• 28 Jun 2025

Green Data Centre in Ghaziabad

A state-of-the-art Green Data Centre has been inaugurated in Sahibabad, Ghaziabad. 

Key Points: 

• Project Details: The project is a joint initiative between Central Electronics Limited (CEL), a PSU under the Ministry of Science & Technology, and ESDS.  
  • It involves an estimated investment of ₹1,000 crore and will have a 30 MW capacity. 
• Infrastructure & Sustainability: The data centre will use energy-efficient technologies, renewable energy, and eco-friendly designs.  
• Connectivity & Resilience: It will feature a 40 Gbps ring fibre network and dual 10 Gbps connections for cloud ntegration and disaster recovery.  
  • Sustainable features include rainwater harvesting, reflective roofing, and smart cooling systems. 

Uttar Pradesh Data Center Policy 2021 

• Vision & Mission: To position Uttar Pradesh as the preferred investment destination for the Data Center industry. 
  • To develop a world-class Data Center ecosystem by attracting global and domestic investment and supporting MSMEs/start-ups. 
• Targets: 
  • Develop 900 MW Data Center capacity in the state. 
  • Attract investment worth ₹30,000 crore. 
  • Establish at least 8 private state-of-the-art Data Center Parks. 
• Nodal Agency: The Department of IT & Electronics, Uttar Pradesh, will appoint a Nodal Agency to implement the policy. 
• Definitions:  
  • Data Center Park: Must have a minimum capacity of 40 MW. 
  • Data Center Unit: Should be between >2 MW and <40 MW; captive data centers are excluded. 
• Incentives for Data Center Parks: Data Center Parks are eligible for up to 60% interest subsidy for 7 years, subject to a maximum of ₹10 crore per year and an overall ceiling of ₹50 crore per park.  
  • Land subsidies of 25% (in Madhyanchal and Paschimanchal) and 50% (in Bundelkhand and Purvanchal) are available, capped at 7.5% of total project cost or ₹75 crore, whichever is lower.  
  • These land subsidies apply only to the first 8 parks notified under the policy and are not applicable to Data Center Units within those parks if already claimed. 
  • Stamp duty exemption is provided—100% on the first transaction and 50% on the second—along with dual power grid supply. 
• Incentives for Data Center Units: Data Center Units can avail a 7% capital subsidy on fixed capital investment (excluding land and building) up to ₹20 crore, disbursed over 10 years with a cap of ₹2 crore annually.  
  • Units are also eligible for land subsidies—25% in Madhyanchal and Paschimanchal and 50% in Bundelkhand and Purvanchal, subject to the same overall limit of 7.5% of project cost or ₹75 crore.

Bihar Cabinet Approves Rural Welfare Initiatives

The Bihar Cabinet approved village infrastructure, social pensions, women's entrepreneurship, subsidised meals, and strengthened local governance and welfare measures. 

Key Points:  

• Operationalisation of Jeevika Didi Ki Rasoi: The Cabinet has sanctioned the operationalisation of Jeevika Didi Ki Rasoi units at block-level offices, as well as at sub-divisional and district headquarters, to provide affordable meals. 
  • The Didi Ki Rasoi initiative will be extended to government medical colleges and hospitals, with subsidised meals priced, under a projected budget of ₹5 crore. 
• Financial Assistance: A committee headed by the Development Commissioner has been formed to set criteria for disbursing ₹2 lakh financial assistance to women entrepreneurs from 94 lakh economically disadvantaged families identified in the recent caste-based survey.  
• Increase in Pensions: The Cabinet has approved an increase in social security pensions under schemes for the elderly, persons with disabilities, and widows, raising the monthly pension from ₹400 to ₹1,100. 
• Expenditure Ceiling for MGNREGA: The expenditure ceiling for gram panchayat-approved works under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) has been raised from ₹5 lakh to ₹10 lakh. 
• Allowances for Panchayati Raj Representatives: Allowances for elected representatives in the three-tier Panchayati Raj institutions and members of the Gram Kutchery have been enhanced by 1.5 times. 
  • An ex gratia of ₹5 lakh will be provided to the next of kin in case of the natural death of panchayat or Gram Kutchery members during their term. 
• Marriage Hall Construction: Each marriage hall will be constructed at a cost of ₹50 lakh and implemented in a phased manner over a period of five years, starting from the current financial year. 

