UTTAR PRADESH
Huge investments coming in solar energy sector
The huge investments being made by companies in the solar energy sector have opened up opportunities for fresh job creation in Uttar Pradesh, The state government’s Solar Energy Policy 2017 is creating a plethora of opportunities for people to earn their living from it. In the last four-and-a-half years, solar power projects of 1,370 megawatt capacity have been commissioned while projects of another 417 MW capacity are under construction.
Big investors are coming forward to invest in the solar energy sector in the state. Besides, several investment proposals for solar power projects are currently under the government’s consideration. The government has set a target to achieve 10,700 MW capacity solar power generation by the year 2022, and is working on plans for setting up a solar park and an ultra mega solar park in the state.
The UP government formulated the solar energy policy soon after Yogi Adityanath took over as chief minister. Open access was given to companies for the establishment of solar parks and third party sale of solar energy. Under the incentive provisions of this policy, 100 per cent stamp duty exemption and 100 per cent exemption in electricity duty for 10 years is being given to investors through an online single window clearance system. This has led to 11 private companies in the solar energy sector setting up their plants in seven districts of the state, namely Bundelkhand, Banda, Chitrakoot, Hamirpur, Mahoba, Jalaun, Jhansi and Lalitpur to date. The solar power units are generating more than 550 MW of electricity daily.
Solar energy generation has also started in Chhibo village of Chitrakoot, with the commissioning of a 25 MW solar power plant by a private company. Besides, the REC Power Distribution Company is setting up a 50 MW solar power plant in Kanpur Dehat and a 75 MW solar plant in Jalaun.
The solar energy sector has been one of the priority areas of the Yogi government because of its multi-dimensional benefits, which has led to over two dozen solar power projects getting off the ground in UP with a total investment of Rs 8,905 crore so far. Besides, solar rooftops of 235 MW capacities have been installed in the state with the efforts of the government.
Furthermore, 19,579 solar pumps have been installed to benefit farmers. The installation of 1,80,000 solar power plants has transformed the picture of UP’s villages. The rural folks that yearned for four hours of power supply during previous regimes due to frequent power outages are getting regular power supply with the massive investment in the solar energy sector during the Yogi regime.
INTERNATIONAL
The Fifth Country to Sign ISA Framework – Germany
Germany grew to become the fifth united states to signal the International Solar Alliance Framework Agreement after its amendments entered into force on 8th January 2021, opening its Membership to all Member States of the United Nations.
Ambassador of Germany to India Walter J. Lindner deposited signed copies of the International Solar Alliance Framework Agreement with the Ministry of External Affairs, the depositary of the Agreement.
Membership to the ISA was once restrained to 121 countries, which were in part or placed inside the tropics.
NATIONAL
Javelin Throw Day be on 7th August
The authorities of the Athletics Federation of India has decided to observe javelin throw day on 7th August each year in honour of the Olympic gold medalist of the Tokyo Olympics Neeraj Chopra.
Neeraj Chopra bagged the gold medal in men’s javelin throw at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics on 7th August 2021.
Neeraj has scripted the history at the Olympic Stadium in Tokyo when he threw the javelin to a distance of 87.58m to end India’s medal drought in athletics at the Olympics.
This is India’s first-ever gold medal in athletics in the history of the Olympics. AFI’s bid to name August 7 as Javelin Throw Day is an attempt to attract more youth to the sport.
First Port to Launch e-cars – VOC Port
VOC Port becomes the first major port in India to launch e-cars.
Highlights:
VOC Port is previously regarded as Tuticorin Port. The V. O. Chidambaranar Port was declared an essential port in 1974.
It is the 2nd largest port in Tamil Nadu and the 3rd greatest container terminal in India.
It is an artificial port.
It has offerings to the USA, China, Europe, Sri Lanka and the Mediterranean countries.
Monitoring of Groundwater
Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) periodically monitors groundwater levels for the duration of the Country on a regional scale by monitoring wells.
Highlights:
Central Ground Water Board, a subordinate office of the Ministry of Water Resources, Government of India, is the National Apex Agency entrusted with supplying scientific inputs for management, exploration, monitoring, assessment, and augmentation legislation of floor water resources of the country.
The board was set up in the year 1970 by renaming the Exploratory Tube Wells Organization below the Ministry of Agriculture. And in 1972, It was merged with the GroundWater Wing of the Geological Survey of India.
Its vision is the sustainable improvement and administration of the country’s groundwater resources.
Pani Maah Launched in Ladakh
Affairs:Pani Maah Campaign was launched in Ladakh to create awareness about clean water.
Highlights:
Pani Maah, or water month, has been launched in Ladakh to inform villagers about the significance of clean water.
The Ladakh authorities have also introduced a reward of Rs 2.5 million for the first block in every district that achieves the fame of ‘Har Ghar Jal’.
The Pani Maah campaign will run at block and panchayat tiers in two phases.
The campaign will adopt a three-pronged strategy — focussing on quality testing, planning and strategising water supply, and seamless functioning of Pani Sabha in villages.
The Pani Maah campaign is anticipated to expedite the implementation of the Jal Jeevan Mission in the union territory.