Other measures taken to boost housing are fiscal concessions under the Income Tax Act and in Customs and Excise Duties in 1998-99 and 1999-2000 budgets.
Besides, legal reforms have been initiated to facilitate housing. The Urban Land (Ceiling and Regulation) Act, 1976 has been repealed. The State Governments have been advised to adopt a model Rent Control Legislation that has been prepared and circulated among them. States have also been advised to amend town planning and building laws and bye-laws to encourage housing. The Ministry of Urban Development is also pursuing amendments to foreclosure laws to facilitate easy foreclosure of housing loans and their recovery by lending agencies.
In addition, the Government, through greater interaction with the National Housing Bank and housing finance institutions, is seeking to ensure greater private sector participation in the housing sector. The Government is also seeking to strengthen further the cooperative housing sector through National Cooperative
Housing Federation. The Government is also seeking to give a boost to housing through the propagation of appropriate cost effective and environmental friendly technology.
The steps already taken to boost housing and construction industry include preparation of standard specifications for various types of elements and components used for partial pre-fabrication in the construction of houses, suitable machines and devices developed by Buildings Material and Technology Promotion Council for manufacturing pre-fabricated Ferro cement and roofing elements, hollow and solid concrete block, door and window frames. Added to this , the number of Building Centres set up throughout the country are encouraged in the production of pre-fabricated components and elements required for partial pre-fabrication of house construction.
Fiscal incentives, such as Excise Duty exemption of pre-fabricated components produced at Building Centres and Custom Duty exemption of critical machinery required for large scale production of pre-fabricated building components have been provided.
Few industrial units have been set up in the country in the private sector in collaboration with foreign agencies for manufacturing light weight cellular concrete blocks which have increasingly been adopted for housing construction.
Above all, the Government is taking several steps
to promote latest construction techniques including pre-fabricated technology
to improve speed and reduce cost of housing construction. In this connection,
the National Housing and Habitat Policy, 1998 lays emphasis on promoting
innovative construction materials and technologies in the housing sector.
In view of the mounting dues of FCI payable by Jammu and Kashmir Government, the Corporation had been insisting that supply of foodgrains will be made on pre-payment basis as in the case of other states with effect from April 1, 1999. However, as a special case the Corporation has offered to supply wheat on credit basis to J&K even after 1st April. The State Government owes Rs. 121 crore to the Food Corporation of India.
The godowns of FCI as well as those of the State
Government in Jammu and Kashmir are full to capacity at present and in
order to relieve the glut of foodgrains in Punjab the Corporation has been
trying to presuade the State Government to take more foodgrains. In Jammu
division about 18,000 MTs of rice and 13,000 MTs of wheat are available
at present. The stock position in Srinager Division comprises 38,000 MTs
of rice and 11,000 MTs of wheat. In addiiton to this, the Government of
Jammu and Kashmir has more than 15,000 tonnes of rice in their godowns.
Several measures have been taken by the Government to intensify exploration and enhance hydrocarbon reserves. These include – development of new fields; additional development of existing fields; implementation of Enhanced Oil Recovery Schemes; recourse to specialised technology; enlisting the services of international experts; encouraging participation of private and joint venture companies in the exploration programme and activisation of the New Exploration Licensing Policy (NELP).
Under NELP, 48 exploration blocks were identified
for offer. Of these, 26 are offshore upto 400 metre isobath, 12 are deep
offshore of the East Coast of India beyond 400 metre isobath and 10 are
onland blocks. The notice inviting offers was issued in January, 1999.
The closing date of 18th May, 1999 has been extended by another
three months to enable interested parties for indepth study of data, strategic
considerations for tie-ups and drawing up their proposals.
COAL BED METHANE
Government has announced a new policy on the exploitation
of a new energy resource, Coal Bed Methane (CBM), reservoirs of which are
estimated at 1000 billion cubic metres. As many as 9 CBM blocks have been
delineated in the States of Bihar, West Bengal and Madhya Pradesh. One
block in West Bengal has been allotted to ONGC on nomination. Documents
for offer of other blocks through international competitive bidding have
been finalised.
IMPORTS AND EXPORTS
According to the Report, the import of crude oil
between April and December, 1998 was 29.506 MMT and worth Rs. 11,040 crore
and of other petroleum products 14.146 MMT valued at Rs.7489 crore. Exports
upto December, 1998 were of 1.163 MMT and worth Rs. 722 crore. During 1997-98,
import of crude oil stood at 34.494 MMT at a cost of Rs.15,897 crore. A
quantity of 19.530 MMT of petroleum products was imported valued at Rs.12,432
crore in the previous year.
