From: Press Information Bureau Ministry of I&B <pib.kolkata@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, Apr 28, 2010 at 3:29 PM
Subject: Releases..............pt2
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/14:42 hrs.
Press Information Bureau
Government of India
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Ministry of Road Transport & Highways
Networking Of State Regional Transport Offices
New Delhi: April 28, 2010
About 88% of the RTOs (872) in the country have been fully computerized. Further 100% connectivity has been achieved in 23 States/UTs. As per the information available with the Road Transport and Highways Ministry, network connectivity has been established in 822 RTOs (about 83%). This has been done as part of the project sanctioned by the Government for computerization of RTOs/STAs as well as creation of State and National Register of Driving License and Registration Certificates at a total cost of Rs 148 crores. The project is being executed by NIC. It is expected that the project would be completed soon. However, keeping in view the nature and volume of the work involved, no definite time frame could be envisaged at this stage.
This information was provided by Shri Mahadeo Singh Khandela, Minister of State for Road Transport and Highways in the Rajya Sabha today.
rs: pm/dk/kol/14:42 hrs.
Press Information Bureau
Government of India
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Ministry of Road Transport & Highways
Tightening of Bidding Norms by NHAI
New Delhi: April 28, 2010
With a view to accelerate implementation of projects, amendments have been carried out in RFQ/RFP documents by the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (vide O.M. No. NH.37015/1/2009-Highwaysdated 09.04.2010) based on the recommendations of the NHAI Board made in their 77th meeting held on 19th March 2010.The norms have been amended to curb name-lending and for ensuring that the benefits accruing to a consortium are aligned with the equity structure to keep the non-performers/ black-listed entities out; curb intentional or accidental accumulation of the projects by bidders, who may overstretch themselves with resultant difficulty in securing financing.
The changes include introducing of net worth criterion for the consortium as a whole and for each member of Consortium who shall now have a minimum net-worth of 12.5% of total project cost (TPC) in the immediately preceding financial year. For the consortium as a whole, the following is the net worth criterion prescribed:
• For Projects with TPC value of less than Rs.2000 Crore- a [combined] minimum Net-worth requirement of 25% of the TPC value.
• For Projects with TPC value of Rs.2000 Cr or more but less than Rs.3000 Cr – a [combined] minimum Net-worth requirement of Rs. 500 Crores plus 50% of the amount by which the TPC value exceeds Rs.2000 Cr.
• For Projects with TPC value of Rs.3000 Cr or more– a [combined] minimum Net-worth requirement of, Rs. 1000 Crores plus 100 % of the amount by which the TPC value exceeds Rs.3000 Cr."
It has also been made mandatory that the Applicant/Consortium would provide an undertaking to NHAI that the EPC works of the project would be executed only by such EPC contractors who have completed at least a single package of more than 20% of the TPC or Rs. 500 cr. whichever is less. It is also decided that any change in the name(s) of EPC contractor(s) would be with prior consent of NHAI.
A clause has been added to the RFP document making the bidder ineligible for bidding if, for projects with TPC less than Rs.3000 crore, as on bid due date, the bidder, its member or any associate, either by itself or as member of a consortium has been declared by NHAI as the selected bidder for undertaking 3 (three) such projects and the bidder is yet to achieve financial closure. For projects with TPC in excess or equal to Rs.3000 crore, a bidder shall not be eligible for bidding if it has not achieved financial closure for two projects, as on bid due date, which has been awarded to it.
The new changes mandate that the experience score of the applicant shall be computed as a weighted average of the experience score of a member and his proposed equity stake (%) in the consortium. Similarly, the financial score of the applicant shall be computed as a weighted average of the financial score of a member and his proposed equity stake (%) in the consortium. It has been specified that the financial strength or the experience score taken into assessment will be only of those who contribute a minimum 26% share to the consortium.
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/14:43 hrs.
Press Information Bureau
Government of India
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Ministry of Earth Science
Agro-Meteorological Advisory Service
New Delhi: April 28, 2010
Realizing the need of more accurate weather information for agricultural management at smaller geographical scale, the Agro-meteorological Advisory services (AAS) rendered till 2008 by the National Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasting (NCMRWF) and the India Meteorological Department (IMD) are now integrated for its expanded outreach. The service is operated through the 130 agro-meteorological units covering all agro-climatic zones of the country.
