‘7’
SETTLEMENT OF INVESTORS’ COMPLAINTS
The Investors Protection Cell in the Department of Company Affairs settled 815 complaints satisfactorily during October, 2000. The Cell attends to the complaints of all types of investors, such as, individuals and institutions relating to deposits, shares and debentures in the corporate sector.
During the month, Regional Branches of the Company Law Board (CLB) passed orders for payment of deposits to 1665 applicants under Section 58A of the Companies Act, 1956 and Section 45Q(2) of the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934. Under other Sections of the Companies Act, the CLB disposed of 344 applications.
The Government also approved policy for E-Corporate governance during the month. As a result, an investor friendly Corporate Identity Number (CIN) has been started for companies being registered from November 1, 2000. The CIN identifies each company registered in the country reflecting its activity, industry, ownership, year of incorporation, state of registration and listing status.
'16'
SHARE OF MANUFACTURED GOODS IN INDIA'S EXPORTS RISES TO 80 PER CENT
The percentage share of manufactured items, i.e., non-traditional items in India's exports has increased from 72.31 per cent in 1991-92 to over 80 per cent in 1999-2000, indicating that the composition of India's export basket is changing in favour of non-traditional and value added items. The government is making continuous efforts to move towards high value-added and non-traditional items and promotion of new export markets through multilateral and bilateral initiatives, identification of thrust sectors and focus regions. For example, a special 'Focus: LAC' programme is under way to promote exports to Latin American countries.
Some of the measures under consideration/undertaken to boost exports to markets like Africa and East Europe are: introduction and promotion of trade in new items such as electronics & software, marine products, gems & jewellery, meat & bone products, automobiles etc.; exchange of trade information; participation in various fairs & exhibitions abroad; promotion of inter-banking arrangements; counter trade; creation/leasing of warehouses; promotion of joint ventures & mutual investments; agreements on avoidance of double taxation and extension of government credit line, etc. Provisional figures show that exports to Africa and East Europe have shown a growth of 21.36 per cent and 16.31 per cent in dollar terms in April-July 2000-2001, respectively.
'17'
UNIDO DIRECTOR GENERAL TO MEET P.G. MANKAD
Dr. Carlos Magarinos, Director General of UNIDO (United Nations Industrial Development Organisation) will have a meeting with Shri P.G. Mankad, Secretary (Industrial Policy & Promotion), Ministry of Commerce & Industry, here tomorrow. Mr. Magarinos will be on an official visit to New Delhi from 30 November to 2 December, 2000 and will have meetings with senior government officials, besides calling on Ministers. He is also expected to meet the Cabinet Secretary and Secretaries of the Ministries of External Affairs, Finance, Small Scale Industries, Environment & Forest and Heavy Industries.
The objective of Mr. Magarinos' visit is to further broaden and deepen cooperation between India and the UNIDO by identifying the priorities for developing an 'UNIDO Umbrella Programme' (Country Service Framework - CSF) for India aimed at promoting competitive industry, productive employment and sound environment. For this purpose, UNIDO is extensively evaluating all its projects in India and will incorporate the results of his visit into the preparation of a CSF programme. A UNIDO technical mission will be arriving early next year to finalise the CSF programme.
'5'
RAJYA SABHA
MILITANT ACTIVITIES IN NORTH-EASTERN STATES
There have been some incidents of violence in North Eastern States lately, particularly in Assam and Tripura. However, the overall security scenario in the North East remains under control.
During the current year 157 security forces personnel and 719 civilians have been killed by militants in the North Eastern States as against 203 security forces personnel and 597 civilians killed during the previous year.
Steps taken by the Government to combat militancy in the North East include, interalia, deployment of Central Para Military Forces and Army; improved coordination and sharing of intelligence between the security forces; modernisation/upgradation of State Police forces; reimbursement of security related expenditure; sanction of Special Central Assistance to the State Governments; declaration of the most seriously affected area as ‘disturbed areas’ and notification of the major insurgent groups as unlawful associations’. The situation is also kept under watch and is reviewed from time to time for taking appropriate action.
This information was given by the Minister of State for Home Affairs, Shri I.D. Swami in the Rajya Sabha today.
'5'
RAJYA SABHA
ALLIANCE BETWEEN CRIMINALS AND POLITICIANS
The President of India in his address to the nation on the eve of Independence Day, this year referred to the growth of violence in society. He said crime and violence and the links between the criminals, politicians and important people in society has become almost an unholy alliance. In an oblique reference to the hostage crises involving the Kannad film actor Raj Kumar’s abduction by Veerappan, Shri K.R. Narayanan had said that criminals are being glamorised by the media and are treated as if they are new heroes of our society.
