From: PIB Calcutta <pibcalcutta1@yahoo.com>
Date: Tue, Jul 5, 2011 at 4:45 PM
Subject: First Step Towards Coastal Hazard Line Mapping
of India
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New Delhi: July 05, 2011
First Step Towards Coastal Hazard Line Mapping
The Stereo Digital Aerial Photography (SDAP) started as the first step towards Coastal Hazard Line Mapping to help in management of country's coastal zone. For the purpose of SDAP, the mainland coastline has been divided into eight blocks. They are, from the Indo-Pakistan Border to Somnath in Gujarat; Somnath to Ulhas River in Maharashtra; Ulhas River to Sharawati River in Karnataka; Sharawati River to Cape Comorine in Tamil Nadu; Ponniyur River to Krishna River in Andhra Pradesh;Krishna River to Chhattapur in Orissa; and Chhattapur to Indo-Bangla Desh border in West Bengal. Based on this, the maps will be prepared in 1: 10,000 scale and pillars will be erected demarcating the hazard line.
The data of these areas will be collected and presented, flood lines over last 40 years will be identified, and sea level rise impacts of the same period will be identified. After collecting these data, a prediction of erosions to take place over next100 years will be assessed. This will be undertaken under the World Bank assisted Integrated C0astal Zone Management Project. The estimated cost of this survey is Rs 125 crore.
The Ministry also released the Shoreline Change Atlas of Orissa recently. The Atlas contains precise interpretation of shoreline change of the State. The Institute of Ocean Management, Anna University, Chennai had prepared the map. The information will be extremely useful in providing an overview of areas that are likely to be more vulnerable toto coastal erosion, identifying areas for development, conservation of coastal and marine resources and to safeguard coastal population from highly eroding and hazard areas.
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KP/ab/Kol
Press Information Bureau
Government of India
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Feature:
In Pursuit of Increasing Employment and Employability of Women
Since gender is a cross – cutting issue, a number of Ministries have introduced several programmes and schemes which contribute to economic and social empowerment of women. The draft National Employment Policy (August 2008) recognizes , inter alia , the wide gap in opportunities , wages and security of women workers compared to men, discrimination and social disadvantages faced by women as well as lack of supportive structures to facilitate their employment as well reorganization of their contribution in economic activities .It emphasizes the need to ensure measures towards reduction of drudgery, augmenting labour potential, introduction of technology, decent working condition and higher productivity in sectors having high concentration of women workers. It underscores the need for educational and skill training for women workers. It recognizes the need for special emphasis to ensure all labour regulations are subject to gender equality tests and those positively specifying equality and prohibition of discrimination should be strictly implemented.
The Government has introduced a number of flagship programmes to enhance employment and income opportunities for poor people with special targets for women. It has also introduced a number of supporting social programmes to ensure enabling endowments of health education (including literacy) and skill building of marginalized population with special emphasis on women. Some of the key initiatives are as follows:
· The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act has been enacted to enhance livelihood security in rural areas by providing 100 days of assured employment to every household. It mandates that at least 30 per cent beneficiaries are to be women. Latest data relating to implementation of the Scheme shows that close to 50% of the total beneficiaries of the Scheme are women against 30% prescribed. Of the 283.59 and 200.34 crore mandays employment days generated in 2009-10 and 2010-11, 136.40 and 95.30 employment days respectively were for women representing about 48% share.
· The Sampoorna Grameen Swarozgar Yojna (SGSY) in rural areas is a holistic livelihood programme focused on SHGs of households below the poverty line. This is now subsumed under the National Rural Livelihood Mission. The programme earmarks 40 per cent of labour opportunities for women. Of the 20, 85,177 and 21, 09,796 Swarozgaris assisted in 2009-10 and 2010-11, 15, 02,285 and 14, 24,059 Swarozgaris were women representing 72.04% and 67.49% share in coverage.
· The Swarna Jayanti Shahri Rozgar Yojna (SJSRY) an employment generation programme implemented in urban areas earmarks 30 per cent of labour opportunities for women. Under this, Urban Women Self Help Programme (UWSP) stipulates a minimum of five women to form a Self Help Group for setting up gainful group enterprise with bank linkage. A subsidy of Rs.3.00 lakhs of 35% of the cost of the project or Rs.60, 000/- per member of the group, whichever is less, is released with the balance coming from bank loan and margin money. Revolving fund assistance is also provided to Thrift & Credit Societies (T&CS) at the rate of Rs.2, 000/- per member subject to a ceiling of Rs.25, 000/- per T&CS. Against a target of 21,250 beneficiaries in 2009-10, 64,994 were covered in 2010-11, against a target of 25,000 beneficiaries, 15, 1887 beneficiaries were covered.
· The Self Help Groups (SHGs) – Bank linkage programme of NABARD is aimed at financial inclusion by extending outreach to poor households in rural areas, making credit services available at their doorstep on a sustainable basis. The Micro Enterprise Development Programme of NABARD is aimed at enhancing capacity of members of SHGs through skill upgradation in farm and non-farm sector.
