Share of Nuclear Energy in Electricity Generation

The share of nuclear power in the total electricity generation in the country was about 3.4% in the year 2015-16. 

The share of nuclear power in total electricity generation is planned to be progressively increased by addition of nuclear power capacity. The present capacity of 5780 MW will reach 6780 MW by the end of this financial year, with the commercial operation of Kudankulam Unit-2, which is already generating infirm power at the rated capacity. The capacity is expected to reach 9580 MW by 2020 on progressive completion of projects under construction and about 12980 MW by 2024 on completion of new projects accorded sanction. A large expansion programme based on both indigenous technologies and with foreign technical cooperation is planned in future.  

Safety Measures at Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant

The Kudankulam reactors deploy passive safety features, namely the Passive Decay Heat Removal System, additional system for Core Passive Flooding, Passive Filtering Systems, etc. Post Fukushima, a task force of NPCIL constituted for safety evaluation found KKNPP design to be safe. However, to enhance further the safety level, the task force suggested 17 recommendations, all of which have been implemented.  These measures have already bolstered the safety systems and are the most current. 

A site at Haripur in West Bengal has been accorded ‘in principle’ approval by the Government for locating six units of 1000 MW or higher capacity in technical cooperation with Russian Federation. Subsequently, as an alternative to the Haripur Site, the possibility of a coastal site in the state of Andhra Pradesh is also being examined by the Site Selection Committee of the Government to locate nuclear power plants with Russian technical cooperation. 

The Government had accorded ‘in principle’ approval for the site at Kovvada in Srikakulam district of Andhra Pradesh for setting up six Light Water Reactors in cooperation with the USA. Pre-project activities including land acquisition, obtaining statutory clearances and detailed site investigations are continuing at the site. In parallel, discussions on the techno-commercial aspects with M/s Westinghouse Electric Company (WEC) to arrive at a project proposal have also started.

           

BHIM Application

BHIM Application launched on 30th December 2016: Salient features include Instant money transfer at all times among others

The BHIM App was launched on 30th December 2016. Salient features of BHIM App are as below:

i. Instant money transfer at all times.

ii. Direct transfer from one bank account to another.

iii. Scan and pay option by scanning QR code to make payment)

iv. Generation and sharing of personalised QR code

To address the issue of cyber security, Reserve Bank of India (RBI), vide circular dated 2nd June 2016, has issued cyber security framework to all banks. In addition, RBI has issued instructions to all authorised entities and banks issuing pre-paid instruments regarding cyber security on 9th December 2016. RBI has informed that information on number of hacking incidents is not available with it. 

Medicines Developed by DRDO

Medicines Developed by DRDO

Defence Research and Development Establishment (DRDE), a Gwalior based laboratory of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has developed the following medicines and medical equipment:-

Medicines:

• Monoisoamyl dimcracaptosuccinic acid (miDMSA) as a treatment for chronic arsenic poisoning.

• Alpha-ketoglutarate (A-KG) as an antidote for cyanide poisoning.

• 2-deoxiglucose (2-DG) as radio-modifier and cancer therapy.

Medical kits/Equipment:

• First Aid Kit Chemical Warfare (CW) Type A (for 03 persons).

• First Aid Kit CW Type B (for 30 persons) specially for field hospitals.

• Auto injector for on-field application of medicaments for treating Nerve Agent poisoning.

These Medicines and Medical Kits/ Equipment are very specific for Services for use during Nuclear, Biological & Chemical (NBC) warfare scenario. Therefore, these have not been brought out in the open market.

However, DRDO developed herbal medicine “Lucoskin ointment and syrup” for treatment of Lucoderma has already been in the market since 2011. 

Indigenous Technologies Developed by DRDO

Indigenous Technologies Developed by DRDO

Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has been developing technologies, products and systems that are required for the Armed Forces. After the systems are trial evaluated and accepted by the Users, the technologies are transferred to production agencies for manufacture and supply to Users. Indigenous technologies developed by DRDO are available for transfer to Indian Industry. The process for transfer of indigenous technologies has been promulgated and a document tilted “DRDO Guidelines for Transfer of Technology” has already been issued.

Based on technologies developed by DRDO, major systems/ products inducted or approved by the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) during 2016 for induction into Services are given below:

• Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas

• Long Range Surface to Air Missile (LR-SAM)

• Surface to Surface Missile System

• Electronic Warfare System Shakti

• Hull Mounted Sonar- New Generation

• Varunastra Torpedo

• Commander’s Thermal Imaging Sight for T-90

• NBC Protection System for BMP 2/2K

• Low Level Light Weight Radar Mk-II

• Multi Mission Maritime Aircraft

• Akash Weapon System

• 7 Ton Heavy Drop System

• Electro-Optical Fire Control System for Naval Ships

• Mareech- Anti Torpedo Decoy System

• Abhay Sonar

• Near Field Acoustic Characterization System (NACS)

• Advanced Indigenous Distress Sonar System (AIDSS) for Submarines. 

