The 17^th Session of the UNCHS will discuss, among others, follow-up of Habitat – II held in 1996 at Istanbul (Turky). This will relate to adequate shelter for all, monitoring of the global strategy for shelter to the year 2000, capacity building and institutional development , sustainable human settlements in an urbanised world, integration of socio-economic and environmental objectives including sustainable human settlements, poverty eradication, health and changing consumption patterns as also secretarial issues covering fresh water, transport and energy. Besides, there will be discussion on legal implementation of the Habitat agenda and international cooperation.

    The follow-up to Habitat – II suggests a greater mobilisation of resources, enhancement of participatory level support to the global campaign of the Centre and the development of systematic coordinated approaches for operational activities of international agencies as well as regional initiatives. The other important subjects that may come up for discussions will include urban governance. It will also focus on the attention of the world community towards the plight of the shelterless.
 

Promoters’ contribution

Minimum:

• 20% of the cost of the project for rupee term loans.
• 33.33% of the cost of the project in respect of foreign  currency term loans.

Not to exceed:

• 2:1 for the company/firm/concern as a whole.

Amount of Loan:

• Amount of term loan shall be need-based, but not below Rs.50 lakh.
• In case of SSI units graduating out of the sector, the amount of loan shall be decided on a case-to-case basis.

• As per commercial lending rates of SIDBI. Presently, within a band of:
• 12.5-16% p.a. for loan maturities upto 3 years; and
• 13-16.5% p.a. for loan maturities above 3 years.
• Five percentage points of interest reimbursement shall be available to the units from Government of India through SIDBI. Suitable reimbursement not exceeding five percentage points p.a. shall also be available in respect of foreign currency loans towards meeting adverse foreign currency fluctuations.

• Exclusive charge over assets covered under the Scheme, first/second charge on existing fixed assets and other collateral security and personal guarantee(s) as may be required.

• Not exceeding 7 or 10 years, including moratorium upto 2 years, in case of existing or new projects respectively.

• 1% of the loan amount.

• The unit should arrange with its bankers for need-based working capital/additional working capital facility.

    The scheme would be in operation for a period of five years from April 1, 1999 to March 31, 2004. Proposals sanctioned till the last date of the duration of the programme period will be eligible for interest incentive which would continue to be available till the loan is repaid as per the normal repayment period of loan.

Terms of Incentive

    Interest reimbursement of five percentage points as also suitable cover for adverse exchange rate fluctuation not exceeding five percentage points p.a. will be available during the period of loan as specified in the Letter of Intent and/or as may be specified in the loan document, in respect of default-free accounts.

Procedure for sanction and disbursement

    The application for financial assistance in the prescribed form should be made to the nearest branch/regional office of SIDBI. The borrowing unit will be required to execute a loan agreement in the prescribed form for availing of assistance under the scheme. The disbursement of loan would be made either directly to the machinery suppliers or through ‘No Lien Account’ to be opened by the borrower with its bank. The borrower will be required to lodge claims for reimbursement of interest reimbursement from SIDBI on a quarterly basis. SIDBI will settle the claims within a reasonable period of time, upon receipt of relative interest incentive from the Government of India, commercial lending rates of SIDBI shall be applicable. The credit decision of SIDBI as regards the proposal shall be final.

    Note: The parameters and guidelines are subject to change from time to time as may be required.

(TUFS Series # 7 will carry the details of the Refinance Scheme of SIDBI for loans under TUFS)
 
 

    Addressing the meeting, he suggested that the facilities available at National Immunization Centre for Communicable Diseases, New Delhi be fully utilised by WHO to control the malaria effectively.

    Inaugurating the meeting, Dr. S.P.Aggarwal, Director General of Health Services, Government of India, India could carry out Mass Polio Immunization Programme by administering polio drops to more than 150 million children a day through the present health care delivery system. With the modified technique India could very well hold back malaria in future with its infrastructure. Dr. Uton Muchtar Rafei, Regional Director, WHO of South East Asia Region said that the Roll Back Malaria Project will significantly reduce the global burden of disease associated with malaria through intervention adopted to local needs and reinforcement of the health sector.

    The objective of this project during the preparatory phase ending December this year is to maximise effectiveness of the global roll back malaria partnerships.

    Dr. David Nabarro , Project Manager ,Roll Back Malaria, WHO, Geneva remarked that global malaria burden is of the order of 300 to 500 million clinical cases per year of which 80 per cent cases are from Africa. One million deaths are reported
every year, 95 per cent of the deaths are among those who are below the age of 5 years in Africa. Roll Back Malaria Project will cost the world 2 billion Dollars over the next 10 years. WHO will contribute around 500 million Dollars especially in the early stages. Resource mobilisation will be given high priority over next 12 months by WHO and its partner countries.

    About 60 delegates from India, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, DPR Korea, Bhutan and Nepal are attending the three-days meeting jointly organised by WHO and Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
 
 

    The stipulated criteria include:-

• Participation of diverse interests – growers, processors, exporters, importers, trade, speculators;
• ‘On line’ system of trading with national or regional reach;
• Efficient clearing, settlement and guarantee systems;
• Delivery of underlying commodities backed by a warehousing receipt sytem;
• System of well-organised and capitalised brokerage houses;
• Real-time price and trade dissemination;
• Transparency in operations and decision-making;
• Reliable, effective and impartial management; and
• Investment support from investors, may be even institutional investors.

    Forward Trading in these commodities can now be conducted between, with or through members of associations which are recognised by the Government of India under the Act.

    Detailed proposals should be sent to the Department of Consumer Affairs, Krishi Bhawan New Delhi with a copy to the Forward Markets Commission, ‘Everest’, 3^rd floor, 100, Marine Drive, Mumbai 400002 on or before 30^th June, 1999. Short-listed association/groups will subsequently be required to make an application in prescribed form for grant of recognition under the Forward Contracts Regulation Act, 1952.
 
 

    The coal based project is promoted by Kalinga Power Corporation and shall be located in Jaipur district of Orissa. PPI Inc(USA), Pithawalla (Germany), Foster Wheeler (USA) and Rolls Royce (USA) have stakes in the project equity. The project has been linked to Utkal-I captive mines in Talcher coalfield through MGR (Merry Go Round) rail system. Water for the project will be drawn from the downstream Samal Barrage at Brahmani river. The DPR submitted by Kalinga Power Corporation had to be returned by CEA in November 1996 due to non tie up of the basic inputs and statutory clearances. The Promoter could firm up the project inputs and cost only in November 1998. The project is proposed to be built by Foster Wheeler-Rolls Royce Consortium as engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contractor in 36 months from the date of financial closure.