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    The Insurance Regulatory Development Authority (IRDA) is a body corporate having perpetual succession and a common seal with power to acquire, hold and dispose of property and to contract. It consists of a chair person and other members not exceeding nine in number, of whom not more than five shall serve full time and four part-time , to be appointed by the Central Government from amongst persons of ability, integrity and standing who have knowledge or experience of life insurance, general insurance, actuarial science, finance, economics, law, accountancy, administration or any other discipline which in the opinion of the Central Government should be useful to the authority.

    The duties, powers and functions of Authority include issue to the applicant a certificate of registration, to renew, modify, withdraw, suspend or cancel such registration; protection of the interests of the policy holders in matters concerning assigning of policy nomination by policy holders, insurable interest, settlement of insurance claim, surrender value of policy, and other terms and conditions of contracts of insurance ; specifying requisite qualifications and practical training for insurance intermediaries and agents; specifying the code of conduct for surveyors and loss assessors; promoting efficiency in the conduct of insurance business, promoting and regulating professional organisations connected with the insurance and reinsurance business; levying fees and other charges for carrying out the purposes of this Act; calling for information from, undertaking inspection of conducting enquiries and investigations including audit of the insurers, insurance intermediaries and other organisations connected with the insurance business; control and regulation of the rates, advantages, terms and conditions that may be offered by insurers in respect of general insurance business not so controlled and regulated by the Tariff Advisory
Committee under Section 64U of the Insurance Act, 1938; prescribing the form and manner in which books of account shall be maintained and statement of accounts will be rendered by insurers and insurance intermediaries; regulating investment of funds by insurance companies; regulating maintenance of margin solvency; adjudication of disputes between insurers and intermediaries; and exercising such other powers as may be prescribed.

    The powers and functions mentioned above would enable the Authority to perform the role of an effective watchdog and regulator for the insurance sector in India. To enable the Authority to function in a truly independent manner and discharge its assigned responsibilities effectively.

    The Government has also planned to amend the General Insurance Business (Nationalisation) Act, 1972 to delink the control of the holding company, General Insurance Corporation (GIC), over its four subsidiaries to make them independent. While GIC will be confined to the re-insurance business, the four delinked subsidiaries will concentrate on general insurance business to compete with the market forces. The equity holding of each of the five Government companies will be increased. An amendment Bill to this effect will be introduced and passed in the current Winter Session of Parliament to give impetus to the second general economic reforms.

    During his days in the Orissa Assembly, in the year 1990-91 he was the Government Chief Whip, Janata Dal, Orissa. During his tenure in the 10^th Lok Sabha, he was a member of Estimates Committee, Committee on Human Resource Development, Committee on Health & Family Welfare and Consultative Committee, Ministry of Steel. After being elected to the 12^th Lok Sabha as a Biju Janata Dal candidate from Puri constituency, he was a member of the Committee on Communications and Consultative Committee of Ministry of Surface Transport and was also the Chief Whip of the parliamentary party.

    Shri Tripathy started his profession as a lawyer and took interest in social and cultural activities and journalism. He writes regularly in Oriya dailies and magazines and was the Editor of an Oriya socio-cultural monthly ‘ANURAGA’. He has been working for social reforms like removal of untouchability, dowry system and drug abuse. He has taken part in Peasant movement and trade union movement in Orissa. He represented India in a Labour Relation Management Porgramme organised in Japan by Japan International Labour Foundation.

    A founder-member of the student league, Shri Braja kishore Tripathy had organised the movement for a second steel plant in Orissa and served as an office-bearer of several trade unions in Chowdwar, Talcher, Barang, Cuttack, Balasore and Puri. He was a member of the socialist party and served as its state office bearer and working committee member many times. Inspired by the ideals of "Total Revolution" of Jai Prakash Narayan he participated in J.P.Movement and was jailed several times for launching the protests against injustice and misrule. During the Emergency, he was detained under MISA for 19 months.

    Born at Puri on September 25, 1947 Shri Tripathy got M.A. LLB degree from Utkal University, Bhubaneswar. His father’s name is Pandit Balunkeswar Tripathy and mother’s name is Smt. Aparna Devi. He married in 1978 to Smt. Hemlata Devi and has two sons and a daughter.

