ECI celebrates World Environment Day

Our endeavor is to make elections and related infrastructure more eco-friendly: EC Anup Chandra Pandey

Election Commissioner Shri Anup Chandra Pandey along with Secretary General Shri Umesh Sinha, Director General Shri Dharmendra Sharma and other senior officers of ECI today planted saplings at India International Institute of Democracy and Election Management (IIIDEM), New Delhi premises on the occasion of World Environment Day.

Why is it in news?

The Commission also unveiled a booklet and inaugurated an exhibition on various eco-friendly initiatives taken by the Election Commission of India and Chief Electoral Officers in the States during elections.

Addressing the occasion, Election Commissioner Shri Anup Chandra Pandey said Reduce, Reuse and Recycle is an integral motto of our approach for environmentally sound election management practices.

Highlights

·       Celebration of Environment Day every year reaffirms its importance. This year’s Environment Day focus is on ‘Living Sustainably in Harmony with Nature’ and the apt slogan “Only One Earth”.  He added that ECI with initiatives like digitization of various processes like online facilitation for registration of voters; Apps like Voter Helpline App, SUVIDHA portal, KYC App, cVigil, e-EPIC, PwD app, Voter Turnout App to digitize processes catering to various stakeholders; online nomination facility for candidates; avoiding single use plastic in display materials for voter awareness; ensuring proper waste disposal management; has endeavored to ensure environment friendly elections.

·       Shri Pandey appreciated the meticulous planning and execution of disposal of biomedical waste during the Bihar Assembly elections 2020 held amidst COVID Pandemic, as an example and case study for other CEOs to emulate.

·       ECI has directed all its State CEOs to ensure compliance to Plastic and Solid Waste Management rules as notified by the Government. The teams have also been asked to take due care to ensure that publicity material like flex, pamphlets, bags etc. should be as per Government’s guidelines and avoiding ‘Single Use Plastics’.

·       The exhibition unveiled on the occasion showcased various initiatives and innovations taken by the CEOs in ensuring green elections, like Model eco-friendly polling stations set up in Goa & Puducherry using Coconut shells, palm leaves; use of eco-friendly seed pens by polling personnel in Meghalaya, the ‘Grow With Democracy’ plantation drive in Assam’s Kakoijana Reserve Forest where 32,000 saplings were planted in a record time of 32 minutes, are amongst some noteworthy initiatives. A major push has been given for eco-friendly infrastructure, with many CEOs adopting LED lighting, rainwater harvesting systems and solar panels in their office premises and EVM warehouses. The recently launched Integrated Election Complex in Bakhtawarpur is an eco-friendly and green building with minimum energy demand and solar panels installed on the rooftop. Further, many CEOs have been working to adopt e-office systems for paperless offices.

·       The exhibition will continue to be hosted in IIIDEM for information of national and international participants of varied courses coming periodically to the campus.

Union Minister Shri Bhagwant Khuba launches NSEFI’s Pan-India Rooftop Solar Awareness Campaign

Shri Bhagwant Khuba, Minister of State for New and Renewable Energy    launched the Pan-India Rooftop Solar Awareness Campaign in an event at Bidar, Karnataka in the presence of Shri V Sunil Kumar, Minister of Energy & Kannada Culture, Government of Karnataka, Shri Sunil Kumar, Chief General Manager, NTPC Ramagundam, Shri Pranav R Mehta, Chairman, NSEFI, Shri Subrahmanyam Pulipaka, CEO, NSEFI, Sri Chandrakant Baswaraj Patil, Chairman, KREDL and Shri Govinda Reddy, IAS, DC, Bidar.

Why is it in news?

During the launch ceremony held yesterday, Shri Khuba said that without the involvement of people, no big idea can succeed. He added that Rooftop Solar provides an opportunity to the common person to make his contribution towards Global Warming & Climate Change. He further said that this campaign titled “GHAR KE UPAR SOLAR IS SUPER” shall aim at mobilizing local government, citizens, RWAs, and Municipalities to spread awareness of Solar Rooftop. Shri Khuba spoke about growth of RE sector in India.

Highlights

·       Highlighting Panchamrit targets set by Modiji, Shri Khuba said that ministry is working towards achieving target of 500 GW of non-fossil by 2030. He added that rooftop solar will play major role and Tier-2 & Tier-3 cities offer maximum potential in achieving this target. He said that Karnataka alone has the potential of 1 GW rooftop solar. The minister highlighted that MNRE is providing 40% of subsidy for households to install solar. Hence he urged public to install rooftop by utilizing subsidy from central government. Shri Khuba said that he has ordered for installing Rooftop solar at his residence in Bidar.

