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:-
- Lehra Mohabbat
- Ropar
- Goindwal Sahib.
- 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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