Deep - GS questions based on daily current affairs

1)   ‘Deep’ initiative is for

a. Procurement of power
b. Primary Education
c. Livelihood of poor
d. Providing bulbs in rural areas
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: Procurement of power

Explanation:

  • Ministry of Power, Coal and New & Renewable Energy launched “DEEP (Discovery of Efficient Electricity Price) e-Bidding & e-Reverse Auction portal” for procurement of short term power by DISCOMs.
  • The short term procurement could be for a period of more than one day up to one year.
  • The Guidelines for short term procurement of power has already been notified by Ministry of Power, Government of India w.e.f.April 1, 2016, making it mandatory for all the Procurer(s) to procure short term power by using this e-Bidding portal. Power Procurement from Power Exchange shall be excluded from the scope of these guidelines.
  • This would introduce uniformity and transparency in power procurement by the DISCOMs and at the same time promote competition in electricity sector. The scope of this portal shall be further expanded soon to cover medium term and long term procurement of power.
  • This e-Reverse auction process for competitive procurement is expected to result in overall reduction of cost of procurement of power thereby significantly benefiting the ultimate consumers.
  • This will also provide a common e-bidding platform with e-Reverse Auction facility; provide nation-wide power procurement to a wider network including the stakeholders in power sector, to bring uniformity in the process of power procurement.