·       Shri V Sunil Kumar shared RE plans of Karnataka government. He highlighted PM-KUSUM scheme and urged farmers to utilize the benefits being offered by MNRE and state government.

·       In this scheme farmers will be given 30% subsidy each by centre and state to install solar pumps.

·       NSEFI, with the support of the German Solar Association (BSW) and the German Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) under the Sequa KVP Programme, is launching a 3 year long, Pan India Rooftop Awareness Program aimed at increasing awareness of Solar Rooftops among 100 Indian towns and cities, especially tier 2 and tier 3 towns/cities.

INDIA BANGLADESH JOINT MILITARY EXERCISE “EX SAMPRITI-X” TO COMMENCE IN BANGLADESH

As part of the ongoing India Bangladesh bilateral defence cooperation, a joint military training exercise Ex SAMPRITI-X is being conducted at Jashore Military Station in Bangladesh from 05 June to 16 June 2022.

Why is it in news?

Exercise SAMPRITI is an important bilateral defence cooperation endeavour conducted alternately by both countries which aims to strengthen and widen the aspects of interoperability and cooperation between both the armies. The aim of the exercise is to strengthen interoperability between the two armies and to understand each other’s tactical drills and operational techniques. The Indian contingent of company strength is being represented by a Battalion of the DOGRA Regiment and the contingent departed by road for the exercise location on 4 Jun 2022.

Highlights

·       During the joint military exercise Ex SAMPRITI-X, armies of both the Nations will share expertise in multiple simulated scenarios of Counter Terrorism, Humanitarian Assistance & Disaster Relief and UN Peacekeeping Force under UN mandate. The exercise schedule is progressively planned in such a manner that the participants will initially get familiar with each other’s organisational structure and tactical drills. As the exercise progresses, joint tactical exercises will be conducted wherein the joint battle drills of both contingents will be practised. The exercise will culminate with a final validation exercise in which troops of both armies will jointly practice a Counter-Terrorism Operation in a simulated environment.

In addition to sharing best practices and understanding each other at the tactical level, this exINDIA BANGLADESH JOINT MILITARY EXERCISE “EX SAMPRITI-X” TO COMMENCE IN BANGLADESH

As part of the ongoing India Bangladesh bilateral defence cooperation, a joint military training exercise Ex SAMPRITI-X is being conducted at Jashore Military Station in Bangladesh from 05 June to 16 June 2022.

Why is it in news?

Exercise SAMPRITI is an important bilateral defence cooperation endeavour conducted alternately by both countries which aims to strengthen and widen the aspects of interoperability and cooperation between both the armies. The aim of the exercise is to strengthen interoperability between the two armies and to understand each other’s tactical drills and operational techniques. The Indian contingent of company strength is being represented by a Battalion of the DOGRA Regiment and the contingent departed by road for the exercise location on 4 Jun 2022.

Highlights

·       During the joint military exercise Ex SAMPRITI-X, armies of both the Nations will share expertise in multiple simulated scenarios of Counter Terrorism, Humanitarian Assistance & Disaster Relief and UN Peacekeeping Force under UN mandate. The exercise schedule is progressively planned in such a manner that the participants will initially get familiar with each other’s organisational structure and tactical drills. As the exercise progresses, joint tactical exercises will be conducted wherein the joint battle drills of both contingents will be practised. The exercise will culminate with a final validation exercise in which troops of both armies will jointly practice a Counter-Terrorism Operation in a simulated environment.

In addition to sharing best practices and understanding each other at the tactical level, this exercise is an opportunity for greater cultural understanding to strengthen trust and cooperation between armies of both the Nations. The exercise will benefit both the armies by gaining from each other’s vast experience which will further contribute to peace and stability in the region.

 ercise is an opportunity for greater cultural understanding to strengthen trust and cooperation between armies of both the Nations. The exercise will benefit both the armies by gaining from each other’s vast experience which will further contribute to peace and stability in the region.

India has achieved the target of 10 percent ethanol blending, 5 months ahead of schedule

Government of India, with the aim to enhance India’s energy security, reduce import dependency on fuel, save foreign exchange, address environmental issues and give a boost to domestic agriculture sector, has been promoting the Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) Programme.

Why is it in news?

The ‘National Policy on Biofuels’ notified by the Government in 2018 envisaged an indicative target of 20% ethanol blending in petrol by year 2030. However, considering the encouraging performance, due to various interventions made by the Government since 2014, the target of 20% ethanol blending was advanced from 2030 to 2025-26.

Highlights

·       A “Roadmap for Ethanol Blending in India 2020-25” was also released by the Hon’ble Prime Minister in June, 2021 which lays out a detailed pathway for achieving 20% ethanol blending. This roadmap also mentioned an intermediate milestone of 10% blending to be achieved by November, 2022.

