• 09 Nov 2023

One Time Settlement Scheme’ (OTS)

Why In News?

On November 8, 2023, Uttar Pradesh Energy Minister AK Sharma launched the Power Corporation's One-Time Settlement Scheme (OTS) at The Cantt sub-centre in Lucknow. The scheme will be implemented in three phases till December 31, 2023.

Key Points:

• Power Minister AK Sharma handed over the electricity bill to Meera, a resident of Cantonment area, who had made the first registration for interest waiver at the Cantt sub-centre.
• Under the 'one-time Settlement scheme', the state government has given convenience to those caught stealing electricity. A discount of 65 percent is being given in interest and a penalty on their bill. Such consumers can be free from legal action by paying a fine of just 35 percent.
• The first phase of the scheme will be held from November 8 to 30, the second phase from December 1 to December 15 and the third phase from December 16 to December 31.
• Under this scheme, a 50 to 100 percent discount will be available. This 100 percent discount will be available to consumers with one kilowatt.
• People caught in power theft, defaulters with permanently disconnected connections and pending court cases will also be included in the resolution plan.
• Under the scheme, domestic consumers with a load of more than one kilowatt have been given two options of payment in installments along with a lump sum payment.
• There will be a 90 percent discount on full payment of your dues till November 30, 80 percent discount on payment in three installments and 70 percent discount on payment in six installments.
• 80 percent discount on full payment from December 1 to 15, 70 percent discount on payment in three installments and 60 percent discount on payment in six installments.
• After December 16, there will be a discount of 70 percent on full payment, 60 percent discount on payment in three installments and 50 percent discount on payment in six installments.
• Commercial consumers up to 3 kW will get 80 percent discount on full payment of their dues by November 30 and 70 percent discount on payment in three installments. In subsequent phases, there will be a discount of 10 percent less on payment in both options, respectively.
• Commercial consumers with a load of more than three kilowatts will get 60 percent discount on full payment till November 30 and 50 percent discount on payment in three installments.
• Private commercial establishments and industrial consumers will get a discount of 50 percent on full payment of their dues till November 30 and 40 percent on payment in three installments. In subsequent phases, there will be a discount of 10 percent less on payment in both options, respectively.
• Private tube well consumers will be exempted from their surcharge due till March 31, 2023, and all other eligible consumers will be exempted from their surcharge due till October 31, 2023.

Bihar Business Connect’ Summit

Why In News?

Recently, the 'Bihar Business Connect' Summit was organized by the Industries Department of Government of Bihar at ITC Maurya, New Delhi. In the summit, industry leaders and government officials discussed exploring investment opportunities in Bihar on one platform.

Key Points:

• The objective of the summit was to highlight the investment potential of Bihar with special focus on four key sectors - textiles and leather, food processing, IT/ITeS and ESDM and general manufacturing. These sectors present ample opportunities for investment and development in line with the state's vision of industrial development.
• Bihar Industries Minister Sameer Kumar Mahaseth also attended the event. More than 150 participants participated in the conference.
• Industries Minister Sameer Kumar Mahaseth said that so far 28 different companies have shown interest in ethanol production in the state. All of them have given final approval to projects worth an average of Rs 200 crore. Vedanta plans to set up a 50 MW solar power plant and plans two more solar power plants soon.
• The Bihar government has invested Rs 3000 crore in ethanol production in the state through investors. This is likely to make Bihar a leading state in ethanol production. At the same time, it is expected to benefit the farmers of the state.
• The Industries Minister of Bihar also invited the entrepreneurs to participate in the upcoming Business Connect Summit 2023 to be held in Patna on 13-14 December 2023.

Chief Minister Inaugurated Hot Air Balloon Safari in Pinjore

Why In News?

On November 8, 2023, Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal inaugurated the Hot Air Balloon Safari at Pinjore, known as the 'Gateway of Himachal', located in Panchkula district of the state.

Key Points:

• Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar along with Haryana Vidhan Sabha Speaker Gian Chand Gupta and School Education and Heritage and Tourism Minister Kanwar Pal took a hot air balloon safari.
• Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister said that hot air balloon safari is very safe from the point of view of security. The company operating the hot air balloon has obtained safety certificates.
• To enjoy the hot air balloon safari, it will cost 13 thousand rupees per ride per ride. Only those people will be able to ride in it who meet the health-related parameters. The state government will give Rs 72 lakh as VGF to the company for two years.
• The introduction of hot air balloon safari in the region will not only boost tourism but also provide employment opportunities. With this, on the one hand, tourists will get to share new experiences in their journey in addition to the ongoing tourism activities, on the other hand, they will also be able to get acquainted with the historical background of Pinjore.
• The Chief Minister has made Panchkula, located in the Shivalik mountain range, a hub of adventure sports activities. Morni, the only hill station in the state, is also located in Panchkula. After introducing adventure sports like paragliding, water sports activity, jet scooter, parasailing and trekking in the tikkartal area near Morni Hills, Pinjore is now being developed as tourism.
• The Chief Minister said that the state government is developing Shivalik mountain region as well as Aravalli region for tourism. The world's largest jungle safari park is being developed by the state government on 10,000 acres of land in Gurugram and Nuh districts falling in the Aravalli Mountain range. This will help in preserving the Aravalli Mountain range, while on the other hand tourism will also boost tourism in Gurugram and Nuh areas.
• Pinjore, considered the gateway of Dev Bhoomi Himachal, has its own historical significance, it is also considered to be a site of Mahabharata period. This place preserves thousands of years old ancient history within itself. The remains of ancient history are present here.
• It is believed that the Pandava’s spent a large period of exile here during their exile, evidence of which is still seen in Pinjore. Not only this, the Yadavindra Garden, also known as Pinjore Garden, located here, is extremely famous. It is an example of Mughal Garden style.

