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Loan to Sri Lanka for Solar Energy

Why in News Recently, India has signed an agreement extending a USD 100 million Line of Credit (LOC) to Sri Lanka for projects in the Solar Energy...

17 Jun 2021 Mineral & Energy Resources
Rare Earth Metals and China’s Monopoly

Why in News China’s dominance in the rare earth metals, key to the future of manufacturing, is posing a major concern for the West. Key...

14 Jun 2021 Mineral & Energy Resources
World Energy Investment Report, 2021: IEA

Why in News Recently, the International Energy Agency (IEA) published the World Energy Investment Report, 2021. Key Points Increased...

05 Jun 2021 Mineral & Energy Resources
Illegal Sale of Uranium

Why in News Two people were arrested under the Atomic Energy Act, 1962 for possessing uranium without licence and selling it illegally. On...

11 May 2021 Mineral & Energy Resources
Helium Crisis for India

Why in News India imports helium for its needs, and with the USA appearing set to cut off exports of helium since 2021, Indian industry stands to...

26 Mar 2021 Mineral & Energy Resources
The Big Picture: Mines & Minerals (Amendment) Bill

Why in News? Recently, the Lok Sabha has cleared the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) (MMDR) Amendment Bill, 2021. The Bill...

24 Mar 2021 Mineral & Energy Resources
MMDR Amendment Bill, 2021

Why in News Recently, the Coal and Mines Minister introduced the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) (MMDR) Amendment Bill, 2021 in Lok...

19 Mar 2021 Mineral & Energy Resources
India Energy Outlook 2021: IEA

Why in News Recently, the International Energy Agency (IEA) has released the India Energy Outlook 2021 Report which explores the opportunities and...

18 Feb 2021 Mineral & Energy Resources
Unified Portal of Gobardhan

Why in News Recently, a Unified Portal of Gobardhan has been launched to ensure smooth implementation of Biogas schemes/initiatives and their real...

06 Feb 2021 Mineral & Energy Resources
Rooftop Solar Scheme

Why in News Recently, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has released an advisory on the rooftop solar scheme. Key...

19 Jan 2021 Mineral & Energy Resources
Single Window Clearance for Coal

Why in News Recently, the Union government has announced a new online single window clearance portal for the coal sector. The coal sector can be...

12 Jan 2021 Mineral & Energy Resources
The Big Picture : One Nation, One Gas Grid

Why in News? The Prime Minister of India has recently inaugurated the 450-km natural gas pipeline between Kochi in Kerala to Mangalore in...

12 Jan 2021 Mineral & Energy Resources
Domestic Vanadium Deposits

Why in News A recent exploration by Geological Survey of India (GSI) has found reserves of Vanadium in Arunachal Pradesh. GSI is an attached...

12 Jan 2021 Mineral & Energy Resources
Domestic Exploration of Lithium

Why in News Recent surveys by the Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration and Research (AMD) have shown the presence of lithium resources in...

11 Jan 2021 Mineral & Energy Resources
Conflict Over Nile

Why in News Ethiopia, Sudan and Egypt have recently agreed to resume negotiations to resolve their decade-long complex dispute over the Grand...

06 Jan 2021 Mineral & Energy Resources
Investment for Creating Gas Infrastructure

Why in News The government will invest around 60 billion USD in creating gas infrastructure in the country till 2024 and increasing gas’s...

23 Dec 2020 Mineral & Energy Resources
Recovery from Coal Mining in Meghalaya’s Moolamylliang

Why in News Moolamylliang, a village in Meghalaya’s East Jaintia Hills district, is making progress in becoming a greener place amid abandoned...

07 Dec 2020 Mineral & Energy Resources
The Big Picture: Natural Gas Economy

Why in News? Recently, the Government of India has allowed complete marketing freedom for natural gas produced from non-regulated fields. The...

11 Nov 2020 Mineral & Energy Resources
Third Assembly of ISA

Why in News Recently, India and France have been re-elected as the President and Co-President of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) for a term...

15 Oct 2020 Mineral & Energy Resources
Reforms in Exploration and Licensing Policy: Oil & Gas

Why in News The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) chaired by the Prime Minister has approved the Policy framework on reforms in the...

