Approval for National Green Hydrogen Project worth Rs.19,744 crore
- The Union Cabinet meeting was chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved the National Green Hydrogen Project. The scheme will be launched at an initial cost of Rs 19,744 crore.
- Of this, Rs 17,490 crore will be allocated for green hydrogen conversion activities, Rs 1,466 crore for flagship projects, Rs 400 crore for research and development and Rs 388 crore for other project activities. The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy will formulate guidelines for implementation of the scheme.
- The project will boost green hydrogen production to at least 5 million metric tons per year. In addition, renewable energy capacity in the country will increase to 125 GW by 2030. It will lead to an investment of Rs 8 lakh crore and create more than 6 lakh jobs by 2030.
- By producing green hydrogen in the country, we will reduce fossil fuel imports by over Rs 1 lakh crore. It will also reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 50 million tonnes per year by 2030.
- The first session of the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly for the year 2023 will begin on the 9th. Governor RN Ravi will address on that day.
- On this occasion, a Tamil Nadu cabinet meeting was held under the chairmanship of Chief Minister M. K. Stalin. In this, the ideas, projects, industrial investments, new industrial policy mentioned in the Governor's speech were discussed and approved.
- Later, Tamil Nadu Industry Minister Thangam Tennarasu told reporters: The cabinet approved 8 new investment projects worth Rs.15,610.43 crore in the industry sector. This will create 8,776 jobs.
- Specifically, these investments are in electric vehicles, battery manufacturing, automobiles, wireless technology, textiles, and oxygen manufacturing industries. New industries will be established in areas adjacent to Krishnagiri, Bochampalli, Theni, Pudukottai and Chennai.
- Currently, the electronic vehicle policy has been amended in Tamil Nadu and some exemptions including road tax have been given. Industry policies related to manufacturing of electric vehicles have also been approved.
- US President Joe Biden has reappointed Eric Garcetti as his ambassador to India. Eric Garcetti, 51, is close to President Biden. He has been the mayor of Los Angeles since 2013.
- In the Union Cabinet meeting chaired by the Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi, it was decided to name the Goa Green International Airport as a tribute to the late Mr. Manohar Parrikar, who served as the 4-time Chief Minister of Goa and Union Defense Minister.
- 'Manohar International Airport – Mopa, Goa' for Goa Green International Airport in memory of Late Mr. Manohar Parrikar who was well respected by the people of Goa State. It may be remembered that the Prime Minister inaugurated the Goa Green Airport in the month of December 2022.
- The Union Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has approved an allocation of Rs 2539.61 crore till 2025-26 for infrastructure development of Prasar Bharati, which includes All India Radio and Doordarshan.
- It will also support Prasar Bharati's input development and expansion and support civil construction works. It will be implemented under the Broadcasting Infrastructure and Infrastructure Development Scheme.
- Prasar Bharati, a public broadcasting company in the country, is engaged in the important work of disseminating information, education, entertainment and public programs to people living in remote areas of the country through Doordarshan, All India Radio. Prasar Bharati has played a vital role in spreading public health messages and creating awareness among people during the Covid pandemic.
- This project will lead to expansion of Prasar Bharati's broadcasting with better infrastructural facilities. Prasar Bharti also has a DTH platform covering various television channels, offering high-quality inbound news to domestic and international audiences.
- Doordarshan currently operates 36 TV channels. 28 of these are regional channels. All India Radio operates in more than 500 centres.
- The Union Cabinet meeting on Economic Affairs decided to invest in the 382 MW Sunny Dam hydropower project of SJVN Company in Himachal Pradesh.
- The investment amount of this project is Rs. 2614.51 crore will be allocated out of which the central government's funding for infrastructure services will be Rs. 13.80 crore will be provided.
- Till January 2022, the overall expenditure for this project is Rs. 246 crore has been sanctioned.
- Keeping in view the objectives of the Self-Reliance India Project, the upcoming 382 MW Sunny Dam Hydro Power Project will benefit local industrialists, MSMEs etc.
- An MoU was signed between Hindustan Copper Limited (HCL) and IIT (ISM-Indian School of Mines) Dhanbad for technical collaboration activities at HCL Head Office, Kolkata. The MoU was signed in the presence of Mr. Arun Kumar Shukla, CEO, HCL and Rajeev Shekhar, Professor, Dhanpat, IIT (ISM).
- IIT (ISM) will provide necessary technical assistance, guidance and advice to HCL under the MoU currently signed. Also, measures to improve the production level through new technologies in metal production and to solve various environmental problems will be carried out.
