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Meitei MPs & MLAs representing valley areas of Manipur meet the leaders of radical Meitei group Arambai Tenggol after a summons is issued to them.

Who Are the Arambai Tenggol Group?

• Formation: Arambai Tenggol Group started a cultural outfit in 2020 and later transformed into a radical organisation.
• Meitei Hardline Organisation: It is one of the two hardline Meitei organisations (the other group is Meitei Leepun) suspected of being involved in many Meitei-Kuki clashes, which broke out in May 2023.
  • They have been accused by the Kuki groups and the security establishment of playing a leading role in the violence.

Why Did the Arambai Tenggol Group ‘Summon’ Manipur’s Political Representatives?

• To discuss the demands of Arambai Tenggol Group:
  • Delisting of Kukis from the Scheduled Tribes list.
  • Deportation of refugees to camps in Mizoram,
  • Fencing of India-Myanmar Border.
  • Replacement of Assam Rifles with other paramilitary forces and
  • Revoking Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement between the Centre and Kuki militant groups.

What are the Reasons Behind the Violence in Manipur? 

• Orders of the Manipur High Court: It directed the State government to submit, within four weeks, a 10­ year ­old recommendation to the Union Tribal Affairs Ministry for including the Meitei community in the ST list. 
• Union Tribal Affairs Ministry’s Recommendation: The court referred to the Ministry’s letter in 2013 to the Manipur government seeking specific recommendations along with the latest socio-economic survey and ethnographic report. 
• Scheduled Tribe Demand Committee of Manipur Recommendation: 
• • It submitted a representation in 2012 demanding ST status for the Meiteis.
  • The committee also said the Meiteis needed constitutional safeguards against outsiders, stating that the community has been kept away from the hills. At the same time, the tribal people can buy land in the “shrinking” Imphal Valley.

Way Forward to Restrict & End Manipur Violence?

• Dialogue and Negotiation: Engaging in an open and inclusive dialogue between the Meiteis and the Kuki-Chin-Mizo-Zomi-Naga tribes is crucial for understanding each other’s perspectives, addressing grievances, and finding mutually acceptable solutions.
• Addressing Security Concerns: Creating a unified command to oversee security in the state, as suggested by the Home Minister, can help ensure the safety of all communities involved and prevent further violence.
• Cultural Understanding and Sensitivity: Recognizing the cultural and sociological factors underlying the conflict is important. 
  • Understanding the unique identities and aspirations of different tribal communities can guide the development of a solution that respects their individual cultures while promoting unity and peaceful coexistence.
• Autonomy and Equilibrium: Striking a balance between granting greater autonomy to the states in the region and maintaining national unity can be a delicate task. 
  • Ensuring that the concerns and aspirations of all parties involved are considered can help achieve a sustainable equilibrium.

Also Read:

• Manipur, A Rude Reminder Of Northeast Tensions
• The Meitei Community And Hill People Conflict In Manipur

News Source: Indian Express

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The Union Minister of Road and Transport  ‘Ropeway: Symposium-Cum-Exhibition’ in New Delhi announced over 200 Ropeway Projects Worth 1.25 Lakh Crore under the ‘Parvatmala Pariyojana’.

• Ropeway: ‘Symposium-cum-Exhibition’ provided key insights to identify areas for development to promote indigenous manufacturing by ‘Make in India’ and enhance the capacity & capability of ropeway technology.

What is Parvatmala Pariyojana?

• National Ropeway Development Programme- Parvatmala Pariyojana was announced in the union budget 2022-23 as an Efficient and Safe Alternate Transport Network.
• Mode: Public-private partnership. 
• Objective: To improve connectivity and convenience for commuters besides promoting tourism in the Himalayan region.
  

