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7th, September, 2022

 

Topic: International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies

 

Importance: Punjab PCS Prelims and Mains

 

Punjab PCS Prelims: Environmental Studies

Punjab PCS Mains:

  • Paper 7: General Aptitude IV: Topic: Environment – Conservation, environmental pollution, and degradation, Water management- Issues in India, Definition, nature, types, and classification of disasters, Natural Hazards.

 

What is the news?

  • Environment Minister Punjab Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer today gave a clarion call for joining hands to improve the air quality, so that our coming generations can breathe in clean air and blue SKIES achieve the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.

Where he was speaking?

  • At a State level function to mark the International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies.

 

Who organized this?

  • It was organized by the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) at Amity University Mohali.

 

The MOU also signed:

  • On this occasion a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed between I.I.T New Delhi and Punjab Pollution Prevention Board and . A sapling was also planted in the campus by the Environment Minister.

 

Initiatives shared by the Minister:

  • Funds have been kept for installing solar panels in government educational institutions. Besides imposing a complete ban on single-use plastics many other projects have been started including cleaning Budha river from Industrial pollution. He said that protecting the environment is a common responsibility of all of us.

Example shared by the Minister:

  • Giving an example, the Minister said that during the lockdown, the blue sky and the range of Shivalik and Dhauldhar hills were clearly visible from the cities of Punjab. Our aim is to create such an environment as usual. The need and importance of oxygen, which nature gives us for free, was dearly felt during COVID. He said that although industrial development came much earlier in foreign countries, the clean environment there is better than ours. He said that we have been taught by our Gurus about the importance of air, water and earth. He said that climate change is the main issue nowadays and we are standing at a decisive moment. In the past, the adverse effects of climate change were also seen in major developed countries. He said that industry is also necessary for development, but any tampering with the environment will not be tolerated. He said that the state government is giving equal opportunities to the industries and no industrialists will be discriminated against and the law is equal for all.

 

About International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies:

  • International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies, day was designated by the United Nations General Assembly on September 7th, 2020 to strengthen international cooperation in improving air quality and reducing air pollution.
  • Current year’s theme of “The Air We Share” focuses on the trans-boundary nature of air pollution, stressing the need for collective accountability and action.
  • Describing air Pollution as a global health emergency, Minister bemoaned that polluted air affects 99% people on the planet and kills around 7 million people around the world.
(Source: Punjab Government)

 

 

Topic: 100 percent clean and safe water facility to all rural households in 3 districts of Punjab.

 

Importance: Punjab PCS Prelims and Mains

 

Punjab PCS Prelims: Environmental Studies

Punjab PCS Mains:

  • Paper 7: General Aptitude IV: Topic: Environment – Conservation, environmental pollution, and degradation, Water management- Issues in India, Definition, nature, types, and classification of disasters, Natural Hazards.

 

What is the news?

  • Malerkotla, Faridkot and Jalandhar districts have secured a place in certified pan India list by Government of India (GoI) for providing 100 per cent clean and safe water facility to all rural households.

Under which program?

  • Under the ‘Jal Jeevan Mission-Har Ghar Jal’.

 

Punjab Water Supply and Sanitation Minister Bram Shankar Jimpa shared:

  • 9 districts have secured the place among these distinctive districts across the country to provide 100 percent clean water to village homes through pipes and Malerkotla, Faridkot and Jalandhar have made their place in the list of these 9 districts.
  • Malerkotla, which has a total rural population of 2.58 lakh, has covered 49881 rural households with piped drinking water, while Faridkot with the total rural population of 4.09 lakh has covered 78408 rural households with safe drinking water. Similarly, Jalandhar who have a total rural population of 11.12 lakh, has covered 223400 rural households with piped drinking water.
  • Punjab already provided piped water to 34.24 lakh rural households under ‘Jal Jeevan Mission’ and a total 11933 villages and 20 districts have been covered with 100% piped water supply. He said that under the dynamic leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, we have set the target to cover 100% area of Punjab up to December 2022 against the national target of 2024. He also informed that the state government has already provided tap connections to Aanganwadi Centres, Panchayats, Dispensaries, and Schools.

