Fwd: Releases.............pt3

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From: Press Information Bureau Ministry of I&B <pib.kolkata@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, Apr 28, 2010 at 4:40 PM
Subject: Releases.............pt3

Press Information Bureau

Government of India

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Ministry of Environment and Forests

Development of Zoological Parks

New Delhi: April 28, 2010

                                                                                                                                   

            Central Zoo Authority has prepared a concept paper viz. Ex-Situ Wild Life Conservation and Zoos in India, Vision 2020. This document envisages achieving the objectives of zoos as indicated in National Zoo Policy, 1988 to compliment and strengthen the national efforts in the conservation of rich biodiversity of country particularly the wild fauna. Following are the important components of the Vision- 2020:

            Master Plan, Construction of appropriate animal housings in zoos, Conservation Breeding Programme, Rescue and Rehabilitation, Animal Health care in zoos, Development of other infrastructure in zoos, Research, Training of in-service zoo personnel, Record keeping and  International Co-operation.

            The details of the financial assistance provided to the zoos State-wise, is at Annexure.

            Central  Zoo Authority  provides  financial  assistance to  recognized zoos  in the    country for better upkeep and maintenance of animals in the zoos. Central assistance is released after processing the proposals and as per availability of funds. During the last financial year (2009-2010),  Central Zoo Authority  has   received  proposals for financial assistance from 19 States including Madhya Pradesh as detailed in Annexure. In the current financial year (2010-2011), proposals have been received only from 3 States namely Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat and West Bengal.

ANNEXURE

State-wise details of the financial assistance provided to the zoos:

S.No.	Name of State	Amount released (In Rs.)
		2007-08	2008-09	2009-2010
1.	Andhra Pradesh	17435000	11322000	20500000
2.	Arunachal Pradesh		15870400	5147000
3.	Assam	5219000	5198000	1780000
4.	Chhattisgarh		80000
5.	Delhi	18953000	7041500
6.	Gujarat	9382761	240000	130000
7.	Haryana		40000
8.	Himachal Pradesh		9571000
9.	Jharkhand	1064900	4210000	440000
10.	Karnataka	12255000	17985000	14810000
11.	Madhya Pradesh	16449000	3093000	8064000
12.	Maharashtra	7324000	480000	18244000
13.	Manipur	425000	3000000	2498000
14.	Mizoram	11049000	1040000	15902000
15.	Nagaland	8906000
16.	Orissa	5600000	2610000	2000000
17.	Punjab	2586000	5930000	130000
18.	Rajasthan	6876000	6600000	7840000
19.	Sikkim			353000
20.	Tamil Nadu	16641000	22709000	27230000
21.	Tripura		7323000	4045000
22.	Uttar Pradesh	394000	1444000	510000
23.	Uttarakhand			1062000
24.	West Bengal	6085500	13305000	13322000
	Grand Total	146645161	139091900	144007000

             This information was given by the Minister of State for Environment and Forests (independent charge) Shri Jairam Ramesh in a written reply to a question by Shrimati Yashodhara Raje Scindia, Shri Deoraj Singh Patel, Shri Natubhai Gomanbhai Patel, Shri Sudarshan Bhagat & Shri S.S.Ramasubbu in Lok Sabha today.

    

kp/dk/kol/16:00 hrs.

Press Information Bureau

Government of India

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Ministry of Environment and Forests

13th Finance Commission's Rs.5000 Crores Grant for Conservation of Forest

New Delhi: April 28, 2010

                                                                                      

            The  Thirteenth  Finance  Commission  has  recommended the grant of Rs. 5000 crores to the States for conserving forests.

            The Government has accepted the recommendation. The formula for deciding the State- wise allocation of grant takes into consideration three factors viz. the share of the total forest area in the country falling in a particular State, whether or not the share of forested area in a total area of the State is greater than the national average and the quality of the forest in each State, as measured by density.

            The State-wise funds earmarked during the Current Financial Year (2010-2011) is given in the Annexure.

