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Daily Current Capsules -02nd November 2019

Environment Conservation
Union Minister Flags off E-Vehicles procured by Information & Broadcasting Ministry

Relevance IN - Prelims (about the steps taken by the government to promote e-vehicles and about FAME scheme) + Mains ( GS III environment conservation)
What's the objective
  • Current 5 Lakh Petrol and Diesel Cars used by government and its agencies to be replaced by E-Vehicles in a phased manner
Know! the progress done by the government in promoting e-vehicles
  • The Electric-vehicles are supplied by Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL), a joint venture of state-owned NTPC Limited, Power Finance Corporation, Rural Electrification Corporation and POWERGRID, under the Government of India.
  • With this partnership, the Government of India continues to be an active participant in India's quest for reduced emissions & vehicular electrification.
  • The Government of India in enabling e-mobility in the country. The Government is promoting e-mobility by taking a lead in changing the fleet of the existing petrol and diesel cars used for official purposes with electric cars.
  • The current 5 lakh vehicles that are used by the government and its agencies across the country will be replaced by e-vehicles in a phased manner
  • By opting for e-vehicles, which are pollution free and has no particulate matter, it is a step in the right direction towards combating air pollution.
  • According to a report by NITI Aayog, India can reduce energy demand by 64% and carbon emissions by 37% with the help of connected, shared and electric passenger mobility across the country by 2030.
  • EESL has aggregated demand by procuring electric vehicles in bulk to get economies of scale. These electric vehicles are being provided to Government entities by EESL on lease/outright purchase basis to replace the existing petrol and diesel vehicles taken on lease by various Government organizations.
  • EESL has also started installation of Public Charging Stations from New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) area to promote Electric vehicles.
Know! about National E-Mobility Programme
  • It is noteworthy to mention that the Government of India also launched the National E-Mobility Programme on March 7th, 2018.
  • The objectives of the programme is to provide an impetus for Indian vehicle manufacturers, charging infrastructure companies, fleet operators, service providers, etc. to gain efficiencies of scale and drive down costs, create local manufacturing facilities, grow technical competencies for the long-term growth of the electric vehicle (EV) industry in India and to enable Indian EV manufacturers to emerge as major global players.
  • Create a sustainable demand for e-vehicles to ensure manufacturing in India thereby promoting Make-In-India
  • Promote Lithium-Ion Battery manufacturing in India to enable lower cost of ownership and operations of e-vehicles as batteries account for 50-60% of cost of e-vehicles
  • Reduce dependence on oil imports and promote power capacity addition in India thereby enhancing energy security of the country
  • Reduce GHG emissions from the transport sector.
Know! about FAME India Scheme
  • The National Electric Mobility Mission Plan (NEMMP) 2020 is a National Mission document providing the vision and the roadmap for the faster adoption of electric vehicles and their manufacturing in the country.
  • As part of the NEMMP 2020, Department of Heavy Industry formulated a Scheme viz. Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of (Hybrid &) Electric Vehicles in India (FAME India) Scheme in the year 2015 to promote manufacturing of electric and hybrid vehicle technology and to ensure sustainable growth of the same.
  • The Phase-I of this Scheme was initially launched for a period of 2 years, commencing from 1st April 2015, which was subsequently extended from time to time and the last extension was allowed up to 31st March 2019.
  • The 1st Phase of FAME India Scheme was implemented through four focus areas namely (i) Demand Creation, (ii) Technology Platform, (iii) Pilot Project and (iv) Charging Infrastructure.
  • Benefits from unaccounted segments like e-3W and e-rickshaws can potentially add to the results, however growth in segments like e-rickshaws was unplanned. Support to these segments to be evaluated.
  • Under FAME Scheme Phase-I, the demand incentive amount was determined for each category (vehicle - technology - battery type) taking into account the principles of Total Cost of Ownership (TCO), Pay-back Period on account of fuel savings, cost of maintenance etc.
  • Based on the experience gained during Phase 1 of FAME Scheme the Department of Heavy Industry notified Phase-II of the Scheme, with the approval of Cabinet with an outlay of Rs. 10,000 Crore for a period of 3 years commencing from 1st April 2019.
Social Justice
Labour Ministry Launches 3 Apps: Uan Registration, E-Inspection and DIGI Locker
Relevance IN - Prelims (about the launched apps) + Mains (GS II Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population by the Centre and States and the performance of these schemes; mechanisms, laws, institutions and Bodies constituted for the protection and betterment of these vulnerable sections. Important aspects of governance, transparency and accountability, e-governance
What's the NEWS
  • The Ministry of Labour and Employment launched 3 Apps: UAN REGISTRATION, E-INSPECTION AND DIGI LOCKE, developed by Employees' Provident Fund Organization (EPFO) at its 67th Foundation Day
Know! more about these apps
  • These Apps will immensely enhance the Ease of Doing Business and promote transparency in the working in the EPFO.
Online Facility for UAN generation by worker:
  • Now any workers can obtain Universal Account Number (UAN) directly on EPFO website which enrolls them for PF, Pension and Life Insurance benefits and a worker need not depend on his employer alone for UAN. This is in the direction of ease of living and ensuring universal social security.
EPS Pensioner's PPO in DigiLocker website/Application (APP)
  • EPFO integrates with DigiLocker of NeGD to create depository of electronic PPOs which is accessible to individual pensioners. This is a move towards paperless system and ease of living for pensioners.
e-Inspections:
  • Digital interface of EPFO with employers: The E-Inspection Form would be available in user login of employers not filing ECR which enables employer to inform either closure of business or unpaid dues with proposal for payment. It will nudge employers for compliant behavior and prevent undue harassment of non-willful defaulters and eliminate inspector raj.
Know! about EPFO
  • EPFO is the biggest social security organization of the world covering around six crore active members and 65 lakh pensioners and maintaining around 22 crore accounts of workers with a fund of approximately 13 lakh crore. EPFO is giving better interest rates to it's subscribers which was recently enhanced upto 8.65%.
  • The Employees' Provident Fund Organisation, is an organization tasked to assist the Central Board of Trustees, a statutory body formed by the Employees' Provident Fund and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952 and is under the administrative control of the Ministry of Labour and Employment, Government of India.
Environment Conservation/Energy Security
Second International Solar Alliance Summit

