CONTENTS:
- G20 INTERNATIONAL SEMINAR
- REVAMPED DISTRIBUTION SECTOR SCHEME
G20 INTERNATIONAL SEMINAR
Focus: GS Paper – 3:Groupings & Agreements Involving India and/or Affecting India’s Interests
Why in News?
Nirmala Sitharaman participated virtually from New Delhi in the G20 International Seminar hosted in Bali by the G20 Presidency of Indonesia.
Key points:
- Theme: “Recover Together, Recover Stronger”
- They underlined the importance of Inclusion, Investment, Innovation and Institutions to support the path of global recovery.
- Critical role of multilateralism and collective action.
- Emphasised on the importance of ensuring affordable and equitable access to vaccines and therapeutics to bridge the divergences being witnessed in the global economic recovery.
- The importance of enhanced infrastructure investments for enabling a quick and stable return to the growth path.
About G-20:
- It is a strategic multilateral platform connecting the world’s major developed and emerging economies.
- The G20 holds a strategic role in securing future global economic growth and prosperity.
- Together, the G20 members represent more than 80 percent of world GDP, 75 percent of international trade and 60 percent of the world population.
- The members of the G20: Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, the United Kingdom, the United States, and the European Union. Spain is also invited as a permanent guest.
- The presidency of the G20 rotates every year among its members
- The G20 has no permanent secretariat.
REVAMPED DISTRIBUTION SECTOR SCHEME
Focus: GS Paper – 2:Government Policies & Interventions, GS Paper – 3: Infrastructure, Industrial Policy
Why in News?
Government of India have launched the Reforms-based and Results-linked, Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme.
Key points:
- Objective: Improving the quality and reliability of power supply to consumers through a financially sustainable and operationally efficient Distribution Sector.
- The scheme has an outlay of Rs.3,03,758 crore and an estimated GBS from Central Government of Rs.97,631 crore.
- It aims to reduce the AT&C losses at pan-India levels to 12-15% and ACS-ARR gap to zero by 2024-25.
- The scheme has a duration of 5 years (FY 2021-22 to FY 2025-26).
- Two major components:
- Part ‘A’ – Financial support for Prepaid Smart Metering & System Metering and upgradation of the Distribution Infrastructure
- Part ‘B’ – Training & Capacity Building and other Enabling & Supporting Activities.
- State Governments/ Distribution Companies (DISCOMs) are free to undertake customized reform measures and works to meet the specific needs of the State.
Government Initiatives:
- Ujwal DISCOM Assurance Yojana (UDAY): Scheme for financial turnaround and revival of power distribution companies (DISCOMs), which will ensure accessible, affordable and available power for all.
- Integrated Power Development Scheme (IPDS): The scheme provides for (a) strengthening of sub-transmission and distribution networks in urban areas; (b) metering of distribution transformers/feeders/consumers in urban areas; and (c) IT enablement of the distribution sector and strengthening of the distribution network.
- ‘4 Es’ in the Revised Tariff Policy: The 4Es include Electricity for all, Efficiency to ensure affordable tariffs, Environment for a sustainable future, Ease of doing business to attract investments and ensure financial viability.
- Pradhan Mantri Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana (Saubhagya): To ensure electrification of all willing households in the country in rural as well as urban areas.
- Deendayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana (DUGJY): The Ministry of Power has planned to provide electricity to 18,500 villages in three years
