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India’s renewable energy sector seems to be losing steam: Report

New Delhi (NVI): India may find it difficult to meet its own target of 175 GW renewable energy capacity by 2022, even as its total capacity reached almost 86 GW by December 2019, according to a latest report of the think tank Centre for Science and Environment (CSE).

The State of India’s Environment report says that India’s renewable energy (RE) sector seems to be losing steam.

“India has set itself a target of 175 gigawatt (GW) renewable energy capacity by 2022 which is mainly in the form of 100 GW solar (60 GW utility-scale and 40 GW rooftop) and 60 GW wind,” it said.

“But there has been a slowdown in capacity addition and auctions due to emerging risks and unaddressed structural issues,” the report said.

Between 2014 and 2018, the renewable energy sector grew from 2.6 GW to 28 GW which is a cumulative aggregated growth rate of around 18 per cent, it said.

Annual additions to solar capacity have dipped drastically to 6.5 GW in 2018-19, from 9.4 GW in 2017-18.

In wind energy, against a sizable 5.4 GW added in 2016-17, less than 2 GW was added annually in the following two years.

The capacity auctioned to developers has remained almost constant at 2-3 GW. The share of renewable energy in India’s power generation in 2018–19 was 10 per cent, a far cry from the national goal of 40 per cent share by 2030.

This stagnation is due to a combination of factors affecting every aspect from auctions and power purchase agreements (PPAs) to rising costs and payment delays, the report says.

A 25 per cent safeguard duty on import of cells and modules has been imposed, causing commissioning delays and cost increases, it says.

Governments are also hankering for lowest possible tariffs which leads, among other things, to serial cancellation and postponement of bids, the report says.

States are reneging on some existing PPAs in favour of lower tariffs from new projects. Project risks due to inadequate land and power evacuation infrastructure and poor financial health of discoms are worsening the situation.

The slowdown naturally, raises doubts about India’s capability to meet the 175 GW target.

To catch up its own target the country is now required to install 37.8 GW of solar rooftop, 32.1 GW of solar utility and 23.3 GW of wind power capacity in a short span of just two and half years.

While, CSE researchers said that the government must restore the sanctity of auctions by removing arbitrary barriers like ceilings and by refraining from cancellations or postponement of bids.

“New mechanisms should be explored to manage discom risks. Simultaneously, the government should start working on the country’s longer-term energy decarbonisation vision,” researchers added.

Temperature rises in NCR

New Delhi (NVI): Delhi and rest of National Capital Region (NCR) today saw an increase in minimum temperature to 8.2 degrees celsius from 6.0 degrees celsius recorded yesterday.

The maximum temperature today is expected to be around 24.0 degrees celsius, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

The IMD said some isolated parts of north Madhya Pradesh and Odisha will witness cold wave conditions during next 48 hours.

The weatherman has forecast that in Northwest India there will be a fall in temperature by 2 to 4 degrees celsius during next two days, in East India there will be significant change is expected in minimum temperature over next 24 hours.

“In Central India the minimum temperature is expected to rise by 2 to 3 degrees for next three days,” weatherman said.

“No significant change is expected over rest of the country,” it added.

“The shallow to moderate fog is also expected over Northwest India, Odisha, Gangetic West Bengal, Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram and Tripura during next 2 to 3 days,” it further added.

Hisar in Haryana was today the coldest city in the plains where the minimum temperature was recorded at 5.4 degrees celsius, according to Skymet weather.

In Haryana’s Narnaul, the minimum temperature was recorded at 5.5 degrees celsius.

Fursatganj in Uttar Pradesh and Shahjahanpur in Madhya Pradesh both recorded minimum temperature at 6.2 degrees celsius.

Sikar in Rajasthan and Umaria in Madhya Pradesh recorded 6.5 degrees celsius.

Apart from this, Patiala in Punjab and Rewa in Madhya Pradesh recorded minimum temperature at 6.6 and 6.8 degree celsius respectively.

