'22'
RAJYA SABHA
AGRICULTURAL GROWTH RATEThe value of agricultural output is targetted to increase at annual rate of 4.5 per cent in the Ninth Plan. To achieve this target, Ninth Plan envisages Public Sector Outlay of Rs. 42,462 crores for agricultural and allied activities. The sources identified for this outlay are Rs. 14876 crore from Centre and Rs. 27586 crore from State Governments.
This information was given by the Minister of State in the Ministry of Planning, Statistics and Programme Implementation and Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances in the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today.
‘13’
INDIA AND SYRIA SIGN AGREEMENT ON COOPERATION IN SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
India and Syria have signed an agreement on cooperation in Science and Technology. A memorandum of understanding on this was initialled here today between the Minister of State for Science and Technology Shri Bachi Singh Rawat and the Syrian Minister of State for Planning Affairs Dr. Issam el Zaim. The MoU followed wide ranging discussions between the two sides led by Shri Rawat and Dr. Zaim.The areas of cooperation identified include science policy, technology policy, bio- technology, information technology, R&D and industry linkages, commercialization and technology transfer and science popularization. These broad areas would later be expanded to cover specific programmes of cooperation.
The modes of cooperation include, exchange of scientists, research workers, specialists and trainees for the formulation and implementation of joint scientific and technical research projects, as also application of the results of joint research in industry, agriculture and other fields. Syrian scientists will be trained in the institutions under the control of the Ministries of Science and Technology and Information Technology. There will also be twinning of Indian and Syrian institutions and affiliation of Indian experts with Syrian organizations. Exploratory visits will also be undertaken for developing joint projects.
After signing the MoU both Shri Rawat and Dr. Zaim expressed the confidence that development of scientific and technical relations will be mutually beneficial as also it will help strengthen the existing friendly relations between the two countries. They said the MoU will provide the necessary impetus to carry forward the Indo-Syrian Scientific cooperation.
The 1978 S&T co-operation agreement between India and Syria was limited only to training of Syrian personnel in laboratories of the CSIR.
'17B'
| RAJYA SABHA |
The production growth rates in SSI sector have been 12.73 per cent in 1997-98, 13.40 per cent in 1998-99 and 9.66 per cent in 1999-2000 (based on estimated growth rate for the first two quarters). Ninth Plan document has not fixed any targets in terms of growth rate but it gives target of production in the base year 1996-97 and in the terminal year of the Plan (2000-2001), which are Rs. 4,12,636 crores and Rs. 7,25,500 crores respectively giving an annual compound rate of growth of 11.93 per cent at current prices. Thus production growth rate in the SSI sector has been higher than the target fixed for 1997-98 and 1998-99 and lower for 1999-2000.
The Government have been operating many schemes to encourage the small scale entrepreneurs to increase their production and improve the quality. These include Technology Development and Modernisation Fund Scheme and Upgradation of Technology (UPTECH) scheme for technological upgradation, Market Development Assistance (MDA) scheme for market development, Integrated Infrastructure Development (IID) scheme for infrastructure development, entrepreneurship development, and creation of IT infrastructure. In order to improve the quality, apart from providing facilities through Tool Room, Testing Centres, Product-cum-Process Development Centres, financial assistance is provided on acquiring ISO 9000 certification. In addition, several measures have been announced in the Union Budget 2000-2001 to improve supply of credit to this sector. These include raising the limit of loans without collaterals from Rs. 1 lakh to Rs. 5 lakh, doubling the quantum of single window composite loans (both term loan and working capital) from Rs. 5 lakhs to Rs. 10 lakhs, extending Technology Development and Modernisation Fund Scheme by another three years and Credit Guarantee Scheme for loans up to Rs. 10 lakhs to tiny sector entrepreneurs.
This information was given by Minister of State for Small Scale Industries and Agro and Rural Industries, Smt. Vasundhara Raje in written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today.
'17B'
| RAJYA SABHA |
The Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) has formulated several schemes to meet the various needs of entrepreneurs of small scale industries in the country. These cover assistance for setting up new projects for activities like expansion, technology upgradation, quality improvement, rehabilitation of existing units, strengthening of marketing capabilities of SSI units etc. The assistance is made available through appropriate schemes of direct assistance and indirect assistance (Refinance of loans to small scale industries by prime lending institutions viz., Banks/State Financial Corporations and State Industries Development Corporations). Recently, the Government has formulated a Scheme of Credit Guarantee Fund to be operated through SIDBI. Under this scheme loans up to Rs. 10 lakhs will be provided to small units without collaterals and with a guarantee cover of 75 per cent.
