VISION

 Why in news?

The government has decided to revise the National Electricity Policy (NEP) by invoking Section 3 of the Electricity Act, 2003.

What is the move about?

• The 2003 Act mandates that the central government shall prepare the NEP in consultation with the state governments and the Central Electricity Authority.
• The government has constituted a committee now.
• It would finalise the draft NEP which has been circulated, after seeking views of stakeholders.
• The first NEP was formulated in 2005.

What progress has happened since 2005?

• Between 2005 and 2021, generation capacity (inclusive of renewable capacity) has gone up by about 251 GW.
• The renewable generating capacity has gone up to 94 GW (from wind, solar, small hydro and biomass) from almost nothing.
• This led to about 10% of generation from renewable sources.
• An additional 2.5 lakh circuit-km of transmission lines (above 220 kV) were added during this time.
• Per capita consumption has almost doubled from 630 units to approximately 1,200 units today.
• Besides, peak and energy shortages have come down from double digit figures to about half a percentage point.
• Rural electrification is almost complete with near 100% electricity access to households (not necessarily 24 hours supply).

Why is revising the NEP essential?

• The government did not bother to revise its NEP for almost 16 years.
• The government keeps pointing to the fact that peak and energy shortages have come down drastically implying that all is well.
• But the reality is quite to the contrary.
• The situation of excess supply is illusory.
• This is because the demand has not grown at the rate it should have because of the economic downturn since the last couple of years, even before the pandemic.
• Distribution companies (discoms) have accumulated outstanding of over Rs. 6 lakh crore.
• And this seems to be going up year after year despite all government programmes to improve distribution infrastructure and restructuring of loans.
• There are other areas to be addressed too such as solar power.
• India could not join the world leaders in the area of solar power despite having the advantage of geography.
• It continues to rely on imports for capital equipment.
• India has been slow in adopting more stringent environment norms for power stations.
• It has done practically nothing on carbon capture and sequestration.
• It has not been able to add to the hydro capacity, which could play a crucial role in balancing the grid with increasing thrust on renewable generation.
• India also has fuel supply issues (coal) and is unable to meet the domestic demand through indigenous mining.

What are the shortfalls to be addressed in the new policy?

 Why in news?

The Department of Telecommunications allowed private telcos and state-run telco MTNL to start trials for 5G technology as well as its applications in various sectors.

Which firms are allowed?

• Private telecos (telecommunication companies) include Bharti Airtel, Reliance Jio Infocomm and Vi (formerly Vodafone Idea).
• State-run telco Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited (MTNL) is also allowed to conduct trials.
• The trials will last for 6 months for now.
• 5G or fifth generation is the latest upgrade in the long-term evolution mobile broadband networks.
• 5G mainly works in 3 bands, namely low, mid and high-frequency spectrum, all of which have their uses and limitations.

Why are the trials for 5G technology important?

• The telecom market in India is left with only three private telcos.
• The rest have surrendered to the low returns on investments over the years.
• Apart from the private telecos, the two state-run companies, MTNL and Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) have also survived but are making losses.
• In order to increase their average revenue per user, it is pertinent for telcos to start offering the new 5G technology as soon as possible.
• For that, however, they will have to conduct trials in a variety of circumstances.

• Apart from the telcos, it is also important that the government be ready to roll out the new technology as soon as possible.
• The telecom sector already faces issues such as –
  1. 1. delays in approvals
     2. inadequate availability of spectrum
     3. high spectrum prices
     4. poor development of use cases
     5.  low status of fiberisation, among others
• So, India could miss the 5G opportunity if not for early measures and programmes.

How will the trials be carried out?

• In the initial phase, these trials will be for 6 months.
• This includes a 2 month period for procurement and setting up of the equipment.
• In these 6 months, telcos will be required to test their set up in urban areas, semi-urban areas as well as rural areas.
• During this period, the telcos will be provided with experimental spectrum in various bands.
• The mid-band of 3.2 GHz to 3.67 GHz, the millimeter wave band of 24.25 GHz to 28.5 GHz, and others.

What are the advantages and limitations with these bands?

• The low band spectrum has shown great promise in terms of coverage and speed of internet and data exchange.
• But the maximum speed is limited to 100 Mbps (Megabits per second).
• This means that telcos can use and install it for commercial cellphone users who may not have specific demands for very high speed internet.
• However, the low band spectrum may not be optimal for specialised needs of the industry.
• The mid-band spectrum, on the other hand, offers higher speeds compared to the low band.
• But it has limitations in terms of coverage area and penetration of signals.
• Telcos and companies, which have taken the lead on 5G, have indicated that this band may be used by industries and specialised factory units.
• This would help build captive networks that can be moulded into the needs of that particular industry.
• The high-band spectrum offers the highest speed of all the three bands, but has extremely limited coverage and signal penetration strength.
• Internet speeds in the high-band spectrum of 5G has been tested to be as high as 20 Gbps (giga bits per second).
• On the other hand, in most cases, the maximum internet data speed in 4G has been recorded at 1 Gbps.

