Delhi State Centre of Indian Institute of Bridge Engineers in collaboration with the Ministry of Railways.

    During the last few decades, the Indian Bridge Engineering Industry has adopted several innovation techniques to build major projects like Vidya Sagar Setu, the ISBT Bridge in Delhi, Girder Flyovers in Delhi, Prestress Ark Bridge at Godavari and many others. These are the examples that prove the capabilities of the Indian Bridge Engineers. They have indigenised various techniques and added their special skill to improve it. The Seminar will deliberate on such innovation techniques and search out impediments which stand in the way of further innovations.

    More than 300 engineering professionals from Government Departments, construction and consultant industry, educational Institutions, Research Organisations will be attending this Seminar.
 
 

    Feasibility studies for cities of Lucknow, Kanpur and Lucknow - Kanpur corridor, integrated transportation plan for Calcutta and Hawra Municipal Area are nearing completion.

    A detailed project report for the Bangalore alleviated Light Rail Transit System is under finalisation by the State Government of Karnataka. The Government of India’s participation in the implementation of the project will be looked into after the completion of the detailed project report which is expected to be made available soon.

    The Government of Andhra Pradesh is also preparing a detailed project report for the Hyderabad Light Rail Transit System.

    The Ministry of Urban Development provides grant assistance to the State Governments to the extent of 40 per cent of the total cost of the feasibility study for urban transport systems.

    Since 1986, the Ministry of Urban Development has been the nodal Ministry for planning and coordination of urban transport matters in the country. Before that, urban transport was the concern of the Ministry of Railways.
 
 

    The extension will connect the existing Metro corridor to Garia Station of Sealdah-Sonarpur line of Eastern Railway. It will facilitate transport of passengers with the Eastern Railway suburban system.

    The project has been sanctioned as material modification to the on-going Metro Railway Project at a total cost of Rs. 695 crore. An amount of Rs. 40 crore has been provided in the Budget 1999-2000 for the work. The West Bengal Government has agreed to share 33 per cent cost of the project.

    The 8.45 km long new project will have 6 elevated Stations and one surface station. The project is expected to be completed in a period of 6 years.
 
 

    The Department has also allotted in additional quantity of 300 tonnes of rice at APL rates for MOATSU Festival of Nagaland over and above the monthly TPDS quota to the State.
 
 

    The Minister of State said in his speech that zoos today are not just centres of entertainment for children but also have to become centres to protect the diminishing wild life in the country. Zoos also have a role in procreating species, Shri Marandi said. He mentioned that currently, the Delhi Zoo has 147 different animals and measures have been taken in the past few months to improve the upkeep of the zoo, as well as educating visitors about keeping it clean. Amongst the measures, the zoo has already been declared a polythene free area, visitors are no longer allowed to bring any eatables and vehicles are not allowed inside. The Zoo Library has been opened to visitors so that they can get more information about animals. A new scheme of zoo guides has also been started. Under this scheme, private individuals with knowledge about animals are allowed to take people around the zoo to give information about various animals, in return for a fee. In this way, visitors are able to get more information while the Guides can get self-employment. Under the 8^th Plan, Rs. 1.75 crore were allocated to the Delhi Zoo and under the 9^th Plan this allocation has been increased to Rs. 3.20 crore.

    Shri Marandi also emphasised that man being at the top of the pyramid of living beings, must ensure that he looks after all animals, plant species and other organisms. Shri Marandi said, this message must be spread amongst the people and one must look to animals as the nation's wealth and not as a game for hunting.

    The giraffe whose scientific name is Giraffe Camelopardulis is a shy, timid, quiet and inoffensive animal. However the animal is gregarious and wanders in herds of 12 to 15 individuals. Giraffes are browsers and feed on leaves and seasonal fruits. They drink water occasionally and can live without water for many weeks. The animal can run at a maximum speed of 45 km. per hour. Its height is generally 3 to 4 meters and its gestation period 420 to 450 days, while and its life span is between 15 to 20 years. No two giraffes have the same design on their skin. Nature has made this animal dumb. However, it has powerful eyes which can see over long distances. This is because its eye size is large in comparison to its body size. Giraffes spend a major part of their life awake, and sleep only between 30 to 45 minutes per day.

    The two baby giraffes (one male and one female) brought to the Delhi zoo have been named Ankit and Anita, respectively. They were brought from the Calcutta Zoo on 5^th April this year, after a five day road journey, during which great care was taken to ensure that the pair did not hit overhead power lines. A special carriage was constructed so that they could be protected. The male-Ankit is now one year 3 months old and the female-Anita is 3 years and 3 months old.
 