08 Oct 2020 Mineral & Energy Resources

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		'article_id' => (int) 8625,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Loan to Sri Lanka for Solar Energy',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, India has signed an agreement <strong>extending a USD 100 million Line of Credit (LOC) to <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-sri-lanka-6#:~:text=India%27s%20Support%20against%20Terrorism%3A%20During,developmental%20assistance%20to%20Sri%20Lanka." target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sri Lanka</a></strong> for projects in the Solar Energy Sector. The LOC is for a period of 20 years, with an interest of 1.75%.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The agreement was signed between the <strong>Government of Sri Lanka</strong> and the <strong>Export-Import (EXIM) Bank of India.</strong></li>
<li>EXIM Bank is a <strong>specialized financial institution,</strong> wholly owned by the Government of India.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1623923707_image2.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1623923707_image2.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="350" caption="false" /></a></p>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Line of Credit</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is a <strong>credit facility</strong> extended by a bank or any other financial institution to a government, business or an individual customer, that enables the customer to draw the maximum loan amount.</li>
<li>The borrower can<strong> access funds</strong> from the line of credit at <strong>any time</strong> as long as they do not exceed the <strong>maximum amount</strong> (or credit limit) set in the agreement and meet any other requirements such as making timely minimum payments.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Significance of the LOC:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It will help <strong>finance various projects</strong> in the solar energy sector in Sri Lanka, such as <strong>rooftop solar photo-voltaic systems</strong> for households and government buildings.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Some of these projects were announced during the <strong>Founding Conference of the International Solar Alliance (ISA)</strong> held in March 2018 in Delhi.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>India&rsquo;s Initiatives for Global Cooperation Solar Energy:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/world-solar-technology-summit-isa" target="_blank" rel="noopener">International Solar Alliance</a> (ISA):</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The ISA was <strong>launched by the Prime Minister of India and the President of France in 2015</strong> on the side-lines of the United Nations Climate Change <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/unfccc" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Conference of the Parties (COP-21)</strong></a>, with 121 <strong>solar resource rich countries</strong> lying fully or partially between the <strong>tropic of Cancer and tropic of Capricorn</strong> as prospective members.</li>
<li><strong>89 countries</strong> have signed the ISA framework agreement.</li>
<li>ISA&rsquo; vision is to enable <strong>One World, One Sun, One Grid (OSOWOG).</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/one-sun-one-world-one-grid-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">One Sun, One World, One Grid</a> (OSOWOG):</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It focuses on a framework for facilitating global cooperation, building a global ecosystem of interconnected renewable energy resources (mainly solar energy) that can be seamlessly shared.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Schemes for Promoting Solar Energy in India:</strong> Recently, India achieved<strong> 5<sup>th</sup> global position in solar power deployment</strong> by surpassing Italy.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><a href="/mind-map/gs-paper2/national-action-plan-on-climate-change-mind-map" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Solar Mission</strong> </a>(a part of National Action Plan on Climate Change): The aim is to establish India as a global leader in solar energy by creating the policy conditions for its deployment across the country.</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/rooftop-solar-scheme" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Rooftop Solar Scheme:</strong></a> To generate solar power by installing solar panels on the roof of the houses, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy is implementing <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/phase-ii-of-grid-connected-rooftop-solar-programme" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Grid-connected Rooftop Solar Scheme (Phase II)</strong></a>.</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/expansion-of-production-linked-incentive-scheme#:~:text=This%20scheme%20will%20give%20cash,chemistry%20and%20solar%20PV%20manufacturing." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Production-linked Incentive (PLI) scheme</strong></a> to promote manufacturing of high efficiency solar PV modules in India.</li>
<li><strong>Scheme for Development of Ultra Mega Renewable Energy Power Parks:</strong> It is a scheme to develop Ultra Mega Renewable Energy Power Parks (UMREPPs) under the existing Solar Park Scheme.</li>
<li><strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/pm-kusum#:~:text=PM%2DKUSUM%20consists%20of%20three,standalone%20solar%2Dpowered%20agriculture%20pumps." target="_blank" rel="noopener">Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan</a> (PM-KUSUM):</strong> The scheme covers grid-connected Renewable Energy power plants (0.5 &ndash; 2 MW)/Solar water pumps/grid connected agriculture pumps.</li>
<li><strong>National Wind-Solar Hybrid Policy, 2018:</strong> its main objective is to provide a framework for promotion of large grid connected wind-solar PV hybrid systems for optimal and efficient utilization of wind and solar resources, transmission infrastructure and land.</li>
<li><strong>Atal Jyoti Yojana (AJAY):</strong> It was launched in September 2016 for the installation <strong>of solar street lighting (SSL) systems</strong> in states with less than 50% households covered with grid power (as per Census 2011).</li>
<li><strong>Suryamitra Skill Development Programme:</strong> To provide skill training to rural youth in handling solar installations.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/india-extends-100-mn-loan-to-sri-lanka/article34834128.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
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		'article_id' => (int) 8600,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Rare Earth Metals and China’s Monopoly',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>China&rsquo;s dominance in the <strong>rare earth metals, key to the future of manufacturing,</strong> is posing a major concern for the West.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1623664077_image3.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1623664077_image3.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" width="528" height="380" /></a></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>China&rsquo;s Monopoly:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>China</strong> has over time acquired<strong> global domination of rare earths,</strong> even at one point, it produced <strong>90% of the rare earths</strong> the world needs.</li>
<li>Today, however, it has come down to <strong>60%</strong> and the remaining is produced by other countries, including the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/quad-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Quad</strong></a> <strong>(Australia, India, Japan and United States).</strong></li>
<li>Since 2010, when China curbed shipments of Rare Earths to Japan, the US, and Europe, production units have come up in Australia, and the US along with smaller units in Asia, Africa, and Latin America.</li>
<li>Even so, the dominant share of processed Rare Earths lies with China.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Heavy dependence on China (India and the World):</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>India has the world&rsquo;s fifth-largest reserves of rare earth elements,</strong> nearly twice as much as Australia, but it<strong> imports most of its rare earth</strong> needs in finished form from China.</li>
<li>In 2019, the <strong>US imported 80%</strong> of its rare earth minerals from China while the <strong><a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/european-union" target="_blank" rel="noopener">European Union</a> gets 98%</strong> of its supply from China.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Opportunity for India:</strong> There are three possible approaches to maximising India&rsquo;s rare earth potential.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>New Department for Rare Earths (DRE):</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>India should create the <strong>new Department for Rare Earths (DRE) under the Ministry of Petroleum &amp; Natural Gas</strong> which could secure access to<strong> Rare Earth Elements (REEs)</strong> of strategic importance by offering viability gap funding to companies to set up facilities in the upstream sector.</li>
<li>This could make Indian<strong> Rare Earth Oxide (REOs)</strong> globally competitive.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Downstream Processes and Applications:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Alternatively, it could focus on downstream processes and applications, such as manufacturing rare earth magnets and batteries.</li>
<li>This would require a focus on <strong>port infrastructure</strong> and <strong>ease of doing business</strong> measures to allow Indian manufacturers <strong>to import REOs</strong> from white-listed producers cheaply.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Coordination with Other Agencies:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Finally, it could coordinate with other agencies to partner directly with groupings such as the <strong>Quad,</strong> building up a strategic reserve as a buffer against global supply crises.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>With adjustments to the existing policy, India could emerge as a<strong> rare earths supplier to the world</strong> and use these resources to power a <strong>high-end manufacturing economy</strong> geared to the needs of the 21<sup>st</sup> century.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Rare Earth Elements</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>They are a set of<strong> seventeen metallic elements.</strong> These include the <strong>fifteen lanthanides</strong> on the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/150-years-of-the-periodic-table" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>periodic table</strong></a> in addition to <strong>scandium and yttrium</strong> that show similar physical and chemical properties to the lanthanides.</li>
<li>The<strong> 17 Rare Earths</strong> are cerium (Ce), dysprosium (Dy), erbium (Er), europium (Eu), gadolinium (Gd), holmium (Ho), lanthanum (La), lutetium (Lu), neodymium (Nd), praseodymium (Pr), promethium (Pm), samarium (Sm), scandium (Sc), terbium (Tb), thulium (Tm), ytterbium (Yb), and yttrium (Y).</li>
<li>These minerals have <strong>unique magnetic, luminescent, and electrochemical properties</strong> and thus are <strong>used in many modern technologies,</strong> including consumer electronics, computers and networks, communications, health care, national defense, etc.</li>
<li>Even<strong> futuristic technologies</strong> need these REEs (For example high-temperature superconductivity, safe storage and transport of hydrogen for a post-hydrocarbon economy, environmental global warming and energy efficiency issues).</li>
<li>They are called <strong>'rare earth'</strong> because earlier it was<strong> difficult to extract them from their oxides forms technologically.</strong></li>
<li>They occur in <strong>many minerals</strong> but typically <strong>in low concentrations</strong> to be refined in an economical manner.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1623664366_image1.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1623664366_image1.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="650" caption="false" /></a></p>
<p><strong>India's Current Policy on Rare Earths</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Exploration in India <strong>has been conducted by the Bureau of Mines and the Department of Atomic Energy.</strong> Mining and processing has been performed by some minor private players in the past, but is<strong> today concentrated in the hands of IREL</strong> (India) Limited (formerly Indian Rare Earths Limited), a Public Sector Undertaking under the Department of Atomic Energy.</li>
<li>India has granted government corporations such as<strong> IREL a monopoly</strong> over the primary mineral that contains <strong>REEs: monazite beach sand,</strong> found in many coastal states.</li>
<li>IREL produces <strong>rare earth oxides</strong> (low-cost, low-reward &ldquo;upstream processes&rdquo;), selling these to foreign firms that extract the metals and manufacture end products (high-cost, high-reward <strong>&ldquo;downstream processes&rdquo;</strong>) elsewhere.</li>
<li><strong>IREL&rsquo;s focus</strong> is to provide<strong> thorium &mdash;</strong> extracted from monazite &mdash; to the <strong>Department of Atomic Energy.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/rare-earth-metals-at-the-heart-of-china-us-rivalry/article34806588.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
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		'article_id' => (int) 8532,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'World Energy Investment Report, 2021: IEA',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-energy-outlook-2021-iea" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>International Energy Agency (IEA)</strong></a> published the <strong>World Energy Investment Report, 2021.</strong></p>
<h3><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1622882214_image%202.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1622882214_image 2.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="450" caption="false" /></a></h3>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Increased Investment in Energy Sector:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Global energy <strong>investment is expected to rebound in 2021 and increase 10%</strong> year-on-year to around <strong>USD 1.9 trillion.</strong></li>
<li>Most of this investment <strong>will flow towards power and end-use sectors</strong>, shifting out of traditional fossil fuel production.</li>
<li>The scenario is perfectly <strong>aligned with the projection that global energy demand will rise 4.6% year-on-year in 2021</strong>, offsetting its contraction in 2020.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Renewable Energy:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Renewable power<strong> will have the largest share</strong> - around 70% of the total will be spent on new power generation capacity.</li>
<li>There will be <strong>substantial gain of <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-india-s-renewable-energy-plan" target="_blank" rel="noopener">renewable energy</a></strong> as the future energy outlook has been dependent on technological development, well-established supply chain and demand from consumers for carbon-neutral electricity.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Fossil Fuels:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Upstream (production and exploration) <strong>investment in oil is expected to grow 10%.</strong> This expansion in fossil fuels was planned with novel technologies like <a href="/mains-practice-question/question-153" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS)</strong></a> and<a href="/to-the-points/paper3/biofuels-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> bioenergy</strong></a> CCS, which are yet to attain commercial success.</li>
<li>The increment of <strong>coal-fired power in 2020, mostly driven by China, is indicating that coal is down but not yet out.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Increased Emissions:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The above<strong> positive scenarios will still not deter the increase in carbon dioxide emission</strong>, after contraction in 2020 mainly due to economic slowdown induced by the novel coronavirus pandemic. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Global emission is <strong>set to grow by 1.5 billion tonnes in 2021.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Many developing nations&rsquo; <strong>supporting policy and regulatory frameworks are not yet aligned with long-term <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-transforming-to-a-net-zero-emissions-energy-system" target="_blank" rel="noopener">net-zero</a> goals.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Net zero emissions</strong> refers to achieving an overall balance between <a href="/infographics/info-paper3/greenhouse-gas-emission" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>greenhouse gas</strong> </a>emissions produced and greenhouse gas emissions taken out of the atmosphere.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>In many <strong>Emerging Market and Developing Economies (EMDEs)</strong>, investment in renewables was hit harder by <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/comprehensive-action-plan-for-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Covid-19</a></strong> than in developed nations &ndash; and now many EMDEs have prioritised coal and oil in recovery plans.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Reasons of Increased Emissions:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <strong>emerging market is almost 70% responsible</strong> for demand growth and <strong>India plays an important part in this block.</strong></li>
<li><strong>China is showing a tremendous expansion in coal-based power production</strong> &mdash; their coal consumption in December 2020 was a historic high &mdash; though the country has a commendable renewable growth.</li>
<li>The <strong>responsibility-share of developed nations should not be undermined.</strong> Their in-country <strong>growth of emission is moderate but their exported emission is of concern.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Australia&rsquo;s</strong> exported emission through coal is double its domestic emission.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Although the US has shown renewed commitment to the multilateral <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/united-nations-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>United Nations</strong> </a>system for tackling <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/climate-change-and-development-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>climate change</strong></a> by re-joining the <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/five-years-of-paris-climate-accord" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Paris agreement</a>.</strong> Its fascination with cheap shale gas is creating an investment distortion and <strong>adversely affecting the sustainability of developmental pathways of countries like India.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>International Energy Agency</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>About:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is an <strong>autonomous Intergovernmental Organisation established in 1974</strong> in Paris, France.</li>
<li>IEA mainly <strong>focuses on its energy policies</strong> which include <strong>economic development, energy security and environmental protection.</strong> These policies are also known as the 3 <strong>E&rsquo;s of IEA.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>India and IEA:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>India became an Associate member of IEA in March 2017</strong> but it was in engagement with IEA long before its association with the organization.</li>
<li>Recently, India has inked a <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/agreement-with-iea" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Strategic Partnership Agreement with the IEA</strong></a> to strengthen cooperation in global energy security, stability and sustainability.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/pollution-from-coal-burning-ieaccc" target="_blank" rel="noopener">IEA Clean Coal Centre</a>:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is dedicated to providing independent information and analysis on how coal can become a cleaner source of energy, compatible with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Reports:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>World Energy Investment Report, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/world-energy-outlook-2018" target="_blank" rel="noopener">World Energy Outlook Report</a>, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/global-energy-review-2020-iea" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Global Energy Review</a>.</strong></li>
