The cost of the imported loco including all duties worked out to Rs.32 crores. With indigenisation of major items of ADtranz technology in first phase, the cost of CLW built locomotive will come to 40 per cent of the imported loco.

    The new locomotive is energy efficient and is equipped with the latest power and control electric equipment for traction, micro-processor controls and maintenance-free light weight three-phase traction motors. It provides unique advantage of regenerating the electrical energy, which is pumped back to power grid during braking . It can accelerate motion of heavier trains to provide better safety. The engine is driver friendly, has higher speed potential, more reliable and require much lesser cost for maintenance compared to existing locomotive.

    Established in 1950, Chittaranjan Locomotive Works has been recognised as one of the largest locomotive manufacturing units in the World. It has the distinction of manufacturing 2351 steam, 842 diesel and more than 2500 electric locomotives.

    The CLW has an excellent track record for successfully indigenising various imported technologies received from time to
time during the last 40 years. It has received steam locomotive technology from M/s North British, Scotland in 1950s, electric locomotive technology from M/s 50 Cycles European group in 1960s, DC traction motor technology from M/s Alsthom, France in late 60s, M/s Hitachi, Japan in 70s, steel foundry technology, from M/s Rockwell USA in 90s.
 
 

    The Prime Minister of India, Shri Atal Behari Bajpayee has congratulated the staff, Supervisors and Officers of Chittaranjan Locomotive Works for their hard work, dedication and commitment that enabled them to manufacture the prestigious finest indigenous three phase state-of-the-art 6000 HP Freight Electric Locomotive `Navyug' in a record time. He has expressed his pleasure for the locomotive being dedicated to the nation on November 14,1998.

    In his message Shri Bajpayee has said: "Indian Railways is the backbone of our country's economy. The indigenous manufacture of this locomotive at Chittaranjan Locomotive Works is a giant technological leap. With these locomotives in operation, Indian Raiwlays are sure to give a boost to the national economy, besides saving foreign exchange due to lesser import of diesel."
 
 

    The Government has contributed a total amount of Rs.19 crores to CGEWHO towards capital essentially for land procurement. A short-term loan of Rs.6 crores each was provided in 1995-96 and 1996-97 to facilitate land procurement and another Rs.3 crore released as loan in 1997-98.

    The CGEWHO so far has completed 22,274 dwelling units for Central Government employees on no profit no loss basis. These houses are at Chinnai, Nerul, Navi Mumbai, Panchkula, Noida Phase-I and Calcutta.

    At present, CGEWHO has ongoing housing schemes at Khargar (Navi Mumbai), Gurgaon Phase-II, Noida Phase-II, Chandigarh, Banglore and Cochin.

    The CGEWHO has acquired 6 acres land at Lucknow, 7 acres at Hyderabad, 10 acres at Pimpri Chinchuwas and 14 acres at Meerut. It is also planning to acquire more land at Meerut, Hyderabad, Lucknow and Ahmedabad.

    The CHEWHO was set up in 1990 to build houses on no profit no loss basis for Central Government employees all over the country.
 
 

    The Minister said empowerment of women is an area of concern which has merited special attention in the National Agenda for Governance of our Government. The Government was committed to lesgislate for the reservation of 33 per cent of seats in Parliament and State Assemblies for women and also committed to institute plans for providing free education for girls upto college level, including professional courses, so as to better empower the Indian women, further said Shri Naqvi.

    Shri Naqvi while addressing the women delegates from ASEAN and SAARC region said these regions share a common culture value system, especially in regard to the status of women in society. It is a cause of even greater satisfaction that the issue of a single market for ASEAN and SAARC has been taken up in the context of women enterpreneurship, said the Minister.

    The Minister admired the work that has been done by the Confederation of Indian Women Enterpreneurs which has achieved tremendous success in organising International conference-cum-exhibitions which will help bringing women engaged in various kinds of businesses on a common platform and to further the cause of economic empowerment of women.
 