Major Factors Driving Ropeways Infrastructure

• Ideal for difficult/challenging/sensitive terrain: It will help to overcome the technological challenges in road & limited scope of rail and air transportation networks in the hilly areas.
  • Ropeways and cableways (cable cranes) can handle large slopes and large differences in elevation. Where a road or railroad needs switchbacks or tunnels, a ropeway travels straight up and down the fall line.
  • This mode of transportation will enable mobility for people living in difficult areas like Mountains, Rivers, and Gorges & help them become part of the Mainstream.
• Economical Mode of Transportation: Being an aerial mode, building ropeways involves lower land acquisition costs. 
  • Hence, despite having a higher construction cost per km than roadways, the construction cost of ropeway projects is more economical than roadways.
  • The fact that only narrow-based vertical supports are needed at intervals, leaving the rest of the ground free, makes it possible for ropeways to be constructed in built-up areas and places with intense competition for land use.
  • Ropeways have multiple cars propelled by a single power plant and drive mechanism. This reduces both construction and maintenance costs. Using a single operator for an entire ropeway is an added saving for labour costs.
• Faster Mode of Transportation: Ropeways have the advantage of getting built in a straight line over a hilly terrain, thus taking minimum time to cover distance.
• Environment-Friendly: Transportation via ropeways involves low dust emissions. Material containers can be designed to rule out any soiling of the environment.
• Last mile connectivity: Ropeway projects adopting 3S (a cable car system with three cables — two for support and one for propulsion) or equivalent technologies can transport 6000-8000 passengers per hour.

Challenges Associated with Ropeways Infrastructure?

• The EIA guidance manual for Aerial ropeways by MoEFCC listed various impacts due to ropeways, such as environmental impacts through activities including
  • Changes in topography and drainage pattern.
  • Exploitation of ground/surface water, 
  • Soil Erosion and Contamination.
  • Habitat fragmentation and Loss of forest cover.
  • Blocking of Migratory Corridors.
  • Emissions from vehicles and generators, 
  • impacts of vibration and waste generation.

News Source: PIB

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536 Compressed Biogas (CBG) Plants and 1193 Biogas Plants have been registered on the Unified Registration Portal for GOBARdhan scheme since the launch of the initiative.

Year End Review of GOBARdhan Scheme

• Waste to Wealth” Plants: The budget 2023 announced the establishment of 500 new “waste to wealth” plants with an investment of Rs. 10,000 Crore. 
  • During FY 2023-24, 198 plants were set up which includes 12 Compressed Biogas (CBG) plants and 186 biogas plants.
• 556 more plants are under construction, which includes 129 CBG plants and 427 biogas plants.

About GOBARdhan Scheme (Galvanising Organic Bio-Agro Resources Dhan):

• Aim: To convert biodegradable/ organic waste into valuable resources such as biogas, compressed biogas (CBG), and organic manure.
• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Jal Shakti

Initiatives taken to promote the implementation of GOBARdhan Scheme:

• Inclusion of CBG for Trading of Carbon Credits: CBG is included in the list of activities for trading of carbon credits under bilateral/ cooperative approaches.
  • This will help CBG plant owners to generate extra revenue through trading of carbon credits.
• Excise Duty Exemption: Central excise duty exemption has been provided to CNG blended with CBG to prevent double taxation.
• Market Development Assistance (MDA) Scheme: It incentivizes sale and marketing of Fermented Organic Manure (FOM) /Liquid Fermented Organic Manure (LFOM) (organic manure produced from GOBARdhan plants)  for promoting organic farming
• Mandatory CBG Blending: National Biofuel Coordination Committee (NBCC) has approved phase wise introduction of mandatory 5 % CBG blending in Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) (Transport) & PNG (Domestic) segments to strengthen production and consumption of CBG
• Unified Registration Portal for GOBARdhan scheme: It has been developed by the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation to streamline the registration of CBG and biogas plants nationwide.

News Source: PIB

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For the second consecutive year the hands of the ‘Doomsday Clock’ remained at ‘100 seconds to midnight’.

• The hands of the clock in 2023  moved from two minutes to 100 seconds for the first time in history, indicating an unprecedented existential threat to humanity.

About Doomsday Clock

• Designed by: The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, founded by Albert Einstein and students from the University of Chicago in 1945, created the ‘Doomsday Clock’
• A Metaphor: It acts as a symbol to represent how close the world is to a possible apocalypse
  • By creating imagery of an apocalypse (midnight)
  • Using the contemporary idiom of a nuclear explosion (countdown to zero) to illustrate the threats to humanity.
• It is set annually by a panel of scientists, including 13 Nobel laureates, based on the world’s threats in that year. 
• Timeline: The clock was originally set to seven minutes to midnight and The furthest it has been is 17 minutes after the end of the Cold War in 1991 with 2023 seeing the Clock moving to 100 seconds to Midnight.
• Threats:  Nuclear weapons, Climate Change, Pandemics and disruptive technologies like artificial intelligence.

