National
Launch of National Efficient Cooking Programme and Energy Efficient Fans Programme
⇒ Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL), a joint venture of Public Sector Undertakings under Ministry of Power, launched its ground breaking National Efficient Cooking Programme (NECP) and Energy Efficient Fans Programme (EEFP).
Union Minister for Power and New & Renewable Energy Shri R K Singh unveiled the Programme at an event held in New Delhi on November 2, 2023.
- These initiatives are aimed at revolutionizing cooking practices in India and emphasizing on the importance and urgency of energy efficient fans.
- As part of these programmes, EESL will distribute 1 crore efficient BLDC fans and 20 Lakh energy-efficient induction cook stoves nationwide.
National Efficient Cooking Programme (NECP):
- The National Efficient Cooking Programme (NECP) introduces induction-based cook-stoves, offering a cost advantage of 25-30% over traditional cooking methods, promising both energy savings and cost-effective cooking solutions.
- By deploying 20 Lakh Induction cook-stoves across India, EESL seeks to reduce the environmental impact of cooking methods, ensuring cleaner air and improved health for citizens.
- EESL has also partnered with Modern Energy Cooking Services (MECS) for the large-scale deployment of induction cooktops.
- “National Efficient Cooking Programme” (NECP) is a subset of the Clean Cooking Scheme.
- NECP focuses on Non-Solar/Electricity-based Induction Cookstoves, aligning with the Go- electric initiative by the Ministry of Power.
- EESL has already initiated efforts to promote clean and safe electric cooking to support India’s Go-electric campaign and contribute to carbon mitigation goals.
Energy Efficient Fans Programme (EEFP):
- The Energy Efficient Fans Programme (EEFP) focuses on deploying energy-efficient BLDC fans, with the goal of distributing 1 crore ceiling fans.
- The program for deploying one crore ceiling fans was initiated during the G20 Energy Transitions Working Group in Goa in July 2023.
- In continuation of this, EESL is inviting the first bid of 20 lakh fans, under a programme titled Energy Efficient Fans Programme (EEFP).
- EESL has been actively dedicated to encouraging the adoption of energy-efficient appliances, such as LED bulbs, tube lights, and high-performance fans.
- Beginning January 1, 2023, the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) has mandated that ceiling fans must bear star labels.
- EESL aims to capitalize on this potential for savings by deploying 1 crore 5-star energy-efficient ceiling fans across India.
- Conventional fans typically consume 75-80W, whereas contemporary 5-star fans consume only 28-32W, and 3-star fans use 40-45W. Remarkably, the adoption rate of 5-star energy- efficient fans stands at a mere 5%, indicating substantial potential for energy conservation.
- Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL) intends to enhance the market for efficient fans by deploying one crore efficient ceiling fans throughout the country.
- These initiatives not only reduce energy consumption and environmental impact, but also enhances consumer comfort while lowering electricity bills, creating a win-win situation for all.
About Energy Efficiency Services Limited:
- Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL), operating under the Ministry of Power, is a leading Energy Service Company.
- Their portfolio encompasses energy-efficient products like LED bulbs, tube lights, fans, air conditioners, streetlights, and electric vehicles.
Domestic Sailing of First International Cruise Liner ‘COSTA SERENA’
⇒ Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways and AYUSH Shri Sarbananda Sonowal flagged off the maiden voyage of the vessel Costa Serena, the first International Cruise Liner in India from Mumbai on 03 November 2023.
- The ‘Dekho Apna Desh’, an initiative launched as an appeal by the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi to the middle class to prefer the domestic tourism over the international tourism, drives such cruise initiatives.
Key Points:
- India has enhanced its focus on the cruise sector with Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways actively promoting cruise tourism for its vast economic positive impact, the potential for job creation, for earning foreign exchange, amongst many other benefits. One of the key thrust areas is to develop cruise destinations at tourism places of coastal state and islands.
- The launch of Costa Cruises’ domestic sailings has been made possible by a series of initiatives taken by the government to promote and revitalize the cruise tourism industry in India.
- Costa cruises, Italy is part of Carnival Corporation, one of the largest cruising conglomerates in the world with reputed cruise brands.
- These measures include guaranteed berths to cruise ships, removal of Ousting charges, Concessional uniform single rate for all Major ports, Volume discounts in cruise tariff up to 30% for domestic cruise ships, waiver of cabotage for foreign cruise vessels, Uniform SOPs for Customs, Immigrations, CISF, Ports, upgradation and modernization of cruise terminals with enhance passenger facilities, etc.
- Costa Cruises is expected to carry approximately 45,000 passengers in its next 2 months voyages.
Other Points:
- Development of cruise tourism and lighthouse tourism are being actively considered under MoPSW’s flagship scheme Sagarmala Programme.
- Over a period of the last 9 years Sagarmala Programme has completed 11 Projects worth Rs.267 crores promoting coastal & cruise tourism and Island Development. Some of these projects include Cruise Passenger Facilitation Centre at Chennai, Construction of International Cruise Terminal at Cochin and development of Cruise Berthing and Cruise Passenger facilities at Mormugao Port.
