Bihar Affairs
Cabinet approves state biofuels policy
The state cabinet approvedBihar Biofuels Production Promotion Policy, 2023, which will pave the way for production of compressed biogas (CBG) apart from ethanol in the state. Firms or individuals interested in setting up CBG units in Bihar can start applying for taking the benefits of the new policy after its notification and till June 30 next year.
CBG is produced from and waste sources like agricultural residue, cattle dung, sugar cane press mud, municipal solid waste and sewage treatment plant waste among others. As per Sustainable Alternative Towards Affordable Transportation (SATAT) Scheme of the Centre, CBG has properties almost similar to CNG. Hence, a vehicle running on CNG can be filled with CBG without any modification.
C BG consists of methane (90%) and other gases like carbon dioxide (less than 4%). The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, through a gazette notification in June, 2015, has permitted CBG for motor vehicles as CNG alternative. SATAT envisages setting up 5,000 CBG units in the country by 2024-25.
As per a study by IIT Guwahati, India has potential to produce 80,000 tonnes per day of compressed biogas, replacing 50% of the current diesel use in transport. Under the Ethanol Production Promotion Policy, 2021, incentives were being given to the units producing ethanol only.
National and International Affairs
eSARAS fulfillment centre launched to support e-commerce initiatives of SHGs
Deendayal Antyodaya Yojna-National Rural Livelihoods Mission(DAY-NRLM) has launched yjreSARAS mobile appwhich is expected to support the E-Commerce initiatives of (SHGs).
eSARAS will be used as as a platform for Marketing products made by Women of self-help groups. It is an initiative conceptualized by the DAY-NRLM, Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD), towards the marketing of the best, authentic handicrafts and handlooms.
The eSARAS fulfillment centre will be managed by theFoundation for Development of Rural Value Chains(FDRVC), a not for profit company constituted jointly by the Ministry of Rural Development and Tata Trust. This fulfillment centre will be used for processing, packaging and shipping of products that customers purchase through the eSARAS portal and eSARAS mobile app. It will handle the Logistics required to bring an online order to a customer’s doorstep.
eSARAS will be used as as a platform for marketing products made by women of self-help groups. It is an initiative conceptualized by the DAY-NRLM, Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD), towards the marketing of the best, authentic handicrafts and handlooms.
MHA launches Rs 5k cr scheme for modernization of fire services in states
Ministry of Home Affairs launched the Scheme for expansion and modernization of Fire Services in the states with a total outlay of Rs 5,000 crore.
“The Union Ministry of Home Affairs has launched a ‘Scheme for Expansion and Modernization of Fire Services in the States’ from the earmarked allocation of Preparedness and Capacity Building Funding Window under the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) for strengthening fire services in the States with a total outlay of Rs 5,000 crores.
MHA said that an amount of Rs 500 crore, out of the total outlay, has been kept for incentivizing the States on the basis of their legal and -based reforms. A letter in this regard has been sent to the Chief Secretaries and Heads of Fire Services of all States.
MHA said that the objective of the scheme is to expand and modernize Fire Services in the States with a view that activities for strengthening fire services at the State-level through preparedness and the capacity-building component of the NDRF will be ensured.
US government considers controversial solar geoengineering to counter global warming: Report
The United States is eyeing a controversial tool to counter : Solar radiation management (SRM), whichinvolves reflecting a small fraction of sunlight into space.
In areport released June 30, 2023, the White House stated that public or private actors could carry out activities such as injecting aerosols and brightening marine cloudsto reflect more sunlight into space.
The academia, philanthropy, and the private sector have examined preliminary applications of Climate intervention techniques, such as stratospheric aerosol injection and marine cloud brightening.
The scientific dimensions of SRM involve new and continued ground-based, airborne, and space-based observations and improving global modelling of SRM approaches and scenarios. They can help in the understanding of the physical processes and outcomes associated with SRM.
Sri Lanka unveils debt restructure to tackle economic crisis
Sri Lanka’s central bank unveiled a far-reaching debt restructuring plan on Thursday aimed at restoring stability after an unprecedented economic crisis last year that led to the toppling of then-presidentGotabaya Rajapaksa.
The move comes after Colombo cut subsidies, doubled taxes and promised to privatise hundreds of state enterprises under a $2.9 billionIMF bailoutagreed in March.
That agreement requires Sri Lanka to reduce its debt servicing by two-thirds in the next four years to balance its books and restore the bankrupt island nation’s finances.
Bilateral lenders were spared but will be asked to extend the maturity of their loans up to 15 years at an annual fixed interest rate of 1.5 percent, with a nine-year moratorium on interest payments.