100 Seconds to Midnight

• Reasons:  Prevailing climate conditions, “cyber-based disinformation” and nuclear risk and the due to the debilitating impact of the coronavirus pandemic.
• Significance: The recognition that we now face a true emergency – an absolutely unacceptable state of world affairs that has eliminated any margin for error or further delay.
• Suggestions:  The bulletin stressed to set more ambitious and comprehensive limits of nuclear weapons and delivery systems, accelerate biological research, push for more decarbonisation and also combat internet-enabled misinformation.

News Source: The Indian Express

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Turkey Parliament supports Sweden’s NATO membership.

NATO Signs $1.2B Artillery Shell Deal

• NATO recently signed a USD 1.2-billion contract for  artillery ammunition rounds to replenish the dwindling stocks of its member countries
• The contract sought to purchase 220,000 rounds of 155-millimetre artillery shell  ammunition to allow its allies to replenish their arsenals and to provide Ukraine with more ammunition.

Sweden’s Shift to NATO Membership

• Russian invasion of Ukraine: Sweden shares a Maritime border with Russia and wants to safeguard its territorial sovereignty in the face of growing Russian Revisionism.
• Significance:
  • Baltic states:  All of the Baltic Sea coastline, except that in Russia’s control, will become NATO territory as Norway and Finland are already member States.
  • Strategic advantage:  This will provide the alliance strategic bases close to Russia, make supply lines more streamlined, and make it easier to defend assets in the sea.
  • NATO capacity enhancement: Sweden’s military, though numerically small, is modern and experienced and also has advanced aircraft and submarine capabilities.

North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)

• It is an Intergovernmental Military alliance of the North American and European countries founded in 1949 through the North Atlantic Treaty signed in Washington DC USA
  • Article 5:  The new Allies agreed to defend one another in the face of an attack with the principle of “an armed attack against one or more of them, shall be considered an attack against them all”
• NATO Members: It has 31 member states with 29 European states and 2 North American.
  • Albania, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Montenegro, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Türkiye, United Kingdom, United States Of America). 

• • Finland is the 31st country to join NATO in 2023 and it currently recognizes Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, and Ukraine as aspiring members.
• Headquarters: Brussels, Belgium. 
• Purposes: To deter Soviet expansionism, forbid the revival of nationalist militarism in Europe through a strong North American presence on the continent, and encourage European political integration.
• NATO membership:  Article 10 of the North Atlantic Treaty states that membership is open to any “European State in a position to further the principles of this Treaty and to contribute to the security of the North Atlantic area”.
  • North Atlantic Council: It is  NATO’s principal political decision-making body, and any decision to invite a country to join the Alliance is made by them based on consensus among all Allies.

• NATO Plus:

• • NATO Plus includes five more member nations considered allies of the US – namely: Australia, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand and Israel.  

News Source: The Indian Express

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The National Voters Day has been celebrated on January 25 every year since 2011 to mark the foundation day of the Election Commission of India.

National Voters Day 2024: Key Highlights

• Award Ceremony: The President presented Best Electoral Practices Awards to State and District level officers for their outstanding performance in the conduct of elections during 2023.
• A Commemorative postage stamp themed “Inclusive Elections” released ato mark 75th year of  service of ECI to the nation.

About 14th National Voters Day

• Theme: Nothing Like Voting, I Vote For Sure’
• Significance: 
  • To encourage, facilitate and maximize enrolment, especially for new voters.
  • To spread awareness among voters and promote informed participation in the electoral process.

Importance of Voting

• Exercise of Constitutional Right: The right to Vote is a constitutional right that allows citizens to choose their representatives who will make decisions on their behalf. (Article 326)
• Voting is a medium for change: If citizens of India think that the present government or representative is not doing their duties satisfactorily, they can show their dissatisfaction and elect different representatives to represent them.
• Political Empowerment: People have a sense of ‘ownership of government’ through Electoral Participation. 
• Civic Responsibility: To make the government more responsible and accountable, Voting is the foundation for the entire system and structure of a country for development.
• Voting is an Honour: By voting, people can decide the direction of change and development. To express oneself i.e. Voting helps people express their thoughts on a country, local constituency or about a candidate through the ballot box.