What were the issues resolved?

GS SCORE Fact Files: Environment Organizations & Conventions PDF

1)  World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day: 8 May

•The World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day is observed every year on 8 May. The day aims to celebrate the principles of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, to reduce the suffering of people and enabling them to lead a dignified life with independence, humanity, impartiality, universality, unity and neutrality.

•Theme 2021 World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day: ‘Unstoppable’

2)  World Migratory Bird Day: 08 May

•World Migratory Bird Day 2021 is observed globally on 8 May. The aim of the day is to raise awareness of migratory birds and the importance of international cooperation to conserve them.

•“Sing, Fly, Soar – Like a Bird!” is the theme of this year’s World Migratory Bird Day. The 2021 World Migratory Bird Day theme is an invitation to people everywhere to connect and re-connect with nature by actively listening to – and watching birds – wherever they are. At the same time, the theme appeals to people around the world to use their own voices and creativity to express their shared appreciation of birds and nature.

•This day is organized by a collaborative partnership among two UN treaties the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) and the African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbird Agreement (AEWA) and the Colorado-based non-profit organization, Environment for the Americas (EFTA). This day is a global campaign dedicated to raising awareness of migratory birds and the need for international cooperation to conserve them.

3)  World Thalassemia Day: 08 May

•World Thalassemia Day is celebrated on May 8 every year to commemorate Thalassemia victims and to encourage those who struggle to live with the disease. The theme for 2021 World Thalassemia Day is “Addressing Health Inequalities Across the Global Thalassaemia Community”.

4)  N Rangasamy Sworn in as Chief Minister of Puducherry

•The All India NR Congress (AINRC) founder leader N Rangasamy has been sworn in as the Chief Minister of the Union Territory of Puducherry, for a record fourth time, on May 07, 2021. N Rangasamy was administered the oath of office and secrecy by Lieutenant governor (additional charge) Tamilisai Soundararajan.

•Prior to this, the 71-year-old served as Chief Minister of Puducherry from 2001 to 2008 as a member of the Indian National Congress and then from 2011 to 2016 as a member of AINRC. It will be the first time that Rangasamy will be heading a coalition cabinet, National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in the UT, which has members from BJP and AINRC.

5)  Himachal Pradesh is Building ‘Forest Ponds’ to Harvest Rainwater

•Under the Parvat Dhara scheme, the Himachal Pradesh government has initiated rejuvenation of water sources and recharging aquifers through the forest department with an outlay of Rs 20 crore. The work was started in 10 forest divisions that include Bilaspur, Hamirpur, Jogindernagar, Nachan, Parvati, Nurpur, Rajgarh, Nalagarh, Theog and Dalhousie.

•Under the scheme, the cleaning and maintenance of existing ponds have been done. Also, the construction of new ponds, contour trenches, dams, check dams and retaining wall to control the soil erosion has been done. The scheme aims to enhance the water level by retaining water for the maximum period. Efforts are also being made to improve the green cover by planting fruit-bearing plants.

6)  Prahlad Singh Patel Virtually Participates In G20 Tourism Ministers’ Meeting

•Union Minister of State for Tourism & Culture (I/c), Prahlad Singh Patel participated in G20 Tourism Ministers’ Meeting held in Italy on 4th May 2021. This dialogue aimed to collaborate in protecting tourism businesses, jobs and taking initiatives to frame policy guidelines to support the sustainable and resilient recovery of travel and tourism.

•He also conveyed India’s support for the Principles for the transition to a green travel and tourism economy submitted by UNWTO as a further contribution to the policy area “Green Transformation” to embrace sustainability in tourism.

7)  RBI sets up an advisory group to assist RRA 2.0

•The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has constituted an advisory group to assist the second Regulatory Review Authority (RRA 2.0), which was set by the central bank on May 01, 2021 to streamline regulations and reduce the compliance burden of regulated entities. The Advisory Group will be headed by SBI Managing Director S Janakiraman.

Other members of the 6-member advisory group are:

•T T Srinivasaraghavan (Former Managing Director and Non-Executive Director, Sundaram Finance),

•Gautam Thakur (Chairman, Saraswat Co-operative Bank),

•Subir Saha (Group Chief Compliance Officer, ICICI Bank),

•Ravi Duvvuru (President and CCO, Jana Small Finance Bank),

•Abadaan Viccaji (Chief Compliance Officer, HSBC India)

8)  Time of Remembrance and Reconciliation for Those Who Lost Their Lives during the 2nd World War

•Every year during May 8-9, the United Nations marks the Time of Remembrance and reconciliation for those who lost their lives during the Second World War. The day pays tribute to all the victims of the Second World War. This year is the 76th Anniversary of World War II.

