New Delhi, September 21: The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday approved the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme solar PV modules with an outlay of Rs 19,500 crore for achieving a manufacturing capacity of Giga Watt (GW) scale in High-Efficiency Solar PV Modules.
The cabinet approved the Ministry of New & Renewable Energy’s proposal for the implementation of the Production Linked Incentive Scheme (Tranche II) on the ‘National programme on High-Efficiency Solar PV Modules’, with an outlay of Rs.19,500 crore for achieving the manufacturing capacity of Giga Watt (GW) scale in High-Efficiency Solar PV Modules, according to an official statement released after the cabinet meeting.
The national programme on High-Efficiency Solar PV Modules aims to build an ecosystem for manufacturing of high-efficiency solar PV modules in India, and thus reduce import dependence in the area of Renewable Energy. It will strengthen the Atamnirbhar Bharat initiative and generate employment, it said.
Solar PV manufacturers will be selected through a transparent selection process. PLI will be disbursed for 5 years post commissioning of solar PV manufacturing plants on sales of high-efficiency solar PV modules from the domestic market will be incentivised.
It is estimated that about 65,000 MW per annum manufacturing capacity of fully and partially integrated, solar PV modules would be installed.
The scheme will bring a direct investment of around Rs 94,000 crore, according to a statement released by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy.
The scheme will lead to the creation of manufacturing capacity for the Balance of Materials like EVA, Solar glass, Backsheet, etc.
It is estimated to provide direct employment of about 1,95,000 and indirect employment of around 7,80,000 persons.
The scheme will lead to import substitution of approximately Rs 1.37 lakh crore. It will give impetus to Research and Development to achieve higher efficiencies in Solar PV Modules, the ministry said. (Agencies)
Cabinet approves Rs 19,500 crore PLI scheme for Solar PV Modules
1989 kidnapping case | Rubaiya Sayeed appears before Jammu TADA court
Jammu, Sept 21: The TADA court on Wednesday ordered a production warrant for chief of banned J-K Liberation Front Yasin Malik to Tihar jail in connection with the 1989 Rubaiya Sayeed kidnapping case in which he is an accused, according to CBI lawyer Monika Kohli.
“Yasin Malik will be called for cross-examination on October 20. The court has ordered production warrants to Tihar jail for Yasin Malik. He’ll be physically present for the hearing, as per his demands,” said Kohli.
Earlier, Malik had asked the court to allow him to appear physically at the August 23 hearing, however, the court had said that all accused were appearing through video conferencing as per the High Court order, so physical appearance is not possible for him.
Kohli further said that Rubaiya Sayeed’s (PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti’s sister) cross-examination was done in the court today.
“Rubaiya Sayeed (PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti’s sister) was presented today at TADA court, Jammu. Her cross-examination was done, along with the rest of the accused. Only Yasin Malik’s cross-examination was left,” she said.
Rubaiya Sayeed, the daughter of former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, was abducted by Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) militants on December 8, 1989.
Yasin Malik, who is serving life imprisonment in Tihar Jail in a terror funding case, is an accused in this case along with others.
Notably, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) court in May this year awarded life imprisonment to separatist leader Yasin Malik in a terror funding case.
The NIA court while sentencing Malik to life imprisonment also imposed a fine of Rs 10 lakh.
He was sentenced to life imprisonment twice. NIA had sought the death penalty for the separatist leader who was convicted on May 19.
Malik had told the court that he was not contesting the charges levelled against him. (Agencies)
Dr Jitendra interacts with US Chamber, American CEO; invites investments
WASHINGTON DC, September 21 : Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Ministry of Science and Technology; Minister of State (Independent Charge) Ministry of Earth Science; MoS PMO, Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Space and Atomic Energy, Dr Jitendra Singh today interacted with CEOs and representatives of more than 30 prominent American companies at the US Chamber of Commerce headquarters here and exhorted them to avail of enabling business milieu created in India by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The Minister said, India under Modi is incentivising investments and called upon them to also engage in Joint Venture opportunities in the wake of pro-business reforms carried out by the Government over the last 8 years.
Miriam Daniel and Priscilla Baek of Google on Geospatial Data, Stafan Alexander, CEO of Nextler Innovations, Emily Beline, Senior Counsel of FedEx, Randy Liebermann, CEO of HoT Technologies, Timothy Puckorius, CEO of Earth Observation Technologies, Glenn Grab of Cyient Technologies, Kevin James, CEO of Climate Compass, Ajeeth Ibrahim of Nanorocks Space Technologies, Ravnish Luthra, CEO of ITGlobe Inc, Sanjay Singhal, CEO of Sintel Satellite Services Inc, were some of the prominent business leaders who interacted in detail with Indian Delegation led by Dr Jitendra Singh.
