With this amendment coming into force, the manufacturers in EOUs will be allowed movement of raw materials/components from and to the Unit and export and sale of their products in the domestic tariff area (DTA) without any custom checks. The provisions relating to fixing the days/hours of work in EOUs, physical supervision of manufactures by customs officers and locking of warehouse premises have also been deleted by this amendment. The movement of goods without payment of duty has now been allowed from one EOU to another EOU, to a Software Technology Park Unit and also to an Electronic Hardware Technology Park Unit. Certain steps taken by the manufacturers to obtain economies of scale in the Units, such as combining purchase of raw material with other units, dispatch of goods by the same mode of transport and the setting up of common user facilities will also be allowed now. However, these will be subject to proper and easy accounting of the duty-free raw material and capital goods used for manufacturing.

    The amendment stipulates that the manufacturers in EOUs will have to maintain meticulous accounts and records of each transaction as prescribed by the Central Board of Excise and Customs or by their respective Commissioners. The accounts maintained by these EOUs will be scrutinised every month by an officer posted on cost recovery basis. The Units, in special cases, may be cost audited with the prior permission of the Chief Commissioner of Customs for the region, by a Cost Accountant (CA) nominated by him. The Chief Commissioner may form a panel of CAs and also fix the rate of the charges to be paid to the Cost Accountants.
 
 

    The objective of the Department, through this set of stamps, is to focus attention on the untouched and unspoilt ecology of Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Molluscs are organisms extremely sensitive to pollution and many species of this group today face the threat of extinction on account of aquatic pollution in different parts of the world. The pristine marine environment around Andamand and Nicobar Island still continues to provide them a habitat where they can thrive.

    The Department of Posts has brought out this set of stamps in 1998, on the occasion of International Year of the Ocean as part of the ongoing worldwide efforts under the auspices of the United Nations Organisation to create greater socio-political awareness about the ocean as the common heritage of mankind.

    The first stamp depicts Cypraea Staphylaea Linnaueus, found in Indo-West Pacific to Samoa, from North Australia to Japan. It measures up to 25 mm in size. The second stamp shows Cassis Cornuta Linnaeus, generally known as Horned Helmet Shell. It is wide spread in the Indo-Pacific and the size can be up to 350 mm. The third stamp in the series shows Chicoreus Brunneus Linnaeus, commonly known as Rock shell or Murex Shell. They live among rocks and corals in shallow water and are carnivorous. They are extensively distributed throughout Indo-Pacific Region and grow to a size of 70 to 80 mm. The fourth stamp shows Lambis Lambis Linnaeus, commonly called the Spider Shell. Found only in the tropical Indo-Pacific, in shallow or deep waters on coral rocks, its size can be up to 200 mm.

    The First Day Cover alongwith the information sheet is available on sale at all Philatelic Bureaux/Counters and at selected Post Offices.
 
 

    In the revised certificates some major changes have been made including provision of address of the disabled person and his photograph on the certificate, attestation of photograph by a Doctor and change in the period of validity of certificate. All zonal railways have been asked to keep copies of these four certificates at all Stations, Reservation Offices and Railway Offices for supply to needy persons free of cost.

    The Ministry of Railways have not made any change in respect of procedure, rules and conditions applicable for grant of concession to these persons. The concerned disabled persons, the associations/organisations working for their welfare and various hospitals of the country are advised to use revised certificates as old certificates will not be entertained after December 31,1998.
 
 

I    n order to derive the best possible benefits from increased availability of water, the Central Water Commission has apprised the improved situation to various Government Departments and Ministries involved in water resources planning.

    Out of these 63 reservoirs, 24 reservoirs are also having significant hydropower potential with installed capacities of more than 60 M.W. Out of these 24, there are only 5 reservoirs, which have storage build up less than average of previous years.

    The basin-wise storage position was also better than average of previous years' in the Ganga, Indus, Narmada, Tapi, Mahi, rivers of Kutch, Godavari, Krishna, Mahanandi and neighbouring east-flowing rivers, Cauvery and neighbouring east-flowing rivers as well as in the west flowing rivers of South, while in case of Sabarmati only, the storage position stood at twenty per cent less than the average of previous years.
 
 

    The Report says that India is one of the 12 mega-diversity countries in the world. Around one lakh twenty-seven thousand species of micro-organisms, plants and animals have been identified so far.

    Environmental protection and conservation of natural resources emerged as one of the key national priorities in the country, in the wake of the 1972 Stockholm Conference on Human Environment. At the conference, the Prime Minister of India forcefully stated that "the environment cannot be improved in conditions of poverty. Unless we are in a position to provide employment and purchasing power for the daily necessities of the tribal people and those who live in and around our jungles, we cannot prevent them from combing the forests for food and livelihood; from poaching and from despoiling the vegetation."

