• 20 Feb 2024

PM Lays Foundation Stone of Solar Power Plant in Rajasthan

Why in News?

Recently, Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for NLC (Neyveli Lignite Corporation Limited) India Ltd 300-mw solar power project in Barsingsar, Rajasthan.

• NLC India is a navratna company under the coal ministry.

Key Points

• The total cost of NLC India's solar project is estimated at Rs 1,756 crore and it is scheduled to be commissioned in September 2024.
• The project is strategically located near the existing Barsingsar Thermal Power Station which offers advantages in power evacuation through the existing network and utilisation of common infrastructure facilities.
  • The project will not only give green and cheap power to the region but also provide great employment opportunities to the youth.

Navratna Company

• Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs) are classified into 3 categories- Maharatna, Navratna and Miniratna.
  • As of 2023, there are 13 Maharatna, 16 Navratna and 68 Miniratna CPSEs.
• Navratna Companies in India are a group of CPSEs that have enhanced financial autonomy and flexibility to compete in the global market. They are given certain privileges, such as investing up to Rs 1,000 crore without explicit government approval.
• The Navratna status was first introduced in 1997.
  • To attain Navratna status, a firm must initially hold the Miniratna designation and it needs to achieve a score of 60 or more (out of 100) according to six performance criteria, which include metrics like Net Profit to Net Worth, Earnings per Share, and Inter-Sectoral Performance.

Transit Hostels for Home Guards in Uttarakhand

Why in News?

The Home Guard department in Uttarakhand is set to provide residential facilities for its Home Guards especially in Udham Singh Nagar and other key districts.

Key Points

• Preparations to construct hotels in 8 districts are underway with a budget approval of Rs 13.50 crore received from the government.
• The identified districts span both the Garhwal and Kumaon division. With Haridwar securing the most extensive plot—approximately 50 bighas of land.
• The departmental sources revealed that the Detailed Project Report (DPR) has been prepared for the construction of hostels in different cities of eight districts, including Udham Singh Nagar district headquarters, Rudrapur, Nainital, and Haridwar.
  • As part of the next phase, DPRs for the remaining five districts will be prepared and submitted to the government, ensuring the extension of this initiative across the state.

Home Guard

• On 6^th December, 1946, the first Home Guards Unit was conceived and raised in the erstwhile Bombay Presidency .
• During the turmoil period of civil disorders and communal riots, as a civilian voluntary force in aid of administration as an auxiliary to police, under the stewardship of Morarji Desai, former Prime Minister.
• It was reorganised in India in 1966 after the Sino-Indian War.

Upgradation of 108 Roads in Uttarakhand

Why in News?

Recently, the Centre has approved the upgradation of 108 roads in Uttarakhand under the Pradhan Mantri Gramin Sadak Yojana (PMGSY).

Key Points

• 108 roads covering a total length of 1,197.207 km in Uttarakhand will be upgraded at an estimated cost of Rs 967.73 crore under PMGSY -III.
• Out of the total Rs 967.73 crore, the Centre will give Rs 803.85 crore and the remaining Rs 163.88 crore will be borne by the state government.
• The approval is being given in acknowledgement of the fact that the hilly areas are hit by natural disasters every year and people in the hills have to face various hardships.

Pradhan Mantri Gramin Sadak Yojana (PMGSY)

• It was launched on 25th December, 2000 with an objective to provide connectivity, by way of an all-weather road to unconnected habitations.
• PMGSY - Phase III
  • Phase III was approved by the Cabinet during July 2019.
  • It gives priorities to facilities like:
    • Gramin Agricultural Markets (GrAMs)
      • GrAMs are retail agricultural markets in close proximity to the farm gate that promote and service a more efficient transaction of the farmers’ produce.
    • Higher Secondary Schools and
    • Hospitals.
    • Under the PMGSY-III Scheme, it is proposed to consolidate 1,25,000 Km road length in the States. The duration of the scheme is 2019-20 to 2024-25.

Uttar Pradesh Invokes ESMA

Why in News?

The Uttar Pradesh government invoked the Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA),1968 banning strikes by government employees in all State government departments, corporations, and authorities for a period of six months.

• The decision came during ongoing farmers strike called by various union organisations.

Key Points

• Under sub section (1) of the section-3 of the Uttar Pradesh Essential Services Maintenance Act, 1966 (UP Act No 30 of 1966), the State government prohibited strike for a period of six months.
• The Act gives the police the power to arrest the employees violating provisions without a warrant and imprisonment for a term which may extend up to one year or a fine which may extend to ₹1,000 or both, to any person who instigated a strike which was illegal under the Act.
• In the past, the UP government had banned strikes for six months during the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic, and again in May 2021.

The Essential Services Maintenance Act, 1968

• It was enacted in 1968 to ensure the delivery of certain services, which if obstructed would affect the normal life of the people.
• It is a law made by the Parliament of India under List No. 33 in Concurrent List of 7^th Schedule of Constitution of India.
• Services fall under this category are:
  • Services relating to public conservation, sanitation, water supply, hospitals, or national defence are essential.
  • Any establishment involved in producing, delivering, or distributing petroleum, coal, electricity, steel, or fertilizer also gets classified as providing essential services. Aside from that, any banking-related service may be subject to ESMA.
  • This statute also applies to communication and transportation services and any government initiative relating to the acquisition and distribution of food grains.

Prime Minister Lays Foundation Stone of AIIMS Rewari

Why in News?

Recently, the Prime Minister laid the foundation stone of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Rewari, in the presence of Haryana Governor Bandaru Dattatreya.

Key Points

• During the ceremony, the PM highlighted the vision of Viksit Bharat and underscored the importance of the health sector in propelling the country towards that vision by 2047.
• The establishment of AIIMS in Rewari, Haryana, has been approved under the Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY) scheme of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
  • PMSSY aims to correct regional imbalances in the availability of affordable and reliable specialized health services and to enhance facilities for quality medical education in the country.
  • Under PMSSY, the establishment of 22 new AIIMS has been approved. Of these, 15 AIIMs have been approved since 2014.
• This new AIIMS is being developed at a cost of Rs 1650 crore on 203 acres of land at Majra Mastil Bhalkhi village in Rewari district of Haryana.

Vision India@2047

• It is a project initiated by the NITI Aayog, the apex policy think tank of India, to create a blueprint for India’s development in the next 25 years.
• The project aims to make India a global leader in innovation and technology, a model of human development and social welfare, and a champion of environmental sustainability.

Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana

• It was announced in 2003 with objectives of correcting regional imbalances in the availability of affordable/reliable tertiary healthcare services and also to augment facilities for quality medical education in the country.
• The Nodal Ministry is the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
• It has two Components:
  • Setting up of AIIMS like institutions.
  • Upgradation of government medical colleges in various states.
  • The project cost for upgradation of each medical college institution is shared by the Centre and the state.