January 21, 2020.

 

Topic: Punjab historical heritage.

 

News:- Patiala heritage fest to begin in February.

 

• This would be a week-long event to be held at Quila Mubarak, Patiala.
• The festival is aimed at raising funds for the renewal and refurbishment of Quila Mubarak.
• A crafts Mela at Sheesh Mahal would also be conducted.
•  Stalls at Jang e Saragarhi would also be placed for the mela.

 

About Quila Mubarak:-

• The Quila was built by Baba Ala Singh.
• The fortress was the capital of the Phulkian Sikh principality.
• The Quila has been built using the Mughal and Rajasthani schools of architecture.
• The Quila is like the heart of Patiala city, from where the Patiala city started expanding.
• The Sheesh Mahal is also notable for its decorations.
• Its walls are beautifully laid with mirror and gilt, and covered with exquisite frescoes that depict traditional Hindu themes and scenes from celebrated Punjabi folklore.

(Source:- The Tribune)

 

 

Topic: Power Sector

 

News:- Shut thermal plants are creating a problem for Punjab State Power Corporation Limited ( PSPCL).

• The demand for power in the winters gets reduced nationwide.
• In this scenario,  PSPCL has to shut all the units of its thermal power plants.
• Rather, it seeks to buy power from the private entities to meet the power demand.
• The power demand is lying between 5500 MW and 6000 MW; but during the night time, the demand may drop to 3000 MW.

 

So, some or all units of the thermal power plants in Punjab such as:-

 

1.  Lehra Mohabbat
2.    Ropar
3.   Goindwal Sahib.
4.   Talwandi sabo

 

• The per-unit production cost of power in state-owned thermal power plants is ₹ 3.80.
• Whereas the cost of power from private players is around ₹ 3. 14 to ₹ 3.66 per unit.
• The per-unit cost which could be getting by selling the state thermal plants’  power would be around  ₹ 3.10, which cannot cover the costs.

 

The crux of the problem is:-

• The purchase power agreements with the private players, due to which they are getting undue profits.
• Also, aa per the directive of the Supreme Court, washing charges of ₹2800 crore are to be paid to Talwandi sabo and Rajpura Thermal power plants.
• So, these costs are big trouble for the state government.
• In the case of non-purchase of the committed amount of power, the fixed cost has to be paid.

(Source:- The Tribune)

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