    The cases pertaining to assets disproportionate to the known sources of income and other corruption charges are based on large number of documents which are required to be collected from different places and witnesses examined with reference to these documents. Further, in a number of cases investigation is required to be carried out abroad. Investigation in these cases is, therefore, time consuming and it takes a long time. This apart, after finalization of investigation either a charge sheet is filed in the Court or the case referred for departmental action. If a charge sheet is filed in the Court, the trial takes a long time to conclude. In many cases, the accused also adopt dilatory tactics by filing petitions/revisions in superior Courts to delay the trial the Minister said.

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HUGE POTENTIAL FOR TRADE BETWEEN INDIA AND AFRICA

    Regarding Indian investments in Africa, Shri Abdullah said: "The abundant mineral wealth and inexpensive labour make Africa an attractive destination for investments from many Western countries. Indian investors should learn from this and from our own success stories and move forward with a focussed approach in promoting joint ventures and wholly owned subsidiaries in Africa. I am sure this meet will come up with concrete action plans on this front. The Ministry of Commerce will be willing to extend all help in your efforts to promote Indian investments in Africa".

    This information was given by Minister of State in the Department of Atomic Energy, Smt. Vasundhara Raje in written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.

    "On 14.11.2000 the Supreme Court issued the following orders:

    "In the first instance, we, therefore, issue notice to the Chief Secretary, Delhi and also to the Commissioner – M.C.D. to show cause why they should not be punished for contempt for the continued inaction on the part of the N.C.T. Delhi and for the non-compliance of the various orders passed by this Court starting from 1996 and including the orders dated 08.09.1999, 30.08.2000 and 12.09.2000 regarding the closing of the polluting units situated in the residential areas".

    Thereafter, the officials of the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi and Municipal Corporation started sealing polluting as well as other industries in residential areas. This led to unrest involving road blocks leading to traffic jams, burning of buses etc.

    To facilitate understanding of the present position, it is necessary to recount the developments that have taken place from February 02, 1996, that is, the date from which the Court started passing orders regarding closure/relocation of industries from the residential areas. The order of February 02, 1996 reads:

    "Learned counsel agree that a high power Committee be constituted which can examine as to which type of industries can be permitted in a residential area. We, therefore, direct the Chief Secretary, NCT, Delhi to constitute a Committee consisting of one Member each from NCT, Delhi, Central Pollution Control Board, Delhi Pollution Control Committee, Municipal Corporation, Delhi and Delhi Electric Supply Undertaking (DESU). The Chairman of the Committee shall be representative of NCT, Delhi Administration. The Committee shall be constituted by the Chief Secretary, NCT, Delhi Administration within two weeks of the receipt of this order by the Chief Secretary."

    On 04.10.1996, the Court noted that the then Principal Secretary to the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi had filed an affidavit intimating the progress of the High Powered Committee set up by the Court. It was stated that out of 45,000 applications received, after deleting of duplicate applications, 43,045 applications were scrutinised. Of these, 39,166 applications did not qualify for grant of necessary permission under the Master Plan. The remaining 3,879 units/applications were inspected by a Committee constituted of MCD, Department of Industries, Delhi Electric Supply Undertaking & Delhi Pollution Control Committee. This Committee found only 376 units to qualify for grant of permission to run the units in the residential area.

On December 18, 1996, the then Principal Secretary to Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi assured the Court through an affidavit filed on December 18, 1996, that possession of 1300 acres would be taken by the NCT and forms for allotments were being supplied to the industries. In its order of December 18, 1996, the Court observed:

    "We reiterate that we are satisfied that the NCT, Delhi Administration is seriously processing the Project of relocating the Industries operating in residential/non-conforming areas of Delhi. We are further satisfied that the Industries are also co-operating.….. It has taken quite some time for the Delhi Administration to realise the importance of the matter and to get into the grip of the matter. The Government having now taken up the matter seriously it is time for this Court to step aside as at present and leave the field for the Government to act on its own and relocate the Industries in accordance with the plan formulated by this Court……. The NCT, Delhi Administration shall file progress report in this Court every three month".