REFINING
The Refining sector was delicensed in June, 1998.
Also, the public sector oil companies may establish refineries in the joint
sector with the equity participation of 26%. The refining capacity of PSUs
by the end of March, 1999 was 67.55 MMTPA and is expected to increase to
about 131 MMTPA (excluding production by 100% EOUs) by the end of IX Plan.
The estimated demand for products is then likely to be 112 MMTPA. The refineries
achieved a throughput of 50.13 MMT, against the target of 49.94 MMT upto
December, 1998.
PRIME MINISTER’S SELF EMPLOYMENT SCHEME
On the eve of Republic Day, 1999, Government announced
a scheme to be known as "Prime Minister’s Self-Employment Scheme of Oil
Companies." Under this Scheme about 10,000 SKO dealerships for Superior
Kerosene Oil (SKO) are to be allotted, one at each Block Headquarters.
SKO would be sold at normal rates without subsidy and without insistence
on ration card.
LPG SUPPLY TO RURAL AREAS
To meet the demand for LPG in rural areas of the country, Government propose to arrange about 1900 LPG distributorships in the next two years. Villages having a population of 10,000, small towns having a population of 10,000 and above and villages around cities having population of 1 lakh will be covered under the scheme.
The number of LPG customers of the Public Sector
Oil companies in the country was about 353 lakh as on 1.1.99. Government
approved the release of 35 lakh new LPG connections and 25 lakh DBCs during
1998-99. LPG is an environment friendly and clean fuel. It has been, therefore,
decided that the waiting list for LPG connections in all the North-Eastern
States and hilly areas of altitude 2000 ft. and above, in the States of
Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and in all the Union Territories
should be cleared by 31.3.1999.
MEASURES TO COMBAT ADULTERATION
Government has issued the Kerosene (Restriction, Use and Fixation of Ceiling Price) (Amendment) Order, 1998 and Motor Spirit and High Speed Diesel (Regulation of Supply and Distribution and Prevention of Malpractices) Order, 1998 to curb adulteration and malpractices.
Giving due regard to the issue of improving air quality
in the country and the National Capital Territory in particular, Government
has banned the supply of loose 2T Oil at petrol pumps and service garages
in NCT of Delhi w.e.f. 31.12.1998. Also, in accordance with orders of the
Supreme Court only unleaded petrol is being sold in NCT of Delhi from 1.9.98.
Unleaded petrol has also been introduced in all State capitals and Union
Territories and major towns. It would be available throughout the country
by 1999-2000.
FACILITATION
Facilitation Counter has been operationalised in
the Ministry of Petroleum & natural Gas, in furtherance of the objective
of the Government of promoting effective, responsive and citizen-friendly
administration. It attends to enquiries and redressal of grievances. It
is equipped with a computer network and postal/electronic reply.
PLAN OUTLAY
The Revised Plan outlay of the Ministry of Petroleum
& Natural Gas for the year 1998-99 is Rs.12381.84 crore and Budget
Estimate for the year 1999-2000 Rs.12123.80 crore. These outlays will be
met from the Internal and Extra Budgetary Resources of the Public Sector
Undertakings. However, Biecco Lawrie has been granted an aid of Rs. 34
lakh from the National Renewal Fund towards its Voluntary Retirement Scheme.
EARNINGS OF PUBLIC SECTOR UNDERTAKINGS
The profit before tax earned by the Public Sector
Undertakings, under the administrative control of the Ministry, during
the year 1997-98 was about Rs. 9408 crore. The profit after tax was Rs.
7497 crore. The figure for 1998-99 are anticipated to be Rs.10516 crore
and Rs.8299 crore respectively.
CONSERVATION OF PETROLEUM PRODUCTS
Measures initiated to conserve petroleum products
during the year include, accent on fuel efficiency, training programmes
in the transport sector, modernisation of boilers, replacement of ill designed
heat apparatus equipment, standardisation of irrigation pumpsets, rectification
of existing and introduction of fuel efficient stoves. The Petroleum Conservation
Research Association (PCRA) and oil companies foster these initiatives.
