This page contains "8th August 2018" current affairs analysis from different newspapers and magazines like The Hindu, Indian express, PIB and Yojna.
Quality and relevance are two key features considered while writing the content, all the topics are based on the pattern of previously asked questions in exams like UPSC CSE, IAS, State PCS, SSC, Banks PO and likewise competitive exams.
What is National Rural Drinking Water Programme (NRDWP)
Special emphasis was given on piped water supply in rural habitations during the 12th Five Year Plan, therefore the Ministry of Drinking Water & Sanitation gave special emphasis on piped water supply with minimum water quality standard, which should be accessible at all times and in all situations.
National Rural Drinking Water Programme (NRDWP)
National Rural Drinking Water Programme was launched by "Ministry of Drinking Water & Sanitation" in 2013, the aim of the program is to provide every rural person with adequate safe water for drinking, cooking and other basic domestic needs on a sustainable basis.
States were asked to plan for setting up stand posts or household connections and cover habitations with piped water supply.
A project was also proposed by the Drinking Water & Sanitation Ministry, on setting up piped water supply system in Assam, Bihar, Jharkhand and Uttar Pradesh with the help of World Bank.
NRDWP, restructured in 2017
NRDWP, restructured in 2017 mandated 2 per cent earmarking of funds for Japanese Encephalitis (JE)/Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES) affected areas.
A sum of Rs. 23,050 crore has been approved for the programme for the Fourteenth Finance Commission (FFC) period 2017-18 to 2019-20 to make the scheme outcome-based, competitive and better monitored.
National Water Quality Sub-Mission (NWQSM) will address the urgent need for providing clean drinking water in about 28000 Arsenic & Fluoride affected habitations (already identified).
Issues in Implementation
The targets of National Rural Drinking Water Programme (NRDWP) are not fully achieved because of high implementation cost involved in bringing drinking water from distant safe sources, time taken for planning, designing, sanctioning, procuring, execution and commissioning of such schemes.
Central government has provided financial and technical assistance of Rs. 11000 crore in 2013-14 to States under the scheme, to supplement their efforts to provide adequate safe drinking water to the rural population.
An annual Action Plans (AAP) is also prepared by the states every year, to cover implementation of rural water supply schemes and other activities.
Way ahead States have to adopt improved Operation & Maintenance (O&M) methods to ensure sustainability of functioning of rural water supply schemes and their methods of Implementation.
The power with respect to Funds, Functions and Functionaries for operations and management for drinking water supply schemes should be devolution to Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRI).
Bid round –II for Discovered Small Fields Policy (DSF)
In a bid to maintain imperative growth of country's Oil & Gas sector, the government of India has adopted a number of reforms, including Open Acreage Licensing Policy (OALP), and the Discovered Small Fields (DSF) policy.
Energy consumption in India
India has recently became fifth-largest economy of the world by surpassing "France" and is set to leapfrog Britain to become the fourth-largest. This makes India 3rd largest energy consumer in the world.
The consumption is further expected to grow by 4.2 per cent p.a. which is faster than all major economies. Moreover, International Energy Agency (IEA) indicates that India's energy growth is expected to account for almost one-third of the world by 2040.
In order to maintain Energy Access, Energy Efficiency, Energy Sustainability and Energy Security and accessibility to its people, it is imperative that the country's oil and gas sector grows consistently.
What is "Discovered Small Fields (DSF)" Policy ?
Discovered Small Fields Policy was launched by Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas in 2016, the policy was aimed at extracting the Oil, Natural gas from the un-monetized small oil/gas discoveries that are available in the country.
Bid process was started for these un-monetized sources and Round-I was completed in a record time of 10 months with splendid success, first oil/gas is expected in 2019-20.
Government is now came up with Round-II of Discovered Small Fields Policy, the scheme has easy entry and investor friendly policy where no previous technical experience required for bidders.
Revenue Sharing Contracts will ensure better fiscal system, where large field areas are offered in already producing basins.
Single licence is to be provided for all types of hydrocarbons, exploration is allowed during the entire contract period, full pricing and marketing freedom.
World's first thermal battery plant started in India
World's first-ever thermal battery plant is recently inaugurated in in Andhra Pradesh state of India. The move will help in generating a new energy storage for commercial applications.
The energy created by the thermal battery plant owned by Bharat Energy Storage Technology Private Limited (BEST), will have a low carbon footprint and less dependent on external factors like weather.
What is Thermal battery?
A thermal energy battery is used for storing and releasing thermal energy. It allows for available energy to be temporarily stored and be released for use whenever necessary.
Traditional Lithium-ion battery works on the principal of electrical energy, where the system of charging-discharging cycles are driven by electricity.
On the other hand Thermal batteries works on the principal of thermal energy created by temperature differences. In thermal batteries heat travels from one part of the battery setup to the other, this transferred heat is store as energy.
A thermal battery consists of two parts: a cool zone known as sink, and a hot source called source. Both these sides consist of compounds known as phase-changing materials (PCMs), which can change their state of matter on the basis of a physical/chemical reaction.
In charging phase of the Thermal battery, the sink of the battery receives physically or chemically transferred heat from the source, this heat is stored as energy and the source cools down.
During operation or discharging phase, the sink transfers stored energy for usage and cooled down, while the source heats up.
Thermal batteries are very versatile in terms of deriving heat, required heat can be derived for these batteries from a number of different sources.
Applications of Thermal battery
Thermal battery storage is an efficient alternative to fossil fuels and is considered better than solar energy in some ways. It will have wide-ranging commercial applications like public transport systems, telecom grids and electric vehicles etc.
Thermal batteries can function as long as heat is available for them to operate, which can be helpful in power transmission to remote areas.
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