Muthamizh Selvi, first Tamil Nadu woman to scale Mt Everest

Muthamizh Selvi, first Tamil Nadu woman to scale Mt Everest: Udhayanidhi Stalin honored N Muthamizh Selvi, who achieved significant feat by becoming first woman from Tamil Nadu to climb Mt Everest.

Muthamizh Selvi, first Tamil Nadu woman to scale Mt Everest

Udhayanidhi Stalin, the Tamil Nadu Minister for Sports Development and Youth Welfare, honored a remarkable climber, N Muthamizh Selvi, who achieved a significant feat by becoming the first woman from Tamil Nadu to climb Mount Everest.

Selvi, who hails from Johilpatti, Virudhunagar, successfully reached the top of the world on May 23 after completing an arduous journey that lasted 56 days. Upon her arrival at the Chennai airport, the 34-year-old climber was given a warm welcome by enthusiastic supporters.

Muthamizh Selvi, first Tamil Nadu woman to scale Mt Everest: Key Points

● During her climb, Muthamizh Selvi faced various challenges, including the loss of a few members of her camp and injuries sustained by others.
● However, these obstacles did not dampen her resolve, as she remained steadfast in her pursuit of the summit.
● The government confirmed that Selvi received financial support of Rs 15 lakh from the state government and Rs 10 lakh from non-governmental organizations to aid her journey.

Additionally, Rajasekhar Pachai, who climbed Mount Everest on May 19, just a few days before Muthamizh Selvi’s achievement, also met with Udhayanidhi Stalin at his office to receive appreciation. Pachai, a surfing expert who completed his BCA at Hindustan Arts and Science College, successfully climbed the peak to reach the summit.

Janardan Prasad appointed new Director-General of Geological Survey of India

Janardan Prasad appointed new Director-General of GSI: Janardan Prasad has been appointed as the new Director General of the Geological Survey of India (GSI).

Janardan Prasad appointed new Director-General of GSI

Janardan Prasad has been appointed as the new Director General of the Geological Survey of India (GSI). Prasad has taken charge of the 174-year-old institution, succeeding Dr S Raju who has been the Director General since 2020.

About Geological Survey of India (GSI)

• The Geological Survey of India (GSI), an attached office to the Ministry of Mines, has its headquarters in the city, with six regional offices in Lucknow, Jaipur, Nagpur, Hyderabad, Shillong, and Kolkata.

About Janardan Prasad:

• Janardan Prasad had previously worked as a geologist in GSI, Gandhinagar in 1988 after earning an MSc in Geology from Patna University.
• Prasad has also worked in Shillong, Patna, Faridabad, Ranchi, and Hyderabad in various capacities.
• Before being appointed as the Director General, Janardan Prasad was the Additional Director General and Head of the Department of the southern region.
• Prasad is an experienced metallogeny and mineral exploration specialist who has conducted extensive research on minerals in Saurashtra and other areas of Gujarat such as limestone, gold, base metal, PGE and bauxite.
• Furthermore, Janardan Prasad was part of the Justice MB Shah Commission, which investigated illegal mining of iron and manganese in Andhra Pradesh, Goa, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Chhattisgarh, and Odisha.

PM-KUSUM Scheme: Centre Explores Agri Infra Fund for Solar Projects on Farm Lands

The PM-KUSUM scheme plays a crucial role in promoting renewable energy adoption in the agricultural sector, ensuring energy security for farmers and reducing carbon emissions.

he Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM) Scheme, launched in 2019, aims to enhance energy security for farmers in India and promote the use of clean energy in the agriculture sector. The scheme seeks to achieve India’s commitment to increasing the share of non-fossil fuel sources in the country’s installed capacity of electric power. In a bid to boost the implementation of solar projects on agricultural lands, the central government is considering linking the PM-KUSUM scheme with the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF). This move aims to provide farmers with access to cheaper loans for setting up solar projects and procuring equipment.

Components of PM-KUSUM Scheme:

Component A: Installation of Small Solar Power Plants (SEPP): Beneficiaries

• Individual farmers, groups of farmers, cooperatives, panchayats, Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), and Water User Associations (WUAs) can set up solar power plants with capacities ranging from 500 kW to 2 MW.
• If these entities are unable to arrange the required equity, they can opt for developing the plants through developers or local distribution companies (DISCOMs).
• DISCOMs will purchase the solar power generated at a feed-in-tariff determined by the State Electricity Regulatory Commission.
• DISCOMs will receive a performance-based incentive (PBI) of Rs. 0.40 per unit purchased or Rs. 6.6 lakh per MW of installed capacity, whichever is less, for five years from the Commercial Operation Date (COD).
• Component B: Standalone Solar Powered Agriculture Pumps: Budget
• Individual farmers will be supported in installing standalone solar-powered agriculture pumps of up to 7.5 HP in off-grid areas without access to grid supply.
• The scheme provides a capital subsidy of 30% of the benchmark cost or the tender cost, with the state government offering a minimum subsidy of 30%.
• Farmers can avail bank finance, paying only 10% of the cost initially and the remaining 30% as a loan.
• In select regions, such as North Eastern States, Sikkim, Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Lakshadweep, and Andaman & Nicobar Islands, the capital subsidy is 50%.
• Component C: Solarisation of Grid-connected Agriculture Pumps
• Farmers with grid-connected agriculture pumps can receive support to solarize their pumps.
• Solar PV capacity up to twice the pump capacity in kilowatts is allowed.
• A capital subsidy of 30% of the benchmark cost or the tender cost is provided, with the state government offering a minimum subsidy of 30%.
• Farmers can avail bank finance, paying only 10% of the cost initially and the remaining 30% as a loan.
• In select regions, the capital subsidy is 50%

Integration with Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF):

To accelerate the implementation of solar projects on agricultural lands, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy is considering linking the PM-KUSUM scheme with the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF). The AIF provides medium to long-term debt financing facilities for investment in projects related to post-harvest management infrastructure and community farming assets. By tapping into the AIF, farmers can access cheaper loans for setting up solar projects and procuring equipment. The central government will bear 30% of the project cost, with the remaining balance shared between the state government and the beneficiary farmer.