Of the total freight traffic transported during the last entire financial year, coal accounted for 197.59 million tonnes (MT), raw material 36.12 MT, iron and steel 10.81 MT, iron ore for export 11.48 MT, cement 36.75 MT, food grains 27.74 MT, fertilisers 27.69 MT, Petroleum, Oil and Lubricant (POL) 33.07 MT and other goods 39.66 MT.
During March’99, the Railways carried 41.82 MT of
revenue earning freight traffic which was 2.18 million tonne less than
the original target and marginally less than the freight movement of March
1998.
According to the decision of the Government Ennore
Port will be managed by a company to be set up under the Indian Companies
Act, 1956. Ennore will be country’s first company managed Major Port.
WILLING TO SACRIFICE is story of an
individual and a community who believe in protecting environment around
them. This 500-year-old religious sect follows two principles - not to
cut green trees and not to kill wild animals around them. Many religions
envisage concern to environment but this community, known as Bishnois protect
environment around them fiercely to the extent of sacrificing their own
lives. Nihal Chand Bishnoi is one who gave his life in his effort to protect
wild animals in October, 1996.
The meeting was attended by the Members of Parliament, Shri Chetan Chauhan and Shri Sanjay Singh and officials of Olympic Federation and officials and sportspersons of National Institute of Sports, Patiala and SAI Regional Centre, Bangalore. It was decided that India will participate in six disciplines. These are Athletics, Boxing, Hockey (Men & Women), Shooting, Tennis and Weightlifting .
Sushree Uma Bharti said that for success in any major international tournament, it is imperative to select our sportspersons scientifically and without any bias or favourtism, give them best possible coaching/training under best coaches available in India or even if we have to import foreign coaches., set realistic targets, for our sportspersons for physical fitness, physiological fitness and their skill training. Also to provide them wholesome and nutritious diet based on their energy expenditure, so that all sportspersons can give out their best, when they participate in any major international tournament. A regular monitoring system to monitor the performance of the sportspersons should operate. Sports Authority of India and the federations should prepare discipline specific monitoring norms and apply them firmly.
Camps for preparation for Olympics-2000 and even for Asian Games-2002 have Already started, at National Institute of Sports, Patiala as well as at SAI Regional Centre, Bangalore and at Calcutta. She asked the Secretaries and Presidents of the National Sports Federations to visit the camps occasionally, to both inspire the sportspersons, as well as to let us know if any improvement is required. Our National Sportspersons have the privilege to represent the country & they must be motivated to work hard for the pride of the nation.
Department of Youth Affairs and Sports and SAI have
taken recommendations of the National Institute of Nutrition, to provide
wholesome and nutritious diet, to the sportspersons, based on their energy
expenditure. The Minister asked SAI to ensure that required budget for
providing the suggested menues is got approved by an early date and palatable
and nutritious food is provided to the sportspersons.
The Government of India has recently relinquished the management of the Lalit Kala Akademi and elections to the 15 Artistes’ constituencies have already been held. As pro-tem Chairman of the Akademi, Smt. Doshi will facilitate and complete the process of handing over the Lalit Kala Akademi management back to the Artists, initiated by the Government. She will undertake the completion of the process of constitution of the new General Council and other governing bodies of the Akademi and also the constitution of a Search Committee for recommending names to the President of India for appointing the regular Chairman of the Akademi.
An eminent art historian, research scholar and free-lance
Editor, Dr. (Ms.) Doshi, a Padamashri, is presently Honorary Director,
National Gallery of Modern Art, Mumbai. Dr. Doshi has held important positions
in prestigious art institutions and organisations. A leading writer in
the field of Indian art and Culture she has published a number of well
acclaimed books on different aspects of Indian culture. Dr. Doshi has deep
involvement in the new theatre movement, art and cinema and photography.
Ms. Doshi has also been instrumental in promoting and strengthening linkages
between Industry and Art in Mumbai. Dr. Doshi was awarded the Padamashri
in January 1999.
The Prime Minister said the IT Task Force, under the chairmanship of Shri Jaswant Singh has presented its second and third reports and added that these reports will soon be discussed and adopted. He said that the Prime Minister’s Council on Trade & Industry had received very good reports on Knowledge Industries, Food & Agro Industries, and Infrastructure Development. He added that the important recommendations of these reports need immediate implementation as this was also necessary to strengthen partnership between the Private Sector and our vast Research & Development institutions..
