CCI approves acquisition of Solenergi Power Private Limited by Shell Overseas Investments B.V.’s from Actis Solenergi Limited

Why is it in news?

The Competition Commission of India (CCI approves acquisition of Solenergi Power Private Limited (Target) by Shell Overseas Investments B.V.’s (Acquirer) from Actis Solenergi Limited under Section 31(1) of the Competition Act, 2002, yesterday.

The proposed combination pertains to acquisition of 100% shareholding and sole control of the Target by the Acquirer.

Highlights

·       Acquirer is a company incorporated in the Netherlands and is a part of the Shell group. It is a holding company. Shell Plc is the ultimate holding company and directly and indirectly owns investments in various companies (Shell Group). Shell Plc’s shares are listed on the London Stock Exchange, Euronext Amsterdam and the New York Stock Exchange. The Shell Group is a global group of energy and petrochemical companies with 83,000 employees in more than 70 countries.

·       Target is an investment company incorporated in Mauritius, belonging to the Actis group. It currently has investments in the renewable energy sector in India.

New co-dopants identified can create better performing and more stable solar cells

Why is it in news?

Scientists have identified co-dopants that can increase the photovoltaic performance of transparent metal oxides such as ZnO, In₂O₃ and SnO₂ thereby creating potential for more efficient, better performing and more stable solar cells.

In recent years solar cell technology has achieved tremendous growth as sustainable source of energy. Energy generation and storage being the need of the hour, many efforts are being made around the world to develop cost-effective options. 

Highlights

·       Perovskites are a leading candidate for eventually replacing silicon as the material of choice for solar panels. Perovskite solar cell consists of a perovskite layer as the light absorber, sandwiched between the electron transport layer (ETL) coated with transparent conducting glass and hole transport layer (HTL) coated with a metal back contact electrode.

·       A research team from Department of Physics, Alagappa University group focused on the electron transport layer of solar cell devices which is made up of transparent metal oxides. Transparent metal oxides such as ZnO, In₂O₃ and SnO₂ showed excellent electrical and optical properties. 

·       The team explored the role that effective dopant can play in improving the efficiency of Tin oxide (SnO₂) as an efficient transparent metal oxide for solar devices. SnO₂ can be prepared at low temperatures and is relatively stable, but the functional properties such as electrical conductivity, optical transparency, and band alignment with the perovskite of the SnO₂ are not sufficient to compete with commercial solar cells.

·       They found that while Aluminium (Al) metal when incorporated into the SnO₂ lattice as a potential dopant, changes the electron concentration and series resistance of the film, addition of lanthanum (La) metal led to higher conductivity and heightened fill factor-- ratio of the maximum amount of obtainable power.

·       In this essence, aluminium (Al) and lanthanum (La) metals were used as the suitable dopants in SnO₂ and improved optical transparency, electrical conductivity, mobility, surface coverage and energy level of the SnO₂. It also amplified the photovoltaic performance, reproducibility, and stability of the solar cell significantly.

·       SnO₂ film surface coverage was enhanced by the addition of dopants Al/La which allowed modification of energy level and enhanced electron mobility, thereby improving the functional properties of SnO₂ via the facile metal ions doping strategies.  This study published in the Journal of Power Resources shows the benefits of codopants in increasing the photovoltaic performance, repeatability, and stability in solar devices.

·       Cross-sectional morphologies of Perovskite films that had been prepared were analysed utilising Field emission Scanning Electron Microscopy, while elemental and chemical characteristics were examined using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS, Kratos AXIS Supra) supported by DST- Promotion of University Research and Scientific Excellence (PURSE). The study concluded that perovskite materials-based solar cells are cost-effective compared to commercial silicon-based solar cells.

The upshots of ‘Meet The Champion’ programme will be visible soon in the coming years, says Olympian Archers Atanu and Deepika

Country’s two star archers kicked off PM’s unique school-visit initiative in Ranchi

Why is it in news?

India’s biggest archery stars Deepika Kumari and Atanu Das kicked off the ‘Meet The Champion’ Programme in the state of Jharkhand at Ranchi on Tuesday. A huge gathering of more than 300 students from 75 schools across the district attended the interactive session on ‘Santulit Aahar’, fitness and sports held in Delhi Public School, SAIL Township, Ranchi.

Highlights

·       During the meet, the Olympian archers stressed upon how important it is for everyone to include balanced diet in our regular diet. In this regard, Deepika said, “The kind of lifestyle gradually growing among majority of the population is posing a threat to health. It is a great initiative of our PM where he has chosen sportspersons to interact with the younger generation and explain them how a healthy diet and fit lifestyle will always help one physically as well as mentally.”

·       She also shared about her childhood habits when there was a time that she used to hate green vegetables and salads but today that’s a part of her regular diet. ‘It is actually all about understanding the requirement of our body and taking care of it. It’s difficult to grow a habit of eating things which we don’t like but once you start loving your body, you will start doing it”, she added.

·       Meanwhile, referring to an animated character of a video played in the programme, the 30-year-old Arjuna Awardee Atanu said, “I was never a Healthy Ram and still can’t be one throughout the year. So, I enjoy my cheat days sometime. Otherwise, I am very clear about my goal in life which can be achieved only with healthy habits.”

·       The husband-wife duo also said that they believe ‘Meet The Champion’ programme is such a motivating initiative that impactful results of such interactive sessions across the country will soon be visible to us.

·       This unique initiative is being organized jointly by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports and the Ministry of Education and is part of the government’s ‘Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav’. Various segments like interesting and quick videos on balanced diet, quiz session where winners are given away prizes makes the event quite exciting for students that carried an overwhelming response for the Champ of the event.