Currently, AAS is operated twice a week (Tuesdays & Fridays) by disseminating day-to-day mean weather conditions for next 5-days, comprising forecast information on rainfall, cloud cover, maximum and minimum temperatures, wind speed and direction, to its 23 State Agro-meteorological Centres. At the agro-meteorological unit level, crop specific farmers advisories, based on the district level forecasts received from the state centres, are generated and disseminated by a duly constituted panel of experts through mass media communication systems. Agro-meteorological units are also provided with cumulative weekly rainfall.
In addition, a weekly National Agro-meteorological Advisory Bulletin is issued to the Ministry of Agriculture and other users with state-wise crop specific and region specific advisories based on the prevailing rainfall scenario and the coming week's rainfall forecast outlook for planning appropriate agronomic policy options.
This was stated by Shri Prithviraj Chavan, Minister of State (I/C) for Science and Technology and Earth Sciences in the Lok Sabha today.
gg/bs/dk/kol/14:43 hrs.
Press Information Bureau
Government of India
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Cabinet Secretariat
Animal Cloning
New Delhi: April 28, 2010
The technology for the production of cloned animal is in the experimental stage. A project has been funded by National Agricultural Innovation Project/Indian Council of Agricultural Research on buffalo cloning in February 2009. The total approved cost of the project is Rs. 896.51 lakhs and it will be completed in June 2012.
The National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI), Karnal has produced two cloned buffalo calves (i) first cloned buffalo calf was born on February 6, 2009 but died in a week's time due to pneumonia and (ii) second calf was born on June 06, 2009 and is growing well. Both cloned calves were born through a novel hand guided cloning technology.
The farmers would be benefited through the production of faster multiplication of elite male and female animals. Further, this technology is likely to result in making available quality semen for artificial insemination.
This was stated by Shri Prithviraj Chavan, the Minister of State (I/C) for Science and Technology and Earth Sciences in the Lok Sabha today.
gg/bs/dk/kol/14:43 hrs.
Press Information Bureau
Government of India
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Cabinet Secretariat
Biotech Research for Development of New Crops
New Delhi: April 28, 2010
The Government is promoting research in Biotechnology to develop crops that can sustain limited water conditions or consume less water. Indian Council of Agricultural Research and other institutions are engaged primarily to develop transgenic rice, mustard and tomato with improved resistance to drought. Recently, few other crops have been added namely cotton, groundnut, chickpea and pigeon pea and transgenic as well as molecular breeding approaches are being used under these efforts. A progrmme has also been initiated on Allele Mining for discovery of new genes useful for developing improved crop genotypes.
No special allocation of funds has been made for this purpose. Such research is being supported under various schemes related to Agricultural Biotechnology.
Few Genes responsive to water deficit conditions have been identified and institutions are making efforts to transfer them into crops and assess their utility. Preliminary studies on rice pyramided with Quantitative Trait Loci for root traits and water use efficiency showed that it could be grown using reduced quantity of water. Such material ahs been developed by integrating conventional approaches with marker assisted breeding. In some cases, transgenics have also been developed which are at different stages of testing.
This was stated by Shri Prithviraj Chavan, the Minister of State (I/C) for Science and Technology and Earth Sciences in the Lok Sabha today.
gg/bs/dk/kol/14:43 hrs.
Press Information Bureau
Government of India
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Cabinet Secretariat
Heat Wave across the Country
New Delhi: April 28, 2010
Severe heat wave conditions (6-7oC above normal) persisted over Orissa and Jharkhand as short spells (few days) during 2nd and 3rd week of April. Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh and Rajasthan experienced severe heat wave conditions during (8-12 and 15-20 April); Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand during 8-12 April 2010. Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Vidarbha and Gujarat region also experienced heat wave conditions during 3rd week of the April. The maximum temperature in Kerala was appreciably above normal (3-4ºC above normal) during second week of March and second and third week of April. However, this is not considered as severe heat wave conditions. Reasons for the heat wave conditions are:
(i) Western disturbance activity this year blocked the cold air incursion from the hills of north India leading to the persistence of anomalous anti-cyclonic flow over northwest and central India which caused warming. This warming, when combined with lack of moisture and also cloudless clear sky resulted in persistent high temperatures.
