India and World Bank sign $250 million project for DRIP-2 Scheme

First, read the comprehensive note of Dam safety policies and institutions in India.

• India ranks third globally after China and the United States of America, with 5334 large dams in operation. In addition, about 411 dams are under construction at present. There are also several thousand smaller dams. These dams are vital for ensuring the water security of the Country. Indian dams and reservoirs play an important role in the economic and agricultural growth of our country by storing approximately 300 billion cubic meters of water annually.
• These dams present a major responsibility in terms of asset management and safety. Due to deferred maintenance and other health issues, these dams have associated risks in case of failure. The consequences of dam failure can be catastrophic, in terms of loss of human life and property, and damage to the ecology.

India and World Bank for DRIP-2

• The Second Dam Rehabilitation and Improvement Project (DRIP-2) will strengthen dam safety by building dam safety guidelines, bringing in global experience, and introducing innovative technologies.
• Another major innovation envisaged under the project, that is likely to transform dam safety management, is the introduction of a risk-based approach to dam asset management that will help to effectively allocate financial resources towards priority dam safety needs
• The project will be implemented in approximately 120 dams across the states of Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Manipur, Meghalaya, Odisha, Rajasthan, and Tamil Nadu, and at the national level through the Central Water Commission (CWC). Other states or agencies may be added to the project during project implementation.
• World Bank support for dam safety in India includes the recently closed DRIP-1 ($279 million + $62 million Additional Financing) that improved the safety and sustainable performance of 223 dams in six states of India and one central agency.
• Other important measures that DRIP-2 will support include flood forecasting systems and integrated reservoir operations that will contribute to building climate resilience; the preparation and implementation of Emergency Action Plans to enable vulnerable downstream communities to prepare for and enhance resilience against the possible negative impacts and risks of climate change; and the piloting of supplemental revenue generation schemes such as floating solar panels.

Features of DRIP-2

• This new Scheme will strengthen dam safety initiatives taken by the Government of India through physical rehabilitation of selected dams by addressing various concerns to improve safety and operational performance, institutional strengthening in various ways, incidental revenue generation for sustainable operation & maintenance of dams etc.
• The Scheme is designed to infuse global know-how, and innovative technologies into dam safety.
• Another major innovation envisaged under the project, that is likely to transform dam safety management in the country, is the introduction of a risk-based approach to dam asset management that will help to effectively allocate financial resources towards priority dam safety needs.
• Also, Scheme implementation will equip the Indian dam owners to gear up their human resources to comprehensively handle many important activities envisaged in the proposed Dam Safety Legislation.
• The programme will enable states and dam owners to extend these safety protocols and activities beyond the selected dams to all other dams within their jurisdiction, overall enhancing the culture of dam safety in the country.
• This programme complements the provisions in the Dam Safety Bill 2019, by ensuring capacity building of the dam owners as well as the proposed regulators, as well as creating necessary protocols for dam safety. It is likely to generate employment opportunities equivalent to approximately 10,00,000 person-days for unskilled workers, and 2,50,000 person days for working professionals.
• The first phase of the DRIP programme, which covered 223 dams in 7 states, and improved the safety and operational performance of selected dams, along with institutional strengthening through a system-wide management approach, has been recently closed in March 2021.
• In order to carry forward the momentum gained through ongoing DRIP, and expand it vertically and horizontally, the new Scheme, DRIP Phase II, co-financed by World Bank (WB) and Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) with US$250 million each, covers large dams in 19 states of the country.
• This Scheme is especially focused on mitigating the risks of dam failure and ensuring the safety of people, riverine ecology and property located downstream of these selected dams, through structural as well as non-structural measures like physical rehabilitation, preparation of Operation and Maintenance Manuals, Emergency Action Plans, Early Warning System and various other measures.
• The life of these selected reservoirs will be extended further by addressing the health and safety concerns of these selected dams; in turn, these assets will provide planned benefits efficiently for longer period to the public at large in terms of various direct benefits like irrigation, drinking water, hydel power, flood control etc.
• In addition to physical rehabilitation, as mentioned before, equal emphasis has been given to the capacity building of dam owners in order to ensure the availability of trained and skilled manpower for better operation of dams during all seasons in a year. Customized training programmes for various technical and managerial aspects will assist dam owners to create a pool of knowledge to deal with matters of dam safety confidently and scientifically.
• In view of the size of India’s dam portfolio and challenges in operating and maintaining these existing assets, the Government of India is making all-out efforts to ensure the availability of a pool of dam safety professionals across the country. The provision for partnerships with premier Academic Institutions like IISc and IITs and capacity building of five (5) Central Agencies along with dam owners will strengthen the theme “AtmaNirbhar Bharat”. It will ensure the long-term sustainability of required knowledge and human resources to assist our dam owners. India will also position itself as a knowledge leader on dam safety, particularly in South and South East Asia.

Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF)

1. PMNRF was instituted in 1948 by Jawaharlal Nehru to assist displaced persons from Pakistan.
2. The fund is used to tackle natural calamities like floods, cyclones and earthquakes. The fund is also used to help with medical treatment like kidney transplantation, cancer treatment and acid attack.
3. The fund consists entirely of public contributions and does not get any budgetary support. Not in CSR.
4. It accepts voluntary contributions from Individuals, Organizations, Trusts, Companies Institutions etc.
5. The fund is recognized as a Trust under the Income Tax Act and approval of the PM is important.
6. Contributions towards PMNRF are notified for 100% deduction from taxable income under section 80(G) of the Income Tax Act, 1961.

The Airports Economic Regulatory Authority of India (Amendment) Bill, 2021

• The Airports Economic Regulatory Authority of India (Amendment) Bill, 2021 seeks to amend the Airports Economic Regulatory Authority of India Act, 2008.
• The 2008 Act established the Airport Economic Regulatory Authority (AERA). AERA regulates tariffs and other charges (such as airport development fees) for aeronautical services rendered at major airports in India.
• Major airports: The 2008 Act designates an airport as a major airport if it has an annual passenger traffic of at least 35 lakh. The central government may also designate any airport as a major airport by a notification. The Bill adds that the central government may group airports and notify the group as a major airport.
• The bill allows tariff determination of a 'group of airports' by way of amending the definition of 'major airport.'
• The bill amends the provisions of the law in relation to tariffs for single airports.
• The intention of the government is to develop not only the high traffic volume & profitable airports but also the low traffic volume of non-profitable airports.
• The revenue earned by AAI from these airports will be utilized for the development of airports in Tier-II and Tier-III cities. It would help encourage the development of smaller airports.
• This approach would help in the development of more airports through the PPP route thus, expanding the air connectivity to relatively remote and far-flung areas.

Steps to stop illegal mining in Rajasthan

First, read the whole Mining sector of India and then read the following write-up. Your retention level will increase exponentially.

About Sand

• Sand is a minor mineral under Section 3(e) of the Mines and Minerals (Development & Regulation) Act, 1957.
• Section 15 of the MMDR Act, 1957, empowers the State Governments to make rules for regulating the grant of minor mineral concessions.
• Moreover, Section 23C of the MMDR Act 1957, empowers the State Governments to make rules for preventing illegal mining, transportation and storage of minerals and for the purposes connected therewith.
• Thus, minor minerals are regulated at the level of State Government.
• As per the report of the Government of Rajasthan, State Government is taking all necessary steps to stop illegal sand mining and has constituted Special investigation team (SIT) in all districts under chairmanship of district collectors including representatives of police, mines, forest and transport department.

Rajasthan illegal mining

• Government of Rajasthan has informed that Hon'ble Supreme Court vide its order dated 16.11.2017 has banned all the 82 mining lease/quarry holders in the State of Rajasthan from carrying out mining of sand and bajri unless a scientific replenishment study is completed and the matter is fully considered by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and environmental clearance is granted or rejected.
• After getting fresh environmental clearances sand mining in three leases has been resumed in June 2021.
• According to the State of Rajasthan, after the ban on sand mining by the Hon’ble Supreme Court, the State Government has reported 36594 cases of illegal sand mining and transportation of sand, registered 3286 FIRs, seized 37435 vehicles/machinery and recovered Rs 226.15 crore as a penalty, till 30th June 2021.

For the issue of Illegal mining in India: click here

Mining of Granite

• Granite being a building stone comes under Minor Mineral, as defined under clause (e) of section 3 of the Mines and Minerals (Development & Regulation) Act, 1957 (MMDR Act).
• As per section 15 of the MMDR Act, 1957, State Governments have been empowered to make rules for regulating the grant of mining leases or other mineral concessions in respect of minor minerals and for purposes connected therewith.
• Therefore, the administration of mining of minor minerals including granite is completely within the domain of the respective State Governments.
• However, the Granite Conservation and Development Rules (GCDR), 1999 has been framed by Central Government which aims at bringing uniform rules for conservation, systematic development and scientific exploitation of granite resources.
• Further, the Ministry of Mines vide order dated 23.04.2021 has constituted a Granite and Marble Development Council for a period of three years to prescribe a uniform framework with regard to systematic and scientific exploration of Granite and Marble minerals throughout the country.

New Scheme for J&K

• The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade has notified “New Central Sector Scheme for the industrial development of Jammu and Kashmir” with a financial outlay of Rs. 28,400 crore on 19/02/2021 and is effective from 01.04.2021 to 31.03.2037.
• The scheme is applicable for any eligible industrial (manufacturing) entity or eligible service sector enterprise other than those run departmentally by Government, which is registered business enterprise under Goods and Service Tax.
• The scheme offers four incentives namely

1. Capital Investment Incentive,
2. Capital Interest subvention,
3. Goods & Service Tax Linked Incentive (GSTLI) and
4. Working Capital Interest Subvention.

