PIB Summary- 10th December, 2021 | PIB (Press Information Bureau) Summary - UPSC PDF Download

G20 International Seminar

Why in News?

Nirmala Sitharaman participated virtually from New Delhi in the G20 International Seminar hosted in Bali by the G20 Presidency of Indonesia.

Key points:

• Theme: “Recover Together, Recover Stronger”
• They underlined the importance of Inclusion, Investment, Innovation and Institutions to support the path of global recovery.
• Critical role of multilateralism and collective action.
• Emphasised on the importance of ensuring affordable and equitable access to vaccines and therapeutics to bridge the divergences being witnessed in the global economic recovery.
• The importance of enhanced infrastructure investments for enabling a quick and stable return to the growth path.

About G-20:

• It is a strategic multilateral platform connecting the world’s major developed and emerging economies.
• The G20 holds a strategic role in securing future global economic growth and prosperity.
• Together, the G20 members represent more than 80 percent of world GDP, 75 percent of international trade and 60 percent of the world population.
• The members of the G20: Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, the United Kingdom, the United States, and the European Union. Spain is also invited as a permanent guest.
• The presidency of the G20 rotates every year among its members.
• The G20 has no permanent secretariat.

Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme3

Why in News?

Government of India have launched the Reforms-based and Results-linked, Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme.

Key points:

• Objective: Improving the quality and reliability of power supply to consumers through a financially sustainable and operationally efficient Distribution Sector.
• The scheme has an outlay of Rs.3,03,758 crore and an estimated GBS from Central Government of Rs.97,631 crore.
• It aims to reduce the AT&C losses at pan-India levels to 12-15% and ACS-ARR gap to zero by 2024-25.
• The scheme has a duration of 5 years (FY 2021-22 to FY 2025-26).
• Two major components:
  (i) Part ‘A’ – Financial support for Prepaid Smart Metering & System Metering and upgradation of the Distribution Infrastructure
  (ii) Part ‘B’ – Training & Capacity Building and other Enabling & Supporting Activities.
• State Governments/ Distribution Companies (DISCOMs) are free to undertake customized reform measures and works to meet the specific needs of the State.

Government Initiatives:

• Ujwal DISCOM Assurance Yojana (UDAY): Scheme for financial turnaround and revival of power distribution companies (DISCOMs), which will ensure accessible, affordable and available power for all.
• Integrated Power Development Scheme (IPDS): The scheme provides for (a) strengthening of sub-transmission and distribution networks in urban areas; (b) metering of distribution transformers/feeders/consumers in urban areas; and (c) IT enablement of the distribution sector and strengthening of the distribution network.
• ‘4 Es’ in the Revised Tariff Policy: The 4Es include Electricity for all, Efficiency to ensure affordable tariffs, Environment for a sustainable future, Ease of doing business to attract investments and ensure financial viability.
• Pradhan Mantri Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana (Saubhagya): To ensure electrification of all willing households in the country in rural as well as urban areas.
• Deendayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana (DUGJY): The Ministry of Power has planned to provide electricity to 18,500 villages in three years.