PIB Press Releases


		18th October, 2002


		Prime Minister's Office PM condoles death of Laxmi Kant Verma The Prime Minister Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee has expressed grief over the sad demise of eminent Hindi literatteur and freedom fighter Laxmi Kant Verma.................. Ministry of Tourism Tourism takes new profile The Government has taken several steps during the last 3 years to give new profile to Tourism. It has been declared a priority area in view of its economic potential, accordingly significant increase in financial allocations, new infrastructure projects at micro level, new integrated tourism circuits, cultural hubs in each State and other initiatives have been taken.................. Prime Minister's Office Conference of Chief Ministers on fiscal issues Following is the text of the Prime Minister Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s opening remarks at the conference of Chief Ministers on fiscal issues, here today.................. Ministry of Environment & Forests India moves to take advantage of climate change control mechanisms The Ministry of Environment and Forests has endorsed 6 private sector renewable energy projects to be set up with the assistance of The Netherlands under Clean Development Mechanism (CDM).................. Ministry of Law & Justice Justice G.B. Pattanaik to be next Chief Justice of India The President has appointed Shri Justice Gopal Ballav Pattanaik, Judge of the Supreme Court, to be the next Chief Justice of India with effect from November 8, 2002 (forenoon).................. Ministry of Steel RSP saves Rs. 20.8 lakh through in- house innovation Rourkela Steel Plant (RSP) has made a direct saving of Rs. 20.8 lakhs on account of a creative project conceived and implemented by the employees of Steel Melting Shop-I (SMS-I). The SMS-I collective has recently reconditioned a disordered movable hood for one of its LD converters making it more efficient than a new one.................. Ministry of Rural Development Government to identify landless rural BPL households for providing houses: Shanta Kumar Landless households from below poverty line families in rural areas are to be identified for allotment of land on priority basis for provision of housing.................. Ministry of Agriculture New scheme on sustainable development of horticulture through technology intervention A new scheme on sustainable development of horticulture through technology intervention has been formulated for implementation during the 10^th Plan for effective application of technology.................. Ministry of Finance Finance Minister underlines need to improve states fiscal situation The Union Minister for Finance & Company Affairs, Shri Jaswant Singh, has stressed upon the need to contain debt and mobilise tax resources by the State Governments................. Ministry of Shipping Union Minister for shipping Shri V.P. Goyal's call for development river transport at IWTDC meet With a view to revamp the centrally sponsored scheme for the Inland Water Sector, instead of 50 per cent reimbursable loan 90 per cent grant will be given to States other than that of the Northeast, provided 10 per cent is provided by the State Governments in their budgets.................. Ministry of Urban Development India to host 14th board meeting of Commonwealth Local Government Forum (CLGF) The fourteenth Board meeting of Commonwealth Local Government Forum (CLGF) is beginning from 21^st Oct. 2002. Representatives from 10 countries namely, United Kingdom, Namibia, Ghana, South Africa, Canada, Newzeland, Jamaica, Malaysia, and the host country, India would participate in this two day meeting.................. Ministry of Textiles NIFT fashion spectrum The National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) will be organising its yearly event "Fashion Spectrum" from November 11 to 15, 2002 at NIFT Campus, Hauz Khas, New Delhi................. President's Secretariat President meets mentally challenged children The President of India, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam met a group of mentally challenged children and their teachers from Delhi here today................. Ministry of Water Resources Revised National Water Policy 2002 - A major initiative of the government to focus participatory Approach on Water Resources Managementough measures to check deteriorating fiscal situation m The National Water Policy (Revised) has been unanimously approved by the National Water Resources Council (NWRC) in its 5^th meeting held on April 1, 2002................. Ministry of Home Affairs Combined Medical Services Examination, 2003 on 23 February The Union Public Service Commission will hold the Combined Medical Services Examination on 23^rd February, 2003. Approximate number of vacancies to be filled on the results of this examination will be 381................. Ministry of Finance Centre and States agree for tough measures to check deteriorating fiscal situation The Prime Minister, Shri Atal Behari Vajpayee today chaired a meeting of State Chief Ministers to evolve solutions to the critical fiscal situation faced by the states................ Ministry of Science & Technology India proposes an International Centre for Climate Research India has proposed the setting up of an international centre for climate research, as a first step towards S&T capacity building to understand and meet climate change. An international conference................ Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pension S. S. Dawra to hold additional charge Shri S.S Dawra, IAS(PB:67), Secretary, Department of Urban Development, will hold full additional charge of the post of Secretary, Ministry of Non-Conventional Energy................ President's Secretariate President to visit Uttaranchal The President of India, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam will be visiting Uttaranchal on October 19, 2002. During the visit, the President will launch the Mobile Diagnostic Clinic and Research Centre jointly supported by the Government of Uttaranchal and the Technology Information Forecasting and Assessment Council (TIFAC), Government of India................. Ministry of Labour & Empowerment All India Consumer Price Index for Agricultural and Rural Labourers in Twenty States Meghalaya continued to be at the top of the index table for Agricultural Labourers with 343 points while for Rural Labourers Punjab & Meghalaya figured at the top with 340 points each. Bihar remained at the bottom of the index................. Ministry of Labour & Empowerment All India Consumer Price Index for Agricultural and Rural Labourers increases The All-India Consumer Price Index for Agricultural and Rural Labourers (Base 1986-87 = 100) increased during September, 2002 by 2 points each to stand at 321 for Agricultural Labourers and 323 for Rural Labourers.................