• 17 Sep 2022

Floating Solar Plant of Uttar Pradesh

Why In News?

• On September 15, 2022, power generation started from a 20 MW floating solar plant at NTPC at Dibiyapur in Auraiya district of Uttar Pradesh after a multi-phase investigation. This has taken the total capacity of NTPC Auraiya plant to 704 MW.

Key Points

• NTPC Additional General Manager Sanjay Balyan said that this floating solar plant is the first in the state. NTPC has so far installed floating solar plants on reservoirs in four states - Ramagundam in Telangana, Kayamkulam in Kerala, Kawas in Gujarat and Semadri in Andhra Pradesh.
• NTPC had invited tenders for the floating solar plant at Auraiya in September 2019. The company that received the tender started work on the solar plant in June 2020. In August 2022, the solar plant was ready. After this, the testing and commissioning work was completed.
• Solar panels of 500 watt capacity have been used at NTPC at Dibiyapur. The total cost of the floating solar plant is around Rs 90 crore.
• An on-ground solar plant of 20 MW capacity has been installed at NTPC plant premises at a cost of about Rs.100 crore. 330 MW solar panel modules have been installed in the solar plant on the ground. Commercial power generation from this plant has been started in three phases (in the first phase eight MW on November 10, 2020, seven MW on December 4, 2020, and five MW on February 20, 2021) by grid connectivity.
• Now commercial power generation has started from Dibiyapur floating solar plant. With this, the generation capacity of the solar plant has increased to 40 MW. NTPC has also set up a 664 MW gas and naphtha power generation plant at Auraiya. Thus, the total capacity of NTPC Auraiya plant has increased to 704 MW.
• According to NTPC officials, the power generated from gas and naphtha-based plants ranges from Rs 5 to Rs 20 per unit. Electricity generated from solar will be Rs 3.02 per unit.

National Green Tribunal Imposes Rs 3,000 crore Fine on Rajasthan Govt.

Why In News?

• Recently, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has imposed a fine of Rs 3,000 crore on the Rajasthan government. This fine has been imposed for harming the environment.

Key Points

• Significantly, there are cement and other factories in some other districts including Jaipur, Neemrana, Bhiwadi, Alwar, Bhilwara and Pali. The rivers are getting polluted by the water coming out from here. Apart from this, the solid waste coming out of the cities of the state is also not being properly disposed. Due to this, the NGT has imposed a fine on the state government.
• A bench headed by Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel blamed the state government officials for not being able to check pollution. The bench said compensation for past violations should be paid to the government besides ensuring compliance to prevent future damages.
• The bench divided solid and liquid waste management into two heads, which imposed a fine of Rs 3000 crore. The NGT has given two months to the Rajasthan government to pay this fine. During this, the government will have to deposit this amount in a separate bank account. Failure to comply with the order may result in further fines.

Burhanpur Becomes the First District in the State to Link Aadhaar Number with 100% Voter ID Card

Why In News?

• On September 16, 2022, Chief Electoral Officer Anpum Rajan said that Burhanpur has become the first district in the state to link Aadhaar number with voter ID card.

Key Points

• The Chief Electoral Officer said that Pipariya assembly constituency of Narmadapuram district has also completed the work of linking the identity card of 100 percent voters with the Aadhaar number.
• It is worth mentioning that the Election Commission of India is running an Aadhaar collection campaign from August 1, under which the Aadhaar number has been linked to the voter ID card of 4 crore 21 lakh 82 thousand 400 voters in Madhya Pradesh so far.
• In both the assembly constituencies of Burhanpur district, 555715 and Pipariya assembly constituency of Narmadapuram district have 212073 number of voters, in which Aadhaar numbers have been linked to the voter ID cards of 100 percent of the voters.

School Education Department's District Report Card

Why In News?

• On September 15, 2022, the Madhya Pradesh School Education Department released the report card of the districts for classes I to VIII in the session 2022-23 as directed by Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan to develop the educational ranking system of the districts.

Key Points

• Director State Education Center Dhanaraju S. According to the district report card, Chhatarpur district has got the first position, Balaghat second and Chhindwara third.
• Similarly, in division-wise grading, Sagar division has got the first position, Jabalpur division has got the second and Narmadapuram has got the third position.
• Director Dhanaraju S. He informed that Niwari district has jumped 31 places to 10th position as compared to the previous ranking. Guna has attained 22nd rank this time, improving from the previous ranking of 51.
• The report lays down a number of action points on priority. The report mainly divides the enrolment and stay of children, quality educational achievements, educational upgradation of teachers, equality, infrastructure and physical facilities and good governance processes etc. into six main parts.
• A total of 32 indices are included in the ranking. Changes will continue to be made even-symmetrically as per the priority of each quarter.