 

About Jal Jeevan Mission-Har Ghar Jal:

  • Jal Jeevan Mission, is envisioned to provide safe and adequate drinking water through individual household tap connections by 2024 to all households in rural India.
  • The program will also implement source sustainability measures as mandatory elements, such as recharge and reuse through gray water management, water conservation, rainwater harvesting.
  • The Jal Jeevan Mission will be based on a community approach to water and will include extensive Information, Education and communication as a key component of the mission.
  • The Jal Jeevan Mission will be based on a community approach to water and will include extensive Information, Education and communication as a key component of the mission.

 

Vision:

  • Every rural household has drinking water supply inadequate quantity of prescribed quality on regular and long-term basis at affordable service delivery charges leading to improvements in living standards of rural communities.

Mission:

 

The Jail Jeevan Mission is to assist, empower and facilitate:

  • States/ UTs in the planning of participatory rural water supply strategy for ensuring potable drinking water security on long-term basis to every rural household and public institution, viz. GP building, School, Anganwadi Centre, Health center, wellness centers, etc.
  • States/ UTs for creation of water supply infrastructure so that every rural household has Functional Tap Connection (FHTC) by 2024 and water in adequate quantity of prescribed quality is made available on a regular basis.
  • States/ UTs to plan for their drinking water security.
  • GPs/ rural communities to plan, implement, manage, own, operate and maintain their own in-village water supply systems.
  • States/ UTs to develop robust institutions having a focus on service delivery and financial sustainability of the sector by promoting utility approach.
  • Capacity building of the stakeholders and create awareness in the community on the significance of water improvement in quality of life.
  • In making provision and mobilization of financial assistance to States/ UTs for implementation of the mission.

 

Objectives

 

The broad objectives of the Mission:

  • To provide FHTC to every rural household.
  • To prioritize provision of FHTCs in quality affected areas, villages, in drought prone and desert areas, Sansad Adarsh Gram Yojana (SAGY) villages, etc.
  • To provide functional tap connection to Schools, Anganwadi centers, GP buildings, Health centers, wellness centers and community buildings
    To monitor the functionality of tap connections.
  • To promote and ensure voluntary ownership among local community by way of contribution in cash, kind and/ or labor and voluntary labor (shramdaan).
  • To assist in ensuring sustainability of water supply system, i.e. Water source, water supply infrastructure, and funds for regular O&M.
    To empower and develop human resource in the sector, such that the demands of construction, plumbing, electrical, water quality management, water treatment, catchment protection, O&M, etc. are taken care of in short and long term.
  • To bring awareness on various aspects and significance of safe drinking water and involvement of stakeholders in a manner that make water everyone’s business.

 

Components under JJM

 

The following components are supported under JJM:

Efforts should be made to source funds from different sources/ programs and convergence is the key

  • Development of in-village piped water supply infrastructure to provide tap water connection to every rural household.
  • Development of reliable drinking water sources and/ or augmentation of existing sources to provide long-term sustainability of water supply system.
  • Wherever necessary, bulk water transfer, treatment plants and distribution network to cater to every rural household
  • Technological interventions for removal of contaminants where water quality is an issue.
  • Retrofitting of completed and ongoing schemes to provide FHTCs at minimum service level of 55 lpcd;Greywater management (Judicious use of fresh water which will result in. generation of minimum quantity of Greywater.)
  • Support activities, i.e. IEC, HRD, training, development of utilities, water quality laboratories, water quality testing & surveillance, R&D, knowledge center, capacity building of communities, etc.
  • Any other unforeseen challenges/ issues emerging due to natural disasters/ calamities which affect the goal of FHTC to every household by 2024, as per guidelines of Ministry of Finance on Flexi Funds.
(Source: Punjab Government and Jaljeevanmission)

 

 

Topic: Punjab offered 1000 acres of land in Fatehgarh Sahib district to the Government of India (GoI) for setting up Textile Park.

 

Importance: Punjab PCS Prelims and Mains

 

Punjab PCS Prelims: Punjab Economy: Industrial Sector

Punjab PCS Mains:

  • Paper 6: General Aptitude III: Topic: Economy – Infrastructure- energy, ports, roads, airports, railways, etc.; investment models, human resource development, Punjab economy.

 

What is the news?

  • Fulfilling his commitment to give impetus to the industrial growth in the state, the Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has offered 1000 acres of land in Fatehgarh Sahib district to the Government of India (GoI) for setting up Textile Park.

Under which scheme?