           

State-wise funds earmarked during the Current Financial Year

(2010-11)

Sl. No.	Name of State/UT	Amount allocated  (Rs. in Crores)
1	Andhra Pradesh	33.58
2	Arunachal Pradesh	90.98
3	Assam	23.08
4	Bihar	4.80
5	Chhattisgarh	51.39
6	Goa	4.61
7	Gujarat	10.24
8	Haryana	1.10
9	Himachal Pradesh	12.58
10	Jammu & Kashmir	16.63
11	Jharkhand	18.93
12	Karnataka	27.63
13	Kerala	16.94
14	Madhya Pradesh	61.29
15	Maharashtra	38.70
16	Manipur	18.79
17	Meghalaya	21.01
18	Mizoram	21.40
19	Nagaland	17.32
20	Orissa	41.37
21	Punjab	1.15
22	Rajasthan	11.04
23	Sikkim	5.07
24	Tamil Nadu	17.81
25	Tripura	11.94
26	Uttar Pradesh	10.06
27	Uttarankhand	25.68
28	West Bengal	9.88
	Total	625.00

      

             This information was given by the Minister of State for Environment and Forests (independent charge) Shri Jairam Ramesh in a written reply to a question by Shri Bhoopendra Singh & Shri Anand Prakash Paranjpe in Lok Sabha today.

    

kp/dk/kol/16:01 hrs.

Press Information Bureau

Government of India

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Ministry of Finance                        

FM'S Opening Speech at Consideration of Finance Bill-2010

New Delhi: April 28, 2010

 

Finance Minister, Shri Pranab Mukherjee's opening speech, delivered in the Lok Sabha today, at the beginning of consideration of the Finance Bill-2010, is as follows:

 

"As I rise to move the Finance Bill, 2010 for consideration of this august House, it is with some satisfaction that I report the positive developments in the Indian economy in the last few months. The turnaround of the economy which started in the second quarter of 2009-10 is likely to result in a growth of 7.2 per cent for the full year 2009-10 as indicated in the Advance Estimates of the Central Statistical Organisation.

 

The upward shift in India's growth trajectory has been anchored strongly in robust growth in consumption. The salutary impact of the fiscal stimulus along with the monetary measures implemented by the RBI, facilitated the growth recovery by regenerating the investment impulses and private spending.

 

In the Budget for 2010-11, I have initiated a partial roll back of stimulus measures and a resumption of the fiscal consolidation process with fiscal deficit at 5.5 per cent of GDP. The Medium Term Fiscal Policy Statement 2010-11 provides the roadmap with fiscal deficit declining to 4.8 per cent of GDP in 2011-12 and further to 4.1 per cent of GDP in 2012-13. A focus on bringing down the level of public debt as envisaged in the Thirteenth Finance Commission's Report and as announced in the Budget for 2010-11 would anchor the fiscal consolidation process in a sustainable debt framework.

 

Inflation

 

The year 2009 started with low WPI inflation of 1.3 per cent in April, 2009, which relapsed to the negative zone during June to August, 2009. The WPI inflation turned positive in September 2009, thereafter, an upward trend has been observed. Clearly, the current levels of inflation are elevated and more generalized and the WPI inflation in March 2010 stood at 9.9 per cent. What has led to deep concern is the double-digit food inflation. The gradual increase in food inflation observed till December 2009 was due to expectations of supply-side constraints of food items, especially due to unfavorable south-west monsoon. As per the Second Advance Estimates of production of food grains for 2009-10, the total food grains production has been estimated at 216.85 million tones, which is about 5 per cent lower than the second advance estimate of last year.

 

The Government has utmost concern about the current price situation. We have taken a number of short term and medium term measures to improve domestic availability of essential commodities and to moderate inflation. These include: reducing import duties for rice, wheat, pulses, edible oils and sugar to zero; allowing import of raw sugar at zero duty under open general licence; removing levy obligation for imported raw sugar and white/ refined sugar; banning export of non-basmati rice, edible oils and pulses and imposing stock limit orders in the case of paddy, rice, pulses, sugar, edible oils and edible oilseeds. A Core Group of Chief Ministers and Central Ministers has been constituted on 15th March, 2010 to discuss issues related to prices of essential commodities. Besides, to protect the interest of poor and vulnerable sections of the society, the Central Issue Prices for rice and wheat have been kept unrevised at 2002 levels.

 

We have sufficient stocks of wheat and rice to meet the demands of the Public Distribution System and other welfare schemes. As on 15.4.2010, 25.4 millions of wheat in RMS 2009-10 and 25.9 million tonnes of rice have been procured in KMS 2009-10 (October to September). The Central Pool stock of wheat is at a high of 183.88 lakh tonnes and of rice at 269.50 lakh tonnes as on 1.3.2010.