Conclusion

Abraham Lincoln’s idea and philosophy of Democracy i.e. Democracy is the government of the people, by the people and for the people, can be translated to reality only through electoral participation. 

News Source: PIB

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The Odisha Government is establishing a melanistic tiger safari. 

• The safari will be established near Baripada, the district headquarters town of Mayurbhanj.This location involves Similipal Tiger Reserve (STR) too. 

About Melanistic Tiger

• Melanistic tigers are a rare variant of the Bengal tiger. 
• These tigers are also called “black tigers”.
  • They have thick stripes on their body. 
• These black stripes are due to pseudo-melanism.

About Melanistic Tiger Safari

Benefits

• Awareness GEneration: Raise awareness about melanistic tigers and attract international attention. 
• Development of Tourism: Increase tourism revenue and create local job opportunities.

Impact on Local Communities and Ecosystem:

• Positive Impacts:

  • Increased tourism revenue may improve local infrastructure, healthcare, and education facilities.
  • Conservation programs could provide income through ecotourism or sustainable practices.

• Negative Impacts:

• • There can be disagreement between government and local people on the use of traditional resources. 
  • High tourist flows can cause exploitation and degradation of local resources. 

Also Read:

• Tiger Reserves In India 2023
• All India Tiger Estimation 2022

News sources: The Hindu

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Lake Retba is disappearing in Senegal. 

• In this lake, only a few microscopic algae and bacteria are found. 

About Lake Retba

• Lake Retba is better known as Lac Rose or the pink lake.

Lake Retba

• Reason for Pink Color: The pink color of the lake is due to the presence of halophilic green algae, specifically Dunaliella salina, containing red pigments.
• Source of Water: The lake Retba is isolated from the sea by sand dunes. Its fresh water comes from the seasonal water table in the dunes, which are higher than the lake. 
  • Thus the sea provides most of the lake’s water and all of its salt.
• It is situated approximately 35 km from Dakar, Senegal.

Challenges at Senegal’s Pink Lake

• Salt accumulation is the major problem for the pink lake. 

• Release of toxic substances from nearby industries, hotels, and tourism can bring harmful chemicals into the water, impacting the lake’s overall ecosystem. 
• Uncontrolled tourism can put a strain on the ecosystem which can cause pollution from boats and disturb wildlife.
• Infrastructure projects or land development near the lake can disrupt natural water flow and threaten surrounding dunes, contributing to the water balance.
• Excessive sand extraction and exploitation of surrounding areas can destabilize the lake’s delicate environment.

News Source: DownToEarth

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Recently, the Ministry of Science and Technology announced the Vaishvik Bhartiya Vaigyanik(VAIBHAV) fellowship to 22 scientists of Indian origin.

About Vaibhav Fellowship Scheme

• Launched: In June 2023
• Implementation of Vaibhav Fellowship Scheme: Ministry of Science and Technology.
• Aim: To connect the Indian Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Medicine (STEMM) diaspora with Indian academic and R&D institutions for collaborative research work.
• Eligibility For Vaibhav Fellowship Scheme : The fellowships would be awarded to outstanding scientists/technologists of Indian origin (NRI/OCI/PIO) who are engaged in research activities in their respective countries.
  • Higher Educational Institutions / Universities ranked in the top 200 in NIRF overall rankings and having NAAC ‘A’ grade (3.0 and above) and scientific institutes. 
• Timeframe: The VAIBHAV Fellow would identify an Indian Institution for collaboration and may spend up to two months in a year for a maximum of 3 years.
• Grants: Vaibhav Fellowship Scheme would include fellowship grant (INR 4,00,000 per month), international and domestic travel, accommodation and contingencies.
• Significance: It will boost Science, Research, and Innovation and consequently work for socio-economic transformations.
• Expectations: The 75 VAIBHAV fellows are expected to collaborate with their Indian counterparts and help initiate research activities in the host institution in 18 identified knowledge verticals including quantum technology, health, pharma, electronics, agriculture, energy, computer sciences, and material sciences amongst others.

News Source: The Economic Times

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The Union Health Ministry asked all states and UTs about the total number of couples and single and unmarried women who have availed surrogacy successfully since the Surrogacy Act, 2021 came into force.