Apart from business leaders, representatives from USG/Space, DC Government, NASA, American Think Tanks, and Federal Representatives took part in the Roundtable in areas associated with Geospatial, Space, Earth & Ocean Science, Pharma and Biotech Sectors, organised by US-India Business Council (USIBC) at U.S. Chamber of Commerce headquarters in Washington, DC. The USIBC represents top global companies operating across the United States, India, and the Indo-Pacific.
Earlier, Dr Jitendra Singh as the head of Joint Ministerial Indian delegation, arrived at New York last evening and proceeded to Washington on the first leg of the 5-day US visit, which includes participation in Global Clean Energy Action Forum scheduled from 21st to 23rd September at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He is also scheduled to interact with eminent academicians as well as Indian diaspora.
Atul Keshap, President, USIBC welcomed Dr Jitendra Singh at the Business Roundtable, while Sripriya Ranganathan, Deputy Chief of Mission, Indian Embassy, Washington, D.C. set the tone for Industry Interaction. The CEOs and representatives of Geospatial, Space, Earth & Ocean Science, Pharma, Biotech and other emerging Sectors held discussions on topics like “The Commercial Opportunities for U.S.-India Space Collaboration, “The Potential of Geospatial”, “Expansive Potential for Growth in Satcoms” and “Commercial Space: Brown, Green and Blue”
Dr Jitendra Singh told the Business Leaders that India and America have very successful cooperation in Space Science and Exploration and ISRO and NASA are working together to launch a joint radar satellite for Earth observation named NISAR [NASA -ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar]. The NISAR mission will collect data vital to tackling the climate crisis. The Minister also informed that ISRO has been getting Deep Space Network Antenna support from NASA in its Missions such as Chandrayaan-1, Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM) and Chandrayaan-2 mission and will continue availing support for our Chandrayaan-3 mission. He said, given the space reforms in India in place, India is looking forward to engaging with private sectors for fabrication, manufacturing, and joint development of space system and infrastructure.
On the subject of Geospatial Ecosystem, Dr Jitendra Singh said in the panel discussion that the recent policy reforms provides opportunities to work with academia, industry, and other stakeholders to create a vibrant and dynamical data-driven digital economy. He said, apart from
NISAR Earth observation satellite, both the sides could expand cooperation in jointly developed geostational data sets used for weather forecasting, ground referencing, and positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) information.
On the issue of “Earth Science and observations’, Dr Jitendra Singh informed that combined scientific and technical skills and satellite data are being used to enhance observations of the earth and use information [Indian Ocean Variability and Monsoon] most effectively for the benefit of society. The Minister said, realising the importance of Arabian Sea, Scientific Teams from India and the USA have come together to define a collaborative India-USA program called EKAMSAT, where the scientific teams will engage in joint scientific collaboration in the Open waters of the Arabian Sea using research vessels from India and USA for better prediction of Monsoons, cyclone, and severe weather systems.
Dwelling on the aspects of Clean Energy Technologies, Dr Jitendra Singh said, U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the Government of India [led by Ministry of Science & Technology] signed an agreement in 2021 to establish the Joint Clean Energy Research and Development Center (JCERDC) to promote clean energy innovation by teams of scientists and engineers from India and the United States in Public- Private consortia modes and identified areas of mutual interest such as – Clean Coal Technologies, Advanced Supercritical Carbon dioxide (SCO2) cycle and Carbon Capture Utilization and Storage (CCUS).
Regarding “Health Sciences & Technologies”, Dr Jitendra Singh said, there has been longstanding collaboration between India and USA in Health Sector. The scientific community and private sector of both the nations have been working together in several programs to understand important diseases and develop new therapeutic, diagnostic and vaccine. He said, new MOU was signed last in October, 2021, which provides an umbrella MOU for expanding cooperation and partnership in the healthcare sector between the two countries.
Indian Minister was happy to note that in the area of Emerging Technologies, DST and NSF( National Science Foundation ) of USA launched joint projects recently in wide range of areas of common interests such as – Cobotics, Computer vision, Robotics and Automation Technologies, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, Data Analytics, Sensors, and Networking and Technologies for Internet of Things & Internet of Everything. He informed that bilateral S&T collaboration range from Mega Science such as LIGO [Laser Interferometer Gravitational Observatory], TMT [Thirty Meter telescope], and Neutrino Physics to Clean Energy Technologies, Health Science, Earth and Ocean Science, Agricultural Science and recent interest in expanding our collaboration in Emerging Technologies.
