CHHATTISGARH
- Roof-top solar systems on different category of govt buildings mandatory
- Chhattisgarh is among states of Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Union Territory of Chandigarh which has issued mandatory notifications for installation of Roof-Top Solar (RTS) Systems in different category of Government buildings.
- Notably, the Union Ministry of Urban Development had requested all States and UTs in 2014 to issue necessary directives to all State Government Departments for using roof top of buildings under their control for solar power generation on mandatory basis and also to local bodies under their jurisdiction to incorporate the similar provision in their building bye-laws so that installation of Roof Top Systems (RTS) on rooftops of all types of buildings in their jurisdiction may become mandatory.
- Further, the Ministry of Urban Development also issued Model Building Bye-Laws, 2016, in which suitable provisions for installation of RTS on buildings have been incorporated.
- The Central Government has launched several schemes for promotion and development of renewable energy including solar energy in the country from time to time.
- A target of installing 175 GW of renewable energy capacity by the year 2022 has been set, which includes 100 GW from solar, 60 GW from wind, 10 GW from bio-power and 5 GW from small hydro-power.
- Most of the investment in Solar Power sector has been made by the private sector. The Government is promoting development of solar energy in the country by providing various fiscal and promotional incentives such as accelerated depreciation, waiver of Inter State Transmission System (ISTS) charges and losses, financing solar rooftop systems as part of home loan, and permitting Foreign Direct Investment up to 100 per cent under the automatic route.
- Notably, Chhattisgarh Renewable Energy Development Agency (CREDA) is also targeting installation of grid connected Roof top Solar PV Projects across the State. The generated solar power may be utilized for captive application and the surplus power will be fed to the grid, officials informed.
- The aim is to reduce the fossil fuel based electricity load on main grid and make building self-sustainable from the point of electricity, to the extent possible.
- Notably, Chhattisgarh commissioned grid connected solar projects with cumulative capacity of 128.91 MW as on October 31, 2017, according to a status report of Union Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE).
- Chhattisgarh is among 15 States namely Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Manipur, Punjab, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and West Bengal which has come out with Solar Policy supporting grid connected rooftop systems, the Central Government has informed.
- Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has included renewable energy projects under priority sector lending for which bank loans up to a limit of Rs 15 crore to borrowers will be available for renewable energy projects including grid connected solar rooftop and ground mounted systems. For individual households, the loan limit is Rs 10 lakh per borrower, it informed.
INTERNATIONAL
- Indian Air Force Participates for the First Time in Exercise Pitch Black – 18
- An Indian Air Force contingent comprising of four Su-30 MKI, 01 X C-130 and 01 X C-17 aircraft, landed at Darwin Air Force Base, Australia for the Exercise Pitch Black – 18.
- This is the first time that an IAF contingent is participating in a multinational air exercise in Australia with Royal Australian Air Force.
- This exercise involves over 100 aircraft from around the globe and will provide a unique opportunity to the air-warriors to operate in a dynamic warlike environment.
· New Zealand demands Australia to change its flag
- As the Flag of New Zealand looks similar to that of Australia, Acting New Zealand PM Winston Petersis demanding Australia to change their flag.
- Notably, the New Zealand flag was adopted 52 years before the Australian flag and was adopted in 1902, replacing the union jack. The Australian flag was adopted in 1954, after going through three previous iterations since 1901.
- Both the Australian and New Zealand flags are based on the British blue ensign.
· Michael Ondaatje again named in Man Booker Prize list
- Sri Lankan-born Canadian author Michael Ondaatjehas again made the Man Booker Prize list with his latest novel ”Warlight”, which tells the story of two orphans in London in the immediate aftermath of World War II.
- Ondaatje’s “The English Patient,” which won the Booker in 1992, was named winner of the Golden Man Booker winner on July 8, a special award to mark the Booker’s 50th anniversary.
- 2018 Man Booker Prize includes six U.K. writers, three from the United States, and two each from Canada and Ireland.
· India signed 4 MoUs with Uganda, agreed 2 LOC worth nearly $200 million
- As part of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Uganda, India and Uganda signed four agreements on
Defence cooperation,
Visa exemption for diplomatic and official passport holders,
Cultural exchange programme, and
Material testing laboratory.
- The Indian government has also decided to gift a cancer therapy machineto the Uganda cancer institute in Kampala.
- The Prime Minister Modi was accorded a ceremonial reception in Uganda’s Entebbe town.
- He is on a three-nation tour to the African countries including Rwanda, Uganda and South Africa.
NATIONAL
- Swachh Survekshan Grameen launched in UP, Jharkhand and Maharashtra
- The Swachh Survekshan Grameen 2018 (SSG 2018) announced by the Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation on July 13th, 2018, was launched by three States this week.
- Under the SSG 2018, an independent survey agency will conduct the survey in all districts from 1st to 31st August 2018, and the results will be announced in the form of a ranking of all districts and States on the basis of quantitative and qualitative sanitation (Swachhata) parameters.
- The top performing States and Districts are expected to be awarded on 2nd October 2018.
- 17 sites in the country to be developed as Iconic Tourist Sites
- Ministry of Tourism has identified 17 sites in 12 clusters in the country for development under Iconic Tourist Sites Development Project, pursuant to Budget Announcements of 2018-19.
- Following are the 17 sites: Uttar Pradesh- TajMahal & FatehpurSikri; Maharashtra- Ajanta & Ellora; Delhi- Humayun’s Tomb, Red Fort & QutubMinar; Goa- Colva beach; Rajasthan- Amer Fort; Gujarat- Somnath & Dholavira; Madhya Pradesh- Khajuraho; Karnataka- Hampi; Tamil Nadu- Mahabalipuram; Assam- Kaziranga; Kerala- Kumarakom; Bihar- Mahabodhi.
- The Ministry shall be developing the above sites in a holistic manner with focus on issues concerning connectivity to the destination, better facilities/experience for the tourists at the site, skill development, involvement of local community, promotion & branding and by bringing in private investment.
· Women and Child Development Ministry launches ‘Childline1098’ Contest
- To mark World Day against Trafficking in Personson July 30, Women and Child Development Ministry has invited people to send logo and tagline for ‘Childline 1098‘, which is India’s first 24-hour, free, emergency phone service for children in need of aid and assistance.
- At present, Childline 1098 is operational at 450 locations, including 76 key railway stations, across India.
· Nineteenth Kargil Vijay Diwas celebrations began
- Kargil Vijay Diwas is celebrated every year for three days from 24th July – 26th July at the Drass War Memorialin Jammu and Kashmir to commemorate India’s emphatic victory against Pakistan.
- Kargil war took place in May -July 1999 (2 months)
- In India, the Kargil conflict is also referred to as ‘Operation Vijay‘ which was the name of the Indian operation to clear the Kargil sector.
- The Kargil War memorial, built by the Indian Army, is located in Dras, in the foothills of the Tololing Hill.