· Mahila Samriddhi Yojana (MSY)/Mahila Kisan Yojana (MKY) : National Scheduled Caste Finance and Development Corporation (NSFDC) introduced MSY in 2003-04 to provide loans upto Rs.25,000/- per unit at a concessional unit rate of 4% per annum with a repayment period of three years for SC women, which was enhanced to a loan ceiling of Rs.30,000/- from 2006-07. Similarly, NSFDC launched MKY with effect from 1.5.2008 to provide term loans upto Rs.50, 000/- at 5% per annum interest rate to SC women for income generating ventures in agriculture and allied activities. Under MSY/MKY Schemes, 35,635 beneficiaries were covered in 2009-10 with loans of Rs.46.45 crore and 15,528 beneficiaries in 2010-11 with loan of Rs.26.58 crore.
· Similarly, National Backward Classes Finance and Development Corporation has MSY Scheme for women of backward classes with loan ceiling of Rs.25,000/- at 4% per annum interest and New Swarnima Scheme with loan ceiling of Rs.50,000/- at 4% per annum interest. The coverage in 2010-11 under the above two schemes was33,680 and 5986 beneficiaries with loan disbursement of Rs.31.21 crore and Rs.7.26 crore respectively.
· Likewise, National Handicapped Finance and Development Corporation allows rebate of 1% on interest rate to women with disabilities under MSY. In 2010-11, Rs.4.74 crore was disbursed as interest rebate to 1,214 women beneficiaries.
· The National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) provides quality health care for women, with provision for institutional deliveries to reduce MMR and IMR. RCH-II is a comprehensive flagship programme under NRHM which aims to reduce social and geographical disparities in access to, and utilization of quality reproductive and child health services.
· The reductions achieved in MMR and IMR in recent years, has to a large extent, been the result of the RCH-II programme implemented under the aegis of NRHM. IMR has improved from 68(SRS2000) to 53(SRS2008) per 1000 live births. There was a reduction in MMR from 301(SRS2001-03) to 254(SRS2008) per 1, 00,000 live births.
· The Sarva Shiksha Abhiyaan (Education for All Campaign) launched in 2001-02 is a National Programme for universalisation of elementary education, which has a special focus on girls' education and aims to target the 'hardest to reach' girls through residential schools, mid day meals and other incentives.
· The National Literacy Mission or Saakshar Bharat Mission, with its objective of extending educational options to those adults who have no access to formal education, emphasizes on female literacy as a critical instrument for women's empowerment. The Mission aims to target 70 million adults in the next five years, out of which 60 million will be women.
· For strengthening education among ST girls in Low Literacy Districts, a revised scheme with effect from 1.4.2008 is being implemented in 54 identified low literacy districts with more than 25% ST population and less than 35% female literacy rate as per 2001 Census. Further, tribal blocks other than 54 identified districts, which fulfil the said criteria, are also covered, with priority given to Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PTGs) and Left Wing Extremism (LWE). The Scheme is implemented through Voluntary Organisations/NGOs as well as autonomous societies/institutions of State Governments/UTs and provide for only hostel at Block level for increasing regular, middle and secondary school attendance and primary school attendance at Panchayat level for upto 150 and 100 girls at each level respectively. 100% assistance is provided by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs for free education, boarding and lodging, books and uniforms, medical health, coaching incentives, awards, etc. 29272 and 21146 beneficiaries were covered involving financial outlay of Rs.40.00 lakhs and Rs.33.50 lakhs in 2009-10 and 2010-11 respectively.
· A number of programmes for skill upgradation of women are being run by Ministry of Women and Child Development, Ministry of Labour, Mission of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, Ministry of Science and Technology, Ministry of Human Resource Development, etc. (PIB Features)
*Inputs from the Ministry of Women & Child Development
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PRA/RTS/VN/ab/Kol
Press Information Bureau
Government of India
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Backgrounder:
Organic Farming
India is bestowed with considerable potential for organic farming due to prevailing trend of integrated farming systems of crops and live stocks, high bio-diversity on account of diverse agro-climatic conditions and large number of small and marginal farmers. Besides, inherited tradition of low input agriculture in many parts of the country, particularly in hilly and rain-fed areas too, is an added advantage and augurs well for the farmers to shift to organic farming and tap the steadily growing domestic as well as overseas markets.
In rain-fed areas of the country, where usage of chemicals in agriculture is relatively low, there is vast scope for the promotion of organic farming. In the intensively cultivated irrigated areas too, where usage of chemical fertilizers and pesticides is considerably high, organic farming practices can help in arresting the decline of organic matter in soil. Application of organic manure and inter-cropping with legume crops can improve the soil quality and future agricultural productivity. In fact, future of sustainable development of agriculture, next to water, depends on preventing the decline in organic matter in soil. Organic farming has an important role to play in ensuring sustainability of agriculture.
Growth of organic farming
According to one estimate, about 1.4 million producers are engaged in organic farming in 35 million hectares of agricultural land worldwide. Almost two-thirds of the agricultural land under organic management is grass land. The cropped area constitutes 8.2 million hectares which is a quarter of total organic agricultural land. Asia, Latin America and Australasia are important producers and exporters of organic foods. Global sales of organic produce have reached $50.9 billion in 2008, doubling in value from $ 25 billion in 2003. Consumer demand for organic products is mainly from North America and Europe.
