13 Dec 2021: PIB Summary & Analysis

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. PM Khanij Kshetra Kalyan Yojana (PMKKKY)
2. LokpalOnline
3. Decarbonising hydrogen production
4. National Helpline Against Atrocities on SCs/STs
5. AIM-ICDK Water Innovation Challenges
6. Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA)
7. Shri Kashi Vishwanath Dham
8. Animal Husbandry Startup Grand Challenge

1. PM Khanij Kshetra Kalyan Yojana (PMKKKY)

Context:

Union Minister for Coal gave information about the PM Khanij Kshetra Kalyan Yojana (PMKKKY) in the Rajya Sabha.

Know more about the PM Khanij Kshetra Kalyan Yojana (PMKKKY) in the linked article.

2. LokpalOnline

Context:

Chairperson, Lokpal of India, inaugurates Digital Platform for Management of complaints – ‘LokpalOnline’.

LokpalOnline:

• It is a digital platform for the management of complaints that can be accessed by all citizens of the country and complaints can be filed from anywhere, anytime.
• LokpalOnline is an end-to-end digital solution for the management of complaints against public servants filed under the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013.
• LokpalOnline is a web-based facility, which will quicken the disposal of complaints in an accountable, transparent and efficient manner with benefits to all stakeholders.
• It facilitates handling of complaints during the complete lifecycle of the complaint, right from its filing to the final disposal and this will bring more transparency and efficiency in the complaint handling mechanism.
• The complainant will get information about the status of the complaint at every stage through emails and SMSs.
• The complainant’s identity is also kept confidential.

3. Decarbonising hydrogen production

Context:

Bharat Petroleum collaborates with Bhabha Atomic Research Centre for Green Hydrogen production.

Details:

• Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL), a ‘Maharatna’ and a Fortune Global 500 Company has collaborated with Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) to scale-up Alkaline Electrolyser technology for Green Hydrogen production.
• Currently, Electrolyser Plants are imported. This is a first of its kind initiative to support the country’s commitment to achieve renewable energy targets and reduce greenhouse gas
• Refineries use large quantities of Hydrogen for de-sulfurization to make petrol, diesel and other chemicals.
• Currently, Hydrogen is made at the Refinery via Steam Reforming of Natural gas, but this results in high CO2 emissions.
• Therefore, Refiners are setting up large scale electrolysers to produce Green Hydrogen from water and thereby decarbonize Hydrogen production.

4. National Helpline Against Atrocities on SCs/STs

Context:

National Helpline Against Atrocities on SCs/STs launched.

About the National Helpline Against Atrocities (NHAA):

• The helpline is available round the clock on a toll-free number “14566” across the country in Hindi, English and the regional language of the States/UTs.
• The Helpline number will ensure proper implementation of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) [PoA] Act, 1989 and can be accessed by making a voice call /VOIP either from a mobile or landline number of any Telecom Operator across the country.
• The NHAA is also available as a web-based self-service portal.

Also read: National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC)

5. AIM-ICDK Water Innovation Challenges

Context:

The second edition of the AIM-ICDK Water Innovation Challenges launched.

Details:

• The challenge is being rolled out under the year-old ambitious partnership of AIM, NITI Aayog and Innovation Center Denmark (ICDK) under the aegis of Denmark Embassy in India, and the Denmark Technical University (DTU).
• Objective of the initiative:
  • It aims to identify innovative & next-gen solutions to solve proposed challenges in collaboration with corporate and public partners.
  • The initiative will engage young talents from leading universities and innovation hubs across the nation to build their skills and apply their technical disciplines and innovation capacity.
• The winners of the challenges will also represent India at the International Water Congress 2022.

6. Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA)

Context:

CORSIA offsetting requirements will be applicable from 2027 for Indian Operators.

Background:

• During the 39th General Assembly, ICAO decided to implement a Global Market Based Measure (GMBM) scheme in the form of Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) to address CO2 emissions from international civil aviation.

What is CORSIA?

• The Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) is a global market-based measure designed to offset international aviation CO2 emissions in order to stabilize the levels of such emissions.
• The offsetting of CO2 emissions will be achieved through the acquisition and cancellation of emissions units from the global carbon market by airplane operators.
• CORSIA does not apply to domestic aviation. Under it, aircraft operators will begin monitoring their emissions from international flights and begin acquiring offsets for their emissions growth.