• Definitely the Scheme will help in creation of more employment opportunities and promotion of tourism in the region. The estimated direct employment generation is anticipated to be nearly 78000 persons, however, the scheme has the potential to trigger much more gainful employment indirectly and also, has the potential to further promote tourism activities in Jammu and Kashmir.

The civil Aviation sector in India

Background

• Civil aviation in India, the world's third-largest civil aviation market as of 2020, traces its origin back to 1911 when the first commercial civil aviation flight took off from a polo ground in Allahabad carrying mail across the Yamuna river to Naini.
• Air India is India's national flag carrier after merging with Indian in 2011 and plays a major role in connecting India with the rest of the world.
• India will be the third-largest civil aviation market in the world by 2024. It recorded air traffic of 131 million passengers in 2016, of which 100 million were domestic passengers.

Airports Authority of India (AAI)

1. AAI was established in 1995. It is a mini ratna company involved in building, upgrading, maintaining and managing airport infrastructure.
2. GAGAN: GPS Aided Geo Augmented Navigation is an augmentation system to enhance the accuracy and integrity of GPS signals. It is implemented jointly by AAI and ISRO.
3. Govt raised FDI limit from 49% to 100% in scheduled and non scheduled air transport services.
4. Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Udan Akademi (IGRUA) set up at Fursatganj, Raebareli (UP).
5. Rajiv Gandhi National Aviation University (RGNAU) is at Fursatganj, Raebareli (UP).

National Civil Aviation Policy, 2016:

• This is the 1^st policy since independence.
• It aims at creating an ecosystem to push the growth of the civil aviation sector which would promote tourism, increase employment and lead to balanced regional growth.

Reforms in the Civil Aviation sector

The Government has taken several measures for reforms in the civil aviation sector of the country by providing top-class infrastructure and facilities. It includes:

• AAI has taken up a development programme to spend around Rs. 25,000 crores in the next 4-5 years for expansion and modification of existing terminals, new terminals, expansion or strengthening of existing runways, aprons, Airport Navigation Services (ANS), control towers, technical blocks etc. to meet the expected growth in the aviation sector.
• The government of India (GoI) has accorded ‘in-principle’ approval for the setting up of 21 Greenfield Airports across the country. So far, six Greenfield airports namely, Shirdi in Maharashtra, Durgapur in West Bengal, Pakyong in Sikkim, Kannur in Kerala, Orvakal in Andhra Pradesh and Kalaburagi in Karnataka have been operationalized.
• Promotion of private investments in existing and new airports through the PPP route.
• Under Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS) – Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik (UDAN), as on 27 July, 2021, 359 routes have commenced connecting 59 unserved/underserved airports, including 2 water aerodromes and 5 heliports.
• Route rationalization in the Indian airspace in coordination with Indian Air Force for efficient airspace management, shorter routes and lower fuel consumption.
• Through Air Bubble Arrangements, efforts have been made to ensure fair and equitable treatment to our carriers in the international sector.
• The government has supported airlines through various policy measures with an aim to improve their global competitiveness such as rationalisation of taxes, creation of a conducive aircraft leasing and financing environment, effective use of bilateral traffic rights and improvement in air navigation facilities etc.
• The government has encouraged airlines to buy modern wide-body aircraft. So far Vistara Airlines has acquired two new wide-body aircraft.

The aviation sector including airlines, airports, and related services has come under financial stress on account of the COVID-19 pandemic. The details of major steps taken by the Government to revive the civil aviation sector during this period, inter alia, are as follows:

• Provide support to airlines through various policy measures.
• Provide airport infrastructure through the Airports Authority of India and the private operators.
• Promotion of private investments in existing and new airports through the PPP route
• Provide an efficient Air Navigation System.
• Through Air Bubble Arrangements, efforts have been made to ensure fair and equitable treatment to our carriers in the international sector.
• Goods and Services Tax (GST) rate reduced to 5% from 18% for domestic Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) services.
• A conducive aircraft leasing and financing environment has been enabled.
• Route rationalization in the Indian airspace in coordination with Indian Air Force for efficient airspace management, shorter routes and lower fuel consumption.
• Coordination with stakeholders to resolve issues.

Connectivity with Northeast through UDAN scheme

• The first direct flight operations between Imphal (Manipur) & Shillong (Meghalaya) were flagged off yesterday under the RCS-UDAN (Regional Connectivity Scheme — Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik) of the Government of India. The operationalization of this route fulfils the objectives of the Government of India to establish strong aerial connectivity in priority areas of NorthEast India. The officials of the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) and the Airport Authority of India (AAI) were present during the launch of the flight operations.

For the Airports Economic Regulatory Authority of India: click here