Relevance IN - Prelims (about ISA) + Mains (GS III environment conservation + infrastructure development - energy)
What's the NEWS
  • Ministers from 29 countries attend second International Solar Alliance Summit
  • Member countries of the International Solar Alliance sought enhanced support from multi-lateral development institutions such as the World Bank to set up solar power projects in small island countries.
  • This demand was stated at the second International Solar Alliance (ISA) assembly on Thursday in New Delhi.
Know! more about the summit
  • Delegations from 78 countries are participating in the Assembly. Invitations were sent to all 193 United Nation member countries to participate in the ISA summit. Two countries, Eritrea and St. Kitts & Nevis signed the ISA framework agreement taking the total number of signatories to 83.
Know! the steps taken by India
  • Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had pledged at the UN Climate Action Summit 2019 to increase the renewable energy capacity of India to 175 gigawatts (GW) by 2022 and further increase it 450 GW.
  • According to the renewable energy ministry, India is moving towards achieving the 175 GW goal by 2022, as it has over 82 GW renewable capacity on the ground and around 70 GW at various stages of completion.
Know! about ISA
  • The International Solar Alliance was jointly launched by India and France. It was officially launched by PM Narendra Modi at the India Africa Summit, ahead of the 2015 UN Climate Change Conference in Paris in November 2015.
  • The main objective of the alliance is to address key challenges to increasing the use of solar energy in the ISA member countries.
  • The alliance objectives include lowering the cost of energy, increasing investment in renewable energy, training and sharing of knowledge and technology among the member nations.
  • The ISA Assembly is the main decision-making body of the alliance and it decides on various administrative, financial and program-related issues.

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