What’s in Today’s Article?

• Why in News?
• Major Features of the Ram Temple

Why in News?

• A new landmark of India - both structural and spiritual - rises on Ayodhya's horizon as a new-age architectural marvel of elegant sandstones, diligently carved by craftspeople with dedication and devotion to Lord Ram.

Major Features of the Ram Temple

• Main Complex:
  • The Ram Mandir is a Hindu temple in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh. It is located at the site of Ram Janmabhoomi, the birthplace of Lord Rama.
  • No iron or steel has been used in the construction of the grand structure. Stones have been sourced from Rajasthan's Bansi Paharpur area.
  • The temple complex, built in the traditional Nagara style, will be 380 feet long from the east to the west, 250 feet wide and 161 feet high.
  • Each floor of the temple will be 20 feet high and have a total 392 pillars and 44 gates.
  • Around the grand temple is a rectangular periphery called percota, a feature found in temples in south India, but not generally in north India.
  • The percota will be 14 feet wide and the periphery span 732 metres. The temple will be nestled within the percota periphery.
  • Images of Lord Hanuman, other deities, peacocks and flower patterns have been carved onto the stones, lending the structure a divine look.
  • More than 3,000 kg of flowers of over 20 varieties have been used to decorate the grand structure.
• Main Entrance:
  • Ornate statues of elephants, lions, Lord Hanuman and Garuda were installed at the main entrance leading to the temple earlier this month.
  • These statues have also been made using sandstone brought from Bansi Paharpur.
• Green Complex:
  • A major part of the temple compound will be a green area with hundreds of trees.
  • About 70 per cent of the complex will be a green area.
  • The complex will have two sewage treatment plants — a water treatment plant and a dedicated electricity line from the power house.
  • The fire brigade post will be able to source water from an underground reservoir.

What’s in Today’s Article?

• Why in News?
• What is the Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products (RoDTEP) Scheme?
• Need for the RoDTEP Scheme
• Features of the RoDTEP Scheme
• Eligibility to Obtain Benefits of the RoDTEP Scheme
• Issues in the Implementation of the RoDTEP Scheme

Why in News?

• The Centre has no plans of re-working the popular Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products (RoDTEP) scheme for exporters, despite the US government imposing anti-subsidy duties against it.
• This is because the issue was not with the WTO compatibility of the scheme but with the inability of exporters to provide adequate documents to US investigating teams.

What is the Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products (RoDTEP) Scheme?

• It is a new scheme applicable from 1 January 2021 and is launched by the Ministry of Commerce & Industry to replace the existing MEIS (Merchandise Exports from India Scheme).
• The scheme ensures that the exporters receive the refunds on the embedded taxes and duties previously non-recoverable.
• It was introduced with the intention to boost exports which were relatively poor in volume previously.

Need for the RoDTEP Scheme

• The US had challenged India’s key export subsidy schemes in the WTO (World Trade Organisation), claiming them to harm the American workers.
• A dispute panel in the WTO ruled against India, stating that the export subsidy programmes that were provided by the Government of India violated the provisions of the trade body’s norms.
• The panel further recommended that the export subsidy programmes (like the MEIS, Export Oriented Units Scheme, SEZ Scheme, Duty-Free Imports for Exporters Scheme, etc.) be withdrawn.
• This led to the birth of the RoDTEP Scheme, so as to ensure that India stays WTO-compliant.

Features of the RoDTEP Scheme

• Refund of the previously non-refundable duties and taxes: Mandi tax, VAT, Coal cess, Central Excise duty on fuel, etc., will now be refunded under this particular scheme.
• Automated system of credit: The rebate is issued as a transferable electronic scrip by the Central Board of Indirect Taxes & Customs (CBIC) in an end-to-end IT environment.
• Quick verification through digitisation.
• Multi-sector scheme: Under RoDTEP, all sectors, including the textiles sector, are covered, so as to ensure uniformity across all areas.
  • Labor-intensive sectors that enjoy benefits under the MEIS Scheme will be given a priority.

Eligibility to Obtain Benefits of the RoDTEP Scheme

• Manufacturer exporters and merchant exporters (traders) are both eligible for the benefits of this scheme.
  • The exported products need to have the country of origin as India.
• There is no particular turnover threshold to claim the RoDTEP.
• The Special Economic Zone Units and Export Oriented Units are also eligible to claim the benefits under this scheme.
• Where goods have been exported via courier through e-commerce platforms, the RoDTEP scheme applies to them as well.
• However, the re-exported products are not eligible under this scheme.