Datia in Madhya Pradesh and Kanpur in Uttar Pradesh both recorded minimum temperature at 7.2 degrees celsius.

According to the Skymet weather, due to changing wind patterns, the minimum temperature in northern plains is expected to rise by 2-3 degrees celsius during next two to three days.

“This increase in temperature may lead to abatement of cold wave conditions from many parts,” it said.

“The change in the wind pattern can be attributed to the Western Disturbance (WD) which is over Jammu and Kashmir,” it added.

The overall air quality in the national capital today is in “very poor” category.

According to System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research (SAFAR), the Air Quality Index (AQI) in the national capital stood at 323 which falls in the “very poor” category.

AAP again sweeps to power in Delhi

New Delhi (NVI) The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) today swept Delhi Assembly elections for the second successive time to retain power in the national capital.
The party, led by Arvind Kejriwal, bagged 62 seats in the 70-member Assembly, just 5 short of its tally in the last Assembly polls in 2015.
The BJP, which is ruling at the Centre with brute majority in Lok Sabha and went all out to win these elections, managed to get only 8 seats. This is, however, 5 more than what it won last time.
The Congress, which ruled the state for 15 straight years till 2013, once again failed to open its account.

Odisha ahead in disaster preparedness: CM

Bhubaneswar (NVI): With a zero casualty approach, Odisha has shown the way
to the rest of the country in the area of disaster preparedness, response and recovery, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said today.

Speaking while inaugurating the second BIMSTEC Disaster Management Exercise-2020 here, Patnaik said since 1891, more than 100 cyclones have affected the state. Super cyclone of 1999 was a watershed moment in disaster management preparations in Odisha.

“We have learnt our lessons well and set up a robust disaster management mechanism. Moreover, Odisha was the first state that had set up its dedicated disaster response Force,” he said.

“The United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR), other organizations as well as the International media have hailed government efforts for ensuring the level of destruction to a minimum,” he said.

“It is doubly rewarding that the stated theme of the exercise is disaster resilience planning in heritage sites and areas like Puri, Konark and Bhubaneswar which are iconic National & International sites,” he added.

He further said BIMSTEC countries present here have an extraordinary, vast and diverse pool of similar iconic cultural heritage sites, susceptible to various kind of disaster. ‘Gujarat Earthquake of 2001 destroyed 21 federally registered monuments across the Kutch. Similarly, Nepal Earthquake in 2015 did massive destruction across the country. These are the reminders for us,” Patnaik said.

Patnaik further deliberated on the need for restoration of heritage sites that are damaged by natural disasters must for future generation, not only because it is a source of the cultural identity of a local community, but also because it is a driving force of the economy.

“It is important to undertake adequate documentation, proper identification and grading of heritage sites based on the potential risk and other characteristics,” he said.

“We must improve upon early warning dissemination system and capacity building for conservation of cultural heritage sites,” he added.

“This exercise will prove a milestone in safeguarding the cultural heritage sites across the region,” he further added.

Odisha Chief Secretary Asit Kumar Tripathy said Odisha has suffered by maximum numbers of cyclones in the country like 1999 super cyclone, Titli, Bulbul & Fani which caused severe damage in the state. “After 1999 super cyclone, we made all preparation to tackle the disasters,” he said.

“During the super cyclone Fani we evacuated millions of people to the safer locations within 24 hours. Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) with NDRF and other stakeholders have conducted numerous operations in Odisha, Meghalaya and Kerala,” he said.

“The constant practice, Exercise helps to coordinate central & state agencies. When actual crises occur we work in a well-coordinated manner,” he added.

This exercise is being organized by the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) from February
11 to 13 , 2020.

Five BIMSTEC countries — Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka and Nepal — are participating in this exercise. However, Bhutan and Thailand are not participating in the exercise.