CORSIA and India:

• For Indian Operators, the CORSIA offsetting requirements will be applicable from 2027.
• India has filed reservations at the 40th ICAO Assembly in 2019 regarding the current structure of CORSIA.
• The matter has been taken up at the Council level through the Representative of India at ICAO Council.
• The matter has also been taken up with like-minded countries in consultation with the Ministry of External Affairs.
• The measures taken towards implementation of CORSIA in India are as follows:
  • DGCA has issued Civil Aviation Requirements on CORSIA.
  • It has also issued guidance material for airline operators to better understand CORSIA.
  • It has also conducted workshops and seminars/trainings to generate awareness on CORSIA in the industry.
  • DGCA has worked in close coordination with National Accreditation Board for Certification Bodies (NABCB) to empanel two verification bodies to carry out verification activities on CORSIA for the airlines.

7. Shri Kashi Vishwanath Dham

Context:

PM inaugurated Shri Kashi Vishwanath Dham in Varanasi.

About the Project:

• The PM inaugurated Phase I of the Dham constructed at a cost of around ₹339 crores.
• Earlier the temple area was only three thousand square feet but now it has become around 5 lakh square feet which will facilitate 50 to 75 thousand devotees.
• The idea behind the project was to facilitate the pilgrims and devotees, who had to encounter congested streets and surroundings with poor upkeep when they visited the Kashi Vishwanath temple and took a dip in the Holy Ganges.
• Shri Kashi Vishwanath Dham was conceptualised as a project to create an easily accessible pathway to connect Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple to the banks of the River Ganga.
• The foundation stone was laid in 2019 and now in phase I, 23 buildings have been completed and inaugurated.
• The buildings will provide a variety of facilities to the pilgrims visiting Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple, including Yatri Suvidha Kendras, Tourist Facilitation Centre, Vedic Kendra, Mumukshu Bhavan, Bhogshala, City Museum, Viewing Gallery, Food Court, among others.
• The project involved the purchase and acquisition of more than 300 properties around Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple. The rehabilitation of around 1400 shopkeepers, tenants and homeowners was done amicably. There is no litigation pending in any court regarding this.
• During the demolition of the buildings, more than 40 ‘lost’ temples like the Gangeshwar Mahadev temple, the Manokameshwar Mahadev temple, the Jauvinayak temple, and the Shri Kumbha Mahadev temple were discovered.
• The improvement of the infrastructure in Varanasi is expected to give a boost to tourism in the holy city as well as in the region, including the Buddhist pilgrimage site of Sarnath.

About the Kashi Vishwanath Temple:

• The Kashi Vishwanath Temple is one of the most famous Hindu temples situated in Varanasi, UP.
• It is on the western banks of the Ganga and is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas.
• It is dedicated to Lord Shiva.
• The current structure was constructed by Ahilya Bai Holkar of Indore in the year 1780 although the history of the temple dates back centuries.

8. Animal Husbandry Startup Grand Challenge

Context:

The second edition of the Animal Husbandry Startup Grand Challenge launched.

About the Animal Husbandry Startup Grand Challenge:

• Launched jointly by:
  • Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying
  • Startup India
• The first edition was launched in 2019.
• The aim is to scout for innovative and commercially viable solutions to address six problems faced by the animal husbandry and dairy sector.
• The winner will be awarded Rs 10 Lakh and one runner-up Rs 7 Lakh cash for each of the 6 problem areas. Up to 12 winners would also get incubation support for their ideas.
• The six problem areas are:
  • Cost-effective, Long-term, and User-friendly Alternatives for Storage and Supply of Semen Doses
  • Development of Cost-effective Animal Identification (RFID) and Traceability Technology
  • Development of Heat Detection Kits
  • Development of Pregnancy Diagnosis Kits for Dairy Animals
  • Improvement of existing milk supply-chain from village collection centre to the dairy plant
  • Development of Low-cost Cooling and Milk Preservation System and a Data Logger

Read previous PIB here.

December 13th, 2021, PIB:- Download PDF Here