    Subsequently, however, since no progress was noted by the Court, it had started making adverse comments on non-compliance of its orders.

    The present situation has arisen due to failure of the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi to develop plots for relocation of industries in Bawana and other such areas. In this connection, it needs to be underlined that the Supreme Court started passing orders from February 02, 1996 and up till December 09, 1999, no one talked of amending the Master Plan.

    Government are aware of the problems that are being faced by the industries functioning in the residential areas as well as of the house-owners and occupiers who are using their property for residential purposes in the residential areas. Government are keen to find a solution which would be just and fair to all concerned. Government have agreed, in principle, subject to observance of safeguards in respect of pollution norms, to redefine household industries in terms of the recommendations made by a Committee known as the Jagdish Sagar Committee. These norms pertain to the number of persons who can work in household industries, the power that can be sanctioned and the area that can be used etc.

    Government would also amend the Master Plan, if necessary, to acquire more lands for relocation of industries in industrial areas.

    Government would also request the Supreme Court to give a little more time for relocation. The matter at present rests with the Supreme Court."

    "It gives me great pleasure to be present at this distinguished gathering of energy sector specialists and policy-makers.

    Many of you have travelled from various parts of the world to participate in this session of the Executive Assembly of the World Energy Council. As an emerging economic powerhouse, India is happy to host the first session of the Executive Assembly in the next century.

    The world is becoming increasingly technology-driven. In its quest for conquering new frontiers of scientific knowledge, humankind is adopting tools that are technology-centric. In all this, energy is a key determinant.

    Indeed, energy today plays a key role in deciding levels of development : Per capita consumption of energy is now seen as a measure of economic growth and social progress of individuals, societies and nations.

    For equitable development of nations across the world, it is essential that access to and availability of energy sources should be guaranteed to all. However, with nearly half the world’s people surviving on less than two dollars a day and a third on less than one dollar a day, access to and availability of energy sources continue to elude many a developing nation.

    The situation is compounded by the fact that majority of the rural population in developing nations is still dependent on traditional fuels. This at best meets basic human requirements, but does not improve the quality of the lives of the poor and marginalised.

    Therefore, to ensure equitable development within and among nations, we have to work towards equitable and sustainable access to and availability of energy sources.

    In the era of globalisation, attaining this should not be impossible. Indeed, globalisation offers immense possibilities of developed and developing nations working together in the energy sector to their mutual advantage.

    Developed countries have access to technology, financial resources and expertise; developing countries offer an expanding market for energy sources. In this scenario, the World Energy Council can play an important role in encouraging partnership between developing and developed countries.

    Economic liberalisation and globalisation have led to increasing demand for energy – to run industry, to create infrastructure and to meet rising domestic requirements. This has further strengthened the case for partnership in the energy sector.

    We are confident that our initiatives will lead to greater participation and wider partnership in developing India’s energy sector.

    Friends, for adequate and equitable and sustainable energy development, we must focus on the agreed principles of collective endeavour as laid down in The Rio Declaration on Environment & Development, 1992. The first principle of the Declaration states, "Human beings are at the centre of concerns for sustainable development."

    It is this concern that should lie at the core of business – global, national or corporate.

    Seen in this context, the World Energy Council, at its 17^th World Congress in Houston two years ago, was right in concluding that the number one priority for development of sustainable energy for all was to extend access to commercial energy services to the two billion people who do not have it now. And, to the almost two billion people who, it is estimated, will come into this world in the next two decades.

    Success in meeting the energy requirements of these four billion people over the next two decades should be regarded as the first test of the sustainability of our collective global energy development efforts. This is an opportunity and a challenge – for developed and developing nations – to establish an environmentally sustainable system for the Twenty-first Century.

    The ‘Rio Declaration’ further says that "All states and all people shall cooperate in the essential task of eradicating poverty as an indispensable requirement for sustainable development, in order to decrease the disparities in standards of living and better meet the needs of the majority of the people of the world. The special situation and needs of developing countries, particularly the least developed and those most environmentally vulnerable, shall be given special priority."

    Any development agenda, whether global, national or corporate, therefore, should be framed bearing in mind these principles that form, what can be described as, the ‘global ethics’ of development.