The norms for providing financial assistance to small entrepreneurs are to ensure that no worthwhile project is denied credit for want of funds. First generation technocrats, women entrepreneurs and those in the tiny sector are encouraged to set up their units with lower promoters’ contribution, lower debt equity ratio, etc.
This information was given by Minister of State for Small Scale Industries and Agro and Rural Industries, Smt. Vasundhara Raje in written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today.
'17B'
| RAJYA SABHA |
Government has approved a Credit Guarantee Fund Scheme for Small Scale Industries (CGTFSI). To begin with a corpus of Rs. 125 crores is being created of which Rs. 100 crores would be contributed by the Government of India and Rs. 25 crores by the Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI). The Scheme will be implemented by a Trust. The Scheme will guarantee 75 per cent of the individual loans (terms loan as well as working capital) each up to Rs. 10 lakhs extended by commercial banks and well performing regional rural banks to Small Scale Industrial units, without collaterals including third party guarantee.
This information was given by Minister of State for Small Scale Industries and Agro and Rural Industries, Smt. Vasundhara Raje in written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today.
'16'
INDIA, SYRIA AGREE TO BOOST BILATERAL TRADE; COOPERATION IN VARIOUS SECTORS PROPOSED
AGREED MINUTES OF THE FOURTH SESSION OF INDO-SYRIAN JOINT TRADE COMMITTEE SIGNED
India and Syria have agreed to make concerted efforts to raise the level of bilateral trade to a respectable level commensurate with the potential of the two countries. Agreed Minutes of the Fourth Session of the Indo-Syrian Joint Trade Committee were signed here today with Shri Omar Abdullah, Minister of State for Commerce and Industry signing on behalf of the Government of India and Dr. Khaled Raad, Deputy Prime Minister of Syria signing for Syria. Addressing the delegations of the two sides, Shri Abdullah said that India and Syria had excellent political relations which could be used as a spring board for further boosting the trade relations between the two countries. Earlier, while inaugurating the Session on July 25, the Minister had said that India and Syria needed to strive for expanding the bilateral trade to a level of US $ 200 million in the coming two years which was presently of the order of US $ 75 million. A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on cooperation in science & technology was also signed between Minister of State for Science & Technology, Shri Bachi Singh Rawat, and the Syrian Ministry of State for Planning Affairs, Dr. Issam el Zaim after the signing of the Agreed Minutes. Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Khaled Raad expressed hope and confidence that bilateral trade relations between the two countries would get a further boost consequent upon the outcome of the deliberations of the Session.In the Agreed Minutes, the need for greater interaction between the business communities of the two countries was stressed and it was decided that this could be achieved through visits of delegations and participation in trade fairs organised in the two countries. In this context, signing of JBC Agreement was welcomed as an important step. The Indian side offered for export to Syria, items such as pharmaceuticals & para-medical products, textiles, automobiles, agriculture products, consumer goods, tea and electronic goods. The Indian side also agreed to host a Syrian delegation from the tea sector to enable them to appreciate Indian capabilities in the area. With the two sides agreeing to promote trade facilitation measures for expanding bilateral trade, the Syrian side, on its part, proposed the establishment of a Permanent Syrian Commercial Centre in Mumbai to facilitate Indian exporters. The Indian side also offered consultancy services in various fields such as textiles, finishing, paper industries, packaging of fruits and preserves, iron, cement, phosphates, medicines, fertilisers, glass, silk, sugar and other industries which the Syrian would like to develop in their country.
Shri Abdullah also offered to share India's expertise in managing small and medium enterprises (SMEs) so as to develop the SME sector in Syria. The National Small Industries Corporation Limited of India, which is a nodal institution engaged in promotion and development of small scale industries both in India and abroad, can offer its services including training in SSI sector to Syria, the Minister said. Both sides also agreed to cooperate in various sectors such as chemicals & petrochemicals, small scale industries, railways, tourism, telecom, power, defence cooperation, irrigation, agriculture, higher education, information technology, financial corporation & banking sector and in the field of environment. The two sides agreed to encourage cooperation in setting up of joint ventures in bulk drugs as well as intermediates and the export of bulk drugs and pharmaceuticals.
Observing that both the countries were maintaining very cordial political and economic relations, the two countries shared common views on most of the multilateral issues and expressed their keenness to cooperate on all matters of mutual interests and of interest of international community particularly the developing countries.
‘27’
RAJYA SABHA.
