By the due bid closing date of 18.8.1999, Government of India received 45 bids for a total of 27 blocks covering 4 onshore, 16 shallow water and 7 deepwater blocks. 10 Foreign, 6 Indian private companies and 5 public sector enterprises have submitted the bids.

    The foreign companies which have bid are Enron Corporation-USA, Petronas Carigali-Malaysia, OAO Gazprom-Russia, Energy Equity India Petroleum Pty Ltd.-Australia, Cairn Energy-Australia, Niko Resources Ltd.,-Canada, Geopetrol International Inc.-Panama, Mosbacher India LLC-USA, Grynberg Petroleum Co. (RSM Production Corporation, USA) and South Asia Oil & Gas Plc-Australia.

    The Indian private companies which have bid are Reliance Industries Ltd. (RIL), Hindustan Oil Exploration Corporation (HOEC), Enpro India Ltd., Geoenpro Petroleum Ltd., Sri Vasavi India Ltd., and Shri Sarita Synthetics India Ltd.

    The Indian public sector enterprises which have bid are Oil & Natural Gas Corporation Ltd. (ONGC), Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), Oil India Ltd. (OIL), Gas Authority of India Ltd. (GAIL) and Gujarat State Petroleum Co. Ltd. (GSPC).

    The blocks for which offers have been received are KG-DWN-98/1, KG-DWN-98/2, KG-DWN-98/3, KG-DWN-98/4, KG-DWN-98/5, MN-DWN-98/2 and MN-DWN-98/3 in deep waters. The shallow water blocks for which bids have been received are NEC-OSN-97/1, NEC-OSN-97/2, CY-OSN-97/1, CY-OSN-97/2, GK-OSN-97/1, KG-OSN-97/1, KG-OSN-97/2, KG-OSN-97/3, KG-OSN-97/4, KK-OSN-97/2, KK-OSN-97/3, MB-OSN-97/3, MB-OSN-97/2, MB-OSN-97/3, MB-OSN-97/4, MN-OSN-97//3, and SR-OSN-97/1. The onland blocks for which bids have been received are ARP-ONN-97/1, GV-ONN-97/1, RJ-ONN-97/1 and RJ-ONN-97/4. These blocks fall in 11 out of 14 basins offered.

    Evaluation of bids received by the Government will be undertaken in a time bound fashion. The main criteria for evaluation of bids, as already informed through Notice Inviting Offers (NIO), will be technical and financial capability of the bidding companies/consortia, minimum work programme commitment and profit petroleum sharing with Government along with cost recovery limit bid by bidders.

    One of the new features of the NELP is that the two National Oil Companies (NOCs) viz. Oil & Natural Gas Corporation Limited (ONGC) and Oil India Limited (OIL) are required to compete with the private oil companies for securing Petroleum Exploration of Licences (PELs) for carrying out exploration activities in these NELP blocks.

    It may be recalled that the Government of India had formulated a New Exploration Licensing Policy (NELP) after taking into account the past experience and concern of investors and under the new policy investors have been provided attractive fiscal incentives and contractual framework.
 
 

    Addressing the meeting of the Health Secretaries of Delhi and adjoining States on "Action taken to contain the outbreak of water borne diseases" Shri Chowdhury, said that vector borne and water borne diseases are under control but a close watch is required in Rajasthan as there has been an increase in number of cases reported. He also said that there has been a decline in the incidence of these diseases in the NCT of Delhi. The Health Secretary called for monitoring of dengue fever as cases have been reported in certain areas of the Northern States.

    Emphasising the need for greater public awareness Shri Chowdhury said that the Central Government will extend all possible help to tackle the problem of water borne and vector borne diseases.

    The meeting was attended by Dr. S.P.Aggarwal, DGHS, State Health Secretaries of U.P., Rajasthan, Haryana and Delhi and other senior officers.
 
 
 

    Bank of India has a network of 2496 branches all over the country and 19 foreign offices. The Bank has over 500 computerized branches. It's total business exceeds Rs.84,000 crore including deposits of over Rs.44,400 crore, advances of over Rs.24,300 crore and investments of about Rs.15,300 crore. The Bank made a gross profit of Rs.705 crore and a net profit of Rs.201 crore for the year ended March 1999. The capital adequacy of the Bank as on 31.03.1999 was 10.55%.

    Bank of India's credit to the various components of the Priority Sector such as agriculturists, SSIs, Artisans and Cottage Industries etc. stood at 48.4% of total credit as on 31^st March, 1999. The Bank has also set up 16 Regional Rural Banks in five states viz., Bihar, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Orissa and U.P.
 