 

In the case of pulses, the shortfall of domestic production has been made up by higher imports. Considerable support has been provided to the Public Distribution System. For pulses and edible oil, the Government is bearing a subsidy of Rs.10 per kg. and Rs.15 per kg. respectively for distribution through PDS/Fair Price Shops. The Core Group of Chief Ministers and Central Ministers held its first meeting on 8th April, 2010. Three Working Groups consisting of Chief Ministers of various States are now engaged in drawing up recommendations on agricultural production, consumer affairs and food and public distribution. The reports are expected by the middle of June, 2010.

 

Indications of softening of food inflation are clearly visible. There has been a significant decline from the peak food inflation of over 20 per cent recorded in December 2009 to 17.7 per cent in March 2010. Besides, the inflation in essential commodities also declined from the peak of 23.8 per cent in January 2010 to 19.8 per cent in March 2010. It is expected that this decline would continue in the recent months uninterruptedly.

 

The monetary policy stance has also been gradually fine-tuned by RBI to face the inflationary challenges. The Repo Rate has been increased from 5 per cent to 5.25 per cent and Reverse Repo Rate from 3.50 per cent to 3.75 per cent. The CRR has also been increased from 5.75 per cent to 6 per cent. These measures are expected to anchor the inflationary expectations.

 

Growth Prospects

 

While the slowdown in agriculture, inflicted by the monsoon failure, poses concern on the food and food prices front, the impressive recovery achieved by the Indian industry in the recent months is heartening. The Index of Industrial Production recorded a growth of 10.1 per cent during April-February 2009-10, compared to 3.0 per cent during April-February 2008-09. While both manufacturing and mining grew around 10 per cent, electricity grew at 5.8 per cent during April-February 2009-10. All the major segments of industry except consumer non-durables staged a strong recovery. The intermediate goods grew at 13.7 per cent and consumer durables recorded an appreciable 25.5 per cent growth in April- February 2009-10. The growth of capital goods at 18.2 per cent in April- February 2009-10, on top of their reasonable growth in the previous year, is indicative of the pickup in investment demand.

 

Tax Reform

 

I have already informed the House that the Government is firmly committed to the goal of comprehensive tax reform through the introduction of the Direct Taxes Code (DTC) as well as the Goods and Services Tax (GST). I am happy to inform the Hon'ble Members that, in the case of DTC, the process of consultation with the stakeholders for revising the first draft is almost over. We expect to place a revised Discussion Paper in the public domain by next month. After a quick round of consultations with some of the major stakeholders, we should be able to submit the draft legislation to Parliament in the monsoon session.

 

I have indicated my intent to introduce GST in the country with effect from 1st April, 2011. Central Government is closely engaged with the Empowered Committee of the State Finance Ministers in finalizing the GST design. Some of the States apprehend that they may lose some revenue in the initial years of the GST regime. Central Government is willing to provide compensation to the States for these initial years, provided there is agreement on the broad framework for a common threshold for Goods and Services between the Centre and the States; common exemption lists between the Centre and the States; mechanism to check deviations and acceptable level of overall GST rates. The design and modalities of providing this compensation would be worked out in discussion with the State Governments and the Empowered Committee.

 

Outlook for 2010-11

 

There are several factors that have emerged from the performance of the economy in the recent period which augur well for the Indian economy. Attesting the impressive recovery of the industrial sector, there is a revival in investment and private consumption demand, though demand recovery is yet to attain the pre-2008 momentum. The favourable capital market conditions with improvement in capital flows and business sentiments are also encouraging. There is also a significant pick-up in corporate earnings and profits. The outlook is further brightened by the fact that a normal monsoon is predicted this year.

 

Going by these indications and considering that agriculture had a set-back in 2009-10 and is only gradually getting back to the projected path, the Indian economy is expected to grow around 8.5 during 2010-11 and to breach the 9 per cent mark in 2011-12.

 

Since the presentation of the Budget on 26th February, 2010, we have received a large number of representations and suggestions both from trade and industry as well as my colleagues in this august House. While some seek modifications to the existing proposals, others have urged for fresh reliefs. Some valuable suggestions were also made by the Hon'ble members during the general discussion on the Budget in the first phase of this session. I expect to receive many more suggestions in the course of the ensuing discussion on the Finance Bill. I shall cover the reliefs we propose to grant, the amendments that we seek in the Bill and our response to the issues that are raised in discussions, in my reply.