DEEP SEA FISHING AND IMPORT OF FISH
The Deep Sea Fishing Policy, 1991 has been rescinded by the Government in 1996. No new permits/extension or renewal of permits/permission under joint venture, leasing fishing and charter have been issued. However, Ministry of Agriculture has constituted a review committee to assess the area-wise requirements of different categories of vessels below 20 m length and conservation of fishery resources. The report of the Committee is under finalisation. A Committee under the chairmanship of Dr. K Gopa Kumar, DDG(Fisheries) ICAR has also been appointed to frame a comprehensive deep sea fishing policy. The Coast Guard is being assisted to procure communication equipments for monitoring operation of fishing vessels in India EEZ. This was stated by Minister of State for Agriculture Dr. Debendra Pradhan in a written reply today in Rajya Sabha.
The Minister further clarified that the fear that import of fish will destroy the fishing industry is misplaced. The fish processing infrastructure in the country is utilized to the extent of 20 per cent of the installed capacity only. Import of fish as raw material by the processors/exporters is being done generally for re-export. This encourages employment generation, apart from increasing exports.
‘27’
RAJYA SABHA
DISTRESS SALE OF CATTLE BY FARMERS
Replying to a question about the distress sale of cattle by farmers in the drought affected districts of Anantapur, Cuddapah, Mahboobnagar and Medak, Union Minister for Agriculture Shri Nitish Kumar said in a written reply today in Rajya Sabha that as per the report received from the State Government there is no distress sale of cattle due to scarcity of fodder and water. It has reported that the usual practice of farmers is to sell every year their non-productive animals and maintain only productive animals during summer season. The State government has taken steps to overcome this situation by arranging supplies of fodder, seed, cattle feed and mineral mixture at subsidised rates, besides supply of medicine, vaccines, and by organising cattle camps.
The Central Government released the Central share of Rs. 107.69 crore for 1999-2000 and Rs.77.78 crore for 2000-2001 under Calamity Relief Fund Scheme and Rs. 75.36 crore under National Fund for Calamity Relief in 1999-2000. The supply of fodder, water and running of cattle camps, are approved items of expenditure under the Central assistance. The Railways also made arrangements for transportation of fodder free of cost.
'39' Rajya Sabha
MEASURES TO MINIMIZE STORAGE AND TRANSIT LOSSES
To minimize the storage and transit losses, the steps taken are: Administrative measures such as tightening of security of depots, intensifying surprise checks at the loading/unloading points ensuring regular stock verification etc; Installation of weighbridges in depots; Minimising multiple handling, transhipment and movement in open wagons; Induction of Central Industrial Security Force at vulnerable depots to curb theft and pilferage; Adoption of 50 kg. packing in a phased manner and encouraging machine stitching of bags.Food Corporation of India has issued a set of instructions to control the operational transit losses prescribing a systematic approach to achieve transparency and accountability. Enforcement of strict quality specifications is being done at the time of procurement and strict preservation measures are being taken during storage of foodgrains. Covered capacity is being augmented minimizing Plinth storage as far as possible.
The losses that have occurred in the storage of foodgrains (Wheat, Rice and Paddy in terms of price) during the last three year as per provisional figures are 2.50 lakh tonnes, in 1996-97 , 1.81 lakh tonnes in 1997-98 and 1.51 lakh tonnes in 1998-99.
The Government procures foodgrains through its agency, the Food Corporation of India under the Minimum Support Price (MSP) scheme. It procures only 15% to 20% of the total agricultural produce. The FCI has total storage capacity (owned and hired/Covered and Covered Area Plinth) of 27.32 million tonnes against the total stocks of 25.13 million tonnes with utilisation of 92% all over the country as on June 1, 2000.
This information was given in the Rajya Sabha today by the Minister of State for Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution by Shri Sriram Chauhan in a written reply.
'39'
Rajya Sabha
UNIFORM PRICE FOR ESSENTIAL COMMODITIES
The Government has taken a number of steps to control the prices and augment the availability of essential commodities in the country. Apart from certain long term measures to increase the production of essential goods, imports of items having gap in their demand and supply like pulses have been placed under OGL at zero per cent import duty. Export of onion has been placed under quantitative restriction. Some of the essential commodities like rice, wheat, palmolein, sugar and kerosene are also supplied through the outlets of public distribution system at below market prices. Stringent actions are being taken against hoarders, black marketers and others indulging in unfair trade practices under the Essential Commodities Act and Prevention of Black Marketing and Maintenance of Supplies of Essential Commodities Act by the State/UT Governments.