Apart from giving a brief view of India’s Digital Economy, Dr Jitendra Singh concluded by saying that there is huge scope in expanding cooperation in the areas of common priority such as Quantum Technology, Artificial Intelligence, Deep Ocean Exploration, Electric Vehicles, Emerging Technologies for Telecommunications and Semiconductor Research and Innovation, geospatial technology areas related to acquisition, processing, and dissemination of high-resolution geospatial data. We shall look forward to working with you and continue supporting scientific communities of both the nations to create solution for pressing world problems
‘Preparation for Assembly polls in J&K afoot’, claims Congress leader
SRINAGAR, Sept 21: Senior Congress leader Tariq Hameed Karra on Wednesday hinted at assembly polls in Jammu and Kashmir before the end of the year claiming truck-loads of election-related material, including EVMs, have arrived in Jammu.
“Reportedly 150 Truck Loads of election material that includes EVMs & other election related stationary has reached Jammu which was downloaded & stored in the Civil Secretariat during night time,” Karra tweeted.
“Seems ECI gearing up for a surprise regarding holding elections in J&K,” the Congress Working Committee member added.
The process of publishing updated electoral rolls in Jammu and Kashmir is currently under process and the exercise is scheduled to be completed by November 25. (Agencies)
Tramboo condoles demise of Journalist Nasir K Shah’s mother
Expresses sympathy with the bereaved family, prays for the departed soul
DODA, September 21: Sr NHM Leader and Former District President NHM Employees Association Doda Faizan A Tramboo has expressed his grief and sorrow over the demise of the mother of Journalist Nasir K Shah from Bhaderwah who breathed her last on Monday after a brief illness.
In his condolence message, Faizan A Tramboo said, “I am deeply saddened to hear about the passing away of Nasir K Shah’s mother and expressed heartfelt sympathies with the bereaved family. He has also prayed for eternal peace to the departed soul.
I extend my heartfelt condolences to Nasir K Shah and other members of the bereaved family and pray for the much-needed strength for them to bear the pain of this irreparable loss, Tramboo said.”
Northern railway observes ‘Swachh Rail Swachh Bharat’ Mission from 16 Sep to 2 Oct
‘Swachh Rail Swachh Bharat’ Mission is being observed from 16th September 2022 till 02nd October 2022 by the Northern Railway. Ashutosh Gangal, General Manager of Northern railway administered the Swachhata Pledged on “Swachhta Pakhwara” over Railways.
Principal Heads of Departments of Headquarters and other senior railway officials were also present on the occasion while Divisional Railway Managers, Workshops Heads, and Units joined the program through a web link.
Speaking on the occasion Gangal said that keeping trains and railway premises clean is everyone’s responsibility. During the Swachhata Pakhwara, intensive cleaning and sanitization of stations, trains, tracks, colonies, and other railway establishments is being carried out with a special focus on plastic waste management. To create awareness about keeping the railway premises clean and safe webinars are being organized.
During the webinar, speakers of N.G.O. and experts on the environment from various government, private and non-governmental organizations shall address and participate.
Steps were taken by railways for proper solid waste management, saving of water and conservation of energy, a convergence of IR initiatives with the Swachh Bharat Mission, green rating of railway stations, combating plastic waste, and perspectives on the circular economy would also be discussed in the webinar.
DGP Dilbag Singh direct police officers to be alert on narco-terrorism, radicalization of youth
DGP Dilbag Singh has ordered police and security forces officers to remain alert on narco-terrorism and new trends of radicalization of youth.
DGP was speaking in meetings during his visit to Reasi and Gulabgarh in Jammu division where Pakistani agencies are trying to revive terrorism. He reviewed the crime and security scenario.
ADGP Jammu Zone Mukesh Singh accompanied the DGP. Senior officers of J&K Police, CRPF and IRP were present in the meetings.
He also interacted with local civilians at Gulabgarh.
DGP said that Reasi district is a sensitive place and directed the officers to be prompt and alert on all fronts. He stressed for taking stringent action against those involved in narco-trade.
The DGP stressed for community policing and added that cooperation of people is must for maintaining peace in the area.
He said though the area of district Reasi is militancy free for a long time now yet few cases came to fore where conspiracies were hatched to revive terrorism in some parts of the Jammu region.
He said that J&K Police and other security forces are alert and we were successful in foiling all such attempts of terrorists. A most wanted terrorist and his network, working on the directions from across the border was busted and those involved in different terror activities were not only arrested but strict action against them was taken under the law.
The DGP said that Jammu and Kashmir Police has contributed greatly in the fight against terrorism and in the process a number of officers, jawans including SPOs have sacrificed their lives.
