ANDHRA PRADESH

Andhra Pradesh saves Rs 2,350 crore in power purchases in 2 years

Andhra Pradesh has saved around Rs 2,350 crore by purchasing electricity in spot markets at cost effective prices in the last two years, i.e., 2019–20 and 2020–21.

The power utilities procured 3,393 million units in 2019-20 and 8,890 MU in 2020-21 from the open market at cheaper prices.

The average cost of procurement, including transmission charges, was Rs 3.12 per unit against the approved weighted average procurement cost of Rs 4.55/unit.

The state government had persuaded the Union ministry of power to surrender the 625 MW thermal power, which helped the AP discoms to reduce their financial burden to the tune of Rs 1,007 crore.

The central power grid used to collect central transmission utility point of connection charges from the discoms on the anticipated usage on a quarterly basis in the past. Due to the same, the utilities had to pay higher charges to the central grid. In response to the protest of the AP energy department, the CERC has changed the methodology, resulting in savings of Rs 350 crore in last two years.

INTERNATIONAL

RT-LAMP Technology Was Used to Create SPOT, A New COVID-19 Saliva Test

A research team from the Carle Illinois College of Medicine invented SPOT

In thirty minutes, the SPOT provides COVID-19 test results. The cost of the equipment is $78.

In addition, the cost of these reagents and other test equipment is estimated to be 6 to 7 dollars.

Anyone with a minimal amount of training can use the equipment.

The test is very similar to RT-PCR. However, Reverse Transcriptase Loop Mediated Isothermal Amplification is used (RT-LAMP).

However, it does not require complex machinery or expertise. It can be done quickly and more accurately.

World Bee Day is on 20th May

The United Nations has designated May 20 as “World Bee Day.” Theme of the year 2020 is Bee engaged: Build Back Better for Bees.

Bee day is celebrated to create awareness of the importance of pollinators and the threats they face and their contribution to sustainable development. The main aim is to strengthen measures aimed at protecting bees and other pollinators, which will greatly help solve problems related to global food supply and eliminate hunger in developing countries.

World Metrology Day is on 20th May

Every year on May 20th, World Metrology Day is held all over the world.

On this day, many countries have carried out international cooperation to raise people’s awareness of metrology and its progress in their respective fields. The theme of World Metrology Day in 2021 is health metrology.

The purpose of choosing this topic is to make people realize the important role of measurement in health and thus play an important role in the well-being of each of us. World Metrology Day is an annual celebration of the signing of the Metrology Convention on May 20, 1875 by representatives of 17 countries/regions in Paris, France. The World Metrology Day project is jointly implemented by the International Organization for Legal Metrology (OIML) and the International Bureau and the Bureau of Physical Measurement (BIPM).

NATIONAL

The New Sites Has Been Added to The Tentative List of UNESCO World Heritage Sites In India

Six sites have been added to the tentative list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India.

The sites was submitted by the of Archaeological Survey of India.

Six of the nine sites have been included in the tentative list by UNESCO.

It must be added to the tentative list before any sites are finally nominated.

The sites are:
1. Maharashtra’s Maratha military architecture
2. Hire a megalithic site in Bengal, Karnataka
3. Bhedaghat-Lametaghat in Madhya Pradesh’s Narmada Valley.
4. Varanasi’s Ganga Ghats
5. Kancheepuram Temples
6. Madhya Pradesh’s Satpura Tiger Reserve.

Infrastructure Status for Exhibition and Convention Centres

Exhibition and conference centres have been given ‘Infrastructure’ status by the Finance Ministry. The move is expected to make it easier for banks to finance such projects.

The harmonised master list of infrastructure sub-sectors includes the ‘Exhibition-cum-Convention Centre.

A new item has been added to the category of Social and Commercial Infrastructure to reflect this.

These advantages will be applicable only to projects with a minimum built-up floor area of 1,00,000 sq. m. of exclusive exhibition space, or conference space, or both coimbined.

The main projects being carried out in this field so far are: International Exhibition and Conference Centers in Dwarka and Pragati Maidan in New Delhi.

The infrastructure tag does not involve major tax deductions.

The tag would make it easier for such projects to obtain bank funding.

E-Way Bill Integration With FASTag, RFID

The E-Way Bill (EWB) system has been incorporated with FasTag and RFID by the Union Government.

Highlights:

Electronic Way (E-Way) Bill:

An E-Way Bill is a unique bill number created for a particular consignment involving the transportation of goods.

Beginning in April 2018, EWBs will be mandated for inter-state transportation of goods priced over Rs. 50,000 under the Goods and Services Tax (GST) regime, with the exception of precious items such as gold.

It is a method to monitor the movement of goods and detect tax evasion, as well as a mechanism to ensure that goods being transported comply with the GST Law.
F

FASTag:

FASTag is a reloadable tag that can automatically deduct fees without having to stop cash transactions.

Once activated, the tag uses Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology and is attached to the vehicle’s windscreen.

Radio waves are used to read and capture data stored on a tag attached to an object in RFID.

A tag can be read from up to several feet away, and it doesn’t have to be in the reader’s direct line of sight to be monitored.

FASTag will be mandatory for all vehicles in the country beginning February 15, 2021.

The National Highway Authority of India is in charge of its operation (NHAI).

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