The three day long exercise shall consist of inaugural session and Table Top Exercise (TTx) on collapsed structure at Hotel Mayfair, Bhubaneswar on 11th February, 2020,

Tomorrow, Field Training Exercise (FTx) will be held on aquatic disaster response with focus on cultural heritage sites at Ramachandi beach in Puri followed by proceedings of Disaster Management Exercise and Policy Meeting of NDMA and NDMOs among the teams of participating Nations on February 13, 2020.

The objective of this exercise is to test the existing emergency procedures for notification, preparedness and emergency response, during a major earthquake and Flood scenarios.

This exercise shall also provide an opportunity to enhance the co-ordination & co-operation involving multi-agency operations in an earthquake, flooding & storm surge.

The exercise shall also test multi-stakeholders coordination in a disaster scenario involving international, national, state, district and local agencies.

An exercise village has been set up at Ramchandi, Puri where, simulation on aquatic disaster response with special attention to the damage to heritage site will take place as part of the exercise.

This will provide real-time scenarios so that in times of disaster, a proper plan for response & coordination among member nation can be executed in multi-agencies scenarios.

Earlier, in November, 2019 the first phase comprising a Preparatory Meeting and field visit of site selected for FTX during the main exercise, was held in Puri, Odisha.

The exercise will be attended by International observers like United Nations Development Progran (UNDP), International Search And Rescue Advisory Group (INSARAG) & The International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property (ICCROM), National observers like Indian National Trust for Art And Cultural Heritage (INTACH) & Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), representatives from various stakeholders viz. India Metrological Deptt. (IMD), National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), National Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasting (NCMRWF), Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS), Centre Water Commission (CWC), Animal Quarantine and Certification Service (AQCS), Civil Defence, Fire Services, BIMSTEC Secretariat etc.

J&K: 1.5L postgraduates among 2.5L youth register for jobs in 2019

Mubashir Bukhari

Srinagar (NVI) : As many as 2.5 lakh educated unemployed youth including 1.5 lakh postgraduates have registered themselves with different district employment and counseling centers last year in Jammu and Kashmir.

This is precisely because the government’s employment generating schemes  have failed to yield results in Jammu and Kashmir. The number of beneficiaries under these schemes has dropped by 50 percent last year compared to 2018.

Under Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP), the jobs generated in the Union Territory in 2019 was 17488 . It is less than 70 per cent of 60232 jobs generated through this scheme in J&K in 2018.

Similarly, the employment generated under Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana‐National Urban Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NULM) has dropped by 50 per cent in 2019. As per the figures, 84 educated youth have been employed under this scheme last year compared to 115 in the year 2018.

Union Ministry for Rural Development’s Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MNREGA) has also recorded 50 per cent decline in 2019 compared to 2018. As per the figures, 3.69 crore person days of work were generated under this scheme in 2018 which in 2019 dropped to 1.53 crore person days.

Union Ministry for Labour and Employment document reveals that the unemployment rate in Jammu and Kashmir stands at 5.3 per cent . In Jammu and Kashmir, urban unemployment rate stands at 10.0 per cent while as the rural unemployment   is 4.2 per cent.

Waheed Rehman, 32, a resident of Baramulla district after completing his M.Sc in 2013, struggled for five years to get a job.Facing social stigma coupled with depression, the resident of Baramulla borrowed money to invest in the tourism sector. But due to the uncertain situation he lost all the investment leaving him financially broke.

Left in the lurch, he registered himself with the district employment office hoping to find a government job. “I lost all my investment in tourism business. I registered with district employment office two years ago. But so far no opportunity has come my way,” he said.

Rehman  is one among lakhs of unemployed youth who have registered themselves with different employment offices for jobs.

JK govt reclaims land in Amritsar after 56 years

New Delhi (NVI): The J&K government has wrested the control of a prized piece of land in Punjab’s Amritsar city which was under illegal occupation for nearly 56 years.

The Resident Commission of Jammu & Kashmir Government took over the possession of 20 Kanals of  Land, situated at Daim Gunj, Dhapai Road, Amritsar on February 10, 2020.