Fertilizer Subsidy

Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers06-February, 2017 19:14 IST

Rs. 10000 crore Special Banking Arrangement made in Budget 2017 to clear Fertilizer Subsidy dues: Shri Ananth Kumar

Chemicals and Fertilizers Minister addresses media on Budget 2017 allocations and achievements of the Ministry in last three years

Union Minister of Chemicals and Fertilizers, Shri Ananth Kumar addressed the media here today and appraised the gathering about the achievements of Department of Chemicals, Fertilizers and Pharmaceuticals during the last three years. Minister of State for Chemicals & Fertilizers, Shipping, Road Transport & Highways, Shri Mansukh Lal Mandaviya was also present on the occasion.

Speaking on budget allocations for the Fertilizer sector, the Minister said that the overall budget allocation for the Department of Fertilizer for the year 2017-18 is 74,235 crores. He added that Fertilizers, along with Power, has been the torchbearer of achievement of this Government. It has been one of the fastest growing sectors in the last quarter. Further, to reduce the burden of fertilizer subsidy backlogs, a Special Banking Arrangement of Rs. 10000 crores has been approved in this Budget to clear fertilizer subsidy dues, the Minister informed.

Shri Ananthkumar stated that the Government has taken key measures to make the country self-sufficient in urea and other fertilizers like promoting energy efficiency in urea production, maximizing indigenous urea production, timely import of urea and other fertilizers, prepositioning of fertilizers with the States during lean season to ensure adequate supply in the season and rationalizing the subsidy. Such steps have resulted in highest ever production of 245 LMT of urea previous year, without adding additional capacity. Indigenous urea as well as imported urea have been neem coated. This has resulted in an increase in farm yield with less urea required and helped check black marketing and hoarding of urea, he added.

Regarding the revival of the Gorakhpur, Sindri units of FCIL and Baruni unit of HFCL, the Minister informed that approval of the Cabinet has been obtained to revive the three units. Cabinet approval has also been obtained for setting up of new ammonia urea complex at Namrup within existing premises of Brahmaputra Valley Fertilizers Corporation Limited. Further, the Talcher plant will be the first ever unit to be revived based on the coal gasification technology, he added.

           

Keeping in pace with the international market, the Department has engaged fertilizers companies to reduce the prices of DAP, MOP and complex fertilizers by Rs. 125, 250 & 50 respectively per 50 kg bag from June, 2016. Prices of DAP has again been reduced by Rs. 65 per 50kg during December, 2016.

           

Informing about the implementation of policy of promotion of city compost, Shri Ananthkumar said that the Government of India approved policy on promotion of city compost in which Marketing Development Assistance (MDA) of Rs. 1500/MT has been provided for scaling of production and consumption of city compost. A budget provision of Rs. 15 crores has been made for releasing the MDA during 2017-18 on sale of city compost.

           

Speaking about the Direct Benefit Transfer in fertilizer subsidy payment it was informed by the Hon’ble Minister that a decision to implement the DBT in fertilizer sector was announced during the budget speech of 2016-17 with a view to improve service delivery to farmers. The proposed DBT model in fertilizers is different from conventional system of continue to receive urea at statutory price and P&K fertilizers at subsidized prices in the market. The fertilizers companies used to receive subsidy on receipt of fertilizes at the district, will now get subsidy after the fertilizers are sold to farmers/ beneficiaries by the retailers to point of sale (POS) machines through biometric authentication.

           

In the Pharmaceutical sector, the Minister informed that under the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) over 760 Jan Aushadhi Kendras are functioning across the country. With the Government’s target to achieve 3000 JAKs, every tehsil would have one JAK soon. Currently over 450 medicines and 150 health supplements are available at around one-third the price of branded drugs at the JAKs. Further, the Minister that Medical devices parks are coming up at four locations including Vishakhapatnam, Baddi (Himachal Pradesh) and others in Gujarat and Telangana. Shri Kumar also informed about the coming up of National Institutes of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), the latest been set up at Jhalawar, Rajasthan. These institutes would lead to path breaking research in pharma sector and give a boost to creating a strong force of pharma scientists in the country.

Talking about achievements in Chemicals & Petrochemicals sector, Shri Kumar informed about the focus of the government on establishing Central Institute of Plastics Engineering & Technology (CIPET) and Petroleum, Chemicals and Petrochemicals Investment Regions (PCPIRs) and plastic parks to give a boost to the Make in India mission. This step would lead to the generation of over 39 lakh employments opportunities in times to come, he added. Answering a question on strategic sales of Fertilizer PSUs, Shri Kumar informed that strategic sale is a method of utilizing the excess land resources available with loss making fertilizer PSUs to mitigate all liabilities and aid in the revival of the plant in turn. This would have no effect on the availability of affordable medicines in the market, he added.

