'17'
HEAVY INDUSTRY PSUs
9% GROWTH IN PRODUCTION LIKELY FOR 1998-99
    The targets of out-turn for the 48 operating Public Sector Undertakings under the Department of Heavy Industry for the year 1999-2000 has been tentatively set at Rs.13678 crore. The likely out-turn during the year 1998-99 is Rs.12420 crore.

    The projected aggregate net loss in 1999-2000 is Rs.438 crore against the likely aggregate net loss of Rs.440 crore in 1998-99.

    The PSUs are likely to show a growth of 9 per cent in production during 1998-99 as compared to their production in 1997-98. The aggregate out-turn of the undertaking in the year ended 1997-98 stood at Rs.11344 crore.

    A number of steps were taken by the Government to make these PSUs competitive and viable on a long term basis. The restructuring of PSEs includes revival through the process of BIFR, joint venture tie-ups for upgrading technology and also for market, finance, management, manpower rationalization and financial restructuring wherever needed.

    ‘In principle’ approval was given for converting 23 PSEs into joint venture companies with equity participation up to 74 per cent by the JV partner. For 17 PSEs consultants have been appointed for locating JV partners.

    With a view to shedding surplus manpower, Voluntary Retirement Scheme (VRS) has been introduced in a number of PSUs without causing hardship to employees. In unviable PSUs, a Voluntary Separation Scheme (VSS) has been introduced which gives benefits equivalent to VRS. This will benefit about 11,000 employees.
 
 

'32'
PUBLIC HEARINGS BY URBAN DEVELOPMENT MINISTER TO COVER ALL PUBLIC GRIEVANCES UNDER URBAN INDIA
    The weekly public hearings by the Union Urban Development Minister Shri Jagmohan, beginning Thursday on June 24,1999 at National Buildings Organisation (NBO) Hall, Ground Floor, Nirman Bhavan, New Delhi at 4.00 P.M. will cover all aspects of urban India such as problems relating to urban infrastructure, civic amenities like provision of water, power, green belt , urban housing and so on.

    All offices under the Ministry of Urban Development such as Land and Development Office (L&DO), Delhi Development Authority (DDA), Central Public Works Department (CPWD), Delhi Urban Art Commission (DUAC), Town and Country Planning Organisation (TCPO), public sector undertakings like Housing and Urban Development Corporation (HUDCO), National Buildings Construction Corporation (NBCC), New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC), Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), Delhi Jal Board (DJB) and Delhi Vidyut Board (DVB) will be covered at the public hearings. Officials incharge or their next in command will represent these organisations to assist the Minister for prompt redressal of public grievances.

    However, complaints relating to transfers, postings, promotions and disciplinary actions against Government officials and other related matters will not be covered under the public hearings by the Urban Development Minister.

    The public hearings are intended to launch the drive to redress public grievances speedily. This will also help the Government to attain higher level of efficiency in the Ministry of Urban Development.

    The primary objective of public hearings by the Urban Development Minister is intended to make the Government functionaries and machinery responsive, caring, result oriented at the grassroots level and user friendly. This is also intended to increase efficiency in the Government by improving field works.

    Those who may have any grievance may meet the Urban Development Minister with a brief representation.
 
 
 

'31'
INDIA POPULATION PROJECT-VIII BEING EXPANDED
    The World Bank assisted India Population Project-VIII for improving the health and family welfare status of the urban slum population is being extended to more cities of West Bengal, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. The project, presently under implementation in Delhi, Bangalore, Calcutta and Hyderabad is expected to be completed by the end of next year.

    The major components of the project are setting up urban health posts and upgrading maternity centres to Referral Health Centres for speedy delivery of family welfare services besides, training, information, education and communication tailored to the needs of the community. The total cost of the seven year project under implementation since 1993 is Rs.223.37 crore. A sum of Rs.100 crore has so far been spent on the project.
 
