Daily Current Affairs 05 June 2023 – IAS Current Affairs
Current Affairs 05 June 2023 focuses on Prelims-Mains perspective. Major events are :
Unified Registration Portal for GOBARdhan
Source: PIB
GS II: Government Policies & Interventions
What is discussed under Unified Registration Portal for GOBARdhan?
- Unified Registration Portal for GOBARdhan
Why in News?
As part of the Government of India’s aim to convert waste to wealth and develop a circular economy, the Unified Registration Portal for GOBARdhan is established.
Unified Registration Portal for GOBARdhan
- Galvanising Organic Bio-Agro Resources Dhan (GOBARdhan) is a critical Government of India umbrella effort that is based on a whole-of-government strategy and intends to convert waste to wealth in order to encourage a circular economy.
- It is a one-stop depository for assessing investment and involvement in the Biogas/CBG sector at the national level, as well as streamlining the process of establishing CBG/Biogas plants in India.
- By enrolling in this single registration system, any government, cooperative, or private enterprise operating or planning to establish a Biogas/CBG/Bio CNG plant in India can acquire a registration number.
- The registration number will allow to access a broad range of advantages and assistance from the Government of India’s Ministries and Departments.
- As the nodal department for GOBARdhan, the Ministry of Jal Shakti’s Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation (DDWS) created this site, which may be accessible at https://gobardhan.co.in.
- It includes more than 650 GOBARdhan plants.
Objective
- To create money and energy by converting cattle dung, agricultural residue, and other organic waste into Biogas, CBG, and bio fertilisers.
- This project includes a wide range of plans, programmes, and policies aimed at encouraging the conversion of organic waste such as bovine dung, agri-residue, and so on to biogas/CBG/Bio CNG.
- GOBARdhan is being implemented in collaboration with state governments and the private sector, which includes enterprises, societies, and other organisations.
- GOBARdhan is applicable to any facility or project that produces CBG/Biogas (more than 10 cuM/day) and bio slurry as primary outputs.
- It encompasses schemes/programmes under various Ministries & Departments viz:
- Waste to Energy Scheme of M/o New and Renewable Energy
- SATAT (Sustainable Alternative Towards Affordable Transportation) scheme of M/o Petroleum and Natural Gas
- SBM(G) Phase II of DDWS
- Agri Infrastructure Fund (AIF) of Dept. of Agriculture Cooperation & Farmers Welfare and Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund (AHIDF) of Dept. of Animal Husbandry & Dairy.
Vision
- To make a substantial contribution to India’s climate action targets, notably achieving net-zero emissions by 2070.
- The CBG/Biogas industry has the potential to play a critical role in India’s energy transition by assuring:
- Energy security and affordability
- Fostering entrepreneurship
- Giving rural jobs
- Strengthening local economies
- Transitioning to CBG/Biogas can help create jobs for semi-skilled and skilled labour in a variety of fields, including waste collection, operations, and construction.
- It will benefit rural people in general, and women in particular, through the use of clean fuel, enhanced village sanitation, and improved health outcomes.
- It will also help the country to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), such as:
- SDG 3: Good Health and Wellbeing
- SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
- SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
- SDG 13: Climate Action
- The programme makes a substantial contribution to the circular economy and the Government of India’s Mission LiFE.
Shanan Power Project
Source: The Hindu
GS III: Infrastructure
What is discussed under Unified Registration Portal for GOBARdhan?
- About the project
Why in News
Punjab and Himachal Pradesh are set for a face-off as the 99-year lease on the Shanan hydropower project will expire in March 2024.
- Presently, it is under the control of the Punjab government.
About project
- The 110 MW Shanan power project was envisaged by Col. Battye, the then chief engineer of the Government of Punjab, in 1922.
- The first stage (48 MW) of the project was commissioned in 1932.
- It is situated at Jogindernagar in the Mandi district of Himachal Pradesh.
- Timeline: It was constructed following the execution of the lease agreement in 1925.
- It was allocated to the State of Punjab in accordance with the provisions of the Punjab Reorganisation Act, of 1966.
- Under the Act, the Shanan project was allocated to Punjab State by the Ministry of Irrigation and Power, Government of India.
- In 1972, the Centre responded with a clarification to an objection raised by Himachal Pradesh, reaffirming the allotment of the project in favour of Punjab State
- It was allocated to the State of Punjab in accordance with the provisions of the Punjab Reorganisation Act, of 1966.
- Stand of stakeholders :
- Himachal Pradesh: It wants the project handed over to the State on the expiry of the lease period.
- Punjab: It is in no mood to part with its prized project, and is prepared to take legal recourse to retain it.
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