 

    The Programme is being organised to make people realise the importance of ground water and to inculcate in the masses the need of protecting this precious resource from contamination. A detailed report on the hydrogeological scenario of the Ghaziabad district will also be released on the occasion. The Report will be a highly useful document for planners and executors of ground water development in the region. The heavy-duty tubewell constructed by CGWB will solve the problem of community water supply in the area.
 
 
 

    State-wise percentage achievement of monthly target in case of ONGC works out to 98.3% in Gujarat, 82.0% in Assam, 105.6% in Tamil Nadu and 103.9% in offshore areas. Overall ONGC produced 2.099 MMT of crude against a target of 2.082 MMT. Oil India Ltd. (OIL) recorded a target achievement of 100% with production of 0.273 MMT in the month. The production by private/joint venture companies at 0.328 MMT too was higher at 100.6% of the targetted production of 0.326 MMT.

    A number of factors accounted for production shortfall by ONGC compared to target in Gujarat and Assam. In Gujarat, it was due to less than adequate response from thermal EOR schemes in heavy oil belt of Mehsana; inadequate power supply from Gujarat Electricity Board (GEB); frequent power shutdown by GEB affecting production from A/L wells; and increase in water cut/ceasure of wells in Gandhar field. In Assam increase in water cut in Lakwa field; and ceasure of well D-19 caused the shortfall.
 

REFINERY PRODUCTION

    Refinery production (in terms of crude throughput) in April, 1999 was 6.062 MMT against a planned target of 5.901 MMT. The refinery production in the month was a substantial 20.9% higher than production of 5.015 MMT attained during April, 1998.

    The crude throughput of all the refineries except Guwahati, Gujarat, Digboi, Panipat, BPCL, MRL (Manali), BR&PL and MRPL refineries exceeded their planned targets during the month under review. Reasons for shortfall in crude throughput of various refineries as compared to the planned target are as below:-

• Guwahati: HSD containment problem in Ist week of April 1999 and CDU shutdown on 28.4.99 for half a day as a result of power failure.
• Gujarat: AU-IV shutdown from 24.4.99 for 2 days as a result of high Naphtha stock.
• Digboi: Pressable Waxy Distillate (PWD) sullage constraint and CDU interruption on 13.4.99 due to power failure.
• Panipat: CDU/VDU shutdown from 5.4.99 to 20.4.99 as a result of high HPS stock and for carrying out balance metallurgy mismatch jobs.
• MRL, Manali: restriction of crude throughput on account of FCCU Gascon shutdown.

High Capacity Utilisation

    Refinery-wise capacity utilisation in April, 1999 was also very impressive. Overall 108% capacity utilisation was achieved as compared to 99.2% attained in the corresponding month of previous year. The highest capacity utilisation came from MRL, Narimanam with 148.8%, followed by 130.5% by MRPL, Mangalore and 122.4% by HPCL, Bombay.
 

NATURAL GAS SUPPLIES

    Natural Gas Supplies (excluding JVC/Private) for the month under review was 1316 milion cubic metres. This was lower than 1538 million cubic metres achieved in April, 1998.

    State-wise details of natural gas supplies are given in the table below:

A.ONSHORE
Gujarat                                     202                     214                         218
Assam                                      118                     81                           114
Tamil Nadu/A.P.                      106                     103                          111
Tripura                                     27                       24                             25
Rajasthan                                 7                         10                             12
TOTAL (A)                             460                     432                           480

B.OFFSHORE
Bombay High                          856                       1106                         886
TOTAL (A&B)                       1316                     1538                         1366
 
 

    The National Awards Ceremony is an annual feature of the Ministry of Textiles. The National Award winners are selected jointly by the Development Commissioner (Handicrafts) and Development Commissioner (Handlooms). The presentation of the National Awards aims at giving recognition to the artistic skills, craftsmanship and imagination of the traditional craftspersons/weavers of the country. The annual awards were instituted by the erstwhile All India Handicrafts Board in the year 1965 and have been given every year since then. The award winners of handicrafts sector have displayed outstanding craftsmanship, skill and innovation of design in crafts like Artmetalware, Embroidery, Handprinting, Kalamkari, Leather Craft, Wood Carving, Cane & Bamboo, Painting, Stone Carving etc. In respect of handloom sector, the award winners have displayed outstanding skills in weaving, covering items like Rabha, Paithani Saree, Tussar Silk Saree, Kota Silk Saree, Cotton Saree, Woollen Dhabla, Tie & Dye and Kosa Silk Weaving etc.

