Uttar Pradesh

• 02 Aug 2024

Ayodhya Becomes a Model Solar City

Why in News?

Recently, The Uttar Pradesh has achieved a 40 MW power generation capacity through a solar energy plant in Ayodhya.

• Due to which Ayodhya achieved the prestigious designation of a model solar city under the Uttar Pradesh Solar Energy Policy 2022.

Key Points

• According to this policy, a solar city is defined as one where renewable energy plants can reduce the estimated total demand for conventional energy by at least 10%.
  • Ayodhya has surpassed this benchmark, achieving double the required capacity.
• The plant was set up by National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) Green Energy Limited near the Saryu River in the villages of Majha Rampur Halwara and Majha Sarairasi.
  • The state government has leased 165.10 acres of land to NTPC Green Energy Limited for 30 years at the nominal rate of Rs 1 per acre per year to establish a solar power plant project.
  • This plant will be purchased by Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation Limited (UPPCL) for 25 years at a cost-plus-determined tariff, leading to Ayodhya being declared a model solar city.

Saryu River

• The Saryu is a river that flows through Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh.
• This river is of ancient significance as it is mentioned in the Vedas and the Ramayana.
• The river is formed at the confluence of rivers Karnali and Mahakali. It is a tributary of River Ganges.
• On Ram Navami, the festival that celebrates the birthday of Lord Rama, thousands of people take a dip in the Saryu River at Ayodhya.

Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation Limited (UPPCL)

• Established on 14^th January 2000, as the result of power sector reforms and restructuring in UP which is the focal point of the Power Sector, responsible for planning and managing the sector through its transmission, distribution and supply of electricity.
• It is a professionally managed utility supplying reliable and cost efficient electricity to every citizen of the state.

Uttar Pradesh Gets Permission for New Medical Colleges

Why in News?

Recently, the National Medical Commission (NMC) granted permission to seven new medical colleges and increased seats in two existing colleges in Uttar Pradesh.

Key Points

• Permission has been issued for the autonomous state medical colleges in Bijnor, Bulandshahr, Kushinagar, Pilibhit, Sultanpur, Kanpur Dehat and Lalitpur collectively having 600 MBBS seats.
  • Additionally, the government medical colleges in Agra and Meerut have had their seat counts increased by 72 and 50 bringing the total to 200 seats at the Agra Medical College and 150 seats at the Meerut Medical College.

National Medical Commission (NMC)

• NMC is the apex regulatory body for medical education and practice in India.
• It was established in 2020 by the National Medical Commission Act, 2019, replacing the Medical Council of India (MCI).
• It consists of four autonomous boards: the Under-Graduate Medical Education Board, the Post-Graduate Medical Education Board, the Medical Assessment and Rating Board, and the Ethics and Medical Registration Board.
  • NMC also has a Medical Advisory Council, which advises the commission on matters related to medical education and practice.
• NMC is responsible for conducting and overseeing major screening tests, such as NEET-UG, NEET-PG, and FMGE.
• It also regulates the standards and quality of medical education and training, the registration and ethics of medical practitioners, and the assessment and rating of medical institutions.
• NMC has also achieved the prestigious World Federation for Medical Education (WFME) recognition, which means that the medical degrees awarded by the NMC are recognized globally.
  • The WFME was founded in 1972 by the World Medical Association, the World Health Organization, and other organizations.