• 12 Jan 2024

Procurement of EVs to Boost Bihar’s Electric Mobility

Why in News?

Recently, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar announced the procurement of two electric cars during the Bihar Electric Vehicle (EV) Conclave and Expo held in Patna.

• It is a significant move towards promoting sustainable and eco-friendly transportation in Bihar.

Key Points

• The event was organised by the Bihar Transport Department in collaboration with World Resources Institute, India, and the Bihar State Pollution Control Board.
• During his visit, the Chief Minister actively engaged with the showcased EVs, seeking detailed information about their features and capabilities.
  • He emphasised the environmental benefits of EVs and highlighted ongoing efforts to develop infrastructure for convenient public charging facilities.
  • He urged the public to explore the advantages of EVs, emphasising their role in environmental conservation.
• Transport Department Minister Sheela Kumari inaugurated the conclave and emphasised the collective efforts required to achieve a pollution-free State.
• According to the Transport Secretary, the share of EVs among total new vehicle registrations was 7% in 2023, exceeding the national average of 6%.
• With Bihar EV Policy offering purchase incentives and exemption in motor vehicle tax and provisions for robust charging infrastructure, the EV penetration in the State is set to meet the target of 15% well within the set timeframe of 2028.
• According to World Resources Institute (WRI) India, Digitalisation of the system can hugely improve the transport system efficiency in States.
  • Demand aggregation can bring about 30% reduction in cost and help scale the adoption of e-buses.
  • Open data repositories are critical to improve the transport infrastructure as they can help us improve transport infrastructure planning to meet growing demand.
  • Ease of financing is another critical component that can help States in creating an enabling marketplace for public transportation.
• Sudhendu Jyoti Sinha, Adviser at NITI Aayog suggested several measures to promote electric mobility, including implementing aggressive electric mobility initiatives in a few cities and encouraging schools to switch to electric buses initially.

World Resources Institute (WRI)

• WRI was created in 1982 in Washington, D.C. It is a non-profit, science and evidence based institution that carries out rigorous policy research of global environmental and development issues.
• Its mission is to move human society to live in ways that protect Earth's environment and its capacity to provide for the needs and aspirations of current and future generations.

NITI Aayog

• The NITI Aayog serves as the apex public policy think tank of the Government of India.
• The nodal agency tasked with catalyzing economic development, and fostering cooperative federalism.
  • Moving away from bargaining federalism through the involvement of State Governments of India in the economic policy-making process using a bottom-up approach.

NABARD Sanctions Rs 1,974 Crore to Rajasthan

Why in News?

Under the Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF) for 2023-24, National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) has sanctioned Rs 1,974.07 crore to the Rajasthan government.

Key Points

• According to NABARD Rajasthan Chief General Manager Rs 930.44 crore has been sanctioned for three rural drinking water supply projects in Ajmer, Jalore, and Kota districts.
  • Rs 926.48 crore was sanctioned for the construction of 676 rural roads in the desert and tribal areas of the state.
  • Earlier, Rs 117.15 crore had been sanctioned for the construction of 104 veterinary hospitals and 431 sub-centres in all districts of the state.
• Drinking water supply projects are expected to provide clean and potable water to 2.87 lakh households in 2,500 villages, whereas rural road projects will improve connectivity in 1,229 villages across 12 districts.
• NABARD is also supporting the state government in bringing 4.28 lakh hectares under micro-irrigation with a support of Rs 740 crore from the Micro Irrigation Fund.
• The lining of 450 km of earthen canals in Kota and Bundi districts is under construction following a Rs 623.38 crore assistance under NABARD Infrastructure Development Assistance.

National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD)

• It is a development bank focussing primarily on the rural sector of the country. It is the apex banking institution to provide finance for Agriculture and rural development.
  • Its headquarter is located in Mumbai, the country’s financial capital.
• It is a statutory body established in 1982 under the Parliamentary act-National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development Act, 1981.

The Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF)

• It was set up by the Government of India in 1995-96 for financing ongoing rural Infrastructure projects.
  • The Fund is maintained by the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD).
• The main objective of the Fund is to provide loans to State Governments and State-owned corporations to enable them to complete ongoing rural infrastructure projects.

Annual Free Train Scheme to Ayodhya Ram Mandir

Why in News?

Recently, the Chhattisgarh government sanctioned an annual free train travel scheme for devotees who want to visit the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple in Uttar Pradesh's Ayodhya.

• It will be implemented by the Chhattisgarh Tourism Board and the state tourism department would allocate a necessary budget for the same.

Key Points

• Not everyone can avail this scheme as of now as a committee would be set up under the collectors to select pilgrims.
  • As per a state government release, those eligible to avail this scheme should be fit individuals aged between 18 and 75 years and those above 55 years will be given priority in the initial phase.
• Around 20,000 people would be taken to Ayodhya on yearly pilgrimage by train.
  • Stations for boarding are Raipur, Durg, Raigarh, and Ambikapur, with the 900-km journey culminating in Ayodhya.
  • There is also a stopover at Varanasi for devotees to visit the Kashi Vishwanath temple and attend the Ganga Aarti.
• A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) will also be signed with the Indian Railways Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) to implement the scheme.
• A weekly special train will also be arranged for pilgrims wanting to visit Ayodhya.

