16 Aug 2021: PIB Summary & Analysis

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources
2. Defence Testing Infrastructure Scheme (DTIS)
3. Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Urban (PMAY-U)
4. Draft Electricity (promoting renewable energy through Green Energy Open Access) Rules, 2021

1. National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources

Context:

Union Agriculture Minister inaugurated the world’s second-largest refurbished gene bank at the National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources.

Details:

• The National Gene Bank was established in the year 1996 to preserve the seeds of Plant Genetic Resources (PGR) for future generations.
• It has the capacity to preserve about one million germplasm in the form of seeds.
• Presently it is protecting 4.52 lakh accessions, of which 2.7 lakh are Indian germplasm and the rest have been imported from other countries.

About the National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources (NBPGR):

• The NBPGR was established in 1976 as the National Bureau of Plant Introduction and it acquired its present name a year later.
• Its origins, however, can be traced back to the late 1940s as the ICAR Scheme for ‘plant introduction’.
• NBPGR is an institute under the Indian Council for Agricultural Research (ICAR).
• It is headquartered in New Delhi with 10 Regional Stations located in different phyto-geographical zones of the country.
• Its mandate is to act as the nodal institute at national level for acquisition, management and genomics based profiling of indigenous and exotic plant genetic resources (PGR) for food and agriculture and to carry out related research and human resources development for sustainable growth of agriculture.
• NBPGR Objectives:
  • To plan, organize, conduct and coordinate exploration and collection of indigenous and exotic plant genetic resources.
  • To undertake introduction, exchange and quarantine of plant genetic resources.
  • To characterize, evaluate, document and conserve crop genetic resources and promote their use, in collaboration with other national organizations.
  • To develop information network on plant genetic resources.
  • To conduct research, undertake teaching and training, develop guidelines and create public awareness on plant genetic resources.

2. Defence Testing Infrastructure Scheme (DTIS)

Context:

The Defence Testing Infrastructure Scheme was launched by the Central Government in May 2020.

About the Defence Testing Infrastructure Scheme:

• The scheme was launched with an outlay of Rs 400 crore for creating state-of-the-art testing infrastructure in partnership with the private industry.
• The chief aim of the scheme is to boost domestic defence and aerospace manufacturing.
• The scheme would run for a duration of five years and envisages setting up of 6-8 Greenfield Defence Testing Infrastructure facilities that are required for defence and aerospace related production.
• The projects under the scheme will be provided with up to 75 per cent Government funding in the form of ‘Grant-in-Aid’. The remaining 25 per cent of the project cost will have to be borne by the Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) constituents which will be Indian private entities and state governments.
  • The SPVs under the scheme will be registered under the Companies Act, 2013 and shall also operate and maintain all assets under the scheme in a self-sustainable manner by collecting user charges.
• Scheme objectives:
  • To promote indigenous defence production, with special focus on participation of MSMEs and Start Ups by bridging gaps in defence testing infrastructure in the country.
• Setting up of defence testing infrastructure will provide easy access and meet the testing needs of the domestic defence industry.

3. Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Urban (PMAY-U)

Context:

55th meeting of Central Sanctioning and Monitoring Committee (CSMC) under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Urban (PMAY-U).

Details:

• In this meeting, proposals for the construction of 16,488 houses have been approved.
• The houses are proposed to be constructed under Beneficiary-Led Construction (BLC) and Affordable Housing in Partnership (AHP) verticals of PMAY-U.

Progress under PMAY-U:

• Construction of PMAY-U houses is in various stages.
• With this, the total number of sanctioned houses under PMAY-U is now 113.06 Lakh; of which 85.65 Lakh have been grounded for construction and more than 51 Lakh have been completed and delivered to the beneficiaries.

Read more on the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana in the link.

4. Draft Electricity (promoting renewable energy through Green Energy Open Access) Rules, 2021

Context:

Draft Electricity (promoting renewable energy through Green Energy Open Access) Rules, 2021 circulated.

Details:

• The Ministry of Power has circulated the “Draft Electricity (promoting renewable energy through Green Energy Open Access) Rules, 2021”.
• These rules are proposed for the purchase and consumption of green energy including the energy from Waste-to-Energy plants.
• The green energy draft rules have provided details such as Renewable Purchase Obligation (RPO); Green energy open access; Nodal Agencies; Procedure for grant of green energy open access; banking; and cross subsidy surcharge.
• The draft rules state green hydrogen is the hydrogen produced using electricity from renewable sources.

Also read: National Hydrogen Energy Mission

Read previous PIB here.

August 16th, 2021, PIB:- Download PDF Here