Assessment of Surrogacy Act, 2021: Data Collection Initiative

• Category-wise Data: The ministry also sought category-wise data on the total number of couples and single women (divorcees/widows) who have opted for Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) successfully since the ART Act, 2021 has come into existence.
• Assess the Functioning of Law: The data will help in concluding the proper functioning of the Surrogacy Act, 2021 and the ART Act 2021 by all States and UTs.
• Criteria for Surrogacy and ART: Only married infertile couples and certain categories of women (single and unmarried) are allowed to avail of ARTs and surrogacy. 
• Criteria for Surrogacy: Surrogacy is only allowed for altruistic reasons under the Surrogacy (Regulation) Act, while commercial surrogacy has been prohibited in the country since 2015.

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In recent years, Kaziranga National Park has been battling the highly invasive species such as – Mimosa, Siam and Ludwigia peruviana.

About Invasive Species in India

• An invasive species can be any kind of living organism (plant, insect, fish, fungus, bacteria, an amphibian,  that is not native to an ecosystem.
  • For Example: Water hyacinth
• Concerns: They can harm the environment, the economy or even human health by the destruction of native species and local biodiversity.
• The Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) recognizes an urgent need to address the impact of invasive species. 

About Mimosa Species

• Origin: A climbing plant originating from America.
  • Known as: Touch-Me-Not, Shameplant or giant sensitive plant, Nilaji Bon or Lajuki Lata (in Assamese). 
• Introduction to Assam Region: Tea industry brought the invasive Mimosa to the region for its ability to fix nitrogen. 
• Favorable Factors for Spreading:  
  • The annual occurrence of floods
  • The presence of several water bodies and small streams within the park that provide moist conditions for seed germination.
• Concerns: The 2002 study by the Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) identified that 56% of the Bagori range of Kaziranga is covered with Mimosa. Two varieties, Mimosa invisa (thorny) and Mimosa invisainermis (thornless) are spreading through the park.
  • The thornless variety is spreading rapidly and claiming the lives of several cattle. The cattle developed an allergy, which led to their death.
• Counter the Spread: WTI suggested that only manual removal of the roots of Mimosa varieties could stop its spread. 

About Siam Species

• Origin:  A flowering shrub native to Central and South America.
• Known as: Chromolaena odorata
• Concerns:As per a study by Assam Agricultural University, the shrub saw a 28% increase in Golaghat district between 2013 and 2023. 
  • The shrub is toxic to cattle.
    • However, the Siam weed can be used as an insect repellent.

About Ludwigia peruviana Species

• Known as: Peruvian water primrose
• Concerns: As per researchers, the aquatic plant has covered an area of 500 sq km in 2022 which  has impacted the fish biodiversity in the river streams and wetlands in the region.

Kaziranga National Park, Assam

• Status: Declared a National Park in 1974, a tiger reserve in 2007, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985. 
  • It is recognized as an Important Bird Area by BirdLife International.
• Famous: For its population of one-horned rhinoceroses.
  • Unique wetland ecosystem with grasslands and water bodies.  

News Source: Down to Earth

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Recently, the Ministry of Health Affairs has decided to implement a new treatment regimen for leprosy.

New three-Drug Regimen For Leprosy in India

• The Ministry has decided to introduce a three-drug regimen for Pauci-Bacillary (PB) cases in place of a two-drug regimen for six months.
  • A Drug Regimen is a prescribed systematic form of treatment for a course of drug(s).
• This is aimed at stopping its transmission at the sub-national level by 2027, three years ahead of the Sustainable Development Goals.

• WHO’s recommended treatment regimen comprises three drugs — dapsone, rifampicin and clofazimine — and the combination is referred to as multi-drug therapy or MDT.
  • WHO has been providing MDT free of cost.