<li>Recently, it has released the <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-energy-outlook-2021-iea" target="_blank" rel="noopener">India Energy Outlook 2021 Report</a> and <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/net-zero-by-2050-iea" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Net Zero by 2050</a></strong>, World's first comprehensive energy roadmap.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Market stimulus <strong>amid the pandemic may have lost the opportunity</strong> to maximise the clean developmental pathway, which the world is in dire need of.</li>
<li>The <strong>urgency visible in communication is still not satisfactorily reflected in action</strong> and the world is far away from the scientific target of limiting climate change within two degrees Celsius.</li>
<li>A <strong>more democratic decision-making process and de-corporatisation of the energy sector is the need of the future</strong> for the survival of civilization on this planet.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.downtoearth.org.in/blog/climate%20change/amp/renewable-energy-estimated-to-attract-70-global-energy-investment-in-2021-iea-77263" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source:DTE</strong></a></p>',
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		'article_id' => (int) 8346,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Illegal Sale of Uranium',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Two people were arrested under the <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/india-s-prospects-as-a-nuclear-power" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Atomic Energy Act, 1962</strong></a> for possessing uranium without licence and selling it illegally.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>On testing, the sample was <strong>confirmed as natural uranium by Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC).</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Uranium:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>About:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Uranium <strong>occurs naturally in low concentrations</strong> in soil, rock and water. It is<strong> a hard, dense, malleable, ductile, silver-white, radioactive metal.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Uranium metal has a <strong>very high density.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>When finely divided, it <strong>can react with cold water.</strong> In <strong>air</strong> it is coated by <strong>uranium oxide,</strong> tarnishing rapidly.</li>
<li>It can<strong> form solids solutions and intermetallic compounds</strong> with many of the metals.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Applications:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Energy Production:</strong> The main use of uranium in the civilian sector is to fuel commercial nuclear power plants for generation of <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/india-s-prospects-as-a-nuclear-power" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>nuclear energy.</strong></a><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>This requires uranium to be <strong>enriched with the uranium-235 isotope</strong> and the chain reaction to be controlled so that the energy is released in a more manageable way.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Making Atomic Bomb:</strong> The first atomic bomb used in warfare was an uranium bomb. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>This bomb contained<strong> enough of the uranium-235 isotope</strong> to start a runaway chain reaction which in a fraction of a second caused a large number of the uranium atoms to undergo fission, thereby releasing a fireball of energy.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Used as Shield against Radiation:</strong> Depleted uranium is also used as shield against radiation in <strong>medical processes</strong> using radiation therapy and also while <strong>transporting radioactive materials.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Though itself radioactive, uranium&rsquo;s high density makes it effective in halting radiation.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Used as Counterweights in Industry:</strong> Its high density also makes it useful as counterweights in aircraft and industrial machinery.</li>
<li><strong>Radiometric Dating:</strong> The <strong>isotope uranium 238</strong> is used to estimate the age of the earliest igneous rocks and for other types of radiometric dating.</li>
<li><strong>Fertilizer: Phosphate fertilizers</strong> are made from material typically high in uranium, so they usually contain high amounts of it.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Health and Environmental Impacts:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Impact on Health:</strong> Potentially depleted uranium has both chemical and radiological toxicity with the two important target organs being the <strong>kidneys and the lungs.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Impact on Environment:</strong> Uranium mining facilities produce tailings that generally are disposed of in near surface impoundments close to the mine. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>These tailings pose serious environmental and health risks in the form of <strong>Radon emission, windblown dust dispersal and leaching of contaminants</strong> including heavy metals and arsenic into the water.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Uranium Deposits In India:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In India, Uranium deposits occur in the <strong>Dharwar rocks.</strong></li>
<li>It occurs along the <strong>Singhbhum Copper belt (Jharkhand); Udaipur, Alwar</strong> and <strong>Jhunjhunu districts</strong> of Rajasthan,<strong> Durg district</strong> of Chhattisgarh, <strong>Bhandara district</strong> of Maharashtra and<strong> Kullu district</strong> of Himachal Pradesh.</li>
<li>Significant quantities of reserves have been recently discovered in parts of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/uranium-mining-in-nallamala-forest" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Andhra Pradesh and Telangana</strong></a> between Seshachalam forest and Sresailam (Southern edge of Andhra to Southern edge of Telangana).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Legal Framework in India:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In pursuance to <strong>entry at serial No. 54 of List I (Union List),</strong> the Parliament has passed<strong> &lsquo;The Mines &amp; Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 (MMDR Act)&rsquo;.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>However, with respect to <strong>minor minerals,</strong> the <strong>rulemaking powers have been delegated to the States</strong> through this Act.</li>
<li>Since Uranium is a major mineral, it is<strong> managed by the Union Government</strong> under provisions of <strong>MMDR Act.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The policy and legislation relating to Major minerals are managed by the Ministry of Mines, but <strong>Uranium being an atomic mineral is managed by the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE).</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The <strong>Atomic Energy Act, 1962</strong> seeks to provide standards of controlling radioactive substances and plants and measures to prevent radiation accidents, retain public safety, assure cautious disposal of radioactive wastes, and so on.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Many of these mineral deposits are found in rich forest reserves and thus<strong> approval of the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change</strong> becomes necessary.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Bhabha Atomic Research Centre</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Dr. Homi Jehangir Bhabha conceived the Nuclear Program in India. Dr Bhabha established the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR) for carrying out nuclear science research in 1945.</li>
<li>To intensify the effort to exploit nuclear energy for the benefit of the nation, Dr Bhabha established the Atomic Energy Establishment, Trombay (AEET) in January 1954 for a multidisciplinary research program essential for the ambitious nuclear program of India. AEET was renamed Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) in 1966.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-ats-seizes-7kg-uranium-worth-rs-21-crore-from-a-scrap-dealer-heres-what-happened-7305856/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: IE</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 4 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 8019,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Helium Crisis for India',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>India imports helium for its needs, and with the USA appearing set to cut off exports of helium since 2021, Indian industry stands to lose out heavily.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <strong>Federal Helium Reserve</strong> which is the major helium reserve of the USA is set to <strong>close down production in 2021</strong>, and scientists are looking for new reserves to replace it.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>About Helium:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Helium is a <strong>chemical element</strong> with the symbol <strong>He</strong> and atomic number <strong>2</strong>.</li>
<li>It is a <strong>colourless, odourless, tasteless, non-toxic, inert, monatomic gas</strong>, the first in the noble gas group in the periodic table.</li>
<li>Its <strong>boiling point is the lowest</strong> among all the elements.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1616754903_image5.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1616754903_image5.png" width="500" caption="false" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Discovery of Helium:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Atmosphere Surrounding the Sun:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Helium was discovered <strong>in the gaseous atmosphere surrounding the Sun</strong> by the <strong>French astronomer Pierre Janssen</strong>, who detected a bright yellow line in the spectrum of the solar chromosphere during an eclipse in <strong>India</strong> in the year <strong>1868.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Joseph Norman Lockyer</strong> recorded the same line by observing the sun through London smog and, assuming the new element to be a metal, he <strong>named it helium.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>On Earth:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The British chemist <strong>Sir William Ramsay discovered</strong> the existence of <strong>helium on Earth in 1895.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>In India:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>In 1906</strong> a young Englishman by the name of Morris Travers <strong>extracted helium in small quantities by heating up monazite sand</strong> abundantly available in Kerala beach, in a pioneering effort.
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Monazite</strong> is a primarily reddish-brown phosphate mineral that contains rare-earth elements.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Indian Reserves:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India&rsquo;s <strong>Rajmahal volcanic basin in Jharkhand</strong> is the storehouse of helium trapped for billions of years, since the very birth of Earth from the Sun.</li>
<li>At present, researchers are mapping the Rajmahal basin extensively for future exploration and harnessing of helium.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Need for India:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>To Reduce Import Burden:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Every year, India imports helium worth Rs. 55,000 crores from the USA to meet its needs.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Vast Use:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Helium is used in medicine, scientific research, for blimp inflation, party balloons as well as for welding applications.</li>
<li>It finds many applications, mainly in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans, in rockets and in nuclear reactors.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>USA&rsquo;s Monopoly:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>After discovering that helium was concentrated in large quantities under the <strong>American Great Plains.</strong></li>
<li>The <strong>USA became the most important exporter of helium</strong> across the world.</li>
<li>It was soon realized that the <strong>USA was also the biggest storehouse of helium.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Other Option:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Qatar</strong> is a possible exporter but acute political and diplomatic wrangles have made Qatar <strong>unreliable</strong>.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/the-emerging-crisis-of-obtaining-helium-in-india/article34118742.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source:TH</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 5 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 8001,
		'category_id' => (int) 15,
		'title' => 'The Big Picture: Mines & Minerals (Amendment) Bill',
		'description' => '<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/JiiUXhsEm7I" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<h3>Why in News?</h3>
<p>Recently, the Lok Sabha has cleared the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/mmdr-amendment-bill-2021#:~:text=The%20Act%20empowers%20the%20central,reserved%20for%20particular%20end%2Duse." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) (MMDR) Amendment Bill, 2021.</strong></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Bill amends the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/investment-in-coal-mining#:~:text=The%20Union%20Cabinet%20has%20approved,attract%20investment%20in%20coal%20mining.&amp;text=)%20Act%2C%202015.-,The%20Mines%20and%20Minerals%20(Development%20and%20Regulation)%20Act%2C%201957,mining%20leases%20for%20mining%20operations." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957</strong></a>, which regulates the <a href="/to-the-points/paper1/mining-sector-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>mining sector in India.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>The MMDR Act, 1957:</strong> The mines and minerals sector is governed by the Mines and Minerals Act of 1957. This act provides for:
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The governance of mining leases within the country.</li>
<li>The purpose of why the lease is given.</li>
<li>How to ensure the well being of the people living in the areas where mines are auctioned.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Mineral Potential of India:</strong> India has the same mineral potential as South Africa and Australia. It produces 95 types of minerals but despite this huge mineral potential, the mining sector of India still remains underexplored.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The mining sector contributes around 7 to 7.5% of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/base-year-for-gdp-calculations" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>GDP</strong></a> of countries like South Africa and Australia whereas it is only 1.75% in India.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>High Imports of Minerals:</strong> India is importing around 2.5 lac crore rupees worth minerals.</li>
<li><strong>Underexplored Mining Areas of India:</strong> India has explored only 10% of its <strong>Obvious Geological Potential (OGP)</strong> so far.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Only 5% of OGP is being used by India for mining.</li>
<li>In Australia and South Africa, 70-80% of OGP is mined.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>MMDR Amendment Bill, 2021</h3>
<p><strong>Objectives:</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Transparency in the Auction Process:</strong> The bill passed by a <strong>voice vote</strong> (vote given on a topic by responding orally), is aimed at bringing more transparency in the auction processes of the mines.</li>
<li><strong>Enhancing Employment:</strong> The major objective of the amendment is to generate employment in the mining sector and enhance the contribution of the mining sector in the total GDP of the country.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Ministry of Mines has claimed an increment of about 55 lakh direct and indirect employment to be generated due to the reforms.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Attracting Domestic as well as Foreign Investment:</strong> The government, through this amendment, is making an effort to attract domestic as well as foreign investment in the mining sector plus involvement of safe and effective technology in the sector.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Also, the government has permitted 100% <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/revised-fdi-norms" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>FDI under automatic route for sale of coal</strong></a>, for coal mining activities including associated processing infrastructure.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Increasing the Contribution of Mining to GDP:&nbsp;</strong>The objective is to enhance the contribution of the mining sector in the GDP to up to at least 2.75% which at present is around 1.75%.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Proposed Amendments:</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Removal of the distinction of Captive and Non-captive Mines:</strong> The MMDR Act, 1957 empowers the central government to reserve any mine as <strong>captive mine</strong> which is utilised for a specific purpose only.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The bill removes the distinction between captive and non-captive mines. The mines will not be limited to just a specific purpose/industry/sector.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Ores and Minerals Extracted from Captive Mines: </strong>Earlier, the ores extracted from captive mines were only used by captive industries.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The bill allows the leaseholders of captive mines to sell upto 50% of their ore into the open market.
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>There is one caveat; additional charges will have to be paid to the government by the lessee for selling minerals in the open market.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The 50% cap is flexible, the government can go above the cap if necessary.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Transfer of Statutory Permissions:</strong> The bill provides that all clearances and licences granted shall continue till the reserves have been mined and post the expiry or termination of the lease, will be transferred to the next successful bidder.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This will help attract investors as under the previous regime, the new lessee had pre-embedded clearances for only two years, making it difficult to get fresh clearances within this time period.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Involvement of Central Government:</strong> As per the bill, if the lease for a mine is expired and the state government is unable to auction a mine, then the central government can step in for auctions; the basic idea is to not leave a mine idle.</li>
<li><strong>Removal of Non-Exclusive License Regime:</strong> In the act, companies have a non-exclusive license for the reconnaissance of the area to find out mineral potential.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The amendment removes the non exclusive license permit.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Extension of Mining Leases to Government Companies:</strong> There are also provisions in the bill which allow the government to extend mining leases to government companies for a period of ten years. The idea is to ensure the utilisation of mine is more efficient.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The state governments will be provided additional royalty payments for extending leases to the Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>District Mineral Foundation:</strong> It is a trust set up as a non-profit body, in the districts affected by the mining works, to work for the benefit of affected people and areas. It is funded through the contributions from miners.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The bill provides that the central government can also direct how the money should be spent for the development of the area.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Challenges Associated</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Environmental Concern:</strong> The reforms in the act unshackle the mining sector of India, as much it is beneficial for the development of the country. Mining is harmful from the environmental point of view.</li>