The prices of essential commodities generally show certain variations in different parts of the country due to varietal consumer preferences, transportation cost from producing centers, quantities and time of their procurement, level of local taxes, commission allowed by the manufacturers to the wholesalers, retailers margin and local transportation cost etc.
This information was given in the Rajya Sabha today by the Minister of State for Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution Shri V. Sreenivasa Prasad in a written reply.
'23'
SAFETY MEASURES TO PREVENT TRAIN ACCIDENTS
During 01.4.2000 to 15.07.2000 a total of 142 consequential train accidents occurred of which 72 were of passenger trains and 70 were of goods trains. These resulted in 18 deaths, 61 injured and damage to the Government property to the tune of Rs.9,23,93,089(Provisional).This was informed to Lok Sabha today by the Minister of State for Railways, Shri Digvijay Singh in reply to a question by S/Shri Chandresh Patel and Ajay Singh Chautala.
Informing further that each and every accident is inquired either by a Committee of Railway officerS or, in case of serious accidents, by Commissioner/Chief Commissioner of Railway safety, the Minister said that the following important steps have been taken by the Government to check accidents in future:
'23'
SECURITY IN LADIES COMPARTMENTS OF TRAINS
Though the maintenance of law and order and control of crime on Railway premises including Railway stations and on running trains is the resposibility of the State Government concerned but RPF co-ordinates with the GRP for ensuring better security to the Railway passengers and their belongings. The following steps have been taken by RPF for improving the passenger safety :RPF staff of Delhi Division on its part apprehended 38 outsiders travelling in ladies compartments during the year 1999 and 22 outsiders during the year 2000 (upto 20.7.2000 especially in Sonepat-panipat-Ambala section under the provision of Railway Act and produced them before the Hon’ble Court.
This information was given in the Lok Sabha today by the Minister of State for Railways Shri Digvijay Singh in a reply to a question from Shri Chandresh Patel.
'23' THROWING OF GARBAGE FROM RUNNING TRAINS
Railways have made suitable arrangements to collect catering garbage from the coaches and pantry cars at nominated stations where adequate facility exists for its safe disposal. Stern action is taken against the licensee/staff found dumping garbage on tracks.
This information was given in the Lok Sabha today by the Minister of State for Railways Shri Digvijay Singh in a reply to a question by Shri Pawan Kumar Bansal.
'23'
INDIAN RAILWAY SYSTEM AMONG THE WORLD’S BEST
RAILWAYS EARNING OPERATING SURPLUS CONSISTANTLY
According to the World Bank the broad gauge system of the Indian Railways is among the best in the world in terms of output and productivity. Informing this to Lok Sabha to a question by Shri Mohan Rawale and Smt. Renu Kumar, the Minister of State for Railways Shri Digvijay Singh said that the Indian Railways have been able to earn an operating surplus consistently after discharging many social obligations.
The Minister confirmed that the Associated Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ASSOCHAQM) has prepared a brief Report on Indian Railways. The main recommendations made in the Report include: use of more efficient locomotives; improving wagon productivity, increasing the axle-load, upgrading signalling and telecom and modernisation of terminals.
Referring to the World Bank Study entitled "India Transport Sector-Long Term Issues" dated 16-3-95, the Minister said that International comparison of Railway Systems needs to be qualified by the wide differences in respect of the operating and socio-economic environment and the accounting and statistical standards adopted. "It can, however, be seen from the Report that China and Russia, whose productivity indices are reported to be better than the Indian Railways have operating ratios far worse than Indian Railways. Operating ratio reflects the financial viability of the system", he added.
The Minister further added that improvement of the Railway system is a continuous process. Indian Railways have regular machinery for identifying areas requiring improvement in functioning. New projects/schemes are implemented when their feasibility is established, he said.
Suggestions received from various quarters such as ASSOCHAM are always considered and acted upon. In fact, some of the measures suggested by the ASSOCHAM such as use of more efficient locomotives, improving the wagon designs, increasing the axle loads and upgradation of signalling and telecommunication, modernisation of terminals, and improvement of porductivity of man power are already at various stages of implementation, Shri Digvijay Singh added.