Bihar Rural Livelihoods Project 

• JEEViKA: 
  • JEEViKA is the Bihar Rural Livelihoods Project aimed at the social and economic empowerment of rural poor in Bihar. 
  • Managed by the Bihar Rural Livelihoods Promotion Society (BRLPS), an autonomous body under the Department of Rural Development, Government of Bihar. 
  • Initially supported by the World Bank and later expanded to include the Livelihoods Restoration component of the Bihar Kosi Flood Recovery Project (BKFRP). 
  • The National Rural Livelihoods Mission (NRLM) has designated BRLPS as the State Rural Livelihoods Mission (SRLM) for Bihar to implement NRLM's strategies for poverty alleviation.
    
• Didi Ki Rasoi Initiative: 
  • Launched in 2018, inspired by the Kerala Kudumbashree model, with the goal to provide affordable meals in Bihar. 
  • Supported by the World Bank under the Bihar Transformative Development Project and implemented by BRLPS (JEEViKA). 
  • The first center was set up in Vaishali, and now there are 83+ centers operating across 38 districts in Bihar, including in hospitals, medical colleges, and schools. 
  • The initiative has employed 1,200+ women entrepreneurs and 150 full-time staff, supported by hotel management and catering experts. 
  • Women entrepreneurs are trained in cleanliness, accounting, and customer service through a 7-day training program provided by JEEViKA.

Lado Lakshmi Scheme

Why in News? 

The Haryana government is set to launch the Lado Lakshmi Scheme, offering monthly financial assistance of Rs 2,100 to women from economically weaker sections.

Key Points 

• Lado Lakshmi Scheme: 
  • According to the Department of Information, Public Relations, Language and Culture (DIPR), the Haryana government will implement the Lado Lakshmi Scheme later this year. 
    • The state government has allocated Rs 5,000 crore for the successful rollout of the Scheme. 
  • Women above 18 years of age who are permanent residents of Haryana and belong to Below Poverty Line (BPL) families are eligible under the scheme 
  • The beneficiaries will receive funds directly in their bank accounts through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT). 
  • The aim of the scheme is to empower women in Haryana by promoting independence through improved access to education, health, and safety.  
    • The scheme also seeks to enhance their financial stability by supporting women in starting their own businesses.

Government Initiatives Related to Women Empowerment 

• Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana: Provides access to affordable credit for women entrepreneurs and self-help groups. 
• Beti Bachao Beti Padhao: Focuses on generating awareness and improving women's welfare through education. 
• Mahila E-Haat: An online marketing platform to support women entrepreneurs and self-help groups. 
• Mahila Shakti Kendra: Facilitates empowerment programs and resources at the village level for skill development and entrepreneurship. 
• Working Women Hostel: Supports safe and affordable accommodation for working women in urban areas. 
• Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana: It ensures housing under women's names.

Operation Deep Manifest

Why in News? 

Under Operation Deep Manifest, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) seized cargo containers carrying Pakistani-origin goods at Nhava Sheva port in Mumbai. 

Key Points 

• About the Operation: 
  • The DRI launched the Operation to crack down on illegal imports of Pakistani-origin goods rerouted through third countries, primarily via Dubai, UAE. 
    • Following the Pahalgam terror attacks, the Government imposed a total ban on direct or indirect imports or transit of goods originating from Pakistan. 
    • Despite this, importers attempted to bypass the ban by mis-declaring the origin and falsifying shipping documents. 
  • Strategic Enforcement to Protect National Security: 
    • Operation Deep Manifest reflects DRI’s commitment to enforcing the Government’s trade policy and securing India’s national and economic interests. 
    • Through targeted intelligence, inter-agency coordination, and robust enforcement, DRI continues to safeguard India’s economic borders against misuse of trade channels.

Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) 

• The DRI, apex anti-smuggling agency of India, was established on 4th December 1957, and has evolved from the Central Revenue Intelligence Board formed in 1953.   
• The DRI, under the Central Board of Indirect Taxes & Customs, Ministry of Finance, investigates and enforces Customs and indirect tax laws.  
• The Directorate General of GST Intelligence (formerly the Directorate General of Anti-Evasion/Central Excise Intelligence) and the Narcotics Control Bureau were created from the DRI before becoming specialized agencies.