📰 We mean business, SC says on Delhi’s oxygen quota

 GS SCORE Environment Tiger Reserve  PDF

 Why in news?

Recently, U.S. government has said that it will support for the waiving Intellectual Property (IP) protection for Covid-19 vaccines.

What are Patents?

• A patent represents a powerful IP right and is an exclusive monopoly granted by a government to an inventor for a limited, pre-specified time.
• It provides an enforceable legal right to prevent others from copying the invention.
• Patents can be either process patents or product patents.
• A product patent ensures that the rights to the final product is protected and anyone other than the patent holder is restrained from manufacturing it during a specified period.
• This is applicable even in the cases if they were to use a different process.
• A process patent enables any person other than the patent holder to manufacture the patented product by modifying certain processes in the manufacturing exercise.

What does India follow?

1)  BRO celebrates 61st raising day on 7th May

•The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) was formed on 7 May 1960, with the primary goal of securing India’s borders and developing infrastructure in remote areas of India’s north and northeastern states. On 7 May 2021 BRO celebrated its 61st Raising Day (foundation day).

2)  India, France, Australia hold first trilateral dialogue

•The first-ever India-France-Australia Trilateral Foreign Ministerial Dialogue was held in London, UK, on the sidelines of the G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting. The meeting was attended by External Affairs Minister, Dr S. Jaishankar from India, France’s Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Mr Jean-Yves Le Drian and Australia’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator Marise Payne.

•The France, India, Australia trilateral meet was launched in September 2020 at Foreign Secretaries’ levels but has been elevated to ministerial level within one year of its inception. It has three joint priorities which are maritime security, environment, and multilateralism.

3)  DMK chief Stalin appointed as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu

•Tamil Nadu governor Banwarilal Purohit has appointed Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) chief MK Stalin as the chief minister of Tamil Nadu. The 68-year-old is the son of the former five-term Tamil Nadu chief minister, the late M Karunanidhi. The DMK-led alliance won 159 seats, well ahead of the majority mark of 118 seats. The party alone won 133 seats in the election.

•In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, Stalin led the United Progressive Alliance (UPA), of which the DMK is a constituent, to victory in 38 out of 39 parliamentary seats in Tamil Nadu.

4)  Oil and Gas PSUs inks MoU for Shri Badrinath Dham

•The top Oil and Gas PSUs of India, including IndianOil, BPCL, HPCL, ONGC and GAIL, have inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MOUs) with the Shri Badrinath Utthan Charitable Trust, for Construction and Redevelopment of Shri Badrinath Dham in Uttarakhand as a Spiritual Smart hill Town.

5)  Rolls-Royce and HAL Sign MoU for Supporting MT30 Marine Engine Business

•Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and Rolls-Royce have signed an MoU to establish packaging, installation, marketing, and services support for Rolls-Royce MT30 marine engines in India. Through this MoU, Rolls-Royce and HAL will expand their long-standing partnership in India and work together in the area of marine applications for the first time. This partnership will leverage the rich experience of HAL’s IMGT (Industrial and Marine Gas Turbine) Division that works on marine gas turbines with Indian shipyards.

6)  Meghan Markle set to release Children’s Book ‘The Bench’

•Meghan Markle will be releasing her new book, titled The Bench, on June 8, which was inspired by a poem she wrote to her husband, Prince Harry, on his first Father’s Day as a dad to son Archie. The book, with watercolour illustrations by Christian Robinson, began as a poem that Markle says she wrote for Harry on the first Father’s Day after Archie was born.

7)  Gita Mittal to be awarded Arline Pacht Global Vision Award

•Former Chief Justice of Jammu & Kashmir High Court, Justice Gita Mittal, has been declared as one of the two recipients of the Arline Pacht Global Vision Award for 2021. The Award will be presented at IAWJ’s Biennial Conference during the virtual opening ceremony on May 7, 2021. She shares the honour with Margarita Luna Ramos from Mexico.

•International Association of Women Judges (IAWJ) instituted this award in 2016. Justice Mittal would be the first Indian judge to receive the award. Award is presented to a sitting/retired woman judge to recognize her contribution to IAWJ.

8)  Fitch Solution Projects India’s GDP Growth Rate for FY22 to 9.5%

•Fitch Solution has estimated the GDP of the Indian economy to grow 9.5 per cent in 2021-22 (April 2021 to March 2022). The cut in the real GDP is due to the economic damage caused as a result of state-level lockdowns imposed because of the sudden and steep surge in the number of coronavirus cases.