09 Mar 2022: PIB Summary for UPSC

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Energy efficient hydrogen production
2. Vishwakarma Rashtriya Puraskar
3. National Land Monetization Corporation (NLMC)

1. Energy efficient hydrogen production

Syllabus: GS III, Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation

Mains: Significance of urea electrolysis in waste treatment and in the production of low cost hydrogen.

Context: An electrocatalyst system has been developed by the scientists from the Centre for Nano and Soft Matter Sciences (an autonomous institute of the Department of Science and Technology) for energy-efficient hydrogen production.

About the Study:

• The study involves urea electrolysis for the urea-based treatment of waste with low-cost hydrogen production.
• So far water electrolysis has been used as a low carbon technique for the sustainable production of hydrogen. However this method requires high energy expenditure. 
• Urea electrolysis, on the other hand, is a more efficient alternative reducing the energy requirement to 70%. 
• The electrolysis of Urea involves oxidation of urea in the electrolytic set up.
• In this process, Nickel based catalysts are used. Catalysts are chemical or biochemical agents that accelerate the chemical and biochemical reactions without undergoing any change in their properties and by reducing the energy of activation of a reaction. 
• The scientists focused on the development of a nickel oxide based system for the production of hydrogen from electro-oxidation of Urea. 

Challenge with urea oxidation:

• Retaining the prolonged activity of the catalyst is a major challenge in the urea oxidation method. 
• This occurs due to the formation of a reactive intermediate that binds to the active site of the catalyst, thereby causing its activity loss. 

Inference:

• The scientists found that electron-beam treatment is an effective way to create a large number of coordinatively unsaturated active sites on electrocatalysts. This results in the adsorption of urea facilitating the urea electro-oxidation mechanism.

Image Source: pubs.rsc.org

Significance:

• The urea electrolysis method sets an example for India’s consistent efforts towards the adoption of low carbon technologies and energy-efficient methods. 
• India is one of the top countries in the production of urea and the nitrogenous fertiliser industries generate high quantities of urea and ammonia as effluents.
• These effluents can be used for the production of hydrogen and waste treatment meeting the country’s energy demands in a sustainable way. 

Also read about the National Hydrogen Energy Mission in the linked article.

2. Vishwakarma Rashtriya Puraskar

Syllabus: Miscellaneous

Prelims: About SAIL

Context: The Vishwakarma Rashtriya Puraskar ceremony was conducted to recognise the outstanding performance of the workers across the industries. The employees of the Steel Authority of India formed 54% of the total winners. 

About the Vishwakarma Rashtriya Puraskar:

• This award is instituted by the Government of India with an objective to reward workers from industrial undertakings at the national level.
• This ceremony took place at Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi.  
• It was earlier known as the Shram Vir National Awards.  
• This award acknowledges the suggestions put forth by the workers that are implemented by the management of the factory. 
• Awards are conferred in the form of cash prizes and certificates. 

Read about SAIL in the linked article.

Image Source: mapsofindia.com

3. National Land Monetization Corporation (NLMC)

Syllabus: GS III, Indian Economy, mobilisation of resources

Prelims: About SPV, NLMC

Mains: Critical analysis of strategic disinvestment and asset monetization as a way to generate resources for economic and social infrastructure.

Context: The Union Cabinet approved the establishment of the National Land Monetization Corporation as a Special Purpose Vehicle. 

About the NLMC: 

• National Land Monetization Corporation (NLMC) will undertake the monetization of surplus land and building assets of Central Public Sector Enterprises and other government agencies. 
• This was announced in the Union Budget 2021-22.
• This will allow the monetization of non-core assets with the help of which the government will be able to generate more revenues by monetizing unused and under-used assets. 
• The initiative will open up avenues for new economic activities, encourage the local economy and generate financial resources for economic and social infrastructure. 
• The NLMC will simplify the process of closure of  Central Public Sector Enterprises, offering a smooth way for strategic disinvestments. 
• This will also act as a body to advise and support the  Central Public Sector Enterprises in identifying the non-core assets and help them monetize those assets in an efficient manner with the possibility of maximum value realisation. 
• In a nutshell, the NLMC will act as the repository of best practices to provide technical advice to the government in implementing asset monetisation programmes. 
• In the upcoming days, NLMC will function under the Department of Public Enterprise, Ministry of Finance and the Finance Ministry will be the administrative agency for NLMC. 

Appointments:

• NLMC will comprise a wide range of technical experts to professionally manage the company and execute land monetization on behalf of government agencies and CPSEs. 
• The Board of Directors of the company will have central government officers and eminent experts for the operations and management of the company. 
• The Chairman and non-government directors of NLMC will be appointed through a merit-based selection process. 

Read previous PIB here.

March 9th, 2022, PIB:- Download PDF Here