Enhanced Version of NDC Portal launched with Bilingual Options

Why In News?

On November 7, 2023, Haryana Urban Local Bodies Minister Dr. Kamal Gupta inaugurated the NDC Project. Launched an upgraded version of the portal. The portal will now facilitate citizens to get information in both Hindi and English languages.

Key Points:

• Urban Local Bodies Minister Dr. Kamal Gupta said in a press conference that a budget of Rs 791.44 crore has been allocated for various development projects in the financial year 2023-24. Apart from this, a budget of Rs 50 crore has been approved under 'Divya Nagar Yojana' and Rs 3,116 crore under 'Atal Renewal and Urban Transformation Mission' (AMRUT) scheme.
• Dr. Gupta informed during the press conference that 93.66 km (about 58.2 mi) of roads have been repaired by urban local bodies, which shows commitment towards improving urban infrastructure.
• Apart from this, the department has taken steps to streamline parking in the state, so far 28,000 parking spaces for four-wheelers and 14,423 parking spaces for two-wheelers have been identified. Apart from this, 9,141 tricolor lights have been installed on the 280 km (about 173.98 mi) long road.

Solar Pumps will be Given on Subsidy to Cow Shelters and Water User Associations.

Why In News?

On November 7, 2023, a spokesman of the New and Renewable Energy Department of Haryana said that solar pumps will also be given on subsidy by the Haryana government to cow shelters and water user associations of the state. The last date to apply is November 14, 2023.

Key Points:

• The spokesperson said that to promote agricultural activities using solar energy in rural areas, the state's New and Renewable Energy Department, on behalf of the Central and State Government, is providing solar energy pumps ranging from 3 HP to 10 HP for irrigation to the farmers. 75 percent subsidy is being provided.
• He informed that 64,902 solar power pumps have been installed by the department so far and the installation of 26,798 pumps is going on. Haryana ranks second in the country in implementing this scheme and the department has set a target of installing 70,000 pumps in the financial year 2023-24.
• The spokesperson said that the pending electric tube well connections for the year 2019-2021 ranging from 1 HP to 10 HP will also be given on solar. Apart from this, solar energy pumps will also be given to cow sheds and water user associations, collective irrigation systems for irrigation at 75 percent subsidy.
• In this phase, applications were invited from interested farmers on saralharyana.gov.in portal till November 7, 2023, the last date of which has been extended to November 14, 2023.

78 Percent Voting on 20 Seats in the First Phase of Chhattisgarh Assembly Elections

Why In News?

On November 7, 2023, Chhattisgarh's Chief Electoral Officer Reena Babasaheb Kangale has informed that a total of 78 percent voting has been recorded in the first phase of Chhattisgarh Assembly elections in 20 assembly seats.

Key Points:

• According to the information given by the Chief Electoral Officer, Chhattisgarh, among the 20 assembly constituencies in the first phase of Assembly Elections 2023, Bastar assembly has the highest voter turnout of 84.67% and Bijapur has the lowest 48.37%.
• According to the final figures released by the Election Commission, 78 percent voting in the 20 assembly seats in the first phase is more than 1.53 percent in the year 2018.
• As many as 126 new polling stations were set up in 12 assembly constituencies of Bastar, where voting was held for the first time since Independence. Earlier, polling stations were not set up as they were highly sensitive and Naxal-infested areas. More than 50 percent voting was recorded in most of these centres.
• Assembly-wise voting percentage

Bastar – 84.67 percent	Bhanupratappur – 81 percent
Dogargaon – 84.1 percent	Antagarh – 79.79 percent
Khairagarh – 82.67 percent	Mohla Manpur – 79.38 percent
Khujji - 82.43 percent	Rajnandgaon – 79.12 percent
Kondagaon – 82.37 percent	Jagdalpur – 78.47 percent
Dongargarh - 81.93 percent	Pandaria - 75.27 percent
Cash - 81.89 percent	Narayanpur – 75.06 percent
Chitrakot – 81.76 percent	Dantewada – 69.88 percent
Kawardha – 81.24 percent	Konta – 63.14 percent
Kanker – 81.14 percent	Bijapur – 48.37 percent