Shri Manish Swarup of Hindustan Times, New Delhi has been adjudged as the First prize Winner of Rs. 50,000/- for his entry in colour, Shri kamal Kishore Kamboj as the Second Prize Winner of Rs. 25,000/- & Third Prize goes to Captain Dipak Das of Rs. 15,000/-. Ten other Consolation Prizes were also selected from the different entries received for the photo contest.

    The prize distribution ceremony will be held on August 13, 1999at 11.30 a.m. in Conference Hall of press Information Bureau, Shastri Bhavan, New Delhi. The Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting Shri Pramod Mahajan will present the awards.
 
 
 
 

    He said that PEM/undernutrition is the biggest public health problem of the developing world today, where more than 40 per cent of the pre-school children are affected. The prevalence of iron deficiency anaemia is more than 50 per cent among both pregnant women and pre-school children. The Addl. Secretary said that more than 200 million people in India are at the risk of Iodine Deficiency Disorder (IDD) out of which 70 million suffer from goitre alone. Vitamin A deficiency in pre-school children in India is about 0.04 per cent, he added.

    Among the strategies proposed at the workshop to tackle the problem of malnutrition the participants felt that the focus should be on pre-school children in the age-group of. 6 months to 2 years who are the most vulnerable. They recommended universal iodisation of salt that should be easily available through the public distribution system. The participants emphasised the need for adequate supply of iron folic acid tablets and promotion of a culture where all the family members eat together. The optimum use of infrastructure, empowerment and training to the Panchayat members with full community participation were also recommended at the meet.

    Shri Prasada Rao called upon all the State/Union Territory Governments to take appropriate steps to implement the strategies proposed in order to prevent and control the nutritional disorders .The experts and delegates from all the States and Union Territories took part in the deliberations of the two-day workshop.
 
 

(i) 5657/5658 Howrah-Guwahati Kanchanjunga Express

(ii) 5609/5610 Delhi-Guwahati Avadh Assam Express

(iii) 3045/3046 Guwahati-Howrah Saraighat Express
 

    The Task Force on Information Technology also actively considered this issue and recommended for interconnectivity between the Government Data Networks and CUG's networks.

    The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has been for quite some time granting network approvals for CUG's private telecom networks. These networks were being permitted for producers of goods or provider of service, other than telecommunication, and their wholesale traders/agents, holding companies and their subsidiaries, interconnected undertakings etc. As a result, Stock Exchanges, Banks, Airlines and Hotels could have their own captive CUGs.
 
 
 
 
 

    In Kerala, there are 20 Parliamentary Constituencies , all of which will go to poll on September 11,1999.

    The Presidential Notification paves the way for filing of nominations from today itself.
 
 

    Despatch of coal by SCCL during July 99 was 2.45 mt against the target of 2.10 mt. The increase above the target was 16.66 per cent. Despatches from CIL were also 7.35 per cent more than the target of 19.87 mt. The off-take was 21.33 mt.

    Overburden removal by Neyveli Lignite Corporation (NLC) was 8.57 per cent more. The overburden removal was 86.31 lakh cubic meters against the target of 79.50 LM3. The lignite production was 90.06 per cent of the target and the total production during the month of July 99 by NLC was 13.96 lakh tonnes. The power generation by NLC during the period was 98.44 per cent of the target. The power generation was 1067.14 million units. The power export was 883.93 mu against the target of 908 mu which was 2.65 per cent less. The target of lignite production could not be achieved due to breakdown of one Bucket wheel excavator and power generation was less on account of advancement of overhaul work of Unit-VII.

    Outstanding dues from power sector to CIL as on July 20, 1999 stands at Rs.5272.61 crores and from South Region Electricity Board to NLC as on July 31, 99 was 1403.75 crores. The major amounts outstanding are Rs.841.20 crores from MSEB, Rs. 651.82 crores from MPEB, Rs. 579.69 crores from GEB, Rs. 519.19 crores from BTPS, Rs.477.42 crores from UPSEB, Rs. 383.94 crores from TNEB and Rs.320.04 crores from WBPDC.
 
 

    It was found that the National Institute of Nutrition, Hyderabad was violating the rules framed under Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 - Animal Experimentation Rules. Their Primate House is neither registered nor recognised due to lack of facilities, as per rules under the Act. Most of the animals were not accounted for. The Institute by presenting one sided picture is intentionally trying to cover up the default.