 

    The film reflects India’s stand on Kargil conflict at Jammu and Kashmir border and depicts patriotism through the song rendered by Smt. Asha Bhonsle and Shri Mahendra Kapoor.
 
 

    In respect of about 30 NBFCs, the CLB has prepared schemes for recovery of public deposits of Rs.500 crores under Section 45QA of the Reserve Bank of India Act for repayment to the depositors. Similarly, the CLB has framed schemes for repayment of Rs.250 crores of public deposits from 25 defaulting manufacturing companies.

    Wherever schemes for recovery and repayment of public deposits from defaulting companies have been framed, periodical review for implementation of such schemes is done by the CLB.

    The CLB has, however, not been able to detect the whereabouts of the directors of 100 defaulting NBFC Companies. As such, no action is possible in respect of these companies. However, a drive is on in close coordination with the RBI to locate the absconding directors of 100 defaulting NBFCs for further action to recover the public deposits and ensure their early repayment.

    The RBI has also set up Regional Committees to review the implementation of the CLB orders in respect of NBFCs. Wherever there is default in complying with the orders of the CLB, prosecution proceedings are initiated either by the Registrars of Companies or the RBI.

    The CLB, constituted on May 31,1991, is quasi- judicial body and enjoys the powers of the High Court in dealing with allegations of oppression, mismanagement in the affairs of a company, disputes relating to transfer of shares, non-payment of public deposits by companies and NBFCs.
 
 

    The research and development institutes of the Central Silk Board have developed technologies to improve the quality of silk and increase the productivity through generation of superior technology for food plant cultivation, silkworm rearing and in reeling areas. Efforts are being intensified to transfer these technologies to the States with the help of the State Developments of Sericulture. To meet the demand for warp quality mulberry silk imports have been facilitated.

    Apart from the North-East action plan and the Poorvanchal Sericulture Project which are continuing from the 8^th Plan, the Government has sanctioned implementation of 36 Catalytic Development Schemes during the 9^th Plan. Besides, the states of Madhya Pradesh and Manipur have undertaken implementation of the project with financial assistance from Overseas Economic Cooperation Fund (OECF), Japan in respect of tasar and mulberry sericulture respectively. The Project in Madhya Pradesh envisages development of 4000 hectares of tasar food plans and increase production of 75 tonnes of tasar silk per annum after the project period. The project in Manipur aims at increased production of 60 tonnes mulberry raw silk per annum after the project period. The Government of Uttar Pradesh, under the Diversified Agricultural Project has envisaged a 750 tonnes per year increase in silk production with World Bank assistance. Besides, the Central Silk Board has prepared an integrated Project for Muga and Eri. In addition development programmes for non-mulberry silk will be taken up with UNDP assistance from 1999-2000 under the Fibres and Handicrafts Programme.
 
 

    Presiding over the function the Railway Board Chairman, Shri V.K. Agarwal, hailed the achievement of the organisation and said adoption of ISO-9001 certification would result in efficient and optimum utilisation of resources and would enhance RDSO’s image in the international arena. He said that RDSO, since its inception, has rendered yeoman’s service to the nation by contribution to the development and modernisation of the Indian Railways. It has appointed reputed consultants for formalising procedures and documentations required for ISO-9001 system. The staff of the various directorates have also been trained to work in the system.The Members of Railway Board and senior officials of Railway Ministry attended the function.

    Director General, RDSO, Shri Hari Mohan indicated that ISO-9001 will help RDSO to streamline and fine tune the procedures for better quality management and to fall in line with practices adopted by international organisations. He said that the RDSO in the recent past, has developed an improved rail fastening system ERC Mark-V, composition brake blocks for economy and ease of maintenance, higher capacity parcel vans, high horsepower Diesel Multiple Units, Universal Emergency Communication System for use by Drivers, Guards, ASMs, LED based signals, wagons for transporting cars, higher horsepower WDP₂ (3100 hp) locomotives, air springs on EMUs and three phase dual voltage Electric Multiple Units.
 
 

    Speaking on the occasion, the Secretary said that the Indian operating environment, facilities and infrastructure available should be kept in mind while framing safety related policies. It is a matter of great satisfaction that Federal Aviation Administration has assigned category-I rating for India in the matter of aviation safety thereby certifying that India meets International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) standards, he said.

    The growth of helicopter operations in this country has not been without difficulties faced by the operators. There is, at present, no institute in this country imparting training to helicopter pilots and engineers and as a result the operators have to depend on various pilots, foreign training institutes and Indian Defence Forces for the supply and training of pilots. The Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), Bangalore, is planning to start training of helicopter pilots shortly and is also developing the civil version of the Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) which will make possible the production of indigenous helicopters, the Secretary said. Another area of constraint has been the mixing of helicopters and fixed-wing operations as at present separate heliports have not been provided at major airports.