 

With these words, Madam Speaker, I move for consideration of the Finance Bill, 2010."

 

by/kp/dk/kol/16:01 hrs.

 

Press Information Bureau

Government of India

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Ministry of Road Transport & Highways                                

Development of NHs in NE Region through PPP Mode

New Delhi: April 28, 2010

 

Fifteen stretches of various National Highways in North Eastern region have been proposed to be developed under PPP mode under the Special Accelerated Road Development Programme for North East (SARDP-NE) and National Highway Development Programme III (NHDP-III). This includes: 4-laning of Jorabat-Shillong section of NH-40 ( 62 kilometres); Construction of 2-lane Shillong Bypass (50 kilometres); 4-laning of NH-39 from Dimapur to Kohima including Dimapur and Kohima bypass( 81 kilometres); Nechipu - Hoj road NH 229 via Sagalee (311 kilometres); Potin - Pangin NH 229 (407 kilometres); and 2-laning with paved shoulders of Jowai – Ratacherra section of NH-44 in Meghalaya (104 kilometres);

 

This information was provided by Shri R.P.N.Singh, Minister of State for Road Transport and Highways in the Rajya Sabha today.

 

rs: pm/dk/kol/16:02 hrs.

 

Press Information Bureau

Government of India

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Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers                      

No Major Change in fertilizer Prices, says mos for Chemicals and fertilizers: shri Srikant jena Parliamentary Consultative Committee of Chemicals and fertilisers Ministry Meets

New Delhi: April 28, 2010

 

The Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilizers, Shri Srikant Kumar Jena today informed the members of Parliamentary Consultative Committee attached to his Ministry that the Nutrient Based Subsidy (NBS) introduced from 1st April 2010 has not shown any major increase in the price of fertilizers. Presiding over the meeting in New Delhi this morning, he said, this is due to the manner in which the NBS is fixed. Under the NBS the fertilizer companies are required to print Maximum Retail Price (MRP) along with applicable subsidy on fertilizer bags clearly. Any sale above the printed MRP is punishable. On the issue of availability of fertilizer, the Committee was informed that companies have assured the government to meet the requirement for the year. To meet the gap between indigenous production and requirement, import contract for 6.8 million MT of DAP, 1.0 million MT of complex grade of 10-26-26 and 6.0 million MT of MOP have been finalized. The Minister of State said that the government is making efforts to ensure the availability of fertilizer and maintain the price of fertilizer.

 

Making a Presentation, the Secretary, Department of fertilizers, Shri. S. Krishnan said that the Department held extensive discussion and consultation with the fertilizer industry and other ministries and departments. He said that fertilizers come under the NBS include; Di Ammonium Phosphate (DAP, 18-46-0), Muriate of Potash (MOP), Mono Ammonium Phosphate (MAP, 11-52-0), Triple Supper Phosphate (TSP 0-46-0), 12 grades complex fertilizers, Ammonium Sulphate (AS – ( Caprolactum grade by GSFC and FACT) and Single Supper Phosphate. Primary nutrients namely Nitrogen "N" Phosphate "P" and Potash "K" and nutrient Sulphur "S" will be eligible for NBS.

 

The Committee Members suggested that the monitoring mechanism be made more effective to ensure smooth distribution of fertilizers at state level. They also said that there should be soil testing laboratory in every district. Shri Jena said that a mechanism can be evolved through a joint strategy of State governments, Ministry of Agriculture and Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers to check the soil condition in the country.

 

Members of Parliament who attended today's meeting include Shri. Om Prakash Mathur, Shri Sreegopal Vyas, Smt. Darshnaben Jardosh, Shri Jagdish Sharma, Dr. G. Vivekanand and Shri Tarachand Bhagora Shri. K. Bhaskarrao Patil, Shri. Rao Saheb Danve Patil and Shri. Ganga Charan.

 

dnm/ pkm/dk/kol/16:02 hrs.

 

Press Information Bureau

Government of India

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Ministry of Environment and Forests                     

Equity of Carbon Space

New Delhi: April 28, 2010

 

The Government has not initiated any study on equity of carbon space. The principle of equity and Common but Differentiated Responsibilities & Respective Capabilities as enshrined in the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) guides the actions of all countries including India in addressing climate change. No specific study of the matter and in particular, equity of carbon space has been undertaken by the Government.

