06.04.23 Daily [Andhra Pradesh] APPSC Current Affairs

AP has made it to the frontrunners category alongside Karnataka, Kerala,RajasthanandTelanganain the state Energy Efficiency index-2022 released by the Union Government on April 10.

AP scored 77.5 points in SEEI-2022, a 53 per cent improvement compared to its SEEI 2020 score of 50.5. This was the maximum improvement recorded by any state in the country in SEEI-2022.

Bureau of Energy Efficiency director general Abhay Bakre said that collaboration between central and state governments, judicious resource allocation, policy alignment, and regular tracking of states energy efficiency progress through SEEI is essential to contribute effectively to the nation’s Climate commitments and ensure with energy transition.

The innovative IoT based power monitoring device project, a unique model introduced by APSECM and implemented in 65 MSME units, has been recognised across the country. AP has been successful in implementing energy efficiency measures in large industries through ‘perform, achieve, and trade’ scheme and saved around 1.2 Mtoe, said Chandrasekhar Reddy.

The state has constituted a state level steering committee headed by chief secretary involving all the key departments for effective monitoring and implementation of energy efficiency programmes at all levels. The model is being followed by 18 other states in the country.

The Ministry of New and has granted Miniratna Category-I Central Public Sector Enterprise (CPSE) status to the state-owned Solar Energy Corporation of India Ltd (SECI), according to a statement. SECI, which was established in 2011, is the primary implementing agency for renewable energy schemes/projects of the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy aimed at fulfilling Indias international commitments. SECI has played a Central role in the rapid increase of RE generation capacity in the country and has contributed towards the nations Climate commitments, Carbon Emission reduction strategies and sustainable energy transition

SECI has awarded more than 56 GW of Renewable Energy (RE) project capacities to date. It also plays an active role in establishing projects through its own investments and as a Project Management Consultant (PMC) for other public sector entities. SECI has received a top credit rating of AAA from the domestic rating agency ICRA

Of the 200 tigers added to the 2,967 estimated in 2018, taking the count to 3,167 as per the latest Status of Tiger Report, 128 are from the Central India Landscape (CIL). This makes it clear that Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh (MP) have played a big role in increasing the tiger numbers in the country.

This means, Central India has largest Population of tigers in the world, said Bilal Habib, Wildlife Institute of India scientist. As per the 2018 estimates, there were 1,033 tigers in Central India and the Eastern Ghats Landscape, which comprises in Maharashtra, MP, Chhattisgarh, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha andRajasthan. However, the latest report estimates 1,161 tigers, an increase of 128.

National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) and Wildlife Institute of India (WII) officials say the addition to the national figure of 3,167 tigers must be from Maharashtra and MP and Shivalik Landscape, which have done well.

Tiger signs were detected in 1,049 grids and 1,161 unique tigers were photo-captured. As per the distribution of tigers in Central India and Eastern Ghats Landscape, the big cats have occupied several territorial areas of MP and Maharashtra that were not occupied in 2018, the report states.

The Rajya Sabha approved the Competition Amendment Bill, 2023, aimed at modernizing the two-decade-old anti-trust law to align with changes in the economy. The Competition Amendment Bill, 2023 aims to modify the Competition Act, 2002, which authorizes the Competition Commission Of India (CCI) to prevent practices that adversely impact competition and consumer interests.

Under the new bill, mergers and acquisitions exceeding Rs. 2,000 crores in value must be notified to the Competition Commission of India (CCI), provided that the party being acquired has substantial business operations in India.

The Asian Confluence, a think tank from Northeast India, will organize the event in collaboration with Indias Ministry of External Affairs. State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam will represent Bangladesh, while Indias deputy foreign minister and the Japanese ambassador to India will also attend

The Asian Confluence, a think tank from Northeast India, will organize the event in collaboration with Indias Ministry of External Affairs. State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam will represent Bangladesh, while Indias deputy foreign minister and the Japanese ambassador to India will also attend.

A recent study conducted by the Asian Confluence recommended scaling up multi-modal connectivity between Northeast Indiaand Bangladesh to enhance competitiveness and narrow the development gaps in the region