- Under the Maritime India Vision 2030, Government envisions to establish India as the premier cruise hub in the Asia Pacific region. To achieve this goal, significant steps are being taken, including the development of state-of-the-art cruise terminals, the implementation of standardized procedures, and the introduction of e-visa facilities, among other measures. Going forward, the objective is to increase the annual number of cruise passengers in India to 18 lakhs by 2030, up from the current figure of 4.72 lakhs.
- In accordance with the Maritime Amritkaal Vision 2047 launched by the Hon’ble Prime Minister during the recently concluded Global Maritime India Summit 2023 in Mumbai, it is projected that India will have 25 operational cruise terminals by 2047, with an estimated annual passenger count of approximately 5 million cruise passengers per year.
International
Maritime Security Meeting between Indian Navy and Sri Lankan Navy
⇒ The 33rd edition of annual IMBL meeting between the representatives of Navies and Coast Guards of India and Sri Lanka was held onboard INS Sumitra on 03 November 2023 at the Indo – Sri Lanka Maritime Boundary Line off Point Calimere at Palk Bay.
- The interaction between the counterparts of both countries acts as a forum for the Navies and CGs of the two countries to further enhance ties and synergy in operations.
Headed by:
The Sri Lankan delegation was headed by RAdm BAKS Banagoda, Commander North Central Naval Area (NCNA), Sri Lanka Navy. The Indian delegation was headed by the RAdm Ravi Kumar Dhingra, Flag Officer Commanding Tamil Nadu and Puducherry Naval Area (FOTNA).
Discussion:
» During the meeting, attendees from both the Navies and Coast Guard discussed maritime security in the Palk Bay and Gulf of Mannar region, safety of fishermen, measures to curtail trafficking of contraband among other issues.
- Ways and means to enhance existing communication network and timely sharing of information between the two Navies and Coast Guard aiding in timely actions were also discussed at length.
- Both sides reaffirmed the importance of mutual cooperation in operations and agreed to take forward the decisions taken, to strengthen the maritime security in area.
Important Day
71st Foundation Day of Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO)
⇒ Union Minister for Labour & Employment, Environment, Forest & Climate Change, Shri Bhupender Yadav inaugurated the 71st Foundation Day of EPFO held at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi on 01 November 2023 through virtual mode.
» On this occasion the Minister of State Shri Rameshwar Teli inaugurated an exhibition named “Amrit Kaal – Behtar Kal”, displaying the 71 years of EPFO history including chatbot and revamped MIS 3.0.
Bhavishya Nidhi Awards 2023:
The function also marked the distribution of awards to various offices and establishments:
- Bhavishya Nidhi Award 2023 for Best Regional Office (Large) – RO COIMBATORE
- Bhavishya Nidhi Award 2023 for Best Regional Office (Small) – RO Rajahmahendravaram
- Bhavishya Nidhi Award 2023 for Best District Office – DO ALIGARH
- Bhavishya Nidhi Award 2023 for Best Remote Office – RO GUWAHATI
- Bhavishya Nidhi Award 2023 for Best Zonal Office- ZO HUBLI (KARNATAKA- GOA)
- Bhavishya Nidhi Award 2023 for Best Office in Grievance Management – RO AHMEDABAD
- Bhavishya Nidhi Award 2023 for Best Office in Pro-Active Settlement – RO KOLLAM
- Bhavishya Nidhi Award 2023 for Best Performance in Jeevan Pramaan – RO VATWA
- Bhavishya Nidhi Award 2023 for Best NAN 2.0 Campaign – RO JAMMU
- Bhavishya Nidhi Swachhata Award 2023 – RO BHOPAL
- Bhavishya Nidhi Award 2023 for Best Innovation – RO NOIDA
- Bhavishya Nidhi Award 2023 for Best Tech Intervention – Technical Team of NDC
- Bhavishya Nidhi Award 2023 in for Best Achievement in Capacity Building – PDNASS Induction Training Team
- Bhavishya Nidhi Award 2023 for Best Exempted Trust – M/s ZENSAR TECH LTD (PUPUN000398)
- Bhavishya Nidhi Award 2023 for Outstanding Sports Achievements – ZO Chennai & Puducherry
- Bhavishya Nidhi Award 2023 for Sportsperson of the Year – Female – Ms. Radhika Gupta, SSSA, RO Kandivali East
- Bhavishya Nidhi Award 2023 for Sportsperson of the Year – Male – Shri Clement Augustine, SSSA, RO Kottayam
- Bhavishya Nidhi Award 2023 for Sportsperson of the Year – Male – Shri P. Shiva Kumar, SSSA, RO Chennai North
About EPFO:
- The Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) is one of the two main social security organization under the Government of India’s Ministry of Labour and Employment and is responsible for regulation and management of provident funds in India, the other being Employees’ State Insurance.
- The Employees’ Provident Funds Scheme, framed under Section 5 of the Act, was introduced in stages and came into force in its entirety by 1 November 1952.