'20'
IRAQI OIL MINISTER CALLS ON SHRI RAM NAIK
Dr. Amer Mohammed Rashid, Minister of Oil, Iraq and Co-Chairman of Indo-Iraq Joint Commission called on Shri Ram Naik, Minister for Petroleum & Natural Gas, and Co-Chairman of the Commission from Indian side, here today. Welcoming the Iraqi Minister and his delegation, Shri Ram Naik said that India has excellent relations with Iraq for ages and wants to strengthen these further.
During the meeting, the issue of currently prevailing high oil prices in the international market was discussed. Shri Ram Naik suggested that oil-exploring countries should consider giving concessions to developing countries, that buy oil for their own consumption, in the form of discount, long term credit, etc. Iraqi Oil Minister conveyed that Iraq supports such pricing policy and as and when any such proposal comes in OPEC Iraq will support. Both the Ministers discussed the areas of mutual cooperation that will be taken up for deliberations at Indo-Iraq Joint Commission meeting during next four days.
Official level decisions of the Joint Commission will be held on 26th & 27th which will be followed by preliminary discussions at Ministers level on 28th and signing of agreed minutes on 29th November.
Shri E. Ponnuswamy, Minister of State for Petroleum & Natural Gas and senior officers of Petroleum Ministry were also present during the meeting.
'20'
EXPLORATIONS AND INCREASED PRODUCTION ARE THE ONLY MANDATE
SECOND ROUND OF NELP TO BRING ABOUT BETTER AVAILABILITY OF OIL AND GAS IN THE COUNTRY: SHRI RAM NAIK
Shri Ram Naik, Minister for Petroleum & Natural Gas, said that keeping in view the international oil price and depletion of reserve base gradually of our country the only mandate for the petroleum geo-scientists at this hour is to find and produce more oil & gas for increasing the indigenous availability. Shri Ram Naik said this while he was inaugurating the Fifth International Conference and Exhibition on Petroleum Geochemistry and Exploration in the Afro-Asian Region (AAAPG 2000), here today. This is the second time that Association of Afro-Asian Petroleum Geochemists (AAAPG) is holding the International Conference in India.
Shri Naik said that only if the supplies were increased the demand and the prices of oil would come down. So it is time to think of future to have a proper vision. Shri Naik opined that though the OPEC countries have produced more oil the prices have not come down because of the high taxes prevalent in the consuming countries. He hoped tax-reduction could bring down the prices down to some extent though not full. The Minister also complemented ONGC for its recent gas find in the Krishna-Godavari Basin and stressed to adopt more scientific methods. Shri Naik was proud of offering 25 new blocks under the New Exploration Licensing Policy (NELP) within 7 months whereas in the last 7 years it was 23.
Shri E. Ponnuswamy, Minister of State for Petroleum & Natural Gas, in his speech, said that most of the Indian oil fields are now at their midlife and in the declining stage. To over come this, there is need to find more reserve base and to further enhance productivity.. He further said that Petroleum geochemistry is an integral part our exploration, development and production programme and is being usefully applied in surface prospecting for petroleum pools, basin evaluation, resource estimation and reservoir characterisation for better reservoir management.
On the occasion, Shri P. Shankar, Secretary, (Petroleum & Natural Gas) said that it is necessary to pool together and integrate all scientific and technical knowledge so as to meet the challenges of opening new basins. He said attractive fiscal policies have helped in creation of an environment where all the private companies -- Indian and Foreign -- will be able to work jointly. Prof. Fan Pu, Chairman of (AAAPG) also spoke on the occasion.
DENIAL Many newspapers, while reporting today the escape of Chhota Rajan from a Bangkok hospital, have tried to link this episode with the Central Government or its agencies.
There is no truth whatsoever in these conjectures or accusations which are categorically denied. The reports in question seem to be a mischievous attempt on the part of vested interests to misguide the people.
The Central Government is already in touch with the Interpol in this regard.
‘11’
SHRI BAIS CALLS FOR VOLUNTARY ACTION TO PREVENT CRIME
The Minister of State for Information & Broadcasting, Shri Ramesh Bais has called upon people to take voluntary action for prevention of rising rate of crime in the society. Only a concerted voluntary effort to inculcate respect for healthy values can help reduce the crime.