The land comprising falling under Khasra Nos: 756 ; 761 ; 780 ; 781 ; 782 & 792, had been under Illegal Occupation since 1964.

A decree in the case was instituted in 2006 by Jammu and Kashmir government but the Execution Petition was initiated in 2017 only which was fast-tracked and followed vigorously during the last one and a half years.

A chunk of land comprising 32 Kanals, situated at Daim Gunj, Dhapaie Road Amritsar and belonging to then the Government of Jammu & Kashmir had been leased out to three different parties for a period of five years, prior to 1964.

The lease was not renewed and the occupants and their descendants continued the possession illegally.

During the last two years, the matter has been taken up on a fast track basis with the High Court and the Lower Court for retrieval of the land.

An application under Section 151 CPC had been filed on behalf of Jammu & Kashmir government before the Lower Court for getting the Warrants of Possession.

The application was decided in favor of J&K Government on 13/12/2019.

With the present action, under Court Orders, on 10th of February, 2020, one chunk of 20 Kanals has been retrieved.

Under the instructions of Principal Resident Commissioner, J&K Government, Dheeraj Gupta, the land was taken over under the supervision of Neeraj Kumar- Additional Resident Commissioner along with Dr. Inderjot Singh, Resident Representative, Chandigarh and Liaison Officer of Court Cases, Government of Jammu & Kashmir and Preeti Sharma, Manager of J&K Properties at Amritsar.

The process for retrieving the remaining 15 Kanals is also under adjudication and shall get settled soon.

LG Murmu launches financial inclusion outreach campaign in J&K

Jammu (NVI): Lieutenant Governor, Girish Chandra Murmu launched the Financial Inclusion Outreach Campaign today with special focus on extending banking services to all unbanked areas, Opening of bank accounts for unbanked adults under PMJDY with RuPay Cards, Enrolments under PMSBY & PMJJBY, Outreach for Mudra Yojna, Housing Loans, Other Retails Loans etc., Credit Linkage with SHGs, RSETIs and other Skilling Centres in J&K and Issuance of KCCs to all eligible beneficiaries.

The launching ceremony was attended by Sh. Rajiv Rai Bhatnagar, Advisor to the Lieutenant Governor; Sh. BVR Subrahmanyam, Chief Secretary; Sh. Arun Kumar Mehta, Financial Commissioner, Finance; Dr. Pawan Kotwal, Principal Secretary to Government, Revenue Department; Sh. Sanjeev Verma, Divisional Commissioner Jammu; Sh. R K Chhibber, CMD J&K Bank (Convener UTLBC) and Sh. Thomas Mathews, Regional Director RBI Regional Office Jammu, besides, senior government officers, representatives of various banks & financial institutions and large number of people.

During his address, the Lt Governor observed that promoting financial inclusion means taking actions which result in expanding peoples’ access to the services offered by the formal financial sector. He said that the issue of promoting the inclusion of peoples’ economic activity into the financial system has profound consequences. It not only caters to the broader economic agenda of allowing a wider range of people, especially those in lower income groups, access to financial services, adding to overall economic growth but also is indispensable to the social agenda of reducing income inequality and poverty by providing secure saving & credit facilities and seamless access to social security, subsidies, and insurance schemes provided by the Government.

In fact, empowerment of people should not be restricted to political and social aspects but should also transcend to the economic aspect, the Lt Governor maintained.

“There are five main factors that go behind the conceptualization of Financial Inclusion which are Financial Empowerment of every Citizen, Formalizing the Economy, Enhancing National Productivity, Bringing in Transparency and Optimization of National Resources. There is a dire need to push this greater social cause by all the stake holders and there is a great responsibility on our shoulders”, the Lt Governor added.

He called for optimum utilization of resources so that common people could benefit from the financial activities and schemes being extended by the Government. The Lt Governor also laid emphasis on making the insurance sector more inclusive and vibrant in J&K, which he said, is among the lowest in the country and its expansion could change the socio-economic landscape of the region.