In India, from 42,000 hectare under organic certification in 2003-04, organic agriculture has grown many-fold. As on March 2010, more than 4.4 million hectare area was under organic certification in the country. For quality assurance, India has internationally acclaimed certification process in place for export, import and domestic markets. The National Programme on Organic Production (NPOP) notified under Foreign Trade Development and Regulation Act looks after the country's export of certified organic produce. Certification of organic produce under NPOP has already been granted equivalence by European Union and Sweden.
During 2008-09, India produced about 18.78 lakh tonnes of certified organic products. Out of this, nearly 54,000 tonne food items worth Rs. 591 crore were exported. With more than 77,000 tonnes of organic cotton link production, India became the largest organic cotton grower in the world a year ago.
Indian organic exports include cereals, pulses, honey, tea, spices, oil seeds, fruits, vegetables, cotton fibre, cosmetics and body care products.
Government Support to Organic Farming
The Ministry of Agriculture is promoting organic farming in the country under these schemes: National Project on Organic Farming, National Horticulture Mission, Technology Mission for North East and Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana. The National Project on Organic Farming is being implemented since October 2004 through a National Centre of Organic Farming at Ghaziabad and six Regional Centres located at Bangalore, Bhubaneswar, Hissar, Imphal, Jabalpur, and Nagpur. The project supports organic input production infrastructure, technical capacity building of stake holders, human resource development through training, statutory quality control of organic inputs, technology development and dissemination, market development and awareness. Two new innovative components were added in the project fromthe last financial year. These were:
1. Biological Soil Health Assessment: Traditionally, soil health is assessed through physio-chemical soil test and addressed mainly through chemical nutrient supplementation. It is now proposed to assess the soils also form biological health angle for making appropriate interventions to restore the fertility through organic and biological means.
2. PGS (Participatory Guarantee System) Certification: For quality assurance of organically grown crops so far the available system is third party certification which is not only cumbersome but also very costly. To address the issue, a new system is being introduced. In this method, farmers in a group collectively pledge for adopting organic farming, maintain necessary records and have inspection by each other. PGS will also serve as preparation to third party certification and farmers can easily switch over from PGS to the other form of certification.
Under the National Horticulture Mission and Technology Mission for North East, assistance is provided @ 50 per cent of cost subject to a maximum of Rs. 10,000 per hectare (upto 4 hectares per beneficiary) for organic horticulture cultivation. Assistance is also provided for setting up vermi-compost units @ 50 per cent of cost upto Rs.30,000 per beneficiary. Assistance of Rs.5 lakh is provided to a group of farmers covering an area of 50 hectares for organic farming certification.
Under the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana, States are being assisted for area expansion of organic food crops, capacity building of farmers and organic input production.
Besides the efforts of Central Government, Karnataka, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Nagaland, Sikkim, Mizoram and Uttarakhand have already drafted policies for promotion of organic farming. Nagaland, Sikkim, Mizoram and Uttarakhand have decided to go 100 per cent organic in due course of time.
Network Project on Organic Farming
The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) took an initiative during 10th Plan in the form of Network Project on Organic Farming to study productivity, profitability, sustainability, quality and input use efficiency of different crops and cropping systems in different agro-ecological regions and to develop efficient crop and soil management options, and need-based cost effective new techniques for farm waste recycling.
The project came into existence in 2004 with main centre at project directorate for farming systems research,Modipuram. It comprises 13 cooperating centres spread over 12 States. Based on results of past years, several significant achievements have been made and good yields/profits have been achieved in many crops at some of the centres under the organic farming system. Since these results are only indicative and need a mid-term and long-term validation, their response to new environment would take some time to stabilise. The ICAR has continued the project during 11th Plan also with 13 centres and the budgetary provision of Rs.5.34 crore for five years.
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MP:SB:CP:ab:Kol
Press Information Bureau
Government of India
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New Delhi: July 05, 2011
Sports Minister Outlines steps to Inquire into Whole Doping Episode & Curb Menace
Judicial Inquiry Panel to Probe Doping Episode
Foreign Coaches Attached with Athletes Sacked; Seeks Reports from AFI & SAI
Shri Ajay Make, Union Minister of State (I/C) for Youth Affairs & Sports has outlined various steps to inquire into whole doping episode and curb this menace. At the press conference here today, Shri Maken gave the details of the six point directions issued to the officers of Sports Ministry and Sports Authority of India (SAI) to inquire into doping episode.
In light of the positive dope tests of eight athletes, M/s Mandeep Kaur, Sini Jose, Joanna Murmu, AshwiniAkkunji, Tianna Mary Thomas (4*400 m), Hari Krishnan (long jump), Sonia (shot put) and Priyanka Panwar (400 m) and the ongoing inquiry thereof, it is directed that the Department/ SAI should take note of and focus on the role of the personnel support infrastructure behind these athletes, Shri Maken said.
