On January 6, 2022, the Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi approved the following proposals which were detailed by Union Minister Anurag Singh Thakur, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB).
- Cabinet approves Intra-State Transmission System – GEC Phase-II worth Rs 12,031.33cr in 7 states
- Cabinet approves MoU between India and Turkmenistan on Cooperation in Disaster Management
- Cabinet approves agreement between India and Spain on Cooperation in Customs Matters
- Cabinet approves MoU between India and Nepal for construction of bridge over Mahakali River
Cabinet approves Intra-State Transmission System – GEC Phase-II worth Rs 12,031.33cr in 7 states
Our Central Government is launching various projects to achieve the set target of 450 GW (Giga Watt) installed Renewable Energy (RE) capacity by 2030. On these lines, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) chaired by the PM approved the scheme on Green Energy Corridor (GEC) Phase-II for Intra-State Transmission System (InSTS).
- This approval will add approximately 10,750 circuit kilometres (ckm) of transmission lines and approx. 27,500 MegaVolt-Amperes (MVA) transformation capacity of substations.
- The scheme will facilitate grid integration and power evacuation of approximately 20 GW of RE power projects in seven States.
Highlights of Scheme:
States covered: Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh (UP)
Outlay: Rs. 12,031.33 crore and Central Financial Assistance (CFA) of 33% of the project cost i.e. Rs. 3970.34 crore.
Completion Period: Five year from Financial Year 2021-22 to 2025-26.
Key Points:
i.CFA will help in offsetting the Intra-State transmission charges and keep the power costs down.
ii.The scheme will also contribute to long term energy security and promote ecologically sustainable growth.
iii.It will generate large direct & indirect employment opportunities for both skilled and unskilled personnel in power and other related sectors.
iv.This scheme is in addition to GEC-Phase-I which is already under implementation in the States of Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu for grid integration and power evacuation of approx. 24 GW of RE power and is expected to be completed by 2022.
- It envisages to add 9700 ckm of transmission lines and 22600 MVA capacity of substations with an estimated amount of Rs. 10,141.68 crore and CFA of Rs. 4056.67 crore.
Cabinet Approvals with Other Countries:
Cabinet approves MoU between India and Turkmenistan on Cooperation in Disaster Management
The Union Cabinet approved the signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between India and Turkmenistan on cooperation in disaster management including preparedness, response and capacity building.
- The various areas of cooperation include monitoring, forecasting, and assessment of emergencies, and interaction between appropriate organizations involved in disaster management.
Key Points:
i.Both nations will also plan, develop and implement research projects, exchange scientific and technical publications, and publish results of research works in disaster management,
ii.There will be exchange of information, periodicals, video, photo materials, expertise, and technologies.
iii.Joint conferences, seminars, workshops as well as exercises and training will be organised.
Point to be noted:
India currently has bilateral or multilateral agreements, MoUs, joint declaration of Intent or Memorandum of Cooperation in disaster management with Switzerland, Russia, Germany, Japan, Tajikistan, Mongolia, Bangladesh, Italy and South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC).
About Turkmenistan:
Capital– Ashgabat
Currency– Turkmenistani Manat
Cabinet approves agreement between India and Spain on Cooperation in Customs Matters
Cabinet approved the signing of the Agreement between India and Spain on cooperation and mutual assistance in Customs Matters.
- It will aid in providing reliable, quick and cost-effective information and intelligence for the prevention and investigation of Customs offences and apprehending of Customs offenders.
- It also provides a legal framework for sharing of information between the Customs authorities of the two countries.
Key provisions of agreement:
i.Correct assessment of customs duties
ii.Authenticity of any document produced in support of a declaration (such as certificate of origin, invoices etc.) made to the requesting authority
iii.Customs offence concerning illicit movement of Arms, ammunition, explosives and explosive devices; Works of art and antiques, which are of significant historical, cultural of archaeological value; Toxic materials and other substances dangerous to the environment and public health; Goods subject to substantial customs duties or taxes; New means and methods employed for committing Customs offences against Customs legislation.
About Spain:
Currency– Euro
Capital– Madrid
Cabinet approves MoU between India and Nepal for construction of bridge over Mahakali River
The Union Cabinet has approved a MoU between India and Nepal for the construction of a bridge over Mahakali River at Dharchula in India and Dharchula in Nepal. This MoU will further improve diplomatic relations between the two countries.
- The construction of the bridge will help people living in Dharchula in Uttarakhand and in the territory of Nepal
- The bridge will be completed within 3 years.
About Nepal:
Capital– Kathmandu
Currency– Nepalese rupee
Recent Related News:
i.The Cabinet Committee on Security approved the procurement of 56 C-295MW transport aircraft from Airbus Defence and Space S.A., Spain for the Indian Air Force (IAF) which will replace its ageing Avro aircraft with it.
ii.The Union Cabinet has approved the signing of MoU on cooperation in the field of Geosciences between the Joint Stock Company Rosgeologia (State holding Company) (referred to as ROSGEO), a legal entity incorporated under the laws of the Russian Federation and the Geological Survey of India (GSI), Ministry of Mines, Government of India.