On the occasion, the Lt Governor honoured 4 Self Help Groups, two each financed by J&K Bank and J&K Grameen bank besides handing over the Sanction Letters to ten beneficiaries from Jammu under Mudra, PMAY, MSE, Education and Housing finance.

Speaking on the occasion, Chief Secretary, BVR Subrahmanyam talked about the UT Government’s plans to bolster the J&K economy and meet the developmental goals. “Though much has been done in this direction a long distance is still to be covered.” he said. Shedding light on the genesis of the Financial Inclusion, he shared his recollections about his experience of being involved with the project right since its conceptualization. He highlighted the involvement of the Prime Minister in the unprecedented project who ensured that it becomes a reality in less than a year across the length and breadth of the country, surprising even the experts. “I expect the banks in the UT of J&K to exhibit the same spirit and achieve the national objective”, he added.

Financial Commissioner, Finance, Arun Kumar Mehta said, “It has been the prudent vision of Prime Minister to bring every citizen of the country in the fold of formal banking system, who would get empowered and have a sense of economic security by being associated with the basic banking system that also ensures their insurance at almost zero cost”, adding that the concept of Financial Inclusion revolved around extending benefits leading to financial empowerment and income generation.

Earlier in his welcome address, the CMD J&K Bank (Convener JK UTLBC), R K Chhibber said that total financial inclusion is the prerequisite for making the principle of sustainable inclusive growth operational in the country’s economy.

The function concluded with a Vote of Thanks by Deputy General Manager, State Bank of India, Ajitav Prashar.

Khelo India: Gulmarg all set to host winter games from March 7 

Srinagar (NVI): The world famous ski destination Gulmarg is all set to host a five- day national winter games event from 7th March under Khelo India- a national programme for development of sports.

Secretary Youth Services and Sports, Sarmad Hafeez reviewed arrangements for the mega event with concerned departments and stakeholders.

The meeting was attended by Secretary Sports Council Dr. Naseem Choudhary, General Manager JKTDC Tabassum Kamli, ADC Srinagar Hanief Balki, Deputy Director Tourism Ideel Saleem, Deputy Director Information (PR) Shakeela Shawl, Divisional Sports Officer, Nusrat Gazala, ARTO Srinagar, Manzoor Ahmed and other senior officers.

The meeting was also attended by President Winter Games Association J&K (WGAJK) Muhammad Abbas Wani, General Secretary WGAJK Muhammad Yousuf and Youth Services and Sports Instructor,  (the Olympian) Gul Mustafa Dev.

Sarmad Hafeez asked the officers to make concrete efforts with a professional touch to make the event a success.

The Secretary asked the concerned to constitute committees for putting in places arrangements for the smooth conduct of the event including boarding, lodging and transport facilities for the guests and players, besides publicity of the event.

Sarmad Hafez asked the Department of Information & Public Relations (DIPR) to liase with the visiting national and local media persons for wide publicity of the event besides organising cultural programmes throughout the event which would be an added attraction for the participants.

He directed the Tourism Department authorities to ensure wide publicity of the event in road shows which are currently going on across the country.

The meeting decided that hoardings at airports and other prominent places will be displayed for wide publicity of the event.

It was given out that there will be 30 events under four disciplines including snowboarding, snow skiing, cross country and snow show in which players from across the India would participate. While on the side-lines, snow cycling and other games will be held for the local children.

The Winter Games Sports Association President assured the meeting that the Association is fully geared up to host the event.

Expedite all petroleum projects at various stages: Venkaiah Naidu

venkaiah naidu
File Photo: Vice President of India M. Venkaiah Naidu

New Delhi (NVI): The Greenfield Petrochemical Complex at Kakinada with an investment of around 32,000 crores for producing 1.7 (Million Metric Tonne Per Annum) of petrochemical products is being set up in Andhra Pradesh. Vice President Venkaiah Naidu today reviewed the progress in a meeting held in Rajya Sabha.