 

This information was given by the Minister of State for Environment and Forests (independent charge) Shri Jairam Ramesh in a written reply to a question by Shrimati Botcha Jhanshi Lakshmi in Lok Sabha today.

 

kp/dk/kol/16:02 hrs.

 

Press Information Bureau

Government of India

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Ministry of Environment and Forests                     

Animal Welfare Board

New Delhi: April 28, 2010

 

Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) is a statutory Body under the aegis of Ministry of Environment & Forests. Government of India provides funds to AWBI to meet its obligations as defined under Prevention of Cruelty to Animals(PCA) Act 1960 and rules framed thereunder. The performance of AWBI is regularly monitored by the Government as per extant Government Rules and procedures. The 373 cases on Cruelty inflicted on Animals were registered during the last thee years.Out of this 123 cases, 110 cases and 140 cases were reported during 2007-08, 2008-09 and 2009-10 respectively.

 

It is the constant endeavor of the Government to fulfill the mandate of PCA Act so that cruelty against animals is minimized. .

 

This information was given by the Minister of State for Environment and Forests (independent charge) Shri Jairam Ramesh in a written reply to a question by Shri Ramashanker Rajbhar, Shri Anjan Kumar M.Yadav & Dr. Mahendra Sinh P.Cahuhan in Lok Sabha today. .

 

kp/dk/kol/16:02 hrs.

 

Press Information Bureau

Government of India

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Ministry of Environment and Forests                     

Rs 147 Crore Sanctioned for Two Lakes In UP Under NLCP

New Delhi: April 28, 2010

 

The Ministry is implementing a Centrally Sponsored Scheme of National Lake Conservation Plan (NLCP) for conservation and management of polluted and degraded lakes in urban and semi-urban areas of the country on 70:30 cost sharing basis between the Central Government and the respective State Governments. Based on the proposals received from different states, the Ministry has so far, sanctioned projects for conservation of 59 lakes in 14 States, at a total cost of Rs.1008.26 crore.

 

In the State of Uttar Pradesh, the projects for 'Prevention of Pollution and Revival of Mansi Ganga Lake' in Mathura and 'Pollution prevention & Conservation of Ramgarh Tal' in Gorakhpur have been sanctioned at a cost of Rs.22.71 crore & Rs.124.32 crore respectively. An amount of Rs.9.22 crore has been released for project implementation. Other proposals submitted by the State Government for conservation of Laxmi Tal at Jhansi and Madan Sagar at Mahoba were not holistic and as per the requirements of the scheme. For Karnataka, projects for conservation of 16 lakes have been approved at a total cost of Rs.69.18 crore and a sum of Rs.32.67 crore has been released till March, 2010.

 

The Ministry has not received any proposal for conservation of Bahira lake in Uttar Pradesh for its consideration under NLCP. The proposal on 'Integrated Development of Ganapathi lake' in Shimoga (Karnataka) did not meet the NLCP guidelines in terms of lake size, pollution potential of its catchment, water quality etc

 

. The proposals for new lakes are considered for sanction subject to their admissibility as per NLCP guidelines, pollution status, prioritization and availability of funds under the Plan

 

This information was given by the Minister of State for Environment and Forests (independent charge) Shri Jairam Ramesh in a written reply to a question by Shri Bhisma Shanker Alias Kaushal Tiwari & Shri G.M. Siddeshwara in Lok Sabha today.

 

kp/dk/kol/16:03 hrs.

 

Press Information Bureau

Government of India

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Ministry of Labour & Employment                           

Survey on the impact of Economic slowdown in India

New Delhi: April 28, 2010

 

Tha Labour Bureau, Ministry of Labour & Employment has conducted five quick quarterly surveys to assess the impact of economic slowdown on employment in India. As per the survey results for the quarter October – December, 2009, the employment in sectors viz., textiles, leather, metal, automobiles, gems & jewellery, transport, IT/BPO and handloom / powerloom, has increased by 6.4 lakh in December, 2009 over September, 2009.

 

This information was given by the  Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Shri Harish Rawat in the Rajya Sabha  today, in a written reply to a question by Shri Bhagirathi Majhi. 

 

mg/as/dk/kol/16:03 hrs.

 

--
Palash Biswas
Pl Read:
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