 

'43'
JAWAHAR GRAM SAMRIDHI YOJANA TO BE IMPLEMENTED BY VILLAGE PANCHAYATS
22.5% OF ANNUAL ALLOCATION FOR SCs/STs INDIVIDUAL BENEFICIARY SCHEME
    Jawahar Rozgar Yojana has been streamlined and restructured. The new programme - Jawahar Gram Samridhi Yojana, will be dedicated entirely to the development of rural infrastructure at the village level and will be implemented by the Village Panchayats. The primary objective of the programme is creation of demand driven community village infrastructure including durable assets at the village level and assets to enable the rural poor to increase the opportunities for sustained employment. The secondary objective under the scheme is generation of supplementary employment for the unemployed poor in the rural areas.

    The programme, which has come into effect from 1.4.99, will be implemented as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme on cost sharing basis between the Centre and the State in the ratio of 75:25. In the case of Union Territories, entire funds under the Scheme will be provided by the Centre.

    Under this programme, the Village Panchayats will have the sole authority to prepare and implement Annual Action Plans as also the power to execute works with the approval of the Gram Sabha. Village Panchayat in these guidelines means the lowest elected body and includes Gram Panchayats, Mandals, Nagar Panchayats or traditional village institutions like village councils and village development boards having statutory character.

    In case the duly elected Village Panchayats are not in existence, their share of funds will be passed on to the concerned Panchayat Samitis who will be responsible for implementing the Gram Samridhi Yojana in those Panchayats. The works to be taken up however, will be decided at the village level itself by the Gram Sabha (Village Assembly) of the concerned Panchayats. The existing forest villages which are not part of an existing Village Panchayat will be treated as a Village Panchayat.

    22.5% of annual allocation shall be earmarked for SCs/STs individual beneficiary scheme. The Wage Employment under the programme shall be given to Below Poverty Line(BPL) families.
 
 

‘5’
H.S. RECEIVES WADHWA COMMISSION OF INQUIRY REPORT
    The Justice D.P. Wadhwa Commission of Inquiry constituted on January 29, 1999 to probe the killing of Australian missionary Graham Staines and his two sons at village Manoharpur in the State of Orissa has submitted its report to the Central Government today. It has been a matter of great satisfaction to the Commission that it has been able to complete the task assigned to it within the time stipulated. Although it was only in the last week of March, 1999 that the Commission could get the necessary infrastructure and commence its work, it has held 25 sittings at Delhi and Bhubaneswar, examined 52 witnesses, perused over 130 affidavits and thousands of pages of documents and other materials in the course of its inquiry. In this endeavour the Commission has received the full cooperation of both the Central Government and the Government of Orissa. The Commission has greatly benefitted in the completion of its task from its counsel Mr. Gopal Subramaniam, Senior Advocate and is team of lawyers. The Commission's’Investigating Team comprising of high ranking police officers has also done a commendable job and has been of invaluable assistance to the Commission.

    In its report submitted today, the Commission has recorded its findings on terms (a) and (b) of the reference contained in the notification constituting the Commission, viz., the facts and circumstances relating to the killing of graham Staines and his two sons as well as role of any individual or organisation in connection with the killing and has also made certain recommendations. The Commission has, in recording its findings, been conscious of the fact that the criminal investigation is yet to be concluded and the trail yet to commence. The Commission unequivocally condemns the killing of Graham Staines and his two children as an entirely unjustified act which is a slur on humanity and a blot on civilised society. It commiserates with Gladys June Staines and her daughter Esther who have borne this personal tragedy with fortitude and without rancour towards any one.
 
 

'9'

23rd JUNE BEING OBSERVED AS BLOOD DONATION DAY
    It has been decided to observe 23rd June as the blood donation day throughout the country. On this day in 1953, Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee achieved martyrdom while fighting for the cause of Kashmir. The National Service Scheme (NSS), an organisation of Department of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India, is organising blood donation camps all over the country.

    A Blood Donation Camp is being set up by NSS Regional Centre , Delhi at 15/11, Jam Nagar House, New Delhi from 10 AM to 4 PM. NSS Volunteers, functionaries from Delhi region and a large number of citizens of Delhi will be donating blood. The NSS Regional Centres at Chennai, Calcutta, Bhubaneswar, Bangalore, Ahmedabad, Jaipur, Chandigarh, Lucknow etc. would also be organising blood donation camps on the occasion.

    Blood Donation has been one of the major activities of the NSS Programme. During 1998, more than 50,000 units of blood were donated by NSS Vounteers.