<li><strong>Tribal Communities:</strong> Several tribal communities and <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/particularly-vulnerable-tribal-groups" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs)</a> fall into the mining zones.</strong> Their residence is also threatened by an increase in mining. Their rehabilitation &amp; compensation is another major issue.</li>
<li><strong>Intervention of Central Government in State Matters:</strong> Auction of a mine is a process where the power rests in the hands of state governments. There might exist ambiguity in the case where there are two different political parties in power at center &amp; state.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The state governments may <strong>object to the fixing of the royalties for extensions</strong> of leases to the government companies as this may lead to lower revenues as compared to a transparent process of auction.</li>
<li>Moreover, the involvement of the central government in <strong>directing the expenditure of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/district-mineral-foundation-trust-funds" target="_blank" rel="noopener">district mineral funds</a></strong> is also a matter of concern for the states.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Encouraging the Mining Sector Reforms:</strong> Reforms in the mining sector will propel the growth in other sectors that are dependent upon it.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The boom in the mining production will lead to a boost in a lot of metal and ancillary industries as well. A.lot of industries including the automobile sector will also be benefited with this.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Reducing Imports:</strong> Despite having so much potential, India imports a large amount of raw materials. In order to fulfill the notion of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/atmanirbhar-bharat-and-economic-stimulus" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>self-reliant India</strong></a>, mining is one important aspect to take care of.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Currently many industries including steel, copper, etc import a large amount of raw materials and intermediaries.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Introducing an Independent Regulatory Body:</strong> The ambiguity among the different ruling parties at state and central level should not be allowed to hamper the growth of the mining sector.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Therefore, the need is to have an independent regulating authority which should be given power to work in the larger interest of public &amp; economic growth.</li>
<li>Its purpose is to make sure that no particular side is favoured and utilisation of resources for holistic benefit of the country is maximised.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Cooperation Between Central and State Governments:</strong> In the best interest of mining industries, state governments and central government should cooperate and work together and make sure that mining involves more advanced technologies and is attracting more and more investment so that mining becomes safe for the people involved in mining and living around the mining areas and more employment is generated at the local level.</li>
<li><strong>Handling the Environmental Concerns:</strong> The government at different levels should work together to ensure that mining is environment friendly
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Clearance of the projects for mining should be given after <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/environmental-impact-assessment-1#:~:text=UNEP%20defines%20Environmental%20Impact%20Assessment,project%20prior%20to%20decision%2Dmaking." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Environmental Impact Assessment</strong></a>, Seismic studies and taking the Biodiversity into account.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>To Promote Exports and Employment:</strong> Mineral is a bulky cargo and in order to become an exporter of minerals, India needs to improve its infrastructure in terms of railway racks, port capacities and shipping facilities.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India should focus on generating employment too. The sector has huge potential for job creation at local level which can counter the migration and thus prevent cities from getting overburdened.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Constitutional Provision Related to Mining</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The entry at serial No. 23 of List II (State List) to the Constitution of India mandates the state government to own the minerals located within their boundaries,</li>
<li>The entry at serial No. 54 of List I (Central List) mandates the central government to own the minerals within the exclusive economic zone of India (EEZ).
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In pursuance to this Mines &amp; Minerals (Development and Regulation) (MMDR) Act of 1957 was framed.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The central government has the ownership over all offshore minerals (ie, minerals extracted from the sea or ocean floor in the Indian maritime zones such as the territorial waters, continental shelf and exclusive economic zones).</li>
</ul>
</div>',
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		'article_id' => (int) 7967,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'MMDR Amendment Bill, 2021',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the Coal and <strong>Mines Minister introduced the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) (MMDR) Amendment Bill, 2021</strong> in Lok Sabha.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Bill seeks to amend the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/investment-in-coal-mining#:~:text=The%20Union%20Cabinet%20has%20approved,attract%20investment%20in%20coal%20mining.&amp;text=)%20Act%2C%202015.-,The%20Mines%20and%20Minerals%20(Development%20and%20Regulation)%20Act%2C%201957,mining%20leases%20for%20mining%20operations." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957</strong></a> which regulates the mining sector in India.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Proposed Changes:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Removal of restriction on end-use of minerals:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The Act <strong>empowers the central government to reserve any mine</strong> (other than coal, lignite, and atomic minerals) to be leased through an auction for a particular end-use (such as iron ore mine for a steel plant). Such mines are known as captive mines.</li>
<li>The Bill provides that <strong>no mine will be reserved for particular end-use.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Sale of minerals by captive mines:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The Bill provides that <strong>captive mines</strong> (other than atomic minerals) <strong>may sell up to 50% of their annual mineral production in the open market</strong> after meeting their own needs. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The central <strong>government may increase this threshold through</strong> a notification.</li>
<li>The <strong>lessee will have to pay additional charges</strong> for minerals sold in the open market.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Auction by the central government in certain cases:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The Bill <strong>empowers the central government to specify a time period for completion of the auction process</strong> in consultation with the state government.</li>
<li>If the state government is unable to complete the auction process within this period, the <strong>auctions may be conducted by the central government.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Transfer of statutory clearances:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It <strong>provides that transferred statutory clearances will be valid throughout the lease period</strong> of the new lessee.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Currently the new lessee has to apply for fresh clearances within two years of the transfer from the previous lessee.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Allocation of mines with expired leases:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The Bill adds that mines whose lease has expired, may be allocated to a government company in certain cases.</li>
<li>This will be applicable if the auction process for granting a new lease has not been completed, or the new lease has been terminated within a year of the auction.</li>
<li>The state government may grant a lease for such a mine to a government company for a period of up to 10 years or until the selection of a new lessee, whichever is earlier.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Extension of leases to government companies:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The Act provides that the period of mining leases granted to government companies will be prescribed by the central government and may be <strong>extended on payment of additional amounts</strong> prescribed in the Bill.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Conditions for lapse of mining lease:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>If the lessee is <strong>not able to start mining operations within two years</strong> of the grant of a lease.</li>
<li>If the lessee has <strong>discontinued mining operations for a period of two years.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The lease will not lapse at the end of this period if a concession is provided by the state government upon an application by the lessee.</li>
<li>The Bill adds that the threshold period for lapse of the lease may be extended by the state government only once and up to one year.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Non-exclusive reconnaissance permit:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The Act provides for a non-exclusive reconnaissance permit (for minerals other than coal, lignite, and atomic minerals). <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Reconnaissance</strong> means preliminary prospecting of a mineral through certain surveys. The <strong>Bill removes the provision for this permit.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Significance:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Transparency:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It would lead to <strong>greater transparency</strong> <strong>in the auction process</strong> as there is a perception that state governments may in some cases prefer some bidders, and try to delay or cancel mining rights if their preferred bidders do not win mining rights.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Maximization of Output:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Increased <strong>flexibility would allow miners to maximise output from captive mines</strong> as they would be able to sell output in excess of their own requirements.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Ease of Doing Business:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It will provide<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/steps-to-boost-ease-of-doing-business" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> ease of doing business</strong></a>, simplification of procedure and benefit all the parties in areas where minerals are located.</li>
<li>It will also <strong>speed up the process</strong> of implementation of projects.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Efficient Energy Market:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It will create an <strong>efficient energy market</strong> and bring in more competition as well as <strong>reduce coal imports.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Access to High-End Technology:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It would also help India gain access to high-end technology for underground mining used by miners across the globe.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/mmdr-amendment-bill-2021-explained-7233672/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: IE</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 7 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 7722,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'India Energy Outlook 2021: IEA',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/global-energy-review-2020-iea" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>International Energy Agency (IEA)</strong></a> has released the <strong>India Energy Outlook 2021 Report</strong> which explores the opportunities and challenges ahead for India as it seeks to ensure reliable, affordable and sustainable energy for a growing population.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The India Energy Outlook 2021 is<strong> a new special report from the IEA&rsquo;s World Energy Outlook series.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Third Largest Energy Consumer by 2030:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India will <strong>make up the biggest share of energy demand growth at 25%</strong> over the next two decades, as it <strong>overtakes the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/european-union" target="_blank" rel="noopener">European Union</a> as the world's third-biggest energy consumer by 2030.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Presently, <strong>India is the fourth-largest</strong> global energy consumer <strong>behind China,</strong> the <strong>United States</strong> and the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/european-union" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>European Union</strong></a>.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>India's <strong>energy consumption is expected to nearly double</strong> as the nation's <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/base-year-for-gdp-calculations" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Gross Domestic Product (GDP)</strong></a> expands to an estimated USD 8.6 trillion by 2040 under its current national policy scenario.</li>
<li><strong>Prior</strong> to the global <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/covid-19-now-pandemic-who" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>pandemic</strong></a>, India&rsquo;s energy demand was <strong>projected to increase</strong> by almost <strong>50% between 2019 and 2030,</strong> but growth over this period is <strong>now closer to 35%.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Industrialisation is a Major Driving Force:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Over the last three decades, India accounted for about <strong>10% of World Growth </strong>in<strong> Industrial Value-added</strong> [in <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/new-purchasing-power-parities-icp-2017" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Purchasing Power Parity (PPP)</strong> </a>terms].</li>
<li><strong>By 2040,</strong> India is set to account for almost <strong>20% of Global Growth </strong>in<strong> Industrial value-added,</strong> and to lead global growth in industrial final energy consumption, especially in steelmaking.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Reliance on Imports:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India's growing energy needs will make it<strong> more reliant on fossil fuel imports</strong> as its <strong>domestic oil and gas production has been stagnant</strong> for years despite government policies to promote petroleum exploration and production and renewable energy.</li>
<li>Rising oil demand <strong>could double India's oil import bill</strong> to about USD 181 billion by 2030 and nearly treble it to USD 255 billion by 2040 compared with 2019.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Oil Demand:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India&rsquo;s <strong>oil demand</strong> is seen<strong> rising by 74% to 8.7 million</strong> barrels per day <strong>by 2040</strong> under the existing policies scenario.</li>
<li>A <strong>five-fold increase in per capita car ownership</strong> will result in India leading the oil demand growth in the world.</li>
<li>Its <strong>net dependence on oil imports -</strong> taking into account both the import of crude oil and the export of oil products - <strong>increases to more than 90% by 2040 from the current 75%</strong> as domestic consumption rises much more than production.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Gas Demand:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India will become the <strong>fastest-growing market for Natural gas,</strong> with demand <strong>more than tripling by 2040.</strong></li>
<li>Natural gas<strong> import dependency</strong> increased from<strong> 20% in 2010</strong> to almost<strong> 50% in 2019</strong> and is set to grow further to <strong>more than 60% in 2040.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Coal Demand:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Coal currently dominates India's electricity sector,</strong> accounting for over 70% of overall generation.</li>
<li><strong>Coal demand</strong> is seen <strong>rising to 772 million tonnes </strong>in<strong> 2040</strong> from the <strong>current 590.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Renewables Energy Resources Demand:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India's share in the<strong> growth</strong> in <strong>renewable energy</strong> is the <strong>second-largest</strong> in the world, <strong>after China.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>International Energy Agency</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The International Energy Agency is an <strong>autonomous Intergovernmental Organisation</strong> established in 1974 in Paris, France.</li>
<li>IEA mainly focuses on its energy policies which include <strong>economic development, energy security and environmental protection.</strong> These policies are also known as the 3 E&rsquo;s of IEA.</li>
<li>India became an<strong> Associate member of IEA in March 2017</strong> but it was in engagement with IEA long before its association with the organization.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Recently, India has<strong> inked a <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/agreement-with-iea" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Strategic Partnership Agreement with the IEA</a></strong> to strengthen cooperation in global energy security, stability and sustainability.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>The World Energy Outlook Report</strong> is released by the IEA annually.</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/pollution-from-coal-burning-ieaccc" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>IEA Clean Coal Centre</strong></a> is dedicated to providing independent information and analysis on how coal can become a cleaner source of energy, compatible with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>As the world seeks ways to accelerate the pace of transformation in the energy sector, <strong>India is in a unique position to pioneer a new model for low-carbon, inclusive growth.</strong> If this can be done, it will show the way for a whole group of energy-hungry developing economies, by demonstrating that <strong>robust economic expansion is fully compatible with an increasing pace of emissions reductions</strong> and the achievement of other development goals.</li>
<li>India is already a global leader in solar power, and <strong>solar combined with batteries will play a massive part in India&rsquo;s energy future.</strong> But India will need a whole host of technologies and policies to chart this new path.</li>
<li>As new industrial sectors emerge and clean energy jobs grow, India will also need to ensure that <strong>no one is left behind, including in those regions that are heavily dependent on coal today.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/business/commodities/india-to-overtake-eu-as-worlds-third-largest-energy-consumer-by-2030-iea-7181433/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source:IE</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 8 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 7631,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Unified Portal of Gobardhan',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, a <strong>Unified Portal of Gobardhan</strong> has been launched to<strong> ensure smooth implementation</strong> of Biogas schemes/initiatives and their real time tracking.</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Objectives:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Ensure close coordination with various Departments/Ministries for smooth implementation of Biogas schemes/initiatives and its real time tracking.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Coordinated by:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation under the <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/Swachh%20Bharat%20Mission" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Swachh Bharat Mission &ndash; Grameen (SBMG)</a>.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Benefits: </strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Economy:</strong> Strengthen the rural economy through a convergent approach for various Biogas projects/models and initiatives.</li>