Mukhyamantri Bal Ashirwad Yojana

Why In News?

• According to the information given by the Madhya Pradesh Public Relations Department on September 15, 2022, boys and girls above the age of 18 years who leave child care institutions should be restored in the society by providing financial and educational support (aftercare) and orphan children up to the age of 18 years, who are living with their relatives or guardians, 'Mukhyamantri Bal Ashirwad Yojana' has been started with the objective of providing financial assistance (sponsorship).

Key Points

• The Women and Child Development Department has been made the nodal department for the implementation of this scheme.
• In the context of aftercare, children residing in the child care institution for 5 years continuously including the year of birth will be eligible.
• Financial assistance in aftercare, internship, vocational training, time period fixed for education or till the age of 24 years, whichever is earlier.
• According to the qualifications of care leavers mentioned in the list received from the District Child Protection Officer, Women and Child Development Department by the Industries Department, industrial institutions / establishments / reputed institutions will be identified and provided employment as much as possible in the same institution by giving internship.
• During the internship period, financial assistance of Rs 5,000 per month will be given, which will be payable till the end of the internship period or one year, whichever is less. This assistance will not be for a period of more than one year in any case.
• Vocational training given in government institutions in polytechnic diploma, ITI, paramedical course, nursing, hotel management, tourism, Prime Minister and Chief Minister Skill Development etc. will be given free of cost by the concerned department.
• During the vocational training period, financial assistance of Rs 5,000 per month will be given, which will be payable till the end of the period of vocational training or two years whichever is less. But in no case will it be for a period of more than 2 years.
• Care leavers entering any government and non-government institutions on the basis of entrance examinations in NEET, JEE or CLAT will be given financial assistance of Rs 5,000 per month during the study period and the fees fixed by the Regulatory Commission for the course period will be borne by the state government.
• The category of care leavers and the financial assistance being given during the study period in each category will be determined by the state level committee constituted under the chairmanship of the Chief Secretary.
• The sponsorship is for those children below the age of 18 years of the local resident family of Madhya Pradesh, whose parents have died and are living under the care of a relative or guardian and who are not eligible for the 'Chief Minister Covid-19 Bal Seva Yojana', such children will be eligible in the scheme.
• Each child found eligible under sponsorship will be given assistance of Rs 4,000 per month for a minimum of one year. This amount will be deposited in the joint account of the child and relative or guardian.
• If there is no improvement in the economic prosperity of the child or the family, it can be increased for a period of a minimum of one year, but in any case, the amount will not be payable after the age of maximum 18 years. The Ayushman card for each child will also be made by the health department.
• All the applications of the scheme will be available on Bal Ashirwad Portal www.scps.mp.gov.in. The application process will be free of cost. To take advantage of the scheme, the District Program Officer and District Child Protection Officer (Women and Child Development Department) can be contacted. All benefits will be given from the portal.

First Supplementary Estimate of Rs 9784.95 crore Passed

Why In News?

• On September 15, 2022, the Madhya Pradesh Assembly passed the first supplementary estimate 2022-23 of Rs. 9784.95 crore. A provision of Rs 6185.46 crore has been made in the revenue head and Rs 3599.49 crore in the capital head.