    The winners of the National Awards will receive a cash prize of Rs. 25000/-, Tamrapatra, Angavastram and a certificate. The winners of the Merit Certificates will receive Rs. 5000/- cash and a certificate.

    The list of national awardees for the years 1996 and 1997 is given in Annexure I.
 
 
 

    LIST OF NATIONAL AWARDEES FOR THE YEAR 1997  HANDICRAFTS SECTOR
 
 

HANDLOOM SECTOR
 

LIST OF NATIONAL AWARDEES FOR THE YEAR 1996  HANDICRAFTS SECTOR
 

HANDLOOM SECTOR
 

    The Drawback Rates are reviewed annually by the Finance Ministry after taking into account the data as also the suggestions received from the various Export Promotion Councils, Trade Associations and leading exporters of different products. While determining the incidence of duties incurred by the exporters, an extensive study of the inputs prices, both in the domestic and international market, as also the export values have been carried out by the Directorate of Drawback. Ministry of Finance has always shared the concern of the exporters that the duties paid by them are adequately neutralised. While ensuring that the Rates are representative, the Drawback Rates are adjusted to take into account the general incidence of duties.

    The new Drawback Table which shall be effective from 1^st June, 1999, introduces 7 new products, prominently among which are - Tea and Naphtha on which Drawback is being announced for the first time. This is a measure to expand the coverage of the Drawback Scheme. The Drawback Rates on 155 products have been increased, while on 489 products, the Rates have been rationalised taking into account the lower incidence of duties. The major items on which Drawback Rates have been improved are readymade Garments, Hand Tools, Bicycles, Brass Artwares, Brass Builder Hardwares, Leather Products, Made-Ups, Food Products and Perfumed Agarbattis.

    The following are the major highlights of the changes announced in the Drawback Rates this year :-

• The 7 new products are Naphtha, Tea, two kinds of Textile Machineries, Composite Gaskets and fancy Gloves.
• 155 products on which Drawback Rates have been increased are on account of introduction of 10% surcharge as basic Customs duty in the 1999-2000 Budget, and also due to rationalisation of additional Customs duty on certain raw materials/inputs. The increase in the Rates of Drawback will provide these products the necessary neutralisation of the higher incidence of duties.
• Rates of Drawback on 193 products are being maintained at the existing level.
• Rates of 489 products are being revised downwards to reflect the lower incidence of duties that has resulted from the rationalisation of Central Excise duties/additional duties of Customs which were attempted in the recent Budget.
• A maximum Value Cap has been imposed on 131 export products which will limit the Drawback amount payable to exporters with reference to the Cap mentioned in the Drawback Table. This is intended to counteract the tendencies of exporters to obtain disproportionate Drawback by inflating/misdeclaring their export values.
• As a special measure of facilitation for the Handloom and
• Cottage Sectors, the exporters are being allowed to dispense with the requirement of having to furnish a proof of non-availment of Modvat credit on their inputs. This will free exporters from the cumbersome formality of repeatedly obtaining Certificates from the Central Excise authorities.
• As an on-going drive to put payment of Drawback on the EDI System, the disbursement of Drawback through EDI has now been extended to the major Sea Ports of Nhava Sheva, Chennai, Calcutta, Visakhapatnam and Cochin. Further at Mumbai, Kandla and Goa Sea Ports, Drawback will be disbursed through EDI very shortly this year.

    The revised postal rates as proposed in the Finance Bill, 1999 will take effect from 26^th May 1999 which are as follows :
 

    Welcoming the delegation, Shri Bakht underscored the great importance that India attaches to its bilateral relations with Bangladesh as well as India’s commitment to building friendly ties between the two countries. The Minister also expressed happiness that there has been substantial increase in Indo-Bangladesh trade in the last few years. He affirmed the Government’s commitment to making the scope of economic liberalization deeper and broader which would improve market access for products from neighbouring countries. The Minister also mentioned that there was immense scope for industrial cooperation in the areas of textile, labour intensive industries, leather and leather products, power generation, telecommunication and gas based projects. He also mentioned that India offers unlimited opportunities in infrastructure and other manufacturing sectors and that policy initiatives and accomplishments have made India a vibrant economy offering the best opportunities for investors.

    Mr.Tofail Ahmed said that Indian entrepreneurs can invest in Bangladesh and there are ample opportunities for investment in areas such as garment making, leather products, textiles and cement.