·       “It was so fun listening and learning so many new things from world-class archers like them. This is one of the most memorable days of life as it’s still like a dream that I could play basketball with them”, said Tiash Gupta, a student of VIII Standard from DPS, Ranchi.

Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh exhorts Non-Official Directors of DPSUs to safeguard national interests by striving to achieve ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’

Terms them as vigil keepers who can guide DPSUs to become world’s best through constructive suggestions

Why is it in news?

Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh has exhorted the Non-Official Directors (NODs) of Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs) to ensure smooth implementation of various initiatives taken by the Government towards achieving ‘Aatmanirbharta in Defence’. He was addressing the CMDs and NODs of DPSUs during first-of-its kind workshop organised by Department of Defence Production in New Delhi on July 13, 2022. Shri Rajnath Singh asserted that the country is witnessing a transitional phase towards self-reliance and active & collective efforts are central to realise Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision of ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’.

Highlights

·       Shri Rajnath Singh listed out various initiatives taken by MoD to achieve self-reliance, including simplification of acquisition process of defence equipment/platforms under Defence Acquisition Procedure 2020; flexibility in Offset guidelines; increase in FDI limit to 74% under Automatic Route and up to 100% under government route; simplification of process of obtaining license; launch of Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) initiative and enhanced use of Artificial Intelligence in the defence sector. He added that MoD has set a target of Rs 1.75 lakh crore of defence production by 2025, which includes export of Rs 35,000 crore. He exuded confidence that the DPSUs will play a major role in achieving this goal with a contribution of 70-80 per cent, urging CMDs & NODs to work hand-in-hand to ensure that these public sector companies find place among world’s best in different fields.

·       The Raksha Mantri described NODs as a bridge between DPSUs and MoD, which not only strengthens corporate governance in public sector companies, but also ensures that the work is carried out as per the policies of the Government. Identifying freedom in giving suggestions as their biggest strength, he called upon the NODs to scrutinise the performance of the management according to the objectives of the government; make value addition to the decision making through positive inputs & constructive criticism and protect the interests of the DPSUs, the Government and above all the nation.

·       Shri Rajnath Singh termed NODs as vigil keepers who keep a close watch on the strategy, performance, risk management, resources, key appointments, CSR, sustainable development and standards of conduct of DPSUs. He highlighted the valuable contribution of NODs in helping the DPSUs reach their goals, urging them to introduce best practices prevalent in the private sector and share insights & guidance in policy making. The NODs must encourage the DPSUs for greater R&D and motivate them for sensible risks, he added. Lauding the DPSUs for their outstanding performance in recent years, the Raksha Mantri called upon the CMDs to take appropriate action on the suggestions of NODs.

·       In his closing remarks, Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Ajay Bhatt called upon the CMDs of DPSUs to tap the potential of NODs who possess a proper balance of skills, experience, freedom and knowledge of the private sector. He pointed out that the NODs can promote the principles of corporate governance and enhance the credibility & accountability of DPSUs, thereby improving their efficiency. He urged the NODs to strike a balance between the interests of the management & shareholders and contribute in decision making.

·       Throwing light on the roles and responsibilities of NODs, Defence Secretary Dr Ajay Kumar urged them to provide a thrust to the efforts of DPSUs towards self-reliance. He called upon them to provide valuable suggestions to develop indigenous state-of-the-art technologies/equipment for the Armed Forces and increase exports, with focus on enhancing collaboration with the industry, academia & start-ups. He emphasised on the need for active involvement of NODs to make the DPSUs globally competitive. He called for formulating a roadmap that can place 20 Indian defence manufacturing companies among the world’s top 100 defence enterprises by 2047.

·       The aim of the workshop was to sensitise the NODs about their role and responsibilities and help them to improve the performance of DPSUs. The NODs play a significant role in the Board of Central Public Sector Enterprises. They help in bringing an independent judgement, bring an objective view in the evaluation of the performance of Board & Management; facilitate quality standards for products and services of the company; balance the interests of the stakeholders and encourage in adopting green technologies and resource conservation practices by the company.

PM to visit UP and inaugurate Bundelkhand Expressway on 16th July

Foundation stone of the Expressway was laid by PM in February, 2020

Why is it in news?

296 Km four-lane Expressway has been constructed at a cost of around Rs 14,850 crores

Expressway to give a major boost to connectivity and industrial development in the region

Highlights

·       Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will visit Uttar Pradesh on 16th July, 2022 and inaugurate Bundelkhand Expressway at Kaitheri village in Orai tehsil of Jalaun district at around 11:30 AM.

·       The government has been committed to enhancing connectivity across the country, a key feature of which has been the work towards improvement in road infrastructure. A significant endeavour towards this was the laying of foundation stone for the construction of Bundelkhand Expressway by the Prime Minister on 29 February, 2020. The work on the Expressway has been completed within 28 months and it will now be inaugurated by the Prime Minister.

·       The 296 Km, four-lane expressway has been constructed at a cost of around Rs 14,850 crores, under the aegis of Uttar Pradesh Expressways Industrial Development Authority (UPEIDA), and can later be expanded upto six lanes as well. It extends from NH-35 at Gonda village near Bharatkoop in Chitrakoot district to near Kudrail village in Etawah district, where it merges with the Agra-Lucknow expressway. It passes through seven districts, viz. Chitrakoot, Banda, Mahoba, Hamirpur, Jalaun, Auraiya and Etawah.

·       Along with improving connectivity in the region, the Bundelkhand Expressway will also give a major boost to economic development, resulting in the creation of thousands of jobs for the local people. Work on the creation of industrial corridor in Banda and Jalaun districts, next to the Expressway, has already been started.