(ii) Over other parts of the country, lack of moisture transport resulted in to the suppression of thunderstorm activity which helps to reduce the temperature.
A significant increase in the frequency, persistence and spatial coverage of heat wave/ severe heat wave conditions have been observed during the recent decades of 1991-2000 and 2001-2010 as compared to earlier decades 1971-80 and 1981-90.
India Meteorological Department (IMD) issues heat wave warnings (48 hours in advance) to concerned state governments and their disaster management authorities. Beginning February 2010, IMD has started displaying prognosticated maximum temperature anomalies on weekly and monthly basis on its website. Specific remedial actions are taken by various State Governments.
This was stated by Shri Prithviraj Chavan, Minister of State (I/C) for Science and Technology and Earth Sciences in the Lok Sabha today.
gg/bs/dk/kol/14:44 hrs.
Press Information Bureau
Government of India
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Cabinet Secretariat
Impact on Rising Sea Level
New Delhi: April 28, 2010
The holistic data of sea level reveals a high variability along the Indian coastline. The analysis of past tide gauge records for the Indian coastline regions gives an average sea level rise of 1.29 mm/year for the last 40 years. The local sea level rise at various places from the Indian Tide gauge data indicated the observed trends during the past century, details of which are given below:
i. Cochin (1939-1991) = 1.2 mm/year
ii. Vishakhapatnam (1937-1991) = 0.9 mm/year
iii. Mumbai (1870-1990) = 0.8 mm/year
iv. Sunderban (1985-2000) = 3.14 mm/year
Sea level rise is a relatively slow phenomenon occurring in the background of more dramatic manifestations like storm surges and tidal variations, normal deltaic subsidence, coastal erosion and siltation of river channels along the coastline. The Kerala coast and Lakshadweep islands have been facing coastal erosion. However, it has not been established that this erosion is only due to rise in sea level.
Survey of India has established 26 tide gauges that includes 2 gauge stations respectively along the Kerala coast and the Lakshadweep Islands. All of these tide gauge stations are transmitting data in real time to the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS), Hyderabad under the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES). Appropriate protection measures arising out of the coastal erosion are addressed jointly by respective state governments and the Central Water Commission.
This was stated by Shri Prithviraj Chavan, Minister of State (I/C) for Science and Technology and Earth Sciences in the Lok Sabha today.
gg/bs/dk/kol/14:44 hrs.
Press Information Bureau
Government of India
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Ministry of Earth Science
Coastal Pollution
New Delhi: April 28, 2010
The Ministry of Earth Sciences is implementing a Nationally coordinated research programme on "Coastal Ocean Monitoring and Prediction System" (COMAPS) to assess the health of the Indian coastal waters. Under COMAPS programme, the levels of pollutants are monitored at 76 locations along the Indian coast including the Andaman and Nicobar and the Lakshadweep Islands.
The chemical changes, other than the nutrients, observed were: (i) Dissolved Oxygen (DO) and (ii) pH at several locations. The level of DO has decreased at Porbandar, Mangalore, Tuticorin, Mandapam, Ennore and Visakhapatnam. The data collected under COMAPS programme are periodically submitted to the Central Pollution Control Board and concerned State Pollution Control Boards. The Sewage Treatment Plants and Common Effluent Treatment Plants are being setup to treat the municipal waste and industrial effluents in order to contain pollution in the sea. Along Veli in Kerala, the pH was initially very low due to discharge of industrial effluent which has now increased to reach normal level. The concentration of mercury in the sediment, at all the locations along the shore, has shown a decreasing trend over the years, indicating decrease of mercury in the industrial effluents discharged into the sea.
This was stated by Shri Prithviraj Chavan, Minister of State (I/C) for Science and Technology and Earth Sciences in the Lok Sabha today.
gg/bs/dk/kol/14:44 hrs.
