07 Jun 2022: PIB Summary for UPSC

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. National Tribal Research Institute
2. Green Energy Open Access
3. Geospatial self-certification portal

1. National Tribal Research Institute

Syllabus: GS II, Social Justice, Institutions and bodies constituted for the protection and betterment of vulnerable sections

Prelims: National Tribal Research Institute

Mains: Necessity to have the National Tribal Research Institute and the role played by such an institute. 

Context: The National Tribal Research Institute has been inaugurated and will act as the premier institute for the promotion and preservation of tribal heritage and culture. 

National Tribal Research Institute (NTRI):

• This institute has been established in New Delhi and will function as the nerve centre of tribal research issues and matters in academic, executive and legislative fields. 
• Currently, there are 26 Tribal Research Institutes supported by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs. This National Institute will act as the link to connecting diverse tribal societies. 

Objectives of NTRI: 

• The institute intends to work in the areas of tribal development, offering solutions to the tribes inhabiting areas hit by Left Wing Extremism. 
• The NTRI will monitor projects of Tribal Research Institutes, Centres of Excellence and research scholars, ensuring the improvement of the quality of research and training. 
• It will collaborate with a network of reputed research institutes, universities and organisations. 
• Policy inputs would be provided to the Ministry of Tribal Affairs as well as the State Welfare Departments by NTRI. 
• Other activities include:
  • Structure studies and programmes to improve the socio-economic scenario of the tribal communities
  • Provide guidelines in setting and running Tribal Museums
  • Promoting rich tribal culture under one umbrella

2. Green Energy Open Access

Syllabus: GS III, Environment, Conservation

Prelims: UDAY scheme, salient features of Green Energy Open Access rules

Mains: India’s transition to green energy and the emerging challenges

Context: The Government of India has issued rules on Green Energy Open Access to ensure access to affordable, reliable and sustainable green energy for all. These rules have been notified by the Ministry of Power.

Significance:

• The Green Energy Open Access rules will boost the ambitious renewable energy programmes and will facilitate India to step closer to its climate change targets set during COP 26. 
• The rules are notified for promoting the generation, purchase and consumption of green energy including the energy from Waste-to-Energy plants. 
• Under the Green Energy Open Access rules, every consumer becomes a stakeholder to contribute in achieving India’s commitment of 500 GW of non-fossil fuel by 2030. 

 Salient features of the rules:

• Green Energy Open Access is allowed to any consumer and the limit of Open Access Transaction has been reduced from 1 MW to 100 KW for green energy. This will enable small consumers to purchase renewable power through open access. 
• Charges levied on Open Access green energy consumers include: 
  • Transmission charges
  • Cross-subsidy surcharge
  • Wheeling charges
  • Standby charges 
• There is a scope for incentivising the consumers to go green by addressing the issues that obstructed the open access to green energy in India. 
• The approval to grant open access will take 15 days or else it will be deemed to have been approved subject to fulfilment of technical requirements. The approval will be provided through a national portal to ensure transparency. 
• The tariff for green energy will be determined by the appropriate commission. 
• These rules will streamline the approval process for granting open access to green energy and improve the predictability of cash flows for renewable power producers. 
• Banking of surplus green energy with distribution licensees is mandated.
• There shall be uniform renewable purchase obligations of all obligated entities in the area of distribution licensees. 
• Green certificates will be given to the consumers.
• Cross subsidy surcharge and additional surcharge shall not be applicable if green energy is utilised for the production of green hydrogen and green ammonia. 

Read about UDAY Scheme in the linked article.

3. Geospatial self-certification portal

Syllabus: GS III, Technology, developing new technology

Prelims: Geospatial self-certification portal

Context: The Department of Science and Technology has launched the Geospatial self-certification portal to promote technology-driven development and liberalise the geospatial industry.

About the Geospatial self-certification portal:

• The portal facilitates entities engaged in map-related activities to certify themselves quickly and easily. 
• It is based on the Geo-spatial guidelines of 2021 that were released by the Government of India. 
• The self-certification facility is free for all entities.
• The entities include:
  • Individual or Organisation
  • Government or Private entities
  • Indian or Foreign companies/organisations
  • Companies engaged in production or sales
• The underlying objective of this programme is to promote the digital ecosystem to unlock economic, social and environmental opportunities for sustainable growth and development of the country. 
• It will serve as a critical tool to improve location-based services such as e-commerce, delivery, logistics and urban transport. 
• The portal can help in the fields of agriculture, construction, mines and minerals. 
• The creation of a portal based on Geospatial technology that utilises location-based data exemplifies welcoming steps towards Atmanirbhar Bharat. 

Read previous PIB here.

June 7th, 2022, PIB:- Download PDF Here