Shri Maken further stated that while every doping incident involves personal disgrace, banning and even threats of medals getting withdrawn from the accused athletes; the role of supporting coaches, doctors officials and other needs to be inquired, ascertained and suitably disposed. Accordingly, the Government/SAI should;
1. Withdraw/ relieves the foreign coach/ coaches attached to these athletes with immediate effect.
2. Seek a report from Sports Authority of India (SAI) about any vigilance lapses and availability of such drugs/ dope on NIS, Patiala premises. DG, SAI should seek and submit this report within three days.
3. Immediate provisions be made for changing/ rotating Doping officers frequently.
4. Seek a report from the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) regarding the issue.
5. Examine provisions for increasing the strength of Doctors at NIS, Patiala to at least three, including one Lady Doctor. And,
6. An inquiry headed by a Retd. High Court Judge or Chairman, Disciplinary hearing Panel of NADA be constituted to look into and establish the reasons leading up to such state of affairs, its effect, prevalence and modus operandi. The inquiry may also suggest concrete measures to ensure that such events/ issues do not emerge in future.
The Sports Minister also gave the details of the various measures announced by the National Anti Dope Agency (NADA) in the last two days to prevent the occurrence of dope in sports. These are
1. Increase in frequency of Dope Test.
2. Tie up with the customs authorities to detect the import of such banned food supplements /drugs.
3. Track movement of drugs in and around the campus area of Training Centres.
4. Increase the session of counseling of the players.
5. Greater surveillance of coaches, doctors and support staff through their employers.
6. Conduct frequent searches of room/s of the players, coaches and support staff.
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RM/ab/Kol
Press Information Bureau
Government of India
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New Delhi: July 05, 2011
India Committed to Robust and Transparent Quality System for Human Health and Environment: Pawan Kumar
India is committed to a robust and transparent quality system in the critical area impacting human health and environment. Addressing an interactive meet on "India receiving Full Adherence Status on Good Lab Practice (GLP) from the Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) Council, Shri Pawn Kumar Bansal, Minister of Science and Technology, Earth Sciences and Parliamentary Affairs said here today that high standards maintained by Indian Test Facilities in terms of infrastructure, conduct of tests, reliability of results and robustness of internal audit systems already helped to obtain and retain GLP certificates from OECD countries such as Germany, Netherlands, Belgium and Switzerland for more than two decades. Congratulating all those involved in achieving the OECD GLP full adherent status, the Minister emphasized that with this recognition comes a very great responsibility for the industry, the monitoring authority and the inspectors who play a critical role in on site monitoring. It is now imperative to build a strong GLP base in India by increasing the number of GLP certified test facilities. Presently, there is only one Government organization, viz NIPER, Mohali that has got a GLP certificate. There is, therefore need to enthuse and empower select Government institutions to come up to the standards of OECD GLP in order to encourage Indian trade in the sectors of Chemicals, Paints, Bio-tech & Food and allied areas.
Referring to open market economy and WTO regime, the Minister said India has opportunity to increase its size of exports, provided we conform to global quality standards to eliminate any technical barriers under the WTO regime. Indian Pharmaceutical products, pesticides products and industrial chemicals, veterinary drugs, medical equipments, food and feed additives have witnessed a substantial growth in exports in the last five years. Compliance with the OECD Principles of Good Laboratory Practices (GLP) will assure the regulatory bodies of the quality & integrity of data generated by the laboratories or Test Facilities.
With this recognition, data generated in GLP certified Indian Test Facilities, which is required for registration or licensing, will be acceptable in all 33 OECD member and adherent countries. This will help Indian industries save the expenses for getting their tested data generated outside the country in GLP compliant test facilities. Indian Test facilities will also save the expense of hosting multiple foreign inspection teams. Further, this will generate a large volume of work which would come to Indian GLP certified Test facilities.
India presently has 18 GLP certified facilities out of which six are pharma/agrochemical companies; eleven, contract research organizations and one, a government lab .This year we have seen an enhanced interest by institutions in getting a GLP certificate from the NGCMA and 10 new applications have been received from different parts of the country.
"To promote the export of Indian Food & Herbal products, the pesticide residue contents would have to be analyzed according to protocols of OECD GLP. For this, creation of GLP testing facilities in the food parks will be required. EU has now also come up with the Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) legislation which necessitates GLP testing of chemicals exported to EU countries. Another recent legislation of EU mandates testing of all herbal products exported to EU in a GLP environment. GLP has to now move from an ad hoc concept to a legally enforceable code, designed to control and regulate the quality of laboratory-based operations. The Government plans to bring a suitable legislation on GLP, once a consensus amongst the various Ministries involved is worked out," Shri Pawn Kumar added.
The full adherent status for India has been possible after several rounds of rigorous evaluation processes by OECD followed by multiple discussion and coordination by OECD Council with the OECD member countries. This development demonstrates the confidence of the OECD council in India's compliance monitoring system and the transparent procedures and processes for monitoring and complaint redressal. The National GLP Compliance Monitoring Authority (NGCMA) was set up in 2002 through an act of Parliament to adopt OECD Principles of Good Laboratory Practices and Compliance Monitoring to ensure Mutual Acceptance of Data by the OECD Nations. Application of GLP principles & compliance monitoring assures quality and integrity of test data generated by Test Facilities and labs. Industries exporting products which require registration or licensing from regulatory authorities before marketing will be benefited greatly by GLP certification which will also eliminate technical barriers to trade.