<li><strong>ODF Plus Goals:</strong> The <strong>ODF Plus goals (solid waste management in villages, along with the collection and transportation of biodegradable and non-biodegradable waste)</strong> outlined in the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/swachh-bharat-mission-grameen-phase-ii-approved" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Phase 2 of SBMG</strong></a> will depend on the performance of Gobardhan scheme to a great extent.</li>
<li><strong>Synchronisation with other Schemes:</strong> The portal will further help in achieving objectives of <a href="/daily-news-analysis/satat-initiative" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>SATAT (Sustainable Alternative towards Affordable Transportation)</strong></a> aimed at setting up of Compressed Biogas (CBG) production plants and ensuring market linkage for use of biofuel in automotive fuels.</li>
<li><strong>Better Environment &amp; Public Health:</strong> Rural India generates enormous quantities of bio-waste which can be efficiently utilized and lead to better environment and public health.</li>
<li><strong>Employment Generation &amp; Savings:</strong> Bio-waste processing especially cattle dung into Biogas &amp; organic manure leads to generation of opportunities for employment and household savings.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>GOBAR-DHAN Scheme</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Launched By:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The ministry of Jal Shakti has launched the <strong>GOBAR (Galvanizing Organic Bio-Agro Resources) - DHAN scheme. </strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Implementation:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The scheme is being implemented as part of the <strong>Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin).</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Components:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin) comprises <strong>two main components</strong> for creating clean villages &ndash;<strong> creating open defecation free (ODF)</strong> villages and <strong>managing solid and liquid waste in villages.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Aim:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Keeping villages clean, increasing the income of rural households, and generation of energy from cattle waste.</li>
<li>The scheme also aims at creating new rural livelihood opportunities and enhancing income for farmers and other rural people.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1694825" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source:PIB</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 9 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 7495,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Rooftop Solar Scheme',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the <strong>Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE)</strong> has released an advisory on the <strong>rooftop solar scheme.</strong></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Objective:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>To generate solar power by installing <strong>solar panels</strong> on the roof of the houses, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy is implementing <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/phase-ii-of-grid-connected-rooftop-solar-programme" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Grid-connected Rooftop Solar Scheme (Phase II)</strong></a>.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Grid-Connected Rooftop Solar Scheme (Phase II):</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It aims to achieve a cumulative capacity of <strong>40,000 MW from Rooftop Solar Projects by the year 2022.</strong></li>
<li>In a grid-connected rooftop or small Solar Photovoltaic (SPV) system wherein <strong>the DC power generated from the SPV panel is converted to AC power</strong> using the power conditioning unit and is fed to the grid.</li>
<li>The<strong> major objective</strong> of the programme includes:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>To promote the <strong>grid-connected SPV rooftop</strong> and small SPV power generating plants among the residential, community, institutional, industrial and commercial establishments.</li>
<li>To<strong> mitigate</strong> the <strong>dependence on fossil fuel based electricity generation</strong> and encourage environment-friendly Solar electricity generation.</li>
<li>To create an <strong>enabling environment for investment in the solar energy</strong> sector by the private sector, state government and the individuals.</li>
<li>To create an enabling environment for the <strong>supply of solar power from rooftop and small plants to the grid.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>This scheme is being implemented in the state by <strong>distribution companies (DISCOMs).</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Under this scheme the Ministry is providing a <strong>40%</strong> subsidy for the first 3 kW and <strong>20%</strong> subsidy beyond <strong>3 kW</strong> and upto <strong>10 kW</strong> of solar panel capacity.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The <strong>residential consumer has to pay the cost of rooftop solar plant by reducing the subsidy amount</strong> given by the Ministry as per the prescribed rate to the vendor.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Other Schemes for Promoting Solar Energy:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/pm-kusum#:~:text=PM%2DKUSUM%20consists%20of%20three,standalone%20solar%2Dpowered%20agriculture%20pumps." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan</strong></a> <strong>(PM-KUSUM):</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The scheme covers grid-connected Renewable Energy power plants (0.5 &ndash; 2 MW)/Solar water pumps/grid connected agriculture pumps.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Scheme for Development of Ultra Mega Renewable Energy Power Parks:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It is a scheme to develop Ultra Mega Renewable Energy Power Parks (UMREPPs) under the existing Solar Park Scheme.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>National Wind-Solar Hybrid Policy:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The main objective of the National Wind-Solar Hybrid Policy, 2018 is to provide a framework for <strong>promotion of large grid connected wind-solar PV hybrid systems</strong> for optimal and efficient utilization of wind and solar resources, transmission infrastructure and land.</li>
<li>The wind - solar PV hybrid systems will help in reducing the variability in renewable power generation and achieving better grid stability.</li>
<li>The policy also aims to encourage new technologies, methods and way-outs involving combined operation of wind and solar PV plants.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Atal Jyoti Yojana</strong> (AJAY):<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The AJAY scheme was launched in September 2016 for the installation of<strong> solar street lighting</strong> (SSL) systems in states with less than <strong>50%</strong> households covered with <strong>grid power</strong> (as per Census 2011).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/second-assembly-of-isa#:~:text=The%20second%20assembly%20of%20the,financial%20and%20programme%20related%20issues." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>International Solar Alliance</strong></a>: The ISA, is an Indian initiative that was launched by the Prime Minister of India and the President of France on 30th November 2015 in Paris, France on the side-lines of the Conference of the Parties (COP-21), with 121 solar resource rich countries lying fully or partially between the tropic of Cancer and tropic of Capricorn as prospective members.</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/one-sun-one-world-one-grid-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>One Sun, One World, One Grid</strong></a> (OSOWOG): It focuses on a framework for facilitating global cooperation, building a global ecosystem of interconnected renewable energy resources (mainly solar energy) that can be seamlessly shared.</li>
<li><strong><a href="/mind-map/gs-paper2/national-action-plan-on-climate-change-mind-map" target="_blank" rel="noopener">National Solar Mission</a> (a part of National Action Plan on Climate Change)</strong></li>
<li><strong>Suryamitra Skill Development Programme:</strong> To provide skill training to rural youth in handling solar installations.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1688826#:~:text=To%20generate%20solar%20power%20by,kW%20and%20upto%2010%20kW." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source:PIB</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 10 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 7435,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Single Window Clearance for Coal',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the Union government has announced a new <strong>online single window clearance portal for the </strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/investment-in-coal-mining" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>coal</strong></a><strong> sector.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The coal sector can be the<strong> biggest contributor</strong> towards the target of<a href="/current-affairs-news-analysis-editorials/news-editorials/19-07-2019#:~:text=According%20to%20the%20economic%20survey,economy%20in%20the%20near%20future." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> India becoming a USD 5 trillion economy by 2025.</strong></a></li>
<li>Despite having the <strong>world's fourth-largest coal reserves,</strong> India is<strong> importing coal.</strong></li>
<li>The next tranche of commercial mining auction would be<strong> launched in January 2021.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Aim :</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is aimed at<strong> allowing faster clearances,</strong> including<strong> environmental and forest clearances,</strong> from a<strong> single portal</strong> with progress monitoring, instead of having to go to multiple authorities.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Presently, about <strong>19 major approvals, or clearances are required before starting the coal mine</strong> in the country.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Significance:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The portal will allow successful bidders to <strong>operationalise coal mines more quickly.</strong></li>
<li>It is in the spirit of <strong>minimum government and maximum governance.</strong></li>
<li>It will further<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/steps-to-boost-ease-of-doing-business" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> ease of doing business</strong> </a>in the country's coal sector.</li>
<li>It will help in bringing <strong>huge investment and creating employment.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Future Plan:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong><a href="/daily-news-analysis/important-facts-for-prelims-1st-january-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener">PARIVESH</a> Mechanism</strong> for forest and environment related clearances would likely be <strong>merged into this single window clearance mechanism</strong> which is expected to<strong> help with the operationalisation of the coals blocks</strong> that are set to be auctioned in the upcoming auctions.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>PARIVESH</strong> is a <strong>web-based application</strong> which has been developed for online submission and monitoring of the proposals submitted by the proponents for <strong>seeking Environment, Forest, Wildlife and Coastal Regulation Zones (CRZ) Clearances from Central, State and district level authorities.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Recent Initiatives in Coal Sector:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>As a part of Atmanirbhar Abhiyaan:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/coal-sector-reforms#:~:text=Announced%20Reforms%20In%20Coal%20Sector,offered%20to%20the%20private%20sector.&amp;text=Coal%20blocks%20to%20be%20offered,through%20rebate%20in%20revenue%20share." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Commercial mining</strong></a> of coal allowed, with 50 blocks to be offered to the private sector.</li>
<li><strong>Entry norms will be liberalised</strong> as it has done away with the regulation requiring power plants to use &ldquo;washed&rdquo; coal.</li>
<li><strong>Coal blocks to be offered to private companies on revenue sharing basis</strong> in place of fixed cost.</li>
<li><strong>Coal gasification/liquefaction</strong> to be incentivised through rebate in revenue share.</li>
<li><strong>Coal bed methane (CBM)</strong> extraction rights to be auctioned from Coal India&rsquo;s coal mines.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>UTTAM (Unlocking Transparency by Third Party Assessment of Mined Coal):</strong> In April 2018, the Ministry of Coal launched <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/coal-sector-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>UTTAM Application</strong></a> for coal quality monitoring.</li>
<li><strong>Scheme for Harnessing and Allocating Koyala (Coal) Transparently in India (SHAKTI):</strong> Launched in May 2017, for allocation of future coal linkages in a transparent manner for the power sector.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-what-is-the-new-single-window-clearance-for-coal-how-will-it-help-7142233/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source:IE</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 11 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 7434,
		'category_id' => (int) 15,
		'title' => 'The Big Picture : One Nation, One Gas Grid',
		'description' => '<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/wvy_6E2YisY" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<h3>Why in News?</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Prime Minister of India has recently inaugurated the 450-km natural gas pipeline between Kochi in Kerala to Mangalore in Karnataka.</li>
<li>The government has set the energy roadmap, envisaging more than double the share of cleaner natural gas in the consumption basket, diversifying sources of energy, connecting the nation with one gas pipeline grid and bringing affordable fuel to people and industry.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>A gas-based economy is crucial for an Atmanirbhar Bharat and work is being done in the direction of <strong>'One Nation, One Gas Grid'.</strong></li>
<li>The pipeline grid is expected to not only help improve clean energy access, but also aid in the development of city gas projects.</li>
<li>The government is also considering the proposal of bringing natural gas under the ambit of <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/goods-and-services-tax-gst-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Good and Services Tax.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
<h3>One Nation, One Gas Grid</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Indian Power system for planning and operational purposes is divided into five regional grids.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>One Nation, One Gas Grid refers to the integration of these regional grids thus establishing a National Grid for providing energy produced by natural gas to various stakeholders like the central government, the state governments, the public and the private sectors.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1610439260_image1.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1610439260_image1.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="600" caption="false" /></a></p>
<p><strong>Objective and Need of One Nation &amp; One Gas Grid</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Meeting the targets:</strong> The initiative of the Indian government will help meet its target of reaching 15% natural gas in its energy basket mix by 2030 which is currently at 6.2-6.5% whereas the global average is 23-24%.</li>
<li><strong>Connecting the nation:</strong> With one nation and one gas grid, the energy produced from natural gas will be supplied to the whole country via a single source.</li>
<li><strong>Improving regional imbalance:</strong> It will help in improving the regional imbalance of gas availability as currently the natural gas is only in limited pockets of the country.</li>
<li><strong>India as a gas based economy:</strong> One nation, one gas grid which will help emerge India as a gas based economy.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It will not only lead to robust development in the economy but also encourage a clean environment.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Cleaner environment:</strong> In times when conventionalsSources are depleting and mining is being extended to a greater depth and area, natural gas can prove to be a boon by preventing deforestation and desertification.</li>
<li><strong>Reduce import dependency:</strong> The import dependency of natural gas in India has reached to 53%. In order to reduce this high percentage, the government is taking measures to diversify the energy mix of India.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>India&rsquo;s Targets</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>To increase the share of natural gas, the government has announced the expansion of the natural gas grid from the previous 17,500 kilometers to 34,500 kilometers. To which, 450 kms have already been added making it approx 18000.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The next 16000 kms is expected to be achieved in the next 4-6 years.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Primarily, as a grid, the north and west part of India were already connected via LNG terminal.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In the last 4 years, efforts have also been made to connect eastern India with North via the Jagdishpur-Haldia-Bokaro-Dhamra Pipeline which is a <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-gas-grid-fuel-for-all" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>PM Urja Ganga Project</strong></a> which is in its final stages and will also add around 3000 kms to the grid.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The southern part of India is also being looked upon and is expected to add about 1500 kms to the grid.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Encouraging investments:</strong> Investing in natural gas should be more encouraged. The share can be divided as : 20% for smaller manufacturing brands whereas for the government and bigger companies it should be 80%.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is important because investing in natural gas means investing in:
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Cleaner environment</li>
<li>Better health for our people</li>
<li>Creating more jobs and a better economy for our people.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Educating about natural gas:</strong> One area where we all should work is in educating people about the natural gas economy because at present the lack of knowledge about natural gas based economy is widely persistent.</li>
<li><strong>Empowering the vehicles:</strong> Empowered vehicles are needed to reach the destination of One Nation, One Gas Grid. Vehicles such as GAIL, <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-natural-gas-economy" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>ONGC</strong></a> etc need to be strengthened and empowered to eradicate natural gas energy poverty.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is important to give more importance to companies like ONGC when it comes to upstream for gas and GAIL India when it comes to midstream production and gas distribution, and to companies like Oil India when it comes to oil distribution.
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>We need more LNG terminals for more upstream production of gas.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Marketing and pricing reforms:</strong> To increase domestic exploration, investment and production of natural gas, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/natural-gas-marketing-reforms" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Marketing and Pricing Reforms</strong></a> are the one step that the Government of India has taken in a couple of months.</li>
