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- India and Bhutan recently held discussions on various hydropower projects, including the 1020 MW Punatsangchhu-II hydropower project, and expressed satisfaction as the project is "nearing completion."
- About the Punatsangchhu-II Hydropower Project:
- The Punatsangchhu-II is a 1 GW run-of-the-river hydroelectric power project under construction in Bhutan's Wangdue Phodrang district. It is situated on the right bank of the Punatsangchhu River in western Bhutan.
- Developed by the Punatsangchhu II Hydroelectric Project Authority, the project is being executed under an Inter-Government Agreement (IGA) between the Royal Government of Bhutan and the Government of India. The financing for the project comes from the Government of India, which provides 30% as a grant and 70% as a loan, with a 10% annual interest rate, to be repaid in 30 equal semi-annual installments starting one year after the project's operational date.
- The project authority is set to be dissolved within two years of commissioning, with the project subsequently handed over to the Royal Government of Bhutan. Key infrastructure includes a 91-meter-high, 223.8-meter-long concrete gravity dam, an 877.46-meter-long, 12-meter-diameter diversion tunnel with a discharge capacity of 1118 cubic meters per second, and two cofferdams—one 168.75 meters long and 22 meters high, and the other 102.02 meters long and 13.5 meters high.
- Once completed, the Punatsangchhu II hydropower plant is expected to generate approximately 4,357 million units of electricity annually.
- In a significant milestone, the National Council for Vocational Education and Training (NCVET) has officially accredited the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Center (IN-SPACe) as an Awarding Body (Dual).
- About the National Council for Vocational Education and Training (NCVET):
- Established by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), Government of India, on December 5, 2018, the NCVET serves as a regulatory authority focused on ensuring quality in the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) sector. The NCVET took over the responsibilities previously held by the National Skill Development Agency (NSDA) and the National Council of Vocational Training (NCVT).
- The NCVET became fully operational on August 1, 2020. It acts as the national regulator, setting standards and creating regulations for the vocational education, training, and skilling ecosystem with the goal of enhancing quality and outcomes.
- The Council is responsible for the development, regulation, and qualitative improvement of vocational education providers, overseeing both long- and short-term training programs, while establishing minimum operational standards. It aims to unify fragmented regulatory systems and introduce quality assurance measures throughout the vocational education and skilling sectors. This approach supports the creation of a skilled workforce that enhances employability and contributes to India's economic growth.
- Key functions of NCVET include:
- Recognizing, monitoring, and regulating Awarding Bodies.
- Recognizing, monitoring, and regulating Assessment Agencies.
- Recognizing, monitoring, and regulating Skill Information Providers.
- Establishing guidelines for the approval of qualifications and approving qualifications accordingly.
- Creating and overseeing a grievance redressal mechanism for recognized bodies.
- The Supreme Court recently included the Archaeological Survey of India and the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) in a petition seeking the restoration of two heritage buildings in Mysore city.
- About the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH):
- Founded in 1984, INTACH is an autonomous, non-profit organization tasked with the protection and conservation of India’s extensive natural, built, and cultural heritage. Today, it stands as the country’s largest non-profit membership organization dedicated to preserving India's diverse heritage—both tangible and intangible.
- INTACH is recognized as one of the world’s largest heritage conservation organizations, with more than 228 chapters across India. The organization relies heavily on a volunteer network, with passionate members spread across cities, towns, and villages, working to raise awareness about India’s rich cultural legacy.
- Headquartered in New Delhi, INTACH operates through various divisions, including:
- Architectural Heritage
- Natural Heritage
- Art & Material Heritage
- Intangible Cultural Heritage, Heritage Education, and Communication Services (HECS)
- Heritage Crafts and Community
- Chapters
- INTACH Heritage Academy
- Heritage Tourism
- Listing Cell
- INTACH Knowledge Centre