'23'
LOK SABHA
The earnings of Indian Railways have been considerably on increase as reflected by the figures for the last five years as under:-
| YEAR | ANNUAL INCOME (Rs.in Crores) |
| 1995-96 | 22494.49 |
| 1996-97 | 24353.07 |
| 1997-98 | 28566.18 |
| 1998-99 | 29824.86 |
| 1999-2000 | 33124.71 |
Informing this to the Lok Sabha today the Minister of State for Railways Shri Digvijay Singh said that the important areas where improvements are being done continuously for toning up the working of the Railways and checking wasteful expenditure are:
- Measures to control expenditure by improving staff productivity, asset utilisation, inventory management, fuel consumption, austerity in areas such as travel, publicity, hospitality etc.
- Aggressive marketing with improved freight services and commercial incentives, to improve the earnings; and
- Tapping non-traditional sources of revenues such as utilisation of right of way for laying of optic fibre cable, commercial utilisation of land and air space, advertising rights at stations and on rolling stock etc.
Besides, all out efforts to curb leakage of revenues and pilferages, are also being made, Shri Digvijay Singh added.
The Minister was replying to a question by Shri Raghunath Jha.
'23'
LOK SABHA
Indian Railways have 557 Railway Saloons which includes 424 Inspection Carriages, 8 Special Observation Cars and 125 Tourist Cars as on 31.3.1999, while the Inspection Carriages are used for movement of Railway Officers for inspection of stations, track and rolling stock during the run, running sheds, depots, yards etc. including for stay at way-side stations during emergencies. The Tourist Cars and other Saloons are available for public on payment of required tariff.
This information was given by the Minister of State for Railways Shri Digvijay Singh in reply to a question by Shri P.S.Gadhavi in the Lok Sabha today.
' 42' LOK SABHA FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENT IN THE CHEMICAL SECTOR The Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilizers, Shri Ramesh Bais informed the Lok Sabha, here today in reply to a written question, that during 1997 the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) approvals in the chemical (other than fertilizer) sector were Rs. 2,827.18 crore. Similarly the FDI approvals for 1998 and 1999 were Rs. 1,813.73 crore and Rs. 810.42 crore respectively. The inflow of FDI for the year 1997 was Rs. 821.27 crore. Similarly the inflows for 1998 and 1999 were Rs. 1,064.00 crore and Rs. 475.62 crore respectively.
Shri Bais also informed the Lok Sabha that there has been a sharp decline in FDI inflow due to a general worldwide slowdown in the chemicals sector and surplus capacity. The Minister of State also outlined various measures that the government has taken to increase the inflow of FDI to this sector. These are: - making access to the automatic route for FDI easier, delicensing of manufacture of chemicals except for a few hazardous chemicals, reducing of time frame for consideration of FDI proposals from 6 weeks to 30 days for communicating government decision, requirement of foreign owned Indian holding companies to obtain prior and specific approval of FIPB/Government for down stream investment in priority activities has been dispensed with subject to specific conditions and the Foreign Investment Implementation Authority (FIIA) has been set up to provide a single point interface between foreign investors and the government machinery both at the Central and State level.
'31'
Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Dr. C.P.Thakur has emphasised the need to strengthen Indian Red Cross Society enabling it to work as shock absorber in times of crisis.
In his inaugural address at three day country assistance strategy workshop-cum Red Cross Secretaries Conference, here, today, the Minister has said that in India, Red Cross has been able to create a good will in the society by offering many services. The National Headquarters has to play an important role and it needs to use the expertise and resources that the regional delegation of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and the International Committee of the Red Cross may offer.
Dr. Thakur has said that health services have not been able to keep pace with emergent diseases and more so with growing population. It is increasingly becoming more and more challenging to cope up with health hazard such as HIV/AIDS. Government alone cannot meet the demands of the common people at all times. In such a situation, organisations like Red Cross have to share some of the responsibilities. The Minister urged the Red Cross State Secretaries to associate themselves with the implementation of National Family Welfare Programme leading to the success of the National Population Policy as the Indian Red Cross has the largest network and volunteer force to carry the message on small family to the door step of majority of the population.
Smt. Ramalingam, Secretary General, Indian Red Cross Society has also addressed the Conference of Red Cross Secretaries which is being held after ten years.
'15' GOVERNMENT STOCKS TO RBI ON PRIVATE PLACEMENT CUM TAP SALE BASIS PRESS NOTE
Government of India have announced the issue of 11.00 per cent Government Stock, 2006 and of 11.30 per cent Government Stock, 2010 for a notified amount of Rs. 3,000 crore each to the Reserve bank of India on private placement cum tap sale basis. The stocks will be issued at par i.e. at a price of Rs. 100.00 per cent.
The stock will be issued on July 28, 2000 (Friday) and will be placed for sale on tap on that day. Sale of the stocks may be extended to more than one day and the sale may be closed at any time by Reserve Bank of India.
