Fencing on some of the plots allotted to CGHS dispensaries has been completed. About Rs.7.50 lakhs has been spent for DIZ area, Basant Vihar and R.K. Puram.

    Fencing of sites allotted to the CGHS dispensaries in Pushp Vihar has been started. Fencing at two sites of Dilshad Gardan could not be started for want of funds from CGHS dispensaries. The plot in sector-IV DIZ area has been encroached by jhuggi and jhoparies. In sector-IV, Motia Khan, the possession of plot of dispensary has not been handed over to CPWD. In Vikaspuri, the possession of plot of dispensary has not been handed over to CPWD.

    Encroachments on plots allotted to CGHS dispensaries have been removed in all areas except in the case of sector-II DIZ area where a narrow strip of 2.5 metres has been left to serve as approach road.
 
 

    It produced its first coach in 1987-88, the inception year. It increased to 120 and 175 during the next two years. Then the production gained momentum and it produced 1115 coaches in 1992-93. The first AC coach was manufactured by the Unit in 1991-92.

    During 1998-99, RCF has produced 1087 coaches including 230 AC coaches. In this year, it has further diversified its product profile and manufactured special types of coaches like inspection cars and self propelled Accident Relief Trains (ART). The ART accommodates all necessary rerailing and relief equipments alongwith provision for 27 Personnel with living and kitchen facilities.
 
 

    Turning to unemployment and under employment, Dr. Jatiya called for analysing and addressing effectively the present employment scenario so as to achieve socio-economic progress. The worsening employment situation all over the world demands urgent attention and a plan of action to find solution. He stressed that employment generation must be kept on the top of the agenda of the ILO for the next decade. Any measures for employment should also be full, freely chosen and productive in terms of the Copenhagen Declaration, he averred.

    The Labour Minister pointed out that every worker as human being deserves to be treated with dignity, equality and respect and these should be integrated in the employment and wage policies of the Governments. This is necessary to create a balance between employment generation on the one hand leading to the decent income, livelihood, equality of life and unavoidable corollary of the income generation, on the other.

    Referring to social protection, Dr. Jatiya stated that it assumes vital importance for those unfortunate sections of the society and the working class discriminated and economically exploitated for a long period. Among them are, bonded, contract, migrant and casual labourers. Their protection has been a major commitment of the Indian Government, he said. Equally significant has been, India’s commitment, to the ethos and culture of tripartism through social dialogue. In India all important policy decisions on Labour, including legislation are taken only after taking into confidence, the social partners namely, the State, Employers and Employees, as also after obtaining consensus through various tripartite fora.

    The Labour Minister Dr. Jatiya also reiterated India’s commitment to the principles in the ILO Constitution and the Philadelphia declaration. He expressed India’s appreciation for the comprehensive report "Decent Work" of Dr. Juan Somavia, Director General of the ILO and said it provides the right direction and thrust for the policies and programmes of the ILO in the changing context of the social and economic environment, globally as well as nationally.

    India also welcomes the strategic objective approach set in the report taking into account the economic, employment, emerging social conditions as well as the rapid technological changes. These are already embodied clearly and forcefully in the Constitution of India, Dr. Jatiya added.
 
 
 

    Observing that MMTC would serve no purpose under Government ownership and control, the Commission has classified the corporation as ‘non-core’ . The Commission has also recommended reduction in employee strength through suitable VRS and transfer of management control to a private partner by disinvesting 51 per cent of equity through strategic sale. It has also been recommended that the remaining equity holding would be sold later in favour of public when the value of the residual of equity of the Government increases as a result of transfer of management control. It has also been suggested that before the strategic sale the canalised export of iron ore has to be transferred to another agency such as NMDC.

    Considering the strategic importance of NMDC to the steel industry, the corporation has been categorised as ‘core’ by the Commission. A recommendation has been made to disinvest up to 20 – 25 per cent of NMDC shares to the selected JV partner in return for joining hands with the corporation in overseas venture(s). This will also enable the corporation to gain understanding of the latest technologies in mining industry on an on-going basis.

