Current Affairs 13 May 2021 – IAS Current Affairs
Current Affairs 13 May 2021 focuses on Prelims-Mains perspective. Major events are :
- India Mongolia Cultural Exchange
- National Programme on Advanced Chemistry Cell Battery Storage
India Mongolia Cultural Exchange
Source : PIB
GS II : Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests
Why in News ?
Culture Minister discusses various issues under Cultural Exchange Programme with his Mongolian.
Key Facts
- Both the sides discuss various issues under Cultural Exchange Program between the two countries, and other areas of common interest.
- India and Mongolia stands renewed until 2023 and that cooperation under specific areas would be discussed in detailed meetings between India and Mongolia.
- India’s historical connect and convergence in Buddhism with Mongolia forms the basis of deep, spiritual friendship.
- To further consolidate our shared legacy, 10 dedicated ICCR scholarships for studying Tibetan Buddhism have been allocated for Mongolians to study in specialized institutes of CIBS, Leh and CUTS, Varanasi, starting from 2020-2021.
- India’s commitment for digitization of Buddhist manuscripts in Gandan monastery.
- Also India would consider Mongolia’s request for assistance in setting up a museum-cum-library there.
- Ministry of Culture is likely to complete reprinting of about 100 sets of sacred Mongolian Kanjur (108 volumes each) by next year for distribution in the main centers of Buddhism in Mongolia.
- Various steps taken by Govt of India to facilitate visa and travel of Buddhist monks from Mongolia within India.
India and Mongolia
- India established diplomatic relations in December 1955.
- Mongolia supports India’s candidature as a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council.
- India supported the inclusion of Mongolia as a full member of the Non-Aligned Movement.
- India & Mongolia decided to establish an air-corridor to boost bilateral trade during the China Blockade.
- A treaty of friendly relations and cooperation was signed in February 1994
- History and Culture
- First Mongo invasin was started in 1221.
- Later in 1398 Turco-Mongol conqueror Timur attacked the reigning Sultan Nasir-u Din Mehmud of the Tughlaq Dynasty in the north Indian city of Delhi
- In 1526, Babur who is a Timurid descendant of Timur and Genghis Khan established the Mughal Empire.
- Buddhism was carried to Mongolia by Indian missionaries during the early 100 AD single largest religious denomination in Mongolia.
National Programme on Advanced Chemistry Cell Battery Storage
Source : PIB
GS III : Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization of resources, growth, development and employment
Why in News ?
Cabinet approvesProduction Linked Incentive scheme National Programme on Advanced Chemistry Cell Battery Storage.
Key Facts
- It aims to achieving manufacturing capacity of Fifty (50) Giga Watt Hour (GWh) of ACC and 5 GWh of Niche ACC with an outlay of Rs.18,100 crore.
- It is expected that the dominant battery technologies will control some of the world’s largest growth sectors.
- ACC battery Storage manufacturers will be selected through a transparent competitive bidding process.
- All the demand of the ACCs is currently being met through imports in India.
- ACCs are the new generation of advanced storage technologies that can store electric energy either as electrochemical or as chemical energy and convert it back to electric energy as and when required.
- The consumer electronics, electric vehicles, advanced electricity grids, solar rooftop etc. which are major battery consuming sectors are expected to achieve robust growth in the coming years.
The goal is to create global manufacturing champions in the country and attract firms exploring a China-plus-one strategy for production.
National Programme on Advanced Chemistry Cell
- It will reduce import dependence.
- It will also support the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative.
- The manufacturing facility would have to be commissioned within a period of two years.
- The incentive will be disbursed thereafter over a period of five years.
- The incentive amount will increase with increased specific energy density & cycles and increased local value addition.
- ACC manufacturing facility
- Each selected ACC battery Storage manufacturer would have to commit to set-up an ACC manufacturing facility of minimum five (5) GWh capacity
- Ensure a minimum 60% domestic value addition at the Project level within five years.
- The beneficiary firms have to achieve a domestic value addition of atleast 25%
- It should incur the mandatory investment Rs.225 crore /GWh within 2 Years
- Also raise it to 60% domestic value addition within 5 Years either at Mother Unit, in-case of an Integrated Unit, or at the Project Level, in-case of Hub & Spoke structure.
- Expected Outcomes
- Direct investment of around Rs.45,000 crore in ACC Battery storage manufacturing projects.
- Facilitate demand creation for battery storage in India.
- Facilitate Make-ln-lndia: Greater emphasis upon domestic value-capture and therefore reduction in import dependence.
- Net savings of Indian Rs. 2,00,000 crore to Rs.2,50,000 crore on account of oil import bill reduction during the period of this Programme as Electric Vehicle adoption.
- Will facilitate demand for EV.
- Import substitution of around Rs.20,000 crore every year.
- Promote newer and niche cell technologies.
Production Linked Incentive scheme
- Scheme that aims to give companies incentives on incremental sales from products manufactured in domestic units.
- The scheme invites foreign companies to set up units in India
- Also aims to encourage local companies to set up or expand existing manufacturing units.
- This will helps to generate more employment and cut down the country’s dependent on imports from other countries.
- Companies that are registered in India and are involved in the manufacturing of goods covered under the target segments.
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