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KP/ab/Kol
Press Information Bureau
Government of India
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New Delhi: July 05, 2011
India Assisted High Altitude Bio-Medical Research Centre Opens in Bishkek
Marking a major milestone in the cooperation between the two countries, the Kyrghyz President Ms Roza Otunbaeva and the Defence Minister Shri AK Antony today inaugurated the Kyrghyz-Indian Mountain Biomedical Research Centre (KIMBMRC) at the Kyrghyz capital, Bishkek today.
The Centre will carry out research on the mechanism of short term and long term high altitude adaptation. It will also mobilize and synchronise the expertise of the two countries in the area of high altitude research. The scientists will focus on molecular biology approaches to identify markers for screening of people for high altitude resistance and susceptibility to high altitude sickness and development of mountain maladies. The benefits of these studies will apply to a large population across the globe, as more and more people travel to the mountains every year. India's contribution to the project is Rs 6 Crores.
A large number of dignitaries including the Kyrghyz Minister of Health Dr Sabyrbek Jumabekov, the First Deputy Defence Minister Mr Zamir Suerkulov, the first Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs Mr Nurlan Aitmuarzaev, Indian ambassador to Kyrghyzstan Mr P Stobdan Scientific Advisor to Defence Minister Dr VK Saraswat, Special Secretary Shri RK Mathur, Secretary of Defence Finance Ms Vijay Lakshmi Gupta and Chief Controller of Research and Development Dr William Selvamurthy were present on the occasion to witness the historic moment.
The proposal to have a joint collaboration in the area of mountain medicine and establish a Centre was mooted during the visit and discussions held between the Kyrghyz President Mr A Akaev and Dr APJ Abdul Kalam in November 2003.
' The realization of that shared vision has finally culminated in the establishment of this Centre. The joint endeavour of our scientists will provide a platform to utilize the expertise of both the institutes in a holistic manner to evaluate, as well as improve the performance and enhance the process of acclimatization at high altitudes using psychological, biochemical and molecular research tools', Shri Antony said.
The Kyrghyz President Dr Roza Otunbaeva thanked the Government of India for taking the initiative for setting up this world class institute in Bishkek. She said 10% of the GDP in Kyrghyzstan is generated by the populace living in high altitudes. The fruits of the research of the scientists of this institute will help in improving the life and health of people living in high altitude areas, she said.
The Centre has a field station at Tuya Ashu, located at a height of 3200 metres. Prof Akpay Sarybaev, a leading cardiologist and expert in mountain medicine is nominated as the Director of KIMBMRC.
A team of scientists including physiologists, biochemists and molecular biologists, headed by the Director of Defence Institute of Physiology and Allied Sciences (DIPAS), Dr Shashi Bala Singh along with 20 Indian Army soldiers are deputed to KIMBMRC, Bishkek and Tuya Ashu to carry out studies on high altitude acclimatization with special reference to molecular mechanism of human performance promotion and amelioration of maladies in mountain operations. The team will stay for about six weeks.
Sitanshu Kar/ab/Kol
Press Information Bureau
Government of India
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New Delhi: July 05, 2011
India to Train Kyrghyz Armed Forces in UN Peace Keeping Operations
India and Kyrghyzstan to Expand Defence Cooperation
India has offered its assistance to Kyrghyzstan in a wide range of areas to strengthen its defence and security capabilities. The Defence Minister Shri AK Antony made this offer at the extensive talks he held with his Kyrghyz counterpart Major General Abibilla Kudayberdiev in Bishkek on Monday (04 July 2011). The talks took place between the delegations of the two countries immediately after the arrival of Shri Antony in the Kyrghyz capital
As a first step, India will be sending a team to train Kyrghyz Armed Forces in UN Peace Keeping Operations and impart English language skills. The team will be arriving in Kyrghyzistan by the end of this month itself
During the talks, Shri Antony said though the present level of defence engagements are rather limited, there is potential to mutually enhance the scope and scale of activities in a gradual manner in areas of mutual interest particularly in the field of military training, defence research and development and production of defence armaments
Shri Antony is leading a high level defence delegation including the DRDO Chief Dr VK Saraswat, Special Secretary Shri RK Mathur, Secretary and Defence Finance Ms Vijay Lakshmi Gupta and Chief Controller of Research and Development Dr William Selvamurthy. The Indian Ambassador to Bishkek, Shri P Stobdan also joined the deliberations.
Shri Antony said India has a wide network of research establishments not only in armaments but also in physiology, medicine, animal husbandry, nutrition etc under defence establishments. He offered New Delhi's assistance to Bishkek for undertaking joint research and production in non-military sectors also.
'We can explore areas for cooperation in research and development in high- altitude base agriculture, plantation, animal husbandry, poultry, food processing that would also help generate rural employment and remove poverty', he said.