 

     The Environment and Forests Minister Shri Suresh Prabhu has said India’s primary concern remains the removal of poverty and freedom from hunger and disease. The Environment and Forests Minister was addressing the 4^th Session of the Conference of Parties to the United Nations’ Framework Convention on Climate Change, in Buenos Aires in Argentina yesterday.

    In his address, Shri Prabhu said the convention recognises that the emission of the developing countries will continue to grow from the current low energy consumption levels. The right to develop is inalienable and is intended to provide all human beings with an equal right to living standards and quality of life. The Minister added that India intends to participate fully in global efforts to protect and improve the environment, but this would be done without hindering India’s development process. Any proposal which seeks to deprive India of its rightful entitlement to grow or to deny it a quality of life consistent with human dignity will have to be rejected, Shri Prabhu said. He went on to say that India sees any measures which deprive its citizens of a dignified human development as a violation of human rights.

    The Minister said any debate on sustainability cannot be complete unless it recognises that the South has not had its fair share of the environmental space, which it now needs more than ever before. On the other hand some Annex-I Parties to the Convention, continue to add a substantial amount to the concentrations of emissions. They thus enjoy a free ride, he said. Let alone paying an environmental rent some Annex-I Parties are reluctant even to discuss questions of transfer of financial resources and environmentally sound technologies except on their own terms. The declining trend in Overseas Development Aid (ODA) flows and delays in implementation of commitments by the developed countries are increasingly reducing opportunities and options available to the developing countries.

    The Environment Minister said it was necessary to take a look at the current international economic environment against the backdrop of the meeting. Many countries have been buffeted by the recent economic and social consequences of the crisis caused by volatile economies. The effect is worse on developing economies, Shri Prabhu said. Therefor the Minister said, the developing countries are in a far more adverse position today, than at the last meeting in Kyoto, Japan in December 1997, to deal with issues relating to socio-economic development, eradication of poverty and protection of the environment including climate change.

    Shri Prabhu also referred to the 12^th Non-Aligned Summit held in early September this year in which the Movement adopted a common position on issues relating to climate change. The Summit had reiterated that the primary responsibility for action rested on developed countries, he emphasised. It was agreed that equitable entitlement would be the basis for emissions trading. The Summit had rejected categorically all attempts by a few countries to link their ratification of the Kyoto Protocol with the acceptance of a few developing countries of the so-called "Voluntary Commitments". Shri Prabhu said, "Voluntary Commitments should mean what members states do voluntarily, when such voluntarism is sought to be incorporated into a legal framework then it is no longer voluntary, the Environment Minister added.

    Concluding his address the Environment Minister said India is committed to the effective international action for protection of the environment and dealing with climate change in accordance with the role assigned to the countries in the Convention and Protocol. He hoped that the outcome of the conference will preserve the existing balance of equities in the Convention.

    Earlier Shri Prabhu met delegation heads at the Conference, from the Netherlands, Finland and China on Friday. In wide ranging discussions on climate change the Minister emphasized that the developing countries are faced with the challenge of economic development to meet the basic needs of its people. He emphasised that India would in no case compromise on her people’s unalienable rights to wholesome environment and dignity of life. Shri Prabhu emphasised that the conference should take us forward where developed countries discharge their responsibilities effectively in line with the provisions of the Convention. He expressed the view that extraneous issues should not shift the emphasis from the earlier agreed commitments.
 
 

    Selection for the exhibition from the entries and further selection for Awards and Honourable Mentions were done by Jury consisting of Ms. Rekha Rodwittiya, Shri S.G. Vasudev, Shri Dhruv Mistry, Shri Yusuf and Shri Atul Dodiya.

    Awards winners are H.G. Arunkumar, Binoy Vargherse, S.D. Hari Prasad Achari, Kalikinkar Dey, Kishore Shinde, K.S. Ranganath, Samir Roy, Shridhar Iyer, Sushil Mangaonkar and Ms. Vishakha Apte.

    Honourable Mentions include R. Balasubramanian, M. Balraj, Debasish Bhattacharya, Ram Singh Urveti and Sachine Karne.