    The Ministry also clarifies that the chances of the survival of animals in the wild are excellent. An expert team accompanied the monkeys in the wild. The team will continue to monitor the progress over an appropriate period of time to ensure that they have settled well in the new environment. The Ministry is also of the firm belief that animal welfare does not contradict advancement of medicines, provided the rules in this regard are respected.
 
 

    The Indices of Industrial Production for the Mining, Manufacturing and Electricity sectors for the month of June, 1999 stand at 115.2, 149.0 and 140.6 respectively, with the corresponding growths of –1.5%, 6.5% and 4.1% compared to the month of June, 1998. The cumulative growths during April-June, 1999-2000 over the corresponding period of 1998-99 in the three sectors have been –0.6%, 6.5% and 4.1% respectively, with the overall growth in the general index being 5.6%.

    Ten out of seventeen two-digit industry groups have shown positive growth during the month of June, 1999 as compared to the corresponding month of the previous year. Machinery and Equipment other than Transport Equipment have shown the highest growth of 21.8% followed by 16.7% for Non-Metallic Mineral Products and 16.4% in Wool, Silk and man-made fibre textiles. On the otherhand, Other Manufacturing Industries have shown a growth of –27.7% followed by a growth of –16.8% in Metal Products and parts, except Machinery and Equipment and –5.1% in Transport Equipment and Parts.

    As per Use-based classification, the growth in June, 1999 as compared to June, 1998 is 9.9% in Intermediate goods, 4.5% in the Capital goods and 3.7% in Basic goods. The Consumer durables and Consumer non-durables have recorded growth of 11.1% and 1.7% respectively, with the overall growth in Consumer goods being 3.6%.

    Statements giving Quick Estimates of the Index of Industrial Production at the 2-digit level of National Industrial Classification and by Use-based classification for the month of June, 1999 alongwith the growth rates over the corresponding month of previous year including the cumulative indices and growth rates are enclosed.
 
 
 

    The formulations for which prices have been revised/fixed consist of Rifampicin based formulations used in the treatment of T.B., Multi Vitamins with Lactic Acid Bacillus used in deficiency of Vitamins, Dextropropoxyphene HCl based formulation packs used for pain relief, Fucibet an Antifungal cream, and Copamide Tablet used in the treatment of Diabetics.

    The prices fixed/revised would become effective within 15 days from the date of notification in the official gazette or the receipt of the order of the NPPA in this behalf. Necessary revised price list is to be issued by the manufacturers/importers. According to DPCO provisions, the concerned manufacturer is also required to furnish the revised price list to the government and NPPA, State Drug Control Authorities and distributors, wholesaler and retailers or any other agent. The manufacturers are also required to work out the prices of different pack sizes as the case may be in terms of the guidelines in this regard.
 
 

    The two sides discussed matters of possible mutual cooperation in the field of telecom sector. These among others relate to exchange of information about developments in telecommunications, strategic alliance between telecom equipment manufacturers and its exports to the developing countries, joint R&D projects, consultancy and service sector projects in Slovenia.

    Republic of Slovenia is a Parliamentary Democracy, located in Central Europe with a population of over two million.
 
 

    The Protocol include a request for India’s help in formulating policy measures for development of IT industry in Vietnam. Vietnam side has sought assistance from Indian side in setting up of Software Development and Consultancy centres, VLSI Design centres etc. Presently, a number of Vietnam professionals are being trained by Indian institutions under MEA’s ITEC programme.

    Collaboration in Computer Education on the lines of DOEACC, Indian participation in various exhibitions like ‘Pride of India’ in Vietnam for increased interactions between both the industries and projects on development of IT infrastructural facilities, National Databases like Taxation database etc. in Vietnam are included in the protocol

    The high-level Vietnamese delegation is visiting Bangalore and Mumbai during their stay in India from August 12 to 20, 1999. The Working Group will meet in future once a year alternatively in both the countries.
 
 

    This first of the four interesting objects identified in the well flowed oil @ 3600 barrels per day and gas @ 41,000 cubic meters per day, on initial testing. Further testing of the well is in progress. ONGC is taking further action for delineation of this prospect to assess the hydrocarbon reserves.

    With this strike, the prospects of identifying more hydrocarbon potential in KG offshore looks promising.