National
Book 'Assam's Braveheart Lachit Barphukan'
⇒ Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah released the book ‘Assam’s Braveheart Lachit Barphukan’ in Guwahati, Assam on 20 January 2024.
- Written by Arup Kumar Dutta, this book is based on the life of Lachit Barphukan, the great 17th century Ahom warrior.
3rd Edition of Consumer Service Ratings of DISCOMs
⇒ The Review Planning & Monitoring meeting of power sector, with states and state power utilities was held in New Delhi on 18th & 19th January, 2024, under the chairpersonship of Union Minister for Power and New & Renewable Energy, Shri R. K. Singh.
Addressing the power sector stakeholders, the Union Minister for Power and New & Renewable Energy remarked that power sector of the country has come a long way, with average daily availability of power supply in rural areas up from 12.5 hours per day in 2015-16 to ~21 hours. Similarly, hours of supply in urban areas improved to 23.8 hours per day from 20 hours in 2015-16.
During the meeting, the Minister launched the third edition of the Consumer Service Ratings of DISCOMs, covering performance of DISCOMs for FY 2022-23.
- As per the Ratings, NPCL (Uttar Pradesh), BRPL (Delhi), BYPL (Delhi) and TPDDL (Delhi) have achieved A+ (highest) ranking among all the 62 rated DISCOMs in the country.
- The report captures the current status of consumer services across various DISCOMs. The report will steer healthy competition amongst the DISCOMs and nudge them to improve upon the key services rendered to consumers.
Other Releases:
Powerthon 2024:
The Minister also launched Powerthon 2024, which will enable budding startups and entrepreneurs having concepts and ideas for solving key problems of power DISCOMs to participate in an incubation programme, wherein they will have an opportunity to seek overall guidance, resources and nurturing by established domestic incubators to build prototypes.
Electricity Distribution Network Planning Criteria:
The Minister also released Electricity Distribution Network Planning Criteria formulated by Central Electricity Authority, encompassing different aspects of distribution planning processes at Sub-Transmission & distribution level including introduction of smart technologies.
Bharat Parv 2024
⇒ The Ministry of Tourism, Government of India organized the nine-day annual mega event “Bharat Parv” at the Lawns and Gyan Path in front of Red Fort, Delhi as part of the Republic Day Celebrations.
» Being held since 2016, this year Bharat Parv was celebrated from 23rd – 31st January 2024.
- The highlights of the mega event were the Republic Day Parade tableaux, dynamic cultural performances by the Zonal Cultural Centres and engaging presentations by cultural troupes from various States and Union Territories, food stall representing all the States and UTs, handicraft and handloom display and enthusiastic performances by the Armed Forces Band.
- The event was open to the public and entry was free.
Highlights:
- This year 26 Central Ministries and Departments participated in the Parv showcasing citizen-centric schemes and initiatives of the Government like Mission Life, One District One Product, Vikasit Bharat, Nari Shakti, Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat, etc.
- An experiential zone through latest technology was also setup to promote Dekho Apna Desh.
- Additionally, the event featured a Food Court with stalls offering delectable delicacies representing the diverse culinary traditions of different states and UTs in India.
- To enhance the cultural experience, a Pan-India Crafts Bazaar was set up, featuring handicraft and handloom stalls, adding to the richness and vibrancy of the overall showcase.
- Thematic Pavilions of more than 30 States/UTs were also setup to showcase diverse tourist attractions of the country.
- Cultural performances were also organised by various regional cultural associations based in Delhi.
- Parva also promoted Vocal for Local by the way of local artisans across the country taking part in this by displaying and selling their products.