Issues in the Implementation of the RoDTEP Scheme

• RoDTEP is based on the globally accepted principle that taxes and duties should not be exported, and taxes and levies borne on the exported products should be either exempted or remitted to exporters.
• However, both the US and the EU imposed countervailing (anti-subsidy) duties on Indian products, against RoDTEP payments availed.
• The problem is that while the plants have records of total payments made by them in the form of input taxes, they may not have the details.
• For instance, in a hand-written fuel bill given by a petrol pump, it may not give disaggregated Central excise duty and State VAT charges.
• All this needs to be streamlined and the exporters need to be properly trained.

Q1) What is the Central Board of Indirect Taxes & Customs (CBIC)?

CBIC is a statutory body formed in 1964 as the CBEC (Excise) and renamed as the CBIC in 2018. It is a part of the Department of Revenue under the Ministry of Finance, GoI. It deals with the tasks of formulation of policy concerning levy and collection of Customs, Central Excise duties, CGST and IGST, etc.

Q2) What is the Export Oriented Units Scheme?

The Export Oriented Units (EOU) scheme was introduced to boost exports, increase foreign earnings and create employment in India. The EOU scheme is complementary to the scheme for Free Trade Zone, Export Processing Zone.

Source: Centre not to re-work RoDTEP scheme as it is WTO compliant, say officials | PIB

What’s in today’s article?

• Why in news?
• Previous schemes to promote rooftop solar system
• Pradhan Mantri Suryodaya Yojana
• India’s current solar capacity
• Need for an expansion of solar energy in India

Why in news?

• PM Modi announced the ‘Pradhan Mantri Suryodaya Yojana’, a government scheme under which one crore households will get rooftop solar power systems.

Previous schemes to promote rooftop solar system

• About
  • In 2014, the government launched the Rooftop Solar Programme.
  • This had aimed to achieve a cumulative installed capacity of 40,000 megawatts (MW) or 40 gigawatts (GW) by 2022.
    • Watt is a unit of power and is calculated as the amount of energy used over time, specifically one Joule per second.
  • The scheme aimed to expand India’s rooftop solar installed capacity in the residential sector by providing Central Financial Assistance and incentives to DISCOMs (distribution companies).
• Achievement
  • However, this target could not be achieved. But by the end of 2023, rooftop solar energy generation was just 11 GW.
    • And energy generated from residences was only about a fifth of that.
  • As a result, the government extended the deadline from 2022 to 2026.
• Features
  • A consumer can avail of benefits of the scheme through DISCOM tendered projects or through the National Portal (solarrooftop.gov.in)
  • The DISCOMs role is limited to issuing of technical feasibility approval, installation of net-meter and inspect the system.
    • Net metering is a billing mechanism that credits solar energy system owners for the electricity they add to the grid.
  • Surplus solar power units generated from the rooftop solar plant can be exported to the grid.
  • The consumer can receive monetary benefits for the surplus exported power as per the prevailing regulations.
• Challenges and incentives
  • 

Pradhan Mantri Suryodaya Yojana

• This scheme is a new attempt to help reach the target of 40 GW rooftop solar capacity.
• It will involve installing solar power systems at rooftops for residential consumers.
• The scheme would help not only reduce electricity bills of the poor and middle class, but also push India’s goal of becoming self-reliant in the energy sector.

India’s current solar capacity

• Installed capacity
  • According to the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, solar power installed capacity in India has reached around 73.31 GW as of December 2023.
  • Meanwhile, rooftop solar installed capacity is around 11.08 GW as of December 2023.
  • Overall, solar power has a major share in the country’s current renewable energy capacity, which stands at around 180 GW.
• High performing states
  • In terms of total solar capacity, Rajasthan is at the top with 18.7 GW. Gujarat is at the second position with 10.5 GW.
  • When it comes to rooftop solar capacity, Gujarat tops the list with 2.8 GW, followed by Maharashtra by 1.7 GW.

Need for an expansion of solar energy in India

• According to the latest World Energy Outlook by the International Energy Agency (IEA), India is expected to witness the largest energy demand growth of any country or region in the world over the next 30 years.
  • IEA is an intergovernmental organization that provides data, policy recommendations, and analysis on the global energy sector.
  • IEA's goal is to help countries provide sustainable and secure energy for everyone.
• To meet this demand, the country would need a reliable source of energy and it can’t be just coal plants.
• Although India has doubled down on its coal production in recent years, it also aims to reach 500 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2030.

Q1) What is Net metering? 

Net metering is a billing system that allows consumers to use their own electricity at any time, instead of when it's generated. It also credits solar energy owners for the power they add to the grid.

Q2) What are DISCOMs?

DISCOMs are distribution companies that transport electricity from high-voltage transmission lines to low-voltage distribution lines. They also manage the local power grid, which includes substations, transformers, and power lines. 

Source: PM Modi launches new rooftop solar power scheme: What it is, why it is needed | Economic Times | The Hindu | Times of India

What’s in today’s article?

• Why in news?
• What is Batadrava Than?
• Who is Srimanta Sankardev?

Why in news?