About Leprosy

• About 
  • Causative Agent:  Mycobacterium leprae. 
  • Consequences: The disease predominantly affects the skin and peripheral nerves. 
  • Leprosy is also known as Hansen’s disease.
• Disease Incidence: Leprosy is a neglected tropical disease (NTD) which still occurs in more than 120 countries, with more than 200 000 new cases reported every year. 
• Transmission: It gets transmitted through droplets from the nose and mouth. 
• Diagnosis: Leprosy cases are classified into two types for treatment purposes: 
  • Paucibacillary (PB) case ( 1 to 5 skin lesions) and Multibacillary (MB) case (more than five skin lesions)
• Treatment: Leprosy is curable through  multi-drug therapy (MDT) using dapsone, rifampicin and clofazimine medicines

Current Status of Leprosy in India

• Leprosy Elimination Status:
  • India declared “Leprosy Eliminated” in 2005.
  • Despite this, the country represents over half (52%) of the world’s new leprosy cases.
• Decline in Annual Case Detection Rate:
  • The annual case detection rate witnessed a significant decline.
  • Halved from 8.13 cases per lakh population to 4.56 cases in 2020-21.
  • Stabilized at 5.52 cases per lakh in 2021-22.

Leprosy Eradication Programmes in India 

• National Leprosy Eradication Programme (NLEP)

  • A Centrally Sponsored Scheme under the National Health Mission (NHM).
  • India has successfully achieved the elimination of leprosy as a public health problem at the National level (less than 1 case per 10,000 populations).
  • Vision for District-Level Eradication:
    • NLEP targets the complete elimination of leprosy in each district by the year 2030.

• National Strategic Plan & Roadmap for Leprosy (2023-27)

  • The strategy and roadmap will aid in advancing the campaign against leprosy, to stop transmission, by speeding case detection efforts and maintaining a robust surveillance infrastructure.
  • India has set the target of Leprosy Mukt Bharat by 2027, 3 years ahead of the SDG.

• SLACs (Sparsh Leprosy Awareness Campaigns)

• • Launched in 2017 to raise awareness regarding leprosy.
  • Focuses on addressing issues related to stigma and discrimination associated with leprosy.

News Source: The Hindu

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Madhika, a language with just two speakers in Kerala with no scripts is on the brink of extinction.

About Madhika Language

Madhika is a language spoken by the Chakaliya community, It is a blend of Telugu, Tulu, Kannada, and Malayalam.

• Reason for Extinction: It is fast becoming extinct with the younger generation opting for Malayalam

Current Status of Endangered Languages in India

• According to a report published by UNESCO 2018, 42 languages are heading towards extinction in India. Most dying languages are from the indigenous tribal groups spread across India.
• According to UNESCO norms, any language spoken by only 10,000 people is potentially endangered. 
• 2011 Census: India’s language Census records only those with more than 10,000 speakers. 
  • Of the 99 non-scheduled languages the 2011 Census recorded, the number of speakers reduced to 22 compared to a decade ago. 
  • Thirteen of them are spoken in the Northeast.

UNESCO Endangerment Languages Classification

• Extinct: there are no speakers left.
• Critically Endangered: The youngest speakers are grandparents and older, and they speak the language partially and infrequently.
• Severely Endangered: The language is spoken by grandparents and older generations. While the parent generation may understand it, they do not speak it to children or among themselves
• Definitely Endangered: Children no longer learn the language as a mother tongue in the home.
• Vulnerable: Most children speak the language, but it may be restricted to certain domains (e.g. home)
• Safe / Not Endangered: Is spoken by all generations and intergenerational transmission is uninterrupted (Note: These languages are not included in the Atlas because they are not endangered.)

What is the Effect When Language Dies?

• When a language dies, the knowledge system dies and becomes extinct. Thus, the unique way of looking back on the world has also been lost. 
• The speakers start migrating to different languages and regions, and the language is lost.

Government Initiative for Protection of Endangered Languages

• Scheme for Protection and Preservation of Endangered Languages (SPPEL)

  • It was instituted by the Ministry of Education in 2013 to document and archive the country’s languages that have become endangered or are likely to be endangered shortly. 
  • The scheme is monitored by the Central Institute of Indian Languages (CIIL) located in Mysuru, Karnataka.

• International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR, 1976)

  • It  states, “In those States in which ethnic, religious or linguistic minorities exist, persons belonging to such minorities shall not be denied the right, in community with the other members of their group, to enjoy their own culture, to profess and practise their religion, or to use their language.”

• Central Institute of Indian Languages (CIIL)

  • It was established in 1969 and  works under the administrative control of the Ministry of Education.
  • Mandate: It advises and assists central and state governments in language matters. 