  • PM Mega Integrated Textile Region and Apparel Parks (PM MITRA) scheme.
  • Government of India (GoI) has approved the scheme for setting up of seven PM Mega Integrated Textile Region and Apparel Parks (PM MITRA) across the country in partnership with the interested State Governments.

 

CM Bhagwant Mann informed:

  • Union Minister that under this scheme the state government is ready for setting up of Textile Park at Fatehgarh Sahib.
  • Chief Minister categorically said that all environmental clearances and norms fixed by the Centre and State Pollution Control Boards will be adhered to while setting up this Mega Integrated Textile Region and Apparel Park. He asserted that one of the basic requirements for the project is that the interested state government should have ready availability of contiguous and encumbrance free land parcels of 1000 acres for this project. Bhagwant Mann emphasized that Punjab Government has already identified land parcels in Fatehgarh Sahib for the above said project, adding that all the necessary requirements will be fulfilled for setting up this project at the earliest.

 

About PM Mega Integrated Textile Region and Apparel Parks (PM MITRA) scheme:

 

PM MITRA:
  • Ministry of Textiles has issued a notification to set up 7 Mega Integrated Textile Region and Apparel (PM MITRA) Parks with a total outlay of Rs. 4,445 crore. These are aimed at helping India to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 9: “Build resilient infrastructure, promote sustainable industrialization and foster innovation”. It is hoped that the PM MITRA Parks will have world-class industrial infrastructure which would attract cutting age technology and boost FDI and local investment in the textiles sector.

KEY FEATURES:

 

The PM MITRA scheme is inspired by the 5F vision of Hon’ble Prime Minister – Farm to Fiber to Factory to Fashion to Foreign. It aspires to fulfil the vision of building an Aatmanirbhar Bharat and to position India strongly on the Global textile map.

  • PM MITRA Parks will offer an opportunity to create an integrated textiles value chain right from spinning, weaving, processing/dyeing and printing to garment manufacturing at 1 location.
  • Integrated Textile Value chain at 1 location will reduce logistics cost of Industry.
  • Intended to generate ~1 lakh direct and 2 lakh indirect employment per park.
  • Sites for PM MITRA Parks will be selected by a Challenge Method based on objective criteria.
  • Proposals of State Governments having ready availability of contiguous and encumbrance-free land parcel of 1,000+ acres along with other textiles related facilities & ecosystem are welcome.
  • Several states such as Tamil Nadu, Punjab, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Assam, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh and Telangana have expressed interest.
(Source: Punjab Government and PIB)

 

 

Topic: Punjab government has come up with a policy on ex-situ crop residue management.

 

Importance: Punjab PCS Prelims and Mains

 

Punjab PCS Prelims: Environmental Studies

Punjab PCS Mains:

Paper 7: General Aptitude IV: Topic: Environment – Conservation, environmental pollution, and degradation, Water management- Issues in India, Definition, nature, types, and classification of disasters, Natural Hazards.

 

What is the news?

  • For the first time, the state government has come up with a policy on ex-situ crop residue management.
  • The policy, which has also got the approval of the Commission for Air Quality Management, aims to sell stubble to biomass power plants, compressed biogas plants, paddy straw-based ethanol plants, industrial boilers and even turning straw into manure.

Current Status:

  • So far, the state government has largely focused on in-situ crop residue management and around 90,000 machines for this purpose were provided to farmers. Apart from being an expensive option, over 10 per cent of these subsidized machines remain untraceable.
  • Though the state government also tried to use decomposed technology, its results were not encouraging. Last year, bio decomposers were used on 7,000 acres of land and this year, it would be used on 8,000 acres of land.

 

Krunesh Garg, member secretary, Punjab Pollution Control Board, shared:

  • The total paddy straw generation is expected to be 18.32 million tonnes this year. Though we expect that majority of the stubble (which is not burnt) will be managed through the CRM machines, we are encouraging farmers to switch between in-situ and ex-situ residue management.
  • We need to give rest to the soil, fertilizing it with crop residue for two years. Farmers can sell their paddy straw to companies for Rs 1.50 to Rs 2 per kg. These companies will also pay transportation costs to farmers.

 

About Biomass Projects in Punjab:

  • It’s learnt that the state government has been looking at utilizing 1 million tonnes of paddy straw at 11 biomass projects and 1.2 million tonnes at compressed biogas projects ( three functional in Sangrur, Fatehgarh Sahib and Ludhiana and 38 expected to be commissioned in 2023-24).
  • At least 10 bioethanol projects were coming up in the state and the government would incentivize them if they instal paddy straw-based boilers.
  • Paddy straw-based ethanol plant to come up in Talwandi Sabo and Nasibpura in February 2023. To use 2 lakh metric tonnes straw per annum.