The DGP said that Pakistan is continuously making attempts to create trouble however, “we are fully prepared and vigilant to thwart any attempt”.
He said that peace and order which has been established in Jammu and Kashmir will be further strengthened and stabilized with the continuous support and cooperation of people.
He said attempts were made to infiltrate terrorists and smuggle arms and ammunition from across the border, however, most of such attempts were foiled. Those who managed to sneak were tracked down, he added.
Livestreaming Of Supreme Court Constitution Bench Hearings From Next Week
NEW DELHI, Sept 21: The Supreme Court of India has decided to begin live streaming of Constitution bench cases from September 27, Tuesday.
The decision was taken at a full court meeting convened by Chief Justice of India UU Lalit on Tuesday evening.
The decision was unanimous and the hearings will initially be telecast live on YouTube, sources said.
The top court will soon develop its own platform to host the live telecast of proceedings.
The cases likely to be live-streamed include challenges to the economically backward class quota law, the religious practice of excommunication in the Dawoodi Bohra community, the Supreme Court’s power to dissolve marriages on the ground of irretrievable breakdown, and the Centre’s petition on enhanced compensation for victims of 1984 Bhopal gas tragedy.
Senior advocate Indira Jaising last week wrote to the CJI and his companion judges requesting the Supreme Court to begin live streaming of proceedings of matters of public and constitutional importance. She was one of the petitioners in 2018 for the declaration of live-streaming a part of the right to freedom of information and the right of access to justice for every citizen. (Agencies)
Partly cloudy weather likely in J&K during next 24 hours: MeT
JAMMU, Sept 21: The Meteorological (MeT) office said on Wednesday that partly cloudy sky with light rain at isolated places is likely during the next 24 hours in Jammu and Kashmir.
The weather was mainly dry in the union territory.
“Weather is likely to remain partly cloudy with light rain at isolated places in J&K during the next 24 hours”, an official of the MeT department said.
Srinagar had 15.2, Pahalgam 11.6 and Gulmarg 8 degrees Celsius as the minimum temperature.
Drass in Ladakh region had 8.9, Kargil 11 and Leh 7.7 as the minimum temperature.
Jammu had 25.1, Katra 22.8, Batote 15.7, Banihal 15 and Bhaderwah 15.8 as the minimum temperature. (Agencies)
Modi was right, this is not time for war: French President Macron at UNGA
United Nations , Sept 21: United Nations French President Emmanuel Macron told world leaders at the UN General Assembly session that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was right when he told Russian President Vladimir Putin that this is not the time for war.
Mr. Modi, who met Mr. Putin last week on the sidelines of the 22nd meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization in Uzbekistan’s Samarkand, had told the Russian leader that “today’s era is not of war”.
“Narendra Modi, the prime minister of India was right when he said the time is not for war. It is not for revenge against the West or for opposing the West against the East. It is the collective time for our sovereign equal states to cope together with challenges we face,” Mr. Macron said during his address at the General Debate of the 77th Session of the UN General Assembly on Tuesday.
“This is why there’s an urgent need to develop a new contract between the north and the south – an effective contract which is respectful for food, for biodiversity, for education. It’s no longer time for block thinking but to build a coalition of specific action to reconcile legitimate interests and common goods,” he said.
In Samarkand, Mr. Putin had told Mr. Modi that he knows his “position on the conflict in Ukraine and the concerns that you constantly express”.
“We will do our best to make it stop as soon as possible. However, unfortunately, the opposing side, the leadership of Ukraine, announced that it was abandoning the negotiation process and declared that it wants to achieve its goals by military means, ‘on the battlefield’, as they say. Nevertheless, we will always keep you informed of what is happening there,” Mr. Putin had said.
Reform of the UN Security Council
At the UNGA session on Tuesday, Mr. Macron expressed hope the international community can commit to the reform of the UN Security Council “so that it is more representative, welcome new permanent members and remain able to play its full role by restricting the use of veto in cases of mass crimes”.
In his address on the opening day of the General Debate, the French president said “there are countries that have chosen a form of neutrality vis-à-vis this war. Those who are saying that they’re non-aligned are wrong. They are making a historic error”.
“The combat of the non-aligned movement is a fight for peace. They fought for peace, the sovereignty of states and territorial integrity. Those who are keeping silent today are in a way complicit with a cause of new imperialism, a new order that is trampling over the current order, and there’s no peace possible here.”
“Russia is today seeking to uphold a double standard but the war in Ukraine must not be a conflict that leaves anyone indifferent,” Mr. Macron said. (Agencies)