Vice President told the Minister for Petroleum & Natural Gas and Steel, Dharmendra Pradhan that all petroleum projects at various stages of implementation should be expedited in Andhra Pradesh.

The project is being undertaken by Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) and GAIL India Ltd with the support of the Andhra Pradesh government.

The Minster and accompanying officials from GAIL informed Naidu that the Centre is keen on implementing this Petro Chemicals project as early as possible.

ONGC officials apprised about ONGC`s offshore & onshore project in KG Basin and Rajamundry. An estimated investment of Rs 68,000 crore in offshore projects and Rs 10,000 crores in onshore projects has been lined up by the ONGC in Andhra Pradesh.

The Petroleum Minister informed the Vice President that Central Government and private sector is making huge investments in the Hydro-carbon sector on east coast in Andhra Pradesh and Kakinada would soon emerge as a hydrocarbon hub in the country.

Dharmnedra Pradhan informed that the project implementation is in full swing. He emphasised that more than 13,000 people are working round the clock at the site and the project will be completed ahead of its schedule.

Measures to control spread of Coronavirus outbreak

Representational image

New Delhi (NVI): Government of India has taken note of the outbreak of Novel Coronavirus in China and has taken measures to monitor the situation in country. As now three confirmed cases of novel Coronavirus disease have been reported from Kerala.

Large number of cases were recorded in Wuhan City of Hubei province in China, Government of India initiated steps to evacuate students and professionals working in Hubei province.

Appropriately, 645 persons were evacuated and have been kept in two Quarantine Centres, [(243 kept at Manesar (DG, AFMS) and 402 Chawla Camp (ITBP)]. The samples collected from all evacuees have tested negative.

Screening of passengers has been initiated at all 21 airports, all major and minor seaports and borders crossing and integrated check posts.

Universal screening has been made mandatory for all flights from China, Hong Kong, Singapore and Thailand. Instructions have been issued to park these flights at earmarked aero-bridges to facilitate screening.

The government has conducted training for the officers of ports, airports and border crossing points and has sensitized them on management of higher risk pathogens such as Ebola and Coronavirus. Additional doctors, nurses and paramedic staff have been deployed at the airports.

World Health Organization (WHO) has issued various guidelines pertaining to nCoV outbreak. All guidelines are available on the website of WHO.

Ministry has issued guidelines to support states on Surveillance and contact tracing, Surveillance at Points of Entry, Laboratory samples collection, packaging and transport, Clinical management protocol and Infection prevention and control in healthcare facilities.

Gram Sabhas have been conducted in villages adjoining the borders to create awareness amongst people about the disease and precautions to be taken in collaboration with Panchayati Raj Ministry.

Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) has been geared up to track and follow up passengers coming from China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Singapore. National Institute of Virology, Pune is the nodal Laboratory for testing high risk pathogens. 14 other laboratories are also testing samples. Sufficient stock of Personal Protective Equipments (PPE) is maintained.

Risk communication material has been prepared and is widely disseminated even in regional languages through states. Daily Press briefing is being held by Ministry of Health and information is being shared through social media. A 24×7 Control Room is operational (011-23978046).

A group of ministers consisting of Minister of External Affairs, Minister of Civil Aviation, Minister of State of Home Affairs, Minister of State of Health and Family welfare, Minister of State of Shipping under the chairmanship of Union Health Minister has been constituted and the first meeting held on 03.02.2020. Cabinet Secretary has taken multiple meetings with all related Ministries such as Health, Defense, MEA, Civil Aviation, Home, Textiles, Pharma, Commerce and other officials including with State Chief Secretaries. Ministry of Health and Family Welfare is constantly reviewing the evolving scenario. Government is monitoring the situation closely.

The Minister of State (Health and Family Welfare), Ashwini Kumar Choubey stated this in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha here today.

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