Shri Vajpayee stated that Pokhran reiterated our commitment to the goal of peace, both in South Asia and the entire world, but declared to the world that India would from now onwards pursue peace from strength, not weakness. He emphasized that this policy had been vindicated by the developments of the past years, a better atmosphere of peace and cooperation prevail in the region than ever before. He said that the world community has now seen that India, which is home to 1/6 of community, could not be browbeaten or pressurised by any power.
The Government has launched a Technopreneural Promotion Programme that will support the completion and commercialisation of innovations of the lay public ranging from housewives, to farmers to students. This was stated by the Union Minister for Human Resource Development, Science and Technology and Ocean Development while speaking at the function. He said that the Finance Minister in the Union Budget for 1999-2000 had already set aside Rs.20 Crore for a grass root innovation fund. He said that to bring about awareness and awakening of the youth for free and innovative thinking, two schemes have been launched - Kishore Vigyanik Protsahan Yojana to support bright science school students to pursue scientific career and CSIR Programme on Youth Leadership in Science to hand hold and nurture science students in schools. An award scheme to recognise the best thesis at the Doctoral and Masters level in engineering has also been instituted.
Dr. Joshi highlighted that the IRS-P4, the first ocean satellite of India to be launched from Sriharikota on May 26, 1999 would also simultaneously launch two small foreign satellites. He underlined the strides India had taken in the field of space technology, with the Indian Remote Sensing Satellites, IRS-IC and ID being acknowledged as the best satellites, in the civilian remote sensing satellite domain, in the entire world. He added that India’s leadership in space technology would further continue- significant inroads having already been made into the cryogenic engine technology, a step which would provide India with the capability to launch heavier satellites in the Geostationary orbit.
The Minister also outlined some achievements of the Technology Development Board – a relatively a young institution, established in September, 1996, it had already extended assistance to 41 projects being implemented by 35 commercial enterprises and one agency spread over 11 States (The total cost of these projects was estimated to be Rs.298 crores and the Board’s assistance was Rs.116 crores). He also mentioned that some products brought out by the enterprises assisted by the Board were even finding an international market .
Earlier, the Prime Minister presented Technology
Development Board Awards as well as Student’s Innovation Awards. On the
same occasion, the Prime Minister also released two technologies which
include i) Commercial launch of LEPROVAC, ii) Introduction of HIV Kit and
iii) introduction of Malaria linked Technologies (E-mal). E-mal has been
commercialised by M/s Themis India Ltd. The antimalarial drug is useful
in curing cerebral malaria, which is increasingly becoming resistant to
the current known antimalarial drugs. M/s. Shanta Biotechnics P. Ltd. received
the award for commercialisation of indigenous technology for producing
a vaccine for Hepatitis B. Significant contributions have also been made
in the diagnosis of HIV I & II through development of indigenous low
cost kits. On the leprosy front- India has successfully launched a leprosy
vaccine, LEPROVAC.
The Minister for Science & Technology expressed satisfaction at the success of the Techno Entrepreneur Promotion Programme (TEPP) jointly supported by PATSER (Programme Aimed at Technology Self-Reliance) of DSIR and HGT (Home Grown Technology) of TIFAC. He announced extension on this concept to form an Innovation Fund. Dr. Joshi said that TDB and Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) have joined together to tap the yet untapped but immense potential of the teachers from our colleges (Science & Engineering) spread all over the country to cater to the needs of industries especially the small and medium Enterprises (SMEs). In large areas of our performance we have to innovate and encourage homegrown technologies and a good amount of work is being done in this regard.
Dr. Joshi emphasised that our future successes depend
upon the networking of various laboratories, academic institutions, NGOs
etc. and on keeping our eyes and minds open for opportunities from outside,
whenever relevant and useful for us. Our aim is to benefit our people and
to become an exporter of technologies.
The Workshop is being organized by the Central Electricity Authority in association with NTPC, PGCIL, PFC, NHPC and REC. Mr. John Ferriter, Deputy Executive Director of IEA, Paris will also address the Workshop.
The Workshop is an outcome of the declaration of
cooperation in the field of Energy between Government of India and International
Energy Agency, Paris. The basic objectives are: Energy Information and
Statistics; Energy Supply Security; Energy Efficiency; Energy and Environment;
Energy Pricing; Energy Sector Investment; Energy Technology Research, Development
and Market Deployment; Energy Policy and any other area mutually agreed
upon.