Appreciating the support of the Kyrghyz authorities in international efforts against terrorism and drug trafficking in Kyrghyzstan, Shri Antony said the joint working groups on counter- terrorism should meet regularly to share information on the issue.
The Kyrghyz Defence Minister Major General Abibilla Kudayberdiev thanked Shri Antony for his offer of cooperation in both military and non-military areas. He accepted Shri Antony's invitation to visit India shortly to take the cooperation forward. He expressed happiness that the two sides have worked out a cooperation plan for the year 2011.
Earlier, in a show of warmth, Gen Kudayberdiev drove down to the Manas International Airport to receive Shri Antony on his arrival.
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Sitanshu Kar/ab/Kol
Press Information Bureau
Government of India
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New Delhi: July 05, 2011
Interim Report of the task Force on Direct Transfer of Subsidies on LPG, Petroleum and Kerosene Submitted to Finance Minister; Recommends an Implementable Solution in a phased Manner;Core Subsidy management platform (CSMS) also Recommended
The Union Finance Minister Shri Pranab Mukherjee has said that the direct transfer of subsidies on LPG, Fertiliser and Kerosene will help in curbing pilferage and leakages. He was speaking on the occasion of submission of the Interim Report of the Task Force on Direct Transfer of Subsidies by the Chairman of the Task Force and Chairman, Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), Shri Nandan Nilekani, here today. The interim report recommends an implementable solution, in a phased manner, for direct transfer of subsidies on LPG, Fertiliser and Kerosene.
The Finance Minister Shri Mukherjee said that the matter of distributing solar lanterns /solar cookers through LPG outlets and petrol pumps should be looked into. He further said that the success of direct transfer of subsidy on kerosene would also depend on State Governments as its distribution is being done through State Governments. He stated that subsidy on kerosene should be linked to PDS reforms.
Also present on the occasion were Shri Sharad Pawar, Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Farooq Abdullah, Minister of New and Renewable Energy, Shri S. Jaipal Reddy, Minister of Petroleum & Natural Gas and Shri Srikant Jena, Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilizers. Besides, Shri Montek Singh Ahluwalia, Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission, Smt. Sudha Pillai, Member Secretary, Planning Commission alongwith senior officials of Ministry of Finance and other concerned Ministries were also present.
The Interim Report of the Task Force is available on Ministry of Finance website www.finmin.nic.in. and has been submitted as per schedule. Pilots would be implemented in the next 6 months. The learnings from the Pilots during its implementation in the coming months will form the basis of the Final report. The Task Force would oversee and supervise the implementation of the pilots to come out with an "implementable solution" for direct transfer of subsidies in its Final Report by December 2011.
Regarding LPG, the Task Force discussed three phases. In Phase I, a cap on subsidized cylinders was discussed. Though this is a policy decision of the Government and not a specific recommendation, the Task Force recommended that the cap be introduced with a robust authentication framework. In Phase II, which does not depend upon Phase I, direct transfer of subsidy to customers' bank account was recommended. In Phase III, the Task Force recommends segmentation and targeting of customers and direct transfer to these customers. A Transparency Portal of all customers of LPG of the three OMCs with details of their consumption was also strongly recommended.
Regarding Fertiliser, the Task Force in Phase I recommended complete information visibility of the supply chain upto the retailer level. This would enhance transparency across the supply chain. In Phase II, direct transfer of subsidy is recommended to the retailer's bank account while in Phase III, direct transfer of subsidies is recommend to the farmer's account. A transparency portal was also recommended for Fertilizer movement and stocks.
Regarding Kerosene, the Task Force recognizes that wider consultation with State Governments is required. Direct transfer of subsidy for kerosene will depend to a large extent on PDS reforms which are being implemented by the States. The Task Force recommends direct transfer of subsidy through State Governments/UT Administrations in Phase I and direct transfer to the beneficiary's account in Phase II.
The Task Force was also mandated to suggest a common framework to adopt the above solution of direct subsidies in cash or otherwise for other Government welfare schemes. It has suggested a generic subsidy framework that can be applicable across subsidy programmes in Government. It prescribes the desired elements (Empowerment and choice for beneficiaries, Transparency in subsidy administration and information visibility, One price for subsidized goods, Efficiency in production , Convenient and effective grievance redressal, Support all types of direct subsidy transfer models, Fully electronic service delivery, Incentive-compatible solution for all stakeholders and Effective MIS Reporting) that a proposed subsidy platform must consist of.
The Task Force recommends a Core Subsidy Management Platform (CSMS) as part of the proposed solution architecture that automates all business processes related to direct subsidy transfer. The core subsidy management system would maintain bookkeeping information on entitlements and subsidies for all beneficiaries. The CSMS will also provide increased transparency in the movement of goods, levels of stocks, prediction and aggregation of demand, and identification of beneficiaries. It will be able to use analytics to detect fraud and diversion. It can also integrate with a contact centre for grievance handling. Beneficiaries can report malpractices to the Government directly making it possible for the Government to react in a timely manner.