Note

• The state government had declared January 22 as a dry day in the entire state, given the consecration of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya.
• Chhattisgarh is the 'nanihal' (the place of his maternal grandparents) of Lord Ram.
  • Chandkhuri, a village located 27 km from Chhattisgarh capital Raipur, is considered as the birthplace of Mata Kaushalya, mother of Lord Ram.
  • The ancient Mata Kaushalya temple situated in the village was given a magnificent look during the previous government in the state.

Prafull Bharat: New Advocate General of Chhattisgarh

Why in News?

According to the sources, the Chhattisgarh government has appointed Prafull Bharat as the new Advocate General (AG) of Chhattisgarh.

Key Points

• He served as the Additional Advocate General of Chhattisgarh from 2014 to 2018.
• With an extensive legal career, Bharat has been practicing at the High Court of Chhattisgarh since November 2000, specializing in Civil, Constitutional, Arbitration, and Criminal matters.
• His legal expertise also extends to his tenure at the High Court of Madhya Pradesh from 1995 to 2000 and the District Court in Jagdalpur, Bastar from 1992 to 1995.
• Bharat succeeds Satish Chandra Verma, who quit as AG after the new government assumed office after the recent assembly elections.

Advocate General of State

• The Advocate General of state is responsible for advising the State Government on legal matters referred to him by the Governor.
• This is a Constitutional post and authority duly appointed under Article 165 of the Constitution of India. He/She acts as the highest law officer in the State.
  • Under Article 165 of the Constitution of India the Governor of each State shall appoint a person who is qualified to be appointed as a Judge of a High Court to be Advocate General for the State.

Varied Progress in Clean Air Target

Why in News?

Recently, the Climate Trends and Respirer Living Sciences have conducted a study, revealing that the majority of cities are far from the clean air targets of India's National Clean Air Programme (NCAP).

Key Points

• Among 49 cities with consistent PM2.5 data over five years, only 27 cities showed a decline in PM2.5 levels, while merely four cities met or surpassed the targeted decline as per NCAP Goals.
  • The amount of PM2. 5 in the air is a key indicator of air quality.
  • PM stands for particulate matter, and the 2.5 refers to the size of the matter.
• While some cities like Varanasi, Agra, and Jodhpur exhibited significant reductions in PM2.5 levels, others, including Delhi, reported marginal declines (only 5.9%) or even increased pollution loads.
  • Varanasi showed the most substantial reduction with a 72% average decrease in PM2.5 levels and a 69% reduction in PM10 levels from 2019 to 2023.

National Clean Air Programme

• It was launched by the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC) in January 2019.
• It is the first-ever effort in the country to frame a national framework for air quality management with a time-bound reduction target.
• The NCAP's goal is to reduce average Particulate Matter (PM) concentrations by 40% by 2026 in 131 cities. Initially aimed for a 20-40% reduction by 2024, the target was later extended to 2026.

Concerns over Hit-and-Run Law

Why in News?

The recent protests by transporters and commercial drivers in states like Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal, and Punjab shed light on the contentious Section 106 (2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (BNS).

Key Points

• This section, which stipulates severe penalties for hit-and-run incidents, has become a focal point of discontent among the driving community.
• The countrywide truckers' strike has been called off after the government assured that it would consult stakeholders before implementing a contentious law against hit-and-run.
• Transporters and commercial drivers are demanding the withdrawal or amendment of Section 106 (2) of the BNS, 2023.
  • They argue that the prescribed penalties, including a 10-year imprisonment and Rs. 7 lakh fine, are excessively severe.

Provisions of Hit-and-run Law

• The hit-and-run provision is part of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which is set to replace the colonial-era Indian Penal Code, 1860.
  • Section 106 (2) of the BNS, 2023 stipulates a penalty of up to 10 years in jail and a fine for fleeing an accident spot and failing to report the incident to a police officer or a magistrate.
  • However, if the driver reports the incident immediately after the accident, they will be charged under Section 106(1) instead of Section 106(2). Section 106(1) provides for a punishment of up to five years for causing death by any rash or negligent act not amounting to culpable homicide.

Wetland City Accreditation

Why in the News?

The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) has recently submitted three nominations from India for the Wetland City Accreditation (WCA).

• The nominated cities include Indore (Madhya Pradesh), Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh), and Udaipur (Rajasthan).

Key Points

• Udaipur city is surrounded by five major wetlands: Pichola, Fateh Sagar, Rang Sagar, Swaroop Sagar, and Doodh Talai.
• These wetlands are an integral part of the city’s culture and identity, help maintain the city’s microclimate, and provide a buffer from extreme events.
• The ongoing Amrit Dharohar initiative by the MoEF&CC aligns with WCA goals, promoting the conservation values of Ramsar Sites.

Other Nominated Cities For the WCA

• Sirpur Lake, a Ramsar Site in Indore, has been recognised as an important site for water bird congregation and is being developed as a Bird Sanctuary.
• Bhoj Wetland, Ramsar Site is Bhopal’s lifeline, equipped with the world-class wetlands interpretation centre, Jal Tarang.

Wetland City Accreditation (WCA)

• The WCA is a voluntary accreditation system established by the Ramsar Convention during the Conference of the Contracting Parties (COP) 12, 2015 to recognize cities that have taken exceptional steps to safeguard their urban wetlands.
  • The WCA is valid for 6 years.
• The scheme aims to promote the conservation and wise use of urban and peri-urban wetlands, as well as sustainable socio-economic benefits for local populations.