Key Points

• This supplementary estimate will accelerate the work of infrastructure development. Some of the major provisions made for important works are as follows:
  • Rs 1,003 crore for Anganwadi services and Rs 44 crore for 'Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana'.
  • Rs 931 crore for various irrigation schemes/projects under Narmada Valley Development Department. Rs 608 crore for construction work related to various irrigation schemes/ canals/ dams of water resources department.
  • Chief Minister Urban Infrastructure Development Scheme - Rs 400 crore for phase IV.
  • Minimum Needs Program (including Rural Roads), Madhya Pradesh Road Development Program (ADB) Scheme, Renovation, Upgradation and Asphaltization of Major District Roads and Others, Construction Plan and Maintenance and Repair of Major Bridges – For General Repair Scheme Total 1100 crores.
  • Rs 151 crore for maintenance of rural tap water supply schemes.
  • Rs 666 crore for class 11th, 12thand college scholarships, Rs 57 crore for state scholarships class 9thand 10th and Rs 50 crore for post-matric scholarships (colleges and others).
  • Rs 284 crore for housing assistance to SC/ST students. Rs 41 crore for the scheme of supply of books/ stationery etc. for students. Rs 78 crore for Mukhya Mantri Medhavi Vidyarthi Yojana.
  • Rs 750 crore for Atal Griha Jyoti Yojana and Rs 750 crore for Atal Krishi Jyoti Yojana.
  • Rs 280 crore for one-time payment of loans taken from HUDCO for Chief Minister's Police Housing, Rs 59 crore for setting up of SC/ST police stations, Rs 20 crore for assistance to Balaghat district under Special Central Assistance.
  • Rs 350 crore for interest waiver solution scheme of eligible defaulter farmers of loan waiver scheme.
  • Rs 300 crore for district mining fund scheme.
  • Rs 300 crore for Mukhyamantri Jankalyan (Sambal) Yojana.
  • Rs 150 crore for Madhya Pradesh Assembly Constituency Development Scheme and Rs 81 crore for financial assistance from MLA Voluntary Grant Fund.
  • Rs 84 crore for Additional Interest Subvention Scheme 2018 to Women Self Help Groups.
  • Rs 60 crore for payment scheme and Rs 50 crore for public asset management district promotion scheme from revenue from liquidator's assets.
  • Rs 100 crore for setting up of new medical colleges and medical colleges and affiliated hospitals. Rs 85 crore for setting up of fast track courts and special courts under POCSO Act.
  • 50 crores for financial assistance to Deendayal Antyodaya Mission (Chief Minister Kanya Vivah Sahayata Yojana). 40 crore for Chief Minister's discretionary grant and Rs 38 crore for computerization scheme of primary agricultural credit cooperative institutions.

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister's Trophy International Grandmasters Chess Tournament-2022

Why In News?

• According to the information given by the Chhattisgarh Public Relations Department on September 16, 2022, Chhattisgarh chief minister's trophy international grandmasters chess tournament-2022 will be organized by Chhattisgarh State Chess Association under the joint aegis of Chhattisgarh's Sports and Youth Welfare Department, All India Chess Federation and Chhattisgarh Olympic Association from September 19 to 28 in the capital Raipur.

Key Points

• More than 500 chess legends from 15 countries of the world will participate in this tournament to be held in the capital Raipur under the guidance of more than 100 experienced masters.
• Players from different countries will participate in this international tournament, including Russia, Ukraine, Georgia, USA, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Poland, Vietnam, Colombia, Iran, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Players from 15 countries, including Zimbabwe and Nepal, have been registered.
• This tournament will also provide an opportunity to the rated players of the country, the state to improve their ratings, get GM and IM norms and titles. With this event of international importance, the name of not only Chhattisgarh state but the whole of India will be reflected on the world chess map.
• In the International Grandmasters Chess Tournament, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Winner Trophy will be given, besides cash amount.
• The tournament will be held in the form of two categories Masters and Challengers, in which Rs 23 lakh and trophy in Masters category and Rs 12 lakh in Challengers category and trophy will be given to the winning players.
• The 50 games associated with this tournament will be broadcast live globally so that more and more people can watch this tournament.
• Officials associated with the chess tournament said that such events are very rare in the country, in this tournament high-rated players from different countries will perform the game on one platform.
• Due to the absence of such events, players find it difficult to get international degrees and have to go to European countries. Players have to face many problems financially and mentally during this period. The event is being organized to encourage sportspersons and give a platform to budding talent.
• Six Grandmasters, 17 International Masters, two Women Grandmasters, eight Women's International Masters, five FIDE Masters and 200 Elo-rated players are expected to participate in the International Grandmasters Chess tournament.
• The masters category event of this tournament will be held at Hotel Grand Imperia and challengers category event will be held at Shagun Farm on VIP Road. The tournament will feature experienced judges from different states.

New Revenue Code will be Implemented in Uttarakhand

Why In News?

• On September 16, 2022, Uttarakhand Revenue Council Commissioner and Secretary Chandresh Kumar Yadav said that the new Revenue Code will be implemented in Uttarakhand. The Revenue Council has prepared its draft and submitted it to the government.

Key Points

• It will now be considered in the meeting of the Law Committee constituted under the chairmanship of the Chief Secretary. It will then be sent to the cabinet. Once passed by the cabinet, it will go to the Assembly. From where it will become a law after passing.
• Uttarakhand (Uttar Pradesh Zamindari Destruction and Land System Act) 1950 and Land Revenue Act are currently in force in the state. Apart from this, some other Acts are also in vogue. All these Acts are held from Uttar Pradesh.
• From time to time, some sub-sections were added to these Acts, but the state could not fully form its own revenue code, while Uttar Pradesh abolished them and implemented its revenue code in the year 2013. Now its revenue code will be prepared by merging all the acts applicable in the state.