·       However, due to the coordinated efforts of the Public Sector Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) the target of 10% blending under the programme has been achieved much ahead of the targeted timelines of November, 2022 wherein the Public Sector OMCs have attained an average 10% ethanol blending in petrol across the country.

·       This achievement in the course of last 8 years has not only augmented India’s energy security but also translated into a forex impact of over Rs.41,500 crores, reduced GHG emissions of 27 lakh MT and also led to the expeditious payment of over Rs.40,600 crores to farmers.

·       With all the initiatives taken by the Government, the EBP Programme is on track to achieve the target of 20% blending by 2025-26.

Vice President begins his three-day visit to Qatar; holds delegation level talks with the Prime Minister of Qatar

Presence of 7.8 lakh Indian in Qatar as a testament to the close people-to-people ties between two countries – Vice President

VP thanks Qatar government for looking after the welfare of Indian community

The Vice President, Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu arrived in Qatar yesterday, on the last leg of his ongoing three-nation tour. Shri Naidu is the first ever Vice President of India to visit the State of Qatar and was received by H.E. Soltan bin Saad Al Muraikhi, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs on his arrival at Doha airport. Thereafter, he was given a rousing welcome by the members of the Indian community at the hotel.

Why is it in news?

Today the Vice President called on H.H. Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Father of Amir of Qatar and then he held delegation level talks with H.E. Sheikh Khalid bin Abdulaziz Al Thani, the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior of Qatar.

Highlighting that India and Qatar have historic ties built on mutual trust and respect, H.H. Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, father of Amir of Qatar hoped that more investments can be made by Qatar in India and more industrial and business houses can establish economic ties with Qatar.  The Vice President and father of Amir agreed that there is a huge potential to diversify trade between the two countries, have comprehensive energy partnership; and a mutually beneficial investment partnership between India and Qatar.

Highlights

·       Appreciating that Qatar’s investment in India has grown five times since March 2020, Shri Naidu opined, “it is still well below potential and can be substantially increased.” He also said that there is a keen interest in the private Indian business community to build partnerships with Qatar.

·       The Vice President lauded Qatar for emerging as an education hub in the region and expressed happiness over several Indian universities opening offshore campuses in Qatar.

·       While discussing the health sector, Shri Naidu mentioned the useful contribution made by Indian health professionals in the health sector in Qatar.

·       The Vice President further said that with nearly 800 US FDA approved manufacturing units, India takes pride in being the ‘Pharmacy of the World’, and supplies a large number of medicines to the US and Europe. He noted that India would also be happy to work with Qatar in the area of traditional medicine.

·       Observing that nearly 40% of our gas requirements are met from Qatar, Shri Naidu said that India deeply values Qatar's role in its energy security and underscored the need to move beyond buyer- seller relationship into a comprehensive energy partnership.

·       Highlighting India’s focus on green development, the Vice President wanted Qatar to be India’s partner in this new journey.

·       Recognising that the pandemic has accelerated the digital transformation, Shri Naidu listed several achievements by India in this field such as digital payments. He underlined that this area has huge potential for collaboration between both the countries.

·       Congratulating Qatar for hosting the FIFA World Cup 2022 and on being selected as host nation for the Asian Games 2030, the Vice President called for more youth exchange programs between the two countries.

·       Emphasising that India attaches high importance to its deep rooted centuries old ties with Qatar, the Vice President said that the pearl trade and the dhows provided the deep connect that is reflected today in the commonalities of culture, cuisine and cinema.

·       Referring to the landmark visits by His Highness the Amir to India in 2015 and the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s visit to Qatar in 2016, Shri Naidu said that our relations are driven by close chemistry between the leadership of the two countries. He thanked Qatari leadership for taking care of the 7.8 lakh Indians in Qatar. We are happy to note that Indians are found in all walks of life and have become a part and parcel of Qatar's developmental journey, he added.

·       On this occasion, Shri Naidu also reiterated the Indian community’s long standing request for a prayer hall and a crematorium in Qatar.

·       Mentioning that Qatar is not just among the countries with highest per capita income; but also the top gas supplier to the world, the Vice President said that he was deeply impressed with the strides being made by Qatar in its development journey.

·       During this visit, the Vice President is being accompanied by Dr. Bharati Pravin Pawar, Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Shri Sushil Kumar Modi, Member of Parliament, Shri Vijay Pal Singh Tomar, Member of Parliament, Shri P. Raveendranath, Member of Parliament and senior officials from the Vice President’s Secretariat and the Ministry of External Affairs.