GUJARAT

Gujarat govt announces hybrid power policy

To boost solar and wind power generation in the state, the Gujarat government has announced a new Wind-Solar Hybrid Power Policy.

The policy is meant to promote the production of wind and solar power simultaneously. Under the policy, developers can set up wind power unit on the land meant for a solar power unit, or vice versa. The policy allows the establishment of wind-solar hybrid power producing units. The objective of the new policy is the optimum utilization of land and grid land for clean energy.

The electricity produced from such hybrid wind and solar units will be exempted from electricity duty, allowing land use for dual purpose. The new policy has the provision for 50% exemption from electricity duty for selling electricity to a third party. For hybrid captive plants, total exemption will be given from cross-subsidy surcharge and additional surcharge, and 50% relief in wheeling charges and distribution loss.

Moreover, group captive companies can set up hybrid projects with 100% investment share in the same ratio for the consumption. Gujarat currently produces approximately 5,500MW of wind power and 1,600MW of solar power, totalling 7,100MW of green energy.

INTERNATIONAL

· SIPRI Yearbook 2018 Released, Number of Peacekeepers Declined

The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) launches the findings of SIPRI Yearbook 2018, which assesses the current state of armaments, disarmament and international security.
At the start of 2018 nine states – the United States, Russia, the United Kingdom, France, China, India, Pakistan, Israel and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (North Korea) – possessed approximately 14,465 nuclear weapons.

· India hopes to open Chabahar port of Iran by 2019 amid US sanctions

India is trying to make Chabahar Port in Iran operational by 2019, despite a threat of renewed US sanctions against Tehran.
The port would offer easy accessibility toCIS countries, Transport and Shipping Minister Nitin Gadkari said in the statement.

NATIONAL

· One lakh people perform Yoga in Rajasthan, create world record

On the occasion of International Yoga Day on June 21, More than 1 lakh people together performed Yoga in Rajasthan’s Kotato create Guinness World Record.
CM Vasundhara Raje Scindia was present at the venue along with Yoga guru Ramdev, who conducted the yoga session.
Earlier, 55,000 people of Mysore held the record of the largest crowd performing yoga.

· Cabinet approves 3 Year Action Plan of Agricultural Education Division and ICAR Institutes

The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved the continuation of the Three Year Action Plan (2017-2020)of the scheme for Agricultural Education Division and ICAR Institutes with an outlay of 2225.46 crore.

It comprises of:

“Strengthening and Development of Higher Agricultural Education in India – Rs. Rs.2050.00 crore;

ICAR-National Academy of Agricultural Research Management (NAARM) – Rs. 24.25 crore and

ICAR – Central Institute of Women in Agriculture (CIWA) including All India Coordinated Research Project on Home Science (AICRP-HS) – Rs.151.21 crore.

· Indian Army is observing the year 2018 as the Year of Disabled Soldiers in Line of Duty

To honour soldiers who have been disabled in line of duty, while serving the Nation and to celebrate the undying spirit of ‘Soldiering’, Indian Army is observing the year 2018 as the ‘Year of Disabled Soldiers in Line of Duty’.

· India launches its first national healthcare facility registry

The Union ministry of health and family welfare launched the National Health Resource Repository (NHRR), the first ever registry in the country registry of authentic, standardised and updated geo-spatial data of all public and private healthcare.
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is the project technology partner for providing data security.
It was launched by Union Health Minister J P Nadda.

· Three MoUs signed and 6 at an advanced stage under Adopt a Heritage Scheme

Under “Adopt a Heritage Scheme“, three MoUs have already been signed and six are at an advanced stage and 31 more Adarsh Monuments are enlisted for coverage under the scheme.
The scheme is being implemented by the Ministry of Tourism, Ministry of Culture and Archaeological Survey of India.
The four MoUs include: 1. Mount Stok Kangri Trek Route, Ladakh
Gangotri Temple Area & Trail to Gaumukh, Uttarakhand

Red Fort, Delhi
4. Gandikota Fort, Andhra Pradesh

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23.06.18 (GPSC) Gujrat Current Affairs