    Between the Stockholm Conference and the Rio Earth Summit in June 1992, India developed an organisational structure and a legal policy framework for the protection of the environment and wildlife in the country, keeping in mind the need to simultaneously address the issues of poverty alleviation and natural resource conservation.

    Some of the organisational structure and legal policy framework developed are:-

• Establishment of the Department of Environment in 1980. This was upgraded to the Ministry of Environment & Forests (MoEF) in 1985. Till 1980 the subjects of environment and forests were the concern of the Department of Science and Technology and the Ministry of Agriculture respectively.

• The National Conservation Strategy and Policy Statement on Environment and Development was brought out by MoEF. The Statement laid down guidelines for integrating environmental considerations into India’s process of development.

• As a follow-up to UNCED 1992 and Agenda 21, MoEF launched the Environment Action Programme in 1993. The programme aims at improving the environmental services in India and facilitating integration of environmental considerations in developmental programmes across different sectors.

• India became a party to the CBD in 1994. The MoEF has been designated as the nodal Ministry for CBD in the country.

• Various systems and approaches for the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity have been evolved by the Government, Non-Government Organisations (NGOs), institutions and local communities.

• The document "Conservation of Biological Diversity in India: An Approach" was brought out by MoEF in 1994. It aims to disseminate useful information on the subject and share India’s experience with the international community.

• After becoming a party to the CBD wide-ranging consultations were held with sectoral Ministries and Departments, State Governments, NGOs, experts, technical institutions and other stakeholders to delineate policies and programmes for further action. The result has been a framework National Policy and Action Strategy on Biological Diversity. This is being further consolidated for finalization. A UNDP/GEF assisted project to consolidate and detail the policy is visualised.

• According to the Coastal Zone Regulation Notification of 1991, coastal zone management plans have been prepared by all coastal states and Union Territories.

• In situ conservation through a system of Protected Areas (PAs), covering a total area of 1,46,000 sq. kms. has been established. The total area covered by PAs has been increased since 1993.

• The Government is developing a national legislation to regulate access to biological resources, sustainable use and equitable sharing of the benefits arising out of their use. In August, 1998 MoEF organised national level consultations on the proposed national legislation.

    Shr M.K. Bezboruah, IAS (AGMU:68), presently Director of Enforcement, would be placed on compulsory wait with the Department of Revenue w.e.f. the date Shri Inderjit Khanna joins the post of Director of Enforcement and till he is given an alternative posting.
 
 

    The Union Textile Minister, Shri Kashiram Rana, while addressing the valedictory function of the 2-day Workshop – Jute Today – on the National Jute Development Programme, here last evening, highlighted the achievements of the programme and appreciated the fact that it has fulfilled its target.

    Shri Shyamal Ghosh, Textile Secretary, while presiding over the function said that jute was the fibre of the future especially because of its twin-strengths of being a renewable source and environment-friendly. The Secretary emphasised the need to develop BIS standards to make jute more acceptable to the users. He also stressed upon the need to produce more value-added variants of jute products which would boost domestic as well as international demand especially for fashion high-blended fabrics and jute furniture and furnishings.

    The National Programme Manager (Jute), Shri Ajay Prasad, gave details of the major developments under the project. He said the programme has helped in developing new technologies, processes and value-added products in the non-textile field by developing jute-based substitutes for wood products such as decorative boards and laminates for railway coaches, brake linings, clutch facings and other related friction materials for automobiles and other vehicles; indoor panels for automobiles; furniture including flush doors and decorative doors. Highlighting the entry of jute in the automobile sector, Shri Prasad disclosed that leading car manufacturers such as Mercedez Benz and Opel Astra have switched over to jute for door panels, replacing conventional materials like steel or aluminium.

    Application of jute geo-textiles has been developed and tried in civil engineering, landscape engineering, environment and agriculture management. Hydro-carbon free jute bags have also been developed, the specifications for which have already been accepted by the International Cocoa Federation. Another major breakthrough has been the development of Rice Brawn Oil lubricant. It is free from mineral hydro-carbon, is cheaper and functionally superior to the presently used jute batching oil.

    Five innovative spinning systems of jute and jute blends have been developed under the project for the production of fine jute blended yarns in India covering the range of 1 to 8 lbs and such yarn is now be produced by several textiles manufacturers.

    Focus of the programme is now of commercialisation of R&D efforts made in the first phase of the programme largely through the National Centre for Jute Diversification (NCJD) which became operational in September 1995. The programme, through the Jute Manufacturers Development Council (JMDC), has also undertaken market promotion activities for value-added diversified jute products in the domestic and international markets. A strategic marketing plan catering to certain crucial aspects such as product and design development, distribution network, pricing strategies, advertising and promotion strategies and consumer behaviour has also been developed.