New umbrella scheme for empowerment of youth

New umbrella scheme for empowerment of youth

The Minister of State (I/C) for Youth Affairs and Sports Shri Vijay Goel said in the Rajya Sabha today that Ministry has restructured youth affairs related schemes, with effect from 01.04.2016, as follows:

S. No.	Names of Schemes (Before Restructuring)	Names of Schemes (After Restructuring)
1.	Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan NYKS)	Merged into a new ‘umbrella’ Scheme called “Rashtriya Yuva Sashaktikaran Karyakram RYSK)”.
2.	National Youth Corps (NYC)
3.	National Programme for Youth & Adolescent Development (NPYAD)
4.	International Cooperation
5.	Youth Hostels (YH)
6.	Assistance to Scouting & Guiding Organisations
7.	National Discipline Scheme (NDS)
8.	National Young Leaders Programme (NYLP)
9.	National Service Scheme (NSS)	National Service Scheme (NSS)
10.	Rajiv Gandhi National Institute of Youth Development (RGNIYD)	Rajiv Gandhi National Institute of Youth Development (RGNIYD)

Thus, while National Service Scheme (NSS) and Rajiv Gandhi National Institute of Youth Development (RGNIYD) have been retained as separate Schemes due to the distinctive nature of their operational framework, all other Schemes have been merged into a new umbrella Scheme called ‘Rashtriya Yuva Sashaktikaran Karyakram (RYSK)’, a flagship programme of the Department for empowerment of the youth to enable them to realise their potential and in the process, to contribute to the nation-building process. 

In the written reply he said, the merger of 8 schemes into a single umbrella scheme is designed to achieve better synergy in implementation of these Schemes. Out of these Schemes, only the first two schemes, namely, NYKS and NYC, have field level administrative set-up for implementation of Schemes. Now, it will be possible to leverage the NYKS/ NYC administrative infrastructure for management of all the components of the new umbrella scheme, thereby facilitating more effective implementation of these Schemes.

The creation of the new umbrella scheme is primarily an exercise for consolidation of the ongoing schemes. Since all these schemes were already under implementation, the youth all over the country, including in rural areas, were already aware of these schemes. However, youth have been made aware about the new umbrella scheme through distribution of IEC material and dissemination of information programmes.

Annual Maritime Power Conference – 2017 National Maritime Foundation

Annual Maritime Power Conference – 2017

National Maritime Foundation

Theme: The Blue Economy: Concept, Constituents and Development

The National Maritime Foundation (NMF) is conducting its Annual Maritime Power Conference-2017 at the Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (IDSA)Auditorium, Development Enclave, New Delhi, on 09-10 February 2017, with the theme ‘The Blue Economy: Concept, Constituents and Development’.
The NMF was established in 2005 to provide a common platform for discourse between maritime-related institutions, organisations and disciplines, within the country and abroad. The Foundation conducts independent academic research and provides policy-relevant recommendations to advance the nation’s maritime goals.
As a part of its charter, NMF endeavours to foster maritime awareness on contemporary issues through academic engagements and towards this end, the Foundation organises an Annual Maritime Power Conference (AMPC).
During the International Fleet Review, 2016, the Hon’ble Prime Minister recalled India’s vision for the Indian Ocean through ‘SAGAR’ (meaning ocean), which stands for ‘Security and Growth for All in the Region’. Later, whilst inaugurating the Maritime India Summit 2016, the Hon’ble Prime Minister articulated his maritime vision for the nation. These events showcased India’s growing maritime power and signalled a clear intent of a resurgent maritime nation.
Taking forward the maritime vision of the Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the theme for the Annual Maritime Power Conference -2017 has been chosen as “The Blue Economy: Concept, Constituents and Development”.
The Blue Economy encompasses various traditional marine sectors such as fisheries and aquaculture, shipping, port infrastructure, ship building and repair, island development, seabed exploration, hydrocarbon extraction and marine tourism industry. There are also many emerging sectors in the such as marine renewable energy, deep seabed mining, salt water desalination, marine bio-technology and provisioning specialised Information and Communications Technologies (ICT) services for the marine industry. Innovative technologies have also created new opportunities for harnessing ocean resources and enable job creation which are vital for inclusive growth.
In order to fully harness the potential of the blue economy, India needs to envision the seas and oceans as development spaces. This involves an integrated approach towards oceanic resources comprising marine spatial planning and integrated coastal zone management.
This conference aims to add to the understanding of the discourse on Blue Economy and intends to discuss its constituents in an attempt to develop a common understanding of the concept. It seeks to identify the opportunities and challenges with the aim of evolving concrete recommendations towards harnessing the Blue Economy, while ensuring efficient utilization of marine resources and sustained development of the oceans.
The conference will be conducted over five sessions, namely:-
Session 1: Blue Economy and Sustainable Development
Session 2: Habitat Protection and Ocean Ecology
Session 3: Ocean Governance and Marine Resources
Session 4: Maritime Security and Industry
Session 5: Enablers of Blue Economy