News Source: The Hindu

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This article is based on the news “Union Cabinet approves Rs 8,500 cr incentive for coal gasification projects” which was published in the Business Standards. Recently, The Union Cabinet approved a viability gap funding (VGF) scheme of ₹8,500 crore for coal gasification projects for public and private sector companies.

Govt Approves Rs 8500 Cr for Coal Gasification Projects

• VGF to three Categories of Projects:
  • First category: Under this, a provision of Rs 4,050 crore has been made for Public Sector Utilities (PSUs), supporting up to three projects. 
    • This support will be extended through a lump sum grant of Rs 1,350 crore or 15% of the capital expenditure, whichever is lower.
  • Second category: Under this, Rs 3,850 crore has been allocated for both government and private sector projects. 
    • Each project in this category will receive a lump sum grant of Rs 1,000 crore or 15% of the capital expenditure, whichever is lower. 
  • Third Category: Under this, Rs 600 crore has been provisioned for demonstration projects (indigenous technology) or small-scale product-based gasification plants.
    • A lump-sum grant of Rs 100 crore or 15 per cent of capex, whichever is lower, will be given to the selected entity. 
• Selection of Entities: The selection of entities under categories II and III through a competitive and transparent bidding process.
  • The grant will be paid to the selected entity in two equal instalments.
• Incentives for Gasification: The government has also offered a 50 per cent rebate in revenue share for the coal used for gasification, provided the quantity used for gasification is at least 10 per cent of the total coal production.
• Approval for Coal Gasification Projects: The Cabinet also approved two coal gasification projects under the scheme where Coal India Limited (CIL) will make equity investments beyond the limit of 30 per cent.
• Mandatory Green clearance: To address environmental concerns in the coal gasification process, the government has mandated a grant of green clearance.
  • The project proponent must conduct environmental impact assessment studies and prepare an environment management plan. 
  • An expert committee will duly examine the plan before taking up any activities related to establishing a coal gasification plant.

What is Coal Gasification?

• About: Coal Gasification is a thermo-chemical process that converts coal into simple molecules, primarily carbon monoxide and hydrogen, called synthesis gas or syngas. 
• Mechanism: In the gasification process, coal is partially oxidised by air, oxygen, steam, or carbon dioxide under controlled conditions to produce a liquid fuel known as syngas. 
  • Syngas or synthesis gas can be used to generate power and make methanol.
• Significance: The combustion of this gas is cleaner and more efficient than coal combustion since emissions are trapped at the gasification stage.

Methods of Coal Gasification

• In-situ method: In this, oxygen is infused into the seam together with water and ignited at high temperatures, causing coal to partly oxidize into hydrogen, CO, carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and hydrogen sulfide (H2S).
• Ex-situ reactors: They are designed to simulate the gasification process above the ground’s surface. 
  • Sulphur in coal is transformed to H2S and trace volumes of carbonyl sulphide (COS) during the gasification process.

Need for Coal Gasification

• A Proven Reserve of Thermal Coal: A country’s total estimated coal reserve (resource) per the Coal Inventory published by GSI, as of 01.04.2022 is 361411.46 million tonnes”.
  • Global Standing: Second largest in the world after China.
    • Production Surge: 14.8 % rise in  production reaching 893 MT in the 2022–2023 financial year. 
    • Contribution: India contributes more than 10% of the global coal production.
• Coal Gasification Target: The government has launched the National Coal Gasification Mission to achieve coal gasification and liquefaction of 100 MT of coal by 2030. 
  • Government Production Target: 
    • The Government aims for self-reliance by boosting domestic production.
    • Targeting over 1 billion tonnes in 2023–2024 and further increase it to 1.5 billion tonnes by 2029–2030.
• Reducing Import Dependency: India has a huge dependency on imports of crude and natural gas-based products mainly methanol, ammonia, ammonium nitrate, and olefins, which can be easily substituted by by-products derived from syngas.
  • It can yield methanol blended with petrol, Di-Methyl Ether (DME) to be blended with LPG to substitute imported coking coal in blast furnaces and produce synthetic natural gas (SNG).
  • At present, India imports about 50% of its Natural Gas, more than 90 per cent of its methanol consumption and 13-15 per cent of its domestic ammonia requirement.
• Transition to Sustainable Energy: India has huge reserves of coal, it would benefit India if it finds a sustainable way of using these reserves as the world including India is gradually transitioning away from coal toward cleaner fuels in the wake of climate change.
  • India has an estimated coal reserves of 361 billion tonnes, the fourth largest in the world and enough to last more than a century.
• Sustainable Usage of Coal: Given India’s growth potential and rising demand for power, the demand for coal is projected to rise from the current requirement of nearly one billion tonnes to 1.5 billion tonnes by 2029-30. 
  • To encourage greener use of coal, the government is promoting more sustainable practices such as coal gasification, which involves turning coal into cleaner fuel gas.
• Pharmaceutical Industry: India plans to produce active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) domestically rather than importing them from China. 
• • There is a high potential for Syngas to make APIs and methanol as a solvent.
• Cleaner and environmentally Friendly: Coal gasification plants produce no scrubber sludge.
  • The majority of the wash water is reprocessed, and residual wastewater from gasification plants can be treated effectively.
  • As a result, coal gasification is considered a cleaner coal technology than coal combustion.

