State PCS

• 27 Aug 2021

MoU between Rajasthan Energy Development Corporation and SECI

Why in News

• Rajasthan Urja Vikas Nigam has signed an agreement with Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) for procurement of 1,200 MW wind power at tendered rates.

Key Points

• This wind energy would be available to the state in the next 18 months.
• To buy 1,200 MW of wind power for the three power distribution companies of Rajasthan, SECI started the process of selecting wind power generation companies in December 2020.
• As a result of the better policies of the state government, according to the norms set during the tender process, the department received the lowest bid of Rs 2.77 per unit for 300 MW and Rs 2.78 per unit for 900 MW wind power, which is much less than the state average average power purchase cost of Rs 4.61 per unit in 2020-21.
• On commissioning of these projects, the average purchase rate of the state will come down further, which will directly benefit the consumers of the state.
• In its budget the Rajasthan government announced an increase in power generation in the state from non-conventional sources.
  
  • In order to increase power generation through non-conventional sources and to encourage investors in the state, the state government has also released a renewed solar and wind energy policy in the year 2019.

N.K.C. Center for Genomics Research

Why in News

• Recently, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan virtually inaugurated the center set up by Nucleome Informatics in Hyderabad.

Key Points

• Dushyant Singh Baghel, Managing Director of Nucleome Informatics said that Asia's largest genomics lab will be set up by the institute in Indore at a cost of Rs 165 crore.
• Agri genomics is a field of science, which is contributing to crop improvement. Due to this, more production of better quality crops is possible by improving the pest resistance in the crop, stress tolerance of plants.
• Nucleome Informatics started its journey in this field in 2013. The work of genome sequencing of animals is also being done by the organization. Nandkumar Singh Chouhan (NKC) Center for Genomics Research will prove to be a milestone in providing updated scientific information to the farmers.

Airports to be Powered by Solar Power

Why in News

• Recently, Jharkhand Renewable Energy Development Agency (JREDA) director K.K. Verma informed that the Birsa Munda airport in Ranchi and four other upcoming airports in the state will be powered by solar energy under the Green Initiative of the government.

Key Points

• Apart from Ranchi, the airports of Dumka, Deoghar, Bokaro and Giridih will be covered under the green initiative. The state government has allocated Rs 20 crore for this project and has set a target to complete it in six months.
• After completion of the project each of the five airports equipped with solar panels will generate 600 kW of electricity per day. This initiative will not only make airports self-sufficient in terms of energy generation, but will also illuminate some residential areas with solar energy.
• Birsa Munda Airport is currently the only fully-operated airport in Jharkhand, remaining four airports are likely to start operations within a year.
• It is worth mentioning that the state government has approved the expansion plan of Ranchi airport and signed an MoU with AAI for expansion of the airport in more than 300 acres.
• It is noteworthy that Puducherry airport in Tamil Nadu became the first fully solar powered airport in the country in 2020 under the Airports Authority of India (AAI). In addition, it is claimed that the Cochin International Airport (Kerala), is the world's first solar powered airport to run in a public-private partnership mode.

Announcement of Relief in Electricity, Water and Transport

Why in News

• Recently, during the monsoon session of the Uttarakhand Legislative Assembly, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami announced relief in various sectors including electricity, water and transport in the state.

Key Points

• The Chief Minister said that the fixed charges of electricity bills under the Energy Department would be exempted for three months. About 2,24,604 people will be benefited by this. Similarly, exemption will be given for 3 months on late payment surcharge of electricity bills.
• Under the Transport Department, exemption in service tax will be given for 6 months. The estimated number of beneficiaries in this is 96,380. Rebate will be given on late fee for 6 months on renewal of registration certificate, fitness certificate, permit and driving license etc.
• Under the Urban Development Department, an incentive amount of Rs 2000 will be provided to Paryavaran Mitras for 5 months. About 8,300 Paryavaran Mitras will benefit from this.
• All the beneficiaries registered in Pradhan Mantri Svanidhi will be given financial assistance of Rs 2,000 each for 5 months. The estimated number of beneficiaries in this is 25,000.
• Under the Drinking Water Department, 100% late fee will be waived in case all the water/sewer consumers of the state make one-time payment of the remaining dues by December 31, 2021.