South Western Railways Zone introduces Biodiesel
The
South Western Railways (SWR) Zone with headquarters in Hubli, Karnataka
has introduced biodiesel for trains, operating under its zone. SWR’s
first train Hubballi-Bengaluru Janshatabdi Express powered by five per
cent biodiesel blended with High Speed Diesel was flagged off from
Hubli. The main aim of the initiative is to reduce greenhouse gases
(GHGs) emission and carbon footprint and also to make fuel consumption
more efficient. SWR zone has set up Biodiesel filling centres at Hubli,
Bengaluru and Hospet.
Guinness world record for ‘Pahal’
The
Guinness Book of World Records certificate recognising India’s direct
LPG subsidy transfer as the world’s largest cash transfer programme was
on Saturday handed over to Prime Minister Narendra Modi by Union Oil
Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. The government launched the `PAHAL’ scheme
in 54 districts of the country on November 15, 2014, and in remaining
districts of the country on January, 2015. LPG consumers who join the
PAHAL scheme get LPG cylinders at market price and receive LPG subsidy
directly into their bank accounts.
World Bank launches Transformative Carbon Asset Facility
The
World Bank has launched a $500 million dollars Transformative Carbon
Asset Facility (TCAF) to help developing countries pay for emission
reductions and combat climate change. The scheme will reward countries
for reducing emissions by paying a fee for each tonne of carbon dioxide
(CO2) reduced. Of the total 500 million dollars, Germany, Norway, Sweden
and Switzerland have jointly pledged an initial 250 million dollars
investment.