Achieving full financial inclusion is crucial for implementation of direct transfer of subsidies, since the subsidies will be transferred to the bank accounts of beneficiaries. The Task Force has recommended providing choice of banks to beneficiaries, along with an interoperable network of Business Correspondents for convenient access to subsidy funds. The roll-out of the Government's financial inclusion plan across India, along with the roll-out of Aadhaar, will provide a foundation for the implementation of direct transfer of subsidies.
Earlier, the Finance Minister Shri Mukherjee in his Budget Speech of 2011-12 had referred to a Task Force constituted to work out the modalities for the proposed system of direct transfer of subsidy for Kerosene, LPG and Fertilizers. This Task Force was constituted by the Ministry of Finance in February 2011 under the Chairmanship of Shri Nandan Nilekani, Chairman, UIDAI. The Task Force was mandated to submit its Interim Report by June 2011.
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DSM/SS/GN/ab/Kol
Press Information Bureau
Government of India
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New Delhi: July 05, 2011
Measures to Promote Welfare of CIL Workers
Coal India Limited (CIL) has taken several initiatives for the safety and to improve living conditions of coal mine workers. It has constructed 4.19 lakhs dwelling units providing accommodation to all its workers with improved water, electricity and roads. Dispensaries, regional hospital and central hospitals have been set up at different locations equipped with latest equipments for the wellbeing of the workers. At present there are 86 hospitals, 640ambulances, 423 dispensaries and 5835 beds capacity hospitals.
This information was given by Minister of Coal, Shri Sriprakash Jaiswal to the Members of Parliamentary Consultative Committee attached to his ministry here today. He said that CIL and its subsidiaries have been directed to organize periodic health checkups of all employees and their families. Similarly various incentives are being provided for better education of their wards. Children of employees are also given financial assistance to pursue professional courses in IITs, NITs, IIMs, Government medical college and other reputed institutions. Shri Jaiswal said Coal companies have also been directed to provide better facilities to the people living in around mining projects and the persons affected with the mining projects.
Participating in the discussions, Members of Parliament complained about unsatisfactory living conditions of the workers around mining projects, especially facilities for contract labourers. They said that efforts should be made to provide safe drinking water and better living conditions to the employees.
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NCJ/SR/ab/Kol
Press Information Bureau
Government of India
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New Delhi: July 05, 2011
Government of India and World Bank Sign US$200 million Agreement to Strengthen Local Government System in Kerala
To strengthen the capacity of gram panchayats and municipalities in Kerala, an IDA credit of US$200 million was signed between the Government of India and the World Bank in Thiruvananthapuram yesterday. The Kerala Local Government and Service Delivery Project will fund improvements in local infrastructure to help Kerala usher in second-generation reforms towards greater decentralization at the local level.
The agreements were signed in the presence of Kerala Chief Minister Shri Oommen Chandy, Industries, IT and Urban Affairs Minister Shri P.K. Kunhalikutty and Panchayats Minister Dr. M.K.Muneer on behalf of the Government of India Shri Venu Rajamony, Joint Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance; on behalf of the Kerala Government Mr. James Varghese, Principal Secretary, Department of Local Self Government; and on behalf of World Bank Mr. Roland Lomme signed the agreements.
Speaking on the occasion, Shri Venu Rajamony, Joint Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance said that this project seeks to strengthen gram panchayats and municipalities so that they can better deliver essential services such as drinking water supply, roads, sanitation, health and education.
Mr. Roberto Zagha, World Bank Country Director in India stated that the Project will help the Government of Kerala implement key reforms aimed at deepening the decentralization agenda of the State with increased accountability, and funds to support enhanced service delivery at the local level.
This Project will provide gram panchayats and municipalities with additional discretionary funds as performance grant for the creation and maintenance of its capital assets; provide inputs to strengthen the capacity of these local bodies; strengthen the system that monitors their performance; and provide overall support to the Project Management Unit within the local body.
The credit is from the International Development Association (IDA) – the World Bank's concessionary lending arm – which provides interest-free loans with 35 years to maturity and a 10-year grace period. There is no interest charge but a service charge payable by the recipient on the withdrawn credit balance shall be 0.75% per annum.
Some 978 gram panchayats and 60 municipalities in the State of Kerala will be the direct beneficiaries of the Project. Investments made by them will also indirectly benefit the entire State outside of the five City Corporations areas.
In 1994 India adopted the 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments, which has mandated the creation of local governments in both urban and rural areas.
Since the 1990s, Kerala has devolved more responsibilities and resources to local governments – and within the local government system, to the lowest levels of local government – than any other Indian state. In addition to their responsibilities for typical local services such as water, roads and sanitation, local governments in Kerala are also responsible for providing services in the areas of health and education. On the fiscal side, the State has also been implementing recommendations of successive State Finance Commissions on transferring increased funding to local governments.
Despite the progress that Kerala has seen in the devolution of responsibilities to the local bodies, the State still faces a number of core challenges. While gram panchayats and municipalities in Kerala have benefitted from the increased resources flowing to them, use of these funds is still not fully under their discretion. Capacity of these local bodies – particularly in an environment where their mandate is increasing rapidly – is still limited in areas such as budgeting; planning; financial management; asset management; and in upgrading the skills of its staff.