    Friends, People-centered energy goals should be fundamental to energy business in the Twenty-first Century. This will call for comprehensive national, regional and global policy initiatives to encourage reforms, augment infrastructure, upgrade technologies and introduce new technologies. Above all, to balance environment as well as development concerns of different economies in harmony with their unique economic and social requirements.

    Energy concerns across the world are marked by a certain amount of variance in priorities. Developed nations are seized with environmental implications of energy concerns. On the other hand, developing nations are focused on ensuring that their people have access to basic minimum tool for securing their livelihood, including access to energy supply.

    The role of a global agency like the World Energy Council lies in promoting convergence and integration of the priorities of developing and developed countries.

    I am sure that the World Energy Council will play a constructive role in shaping the energy sector of developing nations so that they have greater and equitable access to energy sources and, thereby, help ensure equitable development.

    With these words, I inaugurate this session of the Executive Assembly of the World Energy Council.

Thank you".

    Shri Vajpayee also said that for equitable development of nations, it is essential that access and availability of energy sources should be guaranteed to all. Touching on the need to develop sustainable energy for all, he said, that meeting the energy requirement of the four billion people who will not have an access to commercial energy services over the next two decades, will be the first test of the sustainability of global energy development efforts. Concluding his inaugural address the Prime Minister said people centred energy goals should be fundamental to energy business in the 21^st century. Above all, it will be necessary to balance environment as well as development concerns of different economies in harmony with their unique economic and social requirements, he added.

    Earlier, the Minister of State for Power, Smt. Jayawanti Mehta in her welcome address hoped that the WEC Executive Assembly would hold fruitful discussions on the issues of energy, efficiency, environment, ethics and financing.

    The inaugural function was also addressed by the Chairman of the Executive Assembly, Mr. Jim Adams who said there is expected to be a 40% increase in demand for energy globally over the next twenty years.

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    Stating that IT could play a multifaceted role in improving productivity, ensuring good governance resulting in customer satisfaction and saving valuable time and cost, the Minister said that use of IT would facilitate reduction in response time and decision making lags as also avoidable delays in all customer-oriented services such as public utilities, banking, insurance and transport. "The use of IT would be able to bring in more transparency and accountability thereby eliminating the ills prevailing in the system such as corruption and inefficiency", Dr. Singh said.

    Underlining the fact that the economic potential of IT enabled sectors was truly enormous, the Minister said that Internet and e-commerce had redefined the economic and technological horizons of nations, both large and small. The sector was, he said, growing by leaps and bounds quoting a study of NASSCOM which indicates that about 1.1 million jobs and revenue of about Rs.810 billion was expected to be generated by the year 2008. According to Goldman Sachs survey, the Minister said, the Indian IT industry was poised to capture 5.1 per cent or US $ 30 billion of global IT services market by 2004, which implied a compound annual growth rate of about 39 per cent.

    The Minister further emphasised that organisations the world over, irrespective of the level of development of their countries would have to embrace the new technology and reshape their business more frequently than they were doing presently if they were to meet their competitors with lower cost and efficiency. Adding a note of caution, Dr. Singh said that the revolutionary technology was highly disruptive for the established business processes and no one was safe when the technology unleashed its wholesome assault. "Companies will have to work harder to stay in place", he said.

    While Shri Mankad delivered the welcome address on the occasion, Shri Vittal in his address highlighted the virtues of technology in the present competitive scenario. Mr. Takashi delivered the keynote address at the inaugural function. Proposing the vote of thanks, Shri Srinivasan said that in the coming times all activities relating to productivity, would have to keep in mind the three E’s which were electronics (i.e. IT), environment and energy.

ORGAN RETRIEVAL AND BANKING ORGANISATION

    This information was given by the Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Shri A. Raja, in a written reply to a question by

    Dr. Ashok Patel in the Lok Sabha today.

SURVEILLANCE PROGRAMME FOR COMMUNICABLE DISEASES

    The programme is aimed at detection of early warning signals of outbreaks and rapid response for prevention and control of these outbreaks and diseases. The programme strategies are training; modernisation and upgradation of laboratories; strengthening of linkages for disease surveillance from peripheral to central levels; networking the State/Regional and National Institutions; Information, Education and Communication activities; and electronic means of communication and data processing.