Press Information Bureau
Government of India
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Ministry of Science & Technology
Technique for Reclamation of Crude Oil
New Delhi: April 28, 2010
The technology developed involves introduction of vegetation, induced by innovative bio and phyto remediation means, as a solution to reclaim the soil rapidly and restore the environment. The technology has been tested successfully at ONGC sites namely, Amguri, Borholla and Geleky. The results of the findings were found to be highly satisfactory by the Oil Industries Development Board (OIDB).
The technology was disseminated amongst various oil sector companies. As a result, ONGC with the help of the Institute has applied the technology in six of their contaminated sites.
This was stated by Shri Prithviraj Chavan, the Minister of State (I/C) for Science and Technology and Earth Sciences in the Lok Sabha today.
gg/bs/dk/kol/14:45 hrs.
Press Information Bureau
Government of India
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Ministry of Defence
Revival of Abandoned Air Fields by IAF
New Delhi: April 28, 2010
There are 29 abandoned airfields of the Indian Air Force (IAF) spread across eleven states in the country. Review of abandoned airfields for revival is a continuous, ongoing process and is based on the operational assessment / requirement of the IAF.
No funds have been allocated nor utilized during 2008-09 and 2009-10 for maintenance and revival of abandoned airfields.
This information was given by Defence Minister Shri AK Antony in written reply to Shri Nand Kumar Sai in Rajya Sabha today.
pk / raj/dk/kol/14:45 hrs.
Press Information Bureau
Government of India
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Ministry of Defence
FDI in Defence Production Sector
New Delhi: April 28, 2010
The Government is not planning to make provision for 100 percent Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in defence production sector. No request for permitting 100 % FDI has been received from L&T, TATAs, Mahindra and Punj Lloyds.
As per extant rules, FDI upto 26 % is permitted in Defence sector, subject to FIPB approval. This policy was arrived at taking into account the sensitive nature of the Defence Sector.
This information was given by Minister of State for Defence Shri MM Pallam Raju in separate written replies to Shri Prabhat Jha and Shri NR Govindarajar in Rajya Sabha today.
pk / raj/dk/kol/14:45 hrs.
Press Information Bureau
Government of India
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Ministry of Defence
Defence Expo - 2010
New Delhi: April 28, 2010
Def Expo India 2010 was held at Pragai Maidan, New Delhi from February 15 to 18, 2010. Total number of companies participated were 650, out of which 300 companies were foreign and 350 were domestic. Net Exhibition area was 30100 Sqm, out of which foreign companies contributed 10262 Sqm while domestic companies 19838 Sqm.
The countries participated in Def Expo India 2010 are Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Israel, Italy, Malaysia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Singapore, South Africa, Republic of Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, UAE, UK, Ukraine and USA.
Country pavilions were set up by Czech Republic, France, Germany, Italy, Israel, Russia, South Africa, USA, UK and Ukraine. Official delegations from Bahrain, Bangladesh, Botswana, Brunei, Colombia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, France, Germany, Hungary, Indonesia, Israel, Italy, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Maldives, Mongolia, Namibia, Nigeria, Oman, Poland, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Senegal, Singapore, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Sweden, Switzerland, Tajikistan, Turkey, United Kingdom, UAE, Uganda and Ukraine visited Def Expo India 2010.
As per information available in the Ministry an MoU was signed by BEML Limited with M/s Obrum, Poland and M/s TANAX, AS, Slovak Republic. Confederation of Indian Industry also signed an MoU with a A/D/S (UK's Aerospace, Defence and Security trade organisation). M/s Samtel also signed an MoU with Saab, Sweden.
BEL has also signed the following contracts/ agreements during the Def Expo India 2010.
(i) Contract with M/s Thales for energy systems
(ii) Contract with Suriname for one equipment
(iii) Non-disclosure agreement with M/s EADS.
Since the Def Expo is always held in Delhi, there is no proposal for holding of Def Expo India in Hyderabad.