'17B'
EASY CREDIT TO SMALL-SCALE SECTOR
Government of India is keen to make credit available without hassles to the small-scale sector, particularly the tiny sector. Formulation of a credit guarantee scheme has been under active consideration of the Government of India. With the formation of the Credit Guarantee Fund Trust, set up by the Ministry of SSI & ARI and SIDBI, today at Mumbai, the stage is set for the Credit Guarantee Fund to be made operational from the first of August 2000.Loans upto Rs. 10 lakhs can be covered by guarantee from this Trust. Such loans will be available without collaterals. With this, a long felt need of the tiny sector will be fulfilled.
The trust is being started with an initial corpus of Rs. 125 crores out of which the Ministry of SSI & ARI is contributing Rs. 100 crores and SIDBI Rs. 25 crores.
‘28’
NTPC TO SET UP 1980 MW SUPER THERMAL POWER PROJECT IN MADHYA PRADESH
National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) proposes to set up a coal based super thermal power project with a capacity of 1980 MW in Stage-I at Sipat in Bilaspur district of Madhya Pradesh. This was stated by The Minister of State in the Ministry of Power Smt. Jayawanti Mehta during Question Hour in the Rajya Sabha today. The Minister in a written statement said various clearances for the project such as coal linkage, environmental and forest clearance from Ministry of Environment and Forests (MOE&F), techno-economic clearance from Central Electricity Authority (CEA) have been sought. She said that Sipat would be the first project in India where environment friendly supercritical technology will be adopted with the installation of three 660 MW units with supercritical steam parameters. The estimated cost of the project is Rs. 7798.7 crore at 1st quarter. 1999 prices.Shrimati Mehta said that the NTPC also envisages expansion of the project by 660 MW in Stage-II and Feasibility Report for the same has been submitted to CEA. Regarding rehabilitation of people to be affected by the project (PAPs) , the Minister said that it will be done in accordance with the R&R policy approved by the Government. NTPC and District Administration are having continuous discussions and interaction with the PAPs, villagers and Gram Panchayats. She said the NTPC has taken adequate care to avoid acquisition of homestead and minimise acquisition of agricultural land while selecting the site and finalising the plant boundaries.
In reply to another question, the Minister said that Delhi Vidyut Board, DVB, proposes to set up a 330 MW Combined Cycle power Plant in Delhi. Smt. Mehta said techno-economic clearance for it has been given and the project will be commissioned within 30 months from the date of investment decision.
'21'
COPPER MINING INDUSTRY DECLARED PUBLIC UTILITY SERVICE FOR ANOTHER SIX MONTHS
The Copper Mining Industry has been declared a public utility service under the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947 for another six months. The industry was in public interest declared a public utility service for six months from January 25, 2000. In a notification issued here the Labour Ministry said that the Central Government is of the opinion that the public interest requires the extension of the said period by a further period of six months. The Copper Mining Industry will now continue to be public utility service till January 25, 2001.
'38'
CENTRAL WATER COMMISSION MONITORS STORAGE POSITION OF 70 MAJOR RESERVOIRS SPREAD OVER THE COUNTRY PERIODICALLY
Central Water Commission (CWC) is monitoring storage position of 70 major Reservoirs in the country of which 25 Reservoirs are having significant hydropower benefit with installed capacities of more than 60 MW. As on 21st July, 2000, a combined storage of these 70 Reservoirs is 28% of the installed or designed capacity. However, present storage is 103%, corresponding to the same period of the last year’s storage capacity.
Out of these 70 Reservoirs there are presently only 27 reservoirs where this year’s capacity is less by 20% or more than the average of previous years. However, out of the 25 reservoirs with significant hydro potential, there are only 13 Reservoirs which have storage build up less than average of previous years.
In the rivers of Tapi, Godavari, West flowing rivers of South and Cauvery and neighbouring East flowing rivers and Krishna, there has been better storage of waters in the current year than the average of the previous years.
In the rivers of Mahi, Sabarmati, Indus, Rivers of Kutch, Ganga, Narmada and Mahanadi and neighbouring East flowing rivers, this year’s average in storage is less by 20% or more than the average of the previous years.
In order to derive the best possible benefits from the available water, Central Water Commission is keeping in touch with the Department of Agriculture and co-operation, Ministry of Agriculture and providing information on the weekly storage position to the Crop Weather Watch Group for evolving suitable Crop Strategies besides apprising the situation to various Departments and Ministries involved in Water Resources Planning.