India has 152.90 Gigawatt of renewable energy capacity so far

A Parliamentary panel recommended that the government should extend the subsidy component to a minimum of four LPG cylinders per annum to the beneficiaries of Prime Minister Ujjwala Yojana, PMUY. The panel has felt that this decision if taken will reduce the burden upon poorer sections of the society. The Standing Committee on Petroleum and Natural Gas headed by Ramesh Bidhuri of BJP on Tuesday tabled its report on demands for grants of the ministry in the Parliament. The Committee noted that the national per capita consumption of domestic LPG in the year 2020-21 was 6.2 cylinders and average refill consumption of PMUY beneficiaries for the same year was 4.39 cylinders of 14.2 kilogram. The committee has also learnt that since May, 2020, subsidy has not been provided to consumers on domestic LPG, except some subsidy being extended to far-flung areas and some other markets due to higher inland freight from port to bottling plant.

-In the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, a 36-member delegation from the Gulf countries is presently in Srinagar to strengthen ties and look at the investment opportunities in the region. Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha addressed the Gulf Countries Investment Summit in Srinagar on Tuesday and highlighted the scope to make the paradise on earth as the most beautiful investment destination in the world. The visit of the delegation is a follow-up to the Dubai-Expo which was held in January this year in which Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha had signed at least six MoUs in potential sectors like Real Estate, Infrastructure, Tourism and Healthcare to generate investments for the Industrial growth of Jammu and Kashmir. The proactive approach taken by the J&K government in the recent months in attracting the investors in the Union Territory is a testimony of the fact that J&K has ushered on the path of development and in coming years, will be the dawn of a new era for the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. 

-In Tripura, a three days international seminar on strengthening cooperation among the neighbouring countries began on Tuesday.  Academicians from different Indian states and neighbouring countries including Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan are taking part in the seminar, titled as Development Cooperation between India and Neighbouring Countries: Possibilities and Challenges.  With the support of a special assistance program of the University Grant Commission (UGC), this seminar is being organised by the Deptt of Economics of Tripura University in collaboration with the Research & Information System for Developing countries, (RIS), New Delhi. The Director General of RIS, Prof Sachin Chaturvedi inaugurated the seminar, presided over by the Vice Chancellor of the Tripura University Dr. Ganga Prasad Prasain.  Addressing the seminar, Prof Chaturvedi said that all the countries of the region including India and its neighbours need to find out ways to tread on the road for long term development to come out from the prevailing economic situation badly impacted by the Covid19 pandemic situation. Addressing the seminar virtually, Deputy Minister for Education of Bangladesh Mahibul Hassan Chowdhury highlighted the firm bilateral relations between India and Bangladesh over the last 50 years.

-Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio presented a deficit budget of Rs 2212.74 crore for the financial year 2022-23. Rio,  who holds the finance portfolio put forth the budget proposals estimating the gross receipts at Rs 23,389.80 crore  and gross expenditure at Rs 24,239.50 crore. He said the current year’s transaction for the year 2022-23 is estimated to result in a positive balance of 150.30 crore rupees. Rio said, because of the negative balance of Rs 2363.04 crore , the year 2022-23 is estimated to close with a negative balance of  Rs 2212.74 crore. Addressing media after the presentation of the Budget, Chief Minister Rio said, due to the state’s acute financial condition and the ever-growing expenditure of the Government, steps have been taken to enhance own revenues in various sectors, and also to enhance efficiency. He said, details of how to affect the measures have already been examined and approved by the State Cabinet, and will soon be put into effect. He said, both tax and non-tax combined, have crossed 1500 crore rupees during 2021-22, and is expected to grow during 2022-23 by about 8 percent. Rio said a significant contribution to the non-tax revenue of the State is expected in the Power sector.  He said power revenue is expected to cross 200 crore rupees for the first time. Attributing pre-paid metering for the improvement in the power sector, Rio said, the Government will continue to expand this initiative.

-A total of 152.90 Gigawatt of renewable energy capacity has been installed in the country so far. Minister of New and Renewable Energy and Power, RK Singh said in a written reply in Rajya Sabha that during 2020-21, a total of 10786.22 MW of renewable energy capacity has been added in the country. He said the Ministry is committed to achieving 500 GW of installed energy capacity from non fossil fuel sources by 2030.