    The Commission has recommended that disinvestment in ONGC may be deferred until the investor confidence in ONGC improves. Specific action plans will have to be drawn to generate investor confidence and thereafter disinvestment can take place in foreign and domestic market up to 49 per cent when the market conditions are favourable. Classifying Paradeep Phosphates Limited (PPL) as ‘non-core’, the Commission has recommended disinvestment of not less than 51 per cent of the Government holding in PPL through strategic sale. In the case of Project & Equipment Corporation Ltd. (PEC), the Commission has found the unit to be ‘non-core’ and recommended that Government should consider enlarging the scope of exports from small and medium industries through PECL through suitable coordination between National Small Industries Corporation (NSIC) and Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) and other agencies. The Commission is of the view that sale of Government equity in PEC is unlikely to fetch substantial revenue, given the size of the company.

    With the tenth report, the Commission has so far given recommendations on 49 PSUs referred to it.
 
 

    His report has adopted a strategic objective approach taking into account the economic, employment, emerging social conditions as well as the rapid technological changes. We welcome the dominant theme of ‘Decent Work’ which is the corner stone of the strategic objective and which also has been embodied clearly and forcefully in the Constitution of India in the Directive Principles of State Policy.

    The most important manifestation of the phenomenon of globalisation is widespread unemployment and under employment. If the goal of achieving social progress has to be achieved parallel to economic progress, the present employment scenario has to be analysed and addressed effectively. The DG has candidly noted that globalisation has brought prosperity as well as inequalities which are testing the limits of collective social responsibility. He has, therefore, rightly identified "Creation of greater opportunities for women and men to secure decent employment and income" as one of the strategic objectives of the organisation in coming years. We consider it as the most important strategic objective and the progress on all other objectives is contingent upon the progress achieved in this core objective. The worsening employment situation all over the world demands urgent action.

    The Asian region in the recent past experienced a major financial crisis as a result of which over 20 million people lost their jobs. There was runaway inflation and a consequential fallout adversely affecting wages of the workers. Logically, therefore, employment generation should be on the top of the agenda of the ILO in the coming decades. Such employment should also be full, freely chosen and productive in terms of the declaration adopted at Copenhagen in which the present DG of ILO had played an important role. In other words , the dignity, equality and respect with which every worker as a human being deserves to be treated should be integrated in the employment policy and wage policy so that there is employment generation leading to decent income, livelihood and quality of life as the logical corollary.

    Till recently the multi-lateral agencies dealing with social issues and economic issues were acting independently and were giving different policy prescription to national governments without trying to harmonise the conflicting positions. The ILO should, therefore, have a view on the design of the macro economic policies at the international level. We, therefore, welcome the consensus emerging in the ILO constituents for more effective and substantive relationship with the Bretton Wood institutions as they now greatly influence employment policy, social security, labour laws, labour market relation, etc. at the national level.

    Social protection assumes importance for those unfortunate sections of the society and working class in particular, who have been victims of social discrimination and economic exploitation for generations. Among them are the special victims of social exclusion such as bonded labour, contract labour, migrant labour, casual labour and indentured labour. Their protection has been an article of faith and commitment for my national government. Equally significant has been out commitment to the ethos and culture of tripartism through social dialogue. In India, all important policy decisions on labour, including legislation are taken only after taking into confidence the three social partners and after obtaining a consensus through various tripartite fore.

    Mr. President I take this opportunity to reiterate our commitment to the principles enshrined in the ILO constitution and the Philadeplphia Declaration. The recently adopted Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at work and its follow up is aimed at achieving economic progress accompanied by social justice. Fundamental priciples at work place identified for promotion should be considered in the context of the broader framework for development at the national and international level. We are again happy to note that the DG has underlined the promotional nature of this Declaration and the importance of technical cooperation as one of the means to achieve this goal. Our submission is that the Declaration should not be used for intrusive monitoring of national economic and social policies and for developing non-tariff barriers in international trade. We apprehend that the proposals for voluntary code of conduct can easily be distorted and utilised for unilateral action in trade and investment. Therefore, the ILO should not become a forum for institutionalising such arrangements.