This information was given by Minister of State for Defence Shri MM Pallam Raju in written reply to Smt T Ratna Bai in Rajya Sabha today.
pk / raj/dk/kol/14:45 hrs.
Press Information Bureau
Government of India
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Ministry of Defence
Crash of Defence Aircraft/ Helicopters
New Delhi: April 28, 2010
Sixty one Defence aircraft/helicopters have crashed during the last four years (2006-2007 and 2009-2010). 28 pilots have died in these crashes.
Defence services have aircrafts of varied vintage on their inventory. Thorough checks and proper maintenance is carried out on each aircraft by a qualified team of engineers and technicians. No aircraft is offered for flying unless it has passed all checks and is fully fit for flying.
This information was given by Defence Minister Shri AK Antony in written reply to Shri Tariq Anwar in Rajya Sabha today.
pk / raj/dk/kol/14:46 hrs.
Press Information Bureau
Government of India
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Ministry of Environment and Forests
Database on Environment and Climate Change
India and China Signed Agreement on Cooperation on Addressing Climate Change
New Delhi: April 28, 2010
National Action Plan on Climate Change includes a National Mission on Strategic Knowledge for Climate Change. The Mission envisages building of a knowledge system including a data base that would inform and support national action for responding effectively to the objective of ecologically sustainable development.
The Government has launched the National Environmental Sciences Fellow Programme for Indian Scientists to do cutting-edge research on critical issues related to environment in collaboration with selected environmental schools/institutions in India.
Government has not issued or proposes to issue any direction to State Governments including Bihar for setting up a Climate Change Evaluation Institute. No such Centre has been setup so far.
India and China have signed an Agreement on Cooperation on addressing climate change that covers, inter-alia, cooperation in observation and monitoring of climate change and undertaking mutually cooperative activities and programmes, as appropriate. The Agreement covers the areas of energy efficiency, renewable energy, clean energy technologies, sustainable agriculture and afforestation. This Agreement seeks to enhance cooperation with China, promoting mutual understanding and coordination on international issues relating to climate change and cooperation in the area of research development and diffusion of technologies.
Minister for External Affairs had a Meeting with the Foreign Minister of the Republic of China during 5-8 April 2010 in China. The Meeting was in the larger context of global developments. The two countries exchanged views on cooperation in finding a solution to global issue of climate change.
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 Rayapati Sambasiva Rao , Shrimati Meena Singh , Shri Tathagata Satpathy , Shri Bijayant Jay Panda & Shri Nityananda in Lok Sabha today
kp/dk/kol/14:46 hrs.
Press Information Bureau
Government of India
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Ministry of Labour & Employment
Appointments in National Wage board for print Media
New Delhi: April 28, 2010
The Union Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Shri Harish Rawat has denied in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today that the Finance Ministry had instructed the Ministry of Labour & Employment to make the appointments of the Staff for the National Wage Board for Working Journalists and non-journalist Newspaper Employees only on deputation basis. The Board is headed by Justice (Retired) G.R. Majithia.
Shri Rawat also revealed that the tenure of Member Secretary, Shri K.M. Sahni completed on 24th January, 2010 and that his extension was under consideration of the Government.
mg/as/dk/kol/14:46 hrs.
Press Information Bureau
Government of India
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Ministry of Labour & Employment
Government plans Skilling 500 Million Persons by 2022
New Delhi: April 28, 2010
Skill Development is on the focus of the Government during XI Five Year Plan. National Policy on Skill Development has envisaged skilling 500 million persons by 2022. Depending on the skill requirement of economy; Government has taken initiatives for setting up of more ITIs and Polytechnics under PPP mode.
At present there are 2133 Government Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) with a seating capacity of 4.32 lakh and 5906 Industrial Training Centres (ITCs) in the private sector with seating capacity of 6.83 lakh in the country as on 1.4.2010. Thus, the private sector participation in skill development is over 74% in terms of number of institutes and in seating capacity, private participation is over 61%. Institutes in Public Private Partnership (PPP) are to be promoted to establish greater link with industry and in order to ensure employment.
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 Anil H. Lad.
mg/as/dk/kol/14:46 hrs.
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Palash Biswas
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