In reply to a question, whether Government’s attention has been drawn to the concern expressed by the President in this regard, the Minister of State for Home Affairs, Shri CH. Vidyasagar Rao told the Rajya Sabha in a written reply that in pursuance of the recommendations made by the Vohra Committee on the linkages of criminals with politicians and bureaucrats, the Ministry of Home Affairs set up a Nodal Group in 1995 which looks into the cases of criminal-politician-bureaucrat nexus. Besides, the Central Government provides regular assistance for strengthening and modernising the State Police Forces to enable them to deal effectively with organised crime and criminals. Keeping in view the gravity of the situation, the annual allocation under the Scheme for modernisation of State Police Forces has been enhanced from Rs.200 crore to Rs.1000 crore. In addition, intelligence is regularly shared with the State Governments about the activities of the mafia/criminal syndicates. At the request of the State Governments, the central paramilitary Forces are also deployed in situations constituting serious threat to the law & order.
'10'
LOK SABHA
In June 2000 this year, Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment has issued guidelines for assisting non-governmental organisations/voluntary organisations which include provisions for tapering off the financial assistance being released to the country organisations that have been drawing grants in aid from the Ministry for periods in excess of five years for the same project.
Assistance from the government shall be limited to a duration of 10 years in case of new projects. Those ongoing projects that have been receiving assistance for the last 10 years and above will be given a phase out period of 5 years and in respect of those assisted for lesser period the phase out period shall be 10 years. Where the phase out period is 5 years grants shall be reduced by an amount of 20% every year. In case of a phase out period of 10 years the reduction in grant shall be 10% every year.
An amount of Rs. 144.80 lakhs has been misutilised by 42 non Governmental Organisations. If an organisation is found as a result of inspection to it or the quality of services delivered by it is not commensurate with funds released, further release of grant-in-aid to the NGO is suspended. Show cause notice is issued to the management and if the explanation is found to be unsatisfactory then action is taken to blacklist the organisation and State Government/District Collector concerned is asked to seize the assets created out of the Government assistance, dispose of the same, deposit the monies thus collected with the Government and recover the balance amount as arrears of land revenue.
This information was given by the Minister of State for Social Justice & Empowerment, Smt. Maneka Gandhi in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.
'41'
RAJYA SABHA
The Targeted and actual production of coal for the years 1997-98 and 1998-99 were 297.45 and 295.80 million tonnes & 306.5 and 292.27 million tonnes respectively. While Coal India Ltd had achieved the targeted production in 1997-98 it had to reduce production target in 1998-99 due to sluggish demand. Singareni Collieries Company Limited could not achieve the target because of sporadic strikes, break down of machineries and despatch problems etc. The Targeted production for the year 1999-2000 and 2000-2001 are 298.9 million tonnes and 308.07 million tonnes respectively.This information was given by the Minister of State for Coal, Shri N.T. Shanmugam in a written reply today in the Rajya Sabha.
'10'
LOK SABHA
NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR THE HEARING HANDICAPPED
The number of persons trained by National Institute for Hearing Handicapped in Diploma, Degree, Post Degree courses for last three years as follows:| Diploma | Degree | Master Degree | Total | |
| 1997-98 | 85 | 91 | 30 | 206 |
| 1998-99 | 82 | 90 | 28 | 200 |
| 1999-2000 | 108 | 106 | 20 | 234 |
Diploma/Degree/Post Degree courses are prepared in consultation with Rehabilitation Council of India. Training courses are generally undertaken in consultation with Rehabilitation Council of India, New Delhi.
This information was given by the Minister of State for Social Justice & Empowerment, Smt. Maneka Gandhi in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.
‘14’
BHABHA ATOMIC RESEACH CENTRE DEVELOPES 22 HIGH YIELDING CROPS
The Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) has developed through radiation, 22 high yielding varieties of rice, pulses, groundnut, jute and other cereals and fibre crops. These varieties have been released to the farmers for cultivation.
Dr. D.C. Joshua, Senior Scientist at BARC, Mumbai told at a workshop on Nuclear Agriculture, here today that the breeding work using radiation helped in increasing the genetic variability of crops. With the introduction of varieties with large seeds, time, money and energy can be saved considerably.
The BARC has also developed a green manure plant called Sesbania Rostrata (DHENCHA) which can be grown even in shorter winter days. This helps reduce farmers’ dependence on chemical fertilizers considerably, bringing down the cost of production and also regenerates the soil.