• Congress leader Rahul Gandhi was prevented from visiting Assam’s Batadrava Than, where he was going as part of his Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra.

Batadrava Than

• About
  • The Batadrava Than, or Bordowa Than, is a temple complex at the birthplace of revered Vaishnavite reformer-saint Srimanta Sankardeva.
    • It is located in Nagaon district, Assam.
    • Srimanta Sankardev established Than Satra in 1494 A.D. at the age of 19.
  • It is one of the most sacred sites for Assamese Vaishnavites.
• Features
  • Enclosed by a brick wall, the Than Satra has two entrances.
  • The Kirtan Ghar, a capacious prayer house, was initially built by Sankardev using temporary materials.
  • Connected to the Kirtan Ghar is the Manikut, a place dedicated to housing sacred texts, scriptures, and manuscripts.
• Administration of the Than
  • The administration of the Than includes different officials appointed by the Sattradhikar (head of the Satra) to ensure the seamless execution of rituals and prayers.
• Doul Mohotsava
  • An annual highlight for devotees in Bordowa is the grand festival "Doul Mohotsava," celebrated during Holi.
• Ownership disputes
  • Bordowa Than has a history marked by ownership disputes, resulting in its split into two Satras, namely Narowa and Salaguri.
  • However, in 1958, it underwent a reunification process under the name 'Bordowa Than,' bringing together the two former Satras.
• Significance
  • Identity has always been an important strain of Assam politics, and the Thans/Sattras are a component of Assamese identity.
  • As one of the most prominent Thans, the Batadrava Than is often visited by politicians.
  • The current Assam govt has sought to make land grabbing around Sattras by illegal settlers an electoral issue.

Srimanta Sankardev

• About
  • The great Vaishnavite saint and reformer Srimanta Sankardev was born in Alipukhuri, Nagaon in 1449.
  • He is credited with providing a thread of unity to Assam straddling two major kingdoms (Ahom and Koch kingdoms).
  • The religion he started, Mahapuruxiya Dharma, was part of the Bhakti movement then raging in India.
  • He inspired bhakti in Assam just as Ramananda, Kabir, Basava and Chaitanya Mahaprabhu inspired it elsewhere.
• Sankardeva’s philosophy
  • He propagated the Ek Saran Naam Dharma.
    • The Ek Saran Naam Dharma focussed on worship in the form of bhakti (devotion) to Lord Krishna.
    • This was done through singing and congregational listening of His name and deeds.
  • Sankardeva espoused a society based on equality and fraternity, free from caste differences, orthodox Brahmanical rituals and sacrifices.
  • His teaching focused on prayer and chanting (naam) instead of idol worship.
  • His dharma was based on the four components of deva (god), naam (prayers), bhakats (devotees), and guru (teacher).
• Creation of monastic institutions known as Thans/Sattras
  • The Neo-Vaishnavite reformist movement initiated by Sankardeva led to the creation of monastic institutions known as Thans/Sattras in Assam.
  • As the saint traveled across the region, spreading his teachings in the 16th century, these Sattras/Thans were established as centers for religious, social, and cultural reforms.
  • Today, these Sattras continue to promote Sankardeva's distinctive worship through art approach, incorporating music (borgeet), dance (xattriya), and theater (bhauna).
• Major literacy creations
  • His major literacy creations are the ‘Kirtan Ghosa’, ‘Gunamala’ etc.
  • The holy songs written by him are known as ‘Borgeet’.
  • The dramas written by him are known as ‘Ankia Naat’ and Sattriya Dance at that time was a part of it.
    • In the ‘Ankiya Naats’ Srimanta Sankardev used the style of storytelling through drama, mostly depicting the life of Lord Krishna and Lord Rama.
    • The first dramatical work by him was ‘Chihnajatra’. The various ‘Ankia Naats’ written by him are ‘Kaliya Daman’, ‘Patni Prasad’ etc.
  • When he started going to school at the age of twelve, he wrote a poem on the praise of Lord Vishnu -‘Karatala Kamala Kamala Dala Nayana’ without using any vowels as he had learnt only the consonants till that time.

Q1) What is Ek Sharan Nam Dharma?

Ek Sharan Nam Dharma is a sect of the Vaishnava sect of Shankardeva. It is also called Navavaishnav religion. There is no predominance of idol worship in this religion. During religious festivals, only one holy book is kept on the platform and only it is offered as naivedya and devotion.

Q2) What is Doul Mahotsav?

Doul Mahotsav is a Hindu swing festival celebrated during the Holi festival. It is also known as Dola Purnima, Dolo Jatra, or Deul. The festival is celebrated in the Braj region, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Odisha, Assam, Tripura, and Bengal region.

Source: Rahul Gandhi prevented from visiting Batadrava Than: Significance of this Assam shrine | Hindustan Times | Assam Info | NDTV