    The jury also selected works of eight artists for display in the ‘Invitee Section’ . These are Balan Nambiar (Bangalore), Ms. Nilima Sheikh (Vadodara), Sudhir Patwardhan (Thane, Maharashtra), Ms. Madvi Parekh (New Delhi), Jyoti Bhatt (Vadodara), P.R. Daroz (New Delhi), Rameshwar Broota (New Delhi) and K.V. Haridasan (Chennai). The exhibition will be on view till 30^th November, 1998 from 11 am to 7 pm daily.

    The Jury met on 29^th, 30^th and 31^st August, 1998 and considered 6889 photographs and slides received from 1689 artists in response to advertisements published in Newspapers. Works of 179 artists are exhibited. The Jury again met on 28^th October, 1998 and 10 awards carrying prize of Rs.25,000/- and Honourable Mentions to five artists were decided upon by the Jury.
 
 

    There are about 20 mini refineries in the world. Dr. Rao said that they should be preferably located in coastal areas at the well-head. This has become possible following an agreement entered into with the United Technologies Incorporation (INC) of the United States by the IIP. Dr. Rao said the mini refineries are also suitable for remote parts of the country, where crude is available in small quantities and which lack transportation facilities. Today the modern refineries are capable of refining 48 different types of crude. He said all plans have been drawn up to increase the crude output by 100 million tonnes in the next 10 years, which will take the total production to 170 million tonnes, which is sufficient to meet the projected demand. He said the IIP is confident that this refining capacity can be achieved by the targeted time.

    Dr. Prasada Rao pointed out that the IIP has successfully transferred several technologies at national level and efforts are on to become truly global. Active negotiations are going on for tie-ups with a number of multi-national organisations in the hydrocarbon sector for global marketing of Indian technologies and collaborative research.

    Speaking about the product related achievements of the IIP, he said they consisted of low air pressure film, kerosene wick stove, LPG stove, hurricane lantern, smoke meter, hot rolling oil, diesenol, retrofit kit and CNG three wheeler conversion kit. He was confident that the IIP would become financially independent in the next five years generating its required resources on its own. He said the Government should at least double the allocation for science to meet the challenges that could be posed to Indian science, in the next millennium.

    IIP, a jewel in the crown of the 40 and odd laboratories of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, got the ISO-9001 certification in the recent past, which is indeed a great achievement.
 
 

    The topic of the Seminar is "Respect for Human Rights by the Para-Military Forces in a Conflict Situation" The Home Minister would also be releasing postcards and inland letter cards bearing the UDHR Logo in the function. These postcards and the inland letter cards have been specially designed and printed with the UDHR Logo at the behest of MHA by the DAVP and Department of Posts, in order to propagate the human rights message of "All Human Rights for All". These cards would be simultaneously released by the Postmaster Generals in their respective zones.

    A number of Eminent speakers in the field of human rights including senior officers with experience in the management of para-miltary forces will speak on the occasion, including Justice Shri Ranganath Mishra, Member of Parliament in Rajya Sabha and former Chairperson, National Human Rights Commission; Dr. S. Subramanian, former Director General, CRPF, and Shri E.N. Rammohan, Director General, BSF.
 
 

    Individuals/Associations/Organisations who are interested in submitting their views/suggestions in the matter for consideration of the Committee may kindly send the same in writing in the form of Memoranda (5 copies each) to Shri Krishan Lal, Deputy Secretary, Lok Sabha Secretariat, Room No. 152, First Floor, Parliament House Annexe, New Delhi-110001, Tel. No. 303411 so as to reach him latest by 26^th November, 1998.

    The Memoranda so received to the Committee would form part of the records of the Committee and these would be treated as strictly confidential and would not be publicised by anyone as such this act would constitute a breach of privilege of the Committee.
 
 

    Azerbaijan, part of former Soviet Union, is a Central Asian Country. Azerbaijan is known for its vast oil reserves and incidentally in the beginning of this century, it contributed half of the worldÆs annual oil production.

