SAMARTH

Why in news?

• Government recently launched SAMARTH scheme under Ministry of Power to promote biomass utilization in thermal power plants in the country.

About SAMARTH:

• SAMARTH stands for Sustainable Agrarian Mission on use of Agro Residue in Thermal Power Plants
• It is also known as National Mission on Use of Biomass in coal based thermal power plants.

Objectives:

• Increase the level of biomass co-firing from present 5% to higher levels to have a larger share of carbon neutral power generation from the thermal power plants.
• Take up Research and Development activity in boiler design to handle the higher amount of silica, alkalis in the biomass pellets.
• Facilitate overcoming the constraints in supply chain of biomass pellets and agro- residue and its transport upto to the power plants.

Implementation:

• National Thermal Power Corporation Limited will provide logistic and infrastructure support to the mission.
• The duration of mission would be a minimum 5 years.

PRACTICE QUESTION:

SAMARTH scheme, recently launched by Ministry of Power, aims for

(a) Promotion of biomass utilization in thermal power plants

(b) Improving the operational efficiencies and financial sustainability of DISCOMs

(c) Providing electricity connection to Below Poverty Line (BPL) families free of charge

(d) Increasing efficiency of small and medium Power loom units through energy and cost savings.

Answer