PIB Summary- 21th July, 2023 | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly - UPSC PDF Download

US-India Strategic Clean Energy Partnership

Why in the News?
The Ministerial meeting of the US-India Strategic Clean Energy Partnership (SCEP) was held between Indian Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas and US Energy Secretary in New Delhi.

Key Highlights of the Meeting

• The meeting emphasized collaboration on various clean energy initiatives, including clean and renewable energy and energy efficiency.

Focus on Emerging Technologies

• The countries discussed emerging technologies such as battery storage, gas hydrates, advanced biofuels, hydrogen and electrolyzed production, and agreed to work on their development and deployment.

Net Zero Village Development

• India and the US agreed to work towards the development of a Net Zero Village in India to support the clean energy transition.

Energy Storage Task Force

• A public-private Energy Storage Task Force was established to support the clean energy transition and promote the deployment of energy storage technologies.

Hydrogen Task Force

• The two nations launched a public-private Hydrogen Task Force to accelerate the deployment of hydrogen technologies.

New and Emerging Renewable Energy Technologies Action Platform

• The U.S.-India New and Emerging Renewable Energy Technologies Action Platform (RETAP) was launched to accelerate the development of key technologies for advancing common clean energy goals.

Biofuel Alliance

• A sustainable biofuel alliance was formed among Brazil, India, and the U.S., aimed at intensifying the use of biofuels, especially in the transportation sector.

SAGE Initiative

• The SAGE (Sustainable Architecture for the Grid Edge) initiative was launched to deepen engagement between Indian agencies and US national laboratories for research, analysis, and capacity building in low-carbon technologies and energy consumption analytics.

Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS)

• CCUS was added as a work stream under the Emerging Fuels and Technology Pillar, highlighting its importance in the clean energy transition.

Collaboration with USAID

• The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) will collaborate with various Indian agencies to support clean energy initiatives, including Indian Railways, NTPC Green, National Skills Development Corporation, Skills Council for Green Jobs, and the Forum of Regulators.

Strategic Clean Energy Partnership (SCEP)

Key Objectives of SCEP

• Advancing Energy Security and Innovation: The partnership focuses on enhancing energy security and fostering innovation in the energy sector.
• Electrification and Decarbonization: There is a strong emphasis on promoting electrification and decarbonization in various processes and end uses.
• Scaling up Clean Energy Technologies: The SCEP seeks to accelerate the adoption and scaling up of emerging clean energy technologies.
• Solutions for Hard-to-Decarbonize Sectors: Efforts are made to find effective solutions for sectors that present challenges in decarbonization.
• Deployment of Technical Solutions: The partnership aims to deploy technical solutions that promote cleaner and more sustainable energy practices.

Transition from Strategic Energy Partnership (SEP)

• The SCEP was originally launched as the Strategic Energy Partnership in 2018.
• It replaced the U.S.-India Energy Dialogue, which was the previous intergovernmental platform for energy cooperation between the two nations.
• The transition to the SCEP represents an upgraded and strategic approach to cooperation, with a stronger focus on clean energy and addressing climate challenges.

Bhoomi Samman Awards

Why in News?
Recently, the President of India presented the “Bhoomi Samman” 2023 at a function organised by the Union Ministry of Rural Development in New Delhi.

Bhoomi Samman Awards: Recognizing Excellence in Digital India Land Records Modernization

Madhya Pradesh’s Achievement

• Madhya Pradesh has earned the prestigious first position in the country for its remarkable efforts in advancing the Digital India Land Records modernization initiative.

Platinum Grading for Excellence

• Fifteen districts in Madhya Pradesh have been honored with Platinum Grading, a top-tier recognition, for achieving 100 percent success in all components of the Digital India Land Records Management Programme.

Center-State Cooperative Federalism

• The Bhoomi Samman Awards demonstrate a fine example of cooperative federalism based on trust and partnership between the Central and State governments.
• The grading system relies heavily on the reports and inputs provided by the States and Union Territories, assessing their progress in crucial aspects such as computerization and digitization of land records.

Digital India Land Records Modernization Programme (DILRMP)

• DILRMP is a central sector scheme that falls under the purview of the Department of Land Resources, operating under the Ministry of Rural Development.
• The primary aim of this program is to capitalize on the commonalities found in land records management across various states and develop an Integrated Land Information Management System (ILIMS) nationwide.

Integration and Modernization

• The ILIMS seeks to integrate all processes and land records databases with various entities, including banks, financial institutions, circle rates, and registration offices.
• This integration is designed to streamline and modernize the management of land-related information.

Major Components: DILRMP comprises three major components

• Computerization of Land Records: This involves digitizing land records to make them easily accessible, efficient, and transparent for both government agencies and citizens.
• Survey/Re-survey: Accurate and up-to-date surveys are conducted to maintain comprehensive land records.
• Computerization of Registration: The registration process is digitized to enhance efficiency and reduce bureaucratic bottlenecks.