    Elaborating on the rules, regulations and procedures, Shri Jayakrishnan said that these have been traditionally based on fixed-wing operations. The enforcement of air traffic control procedures evolved for fixed-wing aircraft also restricts the inherent flexibility and versatility of the helicopters. To derive full benefit of flexibility associated with helicopter, the rules, regulations and procedures dedicated to helicopter operations need to be evolved. In this context, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has already initiated actions and evolved 'Helicopter Specific Regulations' for Carriage of Cabin Crew, Approval of Examiners, Flight Duty Time Limitations, etc.

    The Secretary mentioned that the Government has been fairly liberal in giving permission for induction of additional helicopters and issue of no objection certificates for new companies to come up this industry can really develop only with the diversified use of helicopters. The use of helicopters has still not become as universal as in the developed countries. The Pawan Hans Helicopters Ltd. (PHHL) has started its operations to Sikkim, Meghalaya and Arunachal Pradesh. Similarly, it has plans to operate in Uttar Pradesh Hills - Badrinath and Kedarnath and the Valley of Flowers. It is also planning to operate in Rajasthan and Himachal Pradesh.
 
 

    In his introductory remarks Shri Asthana urged the State Governments to focus on the requirements of the Public Distribution System and to ensure the Minimum Support Price to the farmer while procuring paddy for the Central Pool. State Governments have also been asked to intimate changes if any in the statutory taxes from the previous Kharif Marketing Season at the earliest so that the levy prices could be announced as early as possible.

    As on 9^th August this year, 117.38 lakh tonnes of rice (including paddy in terms of rice) has been procured for Central Pool during 1998-99 Kharif Marketing Season. In addition, a quantity of 10.95 lakh tonnes of rice has been procured by Tamil Nadu though the State is not contributing to the Central Pool. The total quantity of rice including paddy in terms of rice procured in the country during 1998-99 Kharif Marketing Season stands at 124.83 lakh tonnes as on August 9, 1999.
 
 

    Last date for receipt of application is 13^th September, 1999. In the case of applications received by post from the candidates residing in Assam, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Manipur, Nagaland, Tripura, Sikkim, Jammu & Kashmir, Lahaul & Spiti District and Pangi Sub-Division of Chamba District of Himachal Pradesh, Andaman & Nicobar Islands or Lakshadweep and for candidates residing abroad, the last date for receipt of applications is 20^th September, 1999.

    Candidates should not apply to Union Public Service Commission for application form etc. of this examination. For details including the applications form, the Commission’s advertisement, published in Employment News/Rozgar Samachar dated 14^th August, 1999 may be referred.
 
 

    Voluntary contributions worth over Rs. 338 crore have already been received and more are pouring in. A large number of requests are still pending for presentation of cheque to the Prime Minister personally for the NDF.

    In view of the Prime Minister's pre-occupation, it may not be possible for Shri Vajpayee to personally receive all the cheques. The cheques for NDF donations may kindly be sent to the Prime Minister's Office. The mailing address is:

    Classifying Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd.(BHEL) as non-core, the Commission has recommended induction of Financial Institutions(FIs) as strategic partners through disinvestment of 20% of BHEL’s equity in their favour. It has also recommended that domestic FIs may be offered 10% equity stake and foreign private equity funds/FIs another 10% to enhance funding capability in foreign currency.

    Hindustan Insecticides Ltd. (HIL), according to the Commission, is non-core and a minimum of 51% equity, as recommended by the Commission, could be offered to a strategic buyer along with management control. Voluntary Retirement Scheme (VRS) could be offered to the surplus manpower. The remaining equity could be on offer to retail investors.

    In the case of Hindustan Organic Chemicals Ltd. (HOCL), another non-core enterprise, the Commission, which recommends initiating VRS to reduce manpower, has observed that 33% of shares could be divested out of the government’s equity holding of 59%, retaining the remaining 26% of equity.

    The Commission has recommended offering 52% equity of Rashtriya Chemicals and Fetilizers Ltd. (RCF) to a strategic buyer through global competitive bidding.

    The Commission recommends writing off the entire losses of Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited (RINL) against its entire ‘Share Money Pending Allotment’ and ‘Preference Share Capital’ and part of ‘Equity Capital’ to keep the company from being referred to BIFR. It has also recommended disinvesting not less than 51% of the Government’s remaining equity holding to a strategic buyer through global competitive bidding.
 
 

    Gold was not hitherto included for hedging under the Forward Contracts (Regulation) Act 1952 which governs Forward Contracts in commodities.