Key Initiatives of Government in the Energy Sector
Initiatives of the government in the energy sector given in this write-up can be beneficial for the UPSC IAS aspirants preparing for the upcoming IAS Prelims Exam 2018. The IAS aspirants must study such topics before IAS Exam because it has been seen that questions based on the policies and initiatives of the government asked every year.
So, here, for the convenience of the IAS aspirants, we have compiled all the initiatives of the government at one that can be beneficial for the IAS Exam.
Most Important Topics for IAS Prelims Exam 2018
DEEN DAYAL UPADHYAYA GRAM JYOTI YOJANA (DDUGJY)
Deendayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 25th July 2015 in Patna. The DDUGJY is one of the flagship programmes of the Ministry of Power and will facilitate the 24x7 supply of power.
• Launched with an initial allocation of Rs. 500 crores to ensure power supply to the rural poor.
• The initial target of 2,800 villages; 7,108 village electrified in one year
• The target of electrifying 18452 villages till May 2018.
• 14,786 out of 18,452 un-electrified villages electrified as on 2 November 2017
GARV: Grameen Vidyutikaran Android app – launched for real-time and transparent tracking of the progress in rural electrification
UJALA (Unnat Jyoti by Affordable LEDs for All)
Ujala Scheme was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2015 a target to distribute 770 million LEDs by March 2019 across 100 cities to the largest LED distribution program in the world. The program aims to rectify India’s high cost of electrification and the increased emissions from inefficient lighting, amidst the backdrop of electricity demand witnessing a 5-fold increase over the coming years.
• 27.25 crore LED Bulbs distributed.
• 35,400 Million Units of electricity saved per year
• To help the government to save Rs 14,160 crores per year
• Reduction in Carbon Dioxide Emission up to 28.67 MT/year
• Procurement price of LED bulbs dropped significantly due to aggregation of demand from Rs. 310 (Jan. 2014) to Rs. 38.58 (July. 2017).
Young India-Vibrant India initiative for IAS Exam
UDAY - Ujwal DISCOM Assurance Yojana
Ministry of Power launched the Ujwal DISCOM Assurance Yojana (UDAY) on 20th November 2015 which was approved by Union Cabinet on 5th November 2015.
The scheme envisages:
• Financial Turnaround
• Operational improvement
• Reduction of cost of generation of power
• Development of Renewable Energy
• Energy efficiency & conservation
Features of the Scheme
• To obtain operational and financial turnaround of State-owned Power Distribution Companies (DISCOMs). 27 State/UTs have joined UDAY.
• The most comprehensive power sector reform ever, with turnaround DISCOMs though efficiency improvements.
• UDAY web portal has been created as a transparent monitoring mechanism
• Operational Indicators (As on 02.11.17):
• Feeder metering: 100% achieved in Urban areas and Rural areas
• Rural Feeder audit: 100% conducted
• Feeder Segregation: 59% achieved
• Bonds issued: Rs. 2,32,163 (86.29%; data from 16 States)
• Tariff Revision did for 25 out of 27 States/UTs
• Distribution of LEDs under UJALA: 100%
Most Important Government Policies for IAS Exam
SAUBHAGYA
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi launched the Pradhan Mantri Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana - Saubhagya, at Deendayal Urja Bhawan, in New Delhi on September 25, 2017. The scheme is to provide energy access to all (rural as well as urban areas) by last mile connectivity and electricity connections to all remaining un-electrified households in rural as well as urban areas to achieve universal household electrification in the country.
• The total outlay of the project - Rs. 16, 320 crores, with Gross Budgetary Support (GBS) of Rs. 12,320 crores.
• The outlay for the rural households - Rs. 14,025 crores, with GBS of Rs. 10,587.50 crores.
• The outlay for the urban households - Rs. 2,295 crores, with GBS of Rs. 1,732.50 crores. The Government of India will provide largely funds for the Scheme to all States/UTs.
The States and Union Territories are required to complete the works of household electrification by the 31st of December 2018. For the easy & accelerated implementation of the Scheme, modern technology shall be used for the household survey by using Mobile App.
COAL
• Transparent e-auction of 31 coal blocks and allocation of 51 blocks under the Coal Mines (Special Provisions) Act, 2015
• Potential revenue to Coal bearing States around Rs 3.94 lakh crores over the life of the mine/lease period
• Surplus coal production of 554 million tonnes during 2016-17, as compared to 462 million tonnes in 2013-14.
• Increase in production of 92 million tonnes took just 3 years (2014-17), as compared to 7 years before 2013-14 for same increase.
General Studies Important Topics for IAS Mains Exam
PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS
Give it up Campaign
Domestic LPG is heavily subsidized by the Government of India and every cylinder that we use in our kitchen carries a substantial subsidy. This translates to a huge annual subsidy burden on the Government, draining precious resources which otherwise could have been used in developmental activities. Subsidy on domestic LPG instead of being universal needs to meet the needs of the truly needy citizens. Fortunately, many able and aware citizens are not in favour of subsidies and would rather pay the full price for the products and, thereby they also make a personal contribution towards nation-building. There is a need to spread this message. Accordingly, the Government has launched the ‘#GiveItUp’ campaign which is aimed at motivating LPG users who can afford to pay the market price for LPG to voluntarily surrender their LPG subsidy.
• Launched on 27th March 2015
• About 1.04 crore consumers have given up subsidy (As on 1st May 2017).
Urja Ganga
The foundation stone of Urja Ganga was laid by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. It is an ambitious gas pipeline project programme of the government in Varanasi Uttar Pradesh. The project aims to provide Piped Cooking Gas (PNG) to the households of the eastern regions of the country and the CNG for the vehicles. The project is being implemented by state-run gas utility GAIL. It envisages laying a 2,050-km pipeline connecting Jagdishpur (UP) to Haldia (West Bengal) by 2018.
• Will cater to energy requirements of five states, covering 40 districts and 2,600 villages
• Will revive three large fertilizer plants; enable industrialization of over 20 cities and development of city gas network in 7 cities, thereby generating large numbers of jobs.
IAS Exam 2018 | Exam Pattern | Preparation | Syllabus | Study Material