    We need to seriously consider the efficacy of the standard setting activity. Many of the Conventions adopted over a period of time are now found unsuitable to meet the requirements of the present conditions. We welcome the suggestion of the DG that we should explore new methods of standard setting. The organisation should consider discussion on the standard setting agenda in a two-tier and double discussion procedure, one at the regional positions and laer their understanding and appreciation at the international level. Many of the Conventions have been adopted ignoring realities of the situation obtaining in the developing countries and the two-tier discussions will rectify the situation.
 
 

    Complimenting the award winners Sushri Uma Bharti said the youth power should be energised for the socio-economic progress of the country. She said helping humanity should be the slogan of the NSS. The NSS volunteers can create an awareness about the ill effects of many a social evils including AIDS and thereby contribute to the social development of the nation. The Minister also said that old people particularly the retired people should not feel that they are of no more use to the country and involve themselves in the NSS programmes particularly in "creating awareness schemes." Seeing the success of the NSS programme, it has been introduced in all Central Schools and Poly-technics, she said. She also expressed the hope that these awards will go a long way in inspiring the youth of the country and provide a new direction to the NSS programmes.

    The Secretary, Department of Youth Affairs and Sports, Shri D.K. Manavalan said, the NSS has been playing a pioneering role in inspiring the students to go beyond the campus, work and live with the community and learn from them. By this the students develop a sensitivity towards the people and become socially conscious responsible citizens. He expressed the hope that more universities and educational institutions will come forward and make the NSS a grand success. No incentive could be more inspiring than what one gets out of self-fulfillment, he stated.

    The Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports from Kerala, Shri K. Radhakrishnan was also present on the occasion, among others.

    The Adventure Awards were instituted in 1994 as the highest national recognition for outstanding achievement in the field of adventure activities on land, sea and air . It carries a cash prize of Rs.50,000, a bronze statue and a scroll.

    The Indira Gandhi NSS Awards instituted in 1993-94 are given to recognise the voluntary service rendered by the NSS volunteers, programme officers, NSS Units and universities. This is also to encourage the awardees to work with more dedication for community development. In the first category of university the cash prize is Rs.1 lakh, NSS Unit, Rs.35,000, Programme Officer, Rs.10,000 and NSS volunteer, Rs.8,000, besides, a trophy and certificate.

    The Adventure Awardees are :- Late Brig. Gyan Singh, Lt. Col. Krishan Kumar, Shri Lalneih Sanga, Ms. Gunjan Parulkar, Ms. Rupali Ramdas Repale, Sqn. Leader B.K. Das. The NSS awardees are (University) :-Bangalore University, Rani Durgavati Vishwavidyalaya, Jabalpur, (Programme Officers) :- Government college, Kerala, Lunglei Govt. College, Mizoram, Pathari Samant College, Nayagarh, Orissa, Govt. Mira Girls College, Rajasthan, Govt. Nutan Girls Degree College, Madhya Pradesh, Govt. Sr. Secondary School, Hoshiarpur, Punjab, (Volunteers) :-Ms. K. Sailaja, Andhra Pradesh, Shri K. Srinivas, Andhra Pradesh, Shri Rahul Singh Parihar, Madhya Pradesh, Ms. Pramila Machindranath Shikare, Maharashtra, Shri G. Uma Shankar, Tamil Nadu, Ms. K. Roopa Shree, Karnataka, Shri Ramesh K.G., Karnataka, Ms. Sapna Antony, Kerala, Shri Ram Mahesh R., Kerala, Ms. Sita Sahu, Madhya Pradesh, Shri Kamlesh Kumar, Madhya Pradesh, Shri Naseem Ahmed Shah, Orissa, Shri C. Senthil Kumar, Tamil Nadu, Ms. Rekha Verma,Uttar Pradesh, Shri Rishibh Kuman Jain, Uttar Pradesh, Ms. Shabana Khan New Delhi.
 
 

    The plant was commissioned on March 19, 1999 and the first batch of its branded produce was launched on April 19, 1999. The project has been set up at a cost of Rs.2500 crore and has been completed without any cost overruns. The plant is expected to yield a turnover of over Rs.1000 crore at full capacity.

    The petrochemical plant is based on Natural Gas as feedstock from GAIL’s HBJ pipeline. The current capacity of the cracker is 300,000 tonnes per annum of Ethylene. This will act as the feedstock for the two downstream units with an annual production capacity of 100,000 TPA and 160,000 TPA respectively.