    This information was , in a written reply to a question by Shri Suresh Ramrao Jadhav in the Lok Sabha today.

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INDIA, ZAMBIA IDENTIFY SECTORS FOR INCREASING TRADE AND INVESTMENT

INDIA-ZAMBIA JOINT TRADE COMMITTEE MEETING CONCLUDES

    Both sides agreed that the two countries had an important bilateral relationship in the areas of trade and investment. Bilateral trade between India and Zambia stood at US $ 41.32 million ( or Rs. 179.05 crores ) in 1999-2000. However, there had been a decline in trade since 1997-98. The discussions took place in a cordial and friendly atmosphere reflecting the shared perceptions of the two countries on major economic issues and their common commitment to further strengthening of the bilateral trade ties.

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INDIA, CYPRUS TO COOPERATE IN IT AND HI-TECH SECTORS

    India and Cyprus have agreed to explore cooperation in the marketing and production in Cyprus of jewellery with precious and semi-precious stones from India for export to West Asian and European markets and development and processing of raw materials and minerals, besides exchange of technology and know-how in high-tech areas. Cyprus also agreed to advise its garments manufacturing industry to consider cooperation with the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT). Both sides agreed to promote increased cooperation in tourism and to undertake travel promotion activities through cooperation between tourism organisations and agencies. Cyprus has requested for the placement of an Indian chef in a premier hotel institute of Cyprus to provide training to Indian cuisine. The Indian side responded by stating that this was being done. Proposals for cooperation in agriculture, transport, health, justice, science & technology and education were also discussed by the Committee, underlining the commitment on both sides to pursue practical and effective means for further development of economic cooperation taking advantage of opportunities from the ongoing liberalisation process in both India and Cyprus.

    Emphasising the need to espouse the cause of sanskrit he said, the institute has shown a new path of integral education in the area of higher education which lays equal stress on character building and academic excellence. He pointed out that integral education is a process of a free and progressive development of the powers of the body, mind and the soul under the overarching growth and development, which is spiritual in character so that a total harmony of the being can be pursued as a practical goal of all aspects of progress.

    Turning to the world economic order, Dr. Joshi said it is another extension of materialism and that the world has become a large market. These concepts have propelled the western world into unmasked exploitation. 800 million people still sleep hungry . One billion suffer from malnutrition. 1.5 billion still under poverty. The consumption levels in affluent nations are going up steeply. Technologies have often led to oppression and wide spread destruction of the ecology and depletion of world’s limited natural resources. He said this calls for sustainable consumption . There has to be a check on uncontrolled consumption. It is the responsibility of all of us to carry on the struggle for achieving the goal of sustainable consumption, he added.

RAJYA SABHA

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REVIEW OF PRODUCTION PERFORMANCE OF SIX-INFRASTRUCTURE INDUSTRIES OCTOBER, 2000 (Base: 1993-94=100)

    The Overall index (Base: 1993-94=100) of these 6 infrastructure industries in October 2000 rose to 162.2 as against 145.2 in October 1999 thus showing a growth rate of 11.7%. An analysis of production data for October 2000, in comparison to October 1999 shows that Electricity (12.0%), Coal(3.4%), Steel (10.7%), Crude Petroleum (3.8%) Pet. Refinery Products (35.0%), and Cement (13.2%) have recorded positive growth rates.

    Similarly during April-October 2000 over its corresponding period last year, Electricity, Coal, Steel, Petroleum Refinery Products and Cement have recorded positive growth rates of 4.6%, 8.0%, 11.9%, 30.1% and 4.6% respectively, whereas Crude Petroleum has shown negative growth (-0.3%). The overall cumulative growth rate in the six industries during the period is 7.9% as against 8.9% recorded in the corresponding period of last year.

    Production/generation figures and Growth rates for the 6 infrastructure industries for October 2000 and April-October 2000 are shown in Table I. Comparative Growth rates for the 6 infrastructure industries are shown in Table II.