<li><strong>Natural gas democracy:</strong> Like no citizen of a country should be kept out of democracy, similarly no one should be left out of the benefits of natural gas, it should reach each and every household.</li>
<li><strong>Collaborative effort:</strong> It is not enough that only the central government takes initiatives in the direction, various state govts should also come on board or even a public sector is also as important when it comes to contributing their share in the notion of One Nation, One Gas Grid.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>Tremendous efforts are on the way to achieve clean affordable and sustainable energy but going forward there will be infrastructure related and many other possible challenges that must be tackled in order to end energy poverty in the times to come, ensuring energy security for the citizens as well.</p>',
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	(int) 12 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 7432,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Domestic Vanadium Deposits',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>A recent exploration by <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/indian-navy-signs-mou-with-geological-survey-of-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Geological Survey of India</a> (GSI)</strong> has found reserves of <strong>Vanadium in Arunachal Pradesh.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>GSI is an <strong>attached office to the Ministry of Mines.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>About Vanadium:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Vanadium is a <strong>chemical element</strong> with the <strong>symbol V.</strong></li>
<li>It is a scarce element, hard, silvery grey, ductile and malleable <strong>transition metal</strong> with <strong>good structural strength.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Transition metals are all the elements in groups 3&ndash;12 of the periodic table. These are superior conductors of heat as well as electricity.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Ores:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Patronite, vanadinite, roscoelite and carnotite.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Uses:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Vanadium is used primarily as an alloying element in the <strong>Iron &amp; Steel Industry</strong> and to some extent as a <strong>stabiliser in titanium and aluminium alloys used in the aerospace Industry.</strong></li>
<li>Modern applications of vanadium include its use as <strong>vanadium secondary batteries for power plants</strong> and <strong>rechargeable Vanadium Redox Battery (VRB) for commercial applications.</strong></li>
<li>Vanadium alloys are used in <strong>nuclear reactors</strong> because of <strong>vanadium's low neutron-absorbing properties.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Reserves of Vanadium in Arunachal Pradesh:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Concentrations of vanadium have been found in the <strong>palaeo-&shy;proterozoic</strong> (era) <strong>carbonaceous phyllite rocks</strong> in the<strong> Depo and Tamang areas</strong> of Papum Pare district in Arunachal Pradesh.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Phyllite</strong> is a fine-grained <strong>metamorphic rock</strong> formed by the recrystallization of fine-grained, parent sedimentary rocks, such as mudstones or shales.</li>
<li>Sedimentary rocks containing significant enrichment in organic matter over average sediments are called <strong>carbonaceous sedimentary rocks.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>There are <strong>other potential sites in various districts</strong> in Arunachal Pradesh.</li>
<li>This is the <strong>first report of a primary deposit of vanadium in India.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Current Scenario:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India is a <strong>significant consumer of vanadium,</strong> but is not a primary producer of the strategic metal.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>According to data provided by the GSI, India consumed<strong> 4%</strong> of total <strong>global production of Vanadium in 2017.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It is recovered as a<strong> by-product from the slag</strong> of processed vanadiferous magnetite (iron) ores.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Slag is the<strong> glass-like by-product left over after</strong> a desired metal has been separated (i.e., smelted) from its<strong> raw ore.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Global Reserves:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The largest deposits of Vanadium are in<strong> China, followed by Russia and South Africa</strong> respectively.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/arunachal-now-on-indias-vanadium-map/article33544369.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source:TH</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 13 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 7428,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Domestic Exploration of Lithium',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recent surveys by the<strong> Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration and Research</strong> (AMD) have shown the presence of<strong> lithium resources in Mandya district,</strong> Karnataka.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>AMD is the oldest unit of the<strong> Department of Atomic Energy.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>About Lithium:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Properties:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It is a chemical element with the symbol <strong>Li.</strong></li>
<li>It is a soft, silvery-white metal.</li>
<li>Under standard conditions, it is the <strong>lightest metal </strong>and<strong> the lightest solid element.</strong></li>
<li>It is highly <strong>reactive and flammable, and must be stored in mineral oil.</strong></li>
<li>It is <strong>an alkali metal and a rare metal.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The <strong>alkali metals</strong> consist of the chemical elements <strong>lithium, sodium, potassium, rubidium, caesium, and francium.</strong> Together with hydrogen<strong> they constitute group 1,</strong> which lies in the <strong>s-block</strong> of the periodic table.</li>
<li><strong>Rare Metals</strong> (RM) include Niobium (Nb), Tantalum (Ta), Lithium (Li), Beryllium (Be), Cesium (Cs) etc. and <strong>Rare Earths</strong> (RE) include Lanthanum (La) to Lutetium (Lu) besides Scandium (Sc) and Yttrium (Y). <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>These <strong>metals are strategic in nature</strong> with wide application in the nuclear and other high tech industries such as electronics, telecommunication, information technology, space, defense etc.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Uses:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Lithium metal is used to make<strong> useful alloys.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>For example, with lead to make <strong>&lsquo;white metal&rsquo;</strong> bearings for motor engines, with <strong>aluminium to make aircraft parts,</strong> and with <strong>magnesium </strong>to<strong> make armour plates.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>In Thermonuclear reactions.</li>
<li>To make <strong>electrochemical cells.</strong> Lithium is an important component in <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/electric-vehicles-policy-2020-delhi" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Electric Vehicles</strong></a>, Laptops etc.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Lithium Resources in Karnataka:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The survey shows presence of <strong>1,600 tonnes of lithium resources</strong> in the <strong>igneous rocks</strong> of the <strong>Marlagalla-Allapatna</strong> region of <strong>Karnataka&rsquo;s Mandya district.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Benefits of Domestic Exploration:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Reducing Import Bill:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>India currently imports all its lithium needs.</strong> Over 165 crore lithium batteries are estimated to have been imported into India between 2016-17 and 2019-20, at an estimated import bill of upwards of<strong> USD 3.3 billion.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Reducing Overdependence on China:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>China is a major source of <strong>lithium-ion energy storage products</strong> being imported into the country.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Issues Associated with Domestic Exploration:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The new find is categorised as <strong>&ldquo;inferred&rdquo;.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The<strong> &lsquo;inferred&rsquo;</strong> mineral resource is the part of a resource for which <strong>quantity, grade and mineral content</strong> are estimated only with a <strong>low level of confidence</strong> based on information gathered from locations such as <strong>outcrops, trenches, pits, workings, and drill holes</strong> that may be of limited or uncertain quality, and also of lower reliability.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The lithium find is <strong>comparatively small,</strong> considering the size of the proven reserves in <strong>Bolivia, Argentina, Australia,</strong> and<strong> China respectively.</strong></li>
<li>India is seen as a<strong> late mover in attempts to enter the lithium value chain,</strong> coming at a time when <strong>Electric Vehicles</strong> are predicted to be a<strong> sector ripe for disruption.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>2021 is likely to be a turning point for battery technology with several <strong>potential improvements to the li-ion technology,</strong> and alternatives to this tried-and-tested formulation in <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/lithium-ion-technology" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>advanced stages of commercialisation.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Extraction Method:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Lithium can be extracted in different ways, depending on the type of the deposit .<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Solar evaporation</strong> of large <strong>brine pools.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>A <strong>brine pool</strong> is a volume of brine collected in a seafloor depression.</li>
<li>For example: Brines of <strong>Sambhar and Pachpadra</strong> in Rajasthan.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Hard-rock extraction of the ore</strong> (a metal-bearing mineral).<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>For example: <strong>rock mining at Mandya.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Other Potential Sites:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The major<strong> mica belts</strong> in<strong> Rajasthan, Bihar, and Andhra Pradesh.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Pegmatite</strong> (igneous rocks) belts in<strong> Odisha and Chhattisgarh.</strong></li>
<li>Brines of <strong>Sambhar and Pachpadra</strong> in Rajasthan, and<strong> Rann of Kachchh</strong> in Gujarat.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Other Government Initiative:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India, through a newly state-owned company<strong> Khanij Bidesh India Ltd,</strong> had <strong>signed an agreement with an Argentinian firm</strong> to jointly prospect lithium in Argentina that has the <strong>third largest reserves of the metal in the world.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The company has a specific mandate<strong> to acquire strategic mineral assets such as lithium and cobalt abroad.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/india/looking-for-lithium-toehold-india-finds-a-small-deposit-in-karnataka-7141303/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source:IE</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 14 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 7391,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Conflict Over Nile',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Ethiopia, Sudan and Egypt have recently agreed to resume negotiations to resolve their <strong>decade-long complex dispute</strong> over the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/grand-ethiopian-renaissance-dam" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Grand Renaissance Dam</strong> </a>hydropower project in the Horn of Africa.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Horn of Africa is the <strong>easternmost extension of African land</strong> and includes the region that is home to the countries of <strong>Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, and Somalia,</strong> whose cultures have been linked throughout their long history.</li>
<li>The Grand Renaissance Dam is being constructed by<strong> Ethiopia on the river Nile.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1609926506_image3.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1609926506_image3.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="450" caption="false" /></strong></a></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Conflict:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>The Nile, Africa&rsquo;s longest river,</strong> has been at the center of a decade-long complex dispute involving several countries that are dependent on the river&rsquo;s waters.</li>
<li><strong>Grand Renaissance Dam:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>This 145-meter-tall (475-foot-tall) hydropower project, started by<strong> Ethiopia</strong> is the cause of conflict.</li>
<li>Given the <strong>dam&rsquo;s location on the Blue Nile tributary,</strong> it would <strong>allow Ethiopia to gain control</strong> of the flow of the river&rsquo;s waters.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Blue Nile is a tributary of the Nile river and it carries about two-thirds of the river's water volume and most of the silt.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>At the forefront of this <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/egypt-ethiopia-conflict-on-gerd" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>dispute are Ethiopia, Egypt and Sudan.</strong></a></li>
<li><strong>Dam&rsquo;s Importance for Ethiopia:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Ethiopia believes this dam will generate approximately<strong> 6,000 megawatts</strong> of electricity which will<strong> support its industrial growth.</strong></li>
<li>It can also <strong>export surplus electricity</strong> to neighbouring regions to generate revenue.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Neighbouring countries like <strong>Kenya, Sudan, Eritrea and South Sudan</strong> also suffer from <strong>electricity shortages</strong> and they can also <strong>benefit from the hydropower project</strong> if Ethiopia decides to sell electricity to them.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Egypt&rsquo;s Concern:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Egypt lies <strong>downstream</strong> and is concerned that Ethiopia&rsquo;s control over the water could result in <strong>lower water levels within its own borders.</strong></li>
<li>Egypt depends on the Nile for approximately 97% of its drinking water and irrigation supplies.</li>
<li>The dam would jeopardise<strong> food and water security</strong> and <strong>livelihoods</strong> of ordinary Egyptian citizens.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Sudan&rsquo;s Stand:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Sudan too is concerned that if Ethiopia were to gain control over the river, it would affect the <strong>water levels Sudan receives.</strong></li>
<li>Sudan is likely to<strong> benefit from the power generated</strong> by the dam.</li>
<li>The<strong> regulated flow of the river will save Sudan</strong> from serious flooding in August and September. Thus it has proposed joint management of the dam.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Current Situation:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The latest round of talks between<strong> Ethiopia, Sudan and Egypt</strong> occurred with<strong> South Africa</strong> observing the proceedings in its role as the current head of the<a href="/current-affairs-news-analysis-editorials/news-editorials/09-07-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> African Union&rsquo;s</strong> </a>rotating council, in addition to other international observers.</li>
<li>Despite previous talks, the point of contention hasn&rsquo;t changed.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Nile River</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The River Nile is in Africa. It originates in <strong>Burundi, south of the equator,</strong> and flows northward through northeastern Africa, eventually flowing through Egypt and finally draining into the <strong>Mediterranean Sea.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Source:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The source of the Nile is sometimes considered to be <strong>Lake Victoria,</strong> but the lake itself has feeder rivers of considerable size like the<strong> Kagera River.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The Nile River is considered as one of the<strong> longest rivers</strong> in the world.</li>
<li>The Nile has a length of about <strong>6,695 kilometers</strong> (4,160 miles).</li>
<li>The Nile basin is huge and includes parts of <strong>Tanzania, Burundi, Rwanda, Congo (Kinshasa), Kenya.</strong></li>
<li>The <strong>Nile River</strong> forms an <strong>arcuate delta</strong> as it empties into the Mediterranean Sea. Deltas with<strong> triangular or fan-shape</strong> are called<strong> arcuate (arc-like) deltas.</strong></li>
<li>The Nile is formed by three principal streams: <strong>the Blue Nile, the Atbara, and the White Nile.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1609926533_image4.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1609926533_image4.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" width="320" height="586" /></strong></a></p>
</div>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>To solve the <strong>conflict peacefully, mediation and facilitation</strong> by the neighbouring countries and the international bodies are necessary.</li>
<li>In case, the attempt to resolve the conflict does not work out by facilitating negotiations between the conflict parties, then<strong> a compensation method</strong> can be adopted which would need the countries to compensate each others&rsquo; losses.</li>
<li>All countries involved in the issue <strong>need to peacefully resolve the issue</strong> so that they can <strong>reap the advantages</strong> of the dam and <strong>their peace and security</strong> is restored again.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/ethiopias-dam-on-river-nile-is-triggering-water-conflict-in-east-africa-7133441/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source:IE</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 15 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 7288,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Investment for Creating Gas Infrastructure',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The government will invest around <strong>60 billion USD</strong> in creating gas infrastructure in the country till <strong>2024</strong> and increasing <strong>gas&rsquo;s share</strong> in the energy mix upto <strong>15%</strong> by <strong>2030.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Currently, gas accounts for<strong> 6% in the country&rsquo;s total energy mix.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Proposed Infrastructure Plan:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It includes <strong>pipelines, LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas) terminals </strong>and<strong> CGD (City Gas Distribution) networks.</strong></li>
<li>It has been envisaged to develop<strong> additional about 14,300 km pipelines</strong> to complete the <strong>National Gas Grid</strong> and are at various stages of development.</li>
<li>At present, the country has <strong>6 operational LNG regasification terminals.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The government has further planned to have <strong>1,000 LNG fuel stations</strong> across the country.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Coverage of CGD projects is being expanded to 232 geographical areas spread over 400 districts, with potential to cover about <strong>53% of the country&rsquo;s geography and 70% of population.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>National Gas Grid:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Since a <a href="/pdf/1600768330-the-big-picture-gas-grid-fuel-for-all.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Gas Grid (NGG)</strong> </a>was conceptualized in 2000, India has built more than 16,000 km of gas network. Recent initiatives include:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Pradhan Mantri Urja Ganga Project:</strong> It seeks to cater to the energy requirements of<strong> Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha and West Bengal.</strong></li>