 

What is Paddy straw-based ethanol plant?

  • Rice straw can potentially produce 205 billion liter bioethanol per year in the world, which is about 5% of total consumption. It is the largest amount from a single biomass feedstock. Rice straw predominantly contains cellulose 32–47%, hemicelluloses 19–27%, Lenin 5–24% and ashes 18.8%.
  • Ethanol from renewable resources has been of interest in recent decades as an alternative fuel to the current fossil fuels. Lignocellulosic biomass like wood and agricultural crop residues, e.g., straw and sugar beet pulp are potential raw materials for producing several high-value products like fuel ethanol and biodiesel. Lignocelluloses contains up to 80% from the polysaccharides (Kaparaju et al., 2009). These renewable raw materials look promising for replacing environmentally unfriendly fossil hydrocarbon raw materials and hence, creating “green” products. In contrast to traditional fuels, bioethanol does not contribute to the greenhouse effect, being a CO2 neutral resource.

 

WHERE ETHANOL IS USED:

  • Ethanol, which is produced using non-edible agricultural waste left after harvesting, can be used for blending with petrol. The new biofuel policy 2018 had fixed a target of achieving 20% ethanol blending with petrol by 2030 and the government aims to achieve 10% ethanol blending with petrol by 2022. At present, India produces only 3% of its required ethanol.
  • As per the state pollution control board officials, stubble burning contributes to about 48% of the total emission in Haryana and Punjab. Haryana is the second largest producer of paddy waste in the country, coming only after Punjab.
(Source: The Tribune)

 

 

Topic: Punjab to seek stakeholders’ views on draft industrial policy.

 

 

Importance: Punjab PCS Prelims and Mains

 

Punjab PCS Prelims: Punjab Economy: Industrial Sector

Punjab PCS Mains:

  • Paper 6: General Aptitude III: Topic: Economy – Infrastructure- energy, ports, roads, airports, railways, etc.; investment models, human resource development, Punjab economy.

 

What is the news?

  • Ready with a draft industrial policy, the Punjab Government would soon share and seek comments, suggestions from the stakeholders, to make the upcoming policy more investor and industry-centric.

Why important?

  • This is for the first time that the Department of Industries would be inviting opinion from the industry on the draft policy.(Inclusive Participation)

 

Last policy notified in 2017:

  • The state government had formulated industrial policies in 1978, 1982, 1989, 1992, 1996, 2003, 2009 and 2013. The last policy of Punjab was notified in October 2017.

 

Dilip Kumar, Principal Secretary, Industries, Commerce and Investment Promotion shared:

  • We are ready with the draft industrial policy. This is for the first time we are going to share it with industry for feedback. After receiving the suggestions, we are going to formulate the final policy.
  • He was addressing industrialists during a seminar on ‘Promoting Industrial Growth and Investments in Punjab’ organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).
  • The other states may be offering better incentives, but I suggest don’t see the monetary aspect only, we will give you (industry) an entire package, including conducive environment and hassle-free operations,” added Dilip Kumar.
  • The focus of the new policy will be to attract all kind of industries irrespective of the turnover and to make the state more investor-friendly. The new policy would also provide an enabling environment by introducing effective single-window system.
  • For the draft industrial policy, the Industries Department has already held a consultative meeting with various stakeholders across the clusters. The department has sought suggestion from the CII also in framing the industrial policy.
  • It is perceived that besides changing the paradigm of industrial development, the new policy would facilitate the investment, making the state pre-eminent destination for setting up businesses and industry.

 

Amit Thapar, president, Ganga Acrowools Limited and chairman, CII, Punjab:

  • The draft policy has been formulated in consultation with the industry spread across various hubs in the state. “In past, we did have consultations for framing the new industrial policy. But draft has never been shared with the industry. The industry came to know about the outcome, once the final policy was unveiled.
  • The current policy ‘The Industrial and Business Development Policy, 2017’ was unveiled in 2017 and is set to lapse by October this year.
  • According to sources, the focus will be on micro, small and medium enterprises, employment, interventions for ensuring ease of doing business, upskilling and quality power.
(Source: The Tribune)