With the development of offshore technology, the Caspian Sea part of Azerbaijan has been estimated to contain huge oil/gas reserves of over 5 billion tons. All the worldÆs major oil companies like BP/Chevron, Exxon, Mobil, Total, JNOC, AMOCO, Lukoil are already participating in oil exploration of Azerbaijan committing over 40 billion dollars. Caspion Sea is considered to be the oil producer of the 21st century.

Recognising its potential, ONGC Videsh Ltd., the overseas arm of ONGC is focussing on Azerbaijan. To pursue IndiaÆs interests, the Minister of Petroleum & Natural Gas, Mr. K. Ramamurthy visited Baku in May, 1998, followed by Minister of State for External Affairs Mrs. Vijayaraje Scindia in June. Mr. B.C. Bora, CMD, ONGC also visited the country and conducted business meetings with senior officials of Azerbaijan government and their national oil company. These meetings have further strengthened the ties between India & Azerbaijan.

    To acquire suitable projects in this country, ONGC-Videsh Limited has opened a representative office in Baku. ONGC Videsh Limited also has an office in Kazakhstan and is shortly opening offices in Russia and Iraq.
 
 

    AAI also has plans to extend the runway from 6000 ft. to 7500 ft. Land is being acquired by the State government for this purpose.

    On completion of the expansion and modification of terminal building complex, it will be able to handle 400 passengers at a time. It will be equipped with all modern world class passenger amenities.

    Extension of apron of Agartala airport is also going on with the estimated cost of Rs.4.95 crores. This is expected to be completed by February 1999.
 
 

    From India, four social security organisation namely Employees State Insurance Corporation, Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation, Coal Mines Provident Fund and Assam Tea Plantations workers Provident Fund and pension scheme have sponsored their officers for the course.

    The International Social Security Association is an affiliate body of the I.L.O. that deals with the promotion and development of social security across the world. Over three hundred Social Security Organisations are either associate members or affiliate members of the body that provides a common platform for sharing of ideas and experience towards the development of social security.
 
 

    Answering questions, Shri Bakht said that the Government has increased the pace of liberalisation and cited delicencing of some industries and disinvestment as indicators of the open policy being pursued by the Government. He also said that India has come out unscathed from the Asian crisis and the country is moving in a stable direction. Commenting on factors responsible for slow-down, the Minister said that lack of expansion in global economy has cast its shadow on India also. The Government is gradually withdrawing from basic goods sector in terms of our own demand and it will take some more time for some of the sectors to pick up momentum. He also added that growth is directly related to investment and in the last four months commencing from June to September,’98, we had a record number of Foreign Direct Investment(FDI) approvals.

    Regarding globalisation, the Minister said that India has made her intentions very clear by acceding to the Paris Convention.

    The group of Editorial writers included representatives of Chicago Tribune, Philadelphia Daily News, New York Times Syndicate, Dallas Morning News, Minneapolis Star Tribune etc.
 
 

    Shri Vajpayee said that this project will herald an era of industrial prosperity in Punjab. The refinery is expected to be completed within 48 months. It will provide employment to a large number of people till the completion stage and to around 1000 skilled persons after completion.

    Referring to the lead provided by Punjab in many areas including selfless service to the cause of national unity, Petroleum Minister Shri V.K. Ramamurthy, stressed that it was a matter of national pride that a mammoth refinery was coming up in the State. The refinery besides meeting the energy demands of repeatedly growing Northern Region will help the growth of innumerous ancillary industries that always go hand in hand with such a major project.The Minister announced that the Government was favourably considering the request of Government of Punjab to sanction retail outlets at focal growth centres being developed by them. On an experimental basis retail outlets at some of the more viable growth centres will be sanctioned shortly.

    Shri V.K. Ramamurthy emphasised that the Government envisions self sufficiency for the country in the availability of hydrocarbons and petroleum products in the early years of next millennium. The country is poised to surpass all previous achievements and emerge as a strong democratic economic power. He said the growing demand of petroleum products at a rate over 8%, was the most significant proof of India having all the attributes of a robust global economy.