    The petrochemical plant is GAIL’s major diversification activity outside the Natural Gas sector, and with the plant in production, GAIL is now the third major player in the domestic Petrochemical scene. It was set up in accordance with GAIL’s mission to maximise the value addition from each fraction of Natural Gas.

    The upstream and downstream plants of UPPC are based on the best technologies available in the world and have been sourced from USA, Japan and Canada.

    GAIL has already set up highly competitive infrastructure for its marketing network. It has appointed an adequate number of consignment stockists at the various consumption centres and has opened offices countrywide to service the requirements of its consumers. The plant enjoys two major advantages – it is the only Petrochemical plant in Northern India and it has its own supply of gas (feedstock) from its HBJ pipeline.
 

Safety and Environment

    Safety of plant and equipment and its neighborhood has been ensured through design and layout. Extensive water reservoirs have been developed near the plant, which is also equipped with the latest fire-fighting facilities to ensure safety.

    Special care has been taken in the treatment of chemicals and water and extensive facilities have been set up for treatment before exhaust. Elaborate waste water treatment facilities have been set up at a cost of Rs.16 crore. The waste water treatment plant is designed to treat effluents from all the processing plants and utilities at the Complex and to meet MINAS (Minimal National Standards).

    The status of pollution, if any, including the water, soil and air in and around the complex is constantly monitored by the Quality Control Department. The Quality Control laboratories are fully equipped to ensure that effluents being released by the plants meet the MINAS specifications. Apart from this, almost 4 lakh trees have been planted covering 180 hectares of the area in the project premises.
 

Rehabilitation

    GAIL has spent over Rs.12 crores for land acquisition and rehabilitation of project affected persons in the area. Total land acquired for the complex, including the township was around 670 hectares and compensations were paid for loss of land and property. Every adult member of the family has been given a plot of land. Besides, GAIL has also undertaken infrastructure development in this area e.g. electrification of internal roads and feeder point for domestic electric supply, construction of Panchayat Bhawan and school building with furnishing and fixtures, installation of hand pumps, tubewells and related works.
 
 

    The awardees for 1996 are:-

• Individual Category:- Shri E.R.R. Sadasivam from Coimbatore and Shri Apurba Kumar Datta from Agartala.
• Panchayats:- Gram Van Samiti of Gola Bavaripipalaya village in Jhabua District of Madhya Pradesh and Van Suraksha Evam Prabandha Samiti of Salukhera in Udaipur District of Rajasthan.
• Educational Institutions:- Ambedkar Model Senior Basic School of Nehalchandra Nagar in West Tripura District of Tripura and the Centre for Wastelands Development at Narendra Deva University of Agriculture and Technology, Kumarganj in Faizabad District of Uttar Pradesh.
• Voluntary Agency:- Sahyogi Mahila of Baghrasai village of West Singhbhum District in Bihar and the Gujarat Rural Institute for Socio- Economic Reconstruction (GRISERV) of Vadodara in Gujarat.
• Government Servants:-Dr. N. Rama Krishna Rao, Chief Conservator of Forests, Anantapur Circle, Anantapur District in Andhra Pradesh and Shri Ramesh Sharma, Superintendent of Police, Bhillai District in Madhya Pradesh and Shri Rajesh Kumar Govardhan, Divisional Forest Officer of Khandwa District in Madhya Pradesh.
• Government Agencies:- The Forest Division of Leh and Ladakh in Jammu and Kashmir and the Zila Panchayat of Shahdol in Madhya Pradesh.
• Corporate Sector:- ACC Gagal Cement Works of Bilaspur District in Himachal Pradesh and the Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. of Nasik District in Maharashtra.
• Municipal Corporation:- The Municipal Corporation of Rajkot in Gujarat.
• The awardees for 1997 are:-
• Individual Category:- Shri Jogindra Singh Bisht of the Lok Chetna Manch in Ranikhet of Almora District in Uttar Pradesh and Shri S.L. Pandey of Simariya Ghat village in Sagar District of Madhya Pradesh and Smt. Thimmaka of Hulikal village in the Bangalore Rural District in Karnataka.
• Panchayat:- Khaleta Village Forest Committee in the Narnaul Forest Division of Narnaul District in Haryana and the Watershed Committee Jamunia of Kesli Block in Sagar District of Madhya Pradesh.
• Voluntary Agency:- Vikram Sarabhai Centre for Development Interaction (VIKSAT) of Ahmedabad in Gujarat and the Society for the Welfare of Weaker Sections of Gajapati District in Orissa and Matrumandir of Devrukh village in Ratnagiri District of Maharashtra.
• Government Servants:- Dr. Mohan Jha, District Conservator of Forests, Buldhana Forest Division, Buldhana District of Maharashtra and Shri Rongura Hrahsel, Range Officer, Thenzawl Forest Division in Mizoram.
• Government Agency:- Molakalmuru Range Forest Division in Chitradurga Division of Karnataka and Watershed Development and Soil Conservation of Ajmer in Rajasthan.
• Corporate Sector:- Kitply Industries Ltd. of Raipur in Madhya Pradesh and ITC Bhadrachalam Paper Board Ltd. of Secunderabad in Andhra Pradesh.
• Municipal Corporation:- The Hyderabad Urban Development Authority in Secunderabad in Andhra Pradesh