    The main objectives of the programme were enhancing the welfare of the jute farming community; facilitating the diversification of jute sector; promoting employment opportunities; strengthening the R&D capacity; developing an institutional framework for HRD in the jute sector; providing infrastructural support for product development, technology transfer, market promotion, and enhancement of exports and development of indigenous machinery sector.
 
 

    Shri Kashiram Rana, Union Minister of Textiles, who presided over the function hailed NIFT’s role in nurturing talent and contributing significantly towards grooming intellectually sharp minds in the field of fashion technology. It is important that this trend and tempo is maintained and NIFT’s students become the benchmark for quality production, design output and management practices in every unit they serve, he said.

    The role of NIFT assumes significance in view of the fact that textile exports (including handicrafts) constitute about a third of the total export earnings of the country, of which apparels constitute nearly 40%, Shri Rana said. He also stated that from 1995 onwards NIFT centres outside Delhi were being set up in order to provide scope and opportunity for all the regions of the country to benefit from the expertise that NIFT has acquired.

    Shri Rana complimented the faculty of NIFT, Delhi and other centres because of whom, he said, we have been able to achieve so much within a short period.

    Shri Shyamal Ghosh, Secretary (Textiles), administered the pledge to the graduating students. Shri L.V.Saptharishi, Executive Director, NIFT, was also present at the function along with the NIFT faculty.
 
 

    Brought out by the Publications Division, the reference annual contains information on various facets of India. In addition to general information on land, people and states of the country it throws light on the achievements in the fields like Education, Science and Technology, Finance, Defence, Industry, Commerce, Communications, Transport and others.

    The reference annual has been complied by Research, Reference and Training Division of the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting. It is meant to serve as an authentic reference work for scholars, students, journalists, officials and others.

    The Publications Division brings out books on matters of national importance and reaches these to people at affordable prices. It has, so far, published 7,000 titles. 1500 titles are live today. Besides books, the Division also brings out 21 journals.

    The Division receives every year a number of awards for excellence in book printing. It sells its publications through its own sales emporia located in various parts of the country and through more than 400 sales agents.

    The Division is shortly bringing out a multi-media CD (containing voice, film, photos and text) on Gandhiji based on Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi. It is also proposed to put Publications Division on Internet, have its own homepage and establish E-Mail connection between DPD Hqrs. And its field units.
 
 

    MTNL, Delhi is introducing this customer friendly feature for subscribers of E10B exchanges accounting for about 33 per cent of the network. To receive the information, a separate add-on equipment has to be plugged into the telephone instrument. This equipment, conforming to the specifications of TEC, may be procured from the market. The called subscriber will get the identification of the calling party, for all the incoming calls. This would include the STD code of the place followed by the local number of the calling subscriber. However, if the exchange from which the call has originated, does not provide the calling party number, this information will not be available.

    The subscriber who wants to avail this facility has to apply to the concerned DE(O/D) for providing the calling line identification presentation category on his telephone number. The subscriber will be charged at the rate of Rs.50/- per month for this facility and a one time processing fee of Rs.50/- for every request for provision/removal of facility. The above charges will be included in the bimonthly bill of the subscriber.
 
 

    Khalsa Implementation Committee appealed for donation of Guru Gobind Singh’s relics from personal collection of general public for Exhibition during Tri-Centenary Celebration. Such exhibition of writings and belongings of Shri Gobind Singh would be shown at Delhi and Anandpur Sahib.

    The Implementation Committee decided to form a Sub-Committee on Khalsa Heritage Conservation Memorial Complex and Exhibition and another on Translation of publications and documentations (films, CDs etc.). Another Sub-Committee is formed on International Sports Tournaments. One Sub-Committee has been formed on Inter-faith Conference, Seminar and Summit of World Spiritual Heads. In all these, Chairman would be Minister of HRD and Vice Chairman, Chief Minister Punjab. It was also decided to form a relics committee and an Academic Committee.

    The Implementation Committee discussed several proposals and suggestions received for celebrations of the event. It was decided that original work and message of Guru Govind Singh would be published in Punjabi, Hindi and other major Indian languages. Video spots, CDs and films will be made for broadcast/telecast during the year. An inter-faith conference and summit of world spiritual Heads and religious heads and representatives from all religions like Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, Jain, Christian, Buddhist and Sindhi Community would participate. It was also decided to establish Chairs in the name of Guru Govind Singh in Sant Sampurnand Sanskrit Vishwavidyala in Varanasi and in Patna, Lucknow, Delhi, Shimla, Kurukshetra, Indore, Allahabad and Aurangabad Universities. A Centre for Sikh Studies will also be established. A catalogue of Sikh relics would also be prepared,. Seminars will be held all over the country on contributions of Khalsa Panth, Similar exhibitions of Sikh relics will be organised by National Museum.

    It is also proposed to facilitate the production of an authentic film on the essence of Sikhism, National museum is collaborating with Victoria and Albert Museum to organise an exhibition in London, San Francisco and New Delhi.