Government of India and the World Bank sign $310 million Loan Agreement for Jharkhand Power System Improvement Project

         Highlights:

• The Jharkhand Power System Improvement Project will help build new power transmission infrastructure, as well as put in place systems to improve the technical efficiency and commercial performance of the state power sector utilities.
• The Project will help bring in modern technology solutions such as automated sub-stations, and network analysis and planning tools to provide reliable power supply and enhance customer satisfaction.
• To improve power infrastructure, Project will also focus on developing institutional capacities of State-owned power transmission and distribution companies and improving their operational performance.
• Some of the major components of the project include construction of new substations and transmission lines, primarily at 132kV voltage level;
• It provide support to the Jharkhand Urja Sancharan Nigam Limited (JUSNL) in setting-up systems for strengthening the State.
• Load Dispatch Centre (SLDC) operations including financing software solutions for improving scheduling and dispatch functions.
• This will help integrate renewable energy in the State grid. The Project will also support smart meters, with two-way communication and backend IT infrastructure, deployed in select urban towns.
• These meters will not only reduce technical and commercial losses, but also improve peak load management. The meters are expected to provide consumers with better access to data which will encourage them to reduce their electricity consumption.

         Background:

• The Project is part of the Government of  India’s Power for All program launched in 2014.
• 24x7 - Power for All (24x7 PFA) is a Joint Initiative of Government of India (GoI) and State Governments with the objective to provide 24x7 power available to all households, industry, commercial businesses, public needs, any other electricity consuming entity and adequate power to agriculture farm holdings by FY 19.
• The plan envisages addition of over 4.5 GW generation capacities by 2022 (including a significant share of 1.5 GW from solar energy), through a mix of Private and Public-sector investments.

CIC accepts Committee report on evaluation of suo-motu disclosures by Public Authorities

Out of 2092 Public Authorities registered with the Commission, feedback was received from 838 Public Authorities.  This evaluation has been done entirely based on feedback provided by these Public Authorities.

         About CIC

• The Central Information Commission was established by the Central Government in 2005. It was constituted through an Official Gazette Notification under the provisions of the Right to Information Act (2005).
• The Central Information Commission is a high-powered independent body which inter alia looks into the complaints made to it and decide the appeals. It entertains complaints and appeals pertaining to offices, financial institutions, public sector undertakings, etc., under the Central Government and the Union Territories.
• The Commission consists of a Chief Information Commissioner and not more than ten Information Commissioners. They are appointed by the President on the recommendation of a committee consisting of the Prime Minister as Chairperson, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha and a Union Cabine Minister nominated by the Prime Minister.
• The Chief Information Commissioner and an Information Commissioner hold office for a term of 5 years or until they attain the age of 65 years, whichever is earlier. They are not eligible for reappointment.

The powers and functions of the Central Information Commission are:

1. It is the duty of the Commission to receive and inquire into a complaint from any person:

(a) who has not been able to submit an information request because of non-appointment of a Public Information Officer;

(b) who has been refused information that was requested;

(c) who has not received response to his information request within the specified time limits;

(d) who thinks the fees charged are unreasonable;

(e) who thinks information given is incomplete, misleading or false; and

(f) any other matter relating to obtaining information.

2. The Commission can order inquiry into any matter if there are reasonable grounds (suo-moto power).

3. While inquiring, the Commission has the powers of a civil court in respect of the following matters:

(a) summoning and enforcing attendance of persons and compelling them to give oral or written evidence on oath and to produce documents or things;

(b) requiring the discovery and inspection of documents;

(c) receiving evidence on affidavit;

(d) requisitioning any public record from any court or office;

(e) issuing summons for examination of witnesses or documents; and

(f) any other matter which may be prescribed.

4. During the inquiry of a complaint, the Commission may examine any record which is under the control of the public authority and no such record may be withheld from it on any grounds. In other words, all public records must be given to the Commission during inquiry for examination.

7th International Tourism Mart

        Objectives:

• To highlight the tourism potential of the region in the domestic and international markets.
• It brings together the tourism business fraternity and entrepreneurs from the eight North Eastern States.
• The event has been planned and scheduled to facilitate interaction between buyers, sellers, media, Government agencies  and other stakeholders.