    He asserted that the Government had applied itself in recent months with will and vigour to strive towards the national goal to meet the needs of both petroleum products and crude in full from indigenous sources. The present refining capacity of 62 million metric tonnes per annum (MMTPA) will increase to about 68 MMTPA by the year end with the stabilisation of the refinery now under construction at Panipat. The demand for petroleum products is currently about 85 MMTPA. Speaking about various proposed refineries, the Minister said that HPCL’s Bhatinda Refinery will be one of the refineries to be commissioned in the Tenth Five Year Plan. Total refining capacity in the country is expected to reach around 114 MMTPA by the end of Ninth Plan and would exceed 143 MMTPA by 2006-07.

    Regarding initiatives to increase crude oil production in the country, Shri Ramamurthy stated that the Government proposes to shortly offer 48 blocks including 12 deep-water blocks for exploration under the New Exploration Licensing Policy (NELP). NELP provides a major thrust to accelerate exploration and production activity through the involvement of private sector. It provides unreserved, open access to exploration acreages. In line with the global outlook of Indian hydrocarbon policy, initiatives in acquiring stakes in oil exploration abroad are being undertaken to supplement indigenous crude availability. In addition to past essays in Iraq, Iran, Egypt, Tanzania, Yemen and Tunisia, efforts are on to look for opportunities in Kazakhstan, Iraq, Russia, Algeria and Azerbaijan. The efforts of ONGC have resulted in discovery of the largest free gas field in Vietnam.

    Talking about the phased dismantling of Administrative Pricing Mechanism (APM), the Minister asserted that this was being done to create a competitive environment for the benefit of consumers. He said this measure will ensure quality products at competitive prices. Coinciding with the Golden Jubilee Celebrations of our Independence, the government has decided that the oil Marketing PSUs, IOCL, HPCL, BPCL and IBP will set up 51 ‘Jubilee Outlets’ on important highways in different parts of the country. These international class retails outlets will offer multiple facilities such as petrol/diesel dispensing, air-water supply, first-aid, toilet, service garage, car-wash, quick lube change, a departmental provision store, motel restaurant, recreation aids, hair-saloon, STD, ISD and Fax. Each of these outlets will cost around 2-3 crores of rupees and be self-supporting.

    The Chief Minister of Punjab Shri Prakash Singh Badal, Senior Akali Leader Shri G.S. Gohra, Minister of State for Petroleum & Natural Gas Shri Santosh Kumar Gangwar, Minister of State for Industry Shri Sukhbir Singh Badal and senior officials of the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas and HPCL were present on the occasion.
 
 

    India and Kenya have also identified potential areas for promoting joint ventures in small scale projects, production of machine tools, setting up of mini cement plants, cotton ginning and mini sugar plants.

    The Indo-Kenya Joint Trade Committee Meeting, headed by Shri Hegde from the Indian side and Mr.Kamotho representing the Kenyan Government, reviewed in detail the progress of bilateral trade, explored new areas of cooperation and had extensive discussions on measures needed for further augmenting bilateral trade, industrial and technical cooperation.

    Recognising the immense potential for cooperation in the small scale sector, several initiatives have been taken by the National Small Scale Industries Corporation in this regard including MOUs with the Kenyan Industrial Estate. Similar understandings are likely with the private sector also. Possibilities of cooperation in the areas of irrigation, telecommunication etc. were also discussed. Utilisation of the existing Lines of Credit being extended by India to Kenya was reviewed in detail and the Kenyan side requested that the Lines of Credit proposed between the Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) and PTA Kenyan Bank be concluded as early as possible. Both sides emphasised the need for Joint Trade Committee meetings on a regular basis and agreed to hold the next meeting in Nairobi in 1999.
 
 

     All Central Government offices/industrial establishments located at New Delhi shall remain closed on Wednesday, the 25^th November, 1998.

    Government has declared holiday on 25^th November in connection with the General Elections to the Legislative Assembly of the National Capital Territory of Delhi.