<li><strong>North East Region (NER) Gas Grid:</strong> It will pass through Assam, Sikkim, Mizoram, Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh, Tripura, Nagaland and Meghalaya in a phased manner.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>City Gas Distribution (CGD) Network:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Under the<strong> Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board</strong> (PNGRB)<strong> Act 2006,</strong> PNGRB grants the authorization to the entities for <strong>developing a</strong> <a href="/printpdf/city-gas-distribution-scheme" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>CGD network</strong></a> in a specified Geographical Area (GA) of the country.</li>
<li>The CGD sector has four distinct segments &ndash; <strong>Compressed Natural Gas</strong> (CNG) predominantly used as <strong>auto-fuel,</strong> and <strong>Piped Natural Gas</strong> (PNG) used in <strong>domestic, commercial and industrial segments.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Related Government Initiatives:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Natural Gas Marketing Reforms:</strong> Recently, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has approved the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/reforms-in-exploration-and-licensing-policy-oil-gas" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Policy framework on reforms in the exploration and licensing sector</strong> </a>for enhancing domestic exploration and production of oil and gas.</li>
<li><strong>Indian Gas Exchange:</strong> India&rsquo;s first automated <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/indian-gas-exchange-igx" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>national-level gas trading platform</strong></a> was unveiled in June 2020, to promote and sustain an efficient and robust gas market and foster gas trading in the country</li>
<li><strong>Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana:</strong> It aimed to provide <strong>free cooking gas connections</strong> to poor families.</li>
<li><strong>Gas4India Campaign:</strong> It is a multimedia, multi-event campaign to communicate to people, the national, social, economic and ecological benefits of using natural gas as the fuel.</li>
<li><strong>Hydrocarbon Exploration and Licensing Policy (HELP):</strong> It is a <a href="/printpdf/hydrocarbon-exploration-and-licensing-policy" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>contractual and fiscal model</strong> </a>for award of hydrocarbon acreages towards exploration and production (E&amp;P). It provides a <strong>single, or uniform, license</strong> for the exploration and production of all conventional and unconventional hydrocarbons from an entire contract area.</li>
<li>Promotion to <strong>Compressed Natural Gas based Public Transport.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Transnational Gas Pipelines:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) pipeline.</li>
<li>Middle East to India Deepwater Pipeline</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Natural Gas</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Natural Gas is mainly extracted from the<strong> petroleum deposits deep beneath the earth.</strong> It occurs <strong>just above the layer of crude oil, as gases are lighter than oil.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>High temperatures and pressure leads</strong> to the conversion of the <strong>remains of plants and animals buried under the earth</strong> into naturally occurring gas along with petroleum and coal.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>In India,<strong> Jaisalmer, Krishna Godavari delta, Tripura</strong> and some areas offshore in <strong>Mumbai</strong> have natural gas resources.</li>
<li>The <strong>Gas Authority of India Limited</strong> was set up in 1984 as a public sector undertaking to transport and market natural gas.</li>
<li><strong>Need for Gas-based Economy:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Energy efficient:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Natural gas produces more energy than any of the fossil fuels in terms of <strong>calorific value.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Cleaner fuel:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Natural gas is a superior fuel as compared with coal and other liquid fuels; being an <strong>environment-friendly, safer and cheaper fuel.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Emission commitments:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>India made a commitment to <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-climate-change-act-now" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>COP-21 Paris Convention</strong> </a>in December 2015 that by 2030, it would reduce carbon emission by 33%-35% of 2005 levels.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Diverse applications:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Natural gas can be used as<strong> domestic kitchen fuel,</strong> fuel for the <strong>transport sector</strong> as well as a fuel for fertilizer<strong> industries</strong> and commercial units.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Pacing up the progress line:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>On the global front, switching to natural gas is bringing commendable results. The latest report released by the <a href="/printpdf/world-energy-outlook-2018" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>International Energy Agency</strong></a> shows that the electricity produced by natural gas worldwide was more than that of coal for the first time ever.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/markets/commodities/usd-60-billion-investment-coming-in-gas-infrastructure-dharmendra-pradhan/article29673498.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source:TH</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 16 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 7154,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Recovery from Coal Mining in Meghalaya’s Moolamylliang',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p><strong>Moolamylliang,</strong> a village in <strong>Meghalaya&rsquo;s East Jaintia Hills district,</strong> is making progress in becoming a greener place amid abandoned pits from the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/rat-hole-mining#:~:text=Rat%20hole%20mining%20involves%20digging,unscientific%20and%20unsafe%20for%20workers." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>rat-hole mining.</strong></a></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Background:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The<strong> Jaintia Coal Miners and Dealers&rsquo; Association</strong> claims there are around 60,000 coal mines across 360 villages in East Jaintia Hills district.</li>
<li>Moolamylliang used to be one such village until the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/national-green-tribunal-ngt" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Green Tribunal</strong></a> (NGT) <strong>banned</strong> hazardous rat-hole coal mining in Meghalaya in <strong>April 2014</strong> and set a time limit for transporting the coal already mined till that time.</li>
<li>Though the NGT <strong>ban did not stop illegal mining</strong> in the district, it <strong>helped Moolamylliang reform.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Coal Mining in Northeast:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In the northeast, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/liberalisation-of-coal-mining" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>coal mining</strong></a> is part of a larger trend which is the <strong>decimation of natural resources.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>For example, there is large-scale <strong>deforestation going on in the Garo and Khasi Hills</strong> of Meghalaya, besides <strong>limestone mining</strong> in the <strong>Jaintia Hills.</strong></li>
<li>Assam, which has lost most of its once extensive forest cover, sees <strong>poaching in the Dima Hasao region, coal mining</strong> in Upper Assam, and<strong> sand/stone mining</strong> from river beds.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>There are three notable <strong>peculiarities of coal mining in the Jaintia Hills</strong> (and elsewhere in Meghalaya).<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Being a tribal state where the <strong><a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/indepth-6th-schedule-and-ilp#:~:text=6th%20Schedule,(1)%20of%20the%20Constitution." target="_blank" rel="noopener">6<sup>th</sup> Schedule</a> applies, all land is privately owned,</strong> and hence coal mining is done by private parties. The schedule <strong>does not explicitly refer to mining.</strong></li>
<li>The <strong>sizable coal deposits</strong> in the state, mostly in the Jaintia Hills, <strong>occur in horizontal seams only</strong> a few feet high that run through the hills which is why <strong>rat-hole mining is practised instead of open cast mining.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Most of the labour</strong> (including children) comes from Nepal, the <strong>poorer areas</strong> of Assam, and Bangladesh. In Meghalaya, the non-tribal is a second-class citizen, as is the poor tribal, which explains the<strong> general lack of concern even within the State about the trapped miners.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Rat-hole Mining:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It is a term used for a <strong>hazardous and arduous mining technique</strong> where miners crawl into winding underground tunnels that are just 4-5 feet in diameter to extract coal from the deep seams with a pickaxe.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Open Cast Mining:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It is a<strong> surface mining technique</strong> of extracting rock or minerals from the earth by their removal from an open-air pit, sometimes known as a <strong>borrow.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Concerns:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Ecological Issues:</strong> Unsustainable mining in hilly areas <strong>contaminates the farmlands and turns the streams acidic,</strong> leading to the<strong> loss of biodiversity and local heritage.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Health Issues:</strong> The prevalence of mining in an area <strong>causes various diseases</strong> like <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/genetic-disorders" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>fibrosis</strong></a>, pneumoconiosis and <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/silicosis-and-mining-safety" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>silicosis</strong></a> in workers as well as locals.</li>
<li><strong>Child Labour and Trafficking:</strong> Majority of the workers involved in 'rat-hole' mining are children. They are suited for this job because of their small anatomy that fits small mine tunnels. Rat-hole mining has <strong>encouraged child<a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-war-against-human-trafficking#:~:text=Section%20370%20and%20370A%20of,the%20forced%20removal%20of%20organs." target="_blank" rel="noopener"> trafficking</a></strong> apart from <strong>engaging with immigrants</strong> from many states.</li>
<li><strong>Corruption: Police officials often collaborate with mine owners</strong> in states where the open cast mining and rat hole mining are the norms.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Measures:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The administration tried to make coke factories and cement plants in the vicinity contribute to <strong>earth rejuvenation programmes</strong> in the area under their <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/corporate-social-responsibility-csr-expenditure" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Corporate Social Responsibility</strong> </a>(CSR).</li>
<li>Among the projects being pursued is <strong>low-cost <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/water-conservation-traditional-approach" target="_blank" rel="noopener">rainwater harvesting</a></strong> for <strong>recharging the area</strong> that has become dry because of coal mining.</li>
<li>Making Moolamylliang a <strong>base camp for tourists to explore caves, canyons and waterfalls</strong> in parts of East Jaintia Hills that have escaped the impact of mining, will <strong>boost <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/tourism-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener">tourism</a> and bring in revenue.</strong></li>
<li>Since the 6<sup>th</sup> Schedule does not explicitly refer to mining,<strong> environmental activists are calling for the coal trade to come under central mining and environmental laws.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Government Initiatives Related to Mining</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>In <strong>April 2018,</strong> the Ministry of Coal launched the <strong>Unlocking Transparency by Third Party Assessment of Mined Coal </strong>(UTTAM)<strong> Application</strong> for coal quality monitoring.</li>
<li><a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/national-mineral-policy-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Na&shy;tional Min&shy;eral Pol&shy;icy</strong></a> (NMP) was ap&shy;proved in 2019, which em&shy;pha&shy;sises&shy; on themes such as sus&shy;tain&shy;able min&shy;ing, boost&shy;ing ex&shy;plo&shy;ration, en&shy;cour&shy;ag&shy;ing the use of state-of-the-art tech&shy;nol&shy;ogy and skill de&shy;vel&shy;op&shy;ment.</li>
<li>In <strong>Septem&shy;ber 2019, 100% FDI un&shy;der the au&shy;to&shy;matic ap&shy;proval route was allowed</strong> for the sale of coal and coal min&shy;ing ac&shy;tiv&shy;i&shy;ties in&shy;clud&shy;ing as&shy;so&shy;ci&shy;ated pro&shy;cess&shy;ing in&shy;fra&shy;struc&shy;ture.</li>
<li>In <strong>January 2020,</strong> the Parliament passed the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/mineral-laws-amendment-bill-2020#:~:text=Recently%2C%20the%20Parliament%20has%20passed,promulgated%20on%2011th%20January%202020." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Mineral Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2020.</strong></a><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It amends the <strong>Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957</strong> and the<strong> Coal Mines (Special Provisions) Act, 2015.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The <strong>1957 Act</strong> regulates the mining sector in India and specifies the requirement for obtaining and granting mining leases for mining operations.</li>
<li>The<strong> 2015 Act</strong> provides for allocation of coal mines and vesting of the right, title and interest in and over the land and mine infrastructure together with mining leases to successful bidders with a view to ensure continuity in coal mining operations and production of coal.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The Bill <strong>per&shy;mits com&shy;mer&shy;cial coal min&shy;ing for lo&shy;cal and global firms</strong> with&shy;out im&shy;pos&shy;ing any end-user re&shy;stric&shy;tions, also it ex&shy;tend&shy;s the va&shy;lid&shy;ity of clear&shy;ances for min&shy;ing leases ex&shy;pir&shy;ing in 2020.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/meghalaya-village-turns-oasis-in-coal-mine-desert/article33265390.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 17 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 6971,
		'category_id' => (int) 15,
		'title' => 'The Big Picture: Natural Gas Economy',
		'description' => '<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/M62cF5PhNbg" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<h3>Why in News?</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Recently, the Government of India has allowed complete marketing freedom for natural gas produced from non-regulated fields. The Union Cabinet has approved a standard e-bidding procedure to discover the price of gas. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The policy aims to provide <strong>standard procedure for sale of natural gas</strong> in a transparent and competitive manner to discover market price by issuing guidelines for sale by contractor through e-bidding.</li>
<li>This will bring <strong>uniformity in the bidding process</strong> across the various contractual regimes and policies to avoid ambiguity and contribute towards ease of doing business.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Ease of Doing Business:</strong> The whole ecosystem of policies (production, infrastructure and marketing of natural gas) has been made more transparent with a focus on <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/ease-of-doing-business-2020" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Ease of Doing Business.</strong></a></li>
<li><strong>Encourage investments:</strong> Fulfilling the notion of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/atmanirbhar-bharat-and-economic-stimulus" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Atmanirbhar Bharat</strong></a>, these reforms encourage investments in the domestic production of natural gas and <strong>reduce import dependence.</strong></li>
<li>Though the producers will continue to be barred from participating in such auctions, the affiliates would still be allowed to bid.</li>
<li>The domestic gas production will have complete marketing and pricing freedom.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>However, the existing pricing mechanism for gas produced by state-owned Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) and Oil India Ltd from fields given to them on a nomination basis would continue.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The reforms will also help India in shifting towards a <strong>gas based economy.</strong></li>
<li>The increased gas production consumption will help in the<strong> improvement of the environment.</strong></li>
<li>More <strong>employment opportunities</strong> will be there in the gas consuming sectors including <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/micro-small-and-medium-enterprises-msme" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>MSMEs.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Oil and Natural Gas Corporation</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) is a Maharatna Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) of the Government of India.</li>
<li>It was set up in 1995 and is under the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas.</li>
<li>It is the largest crude oil and natural gas company in India, contributing around 70% to Indian domestic production.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Natural Gas</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Natural gas is found with petroleum deposits and is released when crude oil is brought to the surface. It can be used as a domestic and industrial fuel.</li>
<li>In India, Jaisalmer, Krishna Godavari delta, Tripura and some areas offshore in Mumbai have natural gas resources.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Why Natural Gas?</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Excess usage of fossil fuels:</strong> The average global share of fossil fuels in the <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/energy-security" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>energy basket</strong></a> is 84% which is even more for India.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>According to the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/opec" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>International Energy Agency (IEA)</strong></a>, India is the world's third largest consumer of oil.</li>
<li>Dependence on coal and oil needs to be reduced and natural gas has to be replaced as much as possible.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Share of Natural Gas:</strong> While the world average share of natural gas in the energy basket is 23%, it is only 6% for India.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>However, the government of India has set the target to make it 15% by 2030.</li>
<li>Our consumption has been 1/3<sup>rd</sup> of world average. That would increase in future.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Associated Challenges</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>ONGC under APM:</strong> In India, 80% of natural gas produced by ONGC and Oil India Limited falls under<strong> Administered Price Mechanism (APM)</strong> which means the government controls its price.</li>
