• 31 Jan 2025

New Rules For Demolishing Unauthorised Constructions

Why in News? 

Uttar Pradesh government has issued guidelines for agencies before demolishing unauthorised constructions. 

• Notices must be served, and an opportunity for a personal hearing must be provided before finalising demolition. 

Key Points 

• New Rules for Demolishion: 
  • Mandatory Show Cause Notice & Waiting Period: 
    • No demolition should occur without issuing a show cause notice. 
    • Agencies must wait 15 days from the date of notice receipt before ordering demolition. The rules provides an appellate opportunity, demolition must be delayed for 15 days after the final order. 
    • Owners/occupants should be given 15 days to remove or demolish unauthorised structures themselves. 
  • Transparency Measures: 
    • A digital portal must be set up within three months to document all actions, including notices, replies, and orders. 
    • Notices should be sent to the District Magistrate's (DM) office via email, with automated acknowledgment. 
    • Minutes of personal hearings must be recorded. 
  • Demolition Orders & Compliance: 
    • Final orders should specify: 
      • Whether the structure is compoundable (can be regularised by paying fees). 
      • Details of the unauthorised/non-compoundable portions. 
      • Why demolition is necessary. 
    • Non-compliance with these rules may result in contempt proceedings and prosecution of officials. 
  • Legal & Administrative Observations: 
    • Many steps in the new rules already exist under different Acts. 
    • New features aim to improve transparency and consistency in demolitions. 
    • Issues of hasty demolitions and pending old demolition orders, leading to malpractice and unauthorized constructions. 
    • Municipal officials confirm compliance and clarify that temporary encroachments are handled under the UP Municipal Corporation Act, 1959. 

New Solar Project in Rajasthan

Why in News?  

Jakson Green (India) and Blueleaf Energy (Singapore) have partnered to develop 1 GW of solar projects in Rajasthan, with an investment of USD 400 million (Rs 3,400 crore).     

Key Points 

• Project Scope & Timeline:  
  • The 1 GW portfolio consists of three solar projects funded through debt and equity. 
  • Projects include Intra State (InSTS) and Inter State (ISTS) Transmission System projects. 
  • 25-year Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) secured through bidding from Rajasthan Rajya Vidyut Utpadan Nigam Ltd (RUVNL), Solar Energy Corporation of India Limited (SECI), and National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) Limited. 
  • The three solar projects are expected to be progressively commissioned in 2025-2026. 
• Renewable Energy Expansion Goals:  
  • The partnership targets adding more than 5 GW of renewable energy to the Indian grid by 2030. 
  • The Rajasthan projects will generate 1,800 GWh (Gigawatt hours) of green energy annually, enough to power 1.5 million households. 
• Environmental Impact: 
  • The project will prevent 22 million tons of CO₂ emissions over 25 years. 
  • Equivalent to removing 5 million cars from roads. 
• Job Creation & Economic Benefits: 
  • The initiative will create jobs during the construction and operational phases. 
• Financial & Banking Support: 
  • Ernst & Young (EY) was engaged as the investment banker for the transaction. 
  • Jakson Green secured credit facilities: 
    • Rs 2.96 billion from First Abu Dhabi Bank (Mumbai). 
    • Rs 600 million from HSBC (Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation). 
  • Funds will support domestic & international EPC (Engineering, Procurement, and Construction) operations. 

Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) 

• These are long-term agreements (typically 25 years) between electricity generators and buyers (usually public utilities). 
• It involves committing generators to supply power at fixed rates, locking in significant generating capacity. 
• They are inflexible and unable to adapt to dynamic market conditions. 

Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) Model  

• Under this model, the cost is completely borne by the government.  
• Government invites bids for engineering knowledge from the private players. 
• Procurement of raw material and construction costs are met by the government.  
• The private sector’s participation is minimal and is limited to the provision of engineering expertise.  
• A challenge of the model is the significant financial burden it places on the government. 

Effective Control of Forest Fire in Uttarakhand

Why in News? 

Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami has directed the Chief Conservator of Forests (CCF) to take immediate action against forest fires in highly sensitive districts.     

Key Points 

• Appointment of Nodal Officers for Fire Control: 
  • 10 senior Forest Department officers appointed as district-level nodal officers. 
  • Their role is to coordinate resources and departments at the district level for better fire management. 
    • Efforts will focus on strengthening management, control, monitoring, cooperation, and coordination at the district level. 
• Pre-Fire Season Preparations: 
  • The Uttarakhand Forest Department issued an office order to appoint nodal officers before the season in which forest fires commonly occur. 
  • Nodal officers will review fire management preparations and district-level control measures.        
• Community Participation in Fire Control: 
  • Along with this, to increase community participation in forest fire control and management, the Forest Department of Uttarakhand has been conducting research on-field personnel, State Environmental Authority (SEA) and the Forest Fire Management Committees to replicate the 'Sheetalakhet' model in all the divisions of the state under the Almora Forest Division.  
  • The ‘Sheetalakhet’ model, developed under Almora Forest Division, is being replicated across all state divisions. 

Forest Fire 

• Forest fire is also called as bush or vegetation fire or wildfire, it can be described as any uncontrolled and non-prescribed combustion or burning of plants in a natural setting such as a forest, grassland, brushland or tundra, which consumes the natural fuels and spreads based on environmental conditions (e.g., wind, topography). 
• A wildfire requires three essential elements to sustain combustion like Fuel, Oxygen, and a Heat source. 

Bihar Government Revamps Mid-Day Meal Menu

Why in News? 

The Government of Bihar has announced significant changes to the mid-day meal (PM Poshan Shakti Nirman or PM Poshan) menu across all government schools in the state, aiming to enhance the nutritional value and variety of meals provided to students.  

Key Points 

• Changes to the meal are designed to ensure that children receive balanced and wholesome nutrition, thereby promoting better health and learning outcomes. 
• This updated menu emphasizes the inclusion of protein-rich foods like soybeans and lentils, as well as a variety of seasonal vegetables, to ensure a balanced diet for the students.       
• The mid-day meal scheme is a pivotal initiative by the government to provide nutritious meals to schoolchildren, thereby encouraging higher attendance rates and supporting the overall development of students.  
• These changes are set to be implemented across all government schools in Bihar, reflecting the state's dedication to fostering a healthier and more conducive learning environment for its children. 

 Mid Day Meal Scheme (MDMS) 

• About:  
  • It is the largest school feeding programme of its kind in the world, covering students enrolled in government schools from Classes 1 to 8. 
  • The basic objective of this scheme is to enhance enrolment in schools. 
• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Education 
• Background: The programme was first introduced in 1925 for disadvantaged children in Madras Municipal Corporation. 
  • The Union government launched as a centrally sponsored scheme on a pilot basis in 1995 for children in Classes 1 to 5, and by October 2007, MDMS had been scaled up to Class 8.