CCRAS has revived two rare Ayurvedic Manuscript

1. The Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS) has revived two rare Ayurvedic manuscripts: Dravyaratnākara Nighaṇṭu and Dravyanamākara Nighaṇṭu.
2. In Ayurvedic terminology, "Nighantu" refers to texts listing groups of drugs, their synonyms, properties, and the specific parts used.

About Dravyaratnākara Nighaṇṭu

1. This manuscript was composed by Mudgala Paṇḍita in 1480 AD.
2. It is divided into 18 chapters, offering detailed insights into drug synonyms, medicinal actions, and therapeutic properties.
3. The text references earlier classical works like Dhanvantari Nighaṇṭu and Raja Nighaṇṭu, while also adding new medicinal substances.
4. It includes information on drugs of plant, mineral, and animal origin, expanding the traditional Ayurvedic knowledge base.

About Dravyanamākara Nighaṇṭu

1. This work is attributed to Bhisma Vaidya.
2. It deals specifically with the homonyms of plant and drug names, a complex area critical to Ayurvedic identification.
3. The manuscript is considered an independent appendix to the Dhanvantari Nighaṇṭu, serving to clarify overlapping names and meanings.

Revised SHAKTI Policy for Coal Allocation to Power Sector

1. The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by PM Narendra Modi, approved the Revised SHAKTI Policy for coal allocation to the power sector on 07 May 2025.
2. The policy is part of ongoing coal sector reforms by the government.
3. SHAKTI stands for Scheme for Harnessing and Allocating Koyala Transparently in India.
4. Originally introduced in 2017 to shift from nomination-based coal allocation to a transparent auction/tariff-based bidding system.

Key Features of the Revised SHAKTI Policy

1. The revised policy consolidates previous 8 categories into two main allocation windows to simplify operations and improve efficiency.

Two Windows for Fresh Coal Linkages
Window-I (Coal at Notified Price)	Window-II (Coal at Premium Price)
Continues coal linkage to Central Sector TPPs, Joint Ventures, and subsidiaries.	Open to all domestic coal-based and imported coal-based power producers.
Coal earmarked to states or their authorized agencies based on Ministry of Power recommendations.	Coal can be secured via auction for durations up to 12 months or up to 25 years.
States may allocate coal to State Gencos, IPPs with PPAs under Section 62 of the Electricity Act, or expansion units with PPAs.	Producers have flexibility to sell power as per their choice, with no PPA requirement.

 

2. Encourages competition, better capacity utilization, seamless pit-head thermal capacity addition, and affordable power generation.
3. Promotes domestic coal availability, reduces import dependence, and supports stressed power assets.
4. Aligns with Atmanirbhar Bharat by boosting domestic coal usage.

Benefits of the Revised SHAKTI Policy

1. Greater Flexibility: Offers flexible coal allocation mechanisms.
2. Wider Eligibility: More power producers, including imported coal-based plants, are now eligible.
3. Better Accessibility: Easier coal access leads to increased power generation and lower electricity tariffs.
4. Positive Economic Impact: Supports employment generation and economic activity via reliable power supply.
5. Revenue for State Governments: More mining activity will increase state revenues, aiding regional development.
6. Import Substitution: Domestic coal can replace imported coal in Imported Coal Based (ICB) plants.
7. Support to Pithead Plants: Preference for establishing new thermal power projects near coal mines.

Key Additional Provisions

1. Use of Un-requisitioned Surplus (URS) Capacity: Linkage coal can now be used to generate power from URS capacity, deepening power markets.
2. No Mandatory PPAs under Window-II: Private players can now participate without having Power Purchase Agreements.

Other Key Coal Sector Reforms Coal Mines (Special Provisions) Act, 2015: Enabled transparent auctions and private participation. Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2021: Introduced composite Prospecting Licence-cum-Mining Lease (PL-cum-ML). Commercial Coal Mining Policy (2020): Allowed private players to mine coal for commercial use without end-use restrictions. Monitoring Tools: Introduced Coal Mines Surveillance and Management System and Khanan Prahari App to curb illegal mining.

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