TABLE-II

Performance of Infrastructure Industries, October 2000

Growth in Electricity sector has shown a growth rate of 4.6% during April-October 2000 as against 7.9% during the same period in previous year. In October. 2000 growth rate of Electricity was 12.0% as compared to 10.1% in October 1999.

During April-Oct 2000, cumulative growth rate of thermal electricity has come down to 6.4% from 10.7 in April-Oct,1999. Whereas growth in hydro electricity has shown growth rate of –-3.3% in Apr-Oct as compared to –3.0% during the same period of the previous year.

The aggregate growth rate for April-Oct 2000 has marginally slowed down to 11.9% as compared to 14.0% in corresponding period of last year. Growth rate during October 2000 has shown 10.7% as compared to 16.1% in October 1999.

Crude petroleum has shown negative growth rate of 0.3% during the period April-Oct 2000 over the same period of last year. Whereas, during October 2000 it has shown growth rate of 3.8%. as compared to –1.6% during October 1999.

During April-Oct 2000, Petroleum Refinery sector has registered an impressive growth rate of 30.1% as compared to 19.1%. in the corresponding period of the previous year. For October 2000 it has registered growth rate of 35.0% as compared to 19.8% in October 1999. During the period under review this sector has shown highest growth rate among the 6 infrastructure industries.

The Cement sector witnessed a sharp decline and registered a growth rate of 4.6% during April-Oct 2000 as against 17.6% in corresponding period of previous year. For October 2000 the growth rate was 13.2% as compared to 9.6% in October 1999.

The Coal sector has also shown an impressive growth rate of 8.0% during April-Oct 2000 as compared to –1.1% in corresponding period of 1999. Looking at year to year comparison positive growth of 3.4% was witnessed in Oct 2000 over Oct 1999.

    i) Barrage (named Samal) Completed

    ii) Main canal & branches 68.50 km

    iii) Structures (Main, branch and distributaries) 185 km

    The project is likely to be completed by 2003.

    This information was given by the Union Minister of State for Water Resources, Smt. Bijoya Chakravarty in a written reply to the question from Smt. Hema Gamang and Shri K.P.Singh Deo in the Lok Sabha today.

    A drought Contingency Plan has been formulated and circulated by Ministry of Agriculture to all concerned State Governments including Orissa for taking necessary steps. The position is being regularly reviewed. An amount of Rs. 41.05 crores has already been released out of Central Scheme of Calamity Relief Fund during the current year (2001-2002).

    This information was given by the Union Minister of State for Water Resources, Smt. Bijoya Chakravarty in a written reply to the question from Shri Bhartruhari Mahtab in the Lok Sabha today.

    Ganga Flood Control Board constituted an expert committee to study this proposal but the committee could not arrive at any conclusion on the surplus water availability of river Ganga. The study conducted by Central Water Commission revealed that sufficient water was not available in Ganga near these two places for more than 20-30 days in a year for diversion to Rajasthan and the proposal as such was also found to be highly uneconomical. In the fourteenth meeting of Ganga Flood Control Board held in June, 2000, it was decided that the study of diversion of Ganga water to Rajasthan could be done by National Water Development Agency.

    Implementation of water transfer link proposal inter-alia depend on how soon the detailed project report is prepared after consensus is reached among the concerned States and the availability of funds.

    This information was given by the Union Minister of State for Water Resources, Smt. Bijoya Chakravarty in a written reply to the question from Shri Jaswant Singh Bishnoi in the Lok Sabha today.

    The commissioning of Thein (Ranjit Sagar) Dam and completion of Shahpurkandi barrage will enable India to fully utilize the average quantum of waters of the Eastern rivers. Pending full irrigation development in the concerned States possible under the treaty, the Irrigated Cropped Area within the basin of Western Rivers was 8,11,225 acres during 1998-99 against the permissible limit, in accordance with the treaty, of 13,43,477 acres.

    The completion of Sutlej-Yamuna Link Canal is sub-judice under a suit filed by the State of Haryana in the Supreme Court. According to the State, over 3 lakh hectrares of irrigation potential already created remain unutilized.

    This information was given by the Union Minister of State for Water Resources, Smt. Bijoya Chakravarty in a written reply to the question from Shri Ramchander Bainda in the Lok Sabha today.