        Importance of Promoting tourism in North East

• The North East Region of India comprising the states of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura and Sikkim, is endowed with diverse tourist attractions and products.
• The varied topography of the region, its flora and fauna, the ethnic communities with their rich heritage of ancient traditions and lifestyles, its festivals, arts and crafts, make it a holiday destination waiting to be explored.
• It provides large scale employment opportunities for local people.
• It improve income level of local ones and acts as crucial for countering insurgency.

BASIC ministrial meeting held in New Delhi

        Highlights:

        Minister for Environment, forest and Climate Change highlighted the importance of BASIC meeting and those are

• The Paris Agreement is historic and we all know its role in uniting countries, both developed and developing, in their resolve to do their utmost in the fight against climate change.
• This Agreement is particularly significant as it represents the faith that countries, especially the developing countries, have placed in the multilateral processes knowing well that their actions towards addressing climate change will have a strong developmental impact.
• Although BASIC group of countries are the leading emerging economies, still they have significant percentage of the world’s poorest people. For developing countries, enabling the growth of the poor out of poverty trap, is an important part of our response  to tackling climate change and we know that the opportunities for the two efforts to complement each other are significant.
• To that effect, the efforts outlined in our NDCs - increasing clean energy production and access, deploying new energy efficient technologies, and adapting to low carbon-intensive lifestyles – are targeted at creating opportunities for sustainable livelihoods, and sustainable development for the poor.
• To further these objectives, countries need to ensure that the Paris Agreement Work Programme (PAWP) is prepared in accordance with the agreed principles of Equity and Common But Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capabilities (CBDR-RC) as enshrined in the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and its Paris Agreement.

         About BASIC countries:

• The BASIC countries (also Basic countries or BASIC) are a bloc of four large newly industrialized countries – Brazil, South Africa, India and China – formed by an agreement on 2009. The four committed to act jointly at the Copenhagen climate summit, including a possible united walk-out if their common minimum position was not met by the developed nations.
• This emerging geopolitical alliance, initiated and led by China, then brokered the final Copenhagen Accord with the United States. Subsequently, the grouping is working to define a common position on emission reductions and climate aid money, and to try to convince other countries to sign up to the Copenhagen Accord.

Role of Media in Disaster Management

         Highlights:

• The conference was organised keeping in view the significance of role of media at all stages of disaster management especially in preparedness, mitigation, response and relief.
• The workshop aimed to sensitise media about their role and responsibilities during disaster reporting and about disaster mechanism in the country.
• Three aspects to tackle any disaster – pre, during and post disaster. India should take 'pre’ disaster phase and preventive steps should be taken to mitigate the effects of disasters. India is prone to natural disasters which calls for greater responsibilities and role to be played by all Indians.
• MHA has always responded to the needs arising out of disasters. National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) is one of the largest forces dedicated towards the cause of disaster management.

         About National Disaster Management Authority:

• National Disaster Management Authority, abbreviated as NDMA is an agency of the Ministry of Home Affairs whose primary purpose is to coordinate response to natural or man-made disasters and for capacity-building in disaster resiliency and crisis response.
• NDMA was established through the Disaster Management Act enacted by the Government of India in 30 May 2005.
• The Prime Minister is the ex-officio chairperson of the same . The agency is responsible for framing policies, laying down guidelines and best-practices and coordinating with the State Disaster Management Authorities (SDMAs) to ensure a holistic and distributed approach to disaster management.

        NDMA is operationally organized into the following divisions:

• Policy & Planning
• Mitigation
• Operations & Communications
• Administration
• Capacity Building.

        Functions and responsibilities:

         NDMA, as the apex body, is mandated to lay down the policies, plans and guidelines for Disaster Management to ensure timely and effective response to disasters.                  Towards this, it has the following responsibilities.

• Lay down policies on disaster management;
• Approve the National Plan;
• Approve plans prepared by the Ministries or Departments of the Government of India in accordance with the National Plan;
• Lay down guidelines to be followed by the State Authorities in drawing up the State Plan;
• Lay down guidelines to be followed by the different Ministries or Departments of the Government of India for the Purpose of integrating the measures for prevention of disaster or the mitigation of its effects in their development plans and projects;
• Coordinate the enforcement and implementation of the policy and plans for disaster management;
• Recommend provision of funds for the purpose of mitigation;
• Provide such support to other countries affected by major disasters as may be determined by the Central Government;
• Take such other measures for the prevention of disaster, or the mitigation, or preparedness and capacity building for dealing with threatening disaster situations or disasters as it may consider necessary;
• Lay down broad policies and guidelines for the functioning of the National Institute of Disaster Management.