Dr. Joshua said that since crop improvement is a continuous process, breeding through radiation will remain a plant breeding method complimenting the other breeding approaches.
Crop improvement has been a major project under the Nuclear Energy in Agriculture at the BARC.
'13'
STATE-OF-THE-ART FOOD TESTING LABORATORY TO COME UP
A state-of-the-art nodal codex food laboratory, using international protocol for analysis and sampling procedures is to come up soon. Scheduled to become functional sometime early next year, the laboratory will help ensure global standards of hygiene of Indian food products both in terms of exports and imports. It is being set up by the Central Food Technological Research Institue in conjunction with the Directorate General of Health Services and the Ministry of Food Processing Industries.
This is one of the initiatives being taken by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) to help increase India’s export of agricultural and food products, processed or otherwise in the backdrop of opening up of opportunities due to globalisation. Globalisation has brought up the need for mutual harmonisation and recognition of quality and regulatory standards. India as a member of Mutual Recognition Arrangement is required to take up measures in this regard.
'38'
| LOK SABHA |
WATER RESOURCE POLICY OF ORISSA GOVERNMENT
The State Government of Orissa has drawn up a state Water Policy on the line of National Water Policy, 1987.
Government of Orissa has prepared Delta Development Plan of Mahanadi Delta Command Area in October, 1989 which also includes Drainage Development Plan of Mahanadi Delta Area. The Plan inter-alia envisages raising and strengthening of embankments, river training works; construction and improvement of link, secondary and outfall drains; tidal/flood regulation facilities and embanking of drains where necessary.
However, the State Government has not submitted any Master Plan to Ministry of Water Resources in respect of Bramhani, Baitarani and Rusikulya.
Water Resources development and flood management schemes are investigated, planned and executed by the State Governments as per their priority and 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 Anadi Sahu in the Lok Sabha today.
'38'
| LOK SABHA |
OUSTEES OF SUBERNAREKHA IRRIGATION PROJECT
The number of families affected due to Subernarekha Multi-Purpose project is 14,164 (as per 1981 census) and area of land under acquisition is 36721 hectares. Being a state subject, planning, funding and execution of irrigation project including land acquisition and rehabilitation of displaced families is the responsibility of the State Government.
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 Ram Tahal Chaudhary in the Lok Sabha today.
'38'
| LOK SABHA |
Being a meandering river, soil erosion and shoal formation due to silt deposition naturally takes place year to year along the banks of Ganga. It has been reported that shoal formation has taken place on Bangladesh side of the river in recent years. However, this has nothing to do with Farakka Barrage and this issue has not been discussed with Bangladesh.
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 Nawal Kishore Rai and others in the Lok Sabha today.
'38'
LOK SABHA |
Report of the World Commission on Dams (WCD) has attempted global assessment of dams and its effectiveness.
While the WCD has been funded by the World Bank, its mandate does not include review of demands for funds from the World Bank for setting up different dams.
The WCD in its Report has inter-alia observed that (i) Large dams built to deliver hydropower tend to perform close to but still below targets for power generation generally meet their financial targets but demonstrate varibale economic performance relative to targets, and include a number of notable under the over-performers, (ii) large dams designed to deliver irrigation services have typically fallen short of physical targets, did not recover their costs and have been less profitable in economic terms than expected, and (iii) Large dams with a flood control component have provided important benefits in this regard, but at the same time have led to reater vulnerability to flood hazards due to increased settlement in areas still at risk from floods, and in some cases have worsened flood damages for a number of reasons, including poor operation of dams.
The WCD Report deals with global issues based on data reportedly derived by them on experiences of various countries. The findings of the WCD are not binding on the Governments.
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 G. Mallikarjunappa in the Lok Sabha today.
'38'
| LOK SABHA |
Ravi and Beas water dispute and the Cauvery water disputes were referred to the Tribunals under the provisions of the Inter-State Water Disputes Act, 1956 for adjudication in April, 1986 and June, 1990 respectively. Ravi and Beas Waters Tribunal has submitted a fact finding report on 30.01.1987. The Central Government as well as the party States of Rajashtan, Haryana and Punjab have sought explanation and guidance on certain points from the Tribunal under Section 5(3) of the Inter-State Water Disputes Act, 1956. Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal passed an interim order on June 25, 1991 giving relief to State of Tamil Nadu and Union Territory of Pondicherry. The Central Government has published the interim order in the official gazette on 10.12.1991 making it final and binding on the parties to the disputes. The Inter-State Water Disputes Act, 1956 does not prescribe any time limit for the tribunals to submit their report.
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 Rajo Singh in the Lok Sabha today.