    Improvement in sub-transmission and distribution system in the North Eastern Region and Sikkim will be effected through a scheme to be implemented in three years time. Project wise allocation will be prioritised by the CEA. Taking into account the requirement of the North Eastern Grid and Sikkim, Ministry of Power will seek allocation of funds from the Planning Commission for the implementation of these schemes by the State Governments.

    Today's conference was attended by Ministers In-charge of Power of the North Eastern States and Sikkim, Senior Officials from the State Governments, Government of India, CEA, CWC, Brahmaputra Board and the Public Sector Undertakings in the Power Sector.

    Earlier two conferences were held in May 1998 and January 1999 at New Delhi and Shillong respectively. The Ministry of Power has prepared an Action Plan for Development of Power Sector in the North Eastern Region and a number of important decisions relating to generation projects, transmission and sub-transmission and distribution have been taken based on the recommendations of the earlier conferences.

    The Conference deferred other items on the agenda to be taken up on July 17, 1999 at Calcutta.
 
 

    In a message on the occasion of Urs-e-Razvi being held in Bareili, the Prime Minister paid obeisance to the revered Sufi saint and savant Ala Hazarat Imam Ahmed Raza Khan Fazil-e-Barelvi, in whose memory the Urs Sharif is held each year for the past 80 years and recounted Ala Hazarat's contribution in the areas of knowledge, social reforms and in spreading Islam's message of peace and brotherhood far and wide.

    The following is the text of Prime Minister's message on the occasion :

    "I am pleased to know that Urs-e-Razvi is being held in Bareili from June 9-11, 1999. I pay my pious obeisance to the revered Sufi saint and savant Ala Hazarat Imam Ahmed Raza Khan Fazil-e-Barelvi, in whose memory the Urs Sharif is being held each year for the past 80 years.

    Ala Hazarat was not only a scholar who wrote more than 1000 books and treatises on 50 different areas of knowledge, but also a great social reformer. He spread the message of love and unity in society, guiding it to rise above the divisions created by caste, creed and other barriers. Islam's universal message of peace and brotherhood was carried far and wide by Sufi saints like him. This message mingled with the culture and ethos of this land to produce a unique a spiritual heritage that is India's gift to the world. No wonder, the traditions of Urs has struck deep roots in most parts of the country and attracts devotees from all communities, including many people from abroad.

    India is facing many difficult challenges today. One of the most pressing challenge is to consolidate and render permanent the atmosphere of communal peace and amity that has been building up in the country for the past few years. Another challenge is to rapidly promote the economic, social and educational development of the minorities - especially the Muslim community - so that they can make their fullest contribution to national development. The Government and the various organisations of the minority and majority communities have to work together in a spirit of trust and cooperation for the success of this mission. In this context, I heartily compliment the various developmental initiative undertaken by the Bareili Dargah and assure the Government's support to them.

    I send my sincere greetings for the successful completion of the Urs Sharief and seek the blessings of Ala Hazarat for all my countrymen and myself".