Shri Bais was addressing the annual conference of the All India Crime Prevention Society here today.
Shri Bais said the multi-dimensional development of the material world has not only increased the volume of traditional type of crime but also brought a number of new areas in the grip of crime. These included the crimes in the fields of economic, environment, smuggling, drug paddling and terrorism. All these can only be tackled through the propagation of good values.
Shri Bais also advocated the practice of yoga, which he said has helped the inmates of Tihar Jail to shun crime and become responsible citizens. He said even in the developed countries of West, yoga is being adopted in a big way to meet the stresses of the modern life.
Shri Bais gave away prizes to the policemen, voluntary organizations and individuals for their excellent work in the field of crime prevention.
'7'
LAW DAY ON 26TH NOVEMBER, 2000
The Indian Council of Jurists will be observing ‘Law Day’ on 26.11.2000. On the eve of this occasion, Shri N.T.Shanmugam, Minister of State for Coal along with eminent jurists and prominent lawyers called on the Prime Minister at his residence today and presented him a copy of the "Constitution of India". During the meeting, the Minister apprised the Prime Minister that only some States have Advocates Welfare Scheme, but not all the States. In view of this, the Minister made an appeal to the Prime Minister that a separate fund may be created by the Central Government for the welfare of about 8 lakh Advocates in the country. The Minister also indicated that the funds may be regulated by Bar Council of India and State Bar Councils.
Among those who called on the Prime Minister included Shri Hiphei, Member, Rajya Sabha, Shri R.K.Anand, Member, Rajya Sabha, Shri B.S.Sehrawat, Chairman, Bar Council of Delhi, Shri Ashok Desai, Former Attorney General of India and Shri K.K.Sood, Additional Solicitor General of India.
'33’ FERNANDES DEPLORES BURNING OF PM’S EFFIGY BY SHIV SENA WORKERS
Reacting to the burning of Prime Minister, Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s effigy by some Shiv Sena workers including some Members of Parliament, the NDA Convenor and Union Defence Minister, Shri George Fernandes today said that the NDA Coordination Committee was the most appropriate forum for the constituent parties to express their views on various policy matters. The individual Members of Parliament could also express their opinions on the floor of the two Houses. However, to resort to burning of the effigy of the prime Minister was a most deplorable act.
Mr.Fernandes also said that the Government’s decision on unilateral ceasefire in Jammu & Kashmir during the holy month of Ramzan was taken after factoring all aspects of the situation prevailing in the State. The Government was aware that some terrorist elements were unlikely to respond to our appeal to let the people in the state have a peaceful month of Ramzan. To relate the Government’s decision to the actions of some militant outfits, would, however, tantamount to playing into the hands of forces which are opposed to peace and stability in J& K.
‘31’
VOLUNTARY HIV TESTING AND COUNSELLING CENTRES TO BE SET UP IN EVERY DISTRICT
The Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Dr.C.P.Thakur, has said that the Government is strongly committed to carrying forward the efforts to control HIV/AIDS and creating an environment that reduces denial, stigma and discrimination and protects the human rights of the affected people. Speaking at the valedictory session of the National Conference on Human Rights and HIV/AIDS here this evening, Dr.Thakur said that the Government would start a new public education campaign against HIV/AIDS from next year.
The Minister said that voluntary HIV testing and counselling centres would be set up in every district in the country. Already telephone counselling facility has been established in over 35 cities and towns. He said that protection of human rights of infected people has been incorporated in the National AIDS Policy and the Government has taken concrete action to build a Right-based approach to the epidemic and has designed a programme which empowers people to protect themselves against AIDS. NGOs are being supported to set up Residential Community Care Centres for HIV positive persons in order to provide medical, psychological and social support. These Community Care Centres are a unique Indian response for providing low cost care and support within the community and family environment, he added.
In his concluding remarks, the Chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission, Justice J.S.Verma, said that the fight against HIV/AIDS was not merely a health issue, but an ethical and human rights issue. He suggested a three-pronged approach to the problem, namely to ensure that there was no further spread of the epidemic, to ensure proper medicare to the infected persons, and to ensure dignity of the affected people.