Coal Gasification in India: Challenges

• Inferior Quality of Coal: The high ash content in Indian coal is a technical barrier to a larger adoption of coal gasification.
  • The ash percentage of indigenously available coal ranges between 30-35 per cent even after washing, which is quite high. 
  • Reaching ash content below 30% is not economical and feasible even after washing. Despite government directives to wash coal down to 34% ash, compliance is very low and presents structural challenges.
• Induced Subsidence of Surrounding Rocks: The space created by deep mining during the coal gasification may cause significant deformation in the remaining coal and surrounding rocks.
• • Heating, quenching, water flux and potential roof and wall collapse may seriously compromise the integrity of the cavity, leading to a subsidence.
• Occupational Hazard: The coal Gasification process cannot be controlled to the same extent as surface gasifiers, which poses the risk of high temperature and pressure in the cavity, furthering the workers’ risk. 
• Environmental Factors: According to some studies, coal gasification generates more CO2 than a conventional coal power station.
• Groundwater Contamination: While the nation already faces water scarcity, coal gasification is a more water-intensive energy generation method. 
• Economy of Project: It is an inherently ‘unsteady’ state process; the flow rate and the heating value of the product gas will vary over time.  
  • Changes in the quantity and quality of gas produced will significantly impact the project’s economics.
• Technological Concern: Lack of availability of proven gasification technology suitable for poor poor-quality Coal.

Way Forward to the Coal Gasification

• Regulation on Ash Content: The ash content of coal supplies needs to be enforced. Present regulations limiting ash content to 34% are not being enforced. 
  • Coal washeries pose challenges regarding investment, water usage and water disposal. 
  • Coal blending is the path forward, as waste streams from the gasification process are easier to handle and can be value-adding in themselves (e.g. sulphur, slag)
• Dedicated Closed Coal Mines for Coal Gasification: Coal Mines should be earmarked for Coal Gasification Projects (to be awarded through Auction Linkage) for better Coal Quality consistency, sustained Supply & closer Mining & Transportation Cost control. 
• Viability Gap Funding: Financial incentives from the government to support very high CAP of gasification projects needed to improve the viability of ‘Energy Security’ (Clean) projects. 
  • The Viability Gap Funding (VGF) aims at supporting infrastructure projects that are economically justified but fall marginally short of financial viability
• Level Playing Field: Exemption from currently applicable Cess / Duties on Coal Feedstock prices should be provided for environment–friendly Coal Gasification Projects due to its Clean Technology adaptation. 
• National Policy on Coal Gasification & Liquefaction: This should be urgently formulated and promulgated for faster and smoother implementation of Coal Gasification Projects. 
• Blending Schemes and Policy Framework: Schemes for ‘Blending Methanol, DME with Gasoline & LPG’ should be implemented as soon as possible, along with a policy framework for all by-products of coal gasification.
• Leveraging Global Gasification Technologies: India should leverage the gasification technology globally available for fast-track development of local coal for the chemical industry.

Conclusion

The deployment of coal gasification will support India’s ‘Aatmanirbhar‘ vision, stimulate job creation and significantly reduce imports by 2030. Moreover, it presents a solution for environmental concerns, promising to lower carbon emissions and promote sustainable practices, aligning with worldwide commitments towards a greener future.

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