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DSM/SS/GN/ab/Kol
Press Information Bureau
Government of India
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Feature:
Bio-Diesel – an ECO-Friendly Fuel
Tarit Mukherjee*
As our lifestyles become more 'developed' by the day, so does the damage we do to the environment. Our every move, from watching television, to working at a computer, to taking a flight to our favourite holiday destination harms the environment in one way or the other. Air and water pollution levels are increasing world over by the day. Never before has the need to use alternative resources, such as wind, solar and nuclear energy been so high.
India is one of the largest petroleum consuming and importing countries. India imports about 70 % of its petroleum demands. The current yearly consumption of diesel oil in India is approximately 40 million tones constituting about 40% of the total petro-product consumption. Bio-diesel can be the major replacement in terms of petro-product consumption by India which is eco-friendly too.
Bio-diesel is a clean burning, eco-friendly natural fuel obtained from tree born oil by a chemical transformation process called "Transesterification" carried out in a chemical processing plant. Transesterification is an age old chemical process and is a time tested method of transforming vegetable oils or fats into bio-diesel.
Bio-diesel is a bio-fuel produced from various feedstock's' including vegetable oils (such as oilseed, rapeseed and Soya bean), animal fats or algae. Bio-diesel can be blended with diesel for use in diesel engine vehicles. Bio-fuel – The term bio-fuel applies to any solid, liquid, or gaseous fuel produced from organic (once-living) matter. The word bio-fuel covers a wide range of products, some of which are commercially available today, and some of which are still in research and development. Bio-diesel is a fuel made from plant oils that can be used in a conventional diesel engine.
Bio-diesel, derived from the oils and fats of plants like sunflower, rape seeds, Canola or Jatropha (Bhagveranda) can be used as a substitute or an additive to diesel. As an alternative fuel bio-diesel can provide power similar to conventional diesel fuel and thus can be used in diesel engines. Bio-diesel is a renewable liquid fuel that can be produced locally thus helping reduce the country's dependence on imported crude petroleum diesel.
Bio-diesel is a safe alternative fuel to replace traditional petroleum diesel. It has high-lubricity, is a clean-burning fuel and can be a fuel component for use in existing, unmodified diesel engines. This means that no retrofits are necessary when using bio-diesel fuel in any diesel powered combustion engine. It is the only alternative fuel that offers such convenience. Bio-diesel acts like petroleum diesel, but produces less air pollution, comes from renewable sources, is biodegradable and is safer for the environment. Producing bio-diesel fuels can help create local economic revitalization and local environmental benefits. Many groups interested in promoting the use of bio-diesel already exist at the local, state and national level.
Bio-diesel is not harmful to the environment. A vehicle tends to pollute the environment and emits harmful gasses, if injected with HSD whereas if the engine is using bio-diesel it emits no harmful gasses rather keeps the environment pollution free. Bio-diesel may not require an engine modification. Bio-diesel can be blended with diesel so as to improve the efficiency of the engine without any hassles. Bio-diesel is cheap. Any Vehicle using Bio-diesel has very low idle starting noise. It is noted that bio-diesel has a Cetane number of over 100. Cetane number is used to measure the quality of the fuel's ignition. Bio-diesel is cost effective because it is produced locally.
As it is easy to use, bio-diesel can be used in existing engines, vehicles and infrastructure with practically no changes. Bio-diesel can be pumped, stored and burned just like petroleum diesel fuel, and can be used pure, or in blends with petroleum diesel fuel in any proportion. Power and fuel economy using bio-diesel is practically identical to petroleum diesel fuel, and year round operation can be achieved by blending with diesel fuel.
Bio-diesel provides significantly reduced emissions of carbon monoxide, particulate matter, unburned hydrocarbons, and sulfates compared to petroleum diesel fuel. Additionally, bio-diesel reduces emissions of carcinogenic compounds by as much as 85% compared with petro-diesel. When blended with petroleum diesel fuel, these emissions reductions are generally directly proportional to the amount of bio-diesel in the blend.
The existence of low volatility nature of bio-diesel, makes it easier and safe to handle than petroleum. The danger of accidental ignition increases when the fuel is being stored, transported, or transferred because of high energy content in all liquid fuels. The possibility of having an accidental ignition is related to the temperature at which the fuel will create enough vapors to ignite, known as the flash point temperature. The lower the flash point of a fuel is, the lower the temperature at which the fuel can form a combustible mixture. Bio-diesel has a flash point of over 26600F, meaning it cannot form a combustible mixture until it is heated well above the boiling point of water.
The resources that are used to produce Bio-diesel are locally available. The in-house production of Bio-diesel provides host of economic benefits for the local communities. Therefore, bio-diesel is a safe alternative fuel to replace traditional petroleum diesel. (PIB Features)
*Freelance Writer
Disclaimer: The views expressed by the author in this feature are entirely his own and do not necessarily reflect the views of PIB.
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PRA/RTS/VN/ab/Kol
Palash Biswas
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