speaking at a press conference held at the City Municipal office on Saturday, he said preparations for the Lok Sabha elections are going on in the state. Discussions are being held with activists across the state.
While the government is taking the Lok Sabha polls seriously, it has set the target to win 20 of the 28 seats in the state. The election preparations will be held under the leadership of the new president of Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) Dinesh Gundu Rao.
It has been proposed in the Legislative Council to issue free bus pass to all students. There is a delay in implementing the scheme due to lack of grants. In the next few days, the government will move forward to distribute free bus pass.
Chief Minister Kumaraswamy has approved to establish a Christian Development Council. It should be implemented immediately, He demanded.
Rs 200 crore have been granted for Christian Development Corporation in 2018-19. The fund must be increased to Rs 300 crore in future, he added.
“5,980 students of the district have been given Rs 20.46 crore at zero percent interest in four years. The government had promised to give two crore jobs. But it was not possible. Loans given to students must be waived off immediately,” Ivan D'Souza urged
850 applications submitted under the home-shop scheme
The government has introduced a new scheme called 'Home-Shop Scheme' to rehabilitate the minorities who have been acquitted in the communal riots / communal violence cases.
Those who lost their homes and business places, and those who were released as innocents must utilise this scheme, he added.
For this scheme, already 850 applications have been submitted in the district. August 31st is the last date for the submission of such application. The government is committed to protecting minorities, he said.
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Groundwater depletion causes Earth's axis to shift by 31.5 inches: Study
A recent study has uncovered a significant impact of human activity on the planet: Earth's axis has shifted by 31.5 inches (nearly 80 centimeters) due to extensive groundwater extraction. Published in the journal Geophysical Research Letters, the research highlights how large-scale pumping of groundwater has changed the distribution of Earth's mass, affecting its rotation and contributing to sea-level rise. The shift in Earth's tilt is linked to a sea-level increase of 0.24 inches, according to Popular Mechanics.
Lead researcher Ki-Weon Seo, a geophysicist at Seoul National University, explained that among climate-related factors, the redistribution of groundwater has had the most significant effect on the movement of Earth's rotational pole. The planet's tilt, or axial precession, is influenced by changes in mass distribution. As glaciers and polar ice sheets in Greenland and Antarctica melt, water migrates towards the equator, shifting the planet's balance—a phenomenon comparable to how a figure skater’s spin changes when they alter their body position.
The study examined data from 1993 to 2010, revealing that approximately 2,150 gigatons of groundwater were pumped out during this time, largely for agricultural and human consumption. This large-scale extraction has contributed to a shift in Earth's axis of about 31.5 inches.
Groundwater, which is water stored underground in soil and rock, plays a crucial role in the hydrological cycle. It originates from precipitation that seeps into the earth, replenishing natural aquifers. These aquifers are vital freshwater resources, supporting drinking water supplies, agriculture, and industry. The availability and quality of groundwater depend on natural factors like recharge rates and human activity.
While the 31.5-inch shift in Earth's axis might seem minor, the consequences could be far-reaching over geological timescales. Changes in water distribution can lead to varying sea-level changes across regions, affecting coastal areas differently. Additionally, shifts in Earth's tilt can influence its internal systems, such as the magnetic field, which acts as a shield against harmful solar radiation.