<li><strong>Reform related challenge:</strong> Currently, the reform impacts only 20% of gas production,while the nominated fields account for 80% India&rsquo;s gas production. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The policy does not include existing producers.</li>
<li>These fields will be out of the benefit zone of the new policy.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>The fertilizer Industry:</strong> The impediment is most of the gas coming from the nominated fields is going to fertilizers which is highly subsidised, hence the sector does not have its control over marketing and setting prices.</li>
<li><strong>Limited Reserves:</strong> Resources of natural gas are limited in India; 55% of natural gas is imported in the form of <strong>Liquified Natural Gas (LNG)</strong> (which is even costlier).<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India&rsquo;s reserves for natural gas are <strong>located in deep or ultradeep water</strong> which requires specific technology and higher cost and extraction is difficult.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Varied Prices:</strong> In India, natural gas is sold at varied prices- the gas under administered price regime at $1.79 per mBtu and other domestic gas in the range of $4.5 to $5.5 per mBtu.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Note:</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The<strong> unit MBtu</strong> is a measure unit of energy, defined as one thousand the British thermal unit (symbol: Btu). The "M" stands for one thousand, distinguishing with the SI mega (M) prefix, which stands for one million.</li>
<li><strong>Liquefied natural gas (LNG)</strong> is natural gas that has been cooled to a liquid state (liquefied), at about -260&deg; Fahrenheit, for shipping and storage. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The volume of natural gas in its liquid state is about 600 times smaller than its volume in its gaseous state in a natural gas pipeline.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Realising the Opportunity:</strong> At present, when the prices are low for importing natural gas, India should take the advantage and enter into contracts with the countries rich in natural gas resources such as Iran, Turkmenistan and Myanmar to bring ga to India through pipelines.</li>
<li><strong>More Reforms:</strong> More aggressive and dynamic reforms is what is needed in the field. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>To go ahead, we need to reform our whole structure (subsidies) to improve the production.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Putting the producers and buyers in charge:</strong> Government should allow the producers and buyers more control of the price. ONGC shall undergo reforms in terms of its marketing and pricing freedom, E-bidding etc.</li>
<li><strong>Alternative:</strong> No doubt natural gas is a cleaner fuel but<strong> cannot be called a green fuel,</strong> that&rsquo;s why more inclination should be there towards electricity; more dependence on electricity should be there as compared to natural gas or any other fuel.</li>
<li><strong>Government as a facilitator:</strong> The government should act as a facilitator and improve quality and quantity of the resources available.</li>
<li><strong>Self reliance:</strong> Infrastructure and facilities should be provided within the country. The import dependence of 55% should be taken on a serious note and should be brought down.</li>
<li><strong>Subsidy in fertilizers:</strong> The government should take action accordingly so that fertiliser subsidy goes directly into farmers account and fertiliser industry doesn't get subsidised so that they too could have their freedom in marketing and pricing.</li>
<li><strong>Extend to the entire gas sector:</strong> The policy should be extended to the entire gas sector, the government should move away from administrative price mechanism (APM).</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>There is Immense potential as far as gas consumption in India is concerned. The need is to scale up in a big way as natural gas is a far more cleaner fuel than any of the fossil fuel.</li>
<li>Natural Gas is going to be a very important part of the country's economy, at least for the next 3 decades, therefore, a holistic approach is needed to find the best suited source of energy from an economic as well as environmental point of view.</li>
</ul>',
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	(int) 18 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 6748,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Third Assembly of ISA',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently,<strong> India and France</strong> have been re-elected as the President and Co-President of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/world-solar-technology-summit-isa" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>International Solar Alliance</strong></a> (ISA) for a term of two years at the virtual third Assembly of ISA.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The first two assemblies were held in<strong> India in <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/first-assembly-of-international-solar-alliance" target="_blank" rel="noopener">2018</a></strong> and <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/second-assembly-of-isa" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>2019</strong></a>.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Assembly approved institutionalising ISA&rsquo;s engagement with the private and public corporate sector through the <strong>Coalition for Sustainable Climate Action</strong> (CSCA).</li>
<li><strong>Various solar awards</strong> were conferred on countries as well as institutions.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/birth-anniversary-of-m-visvesvaraya" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Visvesvaraya</a> award</strong> recognises the countries with a maximum floating solar capacity in each of the four regions of ISA, which are:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Asia Pacific Region.</li>
<li>Africa Region.</li>
<li>Europe and others Region.</li>
<li>Latin America and Caribbean Region.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The <strong>Kalpana Chawla award</strong> for outstanding contribution of scientists and engineers working in the field of <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/solar-energy" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>solar energy</strong></a>.</li>
<li>The <strong>Diwakar award</strong> recognises organisations and institutions that have been working for the benefit of differently-abled people and have maximised the use of solar energy in the host country.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The Assembly was <strong>presented the report prepared by</strong> the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/global-forest-watch" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World Resources Institute</strong></a> (WRI) which <strong>identifies the sources of funds, opportunities and constraints, in scaling up solar investments and the contribution</strong> of ISA in assisting Member countries.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The ISA will work with WRI to develop a roadmap for <strong>mobilisation of USD 1 trillion by 2030</strong>.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>In the wake of the global <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/covid-19-now-pandemic-who" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>pandemic</strong></a>, ISA responded by setting up <strong>ISA CARES</strong> (like <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/pm-cares-fund" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>PM-CARES</strong></a> in India), an initiative dedicated to the deployment of solar energy in the healthcare sector.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The initiative <strong>aims to solarize one primary health sector</strong> in each district of the target member countries.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The ISA Secretariat has launched a <strong>Seventh Programme on Solarising Heating and Cooling systems</strong>.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Demand for cooling alone outpaced solar deployment in 2017.</li>
<li>Heating and cooling systems have scope to directly convert solar radiation and at higher efficiency levels.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong><a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/south-asian-association-for-regional-cooperation-saarc" target="_blank" rel="noopener">SAARC</a> Development Fund&rsquo;s</strong> technical assistance along with the <strong>ISA Technical Assistance</strong> is proposed to be implemented jointly with the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/asian-development-outlook-2019-strengthening-disaster-resilience-adb" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Asian Development Bank</strong></a>.</li>
<li>The ISA has recently signed a tripartite agreement with the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/world-bank-group" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World Bank</strong></a> and the Government of India and is now actively involved in preparing a vision and <strong>implementation plan for <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/one-sun-one-world-one-grid" target="_blank" rel="noopener">&ldquo;One Sun, One World, One Grid&rdquo;</a> Initiative</strong> to harness the power of interconnected grids for enabling energy transition to a low-carbon world.</li>
<li><strong>India&rsquo;s Perspective and Highlights:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The President of the ISA Assembly, <strong>India&rsquo;s Power and New and Renewable Energy Minister</strong> appreciated the Alliance Members coming together to work for combating climate change.</li>
<li>He also<strong> highlighted various activities and programmes</strong> initiated by ISA since the 2<sup>nd</sup> Assembly like the <strong>development of a pipeline</strong> of more than USD 5 billion,<strong> aggregated demand</strong> for more than 270,000 solar pumps across 22 countries, etc.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>France&rsquo;s Role:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>France has <strong>committed 1.5 billion Euros</strong> for financing solar projects in ISA member states up until 2022.</li>
<li>The <strong>first project under the Solar Risk Mitigation Initiative</strong> (SRMI) <strong>is being</strong> launched in<strong> Mozambique</strong> with the support of <strong>France and the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/european-union" target="_blank" rel="noopener">European Union</a></strong> (EU).<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>SRMI will help mobilise billions in private investment to finance more than 10 GWs of solar projects.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>In the frame of the <strong>ISA&rsquo;s Solar Technology Application Resource Centre</strong> (Star-C) <strong>programme</strong>, the <strong>French National Institute for Solar Energy</strong> (INES) will launch a specific program for the small island states of the Pacific.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>International Solar Alliance</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is an <strong>Indian initiative</strong> that was launched by the <strong>Prime Minister of India and the President of France</strong> on <strong>30<sup>th</sup> November 2015 in Paris</strong>, France on the side-lines of the <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-climate-change-act-now" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Conference of the Parties</strong></a> (COP-21), with <strong>121 solar resource-rich countries</strong> lying <strong>fully or partially between the tropic of Cancer and tropic of Capricorn</strong> as prospective members.</li>
<li><strong>Objective:</strong> To collectively address key common challenges to the scaling up of solar energy in ISA member countries.</li>
<li><strong>Members:</strong> Till now, <strong>87 countries have signed the Framework Agreement</strong> of the ISA and of these <strong>67 have deposited their instruments of ratification</strong>.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Nicaragua, a Central American country</strong> is the <strong>87<sup>th</sup> and the latest</strong> country to sign the agreement.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The Government of India has <strong>allotted 5 acres of land</strong> to the ISA in <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/solar-thermal-energy-technology" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Institute of Solar Energy</strong></a> (NISE) campus, Gurugram and has released a <strong>sum of Rs. 160 crore</strong> for creating a corpus fund, building infrastructure and meeting day to day recurring expenditure of the ISA up to the year 2021-22.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1664423" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: PIB</strong></a></p>',
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		'article_id' => (int) 6680,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Reforms in Exploration and Licensing Policy: Oil & Gas',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/centre-cuts-non-urea-fertiliser-subsidy" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs</strong></a> (CCEA) chaired by the Prime Minister has approved the<strong> Policy framework</strong> on reforms in the exploration and licensing sector for enhancing domestic exploration and production of oil and gas.</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Objectives:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Attract new <strong>investment</strong> in Exploration and Production (E&amp;P) Sector.</li>
<li>Intensification of <strong>exploration</strong> activities in unexplored areas.</li>
<li><strong>Liberalizing</strong> the policy in producing basins.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Four Focus Areas:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Increasing Exploration Activities in Unexpected Areas:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Bidding out <strong>uncommercialized basins</strong> to contractors without them having to share revenue or production with the Government and only paying royalties/levies.</li>
<li>For <strong>unallocated/unexplored areas,</strong> the bidding to be based on a revenue-sharing basis but more weightage to work programme to be given.</li>
<li>Shorter exploration period and <strong>fiscal incentives.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Marketing and Pricing Freedom:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>To incentivize enhanced gas production, marketing and pricing freedom to be granted for those new gas discoveries whose <strong>Field Development Plan (FDP)</strong> is yet to be approved.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>FDP is the evaluation document of multiple development options for a field and selecting the best option based on assessing tradeoffs.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Fiscal incentive on additional gas production</strong> from domestic fields over and above normal production.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Preparation of Enhanced Production Profile:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Public sector Undertakings like <strong>Oil and Natural Gas Corp (ONGC) and Oil India Ltd (OIL)</strong> will prepare an enhanced production profile to enhance production from their existing fields.</li>
<li>For production enhancement, bringing new technology, and capital, No Objection Certificates (NOCs) will be allowed to <strong>induct private sector partners.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Promoting Ease of Doing Business:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Measures like setting up coordination mechanism and simplification of approval, alternate dispute resolution mechanism etc. to be taken.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Background:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Domestic production of oil and gas was declining, import dependence was rising and investment in E&amp;P activities was reducing.</strong> Thus, policy reform in this sector was needed.</li>
<li>Earlier, the government between 2016 and 2019 had given pricing freedom for all fields except those given to state-owned ONGC and OIL on a nomination basis.</li>
<li>But, there were<strong> restrictions on marketing</strong> like a ban on affiliates of producers buying the fuel etc. This <strong>restricted competition</strong> kept<strong> prices artificially low.</strong></li>
<li>The <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/hydrocarbon-exploration-and-licensing-policy" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Hydrocarbon Exploration and Licensing Policy or HELP</strong></a> was approved in March 2016, aimed at increasing the transparency and decreasing the administrative discretion in granting hydrocarbon licenses. It replaced the <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/increasing-domestic-oil-production" target="_blank" rel="noopener">New Exploration Licensing Policy (NELP)</a>, 1997.</strong></li>
<li>Recently, India also launched its first gas exchange which has been named as the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/indian-gas-exchange-igx" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Indian Gas Exchange (IGX).</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Benefits:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Development of support services.</li>
<li>Employment generation.</li>
<li>Transfer of advanced technology.</li>
<li>Reducing import dependence.</li>
<li>Improve <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/energy-security" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>energy security</strong></a> of the country.</li>
<li>Save the precious foreign exchange on imports.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Petroleum</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Crude petroleum occurs in <strong>sedimentary rocks</strong> of the tertiary period.</li>
<li>It consists of <strong>hydrocarbons of liquid and gaseous states</strong> varying in chemical composition, colour and specific gravity.</li>
<li>It is an essential source of energy for all internal combustion engines in automobiles, railways and aircraft.</li>
<li>Its numerous by-products are processed in petrochemical industries such as fertiliser, synthetic rubber, synthetic fibre, medicines, vaseline, lubricants, wax, soap and cosmetics.</li>
<li>Venezuela, Saudi Arabia, Canada, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Russia are some <strong>major countries with the largest oil reserves.</strong></li>
<li>Digboi, Naharkatiya and Moran in<strong> Assam,</strong> Ankleshwar, Kalol, Mehsana, Navagam, Kosamba and Lunej in <strong>Gujarat;</strong> Mumbai High in <strong>Maharashtra</strong> are important <strong>oil-producing areas in India.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Natural Gas</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Natural gas is found with petroleum deposits and is released when crude oil is brought to the surface. It can be used as a domestic and industrial fuel.</li>
<li><strong>Russia, Norway, UK and the Netherlands</strong> are the major producers of natural gas.</li>
<li>In <strong>India</strong>, Jaisalmer, Krishna Godavari delta, Tripura and some areas offshore in Mumbai have natural gas resources.</li>
<li>The<strong> Gas Authority of India Limited</strong> was set up in 1984 as a public sector undertaking to transport and market natural gas.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Oil and Natural Gas Corporation</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) is a <strong>Maharatna</strong> Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) of the Government of India.</li>
<li>It was set up in 1995 and is under the <strong>Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas.</strong></li>
<li>It is the <strong>largest crude oil and natural gas company in India,</strong> contributing around 70% to Indian domestic production.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The production enhancement scheme for the nomination field of NOCs is likely to <strong>augment production</strong> by leveraging new technology, capital and management practices through private sector participation.</li>
<li>It would bring <strong>uniformity to the bidding process</strong> across various contractual regimes and policies to avoid ambiguity and contribute towards <strong>ease of doing business.</strong></li>
<li>The move is in line with India&rsquo;s goal of becoming self-reliant as envisaged in the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/atma-nirbhar-bharat-abhiyan-challenges" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Atmanibhar Bharat initiative</strong></a>